Chapter 22: I Want to Go Out

"Mother Wang's tea is truly delicious; thank you for your hospitality today." Luo Yunqiao pursed her lips slightly, offering a polite smile.

"I had originally intended to ask Brother Mugen—Jinxin's brother—to help me with a matter, but since he is busy right now, I shall return another time."

With that, Luo Yunqiao turned to leave with her two maids.

Inside the room, Mugen listened to his mother and sister making excuses on his behalf, feeling a flicker of inner turmoil. He could not step out. If he did, it would prove his mother had lied to the young mistress. Furthermore, he was one of the Eldest Young Master’s men, and the Eldest Young Master had forbidden the servants from investigating the whereabouts of those who had been sold off. The fact that he had managed to uncover anything at all was already a betrayal of his master. He kept trying to reassure himself.

"Huh?"

As Luo Yunqiao prepared to depart, Yinxin, who had been staring at the inner chamber’s window, caught sight of a figure partially visible there. Glancing at the distraught Jinxin and then at Mother Lin, Yinxin immediately trotted over to the window.

Mother Lin’s eyes widened at her actions.

"Why is there someone here!"

Yinxin reached out and grabbed the person directly, but upon seeing his face, she was momentarily bewildered. She looked from Jinxin to Mugen, confused. Wasn't Brother Mugen supposed to be out?

Luo Yunqiao knew the truth the moment she saw him, but some things had to be asked. "Mugen, I want to ask you: where are the servants who used to serve in my courtyard?"

Mugen kept his head lowered, afraid to speak. Sensing his dilemma, Luo Yunqiao did not press him further. She simply said, "You have seen them yourself. The youngest one is even younger than Jinxin and hasn't even reached her capping ceremony yet. Can you really stand by and watch the rest of their lives be destroyed?"

She then rose and left. Jinxin cast a look at her parents and brother before hurrying after her.

"Mistress, I am sorry..." After they had walked a significant distance, Jinxin suddenly burst into tears and apologized to Luo Yunqiao.

Luo Yunqiao wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. "Do not cry. Your father and brother only sought security. To them, I am an outsider without any power, while the Eldest Young Master serves as a better shield. Unlike the Luo family, who never treated me as kin, he has left me without any scruples."

"But Mistress, if my brother won't tell us the address, how are we to find them?" A look of distress appeared on Jinxin’s face.

Luo Yunqiao shook her head. "Since we know they are in the pleasure houses, we will simply search them one by one. We will find them eventually!"

With that, she intended to head straight toward the flower district. Jinxin and Yinxin quickly blocked her path.

"Mistress!" Jinxin stood in front of her. "You must not, Mistress! You are now the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Jing'an. If you were to appear in the flower district today, the Marquis and his people would surely seize the chance to cause trouble for you!"

Luo Yunqiao stood still, looking at her quietly.

"Even so, I must bring them back. If I had not been caught up in these power struggles, how could they have fallen to such a state?" Luo Yunqiao’s words were resolute.

Jinxin and Yinxin exchanged a look.

"Mistress, it is not that I do not want to save them, but if you lose your status because of it, how will you protect them in the future?" Jinxin said urgently. "It is not that this servant wishes to enjoy a life of luxury; I am but a servant. But you, Mistress, have lived as a commoner—have you not seen the helplessness of the powerless when facing the strong?"

"Only as the legitimate daughter of the Marquis’s estate can you truly look after us."

Hearing this, Luo Yunqiao suddenly calmed down. She looked at Jinxin and said, "You are right. I must first secure my own power and wealth before I can bring them all back. But I fear they cannot wait..." Luo Yunqiao’s eyes turned red, filled with suppressed pain.

As the three of them spoke, Luo Zeting found them.

"Yunqiao, where have you gone? I have been looking for you for so long..." Before he could finish, he saw Luo Yunqiao’s reddened eyes and felt a pang of heartache. "Is this because of what happened earlier? Your younger brother has been spoiled by us. He spends more time with Zhen'er, so he favors her, but you can rest assured that I love all three of you equally."

Luo Yunqiao knew she had misled him, but she did not mind. As long as it brought her some advantage.

"Let’s go. I will take you elsewhere to pick out two more pieces of jewelry. I promised to give you a gift, and I intend to keep my word!" Luo Zeting smiled and led her to a nearby jewelry pavilion.

"Shopkeeper, bring out your shop's finest treasures!"

Upon entering, Luo Zeting demanded their best. The shop assistant, noting their attire, hurriedly went to fetch the manager.

"This is a set of head ornaments, one of our eight greatest treasures," the manager said, having the assistant open a box. Inside lay a set of exquisite kingfisher feather jewelry adorned with white pearls, looking truly stunning.

Luo Yunqiao’s eyes lit up. "This set is truly beautiful; it is worthy of being called a treasure."

"Big Brother, then please give me this one."

Luo Zeting nodded. "My sister wants this set. Name your price!"

"Three thousand taels of silver!" the shopkeeper said, stroking his mustache with a smile.

Luo Zeting handed a stack of banknotes to the owner and pulled Luo Yunqiao away. The two maids followed behind, dutifully carrying the set of jewelry.

For the rest of the time, Luo Yunqiao did not shop. She needed to think of a way to bring back those who had been sold. Seeing her distracted, Luo Zeting did not know what to say; as the eldest son of the Marquis of Jing'an, he was accustomed to others trying to please him.

As soon as they arrived at the estate, Mother Tian was waiting at the entrance. Seeing them return together, she stepped forward. "Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Mistress, the Madam requests your presence immediately."

The two exchanged a look, and Luo Yunqiao nodded. "We shall go at once. Thank you for leading the way, Mother Tian."

Having learned her lesson, Mother Tian dared not show the slightest displeasure and obediently led them forward. After a few steps, Luo Yunqiao turned to Jinxin. "Take these things back first; it would be improper for me to carry them to Mother's place."

Jinxin nodded, held the box close, and took a side path. Mother Tian glanced at the direction Jinxin had taken, then lowered her head, looking perfectly respectful.