Good people don't get good rewards
The lakeside restaurants in the capital are numerous, and Yunjinlou is one of the best. With its carved eaves and painted beams, jade curtains hanging high, and embroidered flags beckoning, its magnificence can be seen from afar.
The building was filled with distinguished guests, and the jade, green pines, music, and instruments were all exquisite.
"Why are you so late?"
Wen Ruo steadily carried the food box in both arms, wearing silk shoes and clean socks. She glided smoothly to the second floor amidst the seductive sounds of the singers. Hearing the tone of her voice, she knew something was wrong, so she quickly smiled apologetically and said, "The road is slippery because of the rain. Please give me a heads-up, Brother Shun."
"Young Master recently acquired a top-quality Jade Lion, and while riding it around, a scholar suddenly appeared out of nowhere and caused an accident. Young Master was indignant and argued back, which resulted in him being scolded by Princess Rongjing, and he is currently unhappy."
The servant shook his head. This was the seventh time this month alone. He took the box and prepared to call the shopkeeper to warm it up. The young master rinsed his mouth after waking up from his drunkenness with Jingtangchun wine from Zhengchun Wine Shop in the east of the city, which was fragrant and sweet.
A shout of "Get out!" filled with anger came from inside the room. The servant quickly opened the door, and inside, Qin Ji's pretty face was ashen, and she was holding a pipa. She was truly a pitiful sight, and there was still a hint of resentment on her face.
“You’re new here, aren’t you?” the servant glared at her and said disdainfully, “Keep your mind to yourself.”
A few pieces of silver were used to send Qin Ji away. The servant hurriedly went downstairs to warm the wine. Nothing was more important than making the young master happy. "Be careful when you go in. Well, I know you have a sweet tongue and know how to talk. But let me give you a piece of advice: money is a small matter, your life is more important."
Wen Ruo quickly thanked her. She had interacted with all sorts of people since she was young and had heard many secrets, including those about this young master. The brothel ladies privately joked that the young master was no good, only liked drinking and listening to music, and had never actually done anything.
At this moment, she probably understood that the young master was probably feeling depressed. Men care about their image and have to put on a certain act. If they can't have it, they can't do it. Not being able to get the meat was driving him crazy.
"Young master, I'll clean up."
Wen Ruo bent down and went in, keeping her head down and not being curious about anything she shouldn't see. She nimbly took a white cloth and wiped up the spilled wine. She secretly took a few sniffs. The aroma was strong and mellow. It was obviously the best homemade wine in the building. It was incredibly expensive. One ounce of wine was worth her a year's income. It was as good as gold.
This wine has a strong aftereffect; Qi Guanlan was half-drunk and half-awake, his expression dazed. "It's...you again?"
She glanced at it quickly; its slightly tipsy eyes were somewhat alluring, and its face resembled that of a princess—bright and flamboyant. Unfortunately, it was all show and no substance.
"I'm so lucky, I managed to snag another order from the young master."
After she finished speaking, she couldn't help but steal another glance. Her indigo cloud-patterned robe was covered by a layer of gauze, which was all wrinkled and messy. The bamboo-patterned jade belt around her waist had been half untied, but the jade pendant at her waist looked very familiar.
"What are you looking at? Want the jade pendant?"
Wen Ruo quickly stepped back, saying with trepidation, "How dare I? I was merely admiring your divine appearance, young master."
"You're smart to know what's good for you; even if you sold it, you still wouldn't be able to afford it."
Wen Ruo lowered her head and remained silent, secretly thinking to herself, "I can't afford it, but you were born into a good family. You should try earning it yourself."
"I don't want it either. What kind of token of love is it? It's just a cage that traps me."
He suddenly beckoned with his finger, "Come closer."
"Is he going to hit me?" Wen Ruo asked anxiously as she approached. She saw the young master suddenly hang the jade pendant on her ear and then casually raise the wine bottle, saying, "Here you go."
"Young master, please forgive me. I will never look at things indiscriminately again."
Wen Ruo quickly took it off, knelt down and bowed her head, holding the jade pendant high. The delicate and warm touch made Wen Ruo certain that it was a pair with the one she had found, although the central pattern was slightly different.
"Boring."
As dusk fell and autumn rains drizzled, the fallen leaves on the stone path made it slippery, forcing one to slow down. Wen Ruo, wearing a raincoat, weighed her silver coins; she was having bad luck today, the sucker hadn't tipped her.
After a long day of running around, the few coins he earned felt like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. He felt cold both physically and mentally. No matter how hard he worked, he was still worried about making ends meet. A woman was calling out for her dog, and the autumn wind, carrying scraps of paper, rolled onto her feet, severing her thoughts.
Wen Ruo tightened her clothes. Winter was approaching, and they had no money to buy charcoal. She feared her mother's condition would worsen. She quickly picked up the charcoal, crumpled it into a ball, and tucked it into her bosom. She walked briskly and steadily through the crowd. "Shopkeeper, two more doses of medicine, please."
