Chapter 40: 100 Years Old "I like older people."
The golden sun set in the west, casting only a thin afterglow on the winter jasmine flowers in the inner courtyard. The soft breeze gradually became chilly. Zhu Hao pulled her cloak tightly together. After standing for a while, her lower limbs felt sore and swollen. She had no choice but to walk to the small table and sit down opposite Lu Jue.
"Mr. Lu, I'm a little curious. After your trip to Huaicheng, how many women do you plan to bring back home when you return to Qizhou?" Although Zhu Hao addressed him as "you", Lu Jue did not hear any admiration in her tone, but rather a lot of sarcasm.
"Besides..." Zhu Hao glanced at him calmly, "Mr. Lu, this is not my style."
Lu Jue was bewildered when he heard this. When he was sure he had heard correctly, his brows furrowed like a small mountain peak. "Oh?" He didn't show any annoyance on the surface, but he dragged out the last syllable of his words. "So, my dear girl, what kind of thing do you like?"
What little girl wouldn't like Young Master Lu Jue? Even if she didn't like him, she should still like his immense wealth!
Zhu Hao pretended to be silent, and others seemed to be thinking seriously. After a long while, Zhu Hao said, "I like older people."
Well, he was indeed a year or two younger than the good girl, but no matter what, there had to be a rough estimate, so Lu Jue asked, "How many years older should he be than you?"
Zhu Hao did a rough calculation in his mind and decided, "About a hundred years old."
Lu Jue tilted his head back, his face full of confusion. He hadn't heard the young lady's correction for a long time. Lu Jue asked in disbelief, "How much?!"
He wished her well and said, "A hundred years."
Lu Jue opened his mouth, then was speechless for a moment. He had assumed that since she was already a wife, she would be attracted to her husband's appearance, but she was so harsh. If that were the case, he should have just married You Lang! How could this beautiful girl be so confused? Now it seemed that she really wasn't very good at playing Mahjong.
However, he has always been kind and righteous, and Lu Jue planned to use the few drops of ink in his stomach to persuade Zhu Hao. However, before he could open his mouth, he saw a figure squeezing in through the door of Zhu's house.
Seeing his master's strange expression, Xiaowu instantly forgot the words he had just prepared.
Lu Jue naturally knew the purpose of Xiaowu's visit. He no longer paid attention to Zhu Hao and stood up and walked to Xiaowu.
Zhu Hao saw the person whispering in Lu Jue's ear, but she couldn't hear clearly.
After the two of them finished talking, Lu Jue looked back, his eyes fixed on her for a moment, the corner of his mouth raised, and then he walked out of Zhu's house with the visitor.
Zhu Hao felt a sense of uneasiness inexplicably in her heart. She wanted to catch up and find out where the two had gone, but just as she took a step, her eyes suddenly went dark. She didn't know what she bumped into, but she didn't feel any pain on her forehead.
She looked up, and in front of her eyes, besides the sunset glow in the sky, there was also Song Xieqing, and Zhu Haojiangcai bumped into his chest.
Zhu Hao thought about the rude words she had just said to Lu Jue. Her heart was pounding. Zhu Hao rolled her eyes and asked Song Xieqing, "When did you... come?"
In a trance, she seemed to see Song Xieqing smile slightly, because in just a moment, he had returned to his usual calmness, making Zhu Hao think that she had made a mistake.
Song Xieqing brushed off the non-existent dust on his sleeves and said, "Just arrived."
Zhu Hao nodded, but then felt something was wrong, so she asked him, "What time is it now?"
Song Xieqing paused for a moment and said, "Qiao Mei was not feeling well, so I went home early."
She stared at him for a while, then looked away and went to Dexian Pavilion with her cloak gathered. She had not said everything she was thinking for several times, but Song Xieqing always knew what she wanted to ask and what she was thinking. Could this be because he was a human god?
Zhu Hao didn't want him to see through her too clearly. She couldn't hide things, especially the increasingly clear feelings in the corner of her heart.
Zhu Hao sat quietly in the small pavilion and did not continue embroidering her wedding dress. She pulled out the Huaixianlu that was pressed under various cloths. For some reason, she clearly had not had time to read this book recently, and the inner pages had many creases. Zhu Hao closed the book and saw the words "Li Mizhang - Book" clearly written on the lower right corner of the cover.
