81 Chapter 22: Imperial Dr. Yen, Verdigris Hall (2/2)
”This much, wouldn't be enough,” the crone said.
”Of course not, I didn't think you would call out Hua-san.”
She had brought enough money expecting a night of blissful dream with a high-class courtesan for him. Even Bai would be satisfied with just a glance of the Three Princesses.
”Wouldn't that just barely be insufficient for a seat for tea?” she said.
”Fool. With that physical strength, there's no way Hua would do nothing.” Though it can be said that the top-class courtesans don't sell their body, it doesn't mean that they won't fall in love.
”That would be what they call an act of god….” Yen said.
”Don't be silly. I'll put it properly on your tab.” The crone replied.
”I said I couldn't pay for it.” Yen was deep in thought. No matter she looked at it, it was a commitment.
”What are you saying? At worse you can just use your body to pay for it. You'll just be transferred from the emperor to a brothel – it won't be any different. There are dilettantes who are fond of even defective goods like you.”
Ever since the crone had seen her real face, she has been excessively recommending Yen to become a courtesan. She, who had devoted her entire life to the pleasure district, had never thought that prostitution was a career of misfortune.
”I still have one year left to my term of service though,” Yen said.
”In that case, steadily send forth the honored guests. Not old geezers, but those we can moderately exploit for a long time like the one just then.” The greedy hag only thinks about money. The idea of selling her body was already passed, so she must moderately send in sacrifices hereafter.
”Yen, the geezer should be home right now, so hurry up and go,” the crone said.
”Ahh, I will.”
In the narrow house which only had two rooms of dirt floor, there was a person hunched over using the mortar. Carved with deep wrinkles, soft features, a man who like an old woman.
”I'm back,” Yen said.
”Hey, you're late.”
He greeted her normally and stumbled off to prepare tea as if nothing happened. She accepted the tea that had been prepared in a worn teacup. She told him bits and pieces of everything that had happened until now, and he only replied with sounds of listening.
After she had porridge, which had an enormously increased portion of medicinal herbs and potatoes, for dinner, she decided to sleep. She will take a bath from the hot water she will receive from the Hall tomorrow. She curled up in a simple bed that was just a straw mat laid out on the dirt floor.
Her dad piled clothes on her and grounded the mortar tirelessly like a stove fire.
”The inner palace huh. It must be fate.” The words the old man muttered faded away amid her sleepiness.