LOT – Chapter 185 Xue Wei Was Bought by Qing Yun!

“Mom, please save me! I’ve been earning money for you all these years!”

Qing Yun knelt before a middle-aged woman, her face full of panic and despair.

Almost all the money she had earned over the years had ended up in Mother Hua’s hands; very little had actually reached her.

From the very beginning of their partnership, Qing Yun had been completely brainwashed, and all the money she tricked people out of over the years had been taken by Mother Hua.

Fortunately, she had run away quickly this morning. If she had been a moment slower, she would have been caught by the authorities.

Mother Hua looked at Qing Yun with disgust and immediately kicked her aside.

“How come I don’t understand a word you’re saying? How could the money you earned ever end up with me? Do you have any proof?”

“Now get out of my way and don’t block my door!”

Qing Yun fell to the ground, staring at Mother Hua in disbelief. Back when she had the ability to make money, this woman used to flatter her every day. How much time had really passed since then?

Mother Hua waved her handkerchief in disdain and said, “If I were you, I’d leave the capital immediately. That fool—wherever he is, I advise you to stay with him for now. If you can swindle him, then do it, get away first. Even if something happens later, that fool will act as a protective charm.”

With that, Mother Hua closed the door, leaving Qing Yun alone, laughing and crying at the same time.

She staggered back to the place where they had stayed the night before. Xue Wei was currently panicking, searching for money.

When he saw Qing Yun return, his heart immediately relaxed. He had thought she had taken the money and run.

And indeed, Qing Yun had taken the money—last night! He simply hadn’t noticed because he had gone to bed early after suffering too many setbacks the previous night.

“Qing Yun, where did you go? I was worried sick this whole morning when you disappeared.”

Now, he only had the little money he had brought from home. Even the property deed had been taken back by his father. He was truly without a home now.

Qing Yun forced a small smile and took out some medicine from her pocket. “I went to get some medicine for you. Didn’t you say the mosquitoes here bit you a lot? I got you some mosquito repellent and some calming herbs.”

Seeing the medicine, Xue Wei was deeply moved. Truly, Qing Yun loved him—she was still caring for him even at a time like this.

He knew for certain that Qing Yun wasn’t after his money or status.

As Qing Yun prepared the medicine, a faint glint flashed in her eyes. Mother Hua had been right—she couldn’t leave just yet. The money she had wasn’t enough to sustain her.

But she didn’t want to take this fool along. The money was already insufficient, and if she took him along, it would be even less.

The calming herbs were indeed effective, but she had secretly added a sedative.

In the past, brothels used this drug on disobedient girls—it was colorless and tasteless. If they resisted, just one sip and they would pass out, leaving them vulnerable to whatever the user wanted.

Now, the medicine would serve its purpose.

Before long, Qing Yun carried Xue Wei to a human trafficking broker in the black market.

“Although he’s a little older, he has smooth skin, a decent appearance, and I won’t ask for too much. Twenty silver will do. He also knows some medicine—if you buy him, you won’t regret it.”

Qing Yun kept pitching Xue Wei to the black market owner, who hesitated.

The main concern was that the man was currently unconscious. While he looked decent, smooth skin like that was not easy for ordinary families to maintain.

“Did you buy him or knock him out to bring him here? His origin is unclear, right?”

The broker hesitated. He wanted to buy him—though a bit older, he was well-built, knew medicine, and could serve a wealthy household’s ailing young master.

Qing Yun smiled. “I’ve already brought him here, and you’re still asking about his origins? How about fifteen taels of silver?”

After some negotiation, they settled at eighteen taels of silver.

Meanwhile, Bai Xiao reported everything to Lin Mo, who was still at court.

The emperor and officials were shocked. This woman was audacious beyond measure!

Imperial Physician Xue almost fainted. Even if he had cut ties with his son, it was just to make that fool understand the woman’s true character. After all, she was his own son—how could he be so cruel?

Yet, in just one night, that brainless fool had been sold to someone else!

Lin Mo sighed. “That Qing Yun is truly formidable. I thought reporting her to the authorities would be enough to catch her immediately, but she still had a backup plan. That Mother Hua isn’t trustworthy either.”

Bai Xiao added, “Most of the money Qing Yun earned went to Mother Hua. Later, we can check out the black market ourselves—might as well strike a blow against crime!”

Lin Mo responded excitedly, “Great! I’ve never been there. I’ve always wanted to see it for myself!”

Lin Shangshu took a deep breath, clenching his fists. Did this little rascal even understand that the black market was not somewhere one could casually visit?

Moreover, the black market had no fixed location. That’s why, despite being the capital, it had never been completely eradicated.

Today it’s here, tomorrow it’s there—always in some dark corner. You might get information about it today, but an incense stick later, it could be somewhere else.

Where there are people, there is darkness. As long as there is demand, the black market can never be fully eliminated.

Emperor Xuande also hated the black market. At its peak, countless children were trafficked there.

After abduction, even young children were sold.

Things were much better now. It was mostly invisible to the public; only those with certain connections could locate it. Ordinary people couldn’t enter.

Lin Mo was already impatient. “I’ve heard the black market sells everything. Really everything?”

Bai Xiao thought for a moment. “Gold, silver, treasure, human trafficking—you name it. But there are rules. Since the emperor monitors this closely, most transactions happen internally. Outsiders usually don’t know. If word leaked, the whole operation could be wiped out.”

Lin Mo grinned. “Today, I have to see it for myself!”

After court, Lin Mo dashed out so fast that Lin Shangshu couldn’t catch her.

“Hahaha! The black market! Here I come!”

Imperial Physician Xue, supported by Zhao Taiyi, was completely dazed.

“Xue Taiyi! Stay awake! Don’t worry! With Little Lin here, nothing will happen. No matter what, your son’s life is safe! Little Lin’s attacks might be indiscriminate, but they shouldn’t be fatal.”

Zhao Taiyi’s words, meant to comfort, were terrifying. Xue Taiyi rolled his eyes and fainted again.

The other officials eagerly followed, gossiping along the way. Even the emperor sent people to keep track, as today’s events were too numerous for him to personally attend.