Chen Shou went to the art gallery every few days, always ordering Que'er to serve him. But unlike the other guests, he never started touching her after only a few performances. Gradually, Que'er began to look forward to Chen Shou's visits, because it seemed that he was the only one who truly cared for her.
Chen Shou also knew that Que'er's feelings for him were gradually changing.
On this day, Chen Shou, having figured out Que'er's feelings, decided to confront her directly.
"Chen Lang, why have you only come today? I've missed you terribly." Today, Que'er wore a rose-red blouse with silver embroidery, over which she wore a pale yellow, plum-frost-covered vest, which made her skin appear even more fair and radiant. When the madam told her that Young Master Chen had arrived, Que'er finally made up her mind to talk things out with Chen Shou today.
"Something came up at home, which delayed me from visiting you for a few days." Chen Shou always treated Que'er with courtesy, but his words implied that he and Que'er had already developed feelings for each other.
"Chen Lang, do you like Cui Nong?" Que'er had made up her mind. Here, she could only flaunt her charms until she grew old and faded, and then her fate would be even more tragic. Now, this man in front of her seemed to have a special affection for her. If she could leave this place with him, she would finally have a home.
Chen Shou was startled and tried to suppress his guilt. He said with emotion, "When I first saw Cui Nong, I felt unable to control my feelings. But unfortunately, Cui Nong is a courtesan and I'm afraid she can't escape official status."
Upon hearing this, Que'er's face darkened, and she cursed her brother, who had caused her to end up in this brothel, a thousand times over in her heart.
"Cui Nong, why did you come here?" Chen Shou asked cautiously.
Sparrow's eyelashes, as white as crow's wings, trembled slightly, and she said fiercely, "It was my own brother who sold me here."
Chen Shou looked at her with disbelief, as if he had been taken aback, and said, "Since he is your own brother, how could you be so disregardful of brotherly affection?"
Que'er, abandoning her usual gentle demeanor, revealed a mocking expression and said, "When it comes to future prospects and interests, you can't even trust your own brothers."
Chen Shou quickly poured a cup of tea for Que'er, pushed it in front of her, and slowly said, "Tell me, how can I help you get rid of this artist status?"
Que'er sighed, then looked at Chen Shou with anticipation and said, "Unless someone can remove me from the official register of artists."
Chen Shou looked troubled and said, "My Chen family has been in business for generations, and no one in our family has ever held an official position..."
Before he could finish speaking, Que'er said, "There is a way, but I'm afraid you can't do it. Apart from finding that person, I'm afraid no one else can help me."
Chen Shou immediately took Que'er's hand and said, "Tell me who you are looking for, and I will go through fire and water to help you."
As Chen Shou said this, he felt a pang of guilt, realizing he was deceiving this woman. But for the sake of the princess, he forced himself to suppress his remorse.
"It's not that difficult to explain. Chen Lang, I used to be a maid in the residence of the current Fourth Prince. But later, my master died, so I had to come out and fend for myself. I never expected to end up like this." Que'er said. Now, whenever she thinks of the days when she was by Li Shi's side, although she was just a maid, she was well-fed and clothed, and wore nothing but silk and satin, and gold and silver jewelry.
Suppressing his elation, Chen Shou asked, "You mean we should go find the mistress of the Fourth Prince's residence now? But she's no longer here."
A glint of light flashed in Que'er's eyes as she said, "Although she is gone, there is still someone who can help me get rid of this identity."
Chen Shou quickly asked, "Who is it?"
"Fourth Princess Consort!!" When Que'er uttered these three words, a clear look of fear appeared on her face.
"How can she help you?" Chen Shou asked.
“Because I know one of her secrets, and if she doesn’t help me, I’ll tell the Fourth Prince,” said Que’er.
"What secret?" Chen Shou asked hastily, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of his chest. His efforts these past few days were finally about to bear fruit.
Que'er shook her head hesitantly, saying hurriedly, "You only need to pass on this message to me. Knowing too much else will only do you no good. Chen Lang, I'll write a letter. Go to the Fourth Prince's residence and give it to the gatekeeper, who will then pass it on to his wife. Just wait at the gate for a reply. I believe the Fourth Prince's wife will definitely see you. Just tell her that if she's willing to help me, I will never appear again. Then, Chen Lang and I will elope, okay?"
Chen Shou's eyes flashed, and a smile appeared on his face as he said, "You still don't trust me?"
Que'er quickly took Chen Shou's hand and said aggrievedly, "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that knowing too much is really not good for you. I just don't want you to get into trouble."
Sighing inwardly, Chen Shou felt no hatred for this sparrow. They were complete strangers, but for the sake of the princess, he had no choice but to continue to coax her.
"Cui Nong, what are you saying? Now that we've pledged our lives to each other, how could I stand idly by while you're in trouble? What secret of hers do you possess that you can really force her to help you?" Chen Shou deliberately feigned disbelief.
Que'er looked at Chen Shou with a troubled expression. In fact, she didn't want to tell him because she was afraid that telling the truth would arouse Chen Shou's resentment and disgust.
Because how could one not feel fear and dread when faced with such a treacherous and wicked woman who seeks personal gain through betrayal?
It turns out that Que'er was able to leave the Fourth Prince's mansion safely because the Fujin protected her. Que'er had secretly been having an affair with the Fujin beforehand, and afterwards the Fujin gave Que'er 10,000 taels of silver as a reward and made sure she left the mansion safely.
Unfortunately, when Que'er returned to her home, her brothers, who had long been estranged from her, initially treated her like a god of wealth. However, after gradually swindling all the money from her, they secretly sold her into the official entertainment hall.
As the saying goes, evil people will be punished by evil people; this is also called karma.
Seeing that she was reluctant to reveal the key point, Chen Shou pretended to be dissatisfied and got up to leave.
"Chen Lang, then promise me that after I tell you, you will not abandon me." At this moment, Que'er was just like any other woman caught in the trap of love, naturally afraid of losing her lover's favor.
"Don't worry, I will never tell anyone," Chen Shou said patiently.
"It's a long story, but in short, I found out about her plot to frame my master, and I also know who put that witchcraft doll under my master's blanket," Que'er said in a low voice.
Chen Shou then pretended not to understand, enticing her to gradually recount the details of that day.
"Alright, you don't need to send a message. I'll have a chance to go to the manor soon and talk to her myself. I'm not afraid she won't agree." Que'er thought of the matter of presenting music to the Fourth Prince's manor in a few days.
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