…
On this day, two major events suddenly happened. First, Young Master Lu Jue did not come to the brothel today, nor did he ask his servant to throw the money on his behalf. Young Master Zhu directly bought Qiao Lekui for five hundred taels. This meant that tomorrow would be Qiao Lekui's first day as a prostitute, and if Young Master Zhu was interested, he could redeem him.
Secondly, half a year ago, Qiong Yifang, which sold inferior goods as high-quality ones, posted a new notice outside the building. Many people had gathered inside and outside the building. The guests who walked out of the shop were all holding skirts in their arms, with smiles on their faces.
There was a rumor a while ago that the owner of Qiongyifang, Liu, planned to sell the property and no longer run the cloth and clothing business. Everyone saw that the Qiongyifang, which was once famous in Huaicheng, was becoming increasingly desolate, so they simply agreed to the rumor.
However, judging by the behavior of Qiong Yi Fang today, how could Shopkeeper Liu possibly sell this place? She clearly wanted to revive this place and return to its former business!
This was because Liu Rutang wrote a notice stating that all new and old customers who visited the clothing store would receive a piece of top-quality ready-made clothing as a gift without having to purchase anything. Although most of Qiong Yi Fang's old customers were wealthy and powerful families, they would not be so excited about a mere piece of clothing. However, since the collapse of Qiong Yi Fang, only Madam Zhu's clothing store in Huaicheng still had some ingenuity. At this time, both of Zhu's stores were closed. As for the reason for the temporary closure, it was said that Madam Zhu was training the shop workers and teaching the newly-learned embroidery skills behind closed doors, and would reopen after the parade.
Upon hearing this news, every wealthy young lady in Huaicheng was distraught. As a lady of high rank, how could she not have clothes and jewelry? Aside from Lady Zhu's clothing shop, the dresses and embroidery produced by the other shops were too mediocre. Just as the young ladies were in a state of disarray, Qiong Yi Fang suddenly stepped forward.
It doesn't cost any money anyway, so why not send a servant to run a trip? It's impossible for her to relapse into the old thoughts of Qiong Yi Fang and remain unrepentant! Unless, she, Liu Rutang, really doesn't intend to stay in this city anymore!
The young lady who had received the dress given by Qiongyifang took a look and saw that the dress was exquisitely made, with fine stitching. The size was right for her and it felt soft to the touch. She could not find any flaws at all.
There was a piece of letter in the box for storing clothes. The gist of the letter was that Qiong Yi Fang was writing a letter of repentance for the mistake it made half a year ago. The skirt given by the clothing shop today was an apology. In addition, the letter of repentance mentioned that Qiong Yi Fang would have new skirts for sale two days before the Huaixian tour. If the young lady came with this letter, she could sell them at a discount and get a small gift.
Liu Rutang really invested a lot this time. Since Qiao Mei's matter was almost certain to be settled, she had to fulfill her promise. Even if it meant using up all the remaining money and clothes in Qiongyifang, she had to lay the groundwork for the new opening.
…
The moon was low and the sun was rising. In a blink of an eye, it was the day when Qiao Mei became a prostitute. The guests in Baihua Tower were divided into two categories. One category was in the corridor by the window on the second floor. Passers-by on the long street outside the building could see the new prostitute leaning on the pipa. The jade-like music lingered in their ears, but people did not pay much attention to the music and were only intoxicated by Yusha Tiancheng's charming face.
There is a saying that goes, "□□ holds the moon in the sky diagonally, and her jade hands lightly tap the ice on the water." She has her black hair tied into a bun with flowers, and decorated with jade-holding lotus hairpins. Her jade eyes are full of autumnal light, and her jade fingers with new nail polish are plucking the strings, and in the process, she has captured the hearts of all the guests. Among the flowers and willows, she is like sitting in the spring breeze. This scene is like a silk painting of a goddess, which makes men's hearts flutter.
It is said that this prostitute was originally the maid of Miss Qiao Mei. Today she is about to reach the age of marriage, so she becomes a prostitute to welcome guests. Miss Yu Sha is different from the others. Prostitutes can wear a veil in public, but she took off her veil on the first day, which made everyone sigh. Everyone was especially amazed by Yu Sha's appearance.
The second type of guests surrounded the main building lobby so tightly that no one could get through. The men stood on tiptoe, their heads held high, squinting their eyes at the veiled Qiao Mei standing on the high platform. She was once the most popular courtesan, but now she was the most popular courtesan in the building, surpassing the title of the most beautiful courtesan. After staying there for just tonight, it was likely that the title of the most beautiful courtesan belonged to Qiao Mei.
