Chapter 10 From this day forward, there will be no more Fang Linchun in the world to appreciate the peony.
"Madam Fang? Madam Fang?"
A small, cramped wine shop at the end of an alley had its door tightly shut, and a well-to-do woman was banging on the door.
"Is Madam Fang awake yet?"
"Stop shouting," a woman selling tofu called to her from the side, "Madam Fang hasn't opened for business for three days."
"What should we do? I ordered the wine from her house six months ago, and it's supposed to be moved to the banquet the day after tomorrow..."
The tofu seller frowned, also puzzled: "Speaking of which, Fang Niangzi is the most diligent in our alley. She opens her shop before dawn every day and closes at night, day after day... Recently, I haven't seen her open her shop much. I wonder what happened to her."
"Oh dear! What are we going to do!" the woman cried out in distress, slapping her thigh. "My daughter is getting married the day after tomorrow! What will we do without this wine!"
The tofu lady didn't know how to comfort her.
"Why don't you find another place to keep in mind? I'll keep an eye on her for the next couple of days, and let you know if I see her."
The woman responded repeatedly, "Thank you so much! I just need to buy some vegetables to take home. How much is your tofu?"
"Come in and take a look..."
“Madam, I heard from the neighbors that Madam Fang hasn’t opened her door for three days… What if we go out like this and get scolded by her mother?” A pretty girl in a light blue dress followed closely behind, wearing a light pink gauze outer garment over a bright red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). Large, delicate peonies embroidered with gold thread burst out from the gauze, making her look like a lotus flower blooming with every step.
"Don't worry, Mom won't punish you." The woman's voice was charming as she reassured her.
The woman in the green dress stamped her foot in frustration, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"Linchun, Linchun?"
Another knock on the door attracted the attention of the tofu seller who was still making her business.
She peeked out, intending to offer a friendly reminder, but seeing the woman's indecent attire and affected manner, which attracted many men to peek at her, she cursed her under her breath and said coldly, "Madam Fang is not here."
The woman in pink, unperturbed by her unfriendly tone, smiled and asked, "Does sister know where Linchun has gone?"
After saying that, he asked the woman in the green dress beside him to put some change on the tofu table.
Unexpectedly, the tofu seller's expression changed, and she brushed aside the loose silver coins, spitting out, "Get out of the way! Don't let this dirty money soil my tofu!"
"You!" The woman in the green robe's eyes reddened instantly. She glared at her angrily, but couldn't find the words to retort.
"What do you mean, 'get out of here'!" the tofu lady cursed. "You scoundrel, why don't you stay in your brothel and come out here to disgust people? I'm being lenient by not kicking you out!"
The woman in the green dress was on the verge of tears as she looked at the woman in pink, wanting to urge her to go back quickly.
"My lady, let's go back. We'll send a message to Madam Fang later tonight."
"No, Qingyuan, my right eyelid has been twitching for the past three days, and I'm not at ease. I have to see Linchun in person, otherwise I won't feel at ease."
Qingyuan bit her lip and sobbed. She was thin-skinned and rarely went out, so she couldn't stand the subtle disdainful glances from the people on the street.
"Alright, I'll treat you to something nice to make it up to you when we get back," the woman in pink said softly, wiping away her tears.
"But the gate is closed, how will you see Madam Fang?"
"That's easy." The woman in pink took out a key from her sleeve and opened the door of the wine shop.
"What are you doing?!" The tofu seller, who had been watching the two women closely, shouted as they opened the wine shop door, drawing the attention of the entire street. "In broad daylight, you two shameless sluts, are you trying to steal something?!"
The woman in pink, with a smile on her face, explained, "My lady, you misunderstand. This key was given to me by Madam Fang, and I had no intention of stealing it."
"I think you're just trying to bully Madam Fang. You stole her key from somewhere and are trying to steal things while she's not home!"
A middle-aged man from the shop next door jumped out with a righteous expression, his narrow eyes sweeping over her and sizing them up.
The woman in pink's smile faded considerably. Without saying another word to them, she pushed open the door and went inside.
The surrounding neighbors all craned their necks to watch the commotion.
"ah!!!"
A sharp, piercing scream rang out from the tavern, echoing through the sky.
"Aaaaaaahh ...
Qingyuan ran out and stood in the alley, terrified. Her eyes widened, and she trembled all over, pointing shakily into the tavern: "Dead, dead, dead people..."
"Madam Fang is dead—"
"Linchun!!!"
Two voices boomed like thunder, and the alley was instantly packed with people.
"Linchun..."
The woman in pink walked out looking lost and dejected. When she saw the tofu lady standing not far away, she rushed over, her delicate and composed demeanor from when she first arrived completely gone.
"My lady, my lady, please, report it to the authorities! Report it to the authorities quickly!"
"Linchun, Linchun..." she said, then rushed into the wine shop as if she were in a frenzy.
"Linchun—"
"My lady, are you having another nightmare?" Qingyuan hurriedly entered the room upon hearing the murmurs, lifted the curtain, and asked worriedly.
"Qingyuan, is Linchun still alive?" The person before her had bloodshot eyes that stared intently at her. Qingyuan panicked and frantically tried to pry open the person's restraints, while trying to comfort her, "Madam, Madam Fang is gone... Mother wants you to dress up nicely tonight to receive guests, Master He..."
"..." She could no longer hear what Qingyuan was saying, and slumped against the cushion, lost in thought.
Just as Qingyuan finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.
