Chapter 58: Embracing Freedom and Poverty
Counting the time on my fingers, the Imperial Guards should get the news of my disappearance soon. Once they know, they will come to look for me. I don’t have much time left.
My eyes darkened and I felt a surge of anger: Since there is a way, I might as well take a gamble. The worst that can happen is that I will be caught by Li Siyan.
He was very careful and attentive, carefully erasing our footprints along the way. Soon, as he said, we arrived at a wild ferry. He apologized and smeared a layer of yellow soil on my face, covering up my original appearance.
I didn't expect Yide to have such skills. He is simply a little escape expert sent to me by God.
"Just ahead is Yanzhou, which is accessible in all directions. Your Majesty, if you want to go anywhere, just hire a carriage." After crossing the river, he took out a string of money and gave it to me: "Be careful not to get cheated."
I was so touched that I couldn't help but gossip, "...You've made such thorough preparations, could it be that you originally planned to escape on your own?"
"How could that be?" He smiled. "Your Majesty is the only one in the Inner Courtyard who is willing to take care of us nameless people. I guess she wants to serve you for the rest of her life."
He tore my old clothes casually, smeared a lot of blood on them, picked a suitable place, and threw them into the turbulent river. I took out the pass and gave the box containing the letter and the saddle bag to Yide. He nodded, rowed the sampan to the middle of the river, and sank the box into the water. In this way, the soldiers sent by Li Siyan would think that I accidentally fell into the water while crossing the river and met with misfortune.
The Purple Palace is indeed full of hidden talents. Even a quiet eunuch is so meticulous.
I bowed deeply to him from across the river, and he returned the greeting while reminding me to be careful to cover my footprints.
I did as I was told, but I was still nervous. Fortunately, after I successfully entered Yanzhou City, it rained and washed away all the traces that I didn't want to be discovered.
The pass given by Wen Baibi was very useful. When the guard at the door heard that this person was a slave released from the master's house in Chang'an, passing through Yanzhou on her way back to her hometown, and that her face was dusty and she looked exhausted, he didn't think much of it and just raised his hand to let me through.
The first thing I did when I arrived in town was to hire a carriage.
But the coachmen seemed reluctant to set out on such a rainy day. Seeing that it was getting late, the imperial guards should have known about my disappearance. I didn't dare to delay any longer. I used the excuse that I had to go back to my hometown to worship my ancestors and that I would miss the date if I was any later. I finally persuaded a black car driver to give me a ride.
The rickshaw driver took all my belongings without any hesitation, and said with emotion: "You are lucky girl. After this ride, the old man will go back to his hometown to farm. From now on, he will no longer have to sleep in the open and drive the rickshaw day and night. He will be very happy."
"Going back home is great!" I almost cried out in excitement. If he goes back home, no one will know I went to Mingzhou, right? I'm one step closer to escaping safely!
I've been unlucky for so long that I can't believe it's going so well this time.
The carriage traveled slowly on the official road for ten days, and we finally crossed the Yellow River and arrived at Hebei Road.
In the first few days, the portraits posted everywhere and the soldiers running around to check showed that Li Siyan was looking for me like crazy, but later on, I think he had fished out my bloody clothes and the box that sank into the middle of the river. The soldiers' checks were far less strict than before, and when we reached the north of the Yellow River, no one came to check on us anymore.
The story later turned out to be uneventful, but when I was in it, I was extremely anxious.
Li Siyan didn't want to believe that I was dead. In the first few days, he laid a tight net, and all the available forces under his command came out in full force, almost searching the entire Henan Province.
I knew he was obsessed with me, and if he found out I was missing, he would definitely try his best to look for me. But I didn't expect him to be so crazy as to send all the Northern Yamen Forbidden Army he brought with him this time to look for me.
Fortunately, the guards in front of the palace suffered heavy casualties that day, and among the army that came out to look for me, there were very few people who had actually seen me, which gave me room to get away with it.
