As Long As You Obey
The old woman sized up the three from the Su family, opened the door a bit wider to let them in, then immediately shut it, looking very cautious.
The old woman led the three into a place like a woodshed, and Su Daqi placed the sack containing Su Lanxiang on the ground.
Su Shimao said to the old woman, "Auntie, we have some good merchandise, would you like to inspect it?"
The old woman glanced at Su Shimao, then squatted down and began untying the sack.
Inside the sack, Su Lanxiang, just recovering from a serious illness and having been slapped, was still unconscious.
The old woman pinched Su Lanxiang's chin, looked at her face, first showing a hint of satisfaction, then frowned, "Why is your face injured? We only take girls to be sold to brothels across the regions; they rely on their looks to make a living. A damaged face just won't do."
Hearing this, Su Daqi immediately felt even more regretful, nervously rubbing his hands, silently praying that his slap wouldn't lower her price!
Old Su glared fiercely at Su Daqi.
Su Shimao hurriedly said, "Auntie, look closely, the face isn't really hurt. The young girl was just disobedient and got slapped, causing some swelling. Once the swelling goes down, it'll be fine, no scars will remain."
As Su Shimao spoke, he took the initiative to grab Su Lanxiang's face and shook it left and right, saying, "Auntie, look, what a charming young girl this is."
The old woman looked left and right, even reaching out to feel Su Lanxiang's flesh and bones, thinking to herself that the girl looked good but was too thin and malnourished. Whoever buys her would have to nourish her well to make her fair and tender.
Though the old woman was satisfied with Su Lanxiang, she still showed a hint of disdain and said, "Where did this little sister come from? You didn't steal her, did you? If her origin isn't legitimate, then the price will have to be lowered. After all, we have to bear the risks too."
Su Shimao hurriedly said, "Her origin is absolutely legitimate. This is my own little sister, my father and grandfather. To be honest with you, the family is in a bad situation, so we thought of selling her, but we're afraid mother would be heartbroken, so we had to do it secretly behind her back. Grandpa and father are in charge at home, so her origin is definitely legitimate."
The old woman snorted a few times. At this moment, Su Lanxiang was awakened by the noise, her swollen red eyes filled with terror as she stared at the unfamiliar surroundings. This place was definitely not the Su family's woodshed—where was she?
"Lanxiang, you're awake. From now on, you'll stay with this auntie, enjoying the best food and drink. As long as you behave, you'll get everything good." Old Su crouched down, smiling warmly at Su Lanxiang as if she were looking at a piece of gold.
Su Lanxiang shook her head desperately, sobbing, tears streaming down her face.
Her crying made her even more pitiful, which only pleased the old woman more. She pinched Su Lanxiang's cheek and said, "Little girl, consider yourself lucky. Just recently, a wealthy master has been coming to the brothel often. He likes young, tender girls like you. That master is very rich, living in a big mansion with over a hundred servants. If you serve him well, you won't miss out on any benefits."
Su Lanxiang was still very young, just over ten years old, and didn't understand these things. But she vaguely sensed that this was not good. She recalled that her sister-in-law Liu Ru had come from a brothel, and everyone whispered about it behind her back. Su Lanxiang vaguely understood that she was probably going to the "brothel" just like Liu Ru.
Sun Shi had said that the brothel was no good place. Su Lanxiang's eyes widened in terror; she didn't want to go to that brothel at all. She only wanted her parents and brother Shiyong—she just wanted to go home!