rule

In the alley to the south, the two sisters-in-law just turned the corner.

Then a man in his thirties was heard yelling, "Where did you come from, you country woman? How dare you steal my business? Don't you know that I'm the one who's doing the water business in Fuyuanfang and the four streets of Nanli? It's been the same for years. I think you've gone crazy because of poverty, and you want to make any money you can. If you really want to make money in this capital, then you should learn the rules first - why not go back to your poor hometown and stop being an eyesore here? It's unlucky for people to see you!"

The man cursed harshly, and the bucket that he broke on the ground soaked the patched dress of the woman on the ground.

It was the man who pushed her.

In this cold winter month, the woman's hands were frozen red, her cheeks roughened by the wind, and she curled up in frustration. With tears in her eyes, she retorted to the man, "Shouldn't the more capable the more work? I'm capable of doing your job. I'm even faster than you, and I can draw water quickly and full. That's why people are willing to give the job to me. If it weren't for your dishonest business practices and cheating the neighbors, why would they choose me over you? If you have the skills, why don't you satisfy the neighbors?"

"I wonder if you would still be so ruthless if a strong man came to steal your job today!"

The woman's rebuttal was well-reasoned and played exactly what the man wanted.

He raised his fist helplessly, yelling, "Hey, you country woman, you dare to blame me? Just wait and see how I deal with you today—"

"Brother Dong, if you beat someone in the street, I will report you to the police." Cang Yi stood at the entrance of the alley and shouted sternly.

She seemed to recognize the attacker.

Seeing that the man's behavior was stopped, Zheng looked at the person on the ground. She called out in surprise: "Sister-in-law Bao Nian——"

Zheng hurried forward.

When the man saw Cang Yi, he hesitated and put away his fist, "Cang family girl? Why are you here?"

Cang Yi walked forward with a stern face. "I'm here to prevent you, Brother Dong, from making any mistakes. If you have anything to say, let's talk it out. I don't know when you'll be able to change your bad temper. If it weren't for the kindness of the neighbors, you would have been in jail countless times."

No matter how fierce this man is, he still has to give Cang Yi some face.

After all, there was no one in Fuyuanfang that she didn't know. Now she was the young lady of the Bo Mansion, and she was no longer the same as before. He couldn't afford to offend her. The man smiled and said, "The Cang family girl misunderstood. I just wanted to scare her. But she really doesn't know the rules."

He really bullies the weak and fears the strong!

Zheng looked at the man righteously and sternly, without a trace of fear. Zheng retorted, "Scare her? Is there anyone as scary as you? Please apologize to her now!"

The man frowned.

He didn't recognize the person in front of him, so he pointed at Tai Shi Zheng and asked, "Eh? Where did you come from, girl? What does this have to do with you? Why do you ask me to apologize?"

"Brother Dong, be careful with your words." Cang Yi spoke, and the man immediately restrained himself and looked back.

Cang Yi knew that he was a flatterer of the powerful and looked down on the weak, so he had to deal with him in this way. He then said, "This is my second son's wife. Do you know who her father is?"

The man was shocked when he heard this. How could he have offended the Second Young Master of the Bo Mansion without noticing?

He thought it was bad.

Then he asked timidly, "Her father is..." Unexpectedly, even more shocking words were yet to come.

Cang Yi immediately replied: "Her father is the old uncle of the emperor."

"Old uncle! Is he the Taishi family member who owns a large house in Huaiqingfang?"

The man was completely dumbfounded...

The water-carrying business was divided into different areas according to social status, and they did not interfere with each other. His Fuyuanfang was considered the lowest class in Bianjing City, while Taishi Zheng's Huaiqingfang was the most upscale area in Bianjing City. A man didn't know how many water carriers he had to have to be able to do business in Huaiqingfang.

Now he has offended the noble man, and he will never be able to do it again in his next life.

The man licked his face and apologized quickly, "Young Madam, Young Madam. It's all because of my blindness. Please don't hold it against me."

Zheng didn't buy his tricks at all.

She only asked, "Don't worry about who I am or who my father is. If you did something wrong, you should apologize! Apologize now!"

