“It's really broken!” Henry Carter was startled, and without bothering to bicker with the musician Little Grace any longer, he turned around and scooped Alice Clark into his arms. His gaze followed the open collar, but before he could look further down, Alice Clark had already lifted her head with a smile, softly offering her red lips.

“You naughty girl…” Henry Carter immediately realized he had been tricked by Alice Clark again. He lowered his head and opened his mouth fiercely. At once, the room was filled with springtime whispers. The musician Little Grace, long accustomed to such scenes, shook her head, returned to her seat, knelt down, and casually plucked the strings of her instrument.

Lightly plucking, twisting, brushing, and picking again.

Henry Carter and Andrew Carter were honored guests at Jinhua Pavilion. Nearly half the sisters in this place relied on the patronage of Andrew Carter and his group of dissolute friends to make a living. Since Sister Clark and she would have to give themselves to someone sooner or later, it might as well be Andrew Carter. At least his family background and looks were among the best of Jinhua Pavilion’s clientele, and he was a man of great responsibility. Though he was a bit timid and sometimes showed a touch of youthful inexperience.

Before the song was over, the two who had been embracing had already separated. Their eyes were clearly full of longing for each other, but their gazes gradually regained clarity.

“Sister Bai, Sister Bai…” Henry Carter scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed, not knowing what to say. He had tasted Alice Clark’s lips more than once, and each time they had a different flavor. But at the crucial moment, he could never go further. Either Alice Clark would push him away, or, with the musician Little Grace nearby, he would lose interest.

Alice Clark would have to lose her virginity sooner or later—if not to him, then to someone else. Henry Carter knew this very well. Little Grace’s fate was to wipe sweat, warm the bed, and serve the young master and lady; this, too, Henry Carter understood. But with another person present, he felt as if he were being watched, and his desire quickly faded.

Once again, today ended with only a taste.

A trace of melancholy was clearly written in Alice Clark’s eyes, yet she reached out her slender, fair fingers and gently pressed them to his lips. “Don’t say it, I know…”

“If you’re willing, after Chongyang Festival, I can buy your freedom,” Henry Carter’s heart ached at once. He sat up straight and promised earnestly.

Alice Clark’s eyes instantly lit up, and for a moment she looked like a lotus blooming after the rain. But it lasted only a moment; she quickly lowered her head again and let out a soft sigh.

“Is it that you can’t bear to leave the other sisters here?” Henry Carter was confused by her sigh, scratched his head, and continued to ask.

Alice Clark gently shook her head, wanting to say something, but hesitated, as if unable to summon the courage.

It was the musician Little Grace who grew anxious watching from the side. With a sharp “clang,” she swept the four strings as if tearing silk. “What’s there to be attached to in a place like this? Sister Clark is probably unsure how you’ll treat her in the future. Will you take her straight to your grand house in Chongren Lane, or make other arrangements?”

“Of course, of course…” Beads of sweat began to form on Henry Carter’s forehead. He repeated himself awkwardly, then added with some guilt, “You both know what kind of temper my Aunt Yun has. I’ve arranged for a new house in Wuke Alley—not much smaller than the one in Chongren Lane…”

“Don’t listen to that girl’s nonsense, Erlang!” Alice Clark interrupted with a laugh, picked up a plum, and popped it into Henry Carter’s mouth. “The green duckweed is planted in the pond—whether it’s picked early or late is up to you, Erlang. As a woman, what choices do I really have? It’s just that a few of the new sisters here can’t even finish a song properly. Let me enjoy another year of freedom, train them well, and then, when I let go, I’ll sing only for you from then on!”

“Sister, you…” Henry Carter’s passionate heart was doused with cold water. He froze for a moment, his smile a bit stiff.

Alice Clark knew he was clever and said no more. With a long, soft sigh, she slowly walked to the window. Outside, the maple leaves were as red as fire. The autumn wind blew, making them dance and swirl, but who knew in whose courtyard they would finally land.

“You know I’m sincere to you. It’s just… my Aunt Yun…” Henry Carter sighed as well, stood up, and went over to wrap his arms around Alice Clark’s shoulders. “Just give me a little more time, not too long. After all, she’s my elder…”

“She’s just a magpie that’s climbed to a higher branch. Why can’t she accept us sisters?” Little Grace was so angry she slammed down her zither and shouted, eyes wide.

“What do you know?” This time, Henry Carter suddenly changed his tone, turned around, and glared fiercely at Little Grace. “Don’t talk nonsense! She’s taken care of me since I was a child! She may be old and stubborn now, but I can’t be ungrateful!”

Henry Carter had never lost his temper like this before. Not only was the musician Little Grace frightened, but Alice Clark in his arms also shrank back in fear. The three of them fell silent for a long while. At last, Alice Clark was the first to recover, smiled, and gently tapped Henry Carter’s chest with her finger. “All these years, it’s the first time I’ve seen you angry, Erlang! Don’t take Little Grace’s words to heart. That girl’s only spoiled because of me!”