Chapter 41 Magpie on a Branch (Part 1) Dreaming of Him.

Ye Mu simply went along with his words, never expecting him to take it so seriously.

She was speechless for a moment, then looked up at him. He stood with his back to the moonlight, the soft glow spreading out from behind him, outlining his tall and straight figure, cold and aloof, yet also burying his face in shadow.

He only felt a calm gaze fall upon him.

“Master, look,” Ye Mu cleared his throat and counted on his fingers, “You can chant scriptures, meditate, hold Dharma assemblies, and preside over water-based Buddhist ceremonies…”

Her voice grew weaker and weaker as she spoke, and none of her stories sounded particularly interesting.

Ye Mu couldn't see his expression clearly, but she could feel the heavy gaze from that shadow, which was even darker than the night, pressing down on her.

His voice was also very low, “Every monk knows what you’re saying.”

"That's true." Ye Mu gave an awkward laugh. Seeing Wen Kong become increasingly silent, her laughter grew drier and drier, making her appear particularly frail in the quiet night.

She was anxious and racked her brains for ideas.

Then he said succinctly, "Indeed, I am no different from other monks."

Why do you sound like you're about to cry?

"Of course there's a difference," Ye Mu said anxiously.

If she hadn't walked to his other side, from the completely shadowed area to the place where the moonlight was slanting, and seen his solemn face, she would have almost thought that his eyes were also red.

He turned his head to look at her, adopting a "let me hear your nonsense" attitude, and waited quietly.

She couldn't quite put her finger on what was interesting about him, but when she was with him, even if he did nothing, she never felt that time was long, unbearable, or boring.

This sense of peace is perhaps part of what makes him interesting.

But if I tell him, I'm afraid he'll think I'm even more boring.

In her haste, her hand unconsciously went to her waist, her fingertips touching the bamboo-shaped jade pendant inside the sachet. She immediately pulled it out as if grasping at a lifeline. "Look! You can even carve jade! Isn't that interesting?"

She added, "Ordinary monks don't know these things!"

Sure enough, the corners of his lips twitched upwards slightly, then quickly disappeared.

"How do you know I carved this?" Wen Kong didn't look at the jade pendant, but stared at her intently. "How come it doesn't seem like a ready-made trinket I bought from a shop?"

Ye Mu's heart skipped a beat. This conclusion was naturally drawn from comparisons in his previous life, but how could he explain this reasoning?

All I could do was praise it to the fullest extent, saying, "The things in the jade shops are too craftsman-like, all the same, but this one is different..."

She held the jade pendant between the two of them, saying, "Every turn of this bamboo joint has a pause, its style is unique, it seems alive. Only something carved by oneself can have such a soul."

Ye Mu saw that Wen Kong's brows relaxed even more, knowing that he liked her praising him like this, so she put in even more effort and her tone became lighter, "And I hold it to sleep every night, and I sleep very soundly, falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, it's even more effective than calming incense!"

Wen Kong's gaze unconsciously fell on the area below her eyelids, where the faint blue had indeed faded considerably.

He then walked forward, saying, "I'm glad you like it."

"Of course I like it." Ye Mu caught up with him in two steps. "This is the most pleasing gift I've ever received."

This time, the smile on his lips did not fade, and the moonlight shone down, illuminating the faint blush on the monk's ears.

“If you like other styles, I can carve them too,” Wen Kong paused, “and if they are complex, I can learn to carve them as well.”

"This is perfect!" Ye Mu quickly waved his hand. "Master, it must have taken a lot of effort to carve one, right? And we'd have to spend money to buy jade. That's too expensive."

He was already struggling financially, and it's likely that the jade pendant in his hand was saved from his daily necessities over a long period of time.

“I don’t mind the trouble.” He replied quickly.

The voice seemed to sink again, and the gentleness that had just emerged was about to disappear again.

Ye Mu keenly sensed the subtle change in his emotions. Although she didn't understand why, she immediately followed up with a coaxing tone, "Then please carve a small flower for me, Master. It doesn't matter what kind of flower it is, as long as it's small. I can make a plain hairpin with a carved jade flower on it."

"Okay, as you wish."

Why was it her who was following him? It was clearly him who was following him. Ye Mu was initially puzzled, but the more she interacted with him, the more she understood the clue: Wen Kong liked it when people asked him for help.

Every time she asked him for help, he never refused and never objected.

Instead, when she refused to let him do anything for her, his expression became very somber.

Although he always maintained that aloof demeanor, making it impossible for others to discern any difference, Ye Mu could sense the subtle distinction between them.

