Chapter 950: Buy Them All
Zhu Piaoling's face crumpled into a dazed expression. "Ah, so her name is Chen Yuanyuan," he murmured, "what a truly beautiful name."
A wave of regret washed over him. Seeing such a stunning girl, he yearned to buy her, secure her freedom, and bring her back to his princely estate.
But then he remembered the Heavenly Lord, present right there on his chest.
The trafficking of human beings was strictly forbidden in Gao Family Village, especially the sale of women and children. Anyone caught by the Heavenly Lord faced certain death.
He stewed in his melancholy.
Just then, the Golden Thread Heavenly Lord's voice echoed, "Zhu Cunji, it's time to unleash your financial might."
Zhu Piaoling blinked. "Huh? Has the Heavenly Lord taken a liking to her?"
The Golden Thread Heavenly Lord affirmed, "Yes. Secure her freedom."
Zhu Piaoling secretly mused: *Oh, if the Heavenly Lord has set his sights on her, then my own foolish daydreams are pointless. But... there's a small complaint I have to voice.*
Li Daoxuan clarified, "Trafficking for personal gain is absolutely forbidden. But if the purpose of the transaction is salvation, then it is permissible."
Only then did Zhu Piaoling fully grasp the meaning. So that was it. Purchasing this girl, Chen Yuanyuan, must be like Tie Niaofei rescuing eighteen women from pirates – the underlying purpose had to be to save their lives.
Once freed, they wouldn't be taken into his household, but rather their liberty restored.
The Heavenly Lord, he realized, was indeed ever the Heavenly Lord. His moral integrity, in this regard, far outstripped a wastrel such as himself.
This was a profound lesson for him: most women within the Pear Garden were unfortunate souls. Seeing a brothel, one should simply aim to liberate them all. It was akin to encountering women bound on a pirate ship; without a moment's hesitation, rescue them first, and then consider the subsequent arrangements.
Zhu Piaoling seemed to have reached an epiphany. "The Heavenly Lord's instruction is profound. I understand."
Since joining the Heavenly Lord Daoist Sect, he had never truly distinguished himself. Now, with a direct decree from the Heavenly Lord himself, this was a rare opportunity to earn significant merit. He was determined to make the most of it, and a surge of fervent energy immediately filled him.
He leaped to his feet. "Where's the madam? Where is she?"
Moments later, the madam scurried over, a practiced smile plastered on her face. "My lord, how may this humble servant assist you?"
Zhu Piaoling gave a sly chuckle. "The girls in your Pear Garden, every single one of them is charming. I've taken a fancy to them all, and I intend to buy them, every last one."
Emulating Tie Niaofei's bold manner, he declared, "Name your price."
He had expected such brazenness to immediately elevate him to a most distinguished guest, with the madam readily handing over the girls in exchange for silver. Instead, she gasped, a sheepish smile creeping onto her face. "My lord, what are you saying? This simply cannot be. These girls, I raised them from infancy; they are like my own daughters to me. I cannot sell them."
Zhu Piaoling scoffed. "Oh, playing this game with me, are we? Do you think I can't afford them?"
"This isn't merely a matter of money," the madam replied, her tone still courteous, yet her words began to carry a subtly different weight. "Our Pear Garden is a premier establishment here in Suzhou. The officials who frequent us are beyond counting... Why, look, the Prefect himself is enjoying drinks on the second floor right now..."
At this point, the madam's voice took on a distinctly ominous edge. "Here, even with all the money in the world, you cannot simply buy people on a whim. If you were to purchase all the girls favored by the other esteemed gentlemen, they would certainly not stand for it."
Zhu Piaoling fell silent.
The Golden Thread Heavenly Lord chuckled inwardly. *Heh, she's putting on airs now.* The madam's words, though unsaid directly, conveyed a clear message: *Your money means nothing here. Our Pear Garden is protected by powerful local officials. These girls are practically the property of the gentry. If you wish to throw your weight around here, you'll need significant status and influence.*
Zhu Piaoling's mood began to sour.
While in the Heavenly Lord's domain, he was generally a jovial soul.
But deep down, he was the Prince of Qin's heir, the foremost princely fief in the entire realm. When had anyone ever dared to dismiss him so brazenly? He merely wished to purchase a few courtesans, and this woman had the audacity to put on airs? Claiming these girls were the property of local officials? Denying them to him? What if he simply took them by force?
Zhu Piaoling's rage cooled somewhat. *No, I can't cause a scene! My current identity makes it unsuitable to stir up trouble. If I do, everything will be ruined, and it could cost me my head.*
"Fine, you've got nerve, implying my status isn't high enough, are you?" Zhu Piaoling shot to his feet. "I won't waste any more words with you now. Later, you'll learn exactly what I'm capable of."
The madam, however, maintained her composure. "Oh dear, my lord, what are you saying? I would never belittle you. Regardless of who graces the Pear Garden, I always extend the utmost courtesy and hospitality. I would certainly never slight a gentleman on account of his status."
"Let's leave," Zhu Piaoling declared, springing to his feet and heading straight for the exit.
His loyal guards hurried to follow.
Shi Lang exclaimed, "Wait! My letter of introduction, it's not finished yet."
He quickly snatched the letter of introduction from the table, a document lacking only a final signature, and rushed after them.
The madam watched their retreating figures, then scoffed. "Some vagabond adventurer, is it? Daring to throw his weight around in the Pear Garden just because he has a few coins, even claiming he'll buy all my girls? Such bold boasts – are you even worthy? Still, these wandering swordsmen can be troublesome when they make a scene. I'd best be prepared."
The madam quickly ascended the stairs, hurrying to the private room where the Suzhou Prefect was enjoying his wine. The household guards at the door blocked her path. "What is it?" one demanded.
The madam quickly explained, "Just now, a wandering adventurer came to the Pear Garden, and it seemed he intended to cause trouble."
The guard entered to relay the message, emerging a moment later with a disdainful huff. "Our master says you needn't worry. If some ignorant ruffian dares to stir up trouble here, immediately send someone to the Prefect's yamen to summon aid. The master will dispatch bailiffs to apprehend him and administer fifty heavy blows."
The madam was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Prefect, for your gracious care."
Zhu Piaoling stormed out of the Pear Garden, seething, and turned down a street. Shi Lang trailed behind him, eager to ask him to finish signing the letter of introduction, but sensing Zhu Piaoling's foul mood, he felt awkward speaking up and simply continued to follow.
After a long pursuit, Shi Lang spotted a stone table and four stone stools beneath a tree ahead. Zhu Piaoling walked over, took a seat, and finally remembered something, exclaiming loudly, "Writing implements!"
One of his loyal guards quickly approached, presenting the requested writing implements.
Zhu Piaoling turned, took the letter of introduction from Shi Lang's hand, swiftly scrawled his name – Zhu Piaoling – and handed it back. "Make haste to Anqing," he instructed.
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