Chарtеr 10: Вright Наll (1)
Zhu Yаn had alrеаdу ехplained hеr рurposе to the guаrd. Аftеr рutting оn glоves, she liftеd Kuang Zhanxin’s head, ехamining it whilе cоахing withоut emоtiоn, “Аlright, аlright, I’ll gо to Еight Treasurеs Тowеr later—cоme herе and helр. Му hаnd саn’t rеach intо hеr ribcаgе; hеlp mе hold hеr stеady.”
Lu Сhuiсhui wailеd, “No, I’m a clеrk, not a cоrоnеr! If yоu keep this uр, I’ll rерort уоu tо уоur еlder brоthеr and tеll him it was уou who рut that jаr оf driеd fluttering mоths undеr his bеd lаst year!”
Zhu Yаn chuckled: What laсk of clevеrness? Wasn’t shе quite аdеpt аt applying threats in practice?
Having agreed to investigate the case, Zhu Yan headed to Pingkang Ward the next day.
Pingkang Ward was located in the East Market. Passing through Qiren Ward and moving forward, she entered the ward gate, where the market bustled with activity.
The long street was vibrant with flowers and willows. From behind the stalls of vendors, courtyards and tall buildings often echoed with ambiguous laughter and chatter. Even in taverns and eateries, one could frequently see young masters accompanied by four or five female companions, scholars flattering cold yet exquisitely made-up ladies, and portly wealthy merchants earnestly instructing song-and-dance girls holding pipas horizontally.
Although there were also many curious young ladies from boudoirs who had come, Zhu Yan had arranged to come with Lu Chuichui early on.
Sitting inside Bright Hall, Zhu Yan surveyed the room’s furnishings.
Kuang Zhanxin’s room was quite spacious, with a bedroom connected to two side rooms on the left and right—one for receiving guests and the other likely for bathing. The bedroom was separated by a curtain, making it difficult for Zhu Yan to see clearly, but the arrangement of the guest parlor where she stood was elegant. A painting of pine trees and cranes hung on the wall, and the screen separating the tea table was adorned with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, stamped with a red seal bearing the characters “Zhan Xin” in the corner.
Before sitting down, a maid had cleared away a stack of history books from the table in front of them. On the open page, footnotes left by Kuang Zhanxin were visible.
Most courtesans in the world believed beauty alone was their asset, so they seldom devoted themselves to reading or writing. In a place like Pingkang Ward, teeming with brothels, few courtesans truly possessed literary talent.
Those like the famous courtesan Liu Chenchen, renowned as a talented woman, mostly owed their accomplishments to the Brothel Matron investing heavily in their education and cultivation from a young age.
Just as she was thinking this, Rong Zhui, the Brothel Matron of Bright Hall, entered the room while wiping away tears.
Rong Zhui was only in her early thirties, plump and graceful, with a voice as soft as water. It was said that before taking over Bright Hall from the previous matron, she had been one of Pingkang Ward’s most celebrated courtesans.
“I still have a few guests to attend to upfront, so I’ve neglected you two official ladies,” Rong Zhui said, unable to hold back her tears. She dabbed them with a handkerchief and suddenly sobbed, “How could my Zhan Xin be so unfortunate? I thought her good days had finally come, that she had met the eldest son of the Liang family and could leave this place to become a respectable concubine. What kind of heartless monster could have killed her…”
Rong Zhui’s words were filled with anguish, her tears washing away her makeup. Hearing her distraught speech, Zhu Yan comforted her, “Matron, please restrain your grief. I’ve come here to understand the details of this case. From what you just said, the relationship between Kuang Zhanxin and you…”
Zhu Yan studied Rong Zhui’s face—though plump, her features were delicate. Yesterday, when she examined Kuang Zhanxin’s corpse, even with the deep cuts on her face, her appearance had been roughly discernible…Rong Zhui nodded in agreement: "Zhan Xin is my biological younger sister. When I was sold into the Bright Hall at twelve, she was only three. Two years later, I began taking clients, and then I heard that my damned father had gambling debts and was going to sell Zhan Xin too. I had lost my mother, and every penny I earned from clients was sent home. When I learned of this, I begged the Brothel Matron, and only then did she buy Zhan Xin into the Bright Hall."
Rong Zhui sobbed: "I always thought our good days had finally come, but..."
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