Chapter 76: The Power Behind the Scenes

Chapter 76

The Power Behind the Scenes

Since the matter was tied to the laws of Da Ye, Nie Shuang had her people send a formal request to meet with Master He. However, before she could visit him, Master He hurried to her mansion himself.

"Young Furen, if you need anything, just send word. We’re all friends here,"

Master He said in a friendly tone. He still vividly remembered the incident involving Master Wang. Word had it that Wang Sulie had her head shaved bald by her own mother and, to this day, hadn’t dared leave the house. The matchmakers, who once frequented the Wang family’s mansion, had all disappeared.

Seeing Master He’s amicable attitude, Nie Shuang explained the issue she had learned from Wang Dongpo. Master He fell silent for a long while, deep in thought, before he spoke cautiously.

"Those men were likely from Baihua Brothel. It’s true that prostitution is legal in our Ye Region, but they cannot abduct unwilling women to become courtesans—unless they were sold by their parents or family members..."

"The woman claimed she was the maid of a young miss from a respectable family. Is there any way to help them?"

Master He’s face grew even more troubled.

"To be honest, Young Furen, while the law states such protections, Baihua Brothel has powerful backers. It would be difficult to intervene. If I may suggest, it might be easier to simply bid for the unfortunate woman at auction. Paying a sum to free her would avoid the complications that could arise later."

Nie Shuang was displeased with the suggestion. These officials seemed content to collect taxes yet did nothing to help the common people. Seeing her expression, Master He quickly added in explanation:

"Young Furen, you wouldn’t be wrong to think so, but the power behind Baihua Brothel is not to be underestimated. Otherwise, how could they have opened branches in nearly every city? You could ask the General yourself if you’d like to know who that person is."

From what he said, it was clear that either the Empress or a powerful Wang was involved. Nie Shuang smiled.

"I didn’t mean it like that. I was merely wondering how much it might cost to bid in the auction at Baihua Brothel. Master He, do you happen to know?"

Hearing her question, Master He blushed. Being a man, he had, of course, visited such establishments, but to be asked this directly by a beautiful lady made him stammer.

"Uh...well...I’m not exactly sure, but I’ve heard that a top courtesan was once auctioned for ten thousand taels. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know."

Of course, he knew. He had been there that night himself. Miss Lu Fang was indeed a beauty, sold to a wealthy merchant from another province. How infuriating...

Realizing that Master He could offer no further useful information, Nie Shuang thanked him and gifted him some Hong Bao tea as a gesture of appreciation. Master He left, relieved that she hadn’t asked him to take action. After all, he had no interest in crossing the powerful individuals behind Baihua Brothel. If word got back to them, he might lose his official title. He certainly didn’t want to end up like Master Wang.

Nie Shuang pondered for a long time. With powerful figures backing Baihua Brothel, she didn’t want to drag Kang Wang into trouble. He had grand ambitions and shouldn’t be involved in such trivial matters. Since the authorities were unwilling to intervene, the only option left was to buy the woman at auction. But she didn’t want to spend money supporting shady groups like them. After much thought, she realized there was another way. With a plan in mind, she immediately sent for Da Shi.

Not long after, Da Shi arrived. After hearing her plan, he hesitated, his face flushed. From childhood until now, Da Shi had always focused on work and had never set foot in such a place.

"Are you really asking me to do that, Lady Boss?"

"Of course. What’s so strange about it?"

Nie Shuang raised her eyebrows, puzzled. It was a simple task. What was so hard about asking to inspect the goods before the auction? Didn’t all establishments allow that?

"If you’re worried they won’t let you see them, just say that the General ordered you to select women. The General plans to take concubines into his household. Who would dare to suspect that?"

Hearing this, Da Shi finally felt at ease. As long as he acted in the name of Lady Boss and the General, he felt safer. Otherwise, his reputation as a single man might be ruined. He had someone in mind to marry, and if she heard he went to a place like that, she’d refuse to marry him. But the General was a high-ranking official—who would dare criticize him?

Da Shi wasn’t going to visit the brothel for pleasure. He waited until the afternoon when the madams and courtesans were getting ready and then headed there.

The madam didn’t suspect anything. Despite the rumors that the General was deeply devoted to his wife, he was still just a man, wasn’t he? How could he have only one wife without taking concubines? She led Da Shi to a room in the back, where a man sat on a chair, leaning on the wall while guarding the locked door. At the madam’s order, the guard stood up and unlocked the door for them to enter.

Inside, two women dressed in tattered clothes sat curled up on the floor. The room was bare, cramped, with nowhere to hide. The madam, seeing Da Shi’s gaze, quickly made an excuse.

"They tried to escape, so they had to be locked up here. The others who behave are treated well with good food and beautiful clothes. Oh, but don’t worry, on the day of the auction, we’ll clean them up thoroughly. They’ll be perfect for the General."

"Are there no others?"

Da Shi pretended to ask to be sure. He wasn’t sure what the women Nie Shuang had sent him to find looked like. The madam covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed artificially.

"The only ones good enough for the auction are these two. The others have already sold their first nights to customers. It wouldn’t be proper to present them to the General now, would it?"

Hearing this, Da Shi was convinced. He turned to the madam, feigning a troubled expression.

"I have some matters to inquire about on behalf of the General, to find someone suitable. It would be inappropriate for others to overhear."

The madam immediately understood. The customers here had varied tastes, some preferring privacy for their more peculiar requests. She left the room to give Da Shi his privacy with the women. The two women looked at him with distrust. He crouched down beside them and whispered softly.

"I’m from the Xiangyun Tea House. The Lady Boss heard about your situation from Manager Wang and sent me to inquire about your background. If we can contact your families, we will send someone to help you."

Upon hearing this, their eyes widened, and they nearly wept with joy. Da Shi quickly raised a hand to signal them to be quiet and waited for their response.

"I’m the one who met Manager Wang that day. We separated to distract those men. My young miss is from the Mu family in the capital. If we escape, I will do anything to repay our benefactor!"

Hearing the name Mu family, Da Shi felt a chill. He had lived in the capital for a long time, working at Tianfu Restaurant, which catered to high-ranking officials, so he was familiar with the prominent families. How could he not know the Mu family? In the palace, aside from the Empress and Xian Fei, there was also Mu Guifei[1], who was just as powerful. They were all vicious women with high positions, and they also had sons who were potential heirs to the throne. The Mu family wielded power through Grand Chancellor Mu, who controlled much of the royal court. If Young Miss Mu had been captured, this was a serious matter. Da Shi could only offer words of comfort before taking his leave.

"Rest assured, my Lady Boss will find a way to rescue you. For now, I must return and report to her."

He then met the madam and promised her that he would certainly attend the auction.

(End of Volume 1. Please continue with The Daring Lady Boss, Volume 2.)