Xin He said in a calm voice, "We don’t have any definite news right now, so how can we tell what’s happening?"
Xiaoyu nodded, knowing that the madam has always been cautious, and wouldn’t make decisions based solely on appearances.
"So, madam, since you’re also uncertain about what’s going on, why don’t you just instruct us to protect Miss Qiaoqiao ... " Xiaoyu suggested hesitantly.
She, too, harboured a glint of suspicion — what if this was staged by Qiaoqiao and Sun Yaowen?
After all, Sun Yaowen and Qiaoqiao had been inseparable lately.
Xin He casually sat at the table, lifting her tea cup for a light sip. "Regardless of their schemes, the fact remains that to others, it looks like Sun Yaowen is bullying a girl from my Flower House. I’ve been wanting to establish rules for Flower House — My girls are not inferior to anyone. They can be adored and pampered, but they cannot be hit or humiliated!"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyu couldn’t help but brighten up, and immediately laughed, "It must have taken the girls of Flower House eight lifetimes’ worth of good karma to have a boss like you."
Shulan chuckled, "Isn’t it the same for us serving the madam? It’s our eight lifetimes’ worth of good fortune, too." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
Xiaoyu bowed her head and laughed, "Yes, it is my good fortune."
Xin He shook her head with a light laugh, "It’s not about fortune. Everyone earns their own blessings. It’s unnecessary to thank others for that. Now that I hold the title of the owner of Flower House, I must be responsible for these girls. I don’t care how others run their brothels, but my girls must live with dignity. Today, I protect Qiaoqiao. Everyone will see it, remember it in their hearts. They will know that I care for them, and that will naturally foster loyalty and gratitude."
In regards to outsiders, when they see that I don’t back down an inch, even when facing a tyrant like Young Master Sun, and indeed protect my own girls, they would naturally understand that Flower House is no pushover and not a place where they can do as they please. It’s only right that we establish some prestige."
As Xin He finished speaking, her voice took on a sharper edge.
She had always been known to defend her own. Who amongst the outsiders would dare to bully her people?
Xiaoyu nodded, "I understand now. It’s just that, I am afraid that offending Young Master Sun may also mean offending the Sun Family. Wouldn’t that be a bad move?"
"Would someone like Sun Yaowen, an idiot, be able to represent the Sun Family?" Ji Xinhe scoffed, "Even Grandpa Sun has yet to come to my place to cause trouble, yet this one dares to try? Sadly, an illegitimate grandson from a branch family doesn’t amount to much, he is far from being qualified to represent the Sun Family."
Moreover, even if she was to oppose the Sun Family today, she was not afraid!
"Although we shouldn’t underestimate this issue, what we see on the surface may not reflect what is really happening on the inside. Xiaoyu, we must investigate this thoroughly." Xin He said to Xiaoyu.
Xiaoyu received her order and bowed respectfully, "I understand."
——
Meanwhile, Flower House was abuzz with activity. Amid the pointed discussions of the crowd, Sun Yaowen’s furious curses could be faintly heard. He was mercilessly berating Qiaoqiao, who was kneeling on the ground, with vulgar and vicious words.
Qiaoqiao was huddled on the ground, crying inconsolably. Her face was pale, and she seemed to have lost all hope.
Madam Chen was feeling quite distressed on the sidelines. She had already used every trick in the book, but Young Master Sun was still not willing to spare Qiaoqiao. If she said anything now, Young Master Sun would surely make her the next target.
Madam Chen had no choice but to look outside anxiously, hoping that the messenger would return soon.
The majority of the crowd was watching the drama unfold. Courtesans like Hua Rao and Leng Qing, who usually didn’t get along with Qiaoqiao, were delighted to see her reduced to such a pitiful state. But even they couldn’t bear to watch Qiaoqiao kneeling on the ground, crying in despair while being cursed and beaten.
Their eyebrows furrowed in sympathy. They looked to Madam Chen for help.
Madam Chen quickly gestured to them to leave. Why should they put themselves in danger? With Young Master Sun in such a rage, anyone who tried to intervene would face punishment by association!
Just then, a servant boy neatly weaved his way through the crowd and whispered something into Madam Chen’s ear. She looked surprised for a moment, then nodded in response.
Despite being engrossed in scolding Qiaoqiao, Sun Yaowen noticed the movement on Madam Chen’s side.
He thought the hushed conversation between the servant and Madam Chen hinted at the owner’s secret instructions.
Curiosity piqued, Sun Yaowen turned to look, sneering, "Madam Chen, I’d like to advise you against getting involved in this whore’s matters. Otherwise, it’s your Flower House that might not survive. The reputation of the Sun Family here in Lian’an Town..."
As she listened to Sun Yaowen, Qiaoqiao’s face grew paler and paler. The light died from her eyes. She seemed to be preparing herself for death, certain that she wouldn’t survive the day.
However, before Sun Yaowen could finish speaking, Madam Chen bravely interrupted him. "Guards!"
Sun Yaowen gave Qiaoqiao another smug look, as if he was mocking her misery. "Tsk, tsk, such a waste of a beautiful woman. If she dies today, honestly, I wouldn’t feel a thing."
Jolted into action by Madam Chen’s call, the heavily built guards, who had been waiting on the sidelines, darted forward.
After all, a place like the Flower House was a hub of chaos. Who wouldn’t employ some guards to maintain order? They ensured some sort of retaliation in case anyone caused trouble.
The Flower House was no exception. The burly guards, each with a savage expression, were indeed intimidating.
Qiaoqiao trembled as she looked at them. She remembered the sisters who had died at these guards’ hands.
Sun Yaowen watched attentively, ready to enjoy the show. But Madam Chen fearlessly called out, pointing at Sun Yaowen, "Since Young Master Sun insists on making trouble today, then I can’t afford to bother about pleasantries anymore. Despite not being a major establishment, our Flower House has its own reputation and backbone! We won’t allow anyone to strut in and cause chaos! My men, get this Young Master Sun out of here!"
There was an immediate uproar in the crowd at her words. It was normal for a courtesan to be scolded or hit if a client was unsatisfied. But now Flower House intended to throw out a guest because of a courtesan’s mishap?! Shocking!
Sun Yaowen’s expression shifted dramatically. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Madam Chen. After a brief pause, he bounced back to his feet and shouted, "You dare to throw me out? Do you know who I am? I am from the Sun Family..."
Madam Chen gave a sardonic laugh, "Of course I do, you’re the illegitimate grandson from the collateral branch of the Sun Family right?"
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