Chapter 26: Backlash Do you have a hidden illness? Yang deficiency? Impotence? ...
Once a person has something to do, time flies by like a spring flowing through a stream. In the blink of an eye, it is already May.
Huaicheng is located on the east side of the Ru River. In addition to the wharf run by the Dacheng government, there are also many privately-owned wharves. Yuequan Wharf is operated by the common people, and the remuneration required for transporting goods is more cost-effective than that of the government-run wharf. Her cousin returned home from Kyoto just to take over Yuequan Wharf and make a profit.
Huaicheng has only two or three robberies a year, which makes it much safer than the Linzhou coast. However, the Ru River has no fewer than ten tributaries, and although the government has made great efforts to crack down on the bandits, it is difficult to eradicate the problem at its root.
Zhu Hao's silk brocade, purchased last month from Nanjun, was looted by pirates, leaving not a single piece untouched. She was filled with suspicion. The fact that no boatmen were killed was welcome news, but that was also where the suspicion arose. Pirates were known for their brutality, and in previous years, every ship that ran afoul of them had suffered casualties. Yet, this time, over a dozen boatmen escaped with no injuries. Furthermore, while many merchants had their goods stolen, hers alone were completely plundered.
Zhu Hao thought of her cousin and her aunt who was imprisoned because of her, and it was hard for her not to associate this matter with Zhu Qi.
Although the government office is investigating the matter, the Ru River is vast and the bandits are very skilled and cunning. They are not confined to one area, but travel across coastal counties and prefectures to plunder, making them difficult to capture.
But if she rashly went to confront Zhu Qi, who knew it wasn't a trap he had carefully set? Zhu Hao was indeed angry, but in the end, she was calmed by the remaining trace of rationality.
If this matter is really related to him, then these three hundred taels of silk brocade can be regarded as a gift from her to Zhu Qi. In the spring of next year, she will have an even bigger gift waiting for him.
Three hundred taels. Soon, the silver she earned would be more, not less, than three hundred taels.
Zhu Hao appeared calm on the surface, but the force with which he turned the pages of the book was considerable.
With a "hiss", the book in Zhu Hao's hand was torn into a hole. It was the Huaixianlu.
Zhu Hao glanced down, his fingertips lingering on a paragraph of text: In the third year of Jiarui, Song Lang retired, gave up the position of imperial teacher and returned to Huaicheng to become the lord of a city. In the same year, Song Lang abandoned all the people and submitted a letter of surrender to the rebel army. Those who refused to obey were all beheaded by Song Lang. His younger brother resisted him, but Song Lang ignored his brothers and kin and cut off their heads. His mother died in the war.
Zhu Hao pushed the Huaixian Record aside. A hundred years had passed before the annals of history could be indistinguishable from the real thing, let alone something like this. Therefore, she remained neutral.
Zhu Hao suppressed his thoughts and picked up a few pieces of silk paper, which were exactly what Fang Xuyin had sent him half a month ago. She had not only carefully painted the entire dress, but also painted the decorations and patterns on a new piece of paper. This showed that Fang Xuyin attached great importance to this matter. After the two of them negotiated, Zhu Hao took her under his wing as he wished.
Because of the cloth looting incident last month, Zhu Hao's funds are very tight. As she is new to the business world, there are still many things she doesn't understand. She also doesn't have an elder who is familiar with this business to help her. It is really difficult for her to manage two shops.
Zhu Hao decided to sell the cloth shop to make up for the loss of 300 taels of silk brocade, and also pawn the wedding dress left to her by her parents. The wedding dress was of high quality in both fabric and pearls and gems, and she could get 100 taels of silver for just one piece.
Although she was extremely reluctant, she had to put the overall situation first and redeem the wedding dress when she became well-off in the future.
The clothing store has been completely renovated. Thinking carefully, I bought a large amount of silk brocade from Nanjun in one go, but ended up losing the big picture because of greed, and had the goods shipped by cheap water transportation. It was really too reckless. I have learned my lesson. I hope that this time I will only choose the cloth from the cloth shop in this city, and the quality is only average.
