Every day, the Sanfu Class received many girls. Some were still very young, while others were already past their prime. But once they were sent here, it meant there was almost no way out for the rest of their lives—only deep despair and a bleak ending awaited them.
Today was no different.
Two fresh-faced young girls were thrown in. Among the haggard and worn-out women, they stood out like tender spring onions, utterly out of place in this environment.
“I don’t think they need much fixing up,” said the plump madam, eyeing them critically. “They’re pretty and have delicate skin, but who knows how long they’ll last. Fine, take them to the tea room.”
The two girls were already trembling with fear. They were none other than Yan Mei and Shui Bi, whom Ren Wanyun had ordered to be sold into the Ninth-class brothel.
Yan Mei and Shui Bi had served Shen Qing since childhood and were among the more favored maids, never having suffered much hardship. Now, after witnessing scenes straight from hell along the way, they were so terrified they couldn’t even cry. The madam’s words shattered their last sliver of hope: “Keep a close eye on them. Don’t let them kill themselves.”
If they couldn’t end their lives, they would have to endure like the lowly courtesans here, serving clients endlessly day after day. The thought made Yan Mei and Shui Bi feel as if the world were spinning.
Outside the Sanfu Class, a young man was approaching. He looked quite youthful, and his demeanor didn’t suggest he was a laborer. The woman at the door greeted him, “Young master, have you taken a wrong turn? This is the Sanfu Class. The Buildings and Pavilions are upstairs.”
Her implication was clear—someone of his status shouldn’t be here for pleasure. This was a place only the poorest frequented.
“Those places are boring,” the young man said in a low voice. “Do you have any new girls here?”
The woman at the door was momentarily surprised but then understood. He must be someone who had never visited a low-class brothel before and was looking for novelty. It wasn’t unheard of—wealthy people had all sorts of whims. Coming to the Sanfu Class was cheap, something anyone could afford. She smiled and said, “You’ve come at the right time, young master. We just got two new girls today—former maids of an official’s household who made mistakes. They used to serve a young lady, and they’re quite lovely. The price is a bit higher, though.”
“Take me to see them,” the man said.
The woman led him into the tea room.
The reason the Sanfu Class was the lowest of brothels wasn’t just because it catered to laborers—it was also because the girls here were dirt cheap. For the price of a cup of tea, if a girl was skilled and sweet-tongued enough to coax a client into ordering a plate of snacks, that was considered talent.
But generally, clients here only ever ordered a pot of tea. The girls didn’t bother putting in extra effort—no matter how much money was spent, they wouldn’t see a single coin of it. And most clients here were too stingy to spare even an extra copper.
Today, however, the young man ordered both a pot of tea and a plate of snacks—an unusually generous gesture for the Sanfu Class. The woman quickly called for the two girls to be brought in.Yan Mei and Shui Bi were forcibly changed into thin gauze clothes and arrived at the tearoom filled with humiliation. In the autumn chill, the two of them trembled uncontrollably. Their clothes offered little protection against the cold, and their hearts were gripped with fear.
The woman who led the way, seeing they had been brought in, fawned over the young man and said, "Young master, please enjoy your tea at leisure. This servant will take her leave now." As she passed by Yan Mei and Shui Bi, she added in a threatening tone, "Serve this lord well."
After the woman left, Yan Mei hesitated for a moment. Seeing the young man remain motionless, she whispered timidly, "My lord..." The moment the words left her lips, she felt a deep sense of shame. Back when they were in Shen Mansion, they had been the personal maids of the second branch's young lady. Not only in Colorful Cloud Courtyard but throughout the entire mansion, the other maids treated them with utmost respect. Now, they were reduced to being shared by countless men and humiliated by strangers.
And all of this was thanks to Ren Wanyun, who had thrown them into this low-class brothel. Over a decade of master-servant bonds had vanished in an instant, leaving them worse off than enemies.
"Do you two wish to leave this place?" the young man suddenly asked.
Yan Mei and Shui Bi were stunned, then quickly snapped back to reality. Shui Bi still seemed doubtful, but Yan Mei immediately knelt down in excitement and said, "If my lord can take us away from here, this servant is willing to serve you for the rest of my life, repaying your kindness in any way possible."
For Yan Mei, staying here was worse than death. It would be better to follow a man—at least it would be better than this endless suffering with no hope of escape.
Prompted by Yan Mei's words, Shui Bi also knelt down. "Please, my lord, save us! My lord... we'll do anything you ask!"
