readsfreenovel Chapter 60
Chapter 60
He looked up at Nalan Jingwen, his pale eyes utterly calm.
“Miss, there’s no need to worry. You probably know where this is. I’m in this line of work, not from a respectable family. I will take responsibility for you.”
Nalan Jingwen frowned slightly, looked at the wounds on his body, and noticed her gaze. He subconsciously tried to cover the wounds to make himself appear less wretched.
"Come with me, and I'll treat you well."
He helped her, so he owed her a favor and shouldn't be allowed to stay in this brothel. But if he didn't want to go with her, she would respect his decision.
Jinse shook her head again, unmoved by her words. "No need, Miss. I am no longer a virgin. It would be a disservice to you to make you take responsibility. Just consider last night's events as a fleeting affair."
"Besides, I am old and my looks have faded, while you are still in your prime. If you were to keep me by your side, it would be too disgraceful to you."
No woman would marry a man from a brothel, not even a lowly servant.
Since he entered this brothel, he never dared to hope that he would ever leave. So many women, in the throes of pleasure, would say sweet words to make him happy, saying they would marry him. At first, he would believe them and wait with joy for them to take him home.
But spring came and autumn went, the wild geese flew south, and the person was never found.
Only then did he realize that those words were ultimately untrustworthy.
This is his fate. Even a hundred years from now, his soul can only dwell here. He has no other choice.
The idea of courtesans marrying ordinary women only exists in storybooks.
Nalan Jing heard this but disagreed. No matter what he was like in the past, now that she had taken his body, how could he sit idly by?
"You really won't come with me?"
Jinse simply gazed at her calmly and refused again.
"Please leave in peace, young lady. It is my greatest blessing to have spent one night with you."
Having frequented brothels for many years, he could naturally tell that the woman before him was not someone of his status to approach, much less someone he could aspire to be with. He was always clear about his own position.
Moreover, he was over thirty years old and no longer the same as before. The women who came here basically only wanted young and beautiful male prostitutes, and no one would even glance at someone as old as him.
Nalan Jingwen pursed his lips and asked, "Do you have a wish?"
Upon hearing this, Jinse was momentarily stunned, a hint of melancholy and sorrow in her eyes. She quickly regained her composure, concealing all emotions in her eyes, and shook her head.
"I have no wish."
Nalan Jingwen stared at him intently, trying to find something in his face, and finally took out a ring from his pocket.
It was the blue butterfly I bought on the street yesterday.
"If you regret it, you can come find me with this ring."
Jinse stared blankly at the ring in front of her; the blue butterfly was lifelike but motionless.
"It's also called Jinse, and it's destined to be with you, so I'm giving it to you."
Jinse looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, and asked incredulously, "...For me?"
Nalan Jingwen nodded.
Jinse slowly raised her hand, revealing scars on the back of her hand. When she caught a glimpse of those glaring scars out of the corner of her eye, she abruptly withdrew her hand and lowered her head.
"I cannot accept this..."
"why?"
Nalan Jingwen frowned.
"It's too precious, I'm not worthy of it..."
Nalan Jingwen paused, seemingly lost in thought, before placing the ring directly into his palm. "Here you are, you are worthy of it."
She glanced at the sky; it was almost dawn, and she needed to get back to the inn as soon as possible.
"I have to go now. I'll come back, and if you regret it then, I'll take you with me."
After she finished speaking, she turned and left. As soon as she opened the door, she almost bumped into a man dressed in a flamboyant manner.
"Ouch, who is it? My back."
The moment the man saw Nalan Jingwen, a look of amazement flashed in his eyes, but then he seemed to realize something and stopped her.
"Halt! Who are you? How did you get out of Jinse's room?!"
A look of suspicion flashed across his face, his eyes darted around, and then he said, "Are you his lover?"
Just as Nalan Jingwen was about to say something, Jinse's voice came from inside the room, "Father, this young lady just got lost and accidentally wandered into Jinse's courtyard. Please don't make things difficult for her."
As he sized up Nalan Jingwen, Nalan Jingwen was also sizing him up. This attire must belong to the brothel owner here, as confirmed by Jinse's title.
Upon hearing this, the madam called out into the room, "Jinse, you can't let any shady people in here. Even if you're not the best, you used to be my top courtesan, and now many other girls have a good impression of you. You can't cause any trouble for me."
"Jinse understands, Father."
The madam glanced at Nalan Jingwen with disdain and snorted.
"You know that's good. Miss Li is here and specifically asked you to accompany her. Hurry up and get ready to go!"
Nalan Jingwen turned around and glanced at Jinse. Sure enough, he saw her trembling slightly and frowned imperceptibly.
Jinse was already injured, and she still had to entertain customers. How could she withstand those people's perverted desires? Wasn't that just sending him to his death?
In brothels, as long as money can be made, no one cares about their lives; as long as they have a breath left, they have to go.
He shakily got up, on the verge of collapsing, but gritted his teeth and endured it, not daring to make a sound.
Nalan Jingwen's face darkened, and he stopped the madam.
"Stop letting him entertain customers. I'll cover whatever price he wants."
"You? Can you afford to cover it?"
Nalan Jingwen looked somewhat impatient, but didn't want to cause any more trouble. "Just say it."
The madam's eyes darted around, and she held up five fingers.
"Five hundred taels a month."
"it is good."
Nalan Jing agreed without hesitation, leaving the madam stunned. He had only intended to scare her, as five hundred taels was no small sum.
"really?"
"really."
"No!!"
Jinse said urgently from inside the room, seemingly wanting to come over, but accidentally fell to the ground. Upon hearing this, Nalan Jing immediately went over to help her up.
Jinse gripped her hand tightly, shaking her head repeatedly, "No, I'm not worth that much..."
"Shut up! Who gave you the right to speak here?!"
The madam hurriedly came over to interrupt him, then smiled obsequiously at Nalan Jingwen.
"Young lady, how long do you want to keep Jinse as your mistress?"
Jinse held her hand tightly and shook her head incessantly. Nalan Jingwen didn't look at him, but took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and looked at the madam.
"Here is a thousand taels. I need your promise that you will not let him entertain customers before I return, and that he will be allowed to rest and recover properly. Use any extra money to help him heal his injuries."
The madam's face was beaming with joy. He took the stack of silver notes and, as if afraid she would change her mind, quickly stuffed them into his pocket.
"Okay, okay, I promise I'll take good care of him, so don't worry."