Chapter 217: The Brothel

Chapter 217: Flower House

Meng Wan oversaw five major workshops, and his influence had grown increasingly formidable over the years, with Song Tingzhou's achievements and rank as a given. With him asking like that, who still dared to refuse?

The guests exchanged flickering glances. Du Fulang was the first to pick two pairs of jade bangles from the wooden box. "My concubine just gave birth to a little boy; these bangles are perfect as a reward for her. I won't be polite with you, Meng Fulang."

Everyone was already afraid of Meng Wan, and with Du Fulang leading the way, they all put on smiling faces, ignoring Xiao Qin Shi's increasingly sour expression. Not even daring to use their maids, they personally got up to pick out jade bangles.

"I'll take this pair—thank you, Meng Fulang, for the gift." Holding bracelets that were useless yet could offend others, they had no choice but to force a smile and yield to Meng Wan's tyranny. This Meng Fulang's methods were something they had now truly witnessed.

Seeing them act sensibly, Meng Wan's face gained a hint of genuine smile. "You're too kind, madam. All thanks to Xiao Qin Shi's jade materials—you should thank Xiao Qin Shi instead."

So Xiao Qin Shi sat in the host seat, her vision blurring as she accepted the repeated thanks from the officials' wives.

With each address, her face grew more agonized. The immense humiliation was so intense it made her face burn red, suffocating her almost to the point of breathlessness. Her mind spun in a dizzying whirl, filled with nothing but Meng Wan's half-smiling face and that box of clinking jade bangles.

It was almost time for the feast to begin. Juan Niang was brought over by a maid. From a distance, she could see Xiao Qin Shi's poor complexion and cautiously handed her a cup of tea with both hands. "Mother, drink some tea."

Xiao Qin Shi, with a fury she couldn't vent, suddenly swung her arm, splashing the entire cup of hot tea over half of Juan Niang's body, even spattering a few drops on her face.

"Ah! Hot... Wuwu..." Still a child, she couldn't bear such pain and burst into loud sobs.

But Xiao Qin Shi, unsatisfied, followed with a slap, stunning Juan Niang into a daze. Her crying stopped abruptly. Juan Niang seemed accustomed to such treatment from Xiao Qin Shi, afraid of being disliked again, she covered her mouth and wept silently.

Xiao Qin Shi was about to strike again when she noticed the new bangle on Juan Niang's wrist, identical to those in Meng Wan's box. A surge of blood rushed to her head, and she collapsed beneath the table.

"Madam, Madam, what's wrong?"

"Someone, quick! The madam has fainted! Send for a physician!"

After Xiao Qin Shi fainted, her maids hastily dragged her away, leaving no one to care for Juan Niang.

Meng Wan grabbed a young maid. "Your little mistress has been scalded. Are you just going to leave her there?"

The maid, anxious to find a physician, replied dismissively, "Sorry, Meng Fulang, Zhaodi has her own maid to look after her. We're too busy right now."

She ran off, and Meng Wan didn't call for other servants. He casually asked an official's wife who was on relatively good terms with Xiao Qin Shi, "That maid called Juan Niang 'Zhaodi'? Is that her full name?"

The official's wife, startled by Meng Wan's approach, tensed. She was one of those who had spread rumors about Meng Wan under Xiao Qin Shi's instigation.

"Juan Niang's full name is indeed Zhaodi. 'Juan Niang' is her nickname used outside; at home, she's always called Zhaodi." Her eyes darted, afraid to meet Meng Wan's gaze, but she still honestly revealed what she knew.

Seeing Meng Wan's interest in Juan Niang, someone deliberately moved closer. "Are you wondering, Meng Fulang, why Xiao Qin Shi is so cold to her daughter?"

In the Yu Kingdom, men were revered. From high-ranking families to common folk, everyone hoped for a thriving household—and "thriving" meant male offspring.

The preference for sons over daughters wasn't an exception; it was the norm for everyone.