Zhu Hao has figured out a thing or two. Rich girls only care about skirts made of the best satin, but they also seek fame in clothing stores. They only patronize the city's leading cloth shops. Zhu Hao's is a new store, so it is naturally not as good as the famous shops. Rich girls look down on it, and ordinary people cannot afford it because of the sky-high prices. It is a taboo to be too picky. She should first focus on the middle-class people.
The silk paper depicts a chest-length dress, mainly smoky pink with contrasting aqua green, and lotus embroidered on the collar. Although the style is not unique, it has many clever ideas. For example, ordinary clothing stores avoid the collision of pink and green. If it is difficult to blend these two colors with the details of the skirt, it will easily appear vulgar. Although it was Zhu Hao and Fang Xuyin's first attempt, the effect was not bad. In the summer breeze, the young lady in the dress was as lovely as a delicate lotus standing in a clear pond.
Opening a new store is also the best time to sell old goods, because the materials and styles of old goods are outdated. When customers enter a clothing store, their first choice is definitely not old clothes. Therefore, these old goods will only accumulate for a longer time.
So, Zhu Hao came up with a plan: if a customer spent 50 wen on the opening day, he would give them an old piece of clothing as a gift. This would greatly increase their interest. After all, 50 wen was not a lot of money, and although old clothing was not as good as new, who wouldn't be happy to get it for free? On the opening day, he would also invite musicians to perform in the street outside the clothing store, attracting onlookers to stop and watch, creating a new atmosphere.
In addition to demonstrating embroidery techniques for new dresses to embroiderers, Zhu Hao also embroiders some small items in her spare time. She is more proficient in embroidery than in tailoring. Although she runs a clothing store, she can sell small items such as handkerchiefs and sachets. The patterns she embroiders are also popular styles nowadays.
Everything just waits until next month.
…
Chunshe is a unique teahouse in Huaicheng. Most of its guests are literati and scholars. They pour themselves a cup of tea, stand facing the window, admire the wind and sing about the moon, and express their aspirations through poetry.
The private room on the second floor was filled with dead silence.
You Heng and Fang Xu sat there for a long time, neither of them speaking.
You Heng didn't know where to start, and Fang Xuyin felt like she had nothing to say.
Finally, You Heng said stiffly, "Sanniang, I haven't seen you for nearly two months. I heard that you've been working with Zhu Hao recently. Do you find it tiring? If it's tiring, please tell me. I'm in charge of the You family now. I'll arrange whatever you want to do for a living."
Fang Xuyin held a cup of Floating Yao Xianzhi in both hands. Just half a pot cost dozens of taels of silver. It was truly the jade liquid that the rich and powerful drank. If it were her in the past, she would definitely feel that she was not worthy of this drink, but Fang Xuyin's mood at this moment was no longer the same as before.
She took a sip. The tea had a rich aroma and made her mouth water. However, it was sweet for a moment, but then turned into a long-lasting bitterness. Fang Xu's tongue was tense, and the sweetness was not seen for a long time. She didn't like it.
For example, the person in front of her, although he is the high and mighty head of the You family, who is rich and powerful, she does not like him.
"Pianpian treats me very well, and I am doing well."
This was true. Zhu Hao only lived frugally on her own expenses, but she never mistreat her subordinates. Zhu Hao was even generous in teaching her and the servants embroidery skills herself. Now she was used to calling her by her nickname.
Fang Xu turned the cup, which had a hyacinth painted on its porcelain surface, and said, "Young Master You and I have nothing more to say to each other. If there is nothing important, I will say goodbye to you. I am not like you, who has leisure time every day to drink and sing."
"Sanniang..."
Fang Xuyin interrupted him in a deep voice, "Although I have never mentioned it to you, sir, you have known me for thirteen years and yet you haven't noticed that I don't like being called 'Sanniang'."
You Heng was slightly stunned. This name was given by her father. After she pointed it out, he finally understood the whole story. You Heng said guiltily, "Ayin, I don't have any other intentions. I just think this name makes you and me look more intimate. I didn't mean to upset you."
