When Duchess Xu returned, she happened to see Wen Ning fainted on the ground, and her heart ached terribly. She shot Qiao Yanxin a fierce glare. The latter was so frightened she couldn’t speak.
Duchess Xu hurried forward. “Ning’er, are you all right?”
Hearing Duchess Xu’s voice, Wen Ning slowly opened her eyes, looking at her as though she were a savior.
Duchess Xu was shaken—seeing the little girl’s dependent, trusting gaze melted her heart. “My dear Ning’er, you’ve suffered.”
Qiao Yanxin could hardly believe it. The Young Madam had only been outside for half an incense stick’s time, with servants fanning her. She herself had spoken just a few words, and Wen Ning had pretended to faint.
“Duchess…” Qiao Yanxin called timidly. She had always feared Duchess Xu.
Duchess Xu had spent years in business, her eyes seasoned by countless encounters. To her, Qiao Yanxin’s tricks were nothing more than childish games.
If Shen Zhou, that foolish boy, wanted to be deceived, Duchess Xu didn’t care. But bullying her beloved daughter-in-law was unacceptable.
Duchess Xu ordered a grand chair to be brought, with tea and pastries prepared—clearly intending to have a serious talk.
Qiao Yanxin felt sweat soaking her back, her kneeling body trembling.
Duchess Xu lifted her tea, blew on it slowly, then spoke: “Miss Qiao, if you have something to say, speak to me.”
Qiao Yanxin grew nervous. She had deliberately chosen this time, when the Duke and Duchess and Shen Zhou were absent, to come. Against Wen Ning, she had some chance of success. She thought: Wen Ning was young, thin-skinned, and in public might not refuse outright—perhaps she would allow her into the household.
But Duchess Xu was different. She had weathered every storm. And she had never liked Qiao Yanxin. This would be far harder. Still—once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back.
Qiao Yanxin drew a deep breath, her body trembling, eyes lowered, not daring to meet Duchess Xu’s gaze.
“I have long admired the Heir. I beg the Duchess’s mercy—allow me to serve as a humble maid, sweeping and cleaning, just to remain by his side.”
Qiao Yanxin knew well that Duchess Xu despised Shen Zhou’s entanglement with her, fearing damage to his reputation. So she dared not claim Shen Zhou loved her; instead, she lowered herself, hoping Duchess Xu would permit her entry for the sake of preserving Shen Zhou’s name.
Duchess Xu sneered: “So, Miss Qiao, you mean to sell yourself into the Duke’s household?”
Qiao Yanxin froze. She hadn’t truly meant to become a servant—her words were only meant to flatter Shen Zhou. She hadn’t expected Duchess Xu to seize upon them.
Duchess Xu continued: “But if I recall correctly, you belong to the Pleasure Bureau. Your contract should still be there.”
Before the crowd, her origins laid bare, Qiao Yanxin flushed with shame and anger. “Madam, why do you humiliate me so?”
Duchess Xu rolled her eyes at her pitiful expression. “Did I say anything false? Are you not from the Pleasure Bureau?”
Qiao Yanxin wept: “Though I fell into the pleasure house, I only sold my art, not my body. For Madam to shame me so—you drive me to death!” She gritted her teeth, as if ready to dash herself against a pillar.
Duchess Xu’s voice was cold: “Stop her!”
Two servants immediately restrained her. Duchess Xu looked upon her with deep disgust. “For the sake of your exiled brother, I’ll give you a warning. If I truly wished to disgrace you, I could simply send you back to the Pleasure Bureau, instruct the matrons a little—and you’d beg for death without finding it. Do you believe me?”
Seeing Duchess Xu’s impatient expression, Qiao Yanxin shuddered and dropped to her knees. “Madam, you cannot treat me so. If the Heir knew…”
Duchess Xu snorted: “Let him know. Do you think I fear him? Ten years ago I threw him into the army; I can do it again. A son of the Shen family must never consort with courtesans.” She cast a glance at the stunned Qiao Yanxin and continued.
Duchess Xu said coldly: “I give you two choices. If you are sensible, the Shen family will redeem your contract, and I will provide you with a residence. That will fulfill Shen Zhou’s bond with you and your brother. But from then on, you must never disturb Shen Zhou again. Or, I will send my people to the Pleasure Bureau, instruct the matrons to keep a close watch on their girls—you can choose which fate you prefer.”
Hearing this, Wen Ning silently applauded Duchess Xu in her heart. *What is it like to have a mother-in-law with full combat power?* Wen Ning felt her future days would be easy indeed.
Qiao Yanxin bit her lip, unwilling but forced to yield: “I agree. I hope the Duchess will keep her word and redeem me.”
Duchess Xu replied: “Of course.”
The Duke’s servants accompanied Qiao Yanxin to the Pleasure Bureau and explained their purpose.
The matron there had long grown weary of Qiao Yanxin’s spoiled temper. After receiving silver, she handed over the contract to the Duke’s servants.
Qiao Yanxin reached out to take it, but Duchess Xu’s people snatched it first. Alarmed, she asked: “What are you doing?”
The stewardess sneered: “Madam instructed us—if you marry in the future, the contract will naturally be returned to you. But if you remain obstinate, the contract stays with Madam. Whom she chooses to sell you to depends entirely on her mood.”
“You…” Qiao Yanxin sputtered.
The stewardess was unmoved, urging: “Miss, hurry along! I must return and report.”
Qiao Yanxin glared at her in secret hatred, vowing that once she married Shen Zhou, the first thing she would do was drive this old woman out.