"Waiter, this is the new recipe."
The shopkeeper behind the counter was calculating on his abacus. He could tell from the conversation that the person was an acquaintance. "You're already sixteen or seventeen, and you're putting all your earnings into medicine. I've never seen anyone as stubborn as you."
After only a few years of eating his food, he now has to go to great lengths to support a foster mother who is not related to him by blood.
The young man quickly packed two bags and asked with a smile, "Didn't your aunt save up any dowry for you?"
Wen Ruo smiled, not taking their teasing to heart.
Pomegranate Mother rescued her and took her home, teaching her to be a good person. She then took care of Pomegranate Mother in her old age.
She lived on the outskirts of town. When she returned home at night or walked along the road on her way to deliver errands at dusk, smoke rose from every household, and the bustling, cold commercial street was overshadowed by the aroma of cooking fires.
At this moment, she skillfully navigated the streets and alleys and then stopped in a lane. Today, the princess's mansion was filled with cold air. Wen Ruo twitched her ears and seemed to be able to hear howling.
The young master got beaten up again.
The princess exudes royal dignity in public, but she is of good character and never bullies others. She is extremely strict with the young master, which makes him rebellious. She would come here when she was feeling tired, and I would hear her whipping me a few times. The princess's whipping was gentle yet firm, and I could tell she was a skilled whipper. However, she was whipping me more and more frequently.
When Wen Ruo returned home, she found that the yard had been ransacked. The stack of firewood was kicked into disarray, the chicken coop was torn open, leaving only chicken feathers on the ground, and several muddy footprints of varying depths led into the house. That rascal had come again, with one foot still hopping around.
Wen Ruo's eyes darkened. She grabbed the medicine bag and ran into the inner room. The yellowed window paper was covered in mud, a shocking sight. She opened the bottom drawer; besides some broken old items, the most valuable piece—the half-jade pendant—was gone!
The jade pendant I was supposed to return to Miss Cao tomorrow is gone!
She bit her chapped lower lip, her mind blank, ignoring even Pomegranate Mother's scolding and questioning until a pain shot through the back of her head. She then picked up the sharp object, blew on it, pretended nothing had happened, and chewed on a date pit to prepare to decoct the medicine.
The two lived in a very simple house. The east and west rooms of the main house were where they slept, and there was a simple living room in the center. The furnishings in the living room were obvious at a glance: a wooden table and four long benches, which served as a place for eating and entertaining guests. Wen Ruo glanced at the room, put down her medicine bag, and skillfully wiped the dust off the old wooden cabinet in the corner.
"Mother, what will the future wife of the Princess's residence be like?" Wen Ruo asked casually, feigning curiosity as she washed her hands. Shi Liu's mother was clearly unaware that the rogue had stolen the jade pendant, and she couldn't let her be frightened.
Shiliu Niang's plump and round body gradually became thinner. She had been plagued by illness for several years and had difficulty moving around. Her pleasing round face turned fierce. She was originally a matchmaker, but unfortunately, her leg was broken and she lost most of her energy.
"Minister Cao has an excellent reputation, and the eldest daughter is beautiful, dignified, well-educated, and exceptionally talented. It's a pity she's been paired with such a dissolute young man." Pomegranate's mother, leaning on her cane, saw the new medicine packet on the table as soon as she came out and began to scold:
“I won’t take my medicine. Why won’t you go to the marriage I went to great lengths to find for you? You bastard, you’re here to ransack the house again. You’re happy with all that’s left of your shabby belongings.”
Wen Ruo covered her ears, she was tired of hearing this. "Yes, yes, I'm an old maid now." She wrapped her hair in a floral cloth and resignedly tidied up the yard.
The stove was right in front of the east room. When she lifted the pot lid, the leftover food and steamed buns were still warm. She held a steamed bun in her mouth, placed the medicine pot on the stove, and started cooking it slowly. The steam hit her face, and she immediately felt comfortable.
Shiliu Niang's eyes dimmed, and she pounded her aching right leg, filled with regret. She shouldn't have been so blinded by greed for money for her coffin; now she was getting her comeuppance and ending up like this.
"After all the matchmaking I've done, I still haven't seen clearly that all the men in this world are heartless and ungrateful. They're either greedy for money or lustful. I don't have either of those qualities. Why should my little body work so hard to have children for others, only to not enjoy happiness after I die?"
Wen Ruoxin spoke absentmindedly, her eyes reflecting the firelight. The weather was still chilly despite the warmth of spring. Miss Cao had found someone she liked and even gave the jade pendant to him.
Has the scoundrel been caught?
Sitting at the door, Shiliu's mother was so angry that she choked up. She raised her cane and slammed it hard on the ground. "You still want to pick a celestial beauty? Whose fault is it? Her face is painted so dark, and she's exposed to the wind and sun every day."
