Starting with his deathbed remonstrance to Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperors were brought to their knees.

Having made up his mind, Li Qing took a step and walked in the direction Zhang Tu pointed.

After passing through the main street adorned with red lanterns and crossing the stone bridge, I indeed saw a fragrant sesame oil shop. The narrow alley next to it was deep and secluded, covered with snow, so quiet that only the sound of wind blowing and snow falling could be heard.

As you walk into the alley, you can immediately see the tofu shop. The wooden door is tightly closed, giving off a desolate feeling during the New Year.

As you walk further in, the alley becomes increasingly narrow, the earthen walls on both sides are mottled and peeling, dilapidated, and the eaves of the roofs overhead are almost touching, leaving only a sliver of sky visible. The cold wind blows in through the alley entrance, making a mournful howl, and it is more than twice as cold as outside.

As Li Qing walked through the narrow alley, a strong scent of perfume mixed with the warmth of charcoal fire suddenly broke through the cold wind and went straight into his nostrils.

Unlike the harsh and dilapidated outside, the depths of this alleyway have a more human touch, but also a more inexplicable sense of oppression and sorrow.

At the far end of the alley, a wooden door of a house was half open. A young woman was leaning against the door frame, staring blankly at the snow falling all around her. Her eyes were as empty as a dry well, without any spirit, as if the festive atmosphere and liveliness of the New Year had nothing to do with her.

The woman looked to be in her early twenties, with delicate features and a pretty face. Despite the cold weather, she wore a thick cotton dress, bundled up tightly, yet her slender figure was still evident.

Her face was adorned with only very light makeup, which couldn't conceal the weariness and numbness in her eyes. A hint of world-weariness lingered in her brows, yet it wasn't gaudy; instead, it conveyed a sense of brokenness etched by life's repeated trials. Her plain pleated skirt, set against the white snow, appeared exceptionally simple and frail, stirring a pang of sadness in the heart.

Noticing someone approaching, the woman's empty eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion.

She turned to look at Li Qing and saw that he was wearing official robes and had an extraordinary demeanor. He was a stranger to her, so she immediately put away all her dejection, forced a gentle, ingratiating smile on her face, and quickly came to greet him.

The woman stepped forward and affectionately took Li Qing's arm, leaning slightly closer. Her voice was soft and gentle, with a deliberate attempt to be attentive: "Sir, it's so cold outside, please come inside and warm up."

The strong scent of perfume hit him. Li Qing had never even been to a foot massage parlor before, let alone experienced anything like this. His cheeks flushed red instantly, his body stiffened, and he didn't know where to put his hands.

Fortunately, it was freezing cold, and his face was already red from the cold, so there was nothing unusual about it.

"Slow down...Miss, slow down." Li Qing gently pulled her hand away, his tone calm and without a trace of frivolity.

He didn't forget his identity, nor did he forget his original purpose for coming here—it was definitely not to seek pleasure.

Seeing this, the woman was not angry. She smiled gently and considerately, saying, "Don't worry, sir. It's snowing heavily outside. Come inside, warm yourself by the fire, have some hot tea, and chat. It won't hurt."

As she spoke, she took the oil-paper umbrella from Li Qing's hand and led him into the house.

The room was small and poorly furnished, with only a wooden table, two chairs, and a small charcoal stove in the middle. The flames were weak, barely dispelling a bit of the chill, but still unable to keep out the biting cold wind.

The woman moved the stove closer to Li Qing, added two pieces of charcoal, and then poured a bowl of steaming coarse tea from the earthenware teapot, presenting it to him with both hands.

"Don't worry, sir, the cups are all clean. Warm yourself up."

Li Qing took the hot tea, feeling a warmth on his fingertips. Looking at the submissive, obsequious woman before him, his heart grew heavier.

He sat down awkwardly in the chair, getting straight to the point: "I was introduced by a friend, so I don't know the proper etiquette. Please don't take offense, young lady."

Upon hearing this, a knowing glint flashed in the woman's eyes. She smiled gently, her tone frank and without a trace of coyness, yet her words sent a chill down one's spine:

"If you wish to stay overnight, it will cost one hundred coins; if you only wish to stay for a short while, fifty coins will suffice."

The straightforward price and the naked transaction, without any concealment, perfectly encapsulate the helplessness and humility of women at the bottom of society.

The air in the room seemed to freeze. Li Qing's breath hitched, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

He remained silent for a long time, then looked up at the woman and asked softly, "Miss, what's your name?"

"My name is Xiao Huan." The woman lowered her head slightly, her voice soft, with a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.

Li Qing took a sip of hot tea, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and asked again, "Are there many girls like you in this alley?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huan got up, picked up an old zither from the corner of the wall, gently placed it on the table, and brushed her fingertips across the strings, producing a hoarse sound.

Her face still wore a fawning smile, but her tone was much softer, filled with bitterness and helplessness:

"Not many, not few. They are all unfortunate people who couldn't make ends meet and had nowhere else to turn, which is why they took this path..."

"It's freezing cold, Master, please warm yourself by the fire. There's no need to rush. I can play the zither. I know all the popular tunes on the market, as well as the lyrics of Liu Yong and the popular folk songs of the Qinhuai River. I can play them all for you."

She paused, her tone growing increasingly humble, tinged with pleading:

"If you only want to hear me play music, please give me a few coins and I will be satisfied. If I play poorly, please don't be angry. I also know some acrobatics to amuse you. I just hope you will be happy and introduce more customers to me in the future. I will be eternally grateful."

Every word and phrase was meant to please, to be humble, and to survive.

Looking at her forced smile and the despair that couldn't be hidden in her eyes, Li Qing felt his anger rising.

He couldn't believe that a woman with delicate features, a good education, and the ability to play the piano and sing would willingly degenerate to such a state.

There must be a hidden story behind this, there must be an injustice!

Li Qing put down his teacup, his face darkened, and his tone lost its gentleness, carrying the sharpness and seriousness unique to an imperial censor:

"Xiao Huan, let me tell you the truth, I'm not here for pleasure. I am Guo Yongliang, an imperial censor of the Ming Dynasty, in charge of handling injustices and impeaching powerful and tyrannical officials."

"You don't need to flatter me, you don't need to pretend. Tell me, how did you end up like this? Who ruined you?"

"An imperial censor?!"

Xiao Huan shuddered violently, her smile froze instantly, and her pupils contracted sharply.

The string in his hand snapped with a "bang," cutting his fingertip and drawing a tiny bead of blood.

She suddenly looked up at Li Qing, her eyes filled with fear, shock, and a long-suppressed despair and anticipation as she finally saw the light.

The next second, she could no longer maintain that thin layer of pretense and collapsed to her knees with a thud.

Tears streamed down her face like a burst dam, and she lay on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, her whole body trembling.

"Your Honor! Your Honor! I beg you to do justice for me! I'm innocent! I didn't do it willingly! I was framed! I was forced by those powerful and influential people!"