Hearing this, the young man nearly choked on his tea and turned his head away awkwardly. This man was none other than Mo Qing, an outer courtyard guard of Shen Mansion. Today, he had come to Sanfu Class on Shen Miao's orders. Though he didn't understand how a young lady like Shen Miao could know so much about the brothels in the capital, he had important business to attend to. Despite his discomfort, he carried out his task.
"I can buy your contracts of servitude. You don’t have to follow me—I’ll set you free," he said.
Yan Mei and Shui Bi stared at Mo Qing in disbelief. They couldn’t comprehend why a man like this would come here—men who visited such places were naturally seeking pleasure. The young man before them didn’t look like a laborer. Yan Mei, always more alert, asked, "What does my lord want us to do?"
"Simple," Mo Qing replied. "I heard you two were once the personal maids of the legitimate young lady from the second branch of General Shen’s household. How did you end up in such a state?"
Shui Bi bit her lip and said bitterly, "We were expelled from Shen Mansion for making mistakes. But we didn’t do anything wrong—as servants, we had no choice but to obey our master’s word."
Even now, Shui Bi didn’t reveal the key details, likely still holding some lingering affection for the second branch. Mo Qing asked, "Do you resent them?"
The two fell silent.Hate? Of course they hated. If they had been given a cup of poisoned wine to end it all, that would have been one thing. But to be subjected to such a method, forced to live a life worse than death, existing like walking corpses in this world—what wrong had they even committed? That night, no one knew what had truly happened. Shen Qing had inexplicably disappeared, and so the blame fell on them, the maidservants. Though they grieved for their young mistress's misfortune, to heap all the guilt upon the two of them—only a saint could bear such injustice without resentment.
"I imagine you must hate them too. Yan Mei, I heard you have a younger sister working as a second-rank maid in the second branch of the Shen family's courtyard. Shui Bi, you were well-regarded in Shen Mansion, with many sisters around you."
Yan Mei and Shui Bi were startled. This person had laid out their backgrounds with perfect clarity. It was true—when they had been bought into Shen Mansion, they were presented as orphans, but that had been a deliberate concealment to ensure their selection. Yan Mei's biological younger sister was indeed a second-rank maid in Ren Wanyun's courtyard, while Shui Bi, being lively and sociable, had many close sisters in Colorful Cloud Courtyard.
"There are no free transactions in this world. I will take you away from here, and in return, you will find a way to provide me with information about the second branch of Shen Mansion."
The two of them looked up sharply. Yan Mei cried out involuntarily, "You want to act against Madam!"
This person had investigated them thoroughly, yet what he sought was information about the second branch—meaning he intended to plant spies there. Yan Mei and Shui Bi naturally couldn't return to the second branch now, but their sisters were still in Shen Mansion's Colorful Cloud Courtyard. Passing along messages in secret would certainly be possible.
"What do you intend to do?" Shui Bi asked.
"What does that matter to you?" Mo Qing replied. "The second madam of the Shen family sold you into a ninth-class brothel, condemning you to a fate worse than death. Such treatment is not excessive even for enemies—do you still cling to sentiments of loyalty between master and servant? Heaven destroys those who do not look after themselves. If you wish to remain loyal servants, so be it. I don’t have much time to waste on you. If this deal falls through, then let it be." He stood up, making as if to leave.
"Sir, wait!" Yan Mei suddenly blurted out. "This servant is willing to make this deal with you. As long as you can take me away from here, I’ll do anything you ask."
"Yan Mei..." Shui Bi was still hesitant.
"Shui Bi, think about how you served Madam, and how she treated you in return! This gentleman is right—heaven destroys those who do not look after themselves. Do you want to stay here forever? Like those women outside who have to entertain clients even when they’re sick?"
Yan Mei’s words were swift and urgent, carrying a hint of ruthlessness. At the thought of those sickly women outside, Shui Bi shuddered and quickly said, "This servant is willing to follow you too!"
"Then this deal is settled." Mo Qing smiled in satisfaction, though inwardly he was surprised at how perfectly the situation aligned with Shen Miao’s predictions. Before leaving, Shen Miao had said that Ren Wanyun of the second branch was formidable, with high skill in manipulating people, and that the servants in Colorful Cloud Courtyard were fiercely loyal. Even if Yan Mei and Shui Bi were thrown into such a place, it wouldn’t be easy to win their immediate allegiance. But there was no need to worry too much—just reminding them of the miserable state of the women in Sanfu Class would be enough. These two maids already harbored some resentment toward Ren Wanyun’s methods, and coupled with their fear of this place, they would eventually agree to Mo Qing’s terms.“When will you take us away from this place?” Yan Mei asked anxiously.
