The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 88 Aunt and Nephew's Scheme
She snorted, a hint of resentment in her voice, "He spoke sweet words, promising to redeem me and promote me to be a concubine, but how much time has passed? I haven't seen a trace of him! He's left me stuck in this fire pit, stuck between two worlds."

Upon hearing this, Li Guijie pouted, her full lips slightly pursed, revealing a worldliness beyond her years: "Alas! My dear aunt! You've seen it all, how can you still be so infatuated? As the saying goes, 'A devoted woman is betrayed by a heartless man.' Which of those men isn't like a greedy cat? East today, west tomorrow, what's the point of all that cursing? Aunt is the top courtesan at Lichun Courtyard, why waste your time on him? While you're still young, take on more respectable guests and save up some private money, that's the proper thing to do! Are you going to hang yourself on this Ximen family tree?"

“What do people like us, from brothels, talk about remaining faithful to one man? It’s just a business of ‘following the powerful for strength and abandoning the old for the new.’ Today, when Master Zhang comes, I’ll laugh with him; tomorrow, when Master Li comes, I’ll be happy with him. If everyone were like those chaste and virtuous women, wouldn’t we have starved to death long ago?”

"Alright! You're going to be finding patrons these next few days, and once you're out of this brothel, you'll be the top courtesan. Instead of taking care of yourself and drinking some chicken soup, you're always thinking about your aunt!" Li Jiao'er glared at her, frowning, her fingers twisting her sash. "How could I not know that? It's just... it's just that Master Ximen paid money to book me for a while, and Madam also received payment. If I secretly take more clients, and it gets back to him, what will he do? With his temper... wouldn't that be suicide?"

Remembering Ximen Qing's methods, she couldn't help but shrink her shoulders and shiver.

Li Guijie chuckled, her ample bosom jiggling slightly. She leaned closer and lowered her voice, saying, "Aunt, what kind of relationship do we have? Why are you hiding this from me? A few days ago, when Master Ximen hosted a banquet at the Lichun Courtyard, weren't you also entertaining wealthy guests from the north for three days straight, even lying that you were pregnant? What, are you now putting on a virtuous facade? Or is that wealthy guest more cunning? Or just more cunning?"

“How can this be much better than Master Ximen?” Li Jiao’er said with an embarrassed expression. “It’s no wonder I didn’t keep my word. That wealthy customer made a lot of money by trading goods in the capital, and he was really generous, giving too much.”

“I never made fun of Aunt!” Li Guijie laughed. “Aunt is so ignorant! What happens inside the courtyard is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me! As for Madam, she’s happy to have money coming in anyway, so why would she say a word? As long as she keeps her mouth shut, that Master Ximen isn’t a god, how could he know?”

Seeing Li Jiao'er still hesitating, her face showing a mixture of emotions, Li Guijie added fuel to the fire: "Auntie, don't be afraid! Even if he bumps into us, can't we just make excuses? We can just say that we're not clean, that our period has been longer this time, and that we're not feeling well. Can he really force himself on us and risk bad luck? Didn't we just make excuses like last time when he bumped into us? He'll let it go."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiao'er's mind began to stir, and her eyes flickered. Li Guijie glanced at her expression, then leaned forward again, resting her fair elbow on the kang table, throwing out a tempting offer. Her voice was even softer, yet filled with eagerness: "Today, Mother asked me to come find you, not for any other reason than that the most distinguished guest in Qinghe County specifically requested to see Aunt! Do you know who it is? It is none other than the renowned young master of the Wang Zhaoxuan family, Wang Sanguanren!"

"Our ancestors were the Prince of Binyang, the military governor of Taiyuan! A true noble family! Madam Lin is a third-rank imperial lady, her status is so noble! Although the master is no longer here and the mansion is not as illustrious as it once was, the foundation and dignity are still there, and the hereditary official position is still there! What Madam Lin is upholding is the true lineage of an official family!"

"This Wang Sanguan is incredibly generous, and he's fond of Aunt's voluptuous and gentle charm. He used to frequent the capital for pleasure, but now that he's back in Qinghe County, Mother said that as long as Aunt is willing to entertain you this time, not to mention the usual gifts, even the extra money Aunt gives you as a thank you would be enough for you to wear several nice clothes! If you manage to seduce him, even if he doesn't make you the head wife, it wouldn't be bad to make you a concubine. Who says the head wife is better than the concubine?"

"Wang San, the third official of the Wang Zhaoxuan Mansion?" Li Jiao'er's heart skipped a beat. How could she not know the Wang family's identity? Although Ximen Qing was rich, he was still a nouveau riche. How could he compare to such a true noble family? Her fear was immediately overshadowed by the overwhelming wealth and prestige.

Her eyes darted around, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress as she weighed the pros and cons. She had heard that although he had married a woman from the capital, he must be a blockhead, with an ice-cold bottom. Otherwise, why would he linger in these dens of iniquity every night? If she could hook up with him, she would truly be a pheasant transformed into a phoenix, soaring to the top.

Seeing that she was interested, Li Guijie pressed her advantage, stopped fanning herself, and clasped her hands together in front of her chest: "Aunt, think it over carefully. Wouldn't it be a pity to miss such an important guest? Anyway, no one will know, and the money will be in your pocket. Who knows, it might be another opportunity to get married. Even if Master Ximen comes, we will cover for you and guarantee that nothing will happen! This is the proper way to make a living, which is a hundred times better than wishful thinking!"

Li Jiao'er hesitated for a moment, then finally steeled her resolve. The worry on her face vanished, replaced by her usual charming smile. She glanced sideways at Li Guijie: "You little vixen, you're quite the persuader for your mother! Fine, fine, since they are such distinguished guests, and your mother has given instructions, it would seem disrespectful of me to refuse again. But..." She lowered her voice, with a hint of seriousness, "Be very careful with the household, don't let a word get out! That Uncle Ximen... is not someone to be trifled with!"

Seeing that things had gone smoothly, Li Guijie was overjoyed, her round face blossoming into a smile. She clapped her hands and said, "Don't worry, Aunt! I'll take care of it! I'll go tell Mother right away to make proper preparations at the front. Aunt, you should also hurry up and get ready so that Mr. Wang San doesn't have to wait too long!" With that, she swayed her budding figure like a graceful swallow, lifted the curtain, and went out.

Li Jiao'er watched the swaying curtains, her smile gradually fading, leaving only a complex calculation. She rose and walked to her dressing table, gazing at her weary face in the mirror. She sighed softly, then finally picked up rouge and powder, applying them thickly to her cheeks and lips. If she could truly seduce someone, she wouldn't have to worry about finding someone to rely on. It was better than sitting here daydreaming about something hopeless!
That's just how life is in this brothel—it's all about money, not people.

(End of this chapter)