Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

A den of iniquity.

Xiangnu followed the madam back to the backyard. The panic she had shown when she left was gone; instead, a hint of joy appeared on her face.

"What on earth are you thinking!" The madam stopped and turned to glare at her, demanding, "I risked everything to take you to Biyong to cause trouble, and you just turned on me at the last minute, making me the one getting scolded too!"

Xiangnu lowered her head but remained calm, saying softly, "Mother, can't you see that the judge and inspector of the military patrol office breathed a sigh of relief after seeing me confess and plead guilty?"

The madam's gaze sharpened as she sized the woman up and down, then she sneered, "What do you mean? You're not trying to tell me you're willing to forgo your seven hundred strings of cash to avoid making things difficult for them, are you?"

"That's exactly right!" Xiangnu nodded, saying obediently, "Mother has treated me well all these years, how could I bear to let the relationship she has cultivated over the years be strained!"

"Bullshit! Don't try to fool me!" The madam's eyebrows shot up, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at Xiangnu's nose, as she shouted angrily.

"I've been in this den of iniquity for over thirty years, and I've seen it all. Do you think I'm one of those old lechers who can't resist the scent of yours? Don't try to fool me with that nonsense. Tell me! What are you really up to?"

Xiangnu kept her eyes lowered, her long eyelashes concealing all emotion within them. Her figure was slender and gentle, her posture humble, and her voice soft and steady, without the slightest fluctuation.

"Today, I am grateful to my mother for taking me to Biyong and standing up for me. However, my mother should be able to see that there are more than two thousand students in Biyong and officials backing them up. The military patrol can usually show off in front of the people, but I'm afraid they are no match for Biyong."

"So you think they can't help you get your money back, so you chose to let it go?" The madam looked at her suspiciously, then shook her head and said, "No, even so, you don't need to accuse others. Isn't that just making a fool of yourself?"

Xiangnu smiled sweetly and said, "Now that I've been swindled out of my money, staying in this brothel will only make me a laughingstock. I have to find a way out for myself!"

The madam stared at her suspiciously, then suddenly realized, slapped her thigh, and exclaimed, "You've got your eye on that real Fan Tong! No wonder you wanted to talk to him alone, and you were even acting all seductive!"

Xiangnu ignored the madam's vulgar words and continued gently, "Although that fake Fan Tong is full of lies, one thing he said is true: Fan Tong is indeed the son of a wealthy and powerful man in Jiangning!"

"So, you've already hooked him!" The madam's eyes were full of amazement. She shook her head and sighed, "I was wondering why you were acting so strangely today. You refused the seven hundred strings of cash so easily, and even publicly tarnished your reputation to promote Fan Tong. After all this fuss, it turns out you've landed a golden turtle!"

"However, while your plan may be clever, he is undoubtedly a respectable scholar with a promising future. Why would he want to associate with a woman of the night like you? These scholars are the most fickle; don't let him take advantage of you!"

Xiangnu's smile was bitter as she said softly, "Mother, we women are like rootless duckweed, drifting with the current. Since we have an opportunity, we must seize it with all our might, shouldn't we? No one can predict the future, but at least I can't miss this opportunity!"

The madam stared at her blankly for a long while, then sighed and nodded, saying, "You're stronger than me, and you're more willing to take risks! If one day you regret it, remember to come back to me, and maybe I can still give you a meal!"

"Thank you, Mother!" Xiangnu bowed.

Just then, the waiter ran in and reported to Xiangnu, "Miss Xiangnu, there's a scholar named Xu Qing outside looking for you!"

"What is he here for?" Xiangnu frowned upon hearing this.

Seeing this, the madam casually asked, "Who is it?"

"A student from Biyong Lane, whom I met before in Washizi, comes from a modest family and doesn't have much money. Every time he comes, I only get a few cups of tea, and I have to put in the effort to appease him!"

Xiangnu's tone was full of disdain, "It must be because of the scene we caused at Biyong today; he saw it and that's why he came looking for us!"

The madam scoffed, "His family is poor, yet he frequents brothels. It's clear he's weak-willed and will never amount to anything. Seeing someone like that is a waste of time; let him be dealt with!"

"No!" Xiangnu quickly stopped her again, "I'm not what I used to be, I still owe my sisters money! Even a small mosquito is still meat, let's see them! It won't take much effort anyway!"

The madam chuckled and waved her away.

……

Xu Qing rushed here with the last bit of money he had left.

This was money he had tricked out of his family last time. After paying off his debts, there was hardly any left. He had been holding back and hadn't dared to spend it recklessly.

But today's matter concerns Miss Xiangnu's lifelong happiness, so he had to come and get to the bottom of it!

He followed the shop assistant and, familiar with the place, arrived at Xiangnu's small pavilion. He was anxious and looked around, hoping that Xiangnu would come out soon.

Soon, footsteps echoed from the outer corridor. Xiangnu slowly walked into the pavilion. The bitter and submissive demeanor she had shown to the madam in the backyard was completely gone. A hint of weariness was hidden in her eyes, and only a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"What brings you here today, Young Master Xu?" She sat down and poured Xu Qing a cup of tea, her tone as gentle as ever.

Xu Qing, impatient and impatient, disregarded pleasantries and cut to the chase: "Miss Xiangnu, I heard... you're going to become Fan Tong's concubine? That's all just a fabrication, isn't it?"

Xiangnu paused slightly in her hand holding the pot, glanced at Xu Qing who was full of anxiety, then lowered her eyes again, her long eyelashes concealing the fleeting impatience in her eyes, which then rippled with a faint sense of grievance, and she gently shook her head.

"I didn't expect Young Master Xu to find out so quickly. Yes, it's true!"

"boom!"

Like a bolt from the blue, Xu Qing felt his head buzzing. He couldn't help but step forward, crying out in anguish, "Why?! It must have been Fan Tong who forced you, right?! I'm going to settle the score with him!"

Having said that, Xu Qing turned to leave, but Xiang Nu suddenly stood up and softly called out, "Young Master Xu!"

Xu Qing turned around blankly, only to see Xiang Nu looking miserable.

"Young Master Xu, what place do you think this is? And is Xiang Nu the kind of person who would willingly debase herself? If she hadn't been forced into this situation, why would she willingly stoop to this level, spending her days entertaining others with laughter!"

Xu Qing hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Miss Xiangnu is certainly not that kind of person, but why did you choose Fan Tong? I... I admire you more than he does. If you are willing, I will definitely treat you well!"

Xiangnu smiled slightly: "This humble servant is of humble appearance, and I am naturally overjoyed to have won Young Master Xu's favor. If you are truly sincere, you may redeem me. As for my debts, three hundred strings of cash will suffice!"

The burning fervor and urgency on Xu Qing's face suddenly froze on the spot, and the spirit of protecting him just now vanished instantly after being hit by the three hundred strings of cash.

Looking up at the exquisite decorations around him, and then at his own faded blue robe, he felt particularly jarring. He subconsciously pulled his sleeves tighter, trying to hide the worn cuffs.

Looking at Xiangnu again, she still had a smile on her face. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but found her throat was extremely dry and she couldn't speak.

"Young Master Xu, you should continue to study diligently at Biyong and not come here again."

Xiangnu's voice remained gentle, but her words were exceptionally cutting: "I'm afraid Young Master Fan will misunderstand!"