Chapter Forty: Investigating the Gambling Den

The Bai family had already set their sights on the saltworks.

After several rounds of probing, the Second Young Master Bai let go of his restraints. He even deliberately released a few friendly signals, indicating that any previous misunderstandings had now been resolved. From now on, they would no longer slander others without rhyme or reason. As for whether the people were willing to believe this, that was beyond their control.

But despite sending many men, the Second Young Master Bai had failed to uncover the secret behind the salt-making process. He even paid a high price to question some of the workers involved in the process, but most of them only knew fragments, not the whole procedure. Days of effort yielded nothing.

Han Qing had already noticed that certain people were extending their reach far too much. Yet he feared that the real concern was not the saltworks, but the gambling houses under their name. This reminded him of someone.

Previously, he had helped Miss Zhilian take over the Drunken Flower House, hoping to pave a smoother road for himself in the future. Now, it seemed, the opportunity had come to make use of this connection.

“Well, if it isn’t a rare visitor!” Zhilian approached with grace, a hint of surprise in her eyes. Clearly, he was here to ask her for a favor, as they had little contact otherwise.

“Your circle of friends is wide. Could you help me gather some information on the Bai family’s businesses, especially their most thriving gambling houses?”

Oh? Was he planning to sabotage their reputation? Zhilian looked puzzled, but she didn’t refuse; instead, she told him to wait a few days.

“But I can’t help you for nothing in return, can I?” She was shrewd, as was everyone in this business. Who would do a losing trade?

“Name your price,” Han Qing asked calmly, without a trace of doubt.

“Our Drunken Flower House is already the top establishment in the North County, but I am not content with just this.” She was clearly planning to expand into other districts.

“You’ve seen yourself—though we attract many clients, the spending is not high. The main issue is the lack of highlights.”

Han Qing understood.

She wanted him to come up with some ideas to break the current stagnation.

“How many clients visit each day?” he asked.

“Only seventy or eighty,” Zhilian replied, somewhat dissatisfied. The business made money, but the prices were low. She had also recruited some talented girls, but couldn’t be too harsh with them. Over time, this would not bode well for the Drunken Flower House’s profits.

“But you still have several courtesans here. How could you not attract customers?” Han Qing was puzzled. He’d already taught them the lucrative art of comic dialogue, giving the Drunken Flower House a clear advantage over other establishments. The young gentlemen of the city couldn’t be so blind as to frequent those lesser places.

“You’ve misunderstood me,” Zhilian sighed. “Just last week, a few courtesans resigned for personal reasons. I let them go, thinking they’d had a hard enough journey. Who would have thought they’d immediately join our rivals?”

What? That was outright malicious competition. What’s more, she’d destroyed their indentures without demanding much silver in return.

“You know, I’m alone in this world. I thought they had their reasons, so I didn’t suspect anything. Who would imagine they’d do something so underhanded right under my nose…” Zhilian’s words brimmed with anger. She’d shown them kindness, but they failed to appreciate it. As a result, the Drunken Flower House suffered losses, while the rivals gained promising new talent.

Truly a bitter pill.

“Perhaps they saw no future here with you?” Han Qing countered. Buying away the courtesans at a high price would certainly draw away customers. But if they had been content, why leave so suddenly? Could it be they were mistreated?

“Master Han, I have reflected on this. Perhaps after bringing in comic dialogue, I focused too much on the leading ladies and neglected the others.”

She was honest about her shortcomings. But what was done was done; she needed to think about how to solve the trouble.

“In that case, use the Drunken Flower House’s reputation to host a grand event—combine comic dialogue, opera, and dance, invite some local stars, and pass the word to the young gentlemen of the prominent families. Those who love spending time in such places wouldn’t miss such a chance.”

A splendid suggestion. It hit right at Zhilian’s concerns; once she drew back a wave of customers, what would she have to worry about?

“I see,” Zhilian nodded. This was a golden opportunity—if she seized it, perhaps the Drunken Flower House would instantly reach new heights. However, inviting famed performers would not be easy, especially since the established opera houses always looked down on the girls from pleasure houses.

“But isn’t there someone perfect for this?” Han Qing pointed to Young Master Zhu, who was enjoying the show nearby. He spent his days here, so it would be nothing for him to introduce a few famous actors.

“You slander me! I simply appreciate good art and have made a few close friends along the way,” Young Master Zhu hurriedly protested, but the others only laughed. It was decided—the hot potato was now in his hands.

But as soon as he returned home, a servant hurried toward him with urgent news—his mother had fallen gravely ill.

What had happened?

“Has the physician seen her?”

“Master, he has, but your mother remains unconscious. The physician could do nothing but prescribe some medicine to dispel dampness.”

Han Qing nodded. No one else was to blame—his mother’s health had been failing, and he himself had been exhausted lately, especially with everything concerning his sister. Now she was ill, who knew when she might recover?

“You all leave. I’ll tend to her.”

The two women immediately left to prepare the medicine. Han Qing, calm and unhurried, felt his mother’s pulse, then took out a few silver needles and inserted them into her palms and soles.

After a quarter of an hour, the clotted blood and blockages began to clear. With a few more packets of the physician’s medicine, she would recover.

Luckily, he’d returned in time—had he delayed a few days, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

“All my fault—if not for me, Mother would not have ended up like this.”