Chapter 429 The Clever and Versatile Pei Shisan Niang
"What? The rent for the next two years is completely waived? They won't charge us any money?"
The bearded man's jaw nearly dropped in shock, and he looked at the smiling landlord Chen again to confirm.
Landlord Chen immediately nodded:
"That's right. Not only your house, but the entire yard, will be rent-free for the next two years. You two can stay here as long as you like. As for the other tenants, we'll notify them to move out tomorrow to make room for you two. You can have more space now."
He nodded and bowed:
"I have been neglecting Brother Huang in the past and have failed to recognize his worth. I am truly sorry and hope that you and your daughter will forgive me."
The bearded man and the little girl in the red jacket stared at each other in bewilderment.
As Chen, the landlord, spoke, Pei Shisan Niang stood to the side, smiling as she watched the Huang family father and daughter. She adjusted the trailing purple-gold shawl on her arm to prevent it from dragging and touching the muddy ground of the old courtyard.
She smiled warmly and reached out to touch the little girl in the red coat behind the bearded man.
Huang Xuan instinctively stepped back to avoid it.
Pei Shisan Niang was not angry and calmly withdrew her hand.
The bearded man asked in surprise, "Third Master Chen, why is this? Why did you suddenly waive two years' rent and... and even give us the whole yard..."
Chen, the landlord, remained silent and turned to look at Pei Shisan Niang beside him.
Pei Shisan Niang shifted her gaze from Huang Xuan to the bearded man, and suddenly asked:
"What's your name, Brother Huang?"
"I dare not accept the title of elder brother." The bearded man scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "My surname is Huang, my given name is Feihong, and I am the eldest in my family. You can also call me Huang Da. This is my daughter, her given name is Xuan, you can just call her Xiao Xuan."
“Okay, Brother Huang.” Pei Shisan Niang smiled and nodded, “Actually, it’s not just this room. Landlord Chen has been so generous, how could I be stingy?”
She held out one palm to her side, and a burly guard behind her took something from his robes, bowed, and handed it to her, placing it in her palm.
Huang Feihong and Huang Xuan looked closely and saw a brass key with a copper ring on the palm of her hand adorned with a jade bracelet. She spoke gently with a kind expression:
"This is the key to the large house at the alley entrance, two hundred zhang west of the gate. I have only recently arrived in Xunyang, unlike in Yangzhou, and I don't have much to offer. This house is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Brother Huang and Xiao Xuan, and don't be shy about it."
"This...this gift..."
Huang Feihong's eyes widened, and he stammered, unable to speak.
Huang Xuan, who was hiding behind her father, also peeked out, her mouth agape as she stared at the sudden appearance of the noblewoman and the copper key in her hand.
After a short while, she suddenly asked, "Isn't that large mansion at the entrance of the alley the residence of Master Li?"
Pei Shisan Niang said casually, "Oh, Master Li just moved out today, so it's yours now. Don't worry, Xiao Xuan, this is a private gift from me, and I meant no harm... Oh, right, I almost forgot the deed."
She suddenly patted her forehead and smiled helplessly:
"We arrived in such a hurry that the deed is still at that mansion. We need you to sign it first. Perfect timing. Let's go over there later and take a look at what's missing in the new house. You can tell us on the spot, and I'll take care of everything. I guarantee you two will live comfortably."
The unexpected windfall left the Huang family father and daughter somewhat bewildered. They exchanged glances frequently, but did not immediately move.
I wanted to be cautious and see if there was a scam, but when I looked around at my dilapidated yard, I was immediately brought back to reality.
They were destitute; their entire household, including the courtyard, might not be worth as much as the purple-gold shawl draped over the arm of the noblewoman before them. The carriage and its four magnificent horses at the entrance could probably buy half the street here.
These wealthy, ostentatious women, dressed like tycoons, are making money every minute and have the leisure to swindle poor fathers and daughters.
Unless there's some amazing return on investment, wouldn't it be a losing proposition, making them work like oxen and horses for eight lifetimes and still not be able to repay the debt... and oxen and horses are the least in short supply in this world.
