If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

"Miss Wu, may I ask what brings you to see me today?"

To be honest, although Zhou Wu and Wu Tianji had crossed paths a few times, Zhou Wu believed that they were just casual acquaintances. The last time Zhou Wu helped Wu Tianji win the title of the most beautiful courtesan in the capital, it was entirely because Zhu Zhiyong asked Zhou Wu for help.

Zhou Wu was genuinely surprised by Wu Tianji's visit.

"Lord Zhou, I am no longer with Xingmanlou."

"Miss Wu changed jobs?"

Why are you telling me you're changing jobs? I'd even throw you a celebratory dinner!

"I've changed my ways."

"Congratulations, Miss Wu! May I ask who is so fortunate as to have won your favor?"

Zhou Wu was immediately embarrassed, but this was a good thing. After all, Wu Tianji was a courtesan in Xingmanlou, but that place was a mixed bag and not a good place for a girl.

"I redeemed myself."

This surprised Zhou Wu. He had thought that Wu Tianji had found a good family, but he didn't expect her to redeem herself. Wait, something's not right.

“Miss Wu, I’ve heard that according to the old rules, one cannot redeem oneself.”

"You seem to know quite a lot, sir."

Wu Tianji glanced at Zhou Wu with a slightly mocking look.

Zhou Wu never frequented brothels, so he had no idea about these things. He only learned about them from Zhu Zhiyong when they were together.

"I heard it all from my friends, haha."

Sometimes, laughter doesn't just express happiness; it can also be a way to cover up embarrassment.

"Is this gentleman's friend Young Master Zhu?"

"how do you know?"

"Because I got Mr. Zhu's help to redeem myself."

"Impossible. Although Old Zhu likes you, he doesn't have that much money."

"The money is my own; I'm just asking Mr. Zhu to help me out."

"That makes sense then. Old Zhu would definitely be very happy."

"However, it also caused a lot of trouble for Young Master Zhu. I heard that when Young Master Zhu's family found out that he wanted to redeem me, the father and son had a big fight, and Young Master Zhu ran away from home. If I had known this would happen, I would not have dragged Young Master Zhu into this mess."

Damn, the case is solved! So that's why Old Zhu ran away from home.

"Actually, I think Lao Zhu did the right thing in this matter."

If it were Zhou Wu, who could help someone regain their freedom, Zhou Wu would also help. So, I actually think Zhu Zhiyong is a real man.

"Thank you, sir. I came to see you several times before, but you were not there. After making inquiries, I learned that you actually reside in Qingyang County."

"Yes, I'm not from the capital. What does Miss Wu want with me?"

"I originally wanted to thank Lord Zhou for his help, which enabled me to win the title of courtesan. However, after learning that you are stationed in Qingyang County, I have a request to make."

"Please speak, young lady. I will definitely help if I can. We are friends, after all."

Since they had expressed such gratitude, Zhou Wu couldn't very well refuse.

“That’s great. Actually, it’s not that I’m an adult. I’m a free woman now, so I would like to go to Qingyang County with you.”

This idea came to Wu Tianji when she learned that Zhou Wu was stationed in Qingyang County.

Ever since Wu Tianji was redeemed and gained her freedom, she had always wanted to leave the capital, but the world was vast and a woman alone could never feel at ease.

So when Wu Tianji learned that Zhou Wu was actually stationed in Qingyang, she had her own ideas. After all, Wu Tianji greatly admired Zhou Wu's character. Even if Zhou Wu did something wrong, Wu Tianji wouldn't suffer any loss, since he was an official, while she, though a courtesan, had once been a person of low social status.

"Come with me to Qingyang County?"

"Yes, sir, I hope you won't find it offensive."

“Miss Wu, what’s so great about Qingyang County? It’s located on the frontier, a poor and remote place. It’s nothing like the bustling capital. Believe me, you won’t like it.”

In his previous life, Zhou Wu had seen far too many people who, in order to make louder noise about their slogans and some so-called dream world or paradise, would specifically seek out remote mountain valleys, only to be defeated by reality—no internet, no food delivery, and so on.

Zhou Wu believed that Wu Tianji was the same now. Although Qingyang County was developing well, it was still worlds apart from the capital. Wu Tianji was used to being served and would definitely not be able to stay in Qingyang County, given the prosperity of the capital.

"You underestimate me. I was a poor child when I was young, and even now, I am not a rich young lady from a prominent family."

Wu Tianji's attitude was very firm, and Zhou Wu couldn't persuade her otherwise.

"Since you're willing to go, then go ahead. I'll stay in the capital for three more days. You can think about it over those three days."

"No need to think about it anymore, I won't change my mind."

. . . . . .

Three days later, Zhou Wu boarded the returning fleet of ships that had purchased supplies in the capital.

Standing on the bow of the ship, Zhou Wu calmly looked at the dock. Wu Tianji did not appear; perhaps she had come to her senses in the past few days.

Zhou Wu sighed slightly, but upon confirming that he saw two running figures in the crowd at the dock, it was none other than Wu Tianji and her personal maid.

"Thank goodness, we almost missed it."

After boarding the ship at the last minute, Wu Tianji patted her chest and gasped for breath. The maid beside her was also carrying a bag and was exhausted.

"You're just going to go like this?"

Zhou Wu pointed to the small bundle they carried, saying they were leaving on a long journey without bringing anything else.

"That's right. I've sold everything in the capital. If I need anything later, I can just buy it there."

Well, if you're rich and can do whatever you want, Zhou Wu couldn't say anything more.

On the ship, Wu Tianji seemed to be experiencing the outside world for the first time, curious about everything, and amazed by the wide rivers and towering mountains.

"Have you never left the capital?"

"My childhood memories are very blurry; they're mostly from Xingmanlou. I was sold to Xingmanlou by human traffickers. As a child, I was treated like a maid, doing all sorts of chores. Later, when I got a little older, the madam saw that I was somewhat pretty and started training me. I wasn't allowed to eat my fill every day, supposedly to maintain my figure. In winter, I had to wash with cold water, supposedly to make my skin firmer..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wu took a closer look and indeed saw that Wu Tianji's skin was very fair and firm. However, the winter in the capital was no joke. Even Zhou Wu, a man, couldn't stand washing his face with cold water, let alone taking a bath. He wondered how Wu Tianji had managed to endure it.

"Hey, it's okay. You're free now. You can live however you want. No one will restrict you anymore."

"Yes, that's right. From the moment I was redeemed, I felt like the world had become more colorful. I no longer had to stay in Starry Tower."

Wu Tianji used to wear a smile, but that was a professional smile she had to put on to make money for Xingmanlou and to attract customers. Now, Wu Tianji still wears a smile, but this time it is a genuine smile from the inside out.