Chapter 11

Chapter 11

As we were about to head out, Cui Zishu approached us, looking awkward and fidgety. I asked if she wanted to come along, but she huffed, declaring that the wet market was a filthy, chaotic place and certainly no place for her.

Then, she whispered a few words to Qingshan. He looked startled at first, but then the corners of his mouth twitched upward before he quickly suppressed the smile.

“This servant will remember, Miss.”

Although the markets in the Capital were large, the variety was far less than what we had in Gusu, and the prices were much higher.

It was winter, after all, so having any variety at all was a blessing. If we weren’t in the Capital, the smaller northern towns would have nothing but cabbage, potatoes, and radishes once the cold set in.

I picked out a few items, though the prices made my heart ache.

Noticing my hesitation, Qingshan spoke up dismissively, “Don’t worry, Madam. The Master has a way to earn a living; he can support us.”

In the end, we bought several pounds of meat and prime ribs, along with some vegetables, rice, flour, and oil. The basket on Qingshan’s back was soon overflowing.

Standing outside the grain shop, Qingshan paused. “Oh, I almost forgot. Miss Zishu said she wanted to eat eight-treasure rice, but she was too embarrassed to ask you directly.”

So that was it. I had thought they were sharing some deep secret.

Just as we reached the entrance of the grain shop, I caught a glimpse of Cui Shao’s figure disappearing around a corner.

His injuries had only just healed; why was he running around instead of resting at home?

I followed him, only to find that the direction he’d vanished into led to a single two-story building. The plaque above the door read: Nanfeng House.

Gusu had liberal social customs, so I had seen such places while out grocery shopping with my nanny. Unlike traditional brothels, the people selling their smiles to attract customers here were all men. Aside from that, they served others with their beauty just like any other pleasure house.

In my shock, I happened to look up. There sat Cui Shao by a window overlooking the street. Sitting across from him was a greasy, middle-aged man with a lecherous grin.