But no one lacked love for their own children. Even if they preferred boys, few were harsh to their daughters or little boys. Xiao Qin Shi's family wasn't so poor that they couldn't afford to raise one more girl. Why treat Juan Niang so harshly?

"Is Juan Niang perhaps a concubine's daughter?" Meng Wan asked.

Principal wives often mistreated concubines' children—after all, they weren't their own flesh and blood, so they wouldn't treat them kindly.

That woman said mysteriously, "Zhaodi isn't even a child of the Zeng family. She's a 'bride-in-waiting' that Xiao Qin Shi's brother and sister-in-law bought from who knows where!"

Several among the crowd showed no surprise, clearly already aware. It made sense—if Xiao Qin Shi had suddenly gained a daughter without being pregnant, locals could guess what was going on.

What intrigued Meng Wan was, "What is a 'bride-in-waiting'?"

A few local ladies and gentlemen from Lingnan explained. It turned out that the legend of the "bride-in-waiting" had been passed down who knows how long. If a family couldn't produce a son, they would buy a girl from elsewhere and bring her home as the bride of their unborn child, hoping she would wait for her future husband.

Meng Wan's gaze deepened. "And if the husband never comes?"

The local ladies and gentlemen exchanged smiles. "If he never comes, she's no longer useful and can just serve as a maid in the household."

Families like theirs, with official positions, weren't short of money and didn't mind raising one more useless girl. But for poor families, the bride-in-waiting wouldn't be so lucky—she'd likely be resold.

Even as clever as Meng Wan was, he couldn't have imagined that Juan Niang wasn't a concubine's daughter but a bought bride-in-waiting.

He instructed Zhu Tong, who had the kindest face, to go comfort Juan Niang. There was a folding screen in the hall where they were seated; she could take Juan Niang behind it to check for burns.

But Zhu Tong had only been behind the screen briefly before she came out to find Meng Wan, her face full of shock. "Fulang, you need to come see this."

Meng Wan already had a suspicion. When he got behind the screen, he found that Juan Niang's injuries were far more horrifying than he had imagined.

Her small body trembled, clothes half off. From her neck down, there was hardly a patch of unblemished skin. The area scalded by hot water was just a faint red—it was actually the lightest injury on her body. Some scars had already grown new skin, suggesting they were old wounds from a year or two ago.

Meng Wan stared at the crisscrossing old and new scars on her body, a glint of darkness flashing in his eyes. "Dress her first. For now, don't make a sound."

——

The commotion had long since reached the elders' table.

Chang Jinhua, worried about Meng Wan and unlike the other official wives who were overly cautious, hurried over first. "Wan Ge'er! Wan Ge'er?"

Meng Wan was standing a bit farther away talking with Du Fulang. Hearing his mother call, he quickly responded, "Mother, I'm here!"

Chang Jinhua came over and looked him up and down, relieved to see he was fine, then asked, "What happened over there? I thought I heard someone fainted?"

Meng Wan spread his hands innocently. "It seems Xiao Qin Shi wasn't feeling well. A perfectly fine person, just fainted out of nowhere."

After Xiao Qin Shi collapsed, the official wives, afraid of getting involved, had already left their seats and were standing near Meng Wan in small groups. Hearing his words, they exchanged glances. Did Meng Fulang's tone imply he thought Xiao Qin Shi was faking it?

If she had had that much wit, she wouldn't have ended up in such a state. Most likely, she had genuinely been so enraged by Meng Fulang that she fainted.

With Xiao Qin Shi unconscious, the birthday celebrant, Old Madam Zeng, had to step forward.

"Forgive me, ladies and gentlemen. My granddaughter-in-law has a delicate constitution. She's exhausted herself these past two days preparing for this old woman's birthday banquet and has fainted from fatigue. I apologize to all of you for the poor hospitality. Please do forgive me."

The official wives, feeling guilty, hurriedly said, "You're too kind, Old Madam Zeng. No need to talk about poor hospitality. Xiao Qin Shi is filial; she should focus on recovering."

