Chapter 21: Help This Young Master Undress

"Heh..."

Wang Dalin laughed as he approached Qin Hanxiao, hooking two fingers under her chin to lift it.

"You are the most unique little lady I have ever met, and certainly the most interesting. Others would be resisting or weeping and begging by now, yet you are not afraid in the least?"

Forced to look up and meet his gaze, Qin Hanxiao replied, "I am afraid."

This answer made Wang Dalin laugh again, though the pressure of his grip on her chin tightened. Suddenly, he let go. "Then why don't you beg me?"

He had been curious all along: how long could she hold out before she finally begged him? He loved nothing more than watching a beauty, tear-streaked like a pear blossom in the rain, pleading at his feet.

Qin Hanxiao sneered inwardly, though her face remained impassive. She forced her voice to remain steady. "If I beg, will you let me go?"

Wang Dalin arched an eyebrow, offering no answer. Instead, he instructed the matron who was applying her makeup, "Be careful. We have an important guest to meet shortly."

A woman was just a woman; no matter how special, how could she compare to wealth and status?

Qin Hanxiao’s heart sank. It was exactly as she had feared. She took a deep breath. "Who am I being sold to? Even if I am to die, I have the right to know why."

"You cost me thirty taels of silver to purchase; I would hardly be willing to let you die. Rest assured, I have found you a fine place. Whether you can seize the opportunity, however, depends entirely on your own abilities."

He turned, pulled up a chair across from Qin Hanxiao, and crossed his legs. "I know you are a clever woman, and I enjoy dealing with the clever. You choose: serve one man, or go to the Chunxiang Pavilion to welcome the masses. If you catch the eye of this distinguished guest, you will transform from a common sparrow into a phoenix, living a life of luxury, wearing gold and silver, and enjoying the finest foods."

Qin Hanxiao did not want to choose, but clearly, there was no third path. "May I at least know who this distinguished guest is?"

Wang Dalin remained silent, merely watching her.

Qin Hanxiao tried a different approach. "I must at least know his preferences, so that I might cater to them, must I not?" She did not want to smash herself against a stone wall unless absolutely necessary.

Wang Dalin looked at her with a knowing glint in his eyes and shifted his legs. Qin Hanxiao stopped looking at him, staring straight ahead; the bronze mirror was warped, making her reflection look like a specter. The hand hidden in her sleeve clenched so tightly that her palms ached. She had to force herself to stay calm.

Wang Dalin chuckled, ignoring her question to ask one of his own. "I heard you were once the daughter of a wealthy family? Have you really come to terms with this so easily?"

Qin Hanxiao smiled back. "My father has surely already told you my circumstances. You know as well as I do: it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality. I spent over a decade as a lady of status, never lifting a finger, only to be suddenly cast into the countryside to marry a cripple. That is no way for a human to live; I would not spend another day in that life." She touched her sleeve as she spoke. "Fine clothing is much more comfortable; it does not chafe the skin."

"Master Wang, everything is ready."

The matron's words cut off any further chance for probing. Wang Dalin stood and gestured for her to follow. Qin Hanxiao rose, smoothed her sleeves, and walked out with him. After passing through two doorways, Wang Dalin spoke suddenly.

"That guest is a VIP from the capital. If you serve him well and catch his eye, you might just follow him back to the capital to live in comfort. Weigh your choices carefully." He turned back to look at her, his gaze as sharp as a sword. "But if you offend him, I have plenty of ways to make you wish for death."

Qin Hanxiao followed him through a labyrinth of twists and turns until she was nearly dizzy, finally arriving at the banquet site—a waterside pavilion. Gauze curtains hung around the structure, casting shadows of light and movement against the fabric, while elegant zither music and laughter drifted from within.

Wang Dalin whispered, "The man sitting at the head of the table is the guest you are to attend to." He gave her a shove, signaling her to enter.

Before stepping inside, Qin Hanxiao glanced at the rippling water. Was this a stagnant pond or a flowing stream? If it flowed, where did it lead?

She lifted the curtain and stepped in, immediately spotting the guest. He wore a jade crown and fine silk robes, his appearance striking. Simply sitting there, eyes lowered, listening to the music, he commanded an undeniable presence. Truly a man of status.

The middle-aged man sitting to his right caught Qin Hanxiao’s eye, gesturing for her to approach. She walked over with lowered head and sat beside the guest. The man acted as if she were not there, his expression not shifting in the slightest.

Only when the piece of music ended did the middle-aged man raise his cup in a toast and signal for her to pour the wine. Only then did the guest lift his eyelids to glance at her.

"Mingjiang Prefecture is indeed a place of great talent and spirit."

He had not mentioned a single word about Qin Hanxiao, yet everyone understood his meaning. The middle-aged man visibly relaxed, his face breaking into a fawning smile.

"As long as you are pleased, Master Zheng. Come, let us all toast Master Zheng once more."

After that, no one mentioned Qin Hanxiao again. Even Master Zheng behaved like a gentleman, not casting another glance in her direction. Qin Hanxiao was only too happy for this; she made sure to refill his cup the moment it was empty, hoping he would drink himself into a stupor—the sooner, the better.

From their conversation, Qin Hanxiao gathered the key points: Master Zheng was a wealthy merchant with ties to the imperial court. If they could close a deal with him, they would earn three years' worth of profit in a single stroke. No wonder these people were so eager to curry his favor.

When the moon reached its zenith, the drinking drew to a close. The middle-aged man invited Master Zheng to rest. Master Zheng, now clearly intoxicated, nodded lazily. "Very well. Let us conclude here for today. I thank you all for your hospitality."

The middle-aged man signaled to Qin Hanxiao again. "Hurry, help Master Zheng to his quarters and see to his every need."

Under the eaves of another's roof, one must bow one's head. Qin Hanxiao supported Master Zheng, following two maidservants. The man was unsteady on his feet, and in the darkness, it was hard to see the path; by the time they reached the room, her arms were aching.

After she helped him onto the bed, the two maids exited and locked the door behind them. She pulled at the door, but it would not budge.

Just then, Master Zheng’s slightly drunken voice came from behind her: "Are you not coming to help me undress?"

*I hope you drink yourself to death,* she thought.

Qin Hanxiao turned to look at him; he was lying on the bed with his eyes closed. He urged her again, "Well?"

"Coming."

She replied while scanning the room for something useful. Finally, she settled on a bronze candlestick; if she controlled her strength, it would be enough to incapacitate him without killing him.

She approached the bed, candlestick in hand. Master Zheng opened his eyes as if he could sense her, their gazes locking. His eyes drifted to the candlestick. "Indeed, a beauty looks even more enchanting by candlelight."

He pushed himself up, smiling, and reached out toward her. "Help me undress."

Though he was handsome, Qin Hanxiao wanted nothing to do with him. She pretended to slip, letting the candlestick fall onto the bed. The flame caught the silk, and the bed immediately erupted into fire.