When I passed a certain pass that day, the guards watched me and questioned me.
But apart from my age, my appearance, clothing, background and experience were completely different from the person the emperor was looking for. These guards were tired of working overtime and since we were pretty much the same, they kindly let me pass.
As the coachman left the city, he squinted at the portrait posted at the city gate and casually said to me, "Oh, everyone's looking for this Chen Ying. This woman doesn't look like a fairy-like beauty, so how could she have charmed the emperor so much? Is she Su Daji?"
"I think so too. This woman has a deceitful face and is attractive to men. She is definitely not a good person. She is undoubtedly a witch." I was eager to clear myself and said it in a resounding voice.
"Isn't it?" the old cart driver sighed. "Finally, there's a vixen with ambition. What's so good about sucking the essence of a poor scholar? If you're going to suck, you should suck from the true dragon emperor!"
"Master, you are absolutely right."
...It's funny. Have you ever seen an emperor forcing a fox spirit to suck his essence?
The old man excitedly told me a hundred erotic stories about fox spirits causing trouble. I listened carefully and found them familiar. Suddenly I remembered that what he was talking about was the "Visiting the Fox Fairy Cave" that I wrote in the Ye Ting.
My legendary picture book career always surprises me unexpectedly.
The old man looked at me and said, "My child, go back to your hometown and find a good marriage first. This matter cannot be delayed. You have worked in a wealthy family and have seen the world, but your appearance is really not good enough. You must marry yourself off while you are young, otherwise it will be difficult later."
I applied a fine layer of yellow powder on my face and used paste to distort the shape of my eyes. I looked very different from the smiling young lady in the portrait.
The coachman could never have imagined that the current Su Daji was sitting in the back seat and was suffering from carsickness.
The carriage continued on the Hebei Road for a long time. Later, the land became gradually dry and the trees became thinner and barren. I thought to myself, looking at this desolate scene, Mingzhou should be approaching soon.
Sure enough, that evening, the old man pointed to the hill ahead and said, "After crossing this hill, we will reach Mingzhou."
I shouted happily: "Finally home!"
The old man said, "You've been traveling day and night like this, shouldn't you give me some reward?"
I was so poor that I couldn't afford to tip the old man. I could only give him a sincere smile and a firm statement that I had no money.
The old man first despised my employer for being too stingy and not even paying me the severance pay. Then he asked me where my home was exactly so that he could send me there and maybe my family would give me a little money.
I said, "I was kidnapped when I was very young. I know my family is in Mingzhou, but I can't tell you exactly which family it is."
The old man was furious: "Why did I take a poor guy like you on my last truck before I retire?"
I scratched my head and said, "I really don't have any money. How about this, uncle, do you want to send some letters? I can write a few for you for free."
The old man sneered: "I am just a sports car driver, do I need to write a letter?"
Finally, I persuaded the gentleman to leave with a smile. Seeing that it was getting late, I began to worry about my livelihood again... Hey, just hiring a car to come to Mingzhou has used up all my family's money. I don't have money to stay in a hotel...
As the saying goes, even a penny can make a hero fall. I, Chen Ying, have never had to worry about food and clothing since I was a child, and I regard money and other things as dirt. But when the time came to make money, I was completely in the dark.
After much thought, I went to the pawnshop to pawn a few silk ribbons that I had made when I was bored on the road. The pawnshop clerk looked at me with pity and gave me three small coins.
I took the coins pitifully, then suddenly noticed the abacus in his hand. My eyes lit up, and I asked expectantly, "Little brother, is your shopkeeper hiring?"
"No." He said, "My dear, you look pretty good. If you really need money, why not go to a restaurant or noodle shop and do some tea and water service?"
No, I frowned. I can't do the job of serving tea and water properly. People will see that I have never served anyone before. How can I be called a maid in a wealthy family in Chang'an?
