Come out and make a living
Due to the screen blocking the view, Su Qingli could not see the faces of the guests present, only a hazy blur.
In addition, the music from the pipa in Su Qingli's arms was closest to her, which just blocked her hearing.
"I don't know how Sister Jiang is doing now. I should have asked her where she lives." Qi Caiyao's words were filled with regret. She hadn't seen her mentor for many days, and Su Qingli had never come to see her during this period.
"Since she didn't tell you where I live, she must have her reasons. Why bother with that? We'll meet each other naturally if we're destined to."
Qi Jinqian took a sip of the wine and shook the glass with a faint smile.
"Sixth uncle is quite open-minded. I see that you have special feelings for Sister Jiang, and I thought you were in love with her. It seems that you just appreciate her and don't care much about her." Qi Caiyao originally wanted to arrange a good match for her, but now it seems that her sixth uncle has no such intention.
Qi Jinqian, who was drinking by himself, buried his head in concentration and poured the wine without saying a word. In his ears were the sounds of wind music that cleansed his soul and the chattering of Qi Caiyao.
The melodious and graceful sound of the pipa played by the person on the stage continued, and each tune was like lingering sound in the air.
"Shopkeeper, how did Miss Chunhong's musical skills improve so dramatically? Her musical skills are not only mature, but have reached a state of exquisite perfection and selflessness. It's truly incredible."
Zhang Yi, a frequent guest at Wanhe Tower who often came to drink and have fun, sighed and mistook Su Qingli for Chunhong. Chunhong was a musician employed by Wanhe Tower for two years. She came to Wanhe Tower every day to play the pipa, but she never had such skill.
Zhang Yi hadn't set foot in Wanhe Tower for three days, and didn't know that a new musician had been appointed behind the Handan screen.
"Mr. Zhang, you may not know that the musician playing in Wanhelou today is not Chunhong, but a new musician. He can not only satisfy the diners' appetites, but also their ears. The musician of Wanhelou is well worth hiring."
The shopkeeper spoke highly of Su Qingli. He was naturally delighted that Su Qingli could attract more diners with her excellent musical skills.
"The musician you hired is extremely accomplished, and he only makes money and never loses money. It's a waste of his talent to have him come to your Wanhe Tower to play the pipa."
Zhang Yi closed his eyes and appreciated the beautiful sound of the pipa. Such a musician was qualified to be the chief musician in the palace. There were not many people in the capital who could play at such a level.
"My young lady's musical talent is unparalleled in the world. This guest is indeed a man of insight. I wonder if he is married or has a girl in his heart? I have 20 cents for each sachet. I guarantee that a girl will like it if I give it to her."
Qingzhu was delighted to hear Zhang Yi's praise, and immediately seized the opportunity and started a sachet business taking advantage of his good impression of Su Qingli.
Qi Caiyao looked over at the sound, her eyes filled with surprise. "Ms. Qingzhu, why are you here? Could it be that the person playing the pipa on the stage is Sister Jiang?"
Qingzhu remained silent, and followed the voice to the guest table on the right side of the restaurant. "Second Miss Qi, Sixth Young Master, why are you two here?"
Qi Jinqian smiled faintly as a response, and Qi Caiyao stood up and walked towards Qingzhu.
"This sachet is uniquely made, exquisite and innovative. I want to buy one to wear." Qi Caiyao then saw the small object in Qingzhu's hand. She took out the purse from her waist, took out a few silver coins and stuffed them into Qingzhu's hand.
"Miss Qingzhu, why are you selling sachets? It seems that the tuition fees of our Qi Mansion tutors are not enough for Miss Jiang's expenses." Qi Jinqian walked over.
"Sixth Young Master, you've misunderstood. My young lady and I are selling for someone else. One of her close friends is in urgent need of money and has a lot of debts. Any help we can give is appreciated."
Qingzhu did not tell the complete truth, and Su Qingli's identity should not be exposed.
"You and Miss Jiang are kind-hearted. I'd like to buy one of your sachets as well." Qi Jinqian handed Qingzhu a silver ingot and casually took a sachet from Qingzhu's basket.
Then, Zhang Yi, a regular customer at Wanhelou, also took out thirty copper coins and said, "I want one too. Although I don't have a wife, I have a vain mother. I'm sure she would like the sachets you make."
Qingzhu was so happy when he received the money that his lips curled up and he nodded to thank them repeatedly.
Su Qingli on the stage kept playing the pipa. Qingzhu felt sorry for her, but she couldn't make the decision for Su Qingli. The only thing she could do was to share her burden.
It’s a pity that she doesn’t know any music and knows nothing about it, otherwise she could have replaced Su Qingli.
"Second Miss Qi, Sixth Young Master, why are you two here in Wanhe Tower?" Qingzhu looked at them in confusion. Qi Jinqian should know that the Wanhe Tower tavern is not suitable for a woman like Qi Caiyao to go in for entertainment.
"I heard the sound of the pipa coming from Wanhe Tower. I was attracted by the music, so I begged my sixth uncle to come in. The wine and food in Wanhe Tower are delicious, so it was not a wasted trip." Qi Caiyao smiled and told the reason why she came in.
Qi Jinqian, like an elder overly concerned about his junior, spoke earnestly, "Caiyao, don't do this again next time. You're a young lady who hasn't even reached marriageable age yet. It's immoral to come to a restaurant like this to drink and have fun. If it gets out, it'll be bad for your reputation."
"Sixth Uncle is such a narrow-minded, closed-minded old stubborn. I just came in to have a meal and listen to some music. How can this offend morals? I'm going to wait here for Sister Jiang to step down. Actually, I haven't seen Sister Jiang in a long time."
Qi Caiyao's watery eyes, filled with longing, fell on the screen on the stage. Beautiful music was flowing in Wanhe Tower.
"I'll accompany you. You're just a little girl, and I'm worried about leaving you here alone. If you cause any trouble, your father will blame me for not taking good care of you, his niece."
Qi Jinqian had a worried expression on his face, and his words seemed to be blaming Qi Caiyao for being careless.
"It's good that Sixth Uncle is with me. I'm just afraid that my grandfather will worry. After all, I'm a girl." Qi Caiyao didn't object to having someone following her.
Qi Jinqian smiled softly and scratched his niece's round, white, and small nose lovingly.
As night fell, the diners in the restaurant dispersed in groups of three or four. Only a few drunk people seemed to be causing trouble, but they were all persuaded to leave by the shopkeeper one after another.
Although playing music in Wanhelou was a tough job, fortunately the owner of Wanhelou took good care of the musicians hired by the restaurant. He was a kind and responsible person, and neither Chunhong nor she had ever been treated with contempt or bullying by the diners in the restaurant.
"Sister Jiang, your job is much more tiring than being a private tutor in our Qi Mansion. I really want you to come back to the Qi Mansion and teach me and my younger brother Mian."
As soon as Su Qingli stepped down the stairs, Qi Caiyao couldn't wait to hug her and put his arm around her wrist affectionately.
Qi Jinqian asked about her well-being: "Miss Jiang, has the condition of your elders improved?"
Su Qingli smiled and nodded slightly, "Thank you both for your concern. The condition of my elders at home has improved, so I can go out and make a living. This way, it will also be convenient for Qingzhu to sell sachets."
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