"Yes, yes, I was wrong. I apologize to her. I apologize."

The man was very flexible and acted like a villain.

Seeing him turn around and smile at Bao Nian, "Sister, it's wrong of me to bully you, but you were the one who broke the rules first, weren't you? Please be magnanimous and ask the young ladies for mercy. How about I introduce you to the work on Beili Third Street in the future?"

Rules, rules, Bao Nian sighed back and forth,

Why does Bianjing City have so many rules? Liu Yugeng wants her to follow the rules, and the man in front of her also wants her to follow the rules.

But who made these rules?

Or were these rules, which they openly stated, merely meant to restrain women like her who wanted to struggle...

Bao Nian couldn't understand.

She knew that this was all she could do, so she picked up her muddy skirt, slowly stood up, and resolutely refused his charity.

Bao Nian lowered his brows and said calmly, "No need. Since I have violated your rules, it is my fault first. I will rely on my own abilities to find another job. No matter how poor I am, I am not ashamed to work with someone like you. I just hope that from now on, you can be more sincere in your work. Because even if I am not here today, you will be replaced by someone else sooner or later. Ladies, I am sorry for delaying you. There is no need to waste words with him. Let's go."

The man was dissatisfied, but dared not speak out.

He didn't return the favor sincerely, he just thought he was unlucky.

"Don't worry, Sister Bao Nian."

Zheng left Bao Nian alone and turned to look at the rude man, "Young Master Dong, right? I say, even if Sister Bao Nian doesn't understand your rules today, you can't act like this. You broke someone else's things, you can't just leave like that, right? There's no such rule!"

Zheng didn't let him off. The man said cautiously, "I've apologized, what else does the young lady want?"

"I don't want anything. I just want you to either repair this bucket and deliver it to Sister Bao Nian tomorrow. Otherwise, you have to pay compensation according to the current market price for repairing a bucket--" Zheng stretched out her hand and argued.

"You choose!"

The man looked reluctant.

Cang Yi leaned over to pick up the bucket from the ground, handed it to the man, and deliberately reminded him, "I remember a while ago that the head of the ward said that if you cause trouble again, the water-fetching business will be divided among others. Brother Dong wants us to take you to see the head of the ward? And then give up this job you have? Will you be satisfied?"

Cang Yi felt that Zheng did nothing wrong and that he should be taught a lesson.

"Okay, okay. Pay me, huh? I'll pay—" The man watched the three women perform a scene before him, gritted his teeth, pulled out a copper coin of equal value, and tossed it into Taishi Zheng's palm. He had seen how powerful these women were, and he couldn't underestimate them in the future.

Zheng clenched his palms and carefully counted the copper coins in his hand. Repairing a bucket should not be a problem.

She stood up and let the person go.

Seeing this, the man snorted and left.

Zheng didn't even glance at the man. She turned around and handed the copper coin to Bao Nian. Bao Nian refused to accept it, but Zheng tried to comfort her, "Sister-in-law Bao Nian, this isn't charity from him. This is his compensation, and it's what you deserve. Just accept it. Even though it's not much, it will teach him a lesson."

"Let's see if he dares to be so arrogant next time."

Cang Yi also echoed, "Yes, this is the justice Zheng has sought for you, my lady, just accept it with peace of mind. That Dong Jialang is just like that, lazy and not doing his job properly, always stirring up trouble and annoying people. However, my lady, you don't have to be afraid of him. He's just a spineless bully who only bullies the weak and fears the strong, and he doesn't have any real ability. If you have any problems, go to the head of the Nanli Alley. She is a kind-hearted person and will not let anything go."

Cang Yi smiled. After weighing some things over, she still felt that she should talk to Bao Nian.

"But the rules that Dong Jialang mentioned today are indeed true. The water-drawing business is indeed divided into districts and cannot be exceeded. If you want to change it, you need the consent of the neighborhood chief. Madam, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not helping Dong Jialang. I just want you to understand the ins and outs here."

"Thank you for the reminder, ma'am. I understand." Bao Nian knew that she meant well, and she appreciated it.

