Chapter 54 Chapter 54 He is too beastly
The censor was over sixty years old, and his birthday was celebrated with great fanfare in the mansion.
Colleagues brought gifts, sang and danced, and there were flowers in full bloom, which was a feast for the eyes.
Lu Suizhu was invited here and after playing a song, she was ready to go to the nanny in the mansion to collect the reward money.
As I was walking along the white stone corridor with my zither in my arms, I saw from afar a slim woman in ragged clothes with her hair half covered, carrying a bucket with great effort, and walking sideways towards the backyard.
After standing on tiptoe and squinting his eyes for a while, Lu Suizhu chased after him with a bit of suspicion.
The woman seemed to realize that someone was following her, so she walked faster and faster, and the water in the wooden barrel spilled out, wetting the ground.
Lu Suizhu chased the man all the way to the shabby yard of the Censorate where miscellaneous items were stored. He finally stopped and looked at the panicked figure.
"Don't run away, I recognize you."
Hua Wu's body visibly stiffened for a moment, and she quickly ran into the shabby house, her fingers tightly grasping the crack in the door, as if she was afraid that she would come closer.
"Lu Suizhu, are you here to laugh at me?"
It was not surprising to meet Hua Wu here. Lu Suizhu had heard Yuanyuan say before that Hua Wu had married into the Censorate, but she never expected that the scene would be like this when they met again.
After a moment of silence, the door opened from the inside.
Hua Wu was wearing a coarse cloth dress, a rag tied around her neck, and her face was dusty, completely different from her bright and well-dressed appearance in the past. Even in such a miserable state, she still stared at Lu Suizhu with one hand on her waist, refusing to show weakness.
She rested her other hand on the door frame. Lu Suizhu's pupils shrank slightly as she keenly noticed the dense red sores on her wrist.
In surprise, he pulled her hand over to look at it.
Hua Wu pulled desperately, and the scarf tied around her neck fell down due to the force while covering her arms. She hurriedly used her hands to cover her arms.
"This is...?" Lu Suizhu's eyes paused briefly, and he spoke haltingly with an expression of astonishment that was difficult to conceal.
"Is it syphilis?"
The air was stagnant. Hua Wu clenched her jaw tightly, and the words flowed out from between her teeth: "Yes, it's syphilis. Now that you know it's dirty, why don't you stay away from me!"
Her stubborn words were ultimately unable to hold back her tears. She suddenly turned her back and whimpered twice, unable to hold back her tears.
"What on earth is going on? How did you get sick like this in the Censorate?"
When Lu Suizhu was young, she played the piano in a brothel to make a living. This disease is not uncommon. No matter how beautiful a girl is, she will look unrecognizable if the blemishes cover her body.
She was dragged along until she died, then the madam rolled her up in her bedding and threw her into the woods. That was the end of her life.
Having seen so much at that time, Lu Suizhu developed a certain fear of matters between men and women. Fortunately, she had the protection of her master and had skills, so she did not have to sell her body.
Hua Wu slumped down on the chair, pulled the quilt over herself, and spoke with such rage that she wished she could eat human flesh and drink human blood.
"When I first entered the palace, the old censor doted on me because of my youth and beauty. I had a few good days, but who knew that those few days would completely ruin me. The black-hearted censor's wife had been holding a grudge against me for a long time. While the old censor was away, she actually found a dirty beggar on the street to rape me. Damn it! If she really wanted to disgust me, it would be fine, but the beggar was clearly sick. She clearly wanted to kill me!"
"Not long after, I also contracted a serious illness and was driven to this shabby yard to fend for myself. I curse that bitch to die a horrible death!"
As Hua Wu spoke, she tore a piece of cloth in anger, and bloodshot came out of her eyes.
Lu Suizhu felt uncomfortable too, breathing hard, and as if she had made up her mind, she grabbed Hua Wu's wrist through her sleeve.
"Let's go get treatment."
Lu Suizhu's hand was suddenly thrown away from behind and she almost fell down.
"Lu Suizhu, why are you still so naive? This disease can't be cured, so just let me fend for myself here. Why are you still caring about me?"
Hua Wu wiped away her salty tears and bit her lip tightly. "I don't want others to know that Xian Ge'er has such a dirty sister and embarrass him for no reason."
The fact that they were talking so loudly without anyone checking in shows how remote this place is.
Hearing her mention Xian Ge'er, Lu Suizhu was speechless for a moment.
She and Hua Wu have known each other since childhood. For someone like her who is forced to do the flesh trade to make a living, her family is her biggest weakness.
Looking at these four walls, which were just tiles to shelter him, and there was a pungent smell of coal, Lu Suizhu couldn't stand it anymore.
"If you can't bear it here, go back to Louyue Pavilion. I'll tell Wu Niang. If she doesn't want to keep you, I'll give her money."
Seeing Hua Wu's neck stiff and silent, Lu Suizhu knew that she was not convinced again, so she laughed twice.
"I'm now the Queen Mother's personal musician. My status is vastly different from before. Haven't you always hated me?" He said, his eyes scanning her. "Look at yourself now. You'll definitely die early if you stay cooped up in this shabby yard all day. When you die, you'll have to watch me enjoying my glory and triumph from heaven."
"Not only that, I also want to tell your brother how his sister was killed by him."
After saying this, Lu Suizhu turned around and left, and no matter how she scolded him, she never looked back.
"Bah, Lu Suizhu, you shameless little bitch, I'll drag you down with me even if I become a ghost—"
The wife of the censor has always been known as a fierce wife, but Lu Suizhu really didn't expect that the wife of a respectable official could do such a thing that hurts and kills people.
With some associations in his mind, Mrs. Pei's kind-hearted face of Guanyin emerged faintly. As the saying goes: It is easy to draw the skin of a tiger but difficult to draw its bones; you can know a person's face but not his heart.
It must have been very difficult for him at that time.
She has not appeared in Louyue Pavilion since she returned to Beijing from Fanxi. Now she really misses Wu Niang and Yuanyuan and wonders how they are doing.
When she walked to the most prosperous streets of Shangjing, she could see the vermilion plaque of Louyue Pavilion at a glance, and a trace of sadness flashed through her heart.
This place really harms and saves people.
A young man in plain clothes was holding a bag of steaming food and was about to go into the building when he was stopped by Wu Niang outside the door with a hand.
She fanned herself with one hand, a worried look on her face: "Oh, why are you here again? I told you your sister is fine, but she's busy entertaining guests and doesn't have time to see you."
The same words were heard again, and Song Xian withdrew his hand in disappointment. Lu Suizhu happened to come over from the side and took the bag of hot food in his hand.
"I'll give it to Hua Wu for you. She misses this roasted chestnut the most."
The eyes of the young man opposite him brightened. He worked in the escort agency and had built up a lot of strength. He was no longer as skinny and pitiful as a bean sprout due to hunger. He still looked energetic.
"Sister Suizhu, I haven't seen my sister for a long time. Is she okay?"
Taking the opportunity, Lu Suizhu wanted to say a few more words to him, but Wu Niang pulled her back and slammed the door shut without mercy.
"Don't tell him so much. The fact that Hua Wu entered the Censorate is a secret. That guy is a simple-minded person. He said that if the secret is exposed, don't make a fuss. It will make me look bad."
Lu Suizhu told Qin Wuniang everything that happened in the Censorate.
She only let out a long sigh: "Everything is fate. Hua Wu has a bad fate, so she can't blame others."
After looking around for a while but not seeing Yuanyuan, Lu Suizhu asked about her.
"She is crying in the room. She will be taken to the Duke's youngest son in a few days. Let her cry while she is still free. She will accept her fate after crying enough." Qin Wuniang sighed. After all, she was the girl she raised, and she was reluctant to let her go.
But how many of these prostitutes are lucky? They have to rely on their appearance to make a living, and in the end, it's all the same. She has long been accustomed to the coming and going of new and old men over the years.
There are fewer visitors to Louyue Pavilion these days, and it is much quieter. Qin Wuniang talks to Lu Suizhu whenever she has time.
"Let me tell you a strange story. Did you know that the owner of Louyue Pavilion is actually a high-ranking official in the imperial court? Just last month or two, he suddenly showed up, and ever since then, he's been coming here frequently to drink and have fun with his colleagues. He'll give away any girl he invites to his banquet if she shows any interest in her."
"Yuanyuan was spotted by the Duke's youngest son while she was serving wine, and Huawu was spotted while she was singing."
The more he listened, the more distressed he felt. This was no different from buying and selling goods. Lu Suizhu pinched his knees, leaving two marks, and asked, "Which high-ranking official?"
"It's the former Minister of Rites, I think his name is Wang Wenyuan."
Lu Suizhu had an impression of this man. The last time she saw him, he had a dispute with Pei Zhiji at the palace gate.
Qin Wuniang added, "He must be anxious because he was demoted. Officials have many ways to make money, and none of them are not hidden. In my opinion, he really can't get past Master Pei, so he is desperate and uses the girls in the building to win people over." Although she did not understand the intrigues in the officialdom, she had entertained dignitaries for so many years, and she was experienced enough to see the tricks.
After saying that, Wu Niang put on a smile again, pushed the melon seeds in front of her in front of Lu Suizhu, pulled her hand, and spoke in a flattering tone.
"Suizhu, you're different now. Logically, I shouldn't be bothering you anymore, but our friendship is completely different from others."
"You must come to Louyue Pavilion and play the piano whenever you have time. Those officials are so picky and critical, none of them are kind. I can't stand it any more. Although the pavilion has bought a new batch of girls, they are still too young. I want to train them well, otherwise they won't be able to serve others."
Bought another group of young girls.
The more Lu Suizhu listened, the more breathless she felt. However, she had no right to criticize Wu Niang. She was just following orders in matters of the cabinet. Even so, she couldn't help but curse.
"This Wang Wenyuan is such a beast."
Qin Wuniang quickly covered her mouth, her eyes fell on a few unfamiliar servants who were patrolling everywhere, and shook her head.
She no longer has the final say in Louyue Pavilion.
At the moment, Lu Suizhu was not in the mood to continue chatting.
He went to find Yuanyuan with heavy steps and went straight in without knocking. He saw that Yuanyuan's eyes were swollen like walnuts.
The youngest son of the Duke of Guo robbed decent women every other day, not to mention beating and scolding servants and riding his horse in the street to injure people.
The two of them sat on the couch, Yuanyuan leaned on Lu Suizhu's shoulder. After crying for a while, she calmed down and couldn't help but sigh.
"Sister Suizhu, why is this world so unfair? Tell me, are some people born to suffer?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
