Chapter 514 A Fateful Encounter Was Already Predestined
In the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty, the reopened Tianxiang Pavilion still didn't have much business. However, the girls in the pavilion were still somewhat shaken and didn't care much about whether business was good or bad.
Tianxiang Tower was originally managed by Wang Yushi's confidants. Even though she handed over all her other businesses, she didn't hand over Tianxiang Tower. However, a few months ago, the imperial family seized the place, which greatly angered Wang Yushi. Later, Li Ji smashed his head so hard that Wang Yushi didn't even blink.
After Wang Yushi's triumphant return, she was too lazy to take over other businesses, but she did take back a few places to house her trusted confidants, Tianxiang Tower being one of them.
"Sister Tongqin, we haven't had any customers for the past few days. Are we going to grow old and die here?"
"What? Xiaoya, are you lovesick? Should we ask Sister Qingning to transfer you to Suxiang Tower in Dayuan? The nouveau riche there all like the girls here!"
"I'm not going! Those nouveau riche from Dayuan are nowhere near as charming as the refined gentlemen of the capital. Didn't you hear what that Mr. Hu said a few months ago? That Dayuan people are just clods of earth inlaid with gold. They look glamorous, but they taste like dirt. They're so boring!"
"Hehe! What you said is quite interesting!"
The girl named Tongqin chuckled, then turned her head away with a look of disdain. Compared to these young virgins, Tongqin, who had witnessed the splendor of the capital, knew all too well the manners of playboys like Young Master Hu from the capital.
Sweet words tricked you into paying your own way out of your servitude, only to be left in the backyard to be bullied to the point of near death by the first wife. You had to put on a smiling face and hope that your husband would return to his former gentle demeanor, until you grew old and faded, only then did you realize what the "interesting price" truly meant.
The girls at Tianxianglou were all carefully selected, mostly from the families of officials and merchants who had committed crimes. They were gentle, talented, and well-mannered, and were highly sought after by the upper class in the capital.
Because of Wang Yushi, the rules in the brothel are very lenient. No one forces you to perform or entertain customers; it all depends on your liking and mood. However, before you redeem yourself, the brothel will find out about the other person's character and background. Most of those with shrewish wives or hypocrites who are all show and no substance will not succeed.
Over the years, most of the girls who insisted on getting married didn't find a satisfactory home. In the end, the ones who truly loved and cherished the girls were often the "boring" men Xiaoya mentioned. Meanwhile, those skilled in romance and poetry ended up in the most dangerous situation.
Even if a woman of the night were to reform, she rarely had the chance to become the principal wife. What was the fate of a concubine who did not receive love? She needed the consent of a man or the first wife to go out for a stroll. If she broke the family rules, she would be punished privately, and the government would not care even if she was beaten to death.
"You all better not compete with me. I don't want to stay in this den of wolves in the capital any longer. In a few days, as soon as I get the chance, I'll ask Qing Ning to get me a high-ranking position. While I still have some looks, I'll quickly find someone who isn't too old or ugly to marry, so I can live out the rest of my life in peace."
Tongqin had already found out that the high-ranking officials had a special "Concubine Protection Law" to guarantee the personal freedom and property safety of concubines. Although their status in the family was still not as high as that of the principal wife, they could have their own businesses and the money they earned was all their own private money. The man and the principal wife could not forcibly demand it, let alone beat or kill the concubine. The prince's concubine was the president of the "Women's Association". It would be strange if she let you off the hook.
"Wait till I use a little trickery and snag a rich husband for you all, and you'll all be drooling!"
Tongqin secretly made up her mind, pondering how to bring it up with Qingning. She almost bumped into someone because she wasn't paying attention to her footing. She looked up and was stunned, then her heart leaped with joy. "I'm so lucky today, everything I wish for comes true!"
"Tongqin greets Your Highness Prince Heng!"
"Hmm? You know me?"
"Your Highness visited Tianxiang Tower several years ago. Back then, Tongqin was just a water-pouring maid!"
How could I not recognize him? This face is so distinctive; I can't forget him after just one look!
"Hmm! I've come to find Qing Ning. Is there a quiet place here?"
Tongqin understood immediately and gestured for him to follow: "Your Highness, please follow me!"
Tongqin led the way and soon arrived at the backyard. However, instead of looking for Qingning, she stood beside Qin Mo, hesitant and unsure of what to say.
"Is something the matter?"
"Your Highness, please forgive me. Tongqin... wishes to live in Dayuan, but unfortunately, she has no one to introduce her and cannot obtain temporary residency, so..."
Qin Mo smiled and said, "If Qing Ning releases the person, many of my personal guards are talented enough to vouch for you. But if Qing Ning is unwilling, I cannot refuse her request."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I will remember your kindness forever!"
Tongqin went out to find Qingning with brisk steps. What did it mean that the prince's personal guards were acting as her guarantors? Even concubines were divided into different ranks. The prince's personal guards were all second-generation officials, truly golden bachelors!
Qing Ning arrived quickly, and entered with a displeased expression. "Your Highness, you've been poaching people from here! Tong Qin is a master at everything, you have such a keen eye!"
"...You can refuse to release them! Why do you always blame me?" Qin Mo felt very wronged. Why did she always have to play the bad guy in Qing Ning's eyes?
"Forget it, she's already twenty-three. A few days ago, they were under house arrest, and it was thanks to her that these women were comforted. It's only right to give her a good home. However, your bodyguard isn't suitable. Arrange for her to become a director of a high-ranking bank!"
"I...you're all masters of manipulation, I'm truly impressed!"
Qing Ning: "......."
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