29 Tenderness
◎Unrestrained and romantic◎
Perhaps it was too early, the door of Zui Xiang Fang was closed. Shu Yao knocked, and the maid inside opened the door and welcomed her in.
"Are all the girls up?" Shu Yao asked. Seeing that the alley was quiet, she guessed that they were not up yet, so she could come later next time.
The little maidservant leading the way answered casually, "It's around noon. The girls are still sleeping now."
Shu Yao followed her to the backyard and entered a small room.
The little maid said: "Mrs. Mei said that this is where you will put makeup on the girls from now on."
Shu Yao nodded to show that she understood, and she looked around the environment.
The layout of this house was very simple, with only some basic furniture. Her eyes were fixed on the round table in front of her. There was a dazzling array of rouge and powder on the table, and there were all kinds of head ornaments in various styles, which was dazzling.
At dawn, the sky gradually brightened.
The backyard was still quiet. Shu Yao lay on the table, looking at the falling snow outside. Her eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. She hadn't had a good sleep for several days since the murder in the North Courtyard, and she was now very sleepy.
But just as she was about to fall asleep, a figure appeared at the door. The person slowly came to the table, sat opposite her, and knocked on the table with his hand: "Are you the new makeup girl?" His tone was a little arrogant.
Shu Yao was awakened. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the woman in front of her with slightly disheveled clothes. The woman had her hair disheveled and there were dark circles under her eyes. It was obvious that she had not had a good rest.
"Do you want to put on makeup?" Shu Yao asked.
The woman nodded: "Please make me look better." Yesterday, all the girls in Zui Xiang Fang had customers, but she hadn't had any customers for three consecutive days. The money in her pocket was half less than that of the other sisters. She also heard yesterday that a makeup artist with superb skills came to the shop, so she wanted to give it a try today.
When Shu Yao heard that she was here to take care of her business, she instantly became energetic and rolled up her sleeves to get to work.
She looked at the woman for a while, slowly sketching out the makeup that would best suit her in her mind, and she already had an idea.
She first wiped the woman's face clean, then applied a layer of lotion, and then began to apply powder. The smell of the powder was a bit pungent, and Shu Yao couldn't help coughing a few times, and then she gritted her teeth and put it on.
The woman was a chatterbox, and she began to chat with Shu Yao in random conversations: "Girl, you are so young, why do you want to come here to make money?" Some girls from decent families wanted to stay as far away from their Zui Xiang Fang as possible, and it was rare to see them take the initiative to jump in.
If she had another way to make a living, she wouldn't want to have to look at the men's faces here.
Shu Yao carefully put rouge on her: "To have a meal to eat, and to earn money with my own skills, I don't think it's shameful."
The woman smiled and continued, "If you find another way to make money, don't come to this kind of place." After all, this is not a clean place.
Shu Yao paused while drawing her eyebrows, a warm feeling surged in her heart, and she nodded.
The woman continued to talk to herself, and suddenly mentioned the girl who had followed Ji Tianbao home a few days ago. Her words were full of regret: "How could such a good person be gone after just one trip to Ji's house? Sigh."
Shu Yao gently traced the tail of her eyebrows, her hands trembling slightly. Her voice was dry and said, "Then, didn't Zui Xiang Fang investigate the cause of that girl's death?"
The woman sneered, "What's there to investigate? The women here are all miserable, each one of them signed a lifelong slave contract. No one will seek justice for us." She stroked her hair again and again, "But I heard that the Ji Mansion paid a hundred taels in compensation."
Shu Yao took a deep breath: "Then this matter will be left unresolved?"
The woman said, "What else can we do? The Ji family is wealthy and powerful, and they have the protection of the government. Mei Niang will not offend the government for one person."
Shu Yao felt a pang of sadness in her heart, but she just sighed and continued with her actions.
It was already bright outside, and even through the thick walls, the sounds of people chatting and laughing could be heard. Shu Yao put down Shi Zidai and handed the bronze mirror next to her to the woman. The woman took the mirror and looked at herself. The face in the mirror was enchanting and charming. She was stunned for a long time and murmured to herself, "Is this me?"