Huang Feihong shook his head like a rattle drum:
"This is too valuable, far too valuable. Xiaoxuan and I cannot accept it. This favor is too great; we couldn't repay it even if we sold our possessions..."
"Brother Huang, let me correct you. This is not a favor. It is a private gift between me and landlord Chen. It is not a sale. Tomorrow, we can invite a notary from the government to transfer the property rights and deeds. It is aboveboard, with complete procedures and no tricks involved."
"Besides, I am not very talented, but I am a merchant from Yangzhou. Brother Huang can go out and inquire. We Yangzhou merchants always keep our promises and never break them."
When it came to reputation, Pei Shisan Niang's smile faded, and she became somewhat serious, not like she was joking.
Huang Feihong grew increasingly uneasy and asked with a doubtful tone:
"Why would Madam Pei and Third Master Chen send us these things out of the blue? This doesn't make sense. What are they after?"
Huang Xuan suddenly spoke up: "What do you want...? My family has nothing, nothing that you would like... We are not fortunate enough to exchange houses with Madam, please leave."
Chen, the landlord, glanced sideways at Pei Shisan Niang.
Huang Feihong also stared at her.
Pei Shisan Niang ignored the two of them, smiling as she looked at Huang Xuan. Although she was a little surprised by Huang Xuan's reaction and words of refusal, she continued:
"I don't beg for anything, I do good deeds and accumulate virtue, why do I need so many 'whys'?"
“Ah, merchants should give back some of their profits to the poor. This is business ethics and it is in line with the natural order of yin and yang. No reason is needed. However… I was able to realize this sense of responsibility today because I was inspired and enlightened by a noble sage. I can say that I am learning from the virtuous.”
She expressed deep emotion.
Landlord Chen immediately nodded: "Me too, me too."
Huang Feihong was completely baffled: "What does 'noble person, sage' mean?"
Huang Xuan realized: "You know that important person from this evening?"
Pei Shisan Niang nodded with a smile.
Huang Feihong looked around in confusion and asked, "That important person from this evening? What are you talking about? Xiaoxuan, what happened this evening?"
Pei Shisan Niang did not answer.
Huang Xuan lowered her eyelashes and looked at the wound on her palm.
Huang Feihong's gaze followed and fell on her wound...
A short while later, after getting the details of the dramatic escape from danger that evening from his daughter, the bearded man's face turned red, and he gritted his teeth:
"Those bastards from Hanlei Ink Shop, they're beasts! They really infuriate me! Xiaoxuan, I told you not to go there anymore. It's not worth it for those scraps of ink. If you really want to write calligraphy and make ink sheets, you can just buy some cheap ink sticks... But you wouldn't listen and went every day. I knew those managers of the ink shops were no good the moment I saw them. They're infuriating! Don't let me catch them next time!"
Huang Xuan ignored her and pressed Pei Shisan Niang again: "So, did a noble person send you here to help my family?"
Pei Shisan Niang's eyes flickered slightly, her expression neither confirming nor denying:
"More or less. I do know a benefactor who helped you, and my purpose in coming here this time is to learn from him."
Huang Xuan fell silent and touched a certain money pouch.
"Actually, this isn't a completely free house giveaway. Um... there's a small favor I need, just a small favor, and it's something that will benefit that important person... you know what I mean?"
"What is it?" Huang Feihong asked curiously.
"To help a benefactor gain a good reputation, you simply go out for a meal, thank the benefactor in person, and help him gain fame. This way, you can repay his kindness and you won't feel too guilty."
Pei Shisan Niang spoke kindly, bent down, and handed the key to Huang Xuan, while patting her head.
This time, Huang Xuan didn't dodge, but looked up as she stroked her head to confirm again:
"Tell me first, how can you help? Can you really help this benefactor?" He sounded somewhat worried and wary.
"Of course, think about it, helping a poor little girl out of a predicament is an act of kindness. If you spread the word, it will only do you good. Anyway, when you show up, you will definitely say good things about him in public, not bad things, right?"
"It's not something shameful, it's a good deed. When doing good deeds, one shouldn't remain anonymous, don't you think?"
