Chương 24: Banxi pavilion 2

Banxi Pavilion, West of Lianxi.

"Welcome to Banxi Pavilion, I am Madam Liu. I oversee this brothel", Madam Liu glanced over her shoulder at her two servants and nodded.

The two servants pushed the door behind her open, "Get in!"

Liqiu's chest tightened, she glanced around and like her a few of the girls looked distressed.

She had tried to convince herself that she could accept her fate throughout the journey. However, now that she had been sold, she was scared.

She had overheard a few of her family's servants talk about places like this, all of which was nothing good.

She swallowed and took a few steps back but stopped as her back hit a solid body.

She looked up slowly, gasping and stepping forward as she met the narrowed eyes of one of the brothel's guards.

Madam Liu glared at the cowering girls, she was irritated by their spineless actions.

"You must think that I have time to was on any of you", she sneered as she spoke and to the guards standing around, she ordered,

"get then all cleaned up and presentable, if any of them try to be difficult_" she smirked as she continued, "You have my permission to use her, however, means you like".

Liqiu did not understand whatever Madam Liu meant by that statement but judging by the sick smile on the guards' faces and the screams from the much older girls.

It did not seem to be anything good, She shivered and hurried forward, wanting to put some distance between her and the guard behind her.

Her entire body shook but she continued forward, she looked ahead and avoided meeting anyone's gaze.

Her heart beat loud in her ears like a drum with every step she took but she ignored that.

Her legs almost gave when she finally stepped into the room but she quickly grabbed the wall beside her to steady herself.

She jumped as she came face to face with one of the stern-faced older maids.

The woman immediately narrowed her eyes on her, "You have limited time, you better wash up and changed into this", the woman pushed a folded light green uniform into her hand and left.

Liqiu glanced around and everyone seem to have been provided with the same type of uniform.

The maid immediately instructed them to strip, wash up and get dressed before the three 10 cm long incense finishing burning.

They had been provided with only a bowl and washcloth. Liqiu was taken aback when the bowl of cool water was handed to her.

She glanced from the bowl of water to maid before stepping aside for the girls next to her.

She did not understand how they were expected to use this small quantity of water to wash up.

The was not even close to the quality of water she used to wash her face and foot.

Liqiu glanced around and all the other girls looked quite content with the quality of water. Which she found strange, this was her first bath since the day her family was arrested.

Liqiu had grown up in privilege and hence was used to taking warm soothing baths, she had no idea how to utilize the water and could only watch the girls around her.

Her hands shook as fingers touched the strings holding her skirt, she looked around, Sucked in a deep breath before pulling the strings.

The Stern-faced maid escorted them out of the room once the incense has all burned, she led them down the hall.

They stopped just outside a door, wide wooden door, after two knocks they were allowed in.

Liqiu glanced around the room as they stepped in, it looked like a small dining room for servants.

Madam Liu was seated on the head of the table with a cup of tea in her hands, she waved the steam away gently before bringing the edge of the cup to her lips and taking a few sips.

The stern-faced maid rushed to madam Liu's sides and whispered a few words into her ear.

Although she couldn't hear what was said, Madam Liu's smile and nod were a good tell that she was satisfied with whatever was said.

The stern-faced maid stepped back and stood a hands breath away from Madam Liu a few minutes later. Madam Liu set down the cup of tea and smiled at Granny Li, "finally they look presentable".

"Yes, I saved all the best stock just for you. I hope you like them".

Madam Liu leaned her head to the side, "They are not bad, although there are fewer younger girls", her gaze met Granny Li's.

Granny Li smiled cautiously, "Eunuch Ye from Prince Xiao manor selected a few to be added to his highness's roster. You know that Xiao manor prefers their maids at a certain age".

Madam Liu chuckled, "there is no need for long explanations, I am more than most aware of his highness's eccentricities."

She leaned forward, "They are not that bad, I could use more maids. I was hoping to train the younger maids, it is easier to make adequate maids out of the younger girls", she said eyes narrowed at the older woman.

Madam Liu frowned when she remembered the incident involving the last set of girls Granny Li brought over,

"Three of the last batch of older girls you had sent over, ran off with my young customers. I hope this set won't cause such a mess".

Granny Li's face became grim on hearing that, "I heard. My apologies for choosing carelessly".

Madam Liu sighed, "we have a rather long working relationship, Granny Li. I will choose to give you one more chance".

"Many Thanks" Granny Liu replied.

Madam Liu nodded, "matron Wang, call in Physician Jiang to check their pulse".

"Yes", the stern-faced maid replied and hurried out of the room.

"Check_ Check their pulse? Why do you have to_", Granny Li said eyes ideas she glanced from Madam Liu to the door matron Wang walked through.

Madam Liu smiled, "don't worry yourself, granny. It is just a recent step that was incorporated after we accepted a new maid that was already three months along".

"Oh, that is understandable"

"Sadly in my line of work, one cannot be too careful", she replied twisting the jade ring on her left hand.

Matron Wang led a lanky bearded man in a dark brown physician uniform into the room.

Physician Jiang bowed respectively to Madam Liu before walking to the tall girl at the end of the line. Liqiu's legs shook as it got to her turn but under the pressure of their stares.

She stretched out her hand for her pulse to be checked, it only took some minutes for him to be done. At the end of the check, he gave her a clean bill of health and moved to the next girl.

Granny Li's expression relaxed once all the girls were checked and none well as discovered to not be pregnant.

Her lips curved up when Madam Liu handed her a purse filled with coins and sent her on her way.

Liqiu and the other younger maids girls were led out of the room by Matron Wang while the older girls stayed back.

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