Ever since Hongshi last met Ruan Meiying, he has been unable to forget her. Even though Linlang is by his side, he still thinks about Ruan Meiying.
After thinking for several days, Hongshi finally decided to bring Ruan Meiying back to the capital with him. He felt that as a prince, and with his father, the Emperor, valuing him so much, as long as his mother and those who supported the Empress worked together, plus his eighth uncle's support, Hongshi believed that he would soon be made crown prince. Wouldn't it be easy for him to get a prostitute? It would be a blessing for her to serve him. So Hongshi planned to go to that mansion the next day to redeem Ruan Meiying from her servitude.
The next day, Hongshi arrived at Ruan Meiying's house with his men. Hongshi first went to the madam, intending to directly propose the idea of redeeming Ruan Meiying from her servitude.
Hongshi arrived at the main hall led by the pimp. The pimp asked him to wait there while he went to fetch the madam so they could have a detailed talk.
A moment later, the pimp brought a woman who looked to be about thirty or forty years old into the hall. The woman was slightly plump, but dressed in a flamboyant manner. She was holding a round fan and swaying as she walked toward Hongshi.
Upon seeing the madam, Hongshi said, "You're the madam here?"
This madam was originally surnamed Wang. Due to her family's decline, she was forced to sell herself in a brothel. However, she was unwilling to end up like other prostitutes and suffered a miserable fate. She was quick-witted and fortunately managed to get on the good side of a wealthy and powerful man. Although he did not redeem her from prostitution, he helped her open a brothel and became the madam himself, allowing her to earn money to support herself and have someone to rely on. Because she was the third child in her family, people who knew her called her Wang San Niang (Third Sister Wang).
Wang San Niang bowed to Hong Shi, her face, covered in powder, displaying the standard smile of a prostitute greeting a customer.
"I am the madam here, Wang San Niang. You can just call me San Niang. May I ask what business this gentleman has with me?"
Hongshi said, "I've come today to discuss Ruan Meiying's matter with you. I want to redeem her from her servitude, but I don't know what your opinion is." After saying this, Hongshi began to observe Wang Sanniang's reaction.
Wang San Niang didn't seem surprised. What she said made sense. Ruan Meiying was a famous courtesan in Kaifeng Prefecture who had captivated countless men. The line to redeem her stretched for three streets, but most of them had to give up because she was too expensive and they couldn't afford it.
The madam looked at Hongshi with a smile and said, "Sir, as you know, Ruan Meiying is my top courtesan. So many people come here just to see her. What will happen to my business if she leaves? It will offend the other customers."
Hongshi knew this was just a prelude, a prelude to her later demanding an exorbitant amount. He said impatiently, "Just tell me, how much do you want?"
“This…” Wang San Niang lowered her head and thought for a while, but did not speak.
Upon seeing this, Hongshi held up three fingers and looked at her.
Wang San Niang asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by this?"
Hongshi put down his hand and said, "How about thirty thousand taels? Is that enough to buy her out?"
Hongshi originally thought that this amount of money would definitely shock Wang Sanniang and make her readily agree to his request, but to his surprise, Wang Sanniang shook her head.
Hongshi was astonished and asked Wang Sanniang, "You think 30,000 taels is too little? How much do you want?" He hadn't expected a prostitute to be worth so much money, which showed how attractive Ruan Meiying was.
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