"Here's what we'll do: if you find that what I said is false, you can leave anytime. Don't worry, I won't take back the house I gave you..."
Pei Shisan Niang smiled and said this, then suddenly changed the subject:
“It’s too late, and it’s cold standing in this yard. How about we go to the new house at the alley entrance to talk, and you can take a look at the house while we’re at it.”
The Huang father and daughter hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Upon arriving at their new home, the Huang father and daughter acted as if they had entered a grand garden, touching everything with hopeful eyes and barely concealing their joy.
This feeling is like a poor person suddenly owning a big villa; it's a bit like a dream.
Suddenly, Pei Shisan Niang asked, "Xiao Xuan, do you know who that young man wearing a felt hat who buys red leaves is?"
Huang Xuan was taken aback: "Isn't she that noble lady's servant? Isn't the noble lady that Miss Xie, and that prince's mansion?"
"You're so adorable."
Pei Shisan Niang shook her head and chuckled: "Whether the Xie family's noble daughter likes your red leaves, I don't know, but the one who stepped forward to buy the red leaves is Ouyang Lianghan, the Prefect of Jiangzhou. He is your true benefactor."
The little girl in the red coat stood there dumbfounded.
"Chief Secretary... Ouyang Lianghan... that renowned gentleman?" She blurted out, "The Zhou state rejoices, the Rong state has Lianghan?"
"That's right, it's him."
Pei Shisan Niang was very satisfied with Huang Xuan's reaction, but the little girl suddenly looked up and asked another question, which almost stumped her.
"Then why did he mention 'young lady' and 'keep a low profile'... Could it be that he doesn't want to make a fuss? Would it be inappropriate for Father and me to spread the word?"
Pei Shisan Niang couldn't help but glance at the quick-thinking little girl again, and suddenly smiled:
"This...this is what makes him truly a saint. Think about it, isn't it because he was afraid you and Brother Huang would feel guilty? You're so poor, what could you possibly repay him with? He doesn't care about these things at all, so why would he burden you? He simply said that the noble lady of the royal family liked Hongye, without mentioning himself at all, thus concealing the reason for his act of helping those in need..."
The noblewoman sighed, "Now that we have the opportunity, I'll let you offer me a toast to express your gratitude. Surely you won't find that troublesome? Are you some ungrateful scoundrel?"
Huang Xuan and Huang Feihong fell silent, as if what he said made a lot of sense, and their eyes showed hesitation... At this moment, a house deed was pushed in front of the father and daughter.
Pei Shisan Niang pressed her hand on the house deed, looked at them, and smiled without saying a word.
Huang Feihong touched the red lacquered tables and chairs around him, looking somewhat reluctant to leave.
He quietly turned to look at his daughter.
"What did Brother Huang say?" Pei Shisan Niang asked.
Huang Feihong scratched his head awkwardly: "Listen to Xiaoxuan. In our family, she's the one who makes the decisions in these matters."
Pei Shisan Niang was taken aback, then smiled and glanced at the little girl in the red coat who was lost in thought. She found the way the father and daughter got along even more interesting, especially the daughter.
The father and daughter have contrasting styles: one is reckless and carefree, while the other is meticulous and self-disciplined. The daughter, on the other hand, seems more like the parent.
Huang Xuan exchanged a glance with her father and saw the unspoken words in his eyes.
She suddenly looked around.
This luxurious new mansion of Master Li was located at the street corner, brightly lit day and night, with candles seemingly free. Huang Xuan had passed by here countless times, each time dragging her aching legs and feet, feeling wronged, back to the dim and cramped courtyard.
She remembered that the Li family also had a young daughter of similar age to her, who lived a life of luxury and elegance, with servants always by her side. Huang Xuan often followed the neighbors and watched from the sidelines, hiding in an inconspicuous corner of the crowd.
Right now, the deed to the house she had looked up to countless times is quietly placed in front of her.
Huang Xuan raised her head:
"Landlord Chen has waived the rent for two years. Please don't kick out the other tenants. Let everything remain the same and let those old ladies and uncles continue to live there. Is that alright? Madam, those old ladies and uncles are very kind people. This is also an act of kindness."