What an eccentric monk! People in this world usually crave leisure, but he's the opposite.

When they reached the old locust tree on the front street, Wen Kong suddenly stopped and said, "You must not have any more contact with those people."

"Who are they?" Ye Mu was still lost in her own thoughts when she looked up blankly and met his lowered gaze.

He remained silent, simply standing and watching her, his eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the moonlight.

No, it sounds like he's glaring at her.

“Oh, Master, you’re talking about the Wine Lord,” Ye Mu suddenly realized, then waved his hand frankly, his eyebrows curving into crescents in the moonlight. “No, Master, don’t worry! With just a few copper coins, I can barely make ends meet, let alone have spare money to go out and drink and listen to music with them.”

She smiled and said, "Master, you're a nun, so you don't know how expensive it is to see them."

He pursed his lips, but Ye Mu waited for him for a long time and still saw that he did not say a word, but just looked at her.

She found his current expression somewhat amusing; if he had a beard, it would surely be so thick it seemed to blow into the sky.

Why is he so angry?

Ye Mu pursed her lips like him, tilted her head to look at him, and heard him hum softly, "It's fine to drop you off here, you should go back now."

I think you should go first.

“I can still see you entering the courtyard from here.” His tone left no room for argument. “It’s late at night and the dew is heavy; it’s not appropriate for a young lady to walk alone.”

Ye Mu stopped refusing, turned around and took a few steps, then turned back and waved vigorously at him. Although he looked unwilling, he still waved back in compliance.

What an incomprehensible monk.

That night, Ye Mu did not sleep well.

In her dream, the light and shadow were hazy, and she felt as if she were in the Fuyou Pavilion.

The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and a sweet, warm fragrance permeated the atmosphere. Ye Mu sat in a private room with several plates of exquisite tea and snacks in front of him, while a performer sang softly on the stage.

No, she had just promised her master she wouldn't come. Ye Mu turned to leave, but a servant, all smiles, brought over a beautifully bound register. "Is this your first time coming back, young lady? Let's see if there's anyone you like."

Ye Mu took it as if possessed and casually opened it.

The register was filled with portraits of various courtesans, some playing the zither, others the flute, each with a tender expression in their eyes. She was anxious to leave, but her hands kept turning the pages, her gaze suddenly fixed on the last page.

Wen Kong was clearly drawn on it.

He was still wearing a monk's robe, but it was draped loosely, revealing a small portion of his collarbone. He sat cross-legged, a guqin resting on his lap, his eyes lowered, exuding an indescribable air of elegance.

Beside the portrait were two lines of small characters: “Master Wenkong, well-versed in Buddhist principles, remained unmoved even with a woman in his lap.”

Ye Mu was so startled that her hand trembled and the list almost fell to the ground. She looked up sharply and saw that the person in the painting was now standing in the doorway.

Wen Kong walked in step by step, the hem of his monk's robe fluttering slightly in the fragrant breeze. He stopped in front of her, gazing at her intently.

"Why didn't you choose me?" he asked.

Ye Mu opened her mouth, unsure whether she was dreaming or awake. She instinctively gripped the hem of her clothes, stammering, "I...I didn't know you also..."

“It’s written clearly in the register,” he leaned closer, “you’ve flipped through the whole book, but you’ve overlooked me.”

His fingertip touched the page she had just turned to. "Do you think I'm inferior to them?"

"No!" Ye Mu hurriedly denied, looking up to meet his slightly reddened eyes, her heart inexplicably tightening. "Of course you're better than all of them..."

"Then why didn't you order it?" he pressed, a hint of grievance in his voice. "Do you think I'm not interesting enough?"

Ye Mu stared at him blankly. As if possessed, she reached out, her fingertips trembling slightly as she touched his loose robe. She carefully gathered up the monk's robe that revealed a hint of spring, pulling it tight, as if this could isolate him from the decadent sounds around him.

She tilted her head back and said softly, "You are a nun, you shouldn't be here."

Wen Kong fell silent.

His handsome face was half-lit and half-shadowed by the warm, ambiguous light of the attic. Suddenly, Ye Mu felt a tightness around her wrist. His hand held her firmly, the strength of which was not easy to break free, but it dissipated most of its fierceness when it touched her skin. His fingertips were burning hot, and through the thin skin, they almost seemed to be branded into her blood.

“Ye Mu,” he called her name, looking deeply into her eyes, “but I don’t want money, and you still won’t serve me?”

