Jiu Yue pondered for a moment before responding, "I understand."
Qiu Dongfang glanced at her but didn’t press for details. Instead, he added, "Ma Dachun is highly skilled in martial arts. Don’t underestimate her. Also, it’ll be crowded at night—disguising yourself as a man would make it easier to blend in."
"Disguise as a man?" Jiu Yue gave him a puzzled look. "Why would I need to dress as a man to get in?"
Qiu Dongfang froze. "You’re a woman. How do you expect to enter a brothel?"
Jiu Yue was equally baffled. "The brothel is full of women. I’ll just go in the same way they do."
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
After a moment of processing, his expression turned peculiar. "You mean... you want to be sold in?"
Jiu Yue blinked. "That way, I’ll have more opportunities to get close to Ma Dachun."
"If I sneak in as a customer at night, I’d only have a brief chance to interact with her. If she’s as skilled as you say, I can’t guarantee success in that short window."
"But if I enter as a girl being sold, I’ll have much more time to observe her."
Admittedly, it was a more reliable approach.
Qiu Dongfang thought for a moment before asking, "Then what about me?"
He couldn’t very well disguise himself as a woman to sneak in—cross-dressing would be too obvious.
Jiu Yue considered it. "You stay hidden and back me up from the shadows."
"Fine," Qiu Dongfang agreed. "Let’s pack up and head out soon?"
Jiu Yue eagerly grabbed her gear. "Let’s go!"
The red-light district in the western part of the city was bustling even in broad daylight.
Last time, Jiu Yue had visited purely for leisure. But now, as she followed Qiu Dongfang through the back alleys, she realized just how much suffering unfolded behind the scenes.
There were impoverished families selling their daughters, wealthy officials disposing of maids, and human traffickers conducting their grim trade.
Jiu Yue frowned, but Qiu Dongfang’s voice suddenly reminded her, "Tone down that righteous aura of yours."
Jiu Yue: "..."
Right. She was supposed to be playing the role of a pitiful younger sister sold off by her gambling-addicted brother to settle his debts.
She needed to appear fragile, helpless, and utterly pitiable.
Jiu Yue sniffled, pinched her thigh hard, and managed to summon a misty-eyed look.
Lowering her head slightly, she adopted the vulnerable, despairing expression Qiu Dongfang had instructed, letting him push her forward.
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
His thoughts stirred again.
This woman was an excellent actress—he’d have to warn the prince to stay wary of her when they returned.
Coincidentally, Ma Dachun had just taken in a batch of children—boys and girls alike—from a trafficker and was inspecting them at the back door. When she spotted the pair approaching, her eyes narrowed.
In this line of work, sharp instincts were crucial.
Just a glimpse of the girl’s lower face was enough for Ma Dachun to feel pleased.
That delicate, sorrowful look was exactly what many high-ranking clients favored these days.
After murmuring instructions to her subordinates, she swayed her hips and fanned herself as she sauntered toward them.
Jiu Yue was still immersed in her role, wondering if approaching directly would seem too conspicuous, when footsteps approached.
"You two look unfamiliar—not locals, are you?" Ma Dachun’s gaze locked onto Jiu Yue.
Qiu Dongfang immediately put on an ingratiating smile and launched into his performance.
Jiu Yue marveled inwardly—this man was practically a folk Oscar winner!
After a few sharp words that vividly portrayed a gambler’s greed and ruthlessness, Qiu Dongfang successfully gained Ma Dachun’s trust.
“What a coincidence. Today, my Misty Rain Tower happens to be the only one trading in the area. Thirty taels of silver—how about it?” Ma Dachun had already stepped in front of Jiu Yue as she spoke, reaching out to lift the girl’s chin.
The next moment, a delicate, tear-streaked face came into view, damp with sorrow like rain-soaked pear blossoms.
The young woman’s eyes were filled with terror and despair as she looked at Ma Dachun.
Ma Dachun was thoroughly pleased.
Qiu Dongfang also stole a glance at Jiu Yue, deeply impressed.
“Alright, I’ll play the good Samaritan today. For the sake of your sister’s pretty face, I’ll give you fifty taels,” Ma Dachun said with a smile. “But on one condition—your sister must behave.”
Qiu Dongfang understood immediately. He stepped forward, gripping Jiu Yue’s shoulders, and snarled, “You hear that? If you dare run, I’ll drag you back myself, break your legs, and toss you to Cripple Wu in the next village!”
Jiu Yue trembled like a leaf, fat tears rolling down her cheeks one after another. She struggled desperately but lacked the strength to break free. In the end, she could only weep silently, her face pale with heartbreak.
Qiu Dongfang shoved her toward Ma Dachun. “The money—hand it over now!”
Ma Dachun steadied Jiu Yue with ease and tossed Qiu Dongfang a money pouch.
It was heavy—likely more than fifty taels.
With a greedy grin, Qiu Dongfang clutched the silver and bolted.
Now, only Ma Dachun and Jiu Yue remained in the alley.
“There, there, no more tears,” Ma Dachun said gently, wiping Jiu Yue’s face. “From now on, you’ll stay with Mama. I’ll make sure you live in comfort and luxury.”
Jiu Yue followed her back to Misty Rain Tower in silence. As they entered, a group of young children were also being led inside. She kept her head down, pretending not to see.
Ma Dachun took her to a room where two matrons waited to scrub her clean.
“Once you’re washed up, come see Mama,” Ma Dachun called from outside.
The matrons began stripping Jiu Yue, but she remained still. Only when the footsteps outside faded did she exhale. With a subtle movement, she tripped both women and swiftly struck their pressure points, knocking them unconscious.
As the matrons slumped to the floor, Jiu Yue changed into fresh clothes. Glancing at the tub of water, she decided not to let it go to waste.
She sat down and soaked her feet.
While soaking, she pondered.
From the way Ma Dachun had caught her earlier, it was clear the woman possessed formidable inner strength.
She couldn’t act recklessly yet—she needed to familiarize herself with the surroundings first.
If Sima Qing was targeting Ma Dachun, his goal surely went beyond just her life.
Even if Ma Dachun were removed, someone else—a “Niu Dachun” or “Wang Dachun”—would take her place.
So… Sima Qing’s real target was Misty Rain Tower itself.
Jiu Yue narrowed her eyes, but then a faint sound came from the window. She focused and saw Qiu Dongfang scaling the wall like a gecko.
“Damn that Ma Dachun, locking you in this room—took me forever to find you,” Qiu Dongfang grumbled as he dropped to the floor.
Outside the window was a river—a common feature of brothels in this area. With guards at the door and water below, escape was nearly impossible.
Jiu Yue quickly slipped on her shoes and crouched beside him. The two huddled behind the bathtub, whispering their plans.
"I've already scouted the area, and I suspect Ma Dachun has a hidden chamber," Qiu Dongfang said. "All the children who came in with you earlier have vanished."