Upon hearing the unexpected condition, Pei Shisan Niang raised her eyelashes slightly, but then her smile widened:
"Either way, the house belongs to you and your daughter, you can do whatever you want with it. Come on, let's discuss the arrangements for tomorrow's toast..."
During the listening session, Huang Xuan touched the money pouch in her bosom again.
A handsome young man in a felt hat flashed before my eyes... It turned out he was the benefactor.
"Tomorrow at noon... Xunyang Tower... the two of you will be there on time... rest assured, the distinguished guest will also be there..."
Before long, after reaching an agreement, Pei Shisan Niang left the Huang family father and daughter behind, satisfied.
Board a luxurious carriage and leave the dilapidated alley.
As she passed the alleyway, she suddenly saw a strange Taoist priest standing on the street, carrying a peach wood sword. For some reason, he was not wearing a crown, his hair was disheveled, and his Taoist robe was messy and unkempt, but he had a blank expression on his face.
The Taoist priest watched her carriage pass by silently, his face expressionless.
Pei Shisan Niang glanced at it, lowered the carriage curtain, shook her head and muttered:
"This old town of Xingzifang is a complete mess, muddy and dirty, not as clean and tidy as the streets of Yangzhou. So... I am really doing a good deed, Chief Secretary."
The wheels rolled on, crushing the muddy ground of the dilapidated alley, and sped away.
Lu Ya watched the noblewoman's luxurious carriage disappear into the distance, then turned to look in the direction of the Huang family father and daughter who were overjoyed with their new house.
...
The following day, Ouyang Rong went out as usual.
I had a day off yesterday, and I feel refreshed and full of energy for work today.
Well, it's more comfortable to work than to go shopping with women. So be it, a cult is fine.
In the morning, he arrived at Hanlei Ink Studio on time. There was still a cold, aloof girl in palace attire there, relentlessly investigating the theft of fifty Hanlei inksticks.
Ouyang Rong took a stroll around, greeted Yan Liulang who was cooperating with the investigation, and asked about the case.
Yan Liulang's face was serious as he shook his head and said:
"There are no clues. The ink sticks seem to have disappeared into thin air. We have investigated every link and all the people who came into contact with them have been investigated one by one. Unless the owner is a thief crying 'theft,' or everyone is lying and never produced this batch of ink, I really can't figure out how they could have vanished into thin air."
After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Your Excellency, although it is a minor case and no one was killed, I have never seen such a bizarre case since I became a constable."
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat strange.
Even though not being able to find the thief would help him, the "owner of the Butterfly Love Flower," to hide his identity, he was still very curious about the modus operandi.
So, who did it? How could they do it so quietly? Could it be a craftsman?
But these days, the little guy was punished by being made to wear a "bellyband" as a form of self-reflection, and was kept in the sword box every day with the two trophies it had captured.
Ouyang Rong nodded. The monk was lawless and had no respect for the law. He should be punished for his bad behavior. It's not fair that he, the sword master, had to pay the price and be branded a lecherous ghost.
If it dares to bring any random stuff home again, it'll have to consider whether its little sword box nest can hold it all.
Anyway, it shouldn't have been done by the craftsmen who were locked in the dark room. Besides, where could they hide fifty ink sticks?
Seeing that nothing was wrong and that Rong Zhen was aloof and ignoring everyone, Ouyang Rong left first.
Rongzhen dismissed the person and turned to walk into the stolen warehouse.
After wandering around the pile of Hanlei inksticks twice, she suddenly stopped, lowered her eyelashes, and murmured to herself:
"If you rule out all possible truths, then only the impossible remains."
"Why not be a little bolder? Is it possible that it wasn't man-made, which is why no 'human presence' was left behind? What exactly could make fifty ink sticks disappear into thin air without leaving a trace? Could it be... that they were eaten? Heh, interesting."
"Originally, we were investigating the owner of the Butterfly Love Flower, but we didn't expect to find out about those things first..."
(End of this chapter)
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