“Today. I’ll arrange for you to meet with your sisters. You must ensure they relay news from the Second Household to me every other day. Don’t even think of playing tricks—even if you try to use this to redeem yourselves by reporting to the Second Household, they won’t believe you.” Mo Qing couldn’t resist one last threat: “And if I can get you out of here, I can just as easily send you back. No one will save you.”
Yan Mei and Shui Bi caught the murderous glint in Mo Qing’s eyes, and their hearts trembled. Any last shred of hope vanished. They knelt and kowtowed to him, saying, “We wouldn’t dare. We’ll do exactly as you say.”
Mo Qing set down the teapot and strode out of the tea room. The madam outside, seeing him emerge so quickly, assumed Yan Mei and Shui Bi had failed to please him. She hurriedly said, “Young master, were they unsatisfactory? Those two little sluts are new today and don’t yet know the rules. With a bit more training, they’ll improve. If you’d prefer, we have other girls here…”
“No need,” Mo Qing said. “I’ll take those two. I’m buying them.”
The madam froze. Girls from the Sanfu Class had never been sold before—it wasn’t the custom. Most were here as punishment, sent to suffer. She hesitated. “Young master, our rules here don’t allow the girls to be sold.”
“A hundred taels.” Mo Qing pulled a silver note from his sleeve and waved it in front of her. “For both of them.”
The madam’s eyes gleamed. She snatched the note from Mo Qing’s hand, as if afraid he’d change his mind, and beamed. “Since the young master favors them, it’s their good fortune. I’ll fetch their contracts at once. But remember—don’t let anyone recognize these two. If word gets out, the Sanfu Class will face trouble, and so will you.”
A hundred taels was a steep price—even sought-after courtesans in high-end brothels might not fetch such a sum. Even if Yan Mei and Shui Bi worked tirelessly until their dying day, they’d never earn half that amount. The madam was a businesswoman—how could she refuse such silver? Still, she worried. If their original owner found out she’d sold them, she’d be in trouble. She’d have to claim the girls had died.
As the madam gleefully went to fetch Yan Mei and Shui Bi, Mo Qing felt a twinge of regret. A hundred taels was no small sum—it was the entire amount Jing Zhe had gotten from pawning a whole box of Shen Miao’s jewelry. And now it was spent just to free two maids as spies. Shen Miao’s extravagance was staggering. Mo Qing shook his head slightly, though he dared not voice his disapproval.
Across the street, in the Happy Building, a black-clad figure appeared at the window and said, “Master, we’ve confirmed—that man is an outer courtyard guard of the Shen Mansion. The two girls he bought were once the personal maids of the Second Household’s legitimate daughter. It seems someone is planting spies in the Second Household, but the mastermind remains unknown.”
They had overheard every word exchanged between Mo Qing, Yan Mei, and Shui Bi—proof of their extraordinary skill, as even Mo Qing hadn’t noticed the eavesdropping.Gao Yang narrowed his eyes: "It seems the Shen Mansion isn't very peaceful either. The person behind this doesn't even spare the maids—tsk, they're truly relentless."
"Master, should we investigate that person?" the black-clothed man asked the youth in purple robes.
"No need. I know who he is." Xie Jingxing raised an eyebrow.
"You know?" Gao Yang looked at him. "Who is he?"
Who was he? Xie Jingxing smiled, his gaze deep and unfathomable. Shen Miao had found herself a highly skilled guard—though not comparable to his own subordinates, he was more than capable of handling the people in the Shen Mansion. As for now, even the young maids from the Sanfu Class weren't spared. It seemed someone was preparing to make a move.
But none of this had anything to do with him.
"Shan Lang," Xie Jingxing said, "send word to Yushu and tell him to return to the capital immediately."
"You..." Gao Yang's expression turned serious. "You haven't found what you're looking for yet. Why summon them back?"
"Strike first to gain the upper hand," the youth replied calmly.
...
As time passed, the general's mansion seemed to return to its usual tranquility.
Shen Miao had been confined to her quarters for a long time and hadn't attended the Hall of Extensive Learning these days. Gu Yu and Jing Zhe worried she might fall behind in her studies, but she paid it no mind. What use was there in learning those useless poems and verses at the Hall of Extensive Learning? It was better to stay in the mansion and avoid trouble.
