Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

"My daughter is someone I personally trained. She's proficient in all the arts, from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. Her skills are exceptional. Over the years, countless princes, noblemen, and wealthy merchants have offered countless sums of money to marry her, but I've never given a second thought. Yet you've set your sights on her!"

Upon hearing Gao Zhao's purpose, the madam's face immediately darkened, and she gave him a cold, sidelong glance, speaking in an unfriendly tone.

Gao Zhao sneered inwardly. Couldn't they have changed their story? They were making Xiang Nu sound like the most beautiful courtesan in the capital. You could use that same term on Li Shishi.

However, his face was flushed, and he said stiffly, "Xiangnu and I are truly in love, and I want to take her away! I will treat her well from now on!"

"Ha!" The madam sneered, her voice laced with mockery. "I've been in this business for half my life, what kind of people haven't I seen! You young masters are always so fickle, easily bored and easily lured away today for the novelty, but after a few days you'll get tired of her and discard her like worn-out shoes. In the end, won't she be the one suffering?"

"No way!" Gao Zhao denied resolutely, her tone firm. "I don't know what others think, but I, Fan Tong, am by no means a heartless person. Since I promised to stay with her, I will never betray her in this lifetime!"

"Anyone can talk nonsense," the madam said with a sneer, settling into her rosewood chair, taking a small sip of the honeyed wine on the table, not even bothering to lift her eyelids.

"Is true love worth a few copper coins? I taught her calligraphy, painting, and playing the zither; she was provided with fine silks, satins, tea, and perfumes year-round. Years of painstaking effort have cultivated her into this person, with high-ranking officials and nobles spending fortunes daily to be with her. And you think you can just take her away with a simple 'I will not betray her'? Ha, what a joke!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Zhao not only wasn't annoyed, but his expression relaxed, a smile playing on his lips. He cupped his hands and said, "I thought it was something difficult! Today I'm taking Xiang Nu away. Name your price!"

The madam was taken aback at first, then a greedy glint flashed in her eyes, a sinister smile curled at the corners of her mouth, and she leaned forward slightly, her expression suddenly turning ruthless and aggressive.

"Name your price?" she drawled, her smile mocking as she sized Gao Zhao up and down. "Do you think you can just toss a few taels of silver and take away the person I've carefully raised? I've worked so hard to train her; she's at the peak of her career, making a fortune every day. I won't sell her for any price!"

"Mother..." Before Gao Zhao could speak, Xiang Nu stepped forward anxiously.

"Shut up!" The madam interrupted Xiangnu before she could finish speaking.

Gao Zhao quickly stepped forward, blocking Xiang Nu's path, and said in a deep voice, "Don't make things difficult for her. You're running a business; there's always a price to pay!"

The madam snorted coldly, turned her head away, and remained unmoved.

Xiangnu's eyes reddened, and she spoke again, "Mother, I believe him!"

Gao Zhao turned around in surprise, not expecting her to speak at this moment, which made him feel emotional.

When a man is looking for a wife, what he hopes for is someone who can stand by him through thick and thin. He doesn't need her to fight on the front lines; even just supporting him from behind is enough to move him deeply!

In reality, many people turn against each other over the issue of bride price!

Some issues aren't about money at all; it's just that the man can't accept that the person he'll spend his life with is standing against him and joining others in making things difficult for him!

They weren't even as dedicated as Xiangnu; she was too lazy to act and just went on stage to negotiate!

This is a classic case of treating people like they're not human!

"Sigh..." The madam's sigh interrupted Gao Zhao's thoughts. He turned his head and saw the madam's helpless face.

"Enough, enough! You heartless wretch, you just think I'm trying to harm you. If I stop you, I'm afraid you'll tell me later that I'm ruthless, that I didn't care about your future for money!"

"Mom...I..."

"Alright, that's enough!"

Xiangnu, with tears in her eyes, wanted to explain, but was interrupted by the madam waving her hand.

She turned to look at Gao Zhao and sighed softly, "Young Master Fan, I only know that this is not a good place. This is a pit of fire that burns with the bodies of us young women. It is her good fortune that you do not despise Xiang Nu and treat her sincerely. I will not stop you!"

Gao Zhao was excited and repeatedly cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you so much, Mother!"

"Don't thank me yet!" The madam waved her hand and continued, "Let's be upfront and clear from the start, so you won't say I've disappointed you. Taking Xiangnu away is easy, but you'll have to leave a thousand strings of cash for her ransom!"

"Ah! What!" Gao Zhao exclaimed in shock!

This isn't an act; I was genuinely shocked!

The last time she was in a brothel, she was bored out of her mind and tried to persuade someone to leave the profession. The pretty prostitute pestered her to help her redeem herself, and it only cost two hundred strings of cash!

With Xiangnu's looks, she'd be worth no more than this! I never expected them to dare ask for such an outrageous price, a thousand strings of cash!

Such price gouging and forcing prices on people really makes them think they're easy targets!

People in this world are so greedy; they can never accept the kindness of others!

No wonder most of these prostitutes met with bad ends!

They can't bear the poverty of life if you force them to marry ordinary people!

She was lucky enough to marry a wealthy merchant, but she disliked the merchant for valuing profit over parting. She longed for the glory of being showered with gifts by young men from the Five Mausoleums, so while her husband was in Fuliang buying tea, she secretly ran away to play the pipa for someone!

With such a restless nature, how could one possibly live a good life!

"Mother!" Seeing Gao Zhao's expression, Xiang Nu quickly spoke up, "How can we ask for so much money? Aren't you making things difficult for us!"

"My silly daughter! Do you think I'm greedy? I'm doing this for your own good!"

The madam glanced at Gao Zhao, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, and said, "Many men in this world are all smooth talkers, many are hypocrites, and many are fickle and abandon their lovers after starting something. Therefore, when choosing a man, we cannot only listen to his words, but also observe his actions!"

"Based on my years of experience, this kind of man's heart is always where his money is! You think I'm doing this for the money? I'm helping you see if someone is truly sincere!"

After saying that, she turned to look at Gao Zhao and said calmly, "Young Master Fan, please don't blame me for speaking so harshly. Even if you think I'm materialistic, that's fine. I'll be frank with you today. Without this money, I'm not comfortable entrusting my daughter to you. It's better to keep her and raise her myself!"

"Young Master Fan, you should leave!" Xiangnu's eyes reddened, tears streaming down her face. She gently tugged at his sleeve, choking back sobs, "This money is too much. I am of lowly birth, a lowly courtesan, and cannot bear such a heavy debt of gratitude. Young Master, please find another suitable partner and forget about me!"

Gao Zhao grabbed her hands, his gaze resolute, and said, word by word, "No, I've set my sights on Miss Xiangnu! It's just a thousand strings of cash, right? I'll borrow some from someone, I can always get some!"

"Young master, please don't say that. This is my fate, and I dare not burden you!"

"Wait for me, wait for me to come back!" Gao Zhaoju's eyes were red as he shook his head firmly, then turned and strode away!

With tears in her eyes, Xiangnu watched his retreating figure until it disappeared from sight, only then did a smile appear on her lips.

"Xiangnu, aren't you afraid of scaring people away with such an outrageous demand?" the madam behind her said with a forced smile.

Xiangnu turned her head upon hearing this and chuckled, "How can I show my loyalty and affection if I don't teach him a lesson?"

The madam stared at her blankly, then suddenly realized what she meant, and clicked her tongue in admiration, "Xiangnu, if you don't leave, this position will be yours sooner or later!"

Xiangnu smiled slightly: "Mother, you flatter me!"