Back at the tea table, Madame Rong pours another round of hot tea.
Lu Wei : "Madame how did you know about the wedding decree?"
Madame Rong : "Don't ask something you already know. I have my ways."
Lu Wei : "Then, what else have you come to know?"
Madame Rong with a tilted smile, "You got the better side of the bargain, it may seem."
Lu Wei after taking a sip from the tea cup, "Oh! But it is not? Is what you imply? How so?
Madame Rong : "Prime minister's son Xu Da has quite the reputation, he joined as an advisor, was placed first in the Imperial examination. And now works as a chancellor. He will be the future prime minister, no doubt. Young, handsome, talented and the most eligible bachelor in this capital. ONLY in the capital!"
Lu Wei, after she had finished eating one mung bean cake, said, "Why did you say 'only' in the capital, with so much emphasis?"
Madame Rong : "Because he only has that reputation within these walls of the capital city. Outside the capital, all over the empire you'll hear the praises of the general."
Lu Wei : "Hmm... The capital is quite the opposite in that sense."
Madame Rong : "Yes indeed. When someone made light of the tragedy that fell on the Wuling tribe, the women and children were burnt alive in the Yan mountains. A group coming from the same vicinity, locals I presume, reacted quite aggressively. I'm still paying for the furniture damages made by that brawl. It would seem that the general was not involved in that tragic event but was pinned!"
"Also, weeks ago, many merchants did not come to the capital, the ship goods didn't reach apparently, due to the rising pirates situation close to the port. It was the general who took care of it. It wasn't even his duty. He does a lot in that army yet his rewards are always lower than his soldiers or even his colleagues. Strange don't you think? Politics and that mean prime minister Xu is in the middle of it."
Lu Wei : "You aren't afraid of discussing politics out open?"
Madame Rong: "Why should I be! People come to courtesans to talk sensitive information. We know more about the conspiracy, plotting, court politics and policies; more than the Emperor himself."
That was true in a sense. Madame Rong did not start off as a top notch courtesan from get go. She was one of the lowly prostitutes in a non-city area. She was sold by her husband then, who married her to sell young, untouched women into brothels while taking all their dowry and money from the human traffickers. Laws regarding slave and prostitution had become strict. The practice was to be eradicated but evil always finds creative ways to still exist. Hence the marriage decoy. Rong became a victim of it. Inescapable. She rose in popularity because of her wits. She got lucky by getting herself a rich noble sponsor. With his help she came to the city, owning a little house at the time. Despite her line of work she had strict morals, no young girls ever! She never brought them for prostitution. And if she happens to come across them she would buy them and send them out of town in a monastery so they do not have their life ruined.
This business has a strict time line. Fresh flowers that blossomed were everyone's favourite but as they got old they were unwanted. Many women who were not wrinkly and old but were close to thirty to forty were thrown out, left to fend for themselves with no penny earned. No skill was ever thought to them to fend for themselves, so Fu Rong would take care of them by helping them learn something they can monetise.
Soon after she started a wine farm. For gorgeous women and fine wine go together. All the retired women of the brothels would work in the farm and their specialised wine could only be brought at Rong's Mei'ren house. This concept grew her business and soon Rong became Madame Rong. She brought a bigger pavilion for nobles and rich folks. This building is entirely owned by her. Since it is one gigantic structure, she gave it out for rent and lease other wings to restaurant and lodging. She always said fine wine always made people talk sensitive issues not withholding information and would say some truths that are baffling. These information that would come out their drunkard mouth was sold by Rong to information bureau for a good price. Hence if you ever want to know anything or get dirt on someone you'd come to Madame Rong.
Madame Rong: "All things aside, given the marriage decree and age of the two daughters, you would be married to Xu da."
Lu Wei : "That is correct"
Madame Rong: "But my gut says it better you marry the general. "
Lu Wei : "Why so?"
Madame Rong: "I've never met general. But Xu Da has been to Mei'ren twice and he gives me a hazardous feeling, manipulative, deceptive and seductive. It is how he makes others do his dirty work without soiling his own hands. You know deduction works both ways. And no one will ever bad mouth him, one can see fear in their eyes. My trained eyes have seen many men but this one's a fox. You must be very careful, I really pray that your marriage does not bring you to the same conditions as Lu house."
Lu Wei : "I'm worried too, but I'm sure my karma cannot change for worse."