I refused to give up and continued to sell myself: "Young man, you don't know, I am a maid in a wealthy family in Chang'an. My master got married and kindly allowed me to return home, but I was robbed on the way and my belongings were stolen. I have nowhere else to go and I want to find a place to stay first..."
The guy was unmoved: "Grandpa, I hear this story eight hundred times a day."
"They certainly aren't as versatile as I am!" I said, "I can play the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, do accounting and manage the household. I can do everything my master and his wife can do."
He said, "Young lady, think about it, if you can do everything and the shopkeeper hires you, then I will be unemployed..."
I struggled desperately: "Then... does your shopkeeper have a daughter? I can train her to be a first-class lady from a noble family in Chang'an..."
The waiter said, "It's almost curfew, and there's a refugee camp up ahead. Go get yourself a bowl first, and don't delay us from closing."
I held the three copper coins in my hand, feeling sad.
Although it's a bit embarrassing to say, I really didn't think that I would be short of money before I set off.
I'm extremely regretful right now. When Wei Xizi and other humble ministers were sharing their ten thousand tips on saving money to buy a house, why didn't I actively participate in the discussion? If I had learned even a little bit, I wouldn't be living on the streets right now...
There was no other way, so I could only grit my teeth and go to the government's refugee camp, and tell the story I made up again to the gatekeeper.
Fortunately, this lady was kind-hearted and readily allowed me to stay. She also told me that it was the busy farming season recently and all the shops in the city were short of workers. As long as I was willing to work, I would have a meal.
This refugee shelter was converted from a porridge stall. Although the place is small, it happens to be located next to the government office and is a prosperous area. I went into the house and looked across the street. I happened to see a bookstore. My mind immediately turned to work. I went up to the doorwoman and asked, "Although working for others makes money quickly, it's not a long-term solution. May I ask if you know how the letter stall business is? I'm thinking of making a living from it..."
The old lady looked at me in surprise and said, "Young lady, setting up a stall haphazardly is stealing other people's business. You are wandering around without any relatives or friends. You will be driven away by these shop owners in less than a quarter of an hour."
My eyes almost popped out of my head. "Ah? Is there such a thing?"
"Of course, as the saying goes, a powerful dragon cannot defeat a local snake. You should sing the song that suits your location," the old lady handed me a roll of bedding. "You should wait until you have established yourself before considering setting up a stall."
"Okay, thank you, Auntie."
I was very depressed.
After a sound night's sleep hugging a dirty quilt, I asked for the locations of several calligraphy and painting shops in Mingzhou, intending to start looking for work that would pay better.
In my limited knowledge of the city, the most lucrative job is to be an official, followed by doing business. If literati want to make a little money, they mainly rely on writing inscriptions, door plaques, and any other texts that seem to have commemorative value.
I believed that my calligraphy and painting skills were quite good. I could not say that I was unrivaled in the world, but I could definitely become a middle-class scholar. Making money should be a natural thing. So I didn't even eat breakfast. In the surprised eyes of the old lady, I walked across the street with a proud and confident look.
What are you doing there? Applying for a job, of course!
If I’m not allowed to set up a stall, then it should be okay for me to work in another shop.
However, within an hour, I returned to the refugee camp, covered in dust and dirt, and asked the gatekeeper, "Auntie, do you still have any steamed bread?"
The old lady looked at me with pity and said, "It's gone."
Then he asked me, "Is it difficult for you to find a job, young lady?"
I hesitated to speak, wanting to confide in others but feeling embarrassed. Finally, I let out a long sigh: "...Alas."
I can only say that I seriously underestimated the cunningness of the calligraphy and painting shops in Mingzhou.
I went to four or five shops in total. The best one had no shortage of calligraphy and painting from a nobody like me, and they didn't even give me a chance to try my hand at painting. Another inferior shop was amazed by my talent, but when they saw that I was poor, they asked me to sign a contract to sell myself. I was not happy about it, and they sneered and slammed the door in my face: Bah, if you don't want to come, go beg for food.
