Outside the House of Golden Treasures, there was a bustling scene. Different from the Transfer Workshop and the House of Flowers, the House of Golden Treasures was located in the most money - burning area. Along with the peddlers' cries, it was a scene of peace and prosperity.
The three - person group left the House of Golden Treasures. Since their mansions were in different places, they went their separate ways.
The young Master Lin was tall and straight. Riding on his horse, he looked imposing and handsome, attracting the sideways glances of the young girls on the street from time to time.
When passing by a secluded alley, a young girl rushed out.
The girl was not well - dressed. Her clothes were rather casual, and she wore a veil on her face, which made her big eyes look even more watery, as if they contained the entire galaxy.
When the girl saw Master Lin stop his horse, she looked even more pitiful. "My lord..."
Master Lin was a bit surprised. He wasn't stupid enough not to recognize those eyes. "What's the matter?"
"I'm sent by Master Yi. Please, my lord, have mercy on me and give me the Life - and - Death Bond. Otherwise, when I go back, I'm sure to get a good beating..."
Seeing that Master Lin showed no reaction, Yi Zhici gritted her teeth. "Master Yi said he was willing to exchange it for anything."
"Oh? What good things does he have to exchange?"
Yi Zhici said, "The Sea - Defying Sword, the Cloud - Soaring Pill, the River Chart and the Luo Book, the Auspicious Cloud Golden Lamp, the Seven - Star Moon - Drawing Whip, the Whirlpool Mysterious Taro..." Although she felt a bit heart - ache, as long as she acted coquettishly, Master Cangyang would surely not be reluctant to give them to her. For her father's birthday, she was really determined.
Master Lin was a bit astonished. He seemed not to expect that Yi Zhici really had treasures to exchange. "No need. Go back and tell your master. I won't exchange."
Before his voice faded, the horse galloped away. Yi Zhici stood there stunned.
Ordinary people would have been drooling at the names of these treasures. What was wrong with this guy? Was he really smart or really stupid?
Moreover, she had even used the ruse of feigning being wronged. Why didn't any of her tricks work? She had never failed before!
She was still standing there, wondering about Master Lin's back, when she didn't notice the footsteps behind her. Suddenly, a sack was put over her head.
Then, a puff of fainting smoke came towards her. Yi Zhici immediately fainted.
...
"Yo, girl, are you awake?" came a charming voice.
Yi Zhici rubbed her head and sat up. "Where is this?"
The woman who had been talking to her walked over. There were so many gold hairpins and pendants on her head that they were shaking constantly, making people feel tired just looking at her. "I don't need to hide it from you. This is the House of Flowers. You're really lucky today to have such a good opportunity."
"The selection of the flower - queen will be tomorrow. As long as you help me win the title, I, Madam Yun, will grant you any request. You're so beautiful. Different from the charming girls in my building, it shouldn't be difficult for you to win the title of the flower - queen. And you're still a virgin. You can be sold for a good price." The woman looked at Yi Zhici with an air, as if she were looking at a commodity, without asking Yi Zhici's opinion at all. "Come on, help the girl wash and dress up."
Yi Zhici had already realized what was going on. She had been to the House of Flowers more than once. Back then, she first came here to save her father, the Marquis of Jing. Although her father didn't need her help, she often came here to enjoy the music later, so she was quite familiar with this place.
Madam Yun and Madam Yue of the House of Flowers were the two top - ranking courtesans back then. Young gentlemen from all over would compete to give them gifts. For one song, they would receive countless red silk scarves. In the past, they used to strike their musical instruments with gold and silver hairpins until they were broken, and their blood - red silk dresses were stained with wine. But as time passed, Madam Yun and Madam Yue were now middle - aged.
Now the House of Flowers was jointly managed by Madam Yun and Madam Yue. They had always been at odds with each other, and the girls under their management were also in different places. For the past two years, the red - lantern girls under Madam Yue had won the title of the flower - queen. If this continued, the silver that would be distributed to Madam Yun would naturally decrease. If things went on like this, it was not impossible for Madam Yun to be squeezed out of the House of Flowers.
So, Madam Yun had been searching everywhere for beautiful girls, hoping to win the title this year and revive the glory of her side.
Yi Zhici knew about all this, but getting involved was another matter. Now that Madam Yun had set her eyes on her, she was bound to force her to show up at the selection meeting. But she was a proper princess. It would be bad enough if she just lost face herself. The selection of the flower - queen was a big event. There would be a huge crowd every year. If she became well - known among the young gentlemen of the noble families, how could she attend the flower banquets that her father would ask her to go to in the future?
Worse still, she might even end up being drowned in the pond... Yi Zhici shivered. No, no matter how kind - hearted she was, she couldn't help Madam Yun with this!
Although she could avoid this disaster by revealing her identity, if she openly announced that she was the Princess of Yuyang and then was taken back by the people from the Marquis Mansion, it would not only be embarrassing, but also her reputation might be ruined by the rumors. Moreover, it would be a disgrace to her years of being domineering in the Blue Sea Villa.
"Wait, wait..."
Madam Yun smiled. On her middle - aged but still charming face, there was a seemingly gentle smile. "What, girl, do you have something to say?"
Yi Zhici nodded. "Madam, can we make a deal? If I help you win the title, what benefits will I get?"
"You'll have all the wealth and glory you could want," Madam Yun said. "You're quite sensible. Unlike other girls who cry and beg to leave."
Yi Zhici forced a smile. "Madam, I naturally know the methods of the House of Flowers. I won't try to escape. But all the girls in the House of Flowers are well - fed and well - dressed. If I get the same treatment after winning the title, I'll feel a bit aggrieved."
"What do you want?"
"Let's talk it over nicely," Yi Zhici rubbed her bruised leg. "If I win the title, I'll split the silver from the guests with you, fifty - fifty."
"No. It'll be thirty - seventy. You get thirty, and I get seventy."
Yi Zhici insisted. "Forty - sixty. I get forty, and you get sixty. How about that?"
In the House of Flowers, whether the girls were pure - hearted or experienced, as long as they could make money, they were well - taken care of. But the silver all went to Madam Yun and Madam Yue.
Now that she made such a request, it was just to make herself look extremely greedy for money, so that they would relax their guard and it would be easier for her to escape.
People with weaknesses were easy to handle. At this moment, Yi Zhici was just such a greedy and arrogant little girl in Madam Yun's eyes.
Sure enough, Madam Yun nodded contemptuously. "As you wish. Go and wash and dress up."