Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 479 - 315: Do Not Look Indiscreetly

In Tianxiang Pavilion, for a girl like Hua Lian, the redemption price of five hundred taels would be the highest. Last night’s first night being bid at four or five hundred taels was a rare occurrence.

Gu Chengyu took one look and knew it was one thousand taels. He wasn’t familiar with the prices of brothel girls, but considering last night’s situation, it seemed about right. Still, Madam Hua was certainly trying to extort him.

But bargaining over a redemption price would be undignified. Besides, he wasn’t lacking in money.

"Could Madam Hua please bring Hua Lian over!" Gu Chengyu took out one thousand taels from his pocket and handed it to Madam Hua.

Suddenly, a prostitute ran up to Madam Hua, pulling her aside. Gu Chengyu watched them whispering, their voices too low to hear. He didn’t pay much attention, assuming it was about something else.

Unexpectedly, Madam Hua turned around, gave Gu Chengyu a reverent bow, and smiled obsequiously. She respectfully said, "Mr. Gu, someone has already paid the money for Hua Lian on your behalf! You just need to take Hua Lian with you. I will fetch the contract of sale for you, and tomorrow I will send someone to the government to annul her registration."

Gu Chengyu was surprised at Madam Hua’s sudden change in attitude. What game was she playing? She was just asking for one thousand taels, and now she’s saying someone else paid it? Who could it be?

He ran through the possible suspects in his mind. It couldn’t be Zhu Pang; he had no money, and besides, Zhu Pang knew his restaurant was making good money, so it couldn’t be him. Could it be Lu Chen? Gu Chengyu could only think of Lu Chen, but would Lu Chen really pay for him? The idea seemed absurd to Gu Chengyu.

"Madam Hua! May I know who paid the money on my behalf? Please do tell me."

No matter who it was, Gu Chengyu didn’t want to owe anyone a favor. A favor is much harder to repay than a mere thousand taels. And seeing Madam Hua’s groveling demeanor, the person’s identity was certainly not ordinary.

"Please don’t trouble me, Young Master. That person specifically asked me not to tell. You just need to take Hua Lian with you." Madam Hua could not disclose who it was, having to keep in Gu Chengyu’s good graces as the person was someone important.

Madam Hua’s words made Gu Chengyu feel even more indebted. Surely, this would become something he’d have to repay in the future, and their secrecy definitely hinted something bad could come of it.

"Then how much money did they pay?" Gu Chengyu pondered, thinking there might truly be some connection to Lu Chen.

Madam Hua let out a couple of dry laughs, simply saying she’d fetch the contract of sale for Gu Chengyu, and turned to head to the courtyard. As she walked, she silently complained to herself, how much money, indeed? Not a single coin was paid, leaving her in a state of desperation.

Seeing this, Gu Chengyu had no choice but to drop the matter! He noticed the prostitute standing by hadn’t left yet, staring at him. Gu Chengyu waved him over, "Go bring Hua Lian over."

The prostitute hesitantly approached Gu Chengyu and stammered, "I’m afraid Young Master will have to go personally."

Gu Chengyu was somewhat puzzled, assuming it was a rule of the Tianxiang Pavilion, and asked no further questions. He decided to wait for Madam Hua to return, who could then guide him.

Madam Hua returned after some time, handed the contract of sale to Gu Chengyu, who reviewed it and saw it was indeed Hua Lian’s, and then tucked it into his robe.

"You take Mr. Gu to Hua Lian’s room." Madam Hua gestured to the prostitute beside her as she instructed.

"Mr. Gu, there’s no rush to leave. You can spend the night at Tianxiang Pavilion. I wouldn’t dare charge you even if you stayed one night." Madam Hua winked at Gu Chengyu with a smile, then bid her farewell.

Gu Chengyu didn’t mind, thinking Madam Hua assumed he redeemed Hua Lian for intimate reasons, in which case it was normal to be eager to consummate.

Following the prostitute, Gu Chengyu entered a room on the third floor of Tianxiang Pavilion. Unlike Xi Yan, Hua Lian didn’t have a private courtyard.

"Mr. Gu, please go in yourself. I shall take my leave." The prostitute led Gu Chengyu to Hua Lian’s door and prepared to leave.

Gu Chengyu nodded, handed the prostitute a tael of silver. The prostitute hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

He pushed open the door and stepped inside. Observing the room’s sparse furnishings, it was quite small, with an empty display shelf. The bed curtain was drawn, and no sound came from within.

Not seeing Hua Lian in the room, Gu Chengyu wondered if she was asleep.

"Miss Hua Lian!" Gu Chengyu called into the room, intending to save time. The curfew was approaching soon.

"Sir!"

A sultry voice responded from behind the curtain, as a pair of delicate hands parted it. The scene that followed left Gu Chengyu utterly speechless.

Hua Lian was dressed in sheer gauze, barely concealing her figure. Underneath, she wore a red bodice embroidered with mandarin ducks. Her skin was like snow, her breasts quivering with each breath, her slender waist twisting enticingly.

Her arms lay over the patterned quilt, her hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her seductive eyes gleamed with a hint of tears, her cheeks flushed. Her beauty was enchanting to the extreme.

"Sir!" Hua Lian called softly, her eyes hazy, her red lips slightly parted.

Regaining his composure, Gu Chengyu quickly turned around, muttering about not being indecent. He was a gentleman, and it was improper to look at a young woman in such a state.

"Ahem! Miss Hua Lian, please dress yourself. I have bought your freedom, and we should leave now. The curfew is fast approaching, and I have friends waiting outside!"

Gu Chengyu remembered Zhu Pang waiting outside and had no room to ponder why Hua Lian was behaving this way.

Just then, he heard a rustling sound, followed by a warm body pressing against his back, hugging his waist with soft arms, causing Gu Chengyu to flinch in shock.

He didn’t need to turn around to know who was behind him. With a frown of helplessness, he sidestepped to avoid Hua Lian, now realizing something wasn’t right. Although Hua Lian was a brothel girl, she shouldn’t be so undignified.

He turned to look at Hua Lian, noticing her drowsy eyes and flushed cheeks, as if she had taken some aphrodisiac. It wasn’t surprising if they gave her something to help her relax during her first night, to avoid offending customers.

Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead, unsure of how to proceed. Deep in thought, Hua Lian had wrapped herself around him once again.

"Is it that you don’t like me, sir?" Hua Lian’s eyes filled with tears as she leaned her body against Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu tried to gently push her away, but her scanty clothing made it hard to avoid contact. He sighed, then struck a pressure point on the back of her neck, making Hua Lian slump softly into his arms.

Cradling Hua Lian, he laid her on the bed, seeing her cheeks grow ever redder, and could only tuck her in.