The banquet was about to begin. Even without one hostess, it wasn't enough reason for guests to leave. After exchanging pleasantries with Old Madam Zeng for a while, everyone resumed their seats.

This time, the table was quiet, with no more undercurrents. Those sharing a table with Meng Wan were extremely well-behaved. Those who had spoken ill of him sat as far away as possible, afraid of being publicly retaliated against.

Meng Wan leisurely finished his meal, then cheerfully went to pick up Chang Jinhua from the main table. As if nothing had happened, he said a few auspicious words to Old Madam Zeng.

Originally, the Zeng residence had arranged for a theatrical troupe to perform after the feast, but they no longer seemed eager to keep their guests. The official wives from the inner quarters dispersed sooner than usual, though the men's banquet in the front hall was still ongoing.

Meng Wan and Chang Jinhua had nothing left to do at the Zeng residence—and likely the hosts couldn't wait for them to leave. So they didn't wait for Song Tingzhou. Meng Wan had Huang Ye go to the front courtyard to inform him, then they left first to return home.

In the front courtyard, Song Tingzhou, though immersed in officialdom, hated dealing with the forced pleasantries and veiled conflicts of bureaucratic banquets. He listlessly clinked glasses with others, his eyes dark and expressionless. Unlike the others who laughed and toasted with colleagues, he sat coolly and unhurriedly—eating.

His subordinates had thought about currying favor by inviting him to drink and eat at flower houses, but Song Tingzhou was a creature of habit: either at the government office or going home after work. He never accepted invitations, so no one knew his appetite well.

Seeing that half the dishes on the plate were already gone and Song Tingzhou still hadn't put down his chopsticks, the quick-witted among them had already called for a Zeng servant to add more dishes.

Song Tingzhou took a plain handkerchief from his sleeve pocket, elegantly wiping his mouth and hands. "No need. It's getting late; I should take my leave of Lord Zeng."

Once the superior officers had left, the others also rose to take their leave.

Xiao Qin Shi had fainted and hadn't yet awakened, so it wouldn't do to have the elderly Prefect Zeng and his wife see off the guests. Thus, the unreliable Zeng Hengshu was summoned back.

However, Song Tingzhou, who had said he was leaving, didn't actually go far. He sat in the carriage and watched as Zeng Hengshu, all dressed up and acting like a proper gentleman, bowed to see the guests off. Only after the last guest had left did Zeng Hengshu, instead of entering his own home, turn and walk away.

"Follow him," Song Tingzhou said calmly to Tao Ba, who was driving the carriage. Besides Tao Ba, Tao Shi and Tao Shiyi were also there, all three dressed in constable uniforms.

Tao Ba drove the carriage, keeping a fair distance behind Zeng Hengshu, and watched as he entered a brothel on Nanping Lane. "Sir, do we still follow?"

Song Tingzhou jumped off the carriage. "No need to follow. We're going in to make an arrest."

The Tao brothers didn't ask any more questions. They did whatever Song Tingzhou told them to do.

They tied the horse to a large tree by the street, and the three Tao brothers strode into the brothel right behind Song Tingzhou.

About eight minutes later, bloodcurdling screams came from a room in the brothel, causing passersby to stop and look.

Song Tingzhou came out of the brothel, shaking his hands. Tao Ba carried a bound hand and foot Zeng Hengshu, looking dejected, while a frantic madam followed behind. "Oh, Lord Song, we run a legitimate business! What are you doing?"

If the grandson of Prefect Zeng were caught in her brothel, wouldn't they be held responsible?

Song Tingzhou had no intention of stopping and arguing with a madam in the street. It was Tao Shiyi who, seeing her still following, kindly reminded her, "It's no use following us to the government office. Officials are forbidden from patronizing prostitutes. Zeng Hengshu even holds a purchased position as the Scribe of Heiye County! He hasn't even set foot in the county office for a day, spending all his time in the city's brothels. Who else should be arrested?"

