Qingyun Terrace (1): Abduction of a Virtuous Woman in Broad Daylight?

She turned toward the sound. A stranger had stopped beside Zhou Yao and was speaking to her.

“You looking for a shop? I know someone who can help.” He tucked his hands into his sleeves and made a subtle money gesture, hidden from the crowd.

Zhou Yao found him amusing. Up close, his features were off, eyes shifty—clearly up to no good. She decided to play along and see what he was after.

“Alright, how much should I give you?” She put on a pleased expression.

“Since you're a lady, I'll go easy—just two strings of cash.” He leered, hands still tucked away.

Zhou Yao's brow twitched. She feigned a troubled look while mentally cursing him. Two strings of cash was hardly a discount.

In the past, she had only heard of the people's hardships; she never imagined she'd be in such a tight spot herself.

She tilted her head, lowered her eyes, and hid one hand behind the other, pinching her arm sharply. The sting brought tears to her eyes, and she put on a pitiful expression.

“You see, sir, I'm from the capital. My family's been ruined. My brother drinks and gambles away everything, leaving me with nothing. I've got no choice but to find a way out...” Her words came out earnest and tearful, tugging at heartstrings. But that played right into his hands.

He feigned sympathy. “How tragic. Then I'll do a good deed and waive your fee. Come with me.”

As he turned, Zhou Yao watched his back with suspicion. She didn't trust a stranger who'd stopped her on the street for a second.

Earlier, when she'd glanced down, she'd spotted a fine Hetian jade pendant at his waist. Zhou Yao clicked her tongue. Such jade was common in the palace, but among commoners, it was rare—only those with official ties or gifts from the powerful had it.

Dressed like an ordinary man, he had to be hiding something.

Zhou Yao followed, probing casually as if she were just making small talk.

“You've done me such a favor, sir. I didn't even ask your name. If I ever get the chance, I'll repay you.” Her honeyed tone almost made her want to listen to herself.

“No need, no need. Name's Liu Yun.” He led her into a narrow alley.

They wound through turns, Zhou Yao staying alert behind him. Lucky for her, she rarely wore trinkets or pins that might jingle and give her away.

Ahead, the alley dead-ended. Zhou Yao imagined assassins leaping out to knock her out, but none came. Just a crumbling wall, ready to collapse.

Liu Yun stopped. “We're here.”

“Here?” She stared at the wall, then turned to see Liu Yun closing in. Her expression hardened.

Her brows knitted. She slid a small knife from her waist, hiding it in her sleeve, ready to strike if he came closer. Her heart pounded in her ears.

Rumble—

The wall slid aside, revealing a gap that led to a street beyond. Zhou Yao thought, *Even this rundown place has a hidden door. Are they trying to keep people from escaping?*

“Just through here,” Liu Yun said, stepping forward. He seemed noticeably more at ease.

The passage was so narrow only one could pass. Suspicion took root in Zhou Yao's mind, growing stronger as she followed.

The path widened, and they emerged into a courtyard.

“Sit over there and rest,” Liu Yun said. “I'll go tell the boss.”

She smiled innocently. “Thank you, Master Liu.”

The courtyard looked like a back yard—square and bare, with nothing but a single chair. No signs of anyone living here. More a decoy than a real courtyard.

She looked up and saw doors and ladders everywhere, red lanterns hanging from each door. Behind them, she guessed, were the women lured here.

Before she could take it all in, a foot slammed into the back of her knee, sending her sprawling. Before she could see who, a white cloth blindfolded her.

Blinded, she tried to slash at whoever was behind her, but he disarmed her in a few quick moves. The knife clattered to the ground, and her hands were bound behind her back. Resistance was futile.

He pulled the knife away. “Well, look what we have here—a hidden blade,” he teased.

Sight gone, her other senses sharpened. He tapped her cheek with the flat of the blade. “Don't even think about tricks, or I'll mar that pretty face,” he warned.

A man's voice came from a distance—Liu Yun. As she'd suspected, he was bad news.

Liu Yun said, “Since I've delivered her, my job's done. Remember to pay what you owe.” He gave an ingratiating smile to her captor.

She didn't catch the rest. A cloth clamped over her mouth and nose, and she inhaled a sickly sweet scent. Then darkness took her, and she slumped onto the brick floor.

When she opened her eyes, a pink canopy hung half-open over the bed. A graceful woman in revealing clothes sat beside her, dabbing Zhou Yao's cheeks with a cloth.

“This is...” she murmured.

“Awake?” The woman's voice was sweet and syrupy, like she was sucking on candy. “Get up quickly. If they catch you dawdling, we're all in trouble.”

“Where am I?” Zhou Yao asked, voice hoarse.

“This is Qingyun Terrace, a place for nobles to have fun. Now that you're here, behave yourself, and you'll save yourself a lot of pain.”

Zhou Yao sat up and took in the room. Cramped as a pigeon cage. Liu Yun had sold her to a brothel, sure enough. Damn it.

She looked at the woman. “Do you people just stay in places like this?”

“Why not? If you're uncomfortable, you can add a few things to your room. Even though we're trapped, management is generous. The cosmetics are top-notch, so you don't have to worry about your looks fading.”

Zhou Yao drew a sharp breath. How absurd. These women had been broken by the rules, their claws worn down until they'd forgotten how to fight.

“Have you never thought of buying your freedom? Even if you don't marry well, you could start a small business and support yourself.”

The woman stared at her with pleading eyes, forcing a smile. “It's impossible.”

“Why not?” Zhou Yao was puzzled.

“Most of the women here are miserable souls. Forget the money for freedom—the number of sisters who die in these rooms is countless. Get out? Ha, easier said than done.”

“The imperial law isn't a joke!” Zhou Yao was shocked. “How can no one do anything when lives are at stake?”

She grabbed the woman's sleeve. “Haven't you reported this to the authorities?”

“The law protects the rich and powerful. Women like us, even if we die, are just another worthless life.”

Linglong's words echoed in Zhou Yao's mind:

*Women should never end up like this. If only women could, like men, pass the exams, hold office, and take charge of their own fates...*

“I want to see your manager,” Zhou Yao said firmly.

—

Music from strings and woodwinds intertwined; women on stage displayed endless charms. Zhou Yao's clothes had been replaced with a Qingyun Terrace uniform before she regained consciousness.

Only the top courtesan could wear her own clothes. No freedom—even more stifling than the palace.

The woman had pointed her in the right direction, and Zhou Yao hurried to the front.

*Liu Yun! Liu Yun!* That bastard! Looks decent but does the work of a beast.

She'd learned nearly half the girls here had been tricked in by this man. Some were respectable women, now reduced to playthings. Those who came willingly were one thing, but those deceived and forced—even if they bought their way out, the world's judgment would tear them apart.

Guided along, Zhou Yao climbed the stairs. She noticed a lavishly decorated door shut tight, silhouettes flickering behind the paper screen.

“Hey, this one's pretty! Brother Qi, take a look. Qingyun Terrace's got something new—a real beauty, could rival Xishi.”

The man's cheeks were flushed. And what about this “Brother Qi” he mentioned?

Amid the jostling, Zhou Yao glanced up... and froze.

She thought, *It's him?! Since he's here, this will be easy.*

Author's Note: None.