Underground Auction

Right now, Su Ye had to come up with an idea to gather money and free Cheng Huan. The most pressing matter right now was to reclaim her jade pendant, which was actually an heirloom of the Su family.

When Su Ye's father had become aware of his short temper years ago, he had given that pendant to her in case she was ever blindsided in a fight, and made her wear it at all times to protect herself. It was a defensive mystic item that would protect her heart and veins if she ever faced a lethal blow, keeping her alive. It was a shame that the real Su Ye had been a wastrel who had given such a precious item to her new flame without feeling any remorse.

Truly, you reap what you sow.

In the original book, Cheng Huan had been very fond of Su Ruoruo. After learning of the Su family's fall, he had given that jade pendant to Su Ruoruo as a token of remembrance. It was the same jade pendant that had aided Su Ruoruo later on, protecting her during a particularly close call.

That was why Su Ye had to reclaim it now. At the very least, she would survive if that evil man tried to kill her in the future. Frankly, she would have been willing to pay two thousand golden leaves to reclaim that precious pendant.

***

Early next morning, Su Ye had Xiao Xing oversee the servants and guards of the manor as they took out almost everything in her chambers to exchange for a thousand golden leaves. It was almost twilight by the time everything had been changed into currency, and she quickly took the money straight to Winter Jasmine. She went there alone for convenience.

The very moment she stepped through the front door, the brothel's madam who had been waiting dutifully noticed her. She knew that Su Ye was coming with the money to free Cheng Huan, and thus greeted her cheerfully, her eyes glittering with greed. "Welcome, junior governor—" 

She had barely spoken when Su Ye handed the storage bag with the golden leaves to her. "I've come to free Cheng Huan. Here's a thousand golden leaves, please check and see if everything's in order."

While Su Ye was speaking to the madam, Cheng Huan arrived, dressed in green-jade robes with an open collar, looking appropriately debonair.

The madam of Winter Jasmine was a straightforward person who preferred actions to words. After getting her money, she quickly whipped out Cheng Huan's bond and handed it to him. "Oh, Cheng Huan… you are free because of our junior governor here. Never forget her kindness in the future."

Holding the bond, Cheng Huan reluctantly took out Su Ye's jade pendant and returned it to her. Whether he was feeling emotional from the madam's words or from his true feelings, he quietly said, "Milady... my heart is truly yours."

Su Ye, however, grabbed the jade pendant from his hand, and attached it to her hip. A rare sincere smiled bloomed on her face. "Yeah, I know."

Her response was painfully nonchalant. Since she had reclaimed the jade pendant, she didn't really care about whatever nonsense Cheng Huan spouted.

Beside them, the madam was counting the golden leaves carefully. Her smile was dazzling, the peony decoration on her hair gleaming brightly as she purred, "You really do love our Cheng Huan, junior governor."

Suddenly, the madam moved closer to Su Ye and whispered, "Given your generosity, it would be most unseemly of me if I hide it: there are some gorgeous men coming here to Winter Jasmine, and quite a number of those hunks will be auctioning their first night… Perhaps you would want to stay to have a look?"

Su Ye had been adjusting her jade pendant, but looked up at the madam's words and lifted a brow. "An auction?"

The madam clapped her elaborately painted nails on Su Ye's arm and came even closer.