If there was anything worth being pleased about, it was that Yan Mei and Shui Bi, whom Mo Qing had bribed, had finally reunited with their sisters. Shui Bi was fine, but Yan Mei's younger sister, Chun Tao, had been eager to avenge her sister ever since learning she had been sold to a brothel. Unfortunately, her lowly status left her powerless to act. After meeting Yan Mei and confirming her sister was unharmed, she immediately agreed to Mo Qing's request to pass along information. Coincidentally, after Yan Mei and Shui Bi left, Shen Qing's two personal maids were left vacant. Ren Wanyun, impressed by Chun Tao's cleverness and efficiency, assigned her to serve Shen Qing as a personal maid. This made it even easier to keep tabs on the second branch's activities.
Shen Qing's health was gradually improving, though her temperament hadn't fully recovered. While she was much better than before, she still occasionally seemed absent-minded and would tremble in fear at certain words. It seemed she still needed more time to recuperate.
One day, Ren Wanyun was throwing another tantrum in her room, the floor littered with shattered teacup fragments. Her temper had grown increasingly volatile. In the past, when everything went smoothly, she rarely lost her composure. But now, she punished servants every few days, casting a gloomy shadow over the Colorful Cloud Courtyard.
"That heartless man!" Ren Wanyun raged. "All he does is run off to that vixen's courtyard! Qing'er is in such a state, and he's only visited a few times—how utterly heartless!"
She was cursing Shen Gui, and the servants in the room didn't dare even breathe loudly. Ren Wanyun's anger toward Shen Gui wasn't entirely about this, however. The real issue was the letter she had written to Prince Yu, revealing that Shen Miao and Shen Qing had switched identities that night—a letter Shen Gui had intercepted. Somehow, Shen Gui had managed to keep Prince Yu in the dark about the matter. Ren Wanyun had hoped to use Prince Yu to punish Shen Miao, but Shen Gui had ruined her plans. Frustrated and unwilling to accept defeat, she could only vent her anger on Shen Miao.As she was lost in thought, a startled cry suddenly came from the inner chamber. Ren Wanyun's expression turned serious, and she hurried inside to see Chun Tao holding a small bowl, attempting to feed Shen Qing some porridge. Somehow, the porridge had spilled everywhere, and Shen Qing was half-leaning over, retching.
"What happened?" Ren Wanyun demanded sharply, glaring at Chun Tao. "I entrusted you with taking care of the young lady, and this is how you slack off?"
"This servant deserves death," Chun Tao quickly knelt and said. "But the young lady has been retching frequently these past few days. Just now, while drinking the porridge, she had another bout of nausea. This servant dares to suggest—perhaps the mistress should call for a doctor. Could it be that she ate something bad?"
Lately, the doctors who had been treating Shen Qing hadn’t visited as often. Her external injuries had mostly healed, and all she needed was rest. Ren Wanyun had been staying by her side daily, which had gradually helped Shen Qing regain some clarity of mind. Now, hearing Chun Tao’s words, Ren Wanyun grew anxious. She was about to order Cai Ju to fetch a physician when she suddenly froze, as if realizing something. She turned to Chun Tao and asked slowly, "You said Qing’er has been vomiting frequently these past few days?"
"Yes," Chun Tao replied, somewhat puzzled. "But the food is specially prepared cleanly from the kitchen. The young lady also sometimes feels dizzy."
Ren Wanyun clutched her chest, her heart suddenly roiling like stormy waves. Chun Tao was still young and didn’t understand, but Ren Wanyun had been through this before. Could Shen Qing’s condition mean... she was with child?
Her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted. Xiang Lan, standing beside her, quickly steadied her. "Mistress!"
"Take my card and summon Doctor Chen," Ren Wanyun said after a moment, still pressing a hand to her chest. But when she looked at Shen Qing, her gaze was filled with horror.
Chun Tao, standing to the side, lowered her head. No one noticed the faint smile in her eyes.
As Shen Qing’s personal maid, she hadn’t just discovered Shen Qing’s nausea today. It had been going on for some time. But the first person she had informed wasn’t Ren Wanyun—it was Mo Qing, who relayed messages for her. Mo Qing had also instructed her to keep the matter hidden from Ren Wanyun for now, if possible, and wait for the right time to reveal it.
Chun Tao had been fortunate. For so long, Ren Wanyun had failed to notice anything amiss with Shen Qing. Until today.
Outside, Doctor Chen arrived quickly under Xiang Lan’s urging. He had previously treated Shen Qing’s external injuries. This was the physician given to Ren Wanyun by her maternal family when she married. Whenever Ren Wanyun needed to deal with concubines or handle unsavory matters, Doctor Chen was the one she relied on. As her trusted confidant, there was no need for secrecy between them.
Ren Wanyun watched anxiously as Doctor Chen took Shen Qing’s pulse. Shen Qing, still frightened, shrank into Ren Wanyun’s arms. When Doctor Chen withdrew his hand, his expression was grave. He glanced at Shen Qing before shaking his head at Ren Wanyun.
