Qin Jiujiu had no idea where she was or what was happening outside.
The carriage stopped for a while, and soon a voice called out, "Let them pass!"
The carriage continued to move, then stopped again soon after.
"Five carriages, thirty people, not one missing!"
This was the woman's voice, Qin Jiujiu recognized it.
She didn't know if it was night or day; no light penetrated the carriage.
After drinking that bowl of water, she had become drowsy and had no idea how long she had been traveling.
Thinking back now, that bowl of water must have been drugged.
It usually took seven or eight days by carriage from Xiuliu City to Chunfeng Du, but traveling day and night like this, they should have cut the time in half.
They had all fallen asleep after drinking the water, so they had no idea what had happened along the way.
However, they had only had water for days. Although there was no physical exertion, they were already starving.
Therefore, as soon as Qin Jiujiu woke up, she was unbearable hungry.
"Bring them down!"
Just hearing this, she could hear footsteps approaching their carriage.
The person lifted the curtain, but no light entered the carriage.
The person untied the ropes on their feet one by one and then had them disembark.
Once outside, she could see her surroundings clearly.
This place could be described as a very large basement. Although she hadn't been anywhere else, starting from that "let them pass" command until arriving here, they had traveled a considerable distance.
She figured this place must be vast!
Apart from being dark, the construction of this place was not much different from an ordinary courtyard. And its sheer size was probably larger than the City Lord's mansion.
The people there were dressed luxuriously. Not only that, their attire did not resemble that of ordinary wealthy families; it was more like royal attire.
This gave Qin Jiujiu an illusion of having arrived in an underground palace.
She couldn't help but look a few more times. Besides other bound women like herself, there were over a dozen maids and two old women.
One of the old women seemed to be in charge, while the other stood behind her, following. All the maids were behind her.
And the woman they had seen on the road stood with her head bowed subserviently in front of the head old woman.
"Take them down! Serve them properly according to the rules!"
It seemed the count was complete. Qin Jiujiu had also taken a glance.
There were one or two girls bound with her who were around her age, and even one who was younger, appearing to be only about ten years old. The rest were around seventeen or eighteen.
These girls had one characteristic: they were all exceptionally beautiful.
Even though they had not been groomed along the way, their hair was disheveled, and their clothes were not particularly grand, some even poorly made. Yet, this could not conceal their beauty in the slightest.
Negative thoughts immediately flooded Qin Jiujiu's mind.
Had she been sold to some underground trading place?
Especially since she had been brought to a brothel by that nine-tailed fox and then sent here. The thought of this connection made her unable to think of anywhere good.
"Yes!"
The old woman standing next to the head old woman received the order and, with the other maids, walked towards them.
The other girls were more terrified than Qin Jiujiu. After all, she had seen a demon, so she wasn't as scared.
Seeing them approach, the girls looked resistant, not wanting to cooperate.
The old woman then said, "Are the young ladies hungry and wish to eat? Then follow this old woman obediently, lest you suffer!"
At the last four words, the old woman's tone suddenly deepened, her expression turned fierce, and her wrinkled face looked rather menacing.
The girls had never seen such a scene before. Although their families were not well-off, they had never shown themselves in public or met strangers. Thus, they were frightened.
If Qin Jiujiu could have spoken, she would have long since agreed to go with them. After all, even if they refused now, it would be like a tickle to these people!
Besides, she truly had no strength to cause a scene right now!
Seeing that none of the girls showed any intention of resisting, the old woman took the lead, with the maids at the rear, and led them away.
Suddenly, the voice of the managing old woman was heard: "Where is the gag on that girl's mouth?"
"Reporting to Madam, she is mute, so there is no need for a gag."
Qin Jiujiu looked at the old woman speaking and that woman. The old woman had a fierce expression and appeared to be very shrewd. The woman, on the other hand, stood beside her with a fawning smile, looking extremely servile.
Upon hearing that she was mute, the old woman said nothing more. Her face showed contemplation, and she waved her hand, signaling them to be taken away.
At the General's Mansion, two men were leisurely playing chess.
The man in black, with his bronze skin, though handsome, appeared cold, making one feel he was arrogant.
His stature was imposing, his appearance dignified, but his eyes were like cold stars, and his brows were as if painted. He looked mature and steady, like a general who had experienced countless battles and was invincible.
The other man wore a moon-white brocade robe with silver fine floral patterns. He was slender, not as robust as the man in black.
He was dressed in white with black hair, half of which was tied up and half let down. His dark strands of hair resembled ink, making his skin appear as white as jade. He was like a jade branch on a crystal tree, elegant and gentle.
"You lost!"
As the man in white placed a piece, the deep, powerful voice of the man in black was heard.
He glanced at the chessboard and said, "I've never won against you!"
The man in black gave a wicked smile and also looked at the chessboard.
"After all these years, you still haven't improved."
These words, to the man in white, carried no hint of provocation. A smile appeared on his face, and he said gently, "That's because you are too strong! Do you know my little sister has always been terrified of you since she was young!"
These words caused the smile on the man in black's face to falter.
The little girl from his memory seemed to appear before him, so lively.
The man in white saw through everything and said, "Xiao Yuan, if you don't come to my house to propose soon, Xiao Wu will be married off!"
Although he had been on the border, he had heard some news from Xiuliu City.
His father had also sent a letter, mentioning Xie Yun, that boy, with great joy.
Liu Qi looked at Xiao Yuan's face and thought of him the night they heard the news of his sister's engagement.
He shook his head and said to the silent Xiao Yuan, "Back then, you spent every day in the martial arena. Later, Xiao Wu sent word that the engagement was a pretense, and only then did you recover!"
Seeing no objection, he continued, "Don't try to fool me into thinking you have no feelings for Xiao Wu. We grew up together, and I know your feelings for Xiao Wu very well. It's just that you've always suppressed them, how can she know?"
Xiao Yuan was speechless, and silence returned to the room.
He just sat there blankly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, staring out the window.
"Reporting to the General, a letter has arrived!"
"Enter!"
Liu Qi finished reading the letter presented by the young servant, his face full of joy. He said to Xiao Yuan, "Xiao Wu is coming!"
In that instant, the movement of Xiao Yuan's fingers abruptly stopped. His expression was calm as he shifted his gaze back to Liu Qi's hand.
"There is no news of that woman at all!"
Xiao Yuan's eyes were obscure. Although this woman had nothing to do with them, in Liu Jin's letter, she was so important to her.
Growing up, he had never failed to fulfill anything A'jin asked for!
"Act quickly!"
After he said these words, he left the room under Liu Qi's gaze.