Ye Mu suddenly woke up with a start.

She sat up, clutching the thin blanket, her chest heaving violently, feeling as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

This dream was far too unconventional. She buried her burning cheeks in her knees, and after a while, she chuckled.

Ye Mu suddenly understood why he had a somewhat inexplicable temper when he left.

He didn't want her to see Mo Shangwu, not because she was poor, but because she shouldn't see him regardless of whether she was rich or poor.

Even in her dreams, he transformed into a courtesan to stop her.

But how foolish she was back then! She naively thought he was just worried that she would cause trouble because of poverty, and she solemnly assured him that she "didn't want to see him because she had no money."

As a monk who strictly adheres to the rules of monastic life, he naturally doesn't understand what jealousy is. This concern and obstruction likely stem from a teacher's responsibility to his disciple, and from the compassionate heart of a Buddhist, wanting to guide this lost soul away from the wrong path.

But wouldn't that be considered special treatment for her? Was she different from the other worshippers in his eyes?

Ye Mu held the bamboo-shaped jade pendant, examined it for a long time under the moonlight, and finally gently, very gently, pressed it to her heart.

For Wenkong, the Buddha's teachings are immeasurable, encompassing countless scriptures and serving as a clear mirror reflecting the emptiness of the five aggregates.

For Ye Mu, hearing emptiness is her Buddhist teaching.

It was the only Buddhist book she was interested in studying in her lifetime.

If we are lucky.

Otherwise, treat it as a forbidden book, and seal it away along with all his unspoken delusions.

-

The next day, the sky was sunny.

The late autumn sun shone through the window lattice, carrying a touch of chill. The pomegranate tree in the courtyard had long since lost its leaves, with only a few withered leaves hanging on the branches.

Ye Mu was copying a storybook by the window, the ink rustling across the paper, when he suddenly heard the sounds of clothes drying in the courtyard mixed with the conversations of his neighbors.

"Is Instructor Zheng off duty today?" Zijing unfolded a plain white undergarment and chatted with him. "Did you hear about the young master of the Shen family in Pear Blossom Lane yesterday? It's truly a case of heaven being jealous of talent."

The rustling sound of pages turning came from the other side of the bamboo fence.

Taking advantage of the fine weather, Instructor Zheng was taking out the books from the chests to air them out. The cuffs of his blue cloth robe were stained with ink. Hearing this, he sighed, "That child even came to ask me about the annotations in the books before the autumn examination results were announced. In terms of diligence, no one in the entire academy can match him. But..."

"Just what?" Zijing draped her clothes over the bamboo pole, her black hair fluttering in the wind.

The instructor peered through the fence, his eyes crinkling with a complex mix of emotions. “The imperial examinations are like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge, and this year’s autumn examinations were even more so. Jiang Si emerged from the crowd, not only becoming the new top scholar, but even more remarkably, he predicted the exam questions correctly. Before the exam, he lectured at the South City Academy for two days, and eight or nine out of ten students who heard his secrets to solving the questions passed the imperial examinations!”

Instructor Zheng sighed, "There are only a few spots for the Jinshi degree. If others take them, then the young master of the Shen family will naturally not get one. It's really bad luck that he failed the exam this year, but he should never have gone down this path."

"Jiang Si?" Zijing recognized the name and turned to ask Ye Mu through the window, "Miss, did he come to the mourning hall to pay his respects after the old lady passed away?"

It's no wonder that Zijing, a maid, could still remember it so clearly after more than a month. On that day, Jiang Si followed Ye Xingwen into the mansion. As soon as they entered the hanging flower gate, the sobbing in the whole courtyard stopped for a moment. His eyebrows were like finely sculpted eyebrows, and his eyes were slightly raised at the corners. His peach blossom eyes were shimmering and sparkling. When he raised his eyebrows, he seemed to be smiling but not smiling. However, when he lowered his eyes to offer incense, his long eyelashes were half-closed, showing a sorrowful and lonely expression.

If there is anyone in this world who can rival such elegance, perhaps only the beautiful young nun at Baoxiang Temple. However, Wen Kong is like a solitary pine tree on a cold cliff, while Jiang Si is like the misty rain of Jiangnan—they are entirely different in bearing.

Seeing Ye Mu lower her head and remain silent, Zijing assumed she hadn't heard clearly, so she simply walked to the window and asked, "Miss, is Jiang Si the young master Jiang with the small mole at the corner of his eye?"

"Um."

