Period drama: Old Cao's carefree life

Chapter 56: Crying, Making a Scene, and Threatening to Hang Oneself
"My lord, please forgive me," the madam said with a forced smile, "it's not that I'm being disrespectful, it's just that I really don't dare to make this decision."

"The news of the delay has already been released, and many long-term clients are waiting. If I handle things like this, I won't be able to explain it to them."

Before she could finish speaking, Cao Weida waved his hand to interrupt her, smiling as he said, "So, madam, you mean you disagree?"

The madam chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Saying yes was awkward, and saying no was awkward too; it was really making her anxious.

She couldn't help but curse inwardly, "What a coincidence! Why did it have to be today?"

Damn it, who was it that looked at the sun so clearly?!

I'll open it for him right away!!

"Sir, please don't make things difficult for a weak woman like me. I can't make this decision myself, can I?"

"In that case, please do me a favor. I'll immediately arrange for two of the best servants to take care of you. Next time you come, I'll treat you to a proper meal and make sure you're comfortable. What do you say?"

Cao Wei Da narrowed his eyes, shook his arm comfortably, enjoying the cotton-like texture, and chuckled:
"Alright, since you've given me so much face, it would be too unreasonable of me to disagree."

Winning the title of the newly crowned courtesan was not his main purpose in coming here. Cao Weida, seizing the opportunity, sighed and said in a rather regretful tone:
"Looks like we won't be picking any tender shoots today. Fine, since the new courtesan can't make a good start, let's call the current courtesan to keep us company. Don't worry, I'll give you every penny. I'm not short of money."

The madam's face froze for a moment. Cao Weida's smile slowly faded, and he spoke in a calm but unusually cold voice:

"What's wrong? Is there some difficulty?"

"Or are you just making fun of me, playing with me?"

"Oh dear, sir, how could I dare!" the madam quickly protested. Although she had powerful connections, she didn't dare offend anyone easily, especially someone who seemed to have influence. She explained with a troubled expression:
"Sir, it's not that I don't want to help you arrange it, it's just that my Yingchun has been taken care of by someone these past two days, and we can't just force her to leave, can we?"

"Alright, I'll find you Fenglan. Let me tell you, although Fenglan isn't the most beautiful courtesan, she's very popular with important people, and she's no less beautiful than Yingchun."

"Stop! Madam, do you think I'm being too easy to talk to, giving you some kind of misconception?" Cao Weida's smile had completely vanished, replaced by a stern, cold expression.
In reality, he was overjoyed.

He didn't come for the so-called courtesan; that was just an excuse.

"I came to your Xiaguang Garden today specifically for Xinghong. Now that I haven't seen Xinghong, I've already given you face and settled for second best. And you're still trying to negotiate with me?"

"It should be understood that once or twice is acceptable, but not a third time!"

"What, do you think I look stupid, or do you think I have 'easy to bully' written all over my forehead, that's why you keep giving me the runaround?!"

The madam was truly suffering, unable to express her bitterness.

Who did she offend? What a coincidence!
The key issue is that she's in the wrong. She wants people to take advantage of her for free, but they won't agree. What can she say?
“Sir, I’m not lying to you. We’re in business, and we can’t just turn down money. But Miss Yingchun has really been taken by someone. We can’t each take double the share, and Miss Yingchun is too busy to handle it all.”

Cao Wei Da knew, of course, that the other party was not lying, which coincided with his guess.

A traitor who suddenly betrays his country will naturally have to play some tricks. If he is really hiding in Xiaguang Garden, then Xinghong and Yingchun will definitely be the first choice.

Now it seems impossible for Xinghong to get her, and Yingchun just happened to be booked by someone these past two days.
There aren't that many coincidences in the world. Anyway, Cao Wei Da didn't believe that so many suspicions could be a coincidence.

If the person on the third floor isn't Zhu Tianxi, then he must be a traitor whom everyone despises!

Having obtained the clue he wanted, Cao Weida abandoned his desire to continue causing trouble and impatiently waved his hand, saying:

"Alright, stop with the excuses. Just tell me when Xinghong will be released."

"Well," the madam said with a forced smile, "sir, it depends on how long the Imperial Army's martial law will last. I think it will be in the next few days. Don't worry, I'll inform Master Lian as soon as I get any news. Is that alright?"

"What a damn bad luck!" Cao Weida cursed. "We'll see what happens later. You Xiaguangyuan really know how to do business!"

The madam chuckled awkwardly, unsure of what to say, and could only keep apologizing.

Just as Cao Weida was about to leave, he heard faint cries coming from the second floor.

Cao Weida paused, glanced at the second floor, and saw a burly man with a bare chest and a face full of scars walking down, cursing.

"Sister Lu."

The madam's face was rather unpleasant. She was already upset by what had just happened, and this latest incident only worsened her mood.

