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◎Sisters and sisters come together◎
Before they reached the gate, they heard a commotion outside.
Guo Cuiping stood at the door with her hands on her hips, arguing with the girls from Zui Xiang Fang. The noise soon attracted a group of passers-by who came to watch the fun.
Dozens of young ladies had arrived at Zui Xiang Fang today, led by the overbearing Shui Xian. She shouted, "You Ji family are such a piece of shit! Ugh!"
Ji Dayong, who was standing nearby, was displeased when he heard this. He rolled up his sleeves and made a move to hit her: "You slut, I'm going to beat you to death."
The thugs from Zui Xiang Fang were no pushovers either. They easily pinned down the screaming Ji Dayong, and then with a "click" sound, Ji Dayong's right hand was broken, and he cursed in pain.
The thugs lifted his other hand and exerted force, dislocating both of Ji Dayong's arms.
Now, he rolled on the ground in pain, with his hands folded behind his back, baring his teeth and screaming, and hurriedly asked the servant to help him to the clinic.
Guo Cuiping was heartbroken and said, "I'm going to fight you guys." Then she rushed over.
But he was directly held down by the thugs.
Guo Cuiping spat on the ground and said, "You shameless people! I'm going to tell the officials right now and make sure you all pay for what you did."
She frowned and looked very fierce.
Shuixian crossed her arms, looking fearless. She glanced pointedly at the luxurious carriage on her right: "Then I want to see whether it's the official you're talking about who's more majestic or our prince who's more majestic."
Guo Cuiping's arrogance was instantly extinguished. She moved her mouth but could not utter a word.
As the crowd grew, Shuixian immediately shouted, "Everyone, come and see! The Ji family is so wealthy, yet they treat their new bride so harshly. It's truly eye-opening."
But before Narcissus could continue, an angry voice came over: "Shut up."
The old lady was pushed out from behind the door. She was sitting in a wheelchair and looked unhappy.
She couldn't bear the humiliation of being visited by a brothel girl to seek justice, but she had no idea that her daughter-in-law was so useless and let others get the upper hand.
Fortunately, she came late, otherwise, seeing her son's miserable state, she would have no idea what would have happened.
She rolled her eyes at Guo Cuiping.
Guo Cuiping retreated behind her awkwardly.
Then she glanced at the people below, and when she saw Chen Jingan's carriage, she frowned. Why was this prince everywhere? He was really haunting her.
Then he turned his gaze to the group of women who had come to cause trouble, and said with disgust: "You are a bunch of seducers. Why did you come to my Ji Mansion to cause trouble? And you even slandered us as harsh brides. It's simply a conscienceless lie."
"I think what the old lady said today was nonsense." Shu Yao walked out. She thought about it on the way here, and then took Ji Shijing back to change into a set of tattered clothes.
She is not playing the victim because they are really miserable.
The old lady was stunned when she saw her. She had obviously bought new clothes for herself a long time ago, so why was she wearing the same set today? What a scheming person.
When everyone saw how Shu Yao and Ji Shijing were dressed, they became even more certain that the Ji family was abusing people. Some time ago, rumors had been circulating in the capital that the old lady of the Ji family was harshly treating the second young master and the new bride. Now it seemed that the rumors were true.
Only when he heard Shu Yao's voice did Chen Jing'an slowly open the curtain, half leaning on the low couch, stroking the purple jade hanging around his waist, and looking at her leisurely.
The old lady was in a bad mood when she saw Shu Yao: "Look at all the trouble you've caused outside. My granddaughter-in-law from the Ji family actually went to a brothel to make money. If this gets out, where will I put my face?"
"I don't know what dirty business you're doing in there. You're really bringing disgrace upon my family. Someone like you who's unfaithful to women should be thrown into a pig cage and sunk into a pond."
When Shu Yao heard her insulting her like this, she immediately retorted: "Madam, why would I go out to make money? I think you know best."
