Chapter 20: Clean It Up and Sell It for a Good Price

Qin Hanxiao harbored doubts about his words.

“When did this happen? Did you call a doctor?”

“Just yesterday evening. We brought in two doctors; both said there’s no hope left. If you don’t return now, you might not even see her one last time.”

Qin Hanxiao thought to herself: Luo’s injury might be an excuse, probably just for money. If, upon arriving, Luo isn’t actually hurt, then she’ll make sure Luo truly gets injured—just to teach them a lasting lesson.

After walking for nearly the length of an incense stick’s burn, she passed through a patch of woods.

Suddenly, seven or eight burly men leapt out from the trees, blocking the narrow path and encircling Qin Hanxiao.

Instinctively, she glanced at Qin He, her heart brimming with murderous intent.

Qin He, wearing a fawning expression, was whispering to the ringleader, “Brother Wang, I’ve brought you the person. See? I wasn’t lying. She’ll fetch a good price for sure.”

Wang Dalin narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Qin Hanxiao. “Not bad, a fine catch. Pity she’s married.”

Qin He glanced at Qin Hanxiao, then leaned close to Wang Dalin. “Don’t worry, Brother Wang. Her husband’s a good-for-nothing; she’s still a virgin.”

His voice carried, loud enough for everyone present to hear.

Qin Hanxiao glared at him with burning hatred, tightening the silver needles in her hand.

Wang Dalin threw back his head and laughed heartily, patting Qin He on the shoulder. “Excellent, we can sell her for a good price.”

After his laughter subsided, he looked at Qin Hanxiao again.

Something felt off, but he couldn’t immediately put his finger on it.

Only when his gaze met hers did he realize what was wrong—the expression and reaction.

Other women would tremble in fear, screaming or crying upon seeing them.

But this woman neither cried nor caused a scene, showing no trace of fear.

Especially her eyes—angry, yet burning with fierce resolve.

“It was your father who sold you. If you want someone to hate, hate him.”

He waved his hand. “Tie her up and take her away.”

Immediately, two men stepped forward with ropes, clearly prepared in advance.

At that moment, Qin He said, “Don’t blame me. You made things impossible for me. You’re the one who forced my hand.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Hanxiao had a rough idea.

It must be about Qin Cuilin; he feared his crimes would be exposed and came to silence her.

He deserved to die!

As the two men approached, Qin Hanxiao swiftly jabbed one with a needle.

The man instantly went limp; she then plunged a needle into the other.

Having succeeded, she spun around and ran back, not daring to lose a single step, running with all her might.

Seeing two of his men fall, Wang Dalin cursed, “What are you all standing there for? Hurry and chase! Letting a little woman get away? Worthless!”

He turned and kicked Qin He. “You too, chase her! If you lose her, I’ll make you regret it.”

Qin He staggered from the kick, unable to resist Wang Dalin, but cursed at Qin Hanxiao as he gave chase.

“You little bitch, stop right there! When I catch you, I’ll beat you to death.”

Qin Hanxiao ran desperately, but how could she outrun men who spent their lives chasing debts and fighting? Soon, they caught up and seized her.

She tried the same trick again, but in her panic missed the acupuncture points; instead, her silver needles were snatched away.

Qin He rushed forward to strike her but was stopped by Wang Dalin.

“Stop. I paid good money for her; you don’t get to lay a hand on her. Such a pretty face—if you ruin it, you’ll owe me more than your life’s worth.”

Qin He was furious, gnashing his teeth, wishing he could devour Qin Hanxiao, but he held back.

“You ungrateful little brat.”

With her hands restrained, Qin Hanxiao couldn’t strike him.

She said to Qin He, “Come here, I have something to say.”

Unaware, Qin He stepped forward.

As he approached, she gathered her strength and delivered a powerful kick to his chest. “Why don’t you just die.”

Using the momentum from the two men holding her, she poured all her strength into the kick, wishing she could kill Qin He outright.

Qin He was knocked back several steps, collapsing onto the ground, clutching his chest and howling, “Ouch, ouch.”

Her kick stunned Wang Dalin and the others.

“Well, this little lady’s got spirit.”

But it also made him wary. “Apply the medicine.”

In their line of work, they had seen it all—selling children, wives, mistresses; crying, screaming, running, fighting—they had preparations for everything.

“Sorry, little lady. If you’d behaved, I wouldn’t have let you suffer. But since you’re uncooperative, I’ll just have to make you obey.”

Qin Hanxiao saw one of them take out a cloth and pour medicine onto it.

She guessed what it was. If that medicine was poured on her, when she woke up, she wouldn’t know where she was.

She struggled fiercely, but was overpowered and silenced.

As the medicine took effect, her consciousness blurred.

If she lived through this by some miracle, she vowed to make Qin He’s life a living hell.

When she woke again, everything was pitch black.

Her hands and feet were bound, a cloth stuffed in her mouth, her cheeks aching.

Unsure of her current situation, she dared not make a sound, carefully listening to the footsteps outside.

She had no idea how much time had passed. Did the Pei family know she was in trouble?

Qin Hanxiao thought about many things—what might happen next, where she might be sold.

She thought of Pei Yuantang; he would probably come looking for her.

And Pei Yuanxing, that scoundrel of a boy, who always asked where she was going and why she was late. Since she hadn’t returned today, he must be out with a stick searching for her.

After a long while, she heard hurried footsteps and the sound of a lock being opened.

The door opened, bringing a sliver of light, and then someone lifted her up and pushed her outside.

“Hurry.”

“Where are you taking me?”

No one answered, only pushing her forward.

It was only then she realized she had been locked in a dungeon.

Outside, it was already night—half a day had passed.

Two strong older women escorted her to a room, and as soon as she entered, they stripped her bare.

“What are you doing?”

Still no answer, but their actions grew rougher; the places they grabbed stabbed with pain.

The two women were very strong and cautious, clearly not first-timers at this.

Escape was impossible; she had to endure and wait for an opportunity.

They forced her into a tub for a wash, then dressed her in clean clothes, applied makeup, and groomed her.

Fortunately, the clothes were decent; she wasn’t being sold to the brothel district.

But no matter where she was sold, it was bad news—she had to find a way to save herself.

Calmly, she assessed the room, then listened carefully outside, faintly hearing the sound of bamboo wind instruments.

At that moment, the door opened.

“Are you ready yet?”

It was the man who captured her—the one named Wang.

One of the women replied, “Almost done.”

Wang Dalin entered, his eyes openly appraising Qin Hanxiao.

“Sure enough, a beauty. I almost don’t want to sell her.”

Qin Hanxiao’s heart pounded so fiercely she thought it might burst; he had said he would sell her for a good price, and now he had already found a buyer.

She swallowed hard, clenching her hand hidden in her sleeve.

She reminded herself: all the more reason to stay calm now.