Chapter 109: The Premier Songstress of Dongguan Kingdom

"A rare guest today," Mother Hong remarked, the corners of her mouth twitching. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to the Bieying Pavilion?"

Mother Yue giggled, her frame trembling with exaggerated mirth. "I assumed Miss Nanyan had already informed you, but I suppose not... Oh well, I am here simply to discuss a bit of business with you, Mother Hong!"

Disregarding the icy glares from the others, Mother Yue pulled up a chair and seated herself, her girls following suit with practiced ease.

Mother Hong cast a look of sharp displeasure at Nanyan. "Please, follow me to the back room."

Mother Yue remained firmly planted in her seat, as if glued to the chair. "It is merely a trivial matter, Mother Hong—why the need for such secrecy? It is not as if this were anything shameful, is it?"

Her words were laced with venom, her tone sharp enough to silence Mother Hong entirely. The surrounding patrons began to turn their heads, drawn by the commotion.

*Forget it,* Mother Hong thought. *The people of the Fengyue Pavilion have always been unreasonable and overbearing; the more one resists them, the more trouble they stir.*

"Fair enough. Since it is nothing shameful, pray tell, what business requires your personal presence, Mother Yue?"

Watching the tension escalate, Nanyan grew increasingly terrified, instinctively shrinking behind a pillar near the wall.

Mother Yue’s sharp eyes locked onto her instantly. She flashed a dazzling smile in Nanyan’s direction. "Oh! Miss Nanyan! I have been looking for you. Come here, child! You will be with your new sisters from now on; why so shy?"

Nanyan forced a smile, stepped out from behind the pillar, and bowed to both women. "Mother Hong, Mother Yue."

Luo Yue couldn't help but offer a silent prayer for Nanyan. No matter where she ended up, her life would not be easy. The Fengyue Pavilion only valued Nanyan for her utility; once they found a new, more loyal head courtesan to replace her, Nanyan would be cast aside. As for the Bieying Pavilion, given Nanyan’s pride, she would never dare to seek a return, and would likely go out of her way to avoid anyone from this house in the future.

Mother Yue stood up and produced a stack of banknotes from her bodice. "To keep it brief: Miss Nanyan told me yesterday that she prefers the atmosphere among the girls at the Fengyue Pavilion. So, I have brought the redemption money to claim her indenture contract. I suspect you might be unwilling to let her go, Mother Hong, so why not let Miss Nanyan decide for herself?"

Mother Yue’s bluntness left Mother Hong with no face. Irritated, Mother Hong looked at Nanyan with profound disappointment and pulled the indenture contract from her robes. "Whether you go or stay, the choice is entirely yours today."

Nanyan’s heart skipped a beat. Mother Hong’s disappointment was absolute; she didn't even address her as 'Miss Nanyan' anymore. Feeling a surge of grievance, Nanyan knew she had brought this upon herself. "I am sorry, Mother Hong."

She walked toward Mother Hong, reaching out to embrace her, but was rebuffed. Even Lianwu, who had once been close to her, was held back by Jinling. Seeing the anguish on Lianwu’s face, Nanyan felt a slight reprieve of guilt.

Luo Yue stood by, cradling Nirvana, her expression detached as she watched the scene unfold. Nanyan knew full well that despite the kindness Luo Yue had once shown her, it all boiled down to her own greed for fame.

Mother Yue raised an eyebrow, clearly satisfied that the people of the Bieying Pavilion had lost faith in Nanyan. "Since Miss Nanyan has made her choice, please, Mother Hong, hand over the contract."

Mother Hong bypassed Nanyan, took the money from Mother Yue, surrendered the document, and turned away without casting a second glance at Nanyan. Lianwu and the others followed, leaving Nanyan to play out this final act in utter isolation.

Once she had the contract, Mother Yue gestured for her girls to grab Nanyan’s arms. "Oh, how wonderful! From today on, Nanyan is a girl of the Fengyue Pavilion! Do take good care of her!"

She then clapped her hands toward the watching crowd. "Distinguished guests, from now on, Nanyan is the star of our Fengyue Pavilion! We welcome you all to come and enjoy yourselves!"

She flicked her feathered fan, radiating a calculated, seductive charm. She had achieved her goal, and Mother Hong, knowing the futility of resistance, had let it pass.

Without Nanyan, the Bieying Pavilion remained as bustling as ever. To ensure the guests were not disappointed, Luo Yue continued to play her instrument on center stage. She would wait for Mother Hong’s mood to settle before finishing her shift to grab a late-night snack.

Mother Hong walked at a rapid pace, followed by Lianwu and the others, their eyes rimmed with red. Finally, Lianwu could no longer contain herself. "Mother Hong! Did Sister Nanyan really betray the Bieying Pavilion?"

She refused to believe that someone who had been so kind to her could simply walk away.

Mother Hong wiped a tear, pulling Lianwu into a tight hug. "Nanyan was as dear to me as my own daughter. I am heartbroken, but this was her choice, and we have no reason not to support her."

Lianwu wept into Mother Hong’s arms, her eyes swollen shut. Jinling, too, struggled with the emotional weight, her nose stinging with unshed tears.

Someone suddenly realized, "Wait, where is Sister Luo Yue?"

Mother Hong looked around; Luo Yue was indeed missing.

"When I left," Jinling replied, "Sister Luo Yue was worried no one would look after the hall, so I assume she is still out front playing."

Mother Hong steadied herself. "Luo Yue has worked hard all day, and she has to attend the banquet at the Imperial Palace in two days. Someone go relieve her so she can rest; we cannot have her ruining the Emperor's mood."

The girls wiped their tears, steeling themselves. They would remember this day; should they meet Nanyan again, it would no longer be as sisters.

Jinling went to the stage to replace Luo Yue. Just as Luo Yue was about to head off to rest, she encountered Mother Hong. Despite the makeup, the swelling around Mother Hong’s eyes was impossible to hide; Nanyan’s departure had clearly taken a heavy toll.

"Mother Hong?" Luo Yue paused, looking at her with a calm, placid expression, a faint smile still playing on her lips.

"Luo Yue, tell me honestly: did you know all along that Nanyan had betrayed the pavilion?"

Luo Yue did not answer.

Mother Hong’s tone grew urgent. "Luo Yue, if you know the truth, please, tell me. Can you?"

Luo Yue’s smile slowly faded. She opened the door behind her and gestured for Mother Hong to enter. "Hasn't Mother Hong already guessed?"

A weight seemed to lift from Mother Hong’s heart; Luo Yue’s implication aligned perfectly with her own suspicions.

Neither spoke for a long moment in the quiet room. Finally, unable to bear the silence, Luo Yue broke it. "It was only after I walked through the gates of hell and back that I realized the truth of it all. Mother Hong, you need not blame yourself so harshly."