Chapter 79 Green Waist Dance

Chapter 79 Green Waist Dance

The Peony Festival is a major festival in Beijing.

Because Emperor Gaozu's wife, Empress Wende, loved peonies the most during her lifetime, Emperor Gaozu planted many peonies in Jinming Lake. Whenever the peonies were in bloom, Emperor Gaozu would accompany Empress Wende to appreciate the flowers. After Empress Wende's death, Emperor Gaozu, remembering that Empress Wende was kind and loved the people, allowed Jinming Lake to be open for one month every year when the peonies bloomed, so that scholars and common people could enjoy the flowers.

During this month, the royal garden was open to the public. From the first day of its opening, Jinming Lake was crowded with people and vendors, and it was very lively.

Although there are many other open gardens in the capital, this garden is closest to the imperial palace and the emperor would come here to enjoy the flowers every year, so Jinmingchi has the most visitors.

"When my brother leaves, I will naturally serve him."

After hearing what his master said, Zhuifeng smiled and said, "Then, let's go back home?"

"Um."

The curtain was lowered and the carriage slowly drove away.

**

In the Yong'an Marquis Mansion, Gu Ruyu waved her long sleeves and slowly ended her last dance move.

The sound of stringed instruments also slowly stopped. She smiled contentedly and looked at Aunt Mei: "Aunt Mei, how do you think I dance?"

Aunt Mei smiled and said, "Very good. The third young lady has a beautiful figure and her gestures are just right. This green waist dances very well."

After receiving the compliment, Gu Ruyu smiled even more. She sat down happily and drank a sip of tea.

"Of course I have been practicing for so long, it must be better than what you did before, Aunt Mei, right?"

Aunt Mei was born a dancer and had been practicing dancing since she was young. Her Green Waist Dance was famous in the capital and she had many suitors. In the end, Gu Changqing spent a lot of money to bring Aunt Mei into the family.

It can also be said that Aunt Mei raised her status with this green-waisted dancer and found a good family for herself.

At least the reputation of Yong'an Marquis' Mansion is much better than that of a wealthy businessman or a prefect.

Mei Qingqing lowered her head and plucked the zither, hiding the displeasure in her eyes, but she said, "Of course, the third girl dances much better than me."

"Hehe, then I will definitely be able to marry better than you, Aunt Mei, in the future. Maybe I can even become your legal wife. Don't you think so, Aunt Mei?"

Mei Qingqing's face was stiff, but she could only nod: "Of course I can."

As they were talking, Gu Suiyu slowly passed by the garden. The two people sitting in the pavilion also saw her. Aunt Mei was a little envious and said, "She must be out of school. I heard that she is the only female student there."

"Humph, what's the point of learning so much? No matter how much she learns, she still doesn't have a brain. She is obviously the daughter of a marquis, but she wants to get entangled with that peasant Lin Yousheng, and finally ruin her own reputation. Now, her life is over."

Gu Ruyu deliberately said this loudly, she said it on purpose for Gu Suiyu to hear.

Although her father loved her and Brother Yun, no matter how much he loved her, she was still a concubine's daughter. When she got married in the future, she would have to wait until her legitimate sister had chosen first, and the remaining ones would be hers.

I used to be jealous of Gu Suiyu, but not now. She is a brainless person. She has ruined her good status by herself.

"If a woman marries the wrong man, her life is over."

Gu Ruyu's words made perfect sense, and Mei Qingqing could only put on a smile.

However, Gu Suiyu did not stop and walked away, and it was unknown whether he heard it or not.

Gu Ruyu rolled her eyes and stood up: "Aunt Mei, let's continue. I must dance this green waist dance well!"

At this time, in the old lady's yard, Zou and Mother Wen were still checking the account books.

Both of them had serious expressions, and even Zou couldn't help but stiffen all over when she thought of the carriage parked in the alley.

"The mastermind behind Dixiang Pavilion is actually Prince Rui!"

Zou has said this many times over and over again.

Mother Wen pinched her aching wrist and advised, "This is already very good. Fortunately, our shop closed early, otherwise, we would be the ones stuck in the alley."

Zou nodded repeatedly. Now she understood why Liu Ji next door closed in a hurry. Prince Rui must have also blocked General Liu.

Fortunately, there was no head-on collision, which means that both sides saved face. This is the best result.

"Madam, I'm afraid we've lost everything this time."

Zou's hand trembled and the account book fell to the ground with a bang.

She was old and unable to do many things herself. Now, she made a decision on her own and ended up losing money, which made Zou very unhappy.

"Can't you think of a solution?" Zou couldn't help but mutter: "At least, keep the capital..."

Even if you have a large fortune, no one likes to lose money. Even if you only make a penny, it is better than losing a penny.

"If I want to protect my capital, I can only ask the Madam for help. Didn't she say that she could help me..."

Mother Wen hinted that, after all, the old lady said at first that it was a free gift, but then said that she wanted money, which was a bit of a contradiction in her own face.

But now there is nothing that can be done. We thought that the business could continue and at most we would have to compete with others. But no one wanted to be cut off by Prince Rui in the end. No one can continue the business and all the profits will be ruined.

Zou was silent.

She frowned and lowered her head to think, then suddenly asked, "Did the Madam make a lot of money?"

Mother Wen was stunned, and after thinking for a while, she said, "She must have made a lot of money. I heard that she raised the monthly salary of her workers by 200 wen, and the clerk in the silk shop also said that he made over a thousand taels a day."

If you calculate it this way, the lady has not only made money, she has become rich. Others can be said to have picked up money for free, while they are at best throwing meat buns at a dog, and all their money is wasted.

Zou closed her eyes tightly and sighed, "It seems that I am getting old after all."

Mother Wen said distressedly: "Old lady..."

Zou waved her hand, stood up, walked to the door and looked in the direction of Liuxiang Pavilion.

The mansion is deep and has undulating high walls. Lush green branches and vines spread over the walls, creating a thriving scene.

No matter how Zou looked, she couldn't see Liuting Pavilion. The high walls and branches blocked everything.

"well."

The old lady sighed, "After all, she is the daughter of a great family in Hexi. She is indeed capable. I was wrong about her. Why did I laugh at her for not being able to pick up money?"

"Now that I'm old, I can't leave the house frequently to watch over the shop anymore. It's time to change someone to manage the family business."

Let someone else take care of it?

If we have to replace someone, it can only be the eldest lady. The old lady is indeed not young anymore, and it’s time to change the housekeeper.

Mother Wen said happily, "The old lady should have taken a break long ago. I told you that the lady is capable and will definitely be able to do it."

"Besides, the eldest lady has long wanted to be a housekeeper. Now that the old lady has asked her to manage the family business, the eldest lady must be very touched and will definitely do her best!"