"What's wrong with you, crying and making a scene? If you disturb the guests, you'll see what I do to you!"

The burly man smacked his lips and muttered, "Sister Lu, it's all because of that little wench Xinghong. These past few days, she's been making a scene, crying, and threatening suicide all the time, insisting that we didn't agree to sell ourselves when we signed the contract."

"Look, she's making a scene again. I had the guys pin her down and tie her up. I was thinking, since the show's been delayed, maybe we should starve her for a couple of days to temper her temper?"

The madam's face turned cold, and she couldn't help but sneer. To reach the position of madam, one must be shrewd and worldly-wise, but cunning is also essential.

Those who run brothels inevitably have to deal with stubborn girls, and she's incredibly experienced at handling them.

Refuse to comply?

First, they coax her, commonly known as PUA (Pick-Up Artist) tactics, and some naive girls fall for it.

If you can't coax them, scare them. Even if some girls don't fall for PUA, some timid girls will still be scared.

If intimidation doesn't work, then hit them!

Direct violence, such as beatings and binding, is used to force victims into submission, breaking through both their mental and physical defenses and making them afraid to resist.

If they still don't comply, then threaten them with their family members to force them to give in.

If she still doesn't comply, then starve her and slowly wear down her willpower.

If she still resists to the death, the madam has a last resort: she will stop selling her the prize money and have a man rape her!

Once a woman loses her virginity, in most cases she will give up and do nothing.

Of course, this last resort will only be used as a last resort, since those who run brothels are in it to make money.

And the most profitable time is definitely the first time.

However, she couldn't care less about that brat Xinghong right now; there were still guests nearby.

"Master"

"Was that Xinghong, the top courtesan, who was just crying and making a scene?" Cao Weida looked at the madam with a forced smile.

"From what I just heard, Xinghong doesn't seem to be offering herself willingly. Are you forcing her into prostitution?"

Although the dark side of forcing women into prostitution has been repeatedly prohibited but not stopped, this kind of thing cannot be discussed openly.

The madam looked embarrassed, while the burly man's expression instantly changed. His face twitched, and he pointed at Cao Weida's nose, cursing, "You son of a bitch, who the hell are you? You stinking foot patroller, do you have any right to speak here?!"

The madam was stunned and tried to stop her, but it was too late.

She glanced at Cao Weida and saw that he was not angry at all, but was laughing even more heartily, which made her very surprised.

If Cao Weida had been furious on the spot, it would have been easier for her to handle the situation. But when Cao Weida smiled, she knew in her heart that this was a sign that he was about to make enemies!

He rushed forward and slapped the burly man across the face, glaring menacingly at the stunned man before quickly switching to a fawning smile and apologizing to Cao Weida.

"Sir, I'm really sorry, my men are ignorant and simple-minded. They speak without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."

"No, no, no, I don't think so. As expected of the top courtesan of Xiaguangyuan, she's got a lot of nerve." Cao Weida clapped his hands, a smile on his face, but it looked sinister no matter how you looked at it. He stopped Xiao Erduo, who wanted to rush up and kill the strong man, and said in a calm tone, "It's precisely because they're simple-minded that Xiaguangyuan's attitude is so obvious."

"He's right. I'm just a stinky-footed patrolman, an insignificant nobody. How could I possibly deserve your apology, Sister Lu?"

"I'll leave now. Wait a moment, I'll be very grateful for Xiaguangyuan's reminder."

"Little Ears, let's go."

"No, sir, let's talk this out, let's talk this out!" The madam hurriedly tried to persuade him to stay. If Cao Weida really left, wouldn't they be creating an enemy whose background they didn't know?
Given Cao Wei Da's wealth, his background couldn't be too bad, could it?

She hated the burly man so much that she wanted to turn around and slap him dozens or hundreds of times!
You have absolutely no sense of propriety! I was right there with you, and you dare to insult me ​​to my face?! How many heads do you have?!

If it weren't for his unwavering loyalty and daring fighting spirit, I would have stabbed him to death!

"What else is there to say? Didn't your brother make it very clear?" Cao Weida was indeed angry. When he first arrived, he was nothing. Although people talked behind his back, no one insulted him to his face.

Now, with his brothers like Little Ears below him and the Japanese devils Ono and Oda backing him up, he's actually being pointed at and cursed by his own people. He's really getting worse as he gets older.

Do you really think I, Cao Wei Da, have no temper?!

Do you really think I won't dare to touch you just because you have the East Asian Academic Research Association backing you up?

If he can swallow this insult, people will really think he's a pushover!
"Don't say I didn't give you a chance. I gave you time to find the person behind you and see if he can protect your Xiaguangyuan! Let's go!"

With that, he impatiently pushed the madam aside and strode out, showing her absolutely no respect.

(End of this chapter)