Zhu Jiayu died once.
She lay in bed for three days before she finally convinced herself to accept the fact.
She accepted that she had been exploited and seduced by the scumbag Rong Heng, leading a life of misery and a tragic death.
"Lvzheng," Zhu Jiayu sat up in bed, called her personal maid into the room, and asked, "Where is my father?"
Upon hearing this, the maid stepped forward, curtsied, and said with her eyes lowered, "Reporting to Miss, Master has gone to Wei's Cloth Shop to discuss business with Master Wei. He said before he left that he would probably be back later."
Zhu Jiayu hummed in agreement and said, "Help me get dressed, I need to go to the brothel."
In her past life, her first encounter with Rong Heng was through a bridal procession at a decorated pavilion. Now that she's recovered, her first priority is naturally to smash the pavilion and sever their ill-fated relationship.
As for the rest, we can talk about it later. Anyway, there's plenty of time.
Green Kite then helped the young lady out of bed, and according to her wishes, brought her an apricot-red pleated skirt outlined in gold thread, and a headdress inlaid with gold and rubies to dress her up, before following her out the door.
Suiping is located by the river, and the girls in Suiping City are gentle and kind-hearted. Fortunately, the local people are simple and honest, and the prefect is wise and just. No spoiled brats have ever caused any trouble by bullying men and women. Therefore, it is common for women to travel outside these days.
Zhu Jiayu was able to go out with her maid without any hindrance.
The carriage drove out of Xinghua Lane and arrived at the Zhu family's decorated pavilion on Qingxing Street in about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Zhu Jiayu lifted the curtain, glanced at the pavilion, told the driver to stop, and bowed as she got out of the carriage.
"Miss Zhu, what brings you here? Don't worry, this decorated building is being supervised by a servant. He will make sure they do their best to ensure it is beautiful and well-made." Chen Zhongzheng, the supervisor, was directing the workers to move timber and bricks when he turned around and saw Zhu Jiayu coming. He quickly and eagerly went up to greet her.
Zhu Jiayu chuckled lightly, "With Uncle Chen here, I'm naturally at ease. However, there's no need to continue building this decorated tower." She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping lightly over the tower that was already taking shape in front of her, and said in a calm voice, "Smash it."
"This..." Chen Zhong had never heard of such a request before. For a moment, he even doubted that he had misheard. After all, he had only ever heard of the owner urging the construction period. How could a perfectly good building be demolished halfway through construction?
Seeing his hesitation, Zhu Jiayu stepped forward, picked up the shimmering glazed tile from the ground, raised it high above her head, and then smashed it down hard!
The glazed tiles shattered instantly, breaking into pieces in a flash. Each fragment reflected the scene on both sides of the long street, as well as the narrow patch of blue sky above them.
“Just like me,” Zhu Jiayu stared at the fragments before her, seemingly unconcerned, “Uncle Chen, don’t worry, I’ll pay your wages as usual. But this decorated building can’t be kept, understand?”
In an instant, Chen Zhong saw an aura of intimidation emanating from the petite woman before him, an aura that left no room for doubt or rebuttal. It was as if her mere presence, though silent, carried the weight of a thousand pounds!
After a brief moment of panic, he murmured "yes."
Immediately afterwards, someone carried in a rosewood armchair. Zhu Jiayu turned and sat down, her apricot-red skirt trailing on the ground. She smiled and said, "If you understand, then let's begin. I'll be waiting for you here."
Chen Zhong was stunned.
He originally only wanted to stall Zhu Jiayu until his men found the Zhu family patriarch to discuss the aftermath, but he never expected that Zhu Jiayu would not give him any chance at all.
He sighed heavily, "If Master Zhu pursues the matter later, Miss, please don't..."
Zhu Jiayu interrupted him: "If Father pursues the matter, I will take full responsibility."
After she finished speaking, she stopped looking at them and sat leisurely in the chair, admiring the color and luster of her long dress under the sunlight, which resembled shimmering brocade.
Just then, a soft laugh was heard from the crowd.
Zhu Jiayu looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure in a black robe, wearing a golden crown and brocade belt, with a white jade lotus pendant hanging from his waist, standing under a tall willow tree by the building.
He was a handsome young man, not very old, but his noble air was evident in his eyes and brows. This kind of nobility could only be cultivated in a wealthy and influential family.
For no apparent reason, Zhu Jiayu felt that he looked somewhat familiar.
Just as she was about to examine his face closely, she suddenly heard him speak again: "I've only ever heard of building a decorated tower to choose a husband, never of smashing up a decorated tower. This young lady is truly... extraordinary."
Zhu Jiayu lowered her brows, abandoning her desire to investigate further, and said calmly:
"It is only because I am ignorant that I do not know when it started, my lord, you no longer need to study martial arts, but instead, like a common woman, you prefer to focus on trivial matters. People who do not know might think that my bridal procession is not looking for a destined person, but for you, my precious young lord."
She paused, then suddenly narrowed her eyes and changed the subject, saying, "Or is it that you nobles from Yujing just like to meddle in other people's business?"
Before the young man could react, the guards behind him stepped forward, holding their swords horizontally in front of them, the swords drawn an inch from their sheaths.
Those who had gathered to watch the spectacle were suddenly pushed aside by the guards' actions, fearing that the swords would not be merciful and that their heads would roll in the next instant. For a moment, everyone's faces were filled with fear.
Suiping City is really small. The biggest news on weekdays is nothing more than the concubine of Master Li in the west of the city having an affair, or a local ruffian in the north of the city breaking his leg. No one has ever seen such a scene of drawing swords at every turn!
Only Zhu Jiayu remained unmoved. She raised her flowing sleeves and spread them out in the sunlight, watching the changing colors of the gold threads with composure.
"Young master, you have quite the airs. It's one thing to meddle in the affairs of Suiping City when you're new here, but what, do you intend to harm the people of my city? Suiping City may be small, but please know that land in Yujing City is also extremely valuable."
"I imagine many people would be happy to see you make room for them, young master?"
She was already exceptionally beautiful, and now, with the corners of her lips slightly upturned, her eyes and brows were even more radiant, making her incredibly charming.
Wei Qinglou pursed his thin lips slightly.
The woman before him was sharp-tongued and truly hateful, but he had come to Suiping today on important business. Besides, she was right about one thing: the people of Yujing were probably watching him. If he made any rash moves, the Wei family would definitely be implicated...
He gave her a meaningful look with a cold expression, then turned and went into the teahouse next door.
Zhu Jiayu rubbed the calluses on her fingertips, feeling relieved: it seemed she had made the right bet.
The man's robes were made of tribute brocade worth a thousand gold pieces; the lotus pendant at his waist was made of Kunshan white jade, which was priceless and unavailable on the market; the golden crown that bound his hair was the work of a master of the time, and had been reserved for the palace for two years.
Such immense wealth and status must belong to a young master from a top-tier family. Such a person would definitely face obstacles in Suiping City. In her conversation just now, her only concern was that he might be a reckless and unruly person, but fortunately he wasn't, which prevented her from losing face in front of others.
"Miss! I've finally found you! Master is back and is waiting for you in the hall!"
Zhu Jiayu's heart leaped into her throat: Oh no, Dad must know! She was in grave danger!
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