"Miss Peony, your mother wants you to accompany Master He and the others to the garden tonight."
Seeing that Peony didn't respond at all, Qingyuan was completely stunned, as if she had been possessed. She quickly replied, "Thank you, Sister Zijuan! We understand!"
"She's got the favor of a big shot and still acts all high and mighty. How pretentious!"
The person outside the door gave a soft snort, then suddenly realized that the person inside couldn't hear him, so he tossed his handkerchief aside, turned around, and left.
Peony's face was pale, and she could not hide her exhaustion. She suddenly sat up with a start, grabbed her hand, and asked, "Is today the day of Linchun's funeral?"
"Ah? Yes, yes."
"Help me with my hair and makeup." She perked up a bit. "I want to see her one last time..."
“My lady… this isn’t right. Mother won’t let you go. Please don’t go… Fang’s neighbors won’t let us see her off either.”
"..."
"My lady..." Qingyuan didn't know how to comfort her as she covered her face and wept, so she could only silently leave the room and let her compose herself.
After Qingyuan left, she slowly raised her head from her palm, her fair cheeks still streaked with tears.
She took out the clothes she had prepared beforehand, put them on, and slipped out when no one was around.
Along the ten-mile-long street, Peony had never run so fast, so hurriedly, or so disheveled. Inside the building, she was the most dazzling and elegant one, always the center of attention, with a composed and graceful demeanor.
Lin Chun was all alone in the world, and she was her only relative. If she didn't even go to see her off, how lonely she would be on her way alone.
The funeral was organized by Linchun's neighbors. She had Qingyuan give her money to find the best burial plot and the best coffin for her, so that she could have a grand funeral.
As the white paper fluttered down, she walked through the funeral procession, slowing her pace. A belated ache and numbness crept into her legs, making her steps heavier and heavier.
When the tofu seller saw her approaching with her makeup disheveled, she glared at her and said coldly, "What are you doing here?!"
"I've come to see her off on her final journey." Peony choked with sobs, her gaze following the coffin that drew ever closer to her.
The tofu lady wanted to say something more, but was stopped by the woman beside her, who said, "Today is the funeral of the deceased, so let's not cause any unpleasantness."
The tofu seller finally gave up and turned to leave, hoping to avoid seeing him. She bumped right into the men who were peeking at her, their eyes filled with murderous intent, like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey. She spat, "What are you looking at! Be careful, or I'll gouge your eyes out!"
Many men turned away dejectedly, not daring to look, while others were enraged and spat angrily, "You nosy, meddlesome woman!"
Just as the burial was about to begin, the ceremony was interrupted again.
Everyone looked at the person who was rushing towards them in a rage.
"Isn't this Yichunlou? How did you end up here?" The words had barely left her lips when she saw that slender and graceful figure.
"Excuse me, everyone, I'm taking someone back with me, so I won't bother you any longer." After saying this, the pimp bowed towards the coffin, said "Please don't blame me," and then gestured to the guards behind him.
"Peony, are you coming with me or do you want me to tie you up and take you back?" The pimp squinted, his tone cold and sharp. "You'd better save face for each other."
peony:"……"
"Could you please make an exception and let me see her off one last time..."
"Peony! Don't let everyone laugh at us." The pimp gripped her arm tightly, warning her in her ear, "You'd better listen to me. Master He has asked you to accompany him tonight. If he finds out what you did today, how will Yichun Pavilion survive?! You know the consequences!"
"..." Peony's arrogance dissipated, and her shoulders slumped. "Alright, I'll go back with you. Please let me kowtow to her, okay?"
The pimp released his grip and sneered, "You'd better know what's good for you."
After saying that, he watched as she slowly walked to the coffin.
Those nearby grew impatient and spoke up to remind him, "You'd better hurry up, or you'll miss the burial time."
"Thank you for saving me that year."
"Thank you for not looking down on me because I am a courtesan."
She kowtowed with each word she spoke.
"Enough, Peony!" The pimp, fearing she would hurt her face and he would have to explain, sent someone to pull her away.
"Thank you for your hospitality, your wine is really delicious."
"Linchun, let's be sisters again in our next life!"
With a strength she didn't know she possessed, she broke free of her restraints and stared intently at the coffin.
Bang!
The coffin was placed securely.
From then on, Fang Linchun was no more in the world.
*
"Come on! Let's drink!"
"Let's do it!"
"Brother Gu is so straightforward!"
The man, addressed as Brother Gu, had flushed cheeks, glazed eyes, and a hearty laugh.
"Brother Gu, where did you get so much good wine? You never used to share any with your brothers, but now you're finally willing to bring it out?"
"How dare you speak ill of Brother Gu while drinking his wine?" The man in green shoved his arm around his shoulder and shouted, "Our Brother Gu is the cousin of the future top scholar! How dare you speak ill of our Brother Gu? You deserve to be punished!"
After saying that, he poured himself another large bowl of wine.
"Heh heh, you speak so righteously, but aren't you just after this drink?"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"Huh?" A man in a white robe caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of his eye and squinted to look. "Look! There seems to be a girl!"
"Hey! You're drunk, aren't you? Where did this girl come from?"
"There really is one! And she has a pretty good figure!"
After hearing this, everyone looked in the direction he pointed.
There was indeed a graceful figure in the distance, seemingly carrying something.
"Are there still people here so late?"
They drank in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, glanced at the quiet streets around them, and several of them sobered up, trembling as they said:
"Could it be a female ghost?"
A note from the author:
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