Chapter 11
“Miss, wipe your tears.” A woman in a luxurious purple dress, with delicate features, handed me a handkerchief. “I’ve been watching you for a while. You have the beauty of a lotus emerging from water, yet the charm and allure of spring flowers-truly a rare beauty. Would you honor me by joining me for a chat at the teahouse?”
Xiaotao hurried over to shield me. “Who are you, and what business do you have with our young lady?”
“Don’t be afraid, miss. I am Suli, the manager of Ruyi Pavilion.” She took out a seal from the sachet she carried and handed it to us for inspection.
Ruyi Pavilion is a famous and elegant establishment in the capital, a favored place for officials and nobles to gather for discussions and refined entertainment. Even I, who rarely left home, had heard of its reputation as a “money-devouring den.”
Suli looked me up and down. “Judging by your attire, you have the beauty of a goddess, yet lack the silks and satins to match it-what a pity. If you were to come to our Ruyi Pavilion-”
“You-our young lady is from a respectable family!” Xiaotao interrupted angrily, snatching the seal from my hand and slapping it back into Suli’s palm, then pulling me away.
From my clothing and the number of servants, Suli seemed to deduce that I was not from a wealthy or noble family. She spoke with renewed confidence, “Why do you remain silent, miss? If you come to our Ruyi Pavilion, countless sons of rich and noble families would spend fortunes for your young lady. Wouldn’t that tempt you?”
I grew restless, my heart surging with turbulent waves. The opportunity was right in front of me-why should I refuse?
“I have no particular talents,” I said, turning to look at her.
“No matter. Just standing there without speaking is enough to captivate hearts.”
“What if I can’t show my face?”
Suli pondered for a moment, then bit her lip. “You can wear a veil, miss. Your eyes and bearing alone are enough to enchant.”
“Alright.” Ignoring Xiaotao’s desperate tugging, I stepped forward and said, “I agree.”
“Are you serious?” Suli grasped my hand excitedly, her bright almond-shaped eyes narrowing into slits as she smiled playfully. The confident, calculating demeanor from earlier vanished completely.
“May I know your name, miss?”
After a moment’s thought, I replied, “Call me Mingzhu.”
“Miss Mingzhu, it’s settled then. You must come to our Ruyi Pavilion tomorrow. We’ll draw up a contract, and the matter will be sealed.”
On the way back, Xiaotao was sullen and ignored me.
“It’s really nothing, did you hear? She said your young lady is unparalleled in beauty. If some important figure takes a liking to her, we’ll never have to worry about food or clothing again.”
Xiaotao still ignored me. I went to pull her, only to find she was crying.
I grew angry and shook her off, running ahead without looking back.
I had never thought myself worthless, but Xiaotao’s tears burned my heart, as if reminding me that I was truly choosing to sink, willingly embracing my own downfall.
My mother became a prostitute out of necessity after our family fell on hard times. But I am different-I was born low and base, it is in my nature.
I want money, lots and lots of money. I want a good life. There is nothing wrong with that.