I was so angry. With such low quality and face, how dare he open a calligraphy and painting shop?
Others either disliked me because I was a woman or were unwilling to lend me the four treasures of the study. It was hard to describe in words, and I was very upset. Finally, when I was almost at the end of my rope, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the last art shop.
The shop was located in a deep alley, with few customers and dim light inside. There was only a lazy clerk dozing off in front of a room full of paintings.
When he saw me walk in, he didn't even raise his head and said casually, "Look for yourself, take whatever you like."
I put on a sincere smile and asked the waiter, "Excuse me, young man, is your shop still in need of an assistant who is good at reading and painting?"
The guy raised his eyelids, looked around my face, and said listlessly: "No need, go somewhere else."
I said sincerely, "Brother, trust me, my paintings are better than the pictures hanging in your house."
The guy looked at me like I was a hysterical person.
"I am a maidservant of a wealthy family in Chang'an. My money was stolen on my way home, so I stayed here. I just want to make some money. My price is not high. I can draw a painting like this for you in less than half an hour!"
Seeing him slowly close his eyes again, tears welled up in my eyes. I almost knelt down to beg him: "Please be kind, I... I don't even have breakfast. I've been hungry for two days..."
Perhaps I was truly pitiful, so he said, "You said you could draw well, so why don't you show our shopkeeper some of your old brushes and inks?"
I said dejectedly, "I'm living in the open air and have no money... If you can lend me a set of four treasures of the study, I'll paint a few scrolls for you. I won't charge you for the painting. Just give me a Hu Bing to fill my stomach."
The guy hesitated for a moment.
My bottom line kept dropping: "It's OK to eat Hu Bing without stuffing."
He slowly stood up and said, "Okay, wait a minute, I'll go ask my shopkeeper."
There is a way! I was overjoyed and nodded enthusiastically.
After a while, the clerk lifted the curtain and came out and said to me, "My boss has agreed, but paper is expensive nowadays, so I can only give you one. If the painting is ruined, you'll have to find another place to buy it."
The opportunity has come!
I immediately rolled up my sleeves, ground the ink and started writing, then skillfully laid out the paperweight and adjusted the ink color.
The guy looked listless at first, but after I put down the first stroke, his slit-like eyes actually opened and widened. When I put down my pen half an hour later, he was completely frozen in place.
Having learned from my previous failed job-hunting experiences, I intended to show off my skills this time. I didn't paint small objects like flowers, birds, fish, and insects. I started with a large landscape painting and also wrote a poem. I used the running script that I practiced privately, so I wasn't afraid of Li Siyan seeing it.
"The drawing is done," I handed him the paper. "Do you want to take it to your shopkeeper for his appreciation?"
The waiter woke up as if from a dream: "...Okay, I'll go find the shopkeeper. What's your name, young lady? Where do you live?"
"Chen... Very good, very good. My name is Wang Yayu, and I'm from Yongnian County."
I almost let it slip, but luckily the clerk didn't notice. He nodded at me and said, "Yongnian County? Then you and our boss are from the same hometown."
"Fellow countrymen are so wonderful!" I wished I could become sworn brothers with the shopkeeper on the spot. If a fellow countryman is in trouble, shouldn't I take care of him?
The clerk politely went to the backyard, leaving me alone in the shop waiting.
He stayed away for a long time without even locking the door, as if he didn't care at all that I took the opportunity to steal his goods.
After calming down, I looked around in confusion and felt something was strange.
...This shop is so deserted, the quality is not good, and it looks like all the paintings hanging in the room are from the hand of only one person. Who would come here to patronize it?
I can't help but sigh: the rent in Mingzhou is so low that even a shop like this can stay open...
While I was thinking, the door curtain moved slightly, and the waiter brought in a young man in a blue shirt with a handsome face. The man was holding my painting in his hand and walked towards me like a sleepwalker.
