“It’s not about that. I was just thinking how to make sure it’d be comfortable. I didn’t mean to make you upset.”
Shewie blinked, his response completely out of her expectations. “Oh, is there any problem?”
“There’s always some problem, but it's fine. I planned to move out of my parents home soon anyway. Come, let’s go purchase you.” Jian stood up, extending his hand to her. Still dazed, Shewie placed her hand in his and they walked towards the room the manager sat in. Seeing him confidently guide her there, Shewie wondered how he knew the way.
Knocking on the thin wooden doors, Jian opened them without waiting for a response, a disrespect Shewie would have been whipped raw for.
Looking up, a plump middle-aged woman with wrinkles hidden by layers of powder put down her pen.
“What are you here for?”
“Here to purchase her.” Saying this, Jian lifted the hand holding Shewie’s.
“G-greetings.” Her voice faltered. After all, she had never spoken to the manager in private like this before.
“You disturbed me for that? You don’t think he’ll overlook this kind of thing do you?”
“Her and another favour, and I'll consider the favour I did you last time repaid?”
“Two for the price of one eh?” The woman chuckled. “Sure, what's the other one?”
“A woman from the high-end brothel, who can’t or doesn’t want to be whore anymore and is ok pretending to be a maid.”
“Strange tastes you have.” The manager snickered.
“You know it's not for me.”
“Suit yourself.” She pulled down on a string, presumably calling her subordinate. Understanding that it would take a while, Jian pulled out the chair on the opposite side of the desk and sat down. Shewie didn't have the courage too, so she wrangled her hand from his and stood behind, pretending to look at the floor while she sneaked glances.
“So… I heard about your sister’s engagement. What are you gonna do?”
“You say it like I have a choice.”
“You talk to him yet?”
“No, but he must have known before me.”
“A little birdie told me something. Here, read it.” Opening a drawer, the woman passed a thin envelope to Jian. Open. Taking out the paper, his eyes flitted across it, capturing its contents to memory.
“This could mean anything.”
“I know, but we have to be prepared for everything, right?” The woman smirked like a cat, her eyes turning into upside down crescents.
At this point in time there was another knock on the door, and another middle aged woman appeared.
“Get Chiyou and Jiayou.” The subordinate bowed, and then promptly left, shrouding the trio in silence once again.
“How about I send a woman I know from the palace over in 3 days time?”
“Please don’t.” Jian’s refusal was prompt.
“Well, I didn’t think I could sneak past you anyway.” Leaning back, the manager continued browsing the documents on her table while Jian appreciated the vintage paintings lined along the walls. Shewie wondered what she had gotten herself into. Was Jian not simply a Captain? How did he know the manager of the courtesan house? What were these cryptic conversations they were having, about?
Soon the time passed and the woman returned with two younger women, who seemed to be in their late twenties or early thirties, trailing behind.
"I have brought them here , Madam." The woman bowed and without waiting for instructions, closed the doors as she left. The young women, who had stood with their heads bowed until now, bowed lower as they greeted the manager. Now that she could see their faces, Shewie saw that both of them were exceptionally beautiful but one had a large scar disfiguring her otherwise unblemished face.
"Here's your choice. Chiyou doesn't want to work anymore and Jiayou can't. You can choose."
Jian contemplated his choices. Both would suffice for the use his sister had in mind, but Chiyou would blend in better as a maid while Jiayou's loyalty would be better guaranteed-
"Master, please!" Seeing Jian unresponsive, Chiyou fell to the floor. "I really wish to leave this place, I'll do anything you want me to. I promise I won't disappoint you, I can-"
"Why do you wish to leave?"
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