MLMD -Chapter 315 Redeeming Oneself

The weather today was quite pleasant. The sun had emerged early from behind the clouds, and the warm sunlight streamed through the gauze curtains, shining onto the bed and wiping away Yue Yang’s desire to sleep in a little longer.

As he carefully felt the soft, delicate body in his arms, a faint, subtle fragrance filled his nose. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the beauty from last night still sleeping soundly in his embrace. Her hair spread across the snow-white pillow, making it look even darker and shinier.

Last night, Yue Yang had still failed the test of self-restraint and had given in to Wang Yue. It wasn’t that Yue Yang lacked willpower—it was that the temptation of those long, alluring legs was simply too strong. Under Wang Yue’s seductive gaze and her astonishing curves, he quickly succumbed. Yet, after taking her, seeing the few bright red marks on the bed and hearing Wang Yue bite his ear and reveal her age, regret began to creep in.

Fifteen years old—this girl, taller than him, had just turned fifteen. How was that fair? At that moment, it felt as though a stampede of wild horses surged through his heart. In a modern society, this would have been the kind of thing that would land him in serious legal trouble. But Yue Yang quickly reminded himself to be thankful for this cursed feudal era—fifteen was already considered a grown girl, old enough to marry and have children. Didn’t many of the top courtesans along the Qinhuai River debut at thirteen?

His left hand wandered mischievously over her supple body, feeling its astonishing firmness and smoothness. Two lazy, teasing murmurs came from her lips. “Young master, don’t play around, stay with me a little longer.” With that, her soft arms looped around his neck, and her smooth, tender body rubbed against his before settling into a comfortable position and closing her eyes again.

“All right, no more sleeping. We have things to do today,” Yue Yang said, trying to sound stern. Although he wanted to linger in bed, he couldn’t ignore the tasks ahead. He lightly patted Wang Yue’s soft yet firm hips and said, “We have a lot to do today—not only must we investigate your father’s situation, but we also need to redeem you. There’s no time to sleep in.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yue’s drowsiness vanished immediately. She sat up straight, not even noticing the blanket slipping off her exquisite figure. Her eyes shone with excitement as she looked at Yue Yang. “Young master, you really intend to redeem me?”

“Of course. Don’t you want that?” Yue Yang asked in surprise. “Since you gave yourself to me, you’re mine. Naturally, I have to take responsibility. Do you not want to be with me?”

“Yes! I want to be with you!” Wang Yue leapt into her lover’s arms and cried softly. Since entering this profession to raise money to save her father, she hadn’t dared to hope for a real future for herself. They say men fear entering the wrong trade and women fear marrying the wrong man—once some paths are taken, they’re lifelong, impossible to escape. And yet, this man not only promised to redeem her but also vowed to take responsibility. Even if she were just his concubine, it would still be far better than laughing for money along the Qinhuai River.

Seeing the girl in his arms cry like pear blossoms in the rain, Yue Yang felt a surge of emotion. He gently patted her fragrant shoulders to comfort her. “Enough crying. You’ll ruin your beauty. Now tell me, where should I go to redeem you?”

Choking back tears, Wang Yue revealed the name of the brothel she belonged to and the madam in charge. Yue Yang froze. “What? Qinghefang? Madam Qian? Wasn’t your house called Cuiweifang? How did it become part of Qinghefang?”

“You’re such a fool,” Wang Yue said, lightly punching him on the arm, her crying turning into a smile. “Cuiweifang has always operated under Qinghefang’s name. When I was sold, it was Madam Qian who handled it. Naturally, I have to see her to redeem myself.”

“I see,” Yue Yang said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He had met Madam Qian yesterday—this middle-aged woman looked shrewd and capable. Getting Wang Yue’s redemption contract back from her would likely not be easy.

He asked, “Yue’er, how much did you pay her back then?”

Hearing Yue Yang call her “Yue’er,” Wang Yue felt a sweet warmth in her heart. Since he had promised to take her as his concubine, she quickly fell into the role. Without hesitation, she said, “When I sold myself to Madam Qian, it was for 800 taels of silver. She is shrewd and capable, so it probably won’t be easy for you to redeem me.”

“That’s not a problem,” Yue Yang said lightly. “It’s just money. Madam Qian won’t make things difficult for you.” To him, it was merely a matter of paying a bit more silver, and as long as it wasn’t excessive, he could accept it.

After thinking for a moment, Yue Yang said, “Yue’er, I’ll send someone with some silver later. You go see Madam Qian to discuss your redemption. I’ll first go to the government office to inquire about your father. Tonight, I’ll come back to get you, all right?”

“Yes, I’ll follow your lead,” Wang Yue said tenderly, having entrusted her body and heart to him.

They lingered together for a while, nuzzling and whispering, before Yue Yang finally left.

After he left, Wang Yue lazily got out of bed, dressing while feeling the changes in her body, her limbs weak and sore. She both loved and feared her lover deeply.

“This rascal, really wants to kill me,” she muttered, shaking her head, forcing herself to stand. Just as she was about to leave, her maid Ziyu walked in with a basin of water, smiling brightly. “Congratulations, miss! Young master sent over a chest of silver coins. I counted—it’s two thousand in total. Now you can redeem yourself and live properly with him.”

“You little girl, stop talking nonsense!” Wang Yue blushed, still a young girl, and reached out to tickle her.

Ziyu dodged and laughed. “Miss, don’t hit me. There’s more than just silver coins. Don’t you want to see what else he sent?”

“What else?” Wang Yue forgot her shyness and asked eagerly.

Ziyu took a delicate small box from her bosom and handed it to her.