Ye Mu responded calmly, the tip of his pen hovering half an inch above the paper. The timeline had actually moved forward again. In his previous life, Jiang Si only became the top scholar six years later, but in this life, he not only passed the imperial examination early but also enjoyed such immense glory.

Ye Mu suddenly realized that, apart from her grandmother's death being an accident, everything from her past life seemed to be following the same old path. She was still expelled from the Marquis's mansion, but instead of being single, she was now traveling with her mother.

What about the older brother's legs? And what about her own marriage prospects?

The ink slowly spread across the rice paper, landing precisely on the line of words Ye Mu had copied: "Talented men sing and dance on nights of revelry, while beauties are stained with blood."

The black ink smudged on the "blood," making it truly resemble blood seeping from under the gauze dress.

Ye Mu gripped the pen tightly, her knuckles turning white, a fierce glint in her eyes. She could never, she absolutely could not marry him again.

“Ah Jing, don’t mention him again.”

Seeing Ye Mu's displeasure, Zijing stopped talking, but asked curiously, "Does the young lady have any grudge against Young Master Jiang?"

Ye Mu changed the paper and laid it out on the table again. "He's dirty."

"Ah, last time I saw him, although he was dressed shabbily, he was still quite neat. Are you sure you're not mistaken, young lady?"

Ye Mu, with his wrist suspended and pen in hand, used a method that Zijing could understand better: "He loves to smell smelly socks."

This wasn't something Ye Mu made up. In their past life, when they were together, Jiang Si would sniff Ye Mu's stockings whenever she changed them. He would smell not only the stockings, but also her undergarments and panties.

Ye Mu frowned, seeing that Zijing seemed unconvinced, but said without changing his expression, "Last time he came to the manor, he was sitting on the veranda and was about to take off his shoes when I caught him."

Zijing suddenly realized, "No wonder I heard that you hit Young Master Jiang the other time you saw him."

She loves cleanliness and expressed her disgust with a light snort, saying, "No matter how handsome he is, it's no good. Just thinking about him makes me sick. I won't mention him again."

-

The month is almost over.

Ye Mu carefully wrapped up the newly copied manuscript and headed towards Sun's brokerage. As soon as he turned out of Yuqian Lane, he heard the distant sounds of gongs and drums and the clamor of voices.

"The newly appointed top scholar is parading through the streets—" The children cheered as they ran past her.

Ye Mu subconsciously retreated to the eaves of a building on the street and lowered her veil even further. She had thought the parade was over and had deliberately stayed at home for a few days to avoid the limelight. She never expected to run into this scene when she went out today.

"The results were posted a long time ago, so why are they only being paraded through the streets today?" A young man who looked like a scholar asked in confusion.

His companion, fanning himself with a folding fan, said, “Brother, you may not know this. I heard that His Majesty heard that all the students tutored by Scholar Jiang before the exam passed and became Jinshi. He suspected that Scholar Jiang had secretly seen the exam questions in advance, so he specially ordered the Hanlin Academy to prepare three sets of exam questions for a re-examination.”

He smiled and said, "Who knew that this Jiang Si was truly remarkable? After three exams, there was not a single mistake on his paper. Even the chief examiner, Lord Xu, was amazed and said, 'This boy should be the best in a hundred years.' This finally convinced the emperor, who then appointed him as the top scholar."

"Truly talented and learned, you deserve it without a doubt." The scholar exclaimed in amazement, "Such attainments are truly beyond the reach of us ordinary folks."

Ye Mu pursed her lips under her veil. Although Jiang Si was also talented in his previous life, he was far less sharp and outspoken than he was in this life. She frowned.

At the end of the long street, Jiang Si rode slowly along on a tall white horse.

He wore a scarlet scholar's robe, which made him look even more noble. The cuffs with gold trim fluttered in the autumn wind. His eyes and brows were full of the carefree spirit of a young man who had just passed the imperial examination. A gust of autumn wind swept up the golden osmanthus trees by the roadside, and a few golden osmanthus petals were placed precisely on the two corners of his black gauze hat, like gold leaf and kingfisher feathers, which drew gasps from the onlookers.

"Did you see that?" the scholar with the folding fan asked again, his tone envious. "I heard that even Princess Yongjia has a high opinion of him. The other day at the Qionglin Banquet, she specially bestowed imperial wine upon him and drank with him."

Ye Mu lowered her head and hid in the crowd; she remembered this Princess Yongjia all too well.

In his previous life, Jiang Si had only been wearing the red robe of the top scholar for a few days when the princess arrived at the top scholar's mansion in a carriage adorned with eight precious pearls.

