As they watched Chen Shuang's door in the east building close, the customers, who had been in a stunned silence, began breaking out in a flurry of discussion.
"Qin Manor? Qin Yun? That's silver-badge constable Lord Qin's residence. I know that his second son, Qin Yun, had attained the state of being one with the sword and reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement at thirteen. He was a very talented young man. Eight years later and who would have expected that he is already one of the immortals?" A fat landlord shook his head. "That casual shot from his finger was already quite impressive. Imagine if he had conjured all sorts of Dharmic spells, hehe…"
"Look, the Liu family's Liu Qi has already run away in fright."
"Young Master Qin showed mercy because he is from Grand Dominance City. Were he some cultivator that wandered the world, void of any constraints, he might have exterminated Liu Qi with a finger."
"Now, Lady Chen Shuang will be treated much better. With Young Master Qin backing her, who in Grand Dominance County would dare bully her?"
The customers continued their discussion.
…
Meanwhile, inside the room.
Chen Shuang's eyes were shimmering like crystals. "Brother Yun, thank you." She knew that Qin Yun had deliberately made his proclamation publicly in order to shock and awe everyone. He wanted to make every customer know that the renowned courtesan, Lady Chen Shuang, was protected by Qin Yun.
"It's nothing. I was planning on making an example out of someone anyway. Since that Fatty Liu came, I took the opportunity to establish my authority," said Qin Yun. "Besides, his mouth stank."
"The Liu family is one of the three largest family clans of Grand Dominance County. Will you be in any trouble?" asked Chen Shuang worriedly.
Qin Yun smiled and said, "Those with true strength in this world are either in the government, where they control massive amounts of power, or they are cultivators. The rest are not worth mentioning!"
There were few in Grand Dominance County that could make Qin Yun feel any fear.
One of them would be the county governor. The county governor was in control of both military and political power. As a result of demons and monsters wreaking havoc, he had the authority to persecute any official under the seventh grade without permission from his superiors! As such, even the political powers of Grand Dominance County did not dare defy him. One word from him, and his enemy would become the enemy of the entire government juggernaut.
Despite their strength, cultivators were still wary of the power wielded by the government.
Even for powerful figures at the Connate Golden Core realm, an order from the government in response to their actions would have them running like a fugitive.
Thankfully, the county governor's term only lasted three years. And only two consecutive terms were allowed before they had to be transferred elsewhere.
"By the way, let me settle the indenture contract you have with Swallow Phoenix Brothel. Prepare to leave with me tonight," Qin Yun said directly.
Chen Shuang was taken aback.
Auntie Xue, who was by the side, also looked at Qin Yun in shock.
"Indenture contract?" Chen Shuang asked hesitantly.
"What?" Qin Yun was puzzled.
"About the indenture contract, actually…" Chen Shuang continued hesitantly, "There's no such thing!"
Qin Yun was surprised. "Didn't you sell yourself to Swallow Phoenix Brothel? Tian Bo even said that you sold yourself for twenty thousand taels. With such a huge sum of money at stake, it's impossible that Swallow Phoenix Brothel did not force you to sign an indenture contract."
Chen Shuang smiled helplessly as she said, "Brother Yun, I entered Swallow Phoenix Brothel with an ordinary contract. You can ask Auntie Xue if you have any doubts."
Qin Yun turned to look at Auntie Xue.
Auntie Xue was part of the Xie family. She was Xie Lei and Xie Shuang's aunt! Since the siblings' mother died young and their father was bedridden, Auntie Xue was the one that took care of them.
"It's only an ordinary contract, and not an indenture contract." Auntie Xue nodded. "I would never allow Little Shuang to truly sell herself."
"Then, why was it spread that you signed an indenture contract?" asked Qin Yun.
"Brother Yun," Chen Shuang said, "Back when my brother went on the escort mission, he lost his life along with those of many people from the company. My Xie family had to go bankrupt to compensate the poor families that had lost their men. That part of the story is true! Afterwards, the mysterious customer that hired us for the armed escort learned of the sacrifices our Xie family made and so did not ask for any compensation. Although I wanted to compensate them anyway for the sake of our Xie family's reputation, the mysterious customer only took one tael of silver before leaving."
"The Xie family only had me, a sixteen-year-old girl, left. My Xie family had been in the escort services industry for years and lived our lives on the edge of a blade. As such, we have quite a few debts of blood." Chen Shuang continued, "Without anyone to rely on, our enemies would quickly hunt me down if I tried to maintain the Xie family business. I would probably have lost my life. Therefore, I entered Swallow Phoenix Brothel on my own accord."
"The contract was an ordinary one. All that was communicated to the outside world was that I had sold myself to enter Swallow Phoenix Brothel." Chen Shuang said, "With that, my enemies knew that the Swallow Phoenix Brothel had spent a great deal of money on me. To attack me would be to attack the interests of the Swallow Phoenix Brothel!"
"Swallow Phoenix Brothel was also very willing to do this! By letting the outside world know that they had spent nearly twenty thousand taels of silver on me, they enhanced their reputation. It would allow Swallow Phoenix Brothel to earn more money." Chen Shuang said, "As for the enemies of the Xie family, they were easily frightened back when it was just my brother around. To the Swallow Phoenix Brothel, they are nothing."
Qin Yun nodded.
Swallow Phoenix Brothel was the most famous brothel in Grand Dominance County. Silver flowed in like water on a daily basis. It was where government officials and the rich gathered. It was a force to be reckoned with on its own. Furthermore, for the brothel to be run as well as it currently was, it definitely had to have a powerful backer!