"The day I married into the mansion, the eldest son suddenly died. You thought I was the one who brought him down, so you threw me into the most shabby North Courtyard, with no food or warm clothes, and I suffered from cold and hunger every day."
Then she looked at the crowd, "I'm sure everyone knows that the eldest son was already terminally ill and on his last legs. I'm so unlucky that I just walked into the mansion just as he passed away. It's a pity that I'm only eighteen years old and already a widow. Who would understand how sad I am?"
There were also some young widows among the people watching the fun. They felt sorry for Shu Yao's situation and their own miserable life experiences, and could not help sobbing.
Shu Yao looked at Ji Shijing next to her. "It's okay for me, but the Second Young Master is the master's blood after all. It's a pity that he has such a hard time here. The old lady never cares about him and even took my uncle's family in. She threatened that all the wealth of the Ji Mansion will be left to my uncle. I really feel sorry for the Second Young Master."
Ji Shijing looked at Shu Yao's red and tearful eyes. He raised his hand, but finally put it down.
When the old lady heard her words, she trembled with anger.
Shu Yao raised her eyebrows. "Just now, the old lady said that I was engaged in the flesh trade in Zui Xiang Fang. Why are you so sure? Do you have any evidence? Or did you see it with your own eyes?"
The old lady snorted disdainfully: "Is there any honest business in a place like that?"
Shu Yao said calmly, "According to what the old lady said, the girls in Zui Xiang Fang can only make a living by entertaining customers, right?"
The old lady asked in return: "Isn't it?"
Shu Yao looked at the girls in Zui Xiang Fang. "There's more to brothels than just wine and women. Storytelling and poetry recitation are all unique, and there are all kinds of talents, including singing, dancing, and playing the piano. Everyone earns money honestly, without stealing or robbing. How can the money they earn be considered dirty?"
Having been in Zui Xiang Fang for so long, it is not simply about showing off one's beauty, but more about one's talent for poetry and music.
When the girls below heard her say this, their eyes all turned red. Outsiders only knew that they earned unclean money, but they never understood that they did not steal or rob, but earned the money in a fair and honest way. Why shouldn't they make it public?
But if possible, they don't want to work in this industry. After all, they are always criticized. But the world is difficult and they have to survive.
The old lady didn't understand what Shu Yao was saying at all. She only believed what she knew, so she retorted, "Don't talk nonsense here. Since you have done something wrong to Dalang, I will punish you according to the family law today. You will be thrown into a pig cage and drowned in the pond."
Shu Yao: "I usually do makeup for the girls in the neighborhood. Is this considered an insult to Dalang?"
The old lady choked and tried to open her cloudy eyes wide: "You said you went to that kind of place just to do makeup? Who would believe that?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the girls in the alley testified one after another.
The old lady still looked down on him: "You must all be in the same group."
She thought she had finally found a reason to deal with Shu Yao, but just when she was feeling smug, a lazy voice broke her fantasy.
"Miss Shu goes to Zuixiangfang to put on makeup for the girls every day. Apart from that, she has never done anything else." Chen Jing'an walked out of the carriage at some point, walked straight through the crowd and came to Shu Yao, with an air of supporting her.
Chen Jing'an stood to her right and suddenly felt a cold gaze falling on him. He looked over and saw a tall and thin boy with a stern face standing on the other side of Shu Yao. The boy lowered his head and did not look at him.
Isn’t this the mute “monster” from that night?
Chen Jing'an withdrew his gaze. He didn't like Ji Shijing, and he had disliked him since the first time they met.
Ji Shijing lowered his eyes and looked at the tears that had not yet dried on the back of Shu Yao's hand. Finally, he raised his sleeve and wiped them for her carefully.
Shu Yao shrank back, looked at his actions, and asked in a low voice: "What are you doing?"
He was stunned and took his hand back: "I accidentally touched it."
