EWRN - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Encounters in the Brothel (V)

"But there is one more thing Hua Ying wishes to ask of you, Young Master."

"I beg you, Young Master, to take my lady Di An as your wife!" In an instant, Hua Ying was kneeling before Huo Jinyu.

Huo Jinyu was taken aback. She stared in surprise at the woman in the tight-fitting red clothes kneeling before her. The woman knelt perfectly straight, her eyes fixed on Huo Jinyu.

"Why should I marry the courtesan Di An? Have you determined that I cannot touch her? Or are you trying to use my status to blackmail me?" Huo Jinyu frowned in displeasure, her tone sharp.

"I have no intention of threatening you, Young Master! Please do not misunderstand. Tonight was Miss Di An's first night. After tonight, she will no longer be a virgin courtesan. The madam will force her to receive clients. I cannot bear to see her defiled by those disgusting men! I beg you, Young Master!" Hua Ying pleaded from the floor. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If she missed it, there might never be another. If this royal young master before her was willing to marry Di An, it would at least give Di An a place to settle down, a place of peace. As for what would happen later, they could deal with that when the time came.

Huo Jinyu fell silent. Her current harem consisted only of Yan Xi and the self-destructive Noble Consort Bai. Perhaps bringing Di An back to the palace could provide Yan Xi with some company? But the most important question was, "The top courtesan of the Jade Spring Pavilion… is it expensive to buy out her contract? Roughly how many taels of silver would it take?"

Hua Ying knelt on the floor, waiting anxiously for a while. Just as she could no longer bear the silence, Huo Jinyu spoke.

Is this royal personage worried about the silver? "The Jade Spring Pavilion only became so popular because of Di An. You could say she is their money tree, so the price will naturally be steep. Furthermore, Miss Di An is… a government-registered courtesan, so buying out her contract might be more complicated." Thinking about how she was asking someone for a favor that would cost so much money, manpower, and resources, Hua Ying couldn't help but blush. She continued, "You need not worry about the silver, Young Master. I am willing to make a trip home to fetch the funds, though it will take some time to travel there and back…"

"There's no need. The amount of silver is no obstacle; money is the one thing I do not lack! Let's do this: at dawn, I will go and buy out Miss Di An's contract. After we return, I will also give her a respectable title. Do you wish to go back with Miss Di An?" Upon hearing that buying out the courtesan would cost a considerable sum, Huo Jinyu was inwardly ecstatic, though she didn't let it show on her face. She continued her questioning. She could see the ineffable emotion for Di An in Hua Ying's eyes. This… can two women develop such feelings for each other? Huo Jinyu was puzzled. For some reason, Yan Xi's exquisite and beautiful face flashed through her mind once again.

"If you are willing, Young Master, then I will trouble you to take me with you as well! I am truly grateful beyond words!" Hua Ying knelt, clasping her fists.

"Please, rise quickly. There is no need for such ceremony." Huo Jinyu helped Hua Ying to her feet.

With the matter of the buyout settled, the two sat together and drank amicably. Noticing Hua Ying's hesitant expression, as if she wanted to say something, Huo Jinyu asked out of curiosity, "Miss Hua Ying, is there something you wish to say?"

"I wish to ask. Young Master, would it be possible to gift me Miss Di An's veil? I am willing to do anything for you in return!" Hua Ying clasped her fists again.

Huo Jinyu: …

She had thought Hua Ying had some grave matter to discuss, but it was only about a veil. Huo Jinyu carefully took the folded veil from her robes and handed it to Hua Ying. Hua Ying accepted it just as carefully, stroking it gently before tucking it away safely.

"Since you will be accompanying me, and you know my identity, I wonder if you are skilled in medicine? I am currently in need of a physician." Huo Jinyu took a sip of wine and asked. "Otherwise, it will be difficult for me to arrange a position for you."

"To answer the Young Master, I have traveled the jianghu and know some medicine. I am more than capable of serving as a wandering physician." Hua Ying replied earnestly.

"Then it's settled," Huo Jinyu said with satisfaction.

As the sky began to lighten, Huo Jinyu figured the madam should be awake. She left her room to find her and discuss the buyout.

Just as Huo Jinyu descended from the third floor to the second, she saw the madam emerging from a private room, swaying her hips. Upon seeing Huo Jinyu, the madam immediately rushed over. "Aiyo, Young Master, why are you up so early? Did An'er not serve you well?"

"I was quite satisfied with Miss An'er's service," Huo Jinyu said, affecting a profound air. "I have come today because I have a matter to discuss with you."

A look of confusion appeared on the madam's face. "And what might that be, Young Master?"

"I am here to discuss the matter of buying out An'er's contract," Huo Jinyu said coolly.

"Young Master, let us discuss this in a private room." The madam invited Huo Jinyu into a nearby room and poured her some tea.

Unexpectedly, the madam was very agreeable and didn't make things difficult for Huo Jinyu at all. She simply asked for a buyout fee of two million taels.

"Young Master, Miss An'er's indenture contract is held by the government office. You may need to make a trip there. After all, An'er is a government-registered courtesan. Just because we at the Jade Spring Pavilion are willing to let her go doesn't mean the government will." The madam said with some hesitation.