The madam grumbled about her bad luck and pleaded with Song Tingzhou, "Sir, take pity on an old woman like me. At least let Young Master Zeng go, and wait until he goes to the neighboring Huicui Tower before you arrest him!"

Song Tingzhou turned back to the madam, his jaw tight, his eyes like ice. "What do you think the law is, a joke? The law is not to be trifled with. If you obstruct my investigation, I'll have you arrested and brought to the yamen too!"

Frightened by his fierce demeanor, the madam's heart leaped into her throat, and she nearly lost her wits. Coming to her senses, she hurriedly turned and fled on unsteady legs, no longer daring to pester Song Tingzhou.

It was impossible to bring Prefect Zeng's grandson directly to the office. Song Tingzhou took the man to the Zeng residence, casually untied the ropes, and not deigning to glance at Zeng Hengshu, collapsed on the ground like a dead dog, he said to the steward who came forward to help, "Tell Lord Zeng that this official knows he only has this one grandson now, and is inevitably indulgent. But the law is unforgiving. If he is not strictly disciplined, it may lead to grave mistakes in the future."

——

"Did Lord Song say that?" Prefect Zeng sat in his chair, asking the steward who was kneeling on the floor to report.

The steward was certain. "I didn't miss a single word, my lord. Lord Song said exactly that, then left without another word."

Prefect Zeng silently stroked his white beard, deep in thought, but the wailing from the bed snapped him back to attention.

"Grandfather, I'm in so much pain... Don't believe that Song bastard's lies! He's clearly petty and narrow-minded. All because I glanced at his husband a couple of times, he acted like a jealous spouse. If he wanted to arrest me, why didn't he just do it? Why did he have to trap me in a brothel and beat me?"

"Yes, Grandfather, you must stand up for us. The Song family has gone too far, they haven't shown you any respect!" Xiao Qin Shi, for once, was on his side. She wore a headband and was helped in by a maid.

Seeing her come in, Lady Zeng, who was sitting by the bed wiping Zeng Hengshu's sweat, asked first, "Is it true that the New Year's gift you sent back to the Song family was half a cart of worthless jade material?"

Xiao Qin Shi, who had a belly full of complaints ready, found herself choked and unable to speak. She clutched her headband and muttered weakly, "His family are Grandfather's subordinates. It's only right to send something a little light."

Lady Zeng was furious at what she heard. "How dare you talk back! Courtesy requires reciprocity. I have seen the gift list from the Song family; it was of high quality. If you had sent a proper gift in return, that would be fine, but sending a cart of junk like that—aren't you openly slapping the Song family in the face? What kind of person is Meng Fulang? He isn't afraid of men outside, so would he be afraid of a woman like you, stuck in the women's quarters and knowing nothing of the world?"

Although Xiao Qin Shi was currently managing the Zeng household, no one in the family dared to disobey Lady Zeng. After being reprimanded, she did not dare to talk back.

Prefect Zeng hadn't yet learned of the commotion in the inner quarters, but these few words made things clear.

His tone was gentler than Lady Zeng's. "About the Zhuangzhai incident, has your father gone back to investigate? There's not much to do after the New Year. You might as well stay a few more days at your mother's home."

Xiao Qin Shi looked at him incredulously. "Grandfather, are you sending me back to my mother's home?"

Lady Zeng looked at her with frustrated disappointment. "Your grandfather wants you to go back and ask about the cloth from Zhuangzhai. Your head is full of trivial nonsense. Kneel down for four hours!"

She sent Xiao Qin Shi away, then comforted and scolded her grandson. After that, Prefect Zeng and his wife closed the door to speak privately.

"Husband, isn't the Song family acting a bit too high and mighty? Are they trying to force you into retirement?"

"Alas, you don't understand. They don't need to force me into retirement. The higher-ups probably only have one year of patience left for me..."