The old lady shrank her neck when she saw Chen Jing'an coming over. She couldn't help cursing in her heart. This prince really loved to meddle in other people's business. However, she still put on a smile on her face: "My Lord, don't be deceived by this little girl..."
Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Shen Jing'an: "Old Madam, are you saying that this prince is also lying?"
The old lady was so frightened that she quickly denied it.
Chen Jing'an turned to the people below and said, "Miss Shu is my best friend. If I hear anyone gossiping about her in the future, I will definitely not let her off lightly."
Shu Yao goes in and out of places with brothels, so there will definitely be some people with bad intentions spreading rumors, and he must warn them.
Others said he could, but he could never make up stories about his little girl.
Everyone below responded in unison.
Shu Yao approached him and said softly, "Prince, you helped me again, thank you."
In fact, even if he didn't help her this time, she still had a way to escape.
Chen Jing'an touched her head lovingly.
Beside them, Ji Shijing watched the interaction between the two with indifference, his eyes darkening.
The old lady was so angry that her teeth itched. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Shen Jing'an stepped forward and protected Shu Yao behind him. She bit her silver teeth and squeezed out a sound from between her teeth: "Shu girl, you are so capable."
Shu Yao smiled and said, "Old Madam, you are too kind. By the way, isn't it time for the Second Young Master and I to receive our monthly allowances?"
The old lady glanced at Chen Jing'an cautiously and said, "Two taels of silver per month."
Shu Yao said "Oh" and said, "This seems to be the monthly salary for a maid. The Second Young Master and I each get at least five taels a month."
The old lady almost fainted. With so many people looking at her, she could only nod reluctantly.
Shu Yao felt happy, and she added, "I will still go to Zui Xiang Fang to make up the girls in the future. The old lady should stop saying that I am doing dirty business."
The old lady looked up, her eyes full of resentment: "I've already given you a monthly allowance, why do you still want to go out and show off?"
Five taels of silver a month was not as much as she could earn in two days at Zui Xiang Fang. Shu Yao did not want to miss this opportunity to make money. Besides, so many sisters came today, and she could not let them down.
"Old Madam, five taels of silver a month isn't enough to begin with. The Second Young Master will spend seven or eight taels on medicine. How will we survive with the rest of the money?"
She changed the subject: "Unless the old lady adds another twenty taels per month."
The old lady pointed at Shu Yao, spit flying from her mouth: "You cheap thing, I really gave you face, you are not worth twenty taels even if I sell you."
Shen Jingan frowned: "Old Madam, be careful with your words."
The old lady bullies the weak and fears the strong, and dares not even fart in front of Shen Jingan.
Chen Jingan said to Shu Yao, "I happen to own a shop right next to Zui Xiang Fang. You can help the girls with their makeup there and no one will say anything."
Now the old lady couldn't find any fault with it and could only feel frustrated.
Shu Yao thought about his suggestion and nodded.
Shen Jingan turned to the old lady again: "What do you think, old lady?"
The old lady felt her blood boiling. She snorted, "Since the prince has spoken, then let's do it."
After saying that, he went into the house on the pretext of having leg discomfort.
All the girls from Zui Xiang Fang gathered around Shu Yao, chattering and vying for her to put on makeup for them. Shu Yao responded to each of them one by one.
Chen Jing'an said to her, "I'll take you to see that shop tomorrow."
Shu Yao nodded: "Thank you."
"Why are you being so polite to me?"
Shu Yao got on Chen Jing'an's carriage and went to Zui Xiang Fang. She opened the curtain, looked at Ji Shijing who was still standing at the door, and said, "You go back first. I might be back late today."
After saying this, he lowered the curtain and the carriage drove away.
Ji Shijing stood there, the cold wind blowing his clothes, making him feel bone-chilled. He stared at the carriage with cold eyes, and the gold and gems on the carriage dazzled his eyes so much that they hurt.
…
That afternoon, a familiar face came to Ji's house again. Ge Yong came with one hundred taels of silver to propose marriage.
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