Wang Yue opened it and her eyes immediately lit up. It was an exquisite ladies’ watch, the face embedded with a circle of tiny blue gemstones, sparkling in the sunlight. Wang Yue was captivated.

Seeing her fascination, Ziyu explained, “Miss, this is called a watch. You wear it on your wrist to tell the time. Very convenient! Try it on for me.”

“Mm!” Wang Yue nodded, putting on the watch. An aura of elegance instantly emanated from her. Looking at the watch on her wrist, she felt her heart melt.

By noon, Wang Yue’s pleasure boat docked at Qinghefang, the brothel by the Qinhuai River. She found Madam Qian there, but unexpectedly, the top courtesan Li Xiangjun and her close friend Dong Xiaowan were also present. Wang Yue noticed that Madam Qian’s expression was unpleasant.

Seeing Wang Yue, the three were surprised. Though Wang Yue had also sold herself into the brothel, she was naturally reclusive, rarely venturing ashore, and had little contact with Li Xiangjun and the others, much less actively seeking Madam Qian.

Madam Qian forced a smile. “Yue’er, what brings you here?”

Wang Yue approached gracefully and offered a respectful bow. “Miss Yue’er has two things today: first, to thank Madam Qian for your care these days; second, to redeem herself.”

“Redeem yourself… you want to redeem yourself too?” Madam Qian’s smile melted like snow under the sun, her expression souring.

“Too?” Wang Yue caught the meaning behind the word and quickly looked at Li Xiangjun, who nodded with a bitter smile.

Seeing this, Madam Qian lost her temper, shouting, “What’s going on? Everyone wants to redeem themselves! Have I wronged you somehow? If all my girls leave like this, how will Qinghefang even survive?”

Li Xiangjun looked guilty, but Wang Yue interrupted, “Madam Qian, that’s unfair. When I joined last year, we agreed: though I signed a contract, if I find a husband or save up enough silver, I can leave. Do you want to go back on your word?”

Madam Qian was momentarily speechless. Then, upon scrutinizing Wang Yue’s face, her expression changed. She hurried over, inspected her closely, and shouted, “Yue’er, tell me—who defiled you last night, that you’re rushing to redeem yourself?”

Having spent most of her life in brothels, Madam Qian’s eyes were sharp—she immediately saw that Wang Yue was no longer a virgin, and it had just happened.

Wang Yue was stunned for a moment, then admitted, “Since you’ve noticed, I won’t hide it. Last night, I met the man I want to entrust my life to, and I gave myself to him. So I’ve decided to redeem myself and be with him.”

“And your father? Have you forgotten him?” Madam Qian’s voice remained sharp.

Wang Yue lifted her head proudly. “My lord will help me rescue my father. Rest assured, Madam Qian!”

Hearing her confident tone, Madam Qian trembled with anger. Pointing at Wang Yue, she said, “Fine… fine. If you want to leave, that’s your choice. I bought you for 800 taels, but now you want to leave? Two thousand taels, and you can go.”

“Two thousand?”

Li Xiangjun and Dong Xiaowan gasped. Brothels had rules. For girls like Wang Yue, who bought herself in, the madam wouldn’t usually demand much to redeem herself—perhaps a token increase over the original price. But now Madam Qian had doubled it to two thousand.

Li Xiangjun began to protest, but Madam Qian cut her off, scolding Wang Yue: “Two thousand taels is the price. Any objections?”

Wang Yue smiled lightly. A moment later, Ziyu brought in a heavy wooden chest, which landed on the floor with a thud. Inside were bright, gleaming silver coins.

Pointing at the chest, Wang Yue said coldly, “Madam Qian, these are new silver coins minted in Shanxi, each worth one tael. There are exactly two thousand coins. Now, you can return my redemption contract.”

“Silver coins?”

Madam Qian and the others’ expressions changed. She inspected a few coins, tapped them, and confirmed their authenticity.

Madam Qian then sighed. “Yue’er, since you insist on leaving, I won’t stop you. Don’t blame me for charging more—times are hard, and money is needed. Still, you’re lucky to have a man willing to do this for you. Congratulations.”

Suppressing her disdain, Wang Yue held her head high. “Naturally. I chose the best man. But…”

She looked at Li Xiangjun curiously. “Sister Xiangjun, are you here to redeem yourself too?”

Li Xiangjun nodded bitterly. If not for Wang Yue arriving, Madam Qian might have turned on her.

Madam Qian sneered at Li Xiangjun. “See? Yue’er came last year, and I asked for two thousand. If you want to leave, you’ll need ten thousand taels! Otherwise, don’t think of leaving Qinghefang!”

“What? Eight thousand more?” Li Xiangjun and the others cried out. Wang Yue’s two thousand was already above standard; now Madam Qian was trying to extort her!

Dong Xiaowan protested, “Madam Qian, have some conscience! Xiangjun has earned you so much over the years. Now she wants to leave, and you demand this?”

“Conscience?” Madam Qian sneered. “Conscience drowned in the Qinhuai River the day I became a courtesan. I thought I treated Xiangjun fairly, but now you all want to redeem yourselves for a man you barely know. Yue’er, you’re lucky to have a man willing to sacrifice so much for you.”

“Shanxi’s marquis?” Wang Yue’s eyes sharpened. “Sister Xiangjun, did you redeem yourself for Young Master Yue?”

“Yes!” Li Xiangjun said bitterly. “Since meeting him, I can’t stop thinking about him. Though I know he already has a wife and concubines, I love him. Even if I must serve as a maid, I’m willing. Yue’er, can you understand a woman’s heart?”

“Of course!”

Wang Yue ran over, embracing Li Xiangjun. Dong Xiaowan joined, and the three women cried together.

Madam Qian looked on, sneering at the three, heads bowed in sorrow.