Turning his head to accept the copper coins that Taishi Zheng had thrust into his mouth, Bao Nian asked, "Madam Taishi, are you here today? Is there something going on?"

Zheng hummed and said, "I did come here to look for Sister-in-law Treasure Nian for some business, but I also came to take a look. Oh, I forgot to introduce you, this is my eldest sister-in-law Cang Yi. She grew up in Fuyuanfang!"

When Zheng introduced Cang Yi, her face was full of pride.

Bao Nian hurriedly nodded and greeted them. Seeing her face the two young ladies of the Marquis' Mansion, she seemed a bit nervous. Cang Yi was also a bit embarrassed. Fortunately, neither Tai Shi Zheng nor Cang Yi had any airs of high status, which reassured Bao Nian.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Zheng quickly said, "Okay, okay, Sister Bao Nian, let's talk while we walk..."

-

The three of them walked on, Tai Shi Zheng breathed out air and talked to Bao Nian in detail about opening a shop.

Bao Nian was stunned by what she heard, as if she were listening to a fairy tale. She couldn't believe what the person in front of her said. Because since she arrived in the capital, she had experienced countless difficulties in finding work in Fuyuanfang and the surrounding streets. Nothing was as simple as she had initially imagined. There were very few places willing to take her in.

But if she wanted to set up a stall to make a living, she didn't have the capital.

Bao Nian was thus caught in a dilemma.

But there were mouths to feed in the house, and she couldn't stop to think. So, she took a risk and robbed Dong Jialang of his business.

What happened today was really helpless, and Bao Nian didn't want it to be like this.

But who can blame her for the fact that in these times, there is simply no fairness for a woman like her. Bao Nian felt like a bird without legs, unable to find a place to stay in this vast capital.

It was not until Zheng's appearance that her long-lost hope was finally ignited.

Pausing outside the broken wooden door, Zheng asked Bao Nian, "That's basically it. I just have one question - Sister Bao Nian, are you willing to work with us?"

Bao Nian looked at Taishi Zheng. Having reached the end of her rope, could she still have any other thoughts?

Bao Nian naturally responded, "I'll do it. I'm willing to do it."

However, Bao Nian really didn't know how to repay their kindness. She could only express her gratitude. But the sisters-in-law smiled at each other, put the gifts they had brought into her arms, and said, "Don't thank me, thank you. I will have to trouble you a lot in the future."

As the words fell, the three women suddenly laughed. They stood in the twilight, their hearts warm. The trivialities of life could not break their resilient hearts. From now on, their days would only become more and more blessed. They were stronger than anyone else.

Bao Nian raised his hand to open the door without saying anything else.

This was probably the first time she smiled since she left home.

Then, as they entered the courtyard, Bao Nian asked them to stay at home for a simple meal. Zheng and Cang Yi said goodbye, saying they had matters at home and did not want to bother them any more.

Bao Nian looked at the poor family and did not try to persuade him to stay.

She thought there would be a chance in the future.

When Bao Nian went out to see her off again, Zheng waved her hand and said, "Sister-in-law Bao Nian, please don't see me off. Go back!"

Bao Nian was reluctant to turn back.

The shabby wooden door barely closed until the two sisters-in-law had exited Fuyuanfang's outermost street. As Cang Yi was about to board the Bo's carriage, she turned to look at Taishi Zheng behind her and asked in confusion, "Zheng, what's wrong? What are you standing there for? What else do you want to say?"

Zheng smiled and looked towards the west, watching the sun setting in the sky. She said to Cang Yi, "Sister-in-law, you should go back first..."

"Where are you going?" Cang Yi was puzzled.

Zheng lifted her foot lightly, saying, "It's almost You time, I'll go to the Imperial College to pick up our Erlang after class~" and left in a hurry.

At that moment, Cang Yi held up the half-open cotton curtain and sneered. She shook her head, looking at Zheng's happy back, thinking that the young couple was so close and thoughtful. Their aloof and aloof Erlang was finally no longer a loner...

Then, in the twilight, there was a roar, and Cang Yi said, "Master, please come home—"