As a prostitute, she had to show her true face to the public, and Qiao Mei knew the rules. However, just as her fingers touched the corner of the veil, the madam came running over and repeatedly shouted to stop.
Qiao Meixin's expression relaxed, and she lowered her hands, temporarily stopping to lift the veil.
The madam looked around. Since there were many people in the main building, she checked again and again. Although it was hard to believe, Lu Jue did not show up today.
She looked around again before saying, "Mr. Zhu is willing to redeem Qiao Qiao for eight thousand taels. Is there anyone willing to accept the price?"
There was a brief silence at first, and then everyone started talking loudly. However, no one bid, and Lu Jue did not show up.
Qiao Mei's heartstrings were tense, and his subconsciously clenched fists were slightly sweaty.
At that moment, the sound of pipa from the second floor floated over. The originally soft and gentle music suddenly became powerful enough to pierce through the clouds and split the rocks, making people feel like huge waves hitting the rocks, endless and unending.
Finally, amidst the lively conversation and the sounds of stringed instruments, Zhu redeemed the most beautiful prostitute in the city for eight thousand taels.
The guests sighed at Zhu's endless wealth, and at the same time regretted that they could not see Qiao Mei's face in person.
…
The moon is bright and the stars are sparse, and drums and music are playing in Baihua Tower.
Mother Chen had sold Qiao Mei for a large sum of money today, and Yu Sha had an unexpectedly high customer base on her first day as a prostitute. The wrinkles on her face from smiling had not faded away, so she generously took some money from her pocket to celebrate in the building and distribute silver for the prostitutes and maids.
At that moment, Yusha sat alone in the warm room, undoing the jade hairpin from her bun. She gazed at her stunning oval face in the bronze mirror and couldn't help but smile. Most people around her knew her appearance, and also knew that she had been Qiao Mei's maid before becoming a prostitute. So, what difference did it make whether she wore a veil or not? She hadn't intended to get away cleanly since she entered this building. So, she might as well give it a try, using her musical skills to attract customers while complementing them with her beauty, making a name for herself in the brothel.
She doesn't want to be the second Qiao Mei, she just wants to be the new queen who surpasses Qiao Mei.
Yusha took off the last hairpin when someone knocked on her door.
"Enter."
The person who came was a thin, dry-skinned little girl. She bent her back and said timidly, "Sister Yu, I am Liu'er. Mother Chen sent me to serve you in the small pavilion. From now on, Sister Yu, you can order me around." She pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Happy birthday, Sister Yu."
A waitress can become a prostitute only on the day she reaches the age of 15, so everyone subconsciously regards today as her birthday.
The little girl didn't dare to look at her directly. Her eyes moved around hurriedly, and suddenly, they stopped at the corner of the warm room.
Yusha followed her gaze and looked at a pipa with peeling paint and broken strings standing in the corner. She smiled and said, "This is a reward for you."
Seeing Liu'er's surprised expression, she added, "Alright, you can leave now. Mother Chen is giving out rewards in the main hall tonight. If you're late, it won't be worth it."
She pinched the corner of her sleeve, hesitating. Yusha repeated it unhappily, and Liu'er bowed and left.
Yusha sighed softly and casually pulled out a wooden drawer. What came into view was a silver hairpin with flowers pressing down a piece of cloud-blue paper. She unfolded it -
"Yusha, happy birthday!"
The congratulatory message written on the cloud-blue paper was written two days ago, so Yusha naturally recognized it.
Besides, this person is the only one who knows her exact date of birth.
And the reason why she delayed for two days...
Yusha pinned the silver hairpin into her hair bun and said, "Sister Qiao, I don't like it."
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The author has something to say: Her soft breasts embrace the moon in the sky, and her delicate hands flick the ice on the water surface. — "Quail Sky·Beauty" by Su Shi, Song Dynasty
From afar, I wish you a happy birthday. —A Dream of Red Mansions by Cao Xueqin, Qing Dynasty
Hey everyone, I have to let you know. I'm a kindergarten teacher and a Xinzheku maid. I just started school recently and have a lot to do. It also happened to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I need to schedule programs and home visits... My time is like water squeezed out of a sponge T^T
I can only guarantee no scams + no water + quality T^T
oops
It seems like unrequited love, but in fact Xiao Song's love can't be hidden
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