"All of you, leave," Ren Wanyun ordered the servants in the room.
Xiang Lan, Cai Ju, and Chun Tao quickly withdrew.
Only after the servants had left did Doctor Chen sigh and say to Ren Wanyun, "The young lady’s pulse is slippery like rolling pearls—it’s the pregnancy pulse."
Though she had already guessed as much, hearing the doctor confirm it still made Ren Wanyun’s world spin. She stared at Doctor Chen, her voice trembling involuntarily, yet she spoke with resolve. "Doctor, can you... make Qing’er lose this child? She’s still young. She can’t... can’t let anyone find out."If it were just a matter of being defiled, as long as it was well concealed, there might still be a way out in the future. But if there was a child, it would be an illegitimate offspring, and both Shen Qing and the child in her womb would be drowned in the pond!
"The young lady's constitution is already delicate, and she is still very young," Doctor Chen said. "If the fetus is aborted, it might damage her health irreparably. If anything goes wrong, she may never be able to conceive again..."
One blow after another fell upon Ren Wanyun’s head. If Shen Qing lost the ability to bear children, even if they found her another family in the future, Ren Wanyun knew better than anyone what fate awaited a woman who couldn’t bear children. A woman without children in the inner chambers was like a soldier on the battlefield without weapons—utterly doomed to fail.
“Moreover, the young lady has not fully recovered. If she loses the fetus now, it would be extremely dangerous,” Doctor Chen said.
“No… we can’t lose it.” Ren Wanyun stood frozen, then looked down at Shen Qing in her arms, overwhelmed by grief. “My poor Qing’er!”
If the child were lost, Shen Qing might die. Even if she survived, she might never bear children again. No matter what, the fetus couldn’t be lost. But if it wasn’t lost… what path would Shen Qing have in the future?
It seemed there was no way out no matter what. In Ren Wanyun’s heart, there was only deep despair.
Outside the door, Chun Tao peered in and whispered, “Sister Xiang Lan, is the young lady… is the young lady…”
“Hush,” Xiang Lan warned. “Don’t speak carelessly. If Madam hears, you’ll regret it.”
“Ah,” Cai Ju fretted. “What are we to do now?” She and Xiang Lan had long guessed what was happening. If Shen Qing was with child, what would become of Colorful Cloud Courtyard in the future? Every step would have to be carefully weighed.
Chun Tao pursed her lips, a flash of smugness in her eyes.
Doctor Chen left Colorful Cloud Courtyard and Shen Mansion, returning to his small home in the northern part of the city. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, his wife and child rushed out to greet him, and he wiped sweat from his brow.
Earlier that day, before his visit, he had received an anonymous letter instructing him to insist during Shen Qing’s examination that she must not lose the fetus and to persuade Ren Wanyun to protect it. Otherwise, his entire family would be killed. The letter even included his wife’s hairpin as proof. Terrified, Doctor Chen had no choice but to comply.
Originally hired by Ren Wanyun’s family at great expense to serve her, he had now betrayed his mistress. Fear and guilt gnawed at him, and he secretly considered fleeing the capital. Yet, he couldn’t help but wonder—according to Ren Wanyun, even she had only just discovered Shen Qing’s pregnancy. How had the blackmailer known so soon?
In the West Courtyard, Gu Yu entered and whispered a few words to Shen Miao, who was playing chess at the table. After a moment, Shen Miao smiled. “Well done. Has the silver been delivered to Doctor Chen?”
“Mo Qing has already sent it,” Gu Yu replied. “But why give him such a generous sum, miss? Since his life was already threatened, the silver seems unnecessary.”
“Not at all,” Shen Miao set down a chess piece with a faint smile. “People change. Threats alone would eventually drive Doctor Chen to flee the capital with his family, making things difficult later. But if we add a substantial reward, what do you think he’ll do then?”
“This servant doesn’t know,” Gu Yu shook her head."He would think, since he's already betrayed, he might as well go all the way and take more silver to make his betrayal worthwhile. He would keep going, maintaining the entire lie until his master discovers the betrayal."
Gu Yu was slightly stunned, unable to describe the feeling in her heart. When had their young lady become capable of knowing what others were thinking? "But," Gu Yu asked doubtfully, "what's the purpose of maintaining this lie?"
What was the purpose?
Shen Miao smiled and said, "Tell Mo Qing to pass a message to Chun Tao—she must help Eldest Sister take good care of her pregnancy. The better the pregnancy goes, the more advantageous it is for us."
...
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