staged accidents that lead to financial ruin
The sun had just begun to shine on the horizon when the charcoal fire went out. Pomegranate's mother's leg pain flared up again, and she was unable to get out of bed. Wen Ruo woke up with a start and quickly got out of her newly sewn quilt. She dressed, washed up, and rushed to the street to fetch a doctor.
Steam rose from the steamed bun shop on the street, the bamboo trays stacked higher than a person, and the golden buns sizzled in the oil, bubbling in the savory sesame soup. Wen Ruo's stomach began to rumble. She looked down and saw that it wasn't her, but a gray-robed scholar who had stopped to admire the aroma and made a living by writing letters home.
These days, scholars are poorer than anyone else. Wen Ruo first went to fetch a doctor, then spent five copper coins to bring back three large steamed buns and a bowl of salty porridge. He also spent five coins to ask for a few auspicious words. When he got home, Shiliu's mother had needles stuck in her leg.
As dawn broke, the house finally calmed down. Wen Ruo saw the doctor off, but Shi Liu's mother insisted on going out, so Wen Ruo had no choice but to accompany her. They went to the pharmacy on the way, which was only a few steps away. Just as they arrived at the door, they met Xiao Shun, who was carrying a bag of medicine. He looked weak and moved his feet little by little. "Are you alright?"
Perhaps due to blood loss, Xiao Shun's lips were pale, and he shook his head with a crying face, saying, "Oh no, I've been kicked out."
"What?" Wen Ruo was startled and looked around. The entrance to the pharmacy was not a place to talk. She helped the person to the tree and asked softly, "Didn't you say you didn't remember?"
Xiao Shun leaned against the tree, looking both ridiculous and pitiful. "The princess said I failed to protect my master. Qiangqiang, when you see the young master, remember to put in a good word for me. I'm counting on you."
Wen Ruo bowed her head. "How could you not see me?" But Shi Liu Niang was waiting for her at the entrance of the gold shop. She saw Xiao Shun off with kind words. After a flurry of activity, she entered the gold shop and found it to be very quiet. The shopkeeper on the counter was dozing off, and the shop assistant leaned to one side like a cat stealing fish, having gotten a free rest.
Shiliu Niang picked up a crabapple blossom hairpin and tucked it into her hair, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "I'll buy this one from her." Her domineering voice, accompanied by a wisp of sandalwood incense, clearly indicated that she came from a wealthy family.
The newcomer stood in front of the counter for an unknown amount of time. After a moment of contemplation, Wen Ruo turned around and said, "Shopkeeper, please wrap this up for me." Seeing the opportunity, Shi Liu Niang immediately took out her money pouch without blinking, as if afraid that Wen Ruo would regret it. For some reason, Wen Ruo was always exceptionally gentle and lenient with certain women.
The shopkeeper silently considered the options, then quickly walked to the counter and said in a friendly tone, "I've just received a new peacock hairpin made of imperial jade. Would you like to take a look? I guarantee it will suit you perfectly."
"A mere maidservant, worthy of wearing a peacock hairpin?" Just now, passing by her shoulder, Wen Ruo saw a pair of rough hands and secretly gave Shi Liu Niang a glance. When they reached the door, Shi Liu Niang couldn't hold back anymore, and her voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear. There was a fiery atmosphere behind Wen Ruo, and the little maidservant was probably going to hate her to death.
The two arrived at the silk shop, but unexpectedly, the fake young lady followed them again. This time, as long as Wen Ruo glanced at the fabric a few more times, it was immediately bought without any discussion. Wen Ruo looked around helplessly and mischievously. The shopkeeper was all smiles, and the little maidservant, before leaving, held her head high and said smugly, "It's nothing special."
Having encountered troublemakers today, things obviously couldn't be accomplished. After sending Shiliuniang away in a sedan chair, Wenruo thought for a moment and went to Zhengchun Wine Shop on the east side of the street to try her luck.
Unexpectedly, when she arrived, a strange face appeared in front of her, who said happily, "Brother Tou said you like to go to Yun Jin Lou. I have something to do right now, so why don't you go for me? All the money is yours."
Brother Tou was a man with beady eyes that she often encountered. Wen Ruo frowned, and then she saw him take out five taels of silver and forcefully stuff it into her hand. "I'll give you all five taels of reward money. Really, I have an emergency. Please help me out."
Wen Ruo nodded, and the man immediately disappeared.
The air in Yunjin Tower was filled with ethereal music. On the central stage on the first floor, a dozen dancers were gracefully performing. She was so captivated by their performance that she glanced at them a few more times. A series of melodious bell sounds pulled her back to reality. Then, a delicate scent of sandalwood wafted from behind her. She turned around and saw a young lady in a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) standing in the corridor.
Her delicate face was filled with arrogance. She glanced at him once and then returned to the private room. The sound of the bells on her wrist mingled with the celestial music, making the atmosphere tense. Wen Ruo followed behind her consciously. Arrogance was not an exaggeration. The young lady of the Yang family did not resemble Yang Erlang in appearance; she must have taken after her mother.
When the maid's mistress arrived, she said that nothing good ever comes knocking on your door.
"So it was you who seduced Brother Yang?" Her voice was soft and sweet, but her tone was sharp and fierce, like the cold wind of December, chilling to the bone. Her expression was exactly like her second brother's; they were indeed family, both so arrogant.
"We are mutually attracted and well-matched in terms of social standing. There's no question of seduction, Miss. Please be careful what you say." Wen Ruo looked innocent and obediently emphasized the words "well-matched in terms of social standing" slowly and deliberately. Sure enough.
"You!" Miss Yang's face paled, the bells on her hands jingling. Clearly, she wasn't one to argue. She covered the bells, lowered her eyes for a long while, and then suddenly laughed, "Do you know what it means to marry Brother Yang Shen?"
Wen Ruo pretended not to understand: "Be his wife."
Miss Yang was taken aback, then put on a stern face and threatened, "Naive! Brother Yang Shen is a steward in the manor. He has to leave home at dawn every day and doesn't return until midnight. As the lady of the house, you have to dress him, prepare his breakfast, get up earlier than the chickens, and come to see me every day. I won't let you have an easy time."
Are you his legal wife? I'd like to pay my respects to you. Wen Ruo was stunned. How could she so blatantly steal someone else's husband? Wouldn't the Yang family do nothing? Wen Ruo was stunned for a long time before she found her voice, "We are not married yet. Besides, we will arrange things properly in the future. Miss, please don't exaggerate."
"Do you know why he hasn't presented the betrothal gifts yet? Brother Yang Shen is decisive and efficient. If he really cared, the betrothal gifts would have already arrived at your door. You wouldn't be making such a show of bravado now."
Before she could ask, Yang Fei continued, "Because he's arranging my second brother Yang Cong's engagement. You see, it's not that he can't refuse, my father didn't force him. He just doesn't value you that much. If he doesn't even want to refuse this, how could he refuse me because of you? I am his master."
“What you said seems to make sense,” Wen Ruo forced a smile, clearly feeling that her thoughts had been hit. She was downcast for a moment, then suddenly shook her head. “You will eventually get married, so why shouldn’t I endure it? After all, Brother Yang is handsome and generous, a rare and good man in the world, hard to find even with a lantern.”
"That's true. I've heard that your family is dirt poor and doesn't even have a decent dowry. The Yang family's money is controlled by Granny Yang, who is frugal. Do you think things will be better after you get married? Not to mention your crippled mother, she'll probably freeze to death at home and no one will care."
Wen Ruo's eyes turned cold. She gritted her teeth and took a deep breath, but she couldn't hold back any longer. "Miss Yang, you know so much about this. So this is how you forced Brother Yang's wife to back down. No wonder he avoids her like the plague."
"You!" Yang Fei's face darkened. Seeing this, the maid immediately stepped forward. "How dare you! How could you possibly guess the relationship between my young lady and Brother Yang?"
Wen Ruo chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "I admire your courage to break through social barriers and marry him. I dare not say anything more, and I might even pray for you. The key question is, do you have the courage?"
The softer the voice, the harsher the meaning. After a moment of silence, Yang Fei couldn't help but tear up. "You're right, I was stubborn." One-sided love is ultimately just a mirage.
Not yet beyond redemption. Just as Wen Ruo was about to take her leave, she saw Miss Yang stand up, remove the tassel from her chest, and slowly walk up to her. "This is my gift to my future sister-in-law. It was Fei'er's fault just now. I hope you won't mention it to Brother Yang."
She had no legitimate reason to ask for this, but unfortunately Yang Fei was stubborn and insisted on putting it on her. Even when she tried to back away, she couldn't stop Yang Fei from raising her arm. With a tearing sound, Wen Ruo felt a gash open in her chest. What gushed out wasn't blood, but hot liquid, so hot that she dared not move.
“Miss Wen, this necklace was a gift from the Empress last year, worth a thousand gold pieces. Even if you don’t like it, you shouldn’t tear it off.” Yang Fei squatted on the ground and said softly. Wen Ruo was shocked and suddenly felt like she had been tricked.
The maid's shrill voice rang out again, "I saw with my own eyes that you tore Miss's necklace. Miss, let's report this to the authorities. I want to see if Brother Yang will go bankrupt just to marry her."
Ah, Wen Ruo's throat felt like it was blocked with cotton. Whether Yang Shen wanted it or not, she didn't want it either. The acid in her stomach rose up without her realizing it. She gave a bitter smile, "Miss Yang, you have some tricks up your sleeve."
She'll be the biggest loser in this messy lawsuit; even if she's not fully responsible, she'll still be bankrupt.
The maid helped her stand up and smoothed her skirt. Yang Fei glanced at her feet and suddenly whispered, "Who told me I don't want to admit defeat yet?"
"You can't have your cake and eat it too, Miss Wen. The crabapple hairpin is nice, but it's not suitable for you."
"Oh, then what would suit her?" A voice came from outside the door. Wen Ruo turned her head in surprise. Qi Guanlan?
The door opened, and Qi Guanlan leaned lazily against the doorway. Someone had probably provoked him, and he was as cold as ice, scolding him harshly: "Where did your cleverness go? With you like this, how can I expect you to give me any advice?"
He took his anger out on himself again, but what does it matter now that things have come to this?
Wen Ruo took a deep breath. What could she, a mere commoner, do against the Shangguan family's children? She had already been very cautious. Who could withstand someone who was determined to frame her?
"Yang Shen is such a hot commodity."
"I never imagined that when women get out of control, even I would have to admit defeat."
Yang Fei's expression instantly became a fascinating mix. Only her family knew that she liked Yang Shen, and if word got out, her father would definitely marry her off to someone outside Beijing immediately.
She raised her smiling face and said, "I was just joking with Miss Wen. Although the crabapple blossoms are beautiful, Miss Wen's features are fresh and delicate, like a lotus emerging from the water. I know a shop that makes the best lotus hairpins. Let's go together and not bother Young Master Qi."
Wen Ruo's eyes twitched slightly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. Miss Yang really doesn't even blink when she lies.
Qi Guanlan stood motionless at the doorway, tapping his brow with two fingers as if troubled by something. Suddenly, he raised the corners of his lips, a playful smile on his face: "Why don't we go together? My mother has been feeling like something's missing in her hair lately. I think the hibiscus hairpin would be perfect. Why don't you pick one out for me, Miss Yang?"
"Men and women should not touch each other."
Of course, this was of no use to the young master. The gold shop in the east of the city was indeed much larger than the one they had visited before. The shopkeeper specially took out a top-quality gilded peach wood box and respectfully placed it in front of the two of them.
Miss Yang has excellent taste. The gold hairpin, pearl hairpin, floral earrings, and bracelet she had ordered were all neatly arranged in the box. Wen Ruokuai dared not look directly into her eyes, feeling that no matter which one she chose, someone's heart would bleed.
"Aren't you going to thank Miss Yang for parting with your money?"
All of them? Yang Fei stared blankly at her, stunned by Young Master Qi's words. Her mind seemed to have rusted, and all her intelligence had vanished. Wen Ruo waited for a while until the heavy box ran from the shopkeeper's hands into Wen Ruo's arms.
She was so dazzled by the gold that she could hardly open her eyes. She looked up at Qi Guanlan with questioning and disbelief in her eyes. When Young Master Qi nodded, Wen Ruo felt like she was seeing stars. It was as if a great gift had fallen from the sky.
Yang Fei was so upset about losing her beloved item that she almost ground her teeth to powder. Qi Guanlan was leisurely drinking tea, completely forgetting that he was supposed to pick out jewelry for the princess. His infuriating appearance made Wen Ruo want to laugh. "Thank you for the gift, Miss Yang. I'll invite you to my wedding banquet."
After the person left, Wen Ruo hurriedly came to his side, "Young Master, why did you suddenly appear?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com