At that time, Ye Mu was planting osmanthus trees under the corridor. The princess, supported by the female official, slowly approached. Her peacock-embroidered skirt swept across the bluestone slab, but her gaze was like that of someone appraising merchandise, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

"Truly a stunning beauty." The princess's lips curled into a casual joke. "But with such beauty, even if we divorce in the future, how many princes and noblemen will be vying to take her in?"

She laughed and said, "Why don't you give me your husband, the top scholar?"

At that time, Ye Mu was intimidated by the princess's power, and Jiang Si was just starting his official career. She dared not offend her and could only clench her hands tightly in her sleeves.

Jiang Si, standing beside him, chuckled softly, without uttering a word.

That night, as she was crying in her bedroom, the man held her chin and said slowly and methodically, "Doesn't this just prove that you have good taste, Madam? Even the princess is trying to steal your husband."

Recalling this, Ye Mu exhaled a soft puff of white breath from beneath her veil. If it were her in this life—

To hell with the honor of a princess, to hell with the wife of a top scholar.

In this world, people always bully the weak and fear the strong; the wind blows the grass on the wall, and the knife cuts down the powerless.

Only by growing fangs can one carve out a sliver of hope in this cannibalistic world.

As the sound of horses' hooves drew closer, Ye Mu, using the peddler's load as cover, quietly took a half-step back and turned into a narrow alley.

Jiang Si, on horseback, suddenly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the green figure disappearing into the alleyway.

In the instant the wind lifted the veil of his hat, he vaguely glimpsed half of his fair chin. Who else could it be but Fourth Sister?

He watched her retreating figure, frowning in deep thought.

As the sun rose just above the eaves, Ye Mu, carrying a newly copied manuscript, lifted the curtain and entered Sun's Brokerage Firm.

Just then, they saw Manager Sun gesturing at a row of vermilion wooden plaques on the wall, talking animatedly with a middle-aged man in a silk shirt.

"Sir, look here, look at this place, east of the Vermilion Bird Gate, two courtyards with a well, the green tiles were just renovated last year, it's a former official residence that was just vacated, and those pillars, tsk tsk, they're all top-quality golden nanmu! Oh, you think the place is too big? Then look at this place on Horse Street..."

Seeing this, Ye Mu didn't want to disturb him, so he quietly placed the manuscript in a prominent place on the counter and then took a paperweight to hold down the corners.

She gave a slight curtsy towards Manager Sun, and was about to turn and leave when she heard a hurried voice behind her, "Madam Ye, please wait!"

While smiling at the customer, Manager Sun took a moment to wave to her, "Madam Ye, please sit for a moment. After I finish this, I have something extremely important to tell you!"

Ye Mu was slightly suspicious, but he had no choice but to follow her instructions and retreat to the door, where he sat halfway on a small, seemingly unstable jujube wood stool.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo blinds, casting dappled shadows on her skirt.

She looked up and saw the black plaque with gold lettering hanging above the counter, which read "Honesty is the foundation." She couldn't help but find it a little funny.

But then she remembered that Manager Sun had something to tell her. He had never been so eager to keep her. Could it be that something had gone wrong with the book copying job? Ye Mu couldn't quite manage a smile.

This is practically their only source of income right now.

Ye Mu was lost in thought, listening to Manager Sun's effusive description of the house, praising its "feng shui for the prosperity of descendants and academic success" and its "layout for gathering wealth and blessings," which made the guest nod repeatedly with a satisfied expression.

Just as they were about to sign the contract, the old man suddenly slapped his forehead. “Look at my memory! I just remembered that I had an appointment with an old craftsman from the West City to look at furniture styles today. Manager Sun, please allow me to come back another day to discuss this in detail.”

He left after saying that.

But Manager Sun didn't seem annoyed at all. Instead, he greeted Ye Mu with great enthusiasm, his face beaming with uncontainable joy. "Young lady, you've come at the perfect time! A tremendous opportunity awaits you!"

He took out a gold-flecked invitation from a hidden compartment in the counter and handed it to Ye Mu, who had come forward. “The other day, a distinguished guest was looking through the register and took a liking to your resume at first glance! He praised you, saying that it is rare to find a woman who is so knowledgeable about the accounts of estates and shops.”

He spoke with great enthusiasm, spitting as he spoke, "I immediately presented the manuscript that my wife had copied, and people praised her handwriting as being just like her—elegant and refined!"

"Do you really want such a good employer?" Ye Mu was also excited by what he heard, but he forced himself to remain calm. "But the monthly salary is too low?"