"That is no great obstacle. There is no one in the Great Yuan Kingdom whom I cannot marry. I won't trouble you to worry about it, madam." Huo Jinyu clasped her hands in thanks.

When she came out of the private room, a line of guards stood in the hallway. These were the guards Huo Jinyu had given silver notes to the previous night to enjoy themselves. After seeing Huo Jinyu was up, they had all notified one another, gotten up as well, and were waiting in the corridor for her to emerge.

Huo Jinyu ordered a guard to take the Jade-Inlaid Gold Medallion to the prefect's office and retrieve Di An's indenture contract. The madam didn't recognize the medallion, but the prefect certainly did. The prefect had originally intended to give the guard a hard time and extort some benefits, but he wilted the moment he saw the gold medallion. He hurriedly ordered someone to bring out the contract.

The indenture contract was obtained without the slightest effort. The speed and efficiency of it all shocked the madam, who wondered to herself just which noble house this young master belonged to, to possess such power! This young master must be from the imperial city.

Having successfully obtained the contract, Huo Jinyu went off with a light step to personally purchase a carriage and prepare for the return journey.

Meanwhile, in the top courtesan's room at the Jade Spring Pavilion.

The courtesan Di An slowly awoke. She opened her eyes to see Hua Ying napping at a nearby table. Looking down at herself, she saw that her outer robes had been removed and she had been placed in bed. Assuming something unspeakable had happened the night before, Di An sighed. The other sisters in the pavilion all said one's first night was the most unforgettable, yet she had been drunk and knew nothing. Her first night had passed just like that.

Di An sat up and got out of bed to change her clothes. The movement woke Hua Ying. Hua Ying sat up straight and turned her head, only to be met with the beautiful sight of the gracefully-figured woman clad only in her middle layer, her black silk hair cascading over her chest.

Seeing Hua Ying staring blankly, Di An felt herself blush for some reason. She quickly turned away and hurriedly finished dressing. Di An felt a little strange. She had heard the sisters say that there was always physical discomfort after one's first night, but she felt wonderful after a good night's sleep.

"Hua Ying, did anything happen last night?" Di An asked, somewhat confused.

Hua Ying thought about her fight with Huo Jinyu the previous night, and how she had begged Huo Jinyu to marry Di An. She felt a little ashamed. "No, nothing," she denied repeatedly.

Di An looked suspiciously at Hua Ying, whose face was faintly flushed, feeling even more puzzled.

Di An didn't dwell on the issue. She called for a servant to bring some small dishes, and the two of them began their morning meal.

After they finished eating a short while later, the servant cleared away the dishes. The two were sitting at the table drinking tea when a "knock, knock, knock" sounded at the door.

"Come in," Di An called out.

The person outside pushed the door open and strode in. It was Huo Jinyu. Her face was glowing, and she looked to be in excellent spirits. She walked to the table, and seeing the two of them sitting there made her even happier. She pulled a paper contract from her robes and handed it to Di An. "Miss Di An, I have bought out your contract. Here it is. From this day forward, you are a free woman." Di An took the indenture contract in disbelief, examining it from top to bottom several times before she could truly believe she had been bought out. Although she had grown up in a brothel, it didn't mean she had to love the place. On the contrary, having seen so much filth, she detested it. Now that someone was telling her she was free, it all felt rather unreal.

"I thank you, Young Master! I am endlessly grateful! But you must have spent a great deal of money. I wonder if you would be willing to let me remain by your side to serve you, to repay the debt of my freedom." Di An dropped to her knees in supplication.

"That was my intention as well. I have decided to take you as my wife. This way, you will have a place to belong and a proper status, and you can draw a clear line with your past." Huo Jinyu stepped forward and helped Di An to her feet.

And so the matter was settled. Huo Jinyu's carriage was ready. Once Di An had packed a few personal belongings and clothes, there was nothing else worth taking from the Jade Spring Pavilion. After she finished packing, she followed Huo Jinyu downstairs.

Huo Jinyu led the way, with Di An following her and Hua Ying following Di An. Their descent caused quite a stir. In the main hall on the first floor sat patrons who had come for wine and women. Someone with a sharp eye spotted Di An. "Eh? Isn't that the top courtesan? Why is she leaving?" One voice drew everyone's attention. The crowd looked toward the staircase and saw that it was indeed the courtesan Di An and the young master who had bought her first night the day before. Hua Ying was completely ignored by the crowd.

"Is the top courtesan leaving? She's even carrying a bundle."

"I don't know. Could that wealthy young master have bought her freedom?"

"Heavens! The nationally famous top courtesan of the Jade Spring Pavilion, how much silver must that have cost?"

"Who knows?"

…

The hall buzzed with discussion. The men watched with aching hearts as the white-robed Di An gracefully boarded the wealthy young master's carriage. A few who had considered causing trouble immediately gave up the idea when they saw the ten guards on tall horses with longswords at their waists standing behind the carriage.

The group, with their carriage, slowly passed through the gates of Jiang City and headed toward the imperial capital.

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