I looked down and saw a few drops of ink on his sleeve.
Oh... I think I understand. Since he is a painter, this shop is probably opened by him to sell his own paintings.
It's so miserable. In the early days of starting a business, I was doing multiple things, doing everything, but no one was paying attention...
No, soon he will get a hen that lays golden eggs.
"Hello, shopkeeper. My name is Wang Yayu, and I'm new here..." I introduced myself enthusiastically.
"Who did you learn painting from?" he interrupted me anxiously.
I cleared my throat and said, "I was originally a maid in a wealthy family in Chang'an. My master..."
He asked, “Who did you learn this from?”
I said angrily, "My master is the eldest daughter of the Wen family, Duke of Jing..."
"Then who did she learn this from?"
"Sōseki!" I threw these four words harshly in his face.
The other person looked shocked, slowly took two steps back and sat down, slapping his thigh repeatedly: "So it's Soseki, no wonder, no wonder."
Soseki was a retired Hanlin. He was mediocre at his job, but his painting skills were amazing. Wen Baibi was of noble status, and he and Princess Qinghe studied painting with Soseki for many years. However, Qinghe dropped out of school, and Soseki taught Wen Baibi alone.
However, he was only Wen Baibi's teacher. I learned painting from my father and had nothing to do with this old man.
The shopkeeper knew painting. Seeing his startled expression, I was afraid he would recognize me, so I added, "Of course, my master has other calligraphy and painting masters, not just him."
The young man suddenly raised his head and asked, "Are you from Yongnian County?"
I don't know why he suddenly jumped from the Dao of Painting to where I was from, but since he asked, I said, "That's right, but I was kidnapped when I was young..."
He immediately said, "I'll give you my house to live in."
As soon as the words fell, the room fell into silence.
Wait...wait.
I thought I hadn't heard clearly: "What did you say?"
He pleaded, "Please live in my house!"
I looked at him and he looked at me.
He blinked hopefully and swallowed.
I sneered.
Live in your house?
It's funny. The last man who invited me to live with him was the Dog Emperor, who left me with a psychological shadow as big as Mount Tai. How could I, Chen Ying, step into the same river twice!
I put my pen on the shelf and turned to leave: "Sorry to bother you, goodbye!"
I thought viciously, what a shady shop! I don't want this steamed bun! If the calligraphy and painting shop won't take me, I'll go work as an accountant. The world is big, I have hands, feet, and a brain, how can I really starve myself to death?
"Hey, Madam Wang!" the young man called me frantically from behind.
I walked faster and faster.
"Madam Wang, please stay! Madam Wang has nowhere to stay, and I am willing to give up my house, just to ask for your guidance in painting, Madam Wang! Madam Wang!"
I looked back in confusion and saw him chasing me in his cloth shoes. I was so scared that my hair stood on end. Without thinking, I ran away, shouting, "You, you, don't come over here! My old master is the Empress! If you dare to touch me, I will never let you go!"
The two of them chased each other, running one in front and the other behind in the wide alley in the north.
The more I ran, the more panicked I became. The surroundings were desolate and there was not even a single person in sight. If they caught up, I would be finished.
Finally, after turning a corner, I vaguely saw a person standing in front of me. I was overjoyed and rushed over shouting for help.
The man slowly turned around and revealed his face.
I slammed on the brakes and almost fainted from anger. Isn't this the lazy guy from the bookstore?
He saluted me and said, "Madam Wang."
"What do you want to do to me?" I gasped and clenched my fists.
The clerk sighed, "Madam Wang, please don't run away. My husband sincerely wants to learn painting from you. He said you can live in his house. He means he will move into the bookstore and sleep on the floor, leaving the proper room for you."
"Just to learn painting, he chased me for five blocks like a rabbit?"
"...My husband is not strong enough..."
"Madam Wang!"
