Xin He had anticipated this, so there were no surprises.
"Madam must have predicted the outcome early on, but after yesterday’s Oiran competition ended, each girl that took the stage managed to fetch a sky-high price for a single night, even more than the courtesans from Yihong Courtyard in the past!"
Xin He took an interest: "What price?"
"It seems Miss Qing Lei was five hundred taels, Miss Yi Ling six hundred taels, and both Hua Rao and Leng Qing went as high as eight hundred taels! As for Miss Ah Lian, needless to mention, two Young Masters bidded for her right there and then, the price was pushed up to twelve hundred taels!"
With a glint in her eyes and a lifted lip, Xin He laughed: "They have truly done us proud."
"Who wouldn’t say so? However...Miss Qiaoqiao, she seemed despondent. Hardly anyone bid for her, even Ru Lu, who danced alongside Miss Hua Rao, fetched a price of two hundred taels. As for Miss Qiaoqiao... it seems she didn’t even break fifty taels in one night."
Xin He’s eyes cooled slightly: "That was her own choice, I gave her the opportunity to choose, she insisted on this path, who could have stopped her?" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
"True, but I’m afraid... she might not be able to handle the imbalance. Not to mention that Yi Ling’s price has escalated so dramatically, even Ru Lu, whom you didn’t favor, has seen her price rise to two hundred taels, how would she maintain a balance in her heart?"
Shulan’s concerns were not unfounded, everyone knew that Qiaoqiao had a lot of pride, now seeing those who once stood at the same level, or even beneath her, faring better, she might have trouble getting over this hurdle.
"You needn’t worry about that for now, I’ve already spoken to her once. If she’s willing, next time she can still choose to be Hua Rao’s dance partner and maintain her equated position with Ru Lu—she’s smart and has reluctantly agreed. However, she probably still needs time to think it over, no need to rush, for now, you should keep a close eye on her."
"Yes."
With everything settled, Xin He’s brow was still furrowed, as if she was unsettled: "Why didn’t Master return home yesterday?"
Xiaoyu hesitated before answering: "Master did not return last night and had someone inform Madam not to wait up, I am unsure what urgent matter held him back."
Xin He felt a slight sinking feeling in her heart. Even when they were in the capital city, Marquis Mu Houchu would hardly ever stay out for the whole night no matter how busy he was. Now he had abruptly left due to an emergency and hadn’t come back all night, she couldn’t help feeling concerned, fearing that something had happened.
Just as she was lost in her worries, a maid rushed in from outside, announcing: "Madam, Madam, Master is back!"
Xin He was taken aback, rising to her feet and rushing out. Shulan was in the midst of doing her hair, and hadn’t even tied it up yet.
Marquis Mu Houchu strode in, seeing her in a single gown with disheveled hair, he frowned slightly. Taking off his own cloak he wrapped it around her, pulling her into his arms and leading her back inside, asking: "Why did you rush out like that?"
Xin He breathed a sigh of relief, her mood lightening: "It’s not some freezing winter, why are you so worried? In this hot weather, are you afraid I might catch a cold?"
Marquis Mu Houchu said coldly: "I’m worried you’d forget that you’re only dressed in your inner garment and let everyone outside see you."
Xin He paused, realizing this ’Vinegar Jar’ was making a fuss over such a small issue!
"Who would see me in our own home anyway?" Xin He retorted grumpily. Besides, her inner garment was not revealing, what was wrong with letting people see it? She had been worrying about him all night long, and yet now, she found herself rendered speechless by his complaints.
Marquis Mu Houchu could only shake his head in resignation, fully aware that in their house there were indeed other male servants about, and likely his wife did not realize how attractive she was to others.
However, he knew that his wife was about to get angry given her tone, thus he changed the subject: "Why did you wake up so early today? Given you went to watch the Oiran competition last night, you should have slept in late."
Xin He had no interest in discussing yesterday’s Oiran competition and instead, hurriedly took his hand and said.
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