"Don't lie to me. An indenture contract isn't a trivial matter," said Qin Yun.
"Why would I lie to you? You can ask the east building's manager if you don't believe me," said Chen Shuang. "She knows all about my situation."
"Let me ask." Qin Yun didn't mind the trouble as he went out.
He opened the door to find that the female attendant and manager were standing close by. Qin Yun immediately asked, "You are the manager, right? I have something to ask you."
The female manager immediately responded, "Young Master Qin, how may I help you?"
"It is true that Little Shuang has not sold herself to Swallow Phoenix Brothel, and that she only has an ordinary contract?" asked Qin Yun.
The female manager hesitated for a moment.
"You are a manager, do not lie to me." Qin Yun glanced at her. For some unknown reason, she could not help but feel a sense of panic. She did not dare lie, and instead said politely, "Second Young Master, it's only an ordinary contract. We did tell the public that it was about twenty thousand taels of silver, but it was empty talk. Because of this, Chen Shuang was able to stay in the east building the moment she entered Swallow Phoenix Brothel."
Qin Yun nodded.
Being able to live in the east building brought her the accolades of being a renowned courtesan.
Saying that they had spent nearly twenty thousand taels of silver on her also elevated her status. Otherwise, how could a rookie become a renowned courtesan immediately? Of course, Chen Shuang herself had several excellent factors in her favor. Her fingers were not sullied by household chores and she was well-educated. Her lute and sword dancing were also impressive. She had exceptional looks. With all of these factors, it was possible to lavish and sing her praises.
If not, it was also impossible for them to elevate mud any higher.
"If we don’t do such things, how long will it take for a rookie to slowly rise up?" The female manager immediately gave an obsequious smile.
"Alright, you may leave," instructed Qin Yun.
"Yes."
The female manager quickly left.
Only then did Qin Yun return to the room.
"There's actually no indenture contract." Qin Yun was honestly surprised. He said with a smile, "Rumors of the outside world really cannot be treated as the truth."
"Brother Yun." Chen Shuang held Qin Yun's arm and gently rocked it. She said, "I really had no other options at the time."
"Since you didn't sign an indenture contract and I'm back, you can ignore your enemies. Leave with me. You can stay in Qin Manor. It's even easier to end an ordinary contract," said Qin Yun.
Chen Shuang hesitated.
"What’s wrong?" Qin Yun was puzzled.
Chen Shuang looked at Qin Yun and said, "Brother Qin, although you want me to return with you, and I know you are doing it for my own good, will I have to live my days out in Qin Manor?"
"You can leave this place and find someone you love in the future. You can marry and have a family," said Qin Yun.
"Marry?" Chen Shuang shook her head. "I have already become a courtesan. It's something that will stick with me for the rest of my life, so how am I to marry anyone?"
Qin Yun was taken aback.
"You mention marrying someone, but who? If you are talking about rich family clans, they would never take me in as a wife. At most, I'd be a concubine! I'd rather remained unmarried my entire life than be a concubine." Chen Shuang's eyes were filled with determination under her sword-like brows.
Qin Yun nodded slightly. It was true that the position of a concubine was just a little higher than that of a maidservant. With Little Shuang's pride, how could she be willing to be a concubine?
As for being the principal wife? She was also correct that wealthy family clans would never take in a renowned courtesan as a principal wife.
"The only ones that would be willing to take me in as a wife are probably those from families of little significance." Chen Shuang shook her head. "I have been in Swallow Phoenix Brothel for more than two years. The number of people courting me is uncountable. It's fine when I'm in Swallow Phoenix Brothel, but if I were to marry into an insignificant family, I would only bring disaster upon them."
"When I became a courtesan, I was destined to never marry." Chen Shuang shook her head. "As for leaving, am I to live alone in that huge manor? Brother Yun, do you want me to lead such a life?"
Qin Yun was deep in thought.
"In Swallow Phoenix Brothel, I have my sisters to accompany me. I can learn dancing, musical instruments, sword techniques, and be courted by countless guests," said Chen Shuang. "In my opinion, I'll be happier leading such a life."
"Since I have entered a brothel, I will never wash clean my taintedness." Chen Shuang smiled faintly. "I might as well lead as happy a life as I can. Also, my contract with Swallow Phoenix Brothel is only an ordinary one. I can leave by paying them a small amount of money. I have already saved up three thousand taels of silver over the past two or more years with them. I can leave at any time!"
"I can stay or leave. As it is, I am fairly free. Furthermore, I'm already accustomed to this. I have a rich and colorful life here."
Chen Shuang looked at Qin Yun and said, "Brother Yun, can you understand my thoughts?"
Qin Yun sighed inwardly.
The young girl from his memories had grown up! Previously, he was afraid that she would be mentally scarred after losing her loved ones and entering a brothel. Since she was happy, all was well.
"I'm quite enjoying these days of being a renowned courtesan." Chen Shuang smiled at Qin Yun. "Why, Brother Yun, do you look down on renowned courtesans? Do you find it shameful that you have a renowned courtesan as a younger sister?"
"Haha, humans in this world lead a life like the fleeting snow. Life is too short. Living a happy life is what matters!" Qin Yun nodded. "Little Shuang, if you like this lifestyle of yours, then there's no need to worry about how others view you. Remember, regardless of where you are, you still have an elder brother watching your back. If you have any grievances or troubles, tell me. Don't hold it all in."
Qin Yun was a cultivator. He had seen so much life and death, so he naturally did not care how the secular world viewed him.
…
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