As he was speaking, the young man caught up with him, sweating profusely.
Just as he was about to reach out and pull me, my brows furrowed: "Stay away from me!"
The young man withdrew his hand pitifully.
He stood there for a moment with his head down, then suddenly took three steps back, looked at me seriously, and then...
Then he knelt down in front of me in the street.
His voice came from a low place: "I beg Madam Wang to teach me something. I am willing to take Madam Wang as my teacher!"
After saying that, I heard a thud and the man kowtowed to me loudly.
The alley with willow catkins floating in the air fell into an eerie silence. Silence is Mingzhou tonight.
My friend and I: ...
I didn't expect that someone would show me such great courtesy after leaving the palace.
What I didn’t expect was that a big man who was a head taller than me when he stood up wanted to take me as his master.
This development was so outrageous that I started to panic. Who wouldn't be afraid of a psychopath? They could kill people without breaking the law! Who would believe that this person was not mentally ill when he offered a discipleship gift to a young girl he had never met?
"You...you should take him to the hysterical hospital. This can't be delayed any longer." I pointed at the prostrating man and turned to the guys watching the show nearby: "Look at him, it's okay to be crazy, but he's even kowtowing in the street. This is the precursor to a martial arts madman!"
The waiter remained motionless, "Madam Wang, he's not crazy, he's just a painting enthusiast. He's usually very normal, but when it comes to painting, he easily loses his composure."
"A painting geek? Are those in your shop really painted by him?"
I was even more shocked. There are indeed many hidden talents among the people. This kind of madman is the first time I have seen him.
The clerk said, "That's right. The shop belongs to your ancestors, so it doesn't matter if it doesn't make any money. I just run it for fun."
The young man remained kneeling and said loudly, "If Madam Wang doesn't mind, the yard behind the shop can also be given to you."
I was shocked: "Who wants your yard? Get up here right now. If you don't find it embarrassing, I'll even find it shortening my life!"
The other party straightened up and said with emotion: "Madam Wang, you are so kind. I will obey your command respectfully."
The waiter must have felt embarrassed, so he lifted his master up and turned to me, saying, "Madam Wang is new here, and all her money has been robbed. I'm afraid she'll have to stay in a refugee camp, but that's not a place to stay. Why not stay here?"
"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't want to. Goodbye."
"Don't worry, my dear, my husband is an honest man,"
The waiter's eyelids drooped, and his lazy demeanor actually resembled Qingfu. "The Zhang family has two houses in the back alley that have been vacant for a long time. They have bronze doors and locks, and all the necessary furnishings are ready. If you can teach my husband to paint, I will rent them to you for free. What do you think?"
"You mean, I teach him to paint, and you provide me with a place to live?"
"And all kinds of meals." The waiter added.
I fell silent, thinking of the back alley I passed by when I was looking for a bookstore. The houses along the way all had excellent orientations and quality. If I could live there for free, it would be a really great deal.
This scholar doesn't look like a bad guy. He's weak and frail, and doesn't even look like he has the strength to kill a chicken. I just taught him a few things about painting, and he can live in such a nice house for free...
A penny can make a hero fall, and I was shamefully tempted.
But when you're out and about, caution is always the priority. Even though I already had a preference in mind, I still asked coldly, "You can learn, but you have to answer a few questions first."
The other party was delighted: "Madam Wang, please ask."
"Where are you from? What's your name? What's your family situation?" I asked cautiously. "You're even giving me your inheritance just so I can learn painting?"
He said seriously, "If you give away a house, you can buy a new one, but Mingzhou is remote, and it's hard to find a disciple of Mr. Soseki."
I corrected him: "It's the disciple's grandson."
The waiter reminded him angrily, "Sir, the Queen wants to know your name."
"Oh," the young man said, bowing respectfully. "My surname is Zhang, my given name is Zhi, my courtesy name is Zhengji, I am a scholar, and I am from Yongnian County. Both my parents are dead, and I only have a few uncles living there. This street is all my ancestral property, and Madam Wang, please feel free to pick any empty room and live there."