"How could that be?" Manager Sun shook his head repeatedly, mysteriously holding up three fingers.

"Three taels? That's not low?" Ye Mu said disappointedly. "I said five taels, Manager Sun, are you sure you're not mistaken? I knew there wouldn't be such a good deal..."

"Thirty taels!" Manager Sun's voice suddenly rose, startling the sparrows on the beam into fluttering away. "Thirty taels, Madam Ye! Your luck has turned around, you're about to make a fortune!"

Even Ye Mu, who was usually very calm, was stunned at this moment.

Thirty taels—the number exploded in her mind. She had toiled day and night at her desk, copying books until her wrists ached and her head was spinning; she might not earn that much in ten months. And now, it only took a month?

No more worries about rent! Ye Mu could almost see a small mountain of silver ingots swaying before her eyes, and the roast chicken at the alley entrance, the Hangzhou silk from the silk shop, and the old ginseng from the pharmacy were all beckoning to her.

"Good heavens..." Ye Mu swallowed subconsciously, his throat dry and tight, "Then how could he possibly like me?"

Fortunately, she still retained a shred of self-awareness. "Manager Sun, are you trying to trick me?"

"Heaven and earth bear witness, how could I lie to you?" Manager Sun rubbed his hands anxiously. "Our distinguished guest has thoroughly searched the entire register, but circled your name alone. If you hadn't come today, I would have run my legs off tomorrow to find your home in Yuqian Lane!"

"Which shop is so wealthy?" Ye Mu's suspicions deepened. "Could it be involved in some illegal, dangerous business?"

"That's not true at all! They are a large household that is officially registered with the government and pays heavy taxes every year."

However, he's not entirely innocent either.

Manager Sun lowered his voice, stammered a few words between his teeth, and leaned closer to say, "It's Fuyou Pavilion."

Fuyou Pavilion? Isn't that the brothel where the Five Gentlemen of Ink reside?

"Does this mean we have to deal with the Five Lords of Ink every day?" Ye Mu's voice was hoarse. "Isn't there anywhere else we can go that's more respectable?"

She had promised Wen Kong that she would not look for them again, but in the blink of an eye, she was going to step into their place every day. Wasn't that breaking her promise?

Manager Sun misunderstood, mistakenly thinking that she disliked such a place of pleasure, and hurriedly explained, "Oh my young lady, the courtesans of Fuyou Pavilion only accompany guests to recite poetry and paint. They are the most refined and noble, and would never do anything improper. Besides, how could you possibly see the Five Gentlemen of Ink whenever you want? They are usually in private rooms, and they are surrounded by bodyguards when they come and go. They never run into the accountant."

He had already received a hefty referral fee from the distinguished guest and was determined to make the matter happen. Praise poured out like a flood. "The person who hired the accountant is Lady Yun, the manager of the pavilion. She said she wanted to find a gentleman who could keep the scene in check. I thought that Lady Yun had even managed the estate before. Compared to the rough and uncouth men on the estate, what was this little scene to her?"

"If we're talking about maintaining a proper atmosphere, wouldn't a male accountant be more authoritative?" Although Ye Mu secretly thought that his talent was in no way inferior to any man's and that he was more than capable of the job, his doubts remained. "Why does this Lady Yun insist on finding a female accountant?"

"Oh, don't even mention it!" Manager Su slapped his thigh, his face full of heartache. "It's all because the previous male accountants couldn't keep watch. While they were working, their souls wandered to the brothel across the street. One of them was even more outrageous. He was so audacious that he stole three hundred taels of silver from his own account to tip the courtesan across the street! After much painful reflection, Lady Yun finally made up her mind to find a female tutor."

"Look at your qualifications! You are literate, knowledgeable in accounting, steady, and clear-headed. This position is tailor-made for you. This monthly salary of thirty taels is rightfully yours, Madam Ye!"

"If my lady is unwilling..." Seeing that her expression seemed to be softening, Manager Sun pretended to withdraw the invitation, feigning reluctance.

"I'll go." Ye Mu suddenly reached out and pressed the invitation. Wen Kong would naturally not go to such a place. As long as she was careful to keep it a secret, he would never know.

Besides, she only promised her master that she wouldn't go to play with the Five Lords, but she didn't promise him that she wouldn't work as an accountant there. That shouldn't be considered breaking her promise, right?

Ye Mu's fingertips lightly traced the shimmering post. "When will we start work?"

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Author's Note: Thank you for reading and for adding this to your favorites!