Madam Wang, frowning and forcing a smile, replied: “It’s a county prince.”
Master Zhang looked suspiciously at Yi Yu, then at Madam Wang, “Which county prince?”
Madam Wang was distressed. “Isn’t it that one… the Zhenping County Prince. He doesn’t usually come, but he came three days ago and couldn’t take his eyes off Miss Yi at first sight. Later, when Master Zhang, you couldn’t find Miss Yi in your room, it was actually the County Prince who suddenly took Miss Yi away. I only found out today.”
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True to her reputation as the number one gossip in the pleasure house, Madam Wang instantly fabricated a watertight love-at-first-sight story.
Master Zhang looked skeptically at Yi Yu again, “So you are already the wife of the Zhenping County Prince…”
“This concubine is now the County Prince’s woman. The County Prince not only bought my freedom but also wants to marry me as a concubine,” Yi Yu blushed and nodded, secretly praising Madam Wang’s well-crafted story.
Master Zhang was unhappy, but he didn’t want to jeopardize his official career over jealousy. He said with a dark face, “Madam Wang, what about the compensation you promised me?”
Although Madam Wang was pained to part with the silver, she was more afraid for her life. Seeing Master Zhang was willing to accept compensation, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Why don’t you go drink at the Peony Pavilion? Today’s wine is on this servant’s tab. I’ll bring you fifteen taels of silver in a moment.”
After Master Zhang left, Madam Wang trembled and slowly turned around, pleading with Yi Yu, “Miss Yi, I’ve done everything you said. Can you stop pointing the knife at me?”
“Close the door,” Yi Yu commanded simply. After Madam Wang closed the door, she lowered her dagger, “Bring out my deed of sale.”
Madam Wang found Yi Yu’s deed of sale and handed it to her.
Yi Yu waved her dagger, and Madam Wang shuddered, quickly changing her words, “Two, twenty taels of silver?”
Yi Yu looked at the deed of sale, “When Madam Wang bought me, you only used two taels of silver.”
Madam Wang anxiously said, “But I’ve fed and housed you for a year!”
“Didn’t I earn silver for Madam Wang?”
