However, Yi Ling didn’t have the time to think too much about it right now. The situation had progressed to this point, where could she possibly step back?
"Xiaohong!" Yi Ling ordered decisively: "Go to the Sun family and deliver this letter to Young Master Sun."
Xiaohong was startled, her eyes nearly bulging out of her head. She exclaimed, "How is it that the young lady is in touch with Young Master of the Sun family? Young Master Sun and our Flower House are in a feud..."
Yi Ling glared at her: "Go when I tell you to go! Don’t forget who your mistress is!"
Xiaohong dared not question her further, and hastily responded, "I understand, I will go right away!"
As she spoke, she hurriedly stashed the letter given to her into her bosom and ran off quickly.
Yi Ling snorted lightly. All arrangements had been made and she no longer felt the need to hide her intentions. If it had been in the past, she might have secretly gone to meet Sun Yaowen. But now, there was no need.
Firstly, she had already obtained what she wanted from the Flower House. Even if it were to be discovered now, she didn’t fear anything!
Secondly, it was her way of scoring more points in her favor, letting Sun Yaowen know that he had hit the jackpot by having her, and the one seeking favors should be him, not her!
With these thoughts in mind, Yi Ling wore a triumphant grin.
During this time, a hesitant maid entered to report: "Madam Chen has just left with several boys, by the look of it, it seems like she is going to fetch someone from Wang Ya Po’s side."
Yi Ling waved her hand, dismissing the maid. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. She knew that Madam Chen would act quickly, but she hadn’t expected her to leave early this morning. Fortunately, she had asked Sun Yaowen to intercept the girls the night before.
——
Yi Ling was still giddy with success.
Meanwhile, Xin He had received the same news.
"Madam Chen got up very early this morning, intending to go to Wang Ya Po’s place to fetch people. Unexpectedly, she met Yi Ling and chatted with her for a while. She mentioned madam’s upcoming plans and thoughts. Upon hearing this, Yi Ling seemed very happy. After a small talk with Yi Ling, Madam Chen left with several servants, to fetch those girls. Judging by the time, it shouldn’t be long before Madam Chen returns..."
Before Xiaoyu could finish speaking, an uproar could be heard from outside.
Immediately afterwards, Shulan came in to report: "Madam, Madam Chen has arrived."
Xin He and Xiaoyu exchanged looks. Just as expected.
Xin He sighed helplessly: "Let her in."
Madam Chen stumbled in, her eyes red and her face pale. As soon as she entered, she knelt down with a thud: "My lady, I have sinned!"
Xin He quickly stood up to help her: "What are you doing? Get up."
However, Madam Chen continued weeping on her knees as if she had committed some great sin: "I have failed my lady. I dare not stand."
"What exactly happened?"
"I went to Wang Ya Po’s place early this morning to fetch the girls, but I was told that the ten girls had already been taken away by Yihong Courtyard! Our people... all of them have been bought by Yihong Courtyard!" As she spoke, her sobs turned to crying, "It’s all my fault. If I had known this earlier, I would have fetched those girls last night. If it weren’t for the fact that Flower House was doing a good business last night, I thought I couldn’t leave and postponed it till this morning. Who knew this mishap would occur, I deserve to die!"
Xin He glanced at Xiaoyu, who reluctantly shook her head. She then came forward and helped Madam Chen up: "Madam Chen, stop crying. The lady isn’t blaming you. It’s just that this is a big deal. The ten girls have been chosen by the lady herself after careful selection. Now that they have been purchased by the Yihong Courtyard, it surely can’t be a coincidence."
As Xiaoyu spoke, Madam Chen suddenly understood and said in amazement: "I think so too! There must be a traitor in our Flower House!"
Upon saying this, a thought struck her. Hadn’t Qiao Qiao already been sold off? How could there be a mole?
Then she remembered Yi Ling’s unusual behavior this morning and quickly said: "Yi Ling! I suspect it’s her! She was purposely asking me about the situation this morning!"
Xin He’s expression remained unchanged. She showed no sign of surprise, instead she calmly helped Madam Chen stand up: "That’s why, Madam Chen, you should know that the most important thing right now is to purge the traitors among us. Since you suspect Yi Ling, question her. Why come crying to me?"
Madam Chen gritted her teeth and said, "Rest assured, my lady. I will certainly not let that lowly wench off the hook! Her servitude contract is in my hands, I am not afraid of her causing any trouble!"
Xin He smiled and shook her head, "If Yi Ling’s servitude contract was really still in your hands, she wouldn’t dare to openly create this kind of trouble."
Madam Chen’s eyes widened in surprise. "Could it be..."
"She must have already stolen it." Xin He casually commented.
If she hadn’t stolen her servitude contract, she wouldn’t dare to act so boldly.
In reality, stealing the servitude contract wasn’t that difficult. The contracts of courtesans like Yi Ling were generally not kept under strict surveillance since these women typically had saved enough money to acquire their own freedom, or have some enamored grand elder redeem them.
It isn’t hard.
However, once they become a head courtesan, no other place can offer the same allure as the Flower House. Hence, even with the opportunity, most don’t wish to leave.
Especially due to the close relationship between the head courtesan and the madam, Yi Ling and Madam Chen were no exception. Given this close relationship, it would be easy for Yi Ling to steal her own contract.
Why did she choose to steal it surreptitiously rather than openly redeeming her freedom?
If she openly redeemed her freedom, it wasn’t impossible. But once she redeemed her freedom, she would no longer belong to the Flower House. Would Madam Chen share so many secrets with her then?
If she waited until Madam Chen had shared all the secrets and then asked to redeem her freedom, Madam Chen would surely not agree. She might even deliberately withhold her contract, making it difficult for Yi Ling to get free.
Therefore, the only option was to quietly steal it.
Since Xin He was baiting Yi Ling to become a mole to aid Yihong Courtyard, she had to give her courage. Naturally, she acted as if she didn’t see YiLing stealing the servitude contract.
Upon hearing this, Madam Chen turned as pale as death: "What do we do now?"
Xin He said: "You go back to Flower House first and do what you should do. Leave the rest to me."
Only then did Madam Chen nod repeatedly: "I understand. I will leave right now!"
Having said that, she hastily left.
Only after Madam Chen had left, did Xin He let out a cold laugh and turned to Xiaoyu: "Any movements from the Sun family yet?"
Xiaoyu saw Xin He’s cold laughter and understood that her lady was probably about to manipulate someone. Her heart slightly trembled.
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