The hexagram of Difficulty (困卦) - Upper-middle hexagram
Chapter 47 The Difficulty Hexagram (Kun) - Upper-Middle Hexagram - Liu Ziqian
Rong Yan lowered her eyes and behaved very obediently, nodding her head. The veil on her head swayed slightly with her movements.
"My daughter was rude before, it was my fault. Now I am presenting you with a jade ruyi bestowed by the palace, and I hope you will accept it, Steward Xu."
When Steward Xu heard that it was a jade ruyi from the palace, his expression changed immediately.
Rong Yan glanced around and noticed that everyone had different expressions; some were mocking Steward Xu, while others envied him.
Clearly, this Manager Xu always takes advantage of the absence of the bank president and vice president to accept bribes privately, abusing his power.
Rong Yan knew that everyone was outwardly friendly but inwardly hostile, and that they not only despised her but also Steward Xu.
"Since I am here today to discuss matters with everyone on behalf of the vice president, I will accept this on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. Xiao Si, please accept this and take it to the warehouse."
After saying that, he winked at the servant named Xiao Si and pointed his index finger at Rong Yan.
"You, take off your veil and let everyone see. Since you, a woman, have chosen to do this job of showing your face in public, why not let everyone see what you look like? In case you encounter problems in the future, even if everyone wants to help, they won't recognize you, right? Hahahaha."
Laughter rang out in the hall. Rong Yan looked at everyone present. Although some people disagreed, most of them believed that women should not go out to do business.
This man and his servants had been claiming from the beginning that "all people are equal" and that there was no distinction between dukes, but this was merely to cover up the fact that he himself was of commoner origin.
Otherwise, how could he maintain the title of "Madam"?
Making Rong Yan remove his veil seemed like a joke, but it was actually a way of putting her down.
“If I were to remove my hat, I wonder if Steward Xu would be able to bear it? At that time, it would not only be a matter of my reputation, but also a matter of the entire Marquis of Runan’s mansion. Even if I disregard my own feelings, I must consider the Marquis’s reputation. I hope Steward Xu will understand.”
Rong Yan's words were appropriate and he did not make any sarcastic remarks.
This actually made the onlookers feel a bit more favorably toward him.
She was neither humble nor arrogant, and her words and actions were always appropriate, which made her quite different from ordinary women in the marketplace. This made them curious about the face hidden under the veil.
Listening to the melodious voice of the nightingale, one's imagination runs wild.
Rong Yan was getting impatient listening to the cacophony of voices around him, but he still managed to suppress his emotions.
As if he had expected her to refuse, Steward Xu did not actually let her lift the curtain. Whether she lifted it or not, he had the upper hand.
Judging from the woman's soft and weak voice, Steward Xu didn't take her seriously. The day she solved the Fu Lou murder case, it was probably with the assistance of the eldest young master's men.
What great things could a woman and a child, especially a concubine's daughter raised in a Taoist temple, accomplish?
"Alright, we don't want to make things difficult for a woman like you. If word gets out, it will be bad for our chamber of commerce. You've come here today, presumably for the servant's matter. Once you join, this matter will be easily resolved. However, women need to pay one hundred taels of silver to join each year. If you agree, sign the agreement here, leave the silver, and you can leave. Someone will come to inform you of the rules of the chamber."
"Thank you for informing me, Steward Xu. I know that every profession has its own rules, but since women have to pay this price to join, is it the same for men?"
Because he emphasized everything about women and not women, Rong Yan naturally became suspicious.
This price is twice as much as the silver coin a man pays to join the association, which is quite a sum.
As expected, Steward Xu smiled wryly, making his face appear even wider. "Women naturally pay double, not because I look down on you women. It's just that women in business do indeed cause the Chamber of Commerce a lot more trouble. Firstly, with women in charge, there are more troublemakers than when men are in charge. Secondly, when women are in charge, they have to rely more on the Chamber of Commerce to resolve issues. The day when women are better at business than men, I think this rule will change. It's not that I intend to make things difficult for you, but that's the rule. I hope you'll understand, Madam."
Although Steward Xu kept asking her to forgive him, his expression was indifferent. Rong Yan glanced at the people in the hall, including other restaurant managers, all of whom had an air of entitlement.
She quietly clenched her fingertips, so tightly that she didn't even realize it was pricking her palms.
After a moment, she smiled slowly and nodded in agreement, "Alright, then so be it, Steward Xu."
Rong Yan signed the document for Hebai Temple, writing each word carefully and deliberately. She picked up another document, turned around with a nimble and graceful manner, and walked quickly.
As I stepped out of the hall, I could faintly hear the man laughing behind me.
Since the world is like this, she will become someone who can change the rules. She can, she definitely can.
As she came out, Rong Yan noticed Wang Mama's anxious expression. She was slightly taken aback. When Wang Mama saw her come out, she immediately stepped forward and said, "Is everything settled? Did they give you any trouble? You can tell me, and I'll talk to the eldest young master."
Rong Yan wasn't in a good mood to begin with, but after hearing her words, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Pfft. What Mama Wang is saying sounds like a child complaining to an adult."
Wang's mother laughed as well. Rong Yan did not mention what happened in the hall, nor did he want to be the one to complain to him.
Unexpectedly, Liu Ziqian, whom everyone thought had already left, was actually waiting at the door.
"I realize I was being too rude just now, please forgive me, Madam Rong. In the future..." He paused, then sighed.
"I hope that Madam Rong will live a happy life in the future. Please allow me, Liu, to escort her back to her residence."
"Thank you, Lord Liu. I'll trouble you then."
After hearing this, Wang Mama glanced at Rong Yan and realized that the young mistress was right. Liu Ziqian also regretted his sarcastic remarks to her earlier.
When it was time to say goodbye, Liu Ziqian insisted on escorting her back to her residence. She could not refuse, so she let him ride his horse alongside the sedan chair. When she got off the sedan chair, thinking that she had not yet formally thanked him for what had happened that day, she gave him a deep bow.
"I must thank Lord Liu for his help today."
Before the two could finish their conversation, Rong Yan heard footsteps approaching from behind, and a somewhat familiar scent wafted into their nostrils.
Rong Yan turned around, not expecting the person to be so close to her, almost bumping into her arms. She was about to take a step back, but he pulled her into his arms.
"World……"
"Madam, let's go back." Xie Chengzhi interrupted Liu Ziqian and said to himself, putting his arm around Rong Yan's shoulder and walking towards the gate of the Marquis's residence.
Rong Yan turned around and glanced outside the gate. Liu Ziqian was still standing in the same spot, but she felt that Liu Ziqian seemed to have become shorter. When he saw her turn around, he bowed slightly to her and gave her a greeting.
Rong Yan was slightly startled. Was he apologizing to her?
"What, are you worried that Lord Liu won't know the way back to the manor?" Xie Chengzhi chuckled, and as soon as they entered the manor, he let go of her shoulder.
Rong Yan was genuinely taken aback by Liu Ziqian's bow just now. After regaining his senses, he listened to Liu's mockery and chuckled in the same way, "Young Master should worry about Princess Yongqing first before worrying about me."
"Madam is still as sharp-tongued as ever. By the way, do you know what people outside are praising about you?"
Rong Yan: ?
"Virtuous and kind, oh."
Xie Chengzhi abruptly left after uttering these words, acting so strangely and cryptically.
No, what did she do to offend him?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