"Mother, have you mentioned the marriage arrangements for the children of officials?" Wen Ruo asked.
Shiliu Niang scoffed, "They're all already a couple. We're just delivering a betrothal letter and making a trip to celebrate. How dare we get involved? If we say something wrong and offend them, they can crush us with a flick of their finger. Not to mention the nobility, whose marriages are all handled by the official matchmakers."
Wen Ruo was speechless. After dinner, she lay on the hard kang and pondered repeatedly. It had rained today, and the room was damp. Shi Liu Niang tossed and turned in pain, panting heavily.
"Mother, I'll go buy some charcoal in a few days."
"Winter isn't even over yet, what are you buying?" Even her scolding became much quieter.
As soon as it was light, Wen Ruo got up. The icy well water made her knuckles turn white. She had arranged to meet Miss Cao at the powder shop, and even without the jade pendant, she still had to go.
Two days later, Wen Ruo left the general store and shook her empty lotus-shaped purse, which was even emptier than her face. A few steps further was the opulent Yun Jin Lou, where money flowed in daily; the young master was probably drinking again.
When she reached the back door with the box, everything went black before Wen Ruo's eyes. A sack was thrown over her head, and before she was knocked unconscious, all she could think was: "It's over, I'm doomed!"
When Wen Ruo woke up, she found a scoundrel kneeling next to her, his face bruised and swollen. Upon seeing her, he immediately scrambled up and pointed at her nose, saying, "Sir, the jade pendant was taken from her house."
Minister Cao, dressed in a black brocade robe, sat solemnly in a grand chair, clutching the receipt brought by the pawnshop manager. On his other side sat a woman whose face was covered by a veil, but her figure revealed her to be young and beautiful.
The guards behind him stood in a row, blocking the view of the courtyard. They were all tall and burly, with fierce and menacing expressions, and the long sticks in their hands were stained with blood.
Wen Ruo turned pale with fright and immediately knelt on the ground. "My lord, he drove his wife away, killed his son, and is all alone now. He's crippled because he's dishonest, and he's started to resent my mother. Reporting to the authorities won't help. My mother is just a matchmaker, and she's sick at home. I'm the only one who earns money by running errands every day. I have no idea what jade pendant is."
"You're still pretending. You clearly took it from your drawer."
"Sir, I'm so poor I can barely survive the winter. If I really had it, why would I let him steal it so easily? I would definitely sell it to buy medicine for my mother. He's just making empty promises; he's trying to find a scapegoat."
"It was clearly you who sneaked and hid it, and you're still lying." The scoundrel couldn't argue with him, so he raised his arm to fight. Wen Ruo, who was a runner, had plenty of strength and fought him recklessly, cursing and telling him to go die.
Cao Jinhai frowned. The vulgar language was unbearable to read. He glanced to the side, closed his eyes, and said lightly, "Beat him until he tells the truth."
Wen Ruo huddled up, the torrential rain pouring down from the sky, hitting her all over and hurting her so much she felt like she was going to die. She protected her face, thinking about when the downpour would end. If she could hold out until she got home, she couldn't let Shiliu's mother find out. If she couldn't hold out, she would at least leave a spot intact for her mother to recognize her.
...
"Sir, he seems to have stopped breathing."
The surrounding air froze instantly, and a chilling aura filled the air. Cao Jinhai coldly cursed, "Still not telling the truth? Isn't that enough?"
"It's Father who treats human life like dirt, why blame me? Father didn't listen to what I said before." Cao Xi's sarcasm came from beneath the white veil.
In the confrontation between father and daughter, Cao Jinhai was at a disadvantage for the first time. His expression changed repeatedly, and the atmosphere between the two became tense. He abandoned his refined demeanor, slammed his fist on the table, and spoke with spittle flying: "Your behavior is improper. If the princess finds out, the marriage will be called off, I will be ridiculed by the world and my colleagues, and my whole family's career will be affected by you. And you still do not know how to repent."
"Tell me, who is that person?"
Cao Xi lifted her veil, her red lips curving slightly, and said casually, "Father could have canceled the marriage. The princess doesn't concern herself with politics. Father only needs to stabilize the situation for a few years. There are clearly other options, but Father still wants to sacrifice his daughter. Then I have nothing to worry about. I will never regret it."
Cao Jinhai was trembling with anger. He never expected that his usually obedient daughter would be so bold as to have an affair with an outsider, and he hadn't noticed it at all.
"Father, you don't care about me at all."
During their argument, with a snap, Wen Ruo regained consciousness. She opened her eyes a crack and glanced around. The downpour had stopped. She struggled to turn over in the muddy water like a salted fish. She was still alive.
The scoundrel is either dead or crippled; that's a great thing.
"I am willing to share your burdens, sir."
"I need to borrow Miss's jade pendant for a moment."
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