Qiongzhi was a clever girl; while her intelligence might not shine through scholarly pursuits, she was thoroughly familiar with worldly affairs. People who make a living in the markets often possess a keen ability to read expressions and understand subtext. A woman like Qiongzhi who grew up in a brothel would naturally be more cautious than the average person, always on her guard.
"Now, can you tell me about Tongxiang?" Jiang Li asked.
"Do you really want to know?" Qiongzhi inquired.
Her hand hidden within her sleeve unconsciously clenched tighter, her heart as if lifted by a thread, swaying precariously in the air.