This was the most beautiful makeup she had worn in twenty years.
She handed the money to Shu Yao and said, "Your craftsmanship is really good, young lady. I'll come to see you tomorrow."
Shu Yao took the copper coin and smiled.
The woman walked out happily, her back straightening a little.
The room was gradually filled with people. The chatterboxes who had been sitting at the table chatting yesterday all rushed to sit opposite Shu Yao. In the end, the woman in blue got the seat. The woman in green snorted indignantly and stepped aside.
The woman in blue leaned forward and said, "Help me put on makeup quickly. I don't like light makeup."
Shu Yao looked at her face carefully and found that she was indeed not suitable for light makeup, so she began to put on makeup.
In less than half an incense stick of time, the woman in blue went out happily to make money.
She was already pretty, and after putting on heavy makeup, she immediately became charming and graceful. When everyone saw her changes, they all admired Shu Yao's craftsmanship.
The next woman to sit down was the one who stopped Shu Yao at the door yesterday at noon. The woman adjusted her hair bun unnaturally and didn't dare to look at her.
Shu Yao raised her eyebrows and recognized her at a glance, but said nothing. She put on the same makeup as the woman yesterday, but changed her thick eyebrows into thin eyebrows.
The slender eyebrows are as dark as the mountains in the distance.
The woman looked at her makeup and then at Shu Yao. She was right. Thin eyebrows really suited her. She threw a few coins, adjusted her clothes, held her head high, and walked away proudly.
There was a constant stream of customers, and Shu Yao was busy the whole morning.
When she was finishing the last customer's makeup, a girl who had finished her makeup earlier came in hurriedly and said to the woman who had just stood up, "That Madam Zhang is bothering Shuixian again. There's a commotion in the front hall. Let's go and take a look."
Shu Yao was packing her things. When she heard the word "Daffodil", she suddenly looked up, but only saw the backs of the two people walking away.
She immediately followed their footsteps and chased after them.
Before I even reached the front hall, I heard a thumping sound.
Shu Yao hid behind a pillar and looked in secretly. She saw a jeweled woman in the middle of the hall with her hands on her hips, looking very arrogant. At her feet was a woman with all her pearl hairpins gone, messy hair, and peeled clothes. The woman was holding her stomach and lying on the ground for a long time without getting up.
The woman kicked her again with an unfriendly tone: "You seductive bitch, today I will let you die here and no one will dare to collect your body." After saying that, she still felt unsatisfied, so she raised her foot and stepped hard on the woman's fingers, crushing them repeatedly.
"Ah." The woman screamed and raised her head to beg for mercy: "Mrs. Zhang, please forgive me."
Shu Yao looked at the familiar face and her breathing stopped.
She still remembered that Narcissus had helped her when they were in Banyan Village. She couldn't bear to see Narcissus being bullied, so she made up her mind and was about to go out, but she suddenly caught a glimpse of Ji Tianbao standing beside her.
Ji Tianbao hugged a woman and watched this side as if he was watching a show.
Shu Yao retracted her outstretched foot. If Ji Tianbao saw her here, he would definitely tell the old lady. The old lady's goal was to let her and Ji Shijing starve to death this winter. She would definitely not let her go out to earn money again, and then the job she had just found would probably be ruined.
Looking at the bullied Narcissus, Shu Yao felt anxious. She thought about it, looked towards the third floor, and came up with an idea.
She took cover of the pillar and tiptoed up.
Here, the woman was still polishing the narcissus, and the men were watching with great interest. Only the girls in the alley showed pity on their faces and wanted to go up to stop her, but they hesitated because of Mrs. Zhang's identity.
Mrs. Zhang had Narcissus lifted up. She patted Narcissus's face and said, "Aren't you good at seducing men? Today, let all men see your seductive side." Then she started to tear off her clothes.
Narcissus was shocked and cried for mercy.
At this time, a man who was already dressed hurried down. He came to Madam Zhang with a red face and stopped her: "Madam, if there is anything, let's talk about it when we get back."
When Mrs. Zhang saw that he was still protecting Narcissus, she was furious. She shouted, "I was so blind back then, you bastard!"
