Qingmu's face changed color again. He shot to his feet—his sister and his wife were now his Achilles' heel. Zhang Huai was also alarmed and asked, "These people… these people, is there no law?"
Li Changyu gave a bitter smile. "The law? We can't hope for any peace until the new emperor ascends the throne." After a moment of thought, he added, "This sort of thing doesn't just happen in chaotic times. It's common for officials to scour the countryside for young girls under various pretexts. After being 'trained,' they're sent to high-ranking officials as playthings. The lucky ones might become a handmaiden or a concubine. The unlucky ones are just passed from one person to another, and some eventually disappear without a trace, not even their bones left behind."
His words left Qingmu and Zhang Huai speechless, their fists clenched tightly.
After saying this, Li Changyu hastily took his leave, saying he had to go back and prepare for Jinxiang's wedding.