When I heard that he had passed the imperial examination, my doubts were immediately reduced. Most people who have achieved academic success are careful about their reputation and will not act recklessly.
Of course, if he really dares to have evil intentions towards me, I will not tolerate it.
I even dare to beat the emperor, so why should I be afraid of him?
"Okay, it's a deal. You have to sign a document and put your fingerprints on it to inform the government." For the free house, I gritted my teeth and agreed: "From now on, we will be master and disciple, treat each other with courtesy, and do not overstep the boundaries."
"Sure, sure." The young man named Zhang Zhi laughed innocently, "I'll take you to see the house."
Returning to his shop, I found a mat, knelt down upright and said, "You just kowtowed, no need to kowtow again. Kowtow to the founder of the painting school, and you will be my apprentice."
Zhang Zhi happily did as he was told, and followed me eagerly, as excited as a big monkey.
His servant seemed to be used to it, and listlessly called on the people who came to repair the house I was staying in. I asked him his name, and he said, "My name is Tanwei. The master has another servant, but he's on leave today. His name is Kaizhi."
Kaizhi and Tanwei are both names of famous painters in the Wei and Jin Dynasties.
I chuckled and said, "Do you have a colleague named Sengyou?"
Tan Wei said expressionlessly, "There was one in the past, but later she felt that there was no future in being with you, so she redeemed herself and went to work at the magistrate's office."
"Oh, you changed jobs." I nodded to show my understanding.
Tanwei didn't seem to be in the mood to talk, and he just sat back down in his shop seat. He took out a half-worn blue shirt from behind him and began to sew it skillfully.
I took a look and asked, "Is it Zhang Zhi's?"
Tan Wei said, "Exactly. Just now, when my husband was chasing you, Madam Wang, he accidentally scratched you."
I took another look at it. The material of this blue shirt was ordinary, and the tailoring was also ordinary. The most outrageous thing was the stitching. The lines were jumping around like a crazy earthworm. Even if Shangguan Lan was sewing it, she wouldn't sew it like this.
In short, it doesn't look like the clothes a landlord should wear at all.
I pulled up a stool and continued gossiping: "I'm really curious. Your husband is so rich, he owns the whole street, so why is he still wearing patched clothes? He should at least have some silk clothes."
Tan Wei sighed, "Madam Wang, you don't know that these houses and shops are ancestral property. They can't be pawned, so we can only make a living by renting them out. There are few people in Mingzhou, so only two of the five houses have been rented out. He used all the rent to buy good ink and paper, and there is not enough for him to spend."
This is the first time I have seen someone spend a fortune to pursue his hobby, and I can't help but marvel at it.
Since we're talking about money, I have to ask a question I've been thinking about for a long time: "Brother Tanwei... do you know how to make money quickly? Living in a borrowed house is not a long-term solution. I still want to buy a small house of my own as a property, but I'm short on money and don't have any gold or silver..."
Tan Wei nodded and said thoughtfully, "I don't know much, but my husband usually does some copying and rubbing of books and paintings to supplement the family income. You might as well give it a try."
"It's possible, but I'm afraid the profit is a little low..."
Tan Wei replied perfunctorily, "The more you copy, the more you can earn."
We were talking at the door of the shop when a man in a long satin gown came from the alley.
The man was handsome, with a natural charm in his eyes and eyebrows. He held a fan with a fancy pattern in his hand and said with a smile, "Brother Tan Xiao, it's been a long time since we last met. Is your shopkeeper here?"
A figure flashed by his side, and Tanwei stood up suddenly. With the most agile skills he had in the past half day, he slammed the door shut.
He said coldly through the door: "He's not here!"
I was watching from the sidelines, completely bewildered.
"Young man, you are open for business, but you don't entertain customