The madam cleared her throat and shouted in a shrill voice, "Sir, you seem quite familiar. Have we met before?"
Hearing this, Tang Youyou also recalled that she had once saved a grandfather and grandson here.
"Sure. I used to receive guests here with the madam's permission."
Hearing this, the madam laughed and said, "In that case, come in and have a drink. The girls here are all very skilled. I'm sure you'll be satisfied, sir."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou coughed softly and said with a smile, "That sounds great."
Following the madam, Tang Youyou entered the Hundred Flowers Tower for the first time. Inside, it was a place of debauchery, a stark contrast to the poverty outside.
"Would you like to change your clothes, sir?"
Tang Youyou waved her hand. "No need."
Changing clothes in this place clearly meant doing something improper.
Tang Youyou found a seat and sat down. As soon as she did, she noticed that the entire hall was packed.
Everyone was staring at the top - ranking courtesan on the stage.
The courtesan was wearing a red dress. She looked like a celestial being. Every move of hers was teasing the hearts of the men.
The men were shouting loudly because of her charming and seductive dance. Some of them were throwing silver coins at her as if they were worthless.
Many silver coins hit the woman, leaving marks on her body.
However, no one really cared whether she was in pain.
When the courtesan saw the silver coins, she gritted her teeth and continued to dance, forcing a smile through the pain, for fear that these people would lose interest.
The madam below was still smiling and shouting, "This is our Miss Ruhua, the top - ranking courtesan of our Hundred Flowers Tower. If any of you gentlemen want to enjoy Miss Ruhua's virginity, then let's see how much you can offer."
Hearing this, everyone understood.
Many of the young playboys started to bid.
"I offer a hundred taels of silver."
"I offer five hundred taels!"
"I offer a thousand taels!"
...
In no time, her virginity was bid up to an astronomical price.
The person who bid was a well - known young playboy in the area.
The man sitting next to Tang Youyou, being talkative, explained to the confused Tang Youyou.
"Are you new here, sir?"
Tang Youyou nodded. "Yes."
"Sir, you may not know that this man is a well - known bully here. There are very few women who can survive a night with him."
"Too many women have committed suicide by jumping into the river after being defiled by this man. If someone spends so much money to buy Miss Ruhua's virginity, well, I'm afraid the Hundred Flowers Tower will have to change its top - ranking courtesan tomorrow."
On the stage, Miss Ruyan just quietly watched the people below fall silent because of the bid of thirty million silver taels. She was expressionless, as if nothing here had anything to do with her.
Tang Youyou knew what the girl was thinking. She was probably forced by the situation and had no choice but to do what she did.
Tang Youyou nodded slightly to the man next to her. "Thank you for the reminder, brother. I'll take this girl."
Tang Youyou took out a stack of silver notes from her sleeve, pulled out one, and walked towards the madam.
"I offer ten thousand taels."
This price made the woman on the stage suddenly come back to her senses.
She looked at Tang Youyou, someone she had never seen before, and a faint blush appeared on her face.
Was she... shy?
Tang Youyou shook her head and then looked at the silent people around her. She said indifferently, "If not, fifteen thousand taels?"
This sentence made everyone gasp.
Even the bully fell silent immediately.
The madam stood there stunned for a moment, then looked at Tang Youyou and said happily, "Thank you, sir, for offering ten thousand taels of silver. The auction is over today. Everyone, please go back."
Seeing this, Tang Youyou nodded. This madam was really good at doing business.
After that, Tang Youyou handed over the silver note. Seeing the madam's eyes light up, she asked again, "Madam, Miss Ruyan's deed of sale should be worth this amount, right?"
Hearing this, the madam's face suddenly changed.
She awkwardly withdrew her hand that was originally reaching out to take the silver note. "Sir, I don't understand what you mean."
Tang Youyou smiled. "Madam is a smart person. I know you must think the price is too low, right?"
Hearing this, the madam couldn't help but smile. "Naturally. If you can offer more, this girl will surely be yours."
Then she whispered, "Sir, didn't you just say fifteen thousand taels? This amount is also acceptable."
Since the madam had made it so clear, Tang Youyou took out another silver note and put it in her hand. The madam was all smiles.
"Thank you, sir, for your high expectations of our Hundred Flowers Tower. The girl is upstairs. Please enjoy yourself slowly."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou nodded. Just as she was about to go upstairs, a person suddenly emerged from behind and grabbed her ankle.
She felt a force pulling her down in an instant, and the two of them fell to the ground together.
Tang Youyou looked back at the person in confusion, wondering who this person was.
The young man was dressed elegantly and was very handsome, but his face was pale, and there was a bruise on his mouth, as if he had been punched.
Tang Youyou asked, "Have I met you before?"
The young man shook his head. "No, but I see that you are very generous. So could you please do me a favor and give me something to eat?"
Hearing this unreasonable request right from the start, Tang Youyou was instantly speechless.
"We have no relationship. Why should I give you anything? Get up and don't interfere with my business."
After she said that, she was about to shake off the person behind her, but unexpectedly, the person clung to her desperately. Tang Youyou got angry and looked at Ye Yue at the door.
"Ye Yue, what are you standing there for? Deal with this person."
Hearing this, Ye Yue immediately stood up, grabbed the young man by the collar, and lifted him half - off the ground.
Only then did the young man realize that Tang Youyou was not someone he could easily bully.
Seeing that things weren't going his way, he immediately started to wipe his tears and cry.
In no time, he attracted the onlookers at the door.
When these people saw Tang Youyou, they couldn't help but point and whisper.
"Hey, isn't this the man who just bought Miss Ruyan for a high price? I didn't expect him to be like this."
"Yes."