Yang Chuxia swore that the words had slipped out unintentionally. She had simply thought that most women who end up in brothels came from dubious backgrounds. She had not expected that, as soon as her words fell, the pale-faced womanâs complexion changed. It seemed, then, that Ms. Hong did indeed have a questionable past.
"You... letâs leave first..."
"Sister, are we just going to leave like this?"
"Letâs go for now, weâll discuss it back at the pavilion."
The pale-faced woman left the old house with a dark expression, and the others followed her out.
Once everyone had left, the sharp gazes of Yang Chuxia and Land Officer Yang simultaneously turned toward Ms. Hong.
Yang Chuxia scrutinized Ms. Hong, who was indeed beautiful, but such looks were probably not outstanding in the Fancy Red Pavilion.
"Xiaxia, Xiaxia, think of something, we canât let Ms. Hong be taken away. She is already two months pregnant," Yang Xiaochuan said, noticing that neither Land Officer Yang nor Yang Chuxia looked pleased.
Recalling how the two individuals had insisted on taking Ms. Hong away, Yang Xiaochuan became anxious. Ms. Hong must not be taken awayâshe was carrying his son.
"If I hadnât known she was pregnant, Iâd have let her be taken away myself."
She noted that Ms. Hong was pretty, wondering how she came to be with Yang Xiaochuan. If she was from such a place, it was true that her standards might have been quite low.
"Forget it, letâs go inside to talk. No need to block the courtyard," Land Officer Yang said, trying to ease the tension, seeing Yang Chuxiaâs displeased look.
But once they were inside the house, and Ms. Liu had shut the courtyard door, Land Officer Yangâs face darkened.
He slammed his palm down on the table, glaring at Yang Xiaochuan, "You useless fool, buying a person from a tooth merchant is one thing, but to buy from a brothel? Are you trying to trample the Yang Familyâs face into the dirt?"
"Uncle, Uncle, I didnât know she was from a brothel, I truly bought her from a tooth merchant."
At this moment, Ms. Hong also knelt forward, "Uncle, I didnât escape on my own."
"Donât call me Uncle!" Land Officer Yang was clearly furious.
Ms. Hong hesitated and dared not speak any further.
Yang Chuxia sat to one side, glanced at her, and said, "Tell us what really happened. Speak the truth. If you utter even half a lie, no one will need to abduct youâI will send you back myself."
"Yes, yes... I will talk... I truly didnât escape."
It turned out that Ms. Hong had indeed not escaped.
Ms. Hongâs life had been one of hardship; she had been trafficked at four years old, passed through countless hands, and eventually sold to the Fancy Red Pavilion. She grew up there, and before she even reached adulthood at fourteen, she was taken in by a wealthy merchant.
He kept her for two or three years but then stopped visiting suddenly.
Of course, compared to the other girls at the pavilion, Ms. Hong was considered lucky. After the merchant left, a minor official took her in and eventually brought her to his home.
The trouble arose in the home of the minor official. When the official was away for some time, his wife sold Ms. Hong. After being passed around various places, she was finally sold to Wangquan Town, near Wangshui Town, and coincidentally bought by Yang Xiaochuan.
Indeed, Ms. Hongâs first residence was in the Fancy Red Pavilion of Wangshui Townâshe came from the Fancy Red Pavilion of Wangshui Town.
But a new problem arose. Based on Ms. Hongâs story, everything seemed normal, so why would the Fancy Red Pavilion seek out the Yang Family, and for Ms. Hong alone?