He looked at the woman in the thorny hairpin and silk skirt in front of him and said lovingly, "Ayin, we are reconciled. Please don't be so cold to me, okay? During the trial, I think you know that I said those nonsense because You Yan was also present. How could I be so ruthless to you? And, as for your mother's matter, I tried my best to save her, but there is nothing I can do. I am heartbroken."
"Let me ask you, sir." Fang Xuyin stood up and looked him in the eye. "If I were to reconcile with you, who would you think of me? If I were just a young lady whom you have a slight crush on, that feeling would be too simple. Or do you want to marry me? Or, like when You Yan was still around, would you and I have to keep this friendship hidden and only live our lives in secret?"
You Heng immediately continued, "Ayin! Of course I want to marry you, but this matter requires careful consideration. Although I am the one in charge of the You family, my relatives are all eyeing my father's property. My uncle wants me to marry a merchant daughter of equal status. But, Ayin, don't worry. I, You Heng, will definitely not let you down."
Fang Xuyin felt as if she had heard a monstrous joke. She sneered, "Don't bother, Master You. You're still concerned about my upbringing. If you didn't despise me from the bottom of your heart, why would you tell me about 'equal status'? Why do you have to use your uncle as an excuse? You Heng, listen carefully. I, Fang Xuyin, will repay the debt I borrowed from you in the past. From today on, you are merely my creditor."
After he finished speaking, Fang Xuyin put down his teacup and left the private room without looking back.
When she walked out of the residence, she saw Zhu Hao kicking gravel to relieve his boredom.
Fang Xuyin was quite helpless. "Why did you bother to come here? I was clearly determined to have it all out with him, so why would I bother you to stay here?" She stepped forward and felt Zhu Hao's hand for warmth. "It's windy today. Don't let me catch a cold. It's most important to keep warm when you're suffering from a deficiency. Even though it's summer, we can't let our guard down."
Zhu Hao said obediently, "As you say, but I'm not really waiting here for you. I was discussing a great deal with a merchant today and just happened to be passing through Chunshe."
"Oh?" Fang Xuyin was skeptical. "I wish the shopkeeper good luck."
The two of them laughed together and walked away, supporting each other.
…
With the blowing of summer breeze, Huaicheng welcomes the new summer month.
Inside the Song residence, bright lanterns were scattered and red silks were hung high, making it look as grand as the New Year. In the huge courtyard, three tables were set up, filled with delicious food. Everyone was passing cups and talking and laughing noisily.
Tomorrow is the day when Zhu Hao opens his new shop. Although I don't know whether it can reopen smoothly and regain its former glory, and I don't know how much profit it will make, but Zhu Hao's servants have done their job well and completed the new skirts within the specified time. As the shopkeeper, Zhu Hao should treat everyone to a banquet.
Considering that Miaoli was not good at cooking and there was a precedent of not cooking mushrooms thoroughly, and besides, it was difficult for her to prepare three banquets by herself, Zhu Hao also wanted Miaoli to have a happy feast with everyone, so she spent a lot of money to hire a famous chef from the restaurant to prepare it.
Tonight the moonlight is warm, the stars are bright, the soft breeze carries the fragrance of wine and meat, and there is also a pond of newly planted lotus emitting a sweet aroma.
The main door of the Song residence was wide open, but Zhu Hao, with his sharp hearing, could hear an almost silent knock on the door.
Fang Xu followed Zhu Hao's gaze and saw Shi Chunsheng standing outside his isolated house in a serious manner. He was holding a pot of fine wine with a red paper cap. Although he did not state his purpose, everyone knew what he was doing.
Zhu Hao invited Shi Chunsheng to take a seat. He put the wine aside and said, "I'm sorry to bother you all." His face flushed, and he said bluntly, "Grandpa is old and has difficulty moving, so he asked me to come and congratulate you. This pot of green nectar was also sent by Grandpa. Although I mentioned to Grandpa before coming that Zhu Niang is not good at drinking, and his current health is not suitable for drinking, but Grandpa is a stubborn person..."
Shi Chunsheng's grandfather was Shi Yu. Speaking of his drinking capacity, Zhu Hao reminisced about their wedding night, how she'd gotten completely drunk on a mere wedding wine and slept through the night until the morning. Zhu Hao looked a little strange and said hurriedly, "How could that be true? Ultimately, it was my fault for not sending the Shi family an invitation. I beg you to... Master Shi to keep me in mind."
After all, the elders of the two families are old friends. Although there were some disagreements over the matter of Shi Jia Dalang before, Shi Yu had explained the whole story to the public during the second trial. Moreover, Zhu Hao heard a few days ago that because Shi Yu made public the fact that his family had a hereditary disease, the Xie family, which had originally been engaged to Shi Chunsheng, came to cancel the engagement.
Although Zhu Hao hated the Shi family for concealing their illness, she had largely let go of her grudge against them. Shi Yu was her former teacher and also her elder, so she should have delivered the invitation to the Shi family.
Fang Xu had observed the atmosphere between the two and had already guessed what was going on. Shi Chunsheng must be fond of Zhu Hao, but because she was already married, he had to suppress his feelings. Thinking of this, Fang Xu suddenly felt a surge of resentment. Seeing that everyone present was on good terms with Zhu Hao, she asked directly, "Pian Pian, your new clothing store is such a big deal, why didn't Master Song come back?"
The banquet was silent for a moment, with only the chirping of cicadas to be heard. It was obvious that this question was on everyone's mind.
Zhu Hao was at a loss for words. She suddenly felt that Song Xieqing's excuse of being away on business was untenable. She lowered her brows, thinking that Song Xieqing would not return. Zhu Hao simply said, "He is busy with business, traveling north and south, and has no time to travel back and forth. Now that I have opened a new clothing store, it is difficult for me to leave this city and live with him. We have thought about it for a long time and decided to divorce."
As long as she didn't marry someone else and didn't tear up the marriage contract, her engagement with him wouldn't be invalidated. She didn't know if it was because Zhu Hao was too immersed in the role or because of her weakness, but she felt like a rock was pressing down on her heart.
While everyone was silent, Miaoli was the first to react and said, "He's just unlucky! Sister Zhu is so lucky. Now she is the most beautiful young lady in Huaicheng! From tomorrow on, she will be the most beautiful and talented female shopkeeper in Huaicheng! In the future, she will be the most charming and beautiful embroiderer in Huaicheng!"
Miaoli was young and unstable to begin with. Seeing that Song Xieqing and Zhu Hao had no ties anymore, she suddenly taunted him, "He proposed marriage to the Zhu family before, saying he had no means of living and only relied on the protection of his family for generations. But why is he so busy with business now?"
She imitated Song Xieqing's tone and demeanor and said, "'Xieqing, in this life, only seeks a handsome man to comfort the young ones.' Bah! He must be keeping another woman outside!"
Fang Xuyin quickly covered Miaoli's mouth tightly, "Eat your chopsticks! Every dish is made with real money! Good days are still ahead of you, why blame me for bringing up these dark things? Pianpian can't find any kind of man she wants."
After saying this, she glanced at Shi Chunsheng meaningfully.
Shi Chunsheng discovered the crux of the matter and asked, "Are you going to divorce him? Have you set a date? If so, will this house still be in your name? If he insists on taking it back, will you have a place to live?"
Zhu Hao laughed and said, "Well, he has already given this house to me. From now on, he and I are no longer in debt to each other."
Miao Li: "Tomorrow morning I will replace the plaque on the gate with "Zhu's House"!"
There might be laughter or chatting among the crowd, and finally, they would pick up their chopsticks and taste the food.
…
Among the various strange sights in the Nine Heavens, including the jade steps and red courts, only the small courtyard where Song Xieqing lives is far away from the soft dust of Donghua, as if he is alone in the world.
He once again dreamed of the bloody storm of a hundred years ago. The corpses that stretched across the sky and the ground paved a bloody road that seemed to be a victory. He walked on it, and suddenly it seemed as if his head was also piled there.
In a moment, he suddenly saw a koi carp leap out of a small jade vat. The afterglow formed a brocade, and the crimson setting sun covered the Ying Palace like a bloody curtain. The koi carp was struggling on the windowsill, wiping its tail. He passed by the window and caught a glimpse of her corpse - her gorgeous clothes were bloody, her golden hairpin was crooked, and the burns had already destroyed her appearance, leaving only her eyes, which she could not close in death.
Song Xieqing slowly opened his eyes, his chest heaving violently, and he vomited black blood. His shirt was loose, and crimson curse threads climbed up to his jaw like vines.
Song Xieqing raised his eyes, his eyes were filled with death. He casually pinched his fingers, and a faint green light gathered at his fingertips. He saw that the barrier around him was just formed, but in a moment, it was easily dissolved by another golden light.
Chi Xing teleported forward and pressed him, "Song Xieqing, with your current injuries, who can you possibly stop? What's going on? Let me ask you, are you and Zhu Hao actually married?"
Song Xieqing said nothing, his phoenix eyes looking at the blood on his clothes with gloomy eyes. He looked unhappy and angry.
Seeing this, Chi Xing understood and said, "If we calculate by mortal age, you'd be well over a hundred. So, why are you, a grown man, so coy about sex? You haven't met your ideal fairy yet, and you weren't married to any young lady when you were a human. Song Xieqing, who are you keeping your chastity for?"
"You've been unconscious for a whole day! A year has already passed in the human world, and I wish you only have two more years left. And you won't survive two days in heaven! People with short fates are always destined to have a short relationship. I don't think she will have a marriage in this life, so why bother caring about her? Just wait for a night of love, and you can get away. Besides, this matter started because of her! Song Xieqing, if you keep wasting time like this, neither of you will survive."
Chi Xing's face was odd, and hesitantly asked, "Are you... a homosexual? Or, do you have a hidden illness? Yang deficiency? Impotence?"
Song Xieqing was not annoyed when he heard this. His expression was indifferent as he lay on his back in the vast clouds. "It's not because of her. It's just that I've been thinking about Qing every day. I've always been indifferent to life and death. It was like this a hundred years ago, and it's even more so now. After my death, whether I turn into wind or rain, it doesn't matter. Besides, I deserve to die. Zhu Hao and I are both destined to die. Since this is the case, I'll die mine, and she'll die hers. Why bother fighting against the laws of nature?"
"Do you remember why you promised me and Father God to live in the world as human gods a hundred years ago?" Chi Xing thought of Song Xieqing at that time. He knelt proudly in front of the gods. No matter what temptation was offered, he was full of death. He did not want to live and even sneered at the word "becoming a god". It was not until Father God called out the woman's name that a faint glow appeared in his eyes.
Seeing Song Xieqing's expression slightly changed, Chi Xing pressed on, "Father God has found news about her for you. Don't you want to see her?"
Song Xieqing chuckled softly, "In a hundred years on earth, I haven't found any trace of her. Now, when I'm about to die, he has found out about her? Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"
Chi Xing transformed a dead branch into something, "Song Xieqing, do you think that the Father and I are deceiving you?" He pushed it into Song Xieqing's arms, "Put your divine power into the dead branch."
Song Xieqing did as he was told, and saw the dry branches faintly glowing with green light. In the blink of an eye, a touch of new green appeared on the branches, and the dry branches also became shiny and plump silently.
"It's not just any rotten wood. Only a small fairy like a plant can revive it. However, there are countless such fairies among the gods of the Nine Heavens. However, now that we know she must be the flower goddess, it will be much easier for Father God to find her." Chi Xing asked Song Xieqing, "Do you wish to live?"
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Chi Xing simply put on his coat and asked, "Where are you going? Looking for Zhu Hao?"
"Qinse Palace."
Chi Xing suppressed her anger and said in a deep voice, "Song Xieqing! What time is it? What are you doing in Qinse Palace? Don't tell me you're looking for a marriage partner."
Song Xieqing replied lazily: "I wish you a good fate, but I can see your marriage, right?"
Chi Xing: "The Moon Goddess has traveled far away and hasn't returned yet! The only disciple in Qinse Palace is Song Yue, a mere fairy child. No matter how talented he is, what's the point? Wait, what do you think of wishing for Madam's marriage?"
Song Xieqing ignored him and walked away alone.
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The author has something to say: Don’t worry, our Xiao Song is very good at that ()
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