There were whispers from the crowd around.
"Master Zhang is such a coward."
"That's right. Lord Zhang got his position through nepotism, so he has to please his wife, right?"
"It's only in the past two years that Madam Zhang's family has declined, and that's why Master Zhang dared to come to this place of brothels. He wouldn't have dared before."
“…”
Zhang Daren suppressed his temper and coaxed her gently, but the mocking words around him kept coming into his ears. He became more and more impatient and finally shouted, "Have you had enough of this?"
His shout stunned Mrs. Zhang. After she came to her senses, she tried to scratch him, but Mr. Zhang pushed her hard and she fell to the ground. She then covered her face and cried.
Master Zhang pointed at her and said, "You already made trouble here last time, and made me the laughing stock of the whole capital. Now you're making trouble again, where can I put my face, you shrew?"
After saying that, he turned around to help the dying Narcissus.
Mrs. Zhang almost fainted from anger.
…
Shu Yao stood in front of Shen Qianxiao's door and knocked gently.
After a while, Shen Qianxiao opened the door. She was only wearing a light crescent-colored dress with a cloak on the outside. The kiss marks on her neck were clearly visible. She leaned lazily against the door and asked Shu Yao with a smile: "Miss Shu, what's the matter?"
Shu Yao didn't dare to waste time and said quickly, "Someone came to trouble Miss Shuixian today. Miss Qianxiao, can you think of a way to help her?"
After hearing what she said, Shen Qianxiao's expression became serious: "Is there no one to call Mei Niang?"
Shu Yao shook her head.
Shen Qianxiao turned around and closed the door, then said to Shu Yao, "I'm going to find Mei Niang now, you go back first."
Shu Yao obediently went downstairs and hid behind the pillar again.
The first floor was in chaos. The strong men brought by Mrs. Zhang were holding down Mr. Zhang, while Mrs. Zhang herself was hitting Narcissus in the face left and right.
Shu Yao's heart was in a knot.
Just as everyone was enjoying the show, a serious voice came over: "Who dares to cause trouble in my Zui Xiang Fang?"
Mei Niang walked out slowly, followed by Shen Qianxiao.
Madam Zhang narrowed her eyes and looked at the newcomer: "The people in your neighborhood are not at peace. I will help you clean up."
Mei Niang sneered, "It's not your turn to deal with my people."
Shen Qianxiao stepped forward to help Narcissus up, and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with heartache.
Madam Zhang looked directly at Mei Niang and said, "You guys are making dirty money from all these schemes."
Mei Niang said calmly, "Then go to the government and sue us."
Madam Zhang glared at her, knowing that she would not get any good result from Mei Niang. She had also heard a little about the power behind Zui Xiang Fang, so she did not dare to make too much trouble here. So she pointed at Narcissus and said, "You little bitch, don't let me see you again." After that, she asked two strong men to forcibly take Mr. Zhang away.
Mr. Zhang was suppressed by his wife in public, and he felt very aggrieved. He lowered his head and did not dare to look at the eyes of the people around him.
Mei Niang smiled, then said to the crowd, "Please forgive me for making fun of you all. To make amends, all drinks today will be free of charge. I wish you all a good meal and a good drink."
There was cheering from the audience.
Mei Niang asked two maids to help Narcissus down, and she went back to sleep.
Shu Yao breathed a sigh of relief, got up and went to the backyard to wait for the girl who would put on makeup in the afternoon.
She walked through the corridor and passed by a grape trellis. Suddenly, something hit her head. She touched the place where she was hit, thinking it was a dry branch under the trellis, so she ignored it.
Just as I was about to move forward, I suddenly heard a pleasant voice: "My little beauty, we meet again."
Shu Yao looked up in confusion.
Chen Jing'an leaned half of his body out of the window, with his shirt slightly open at the chest, revealing his beautiful skin. There was a small lip print on his collarbone, and he exuded a bohemian and romantic temperament.
The corners of his eyes were slightly raised, showing affection and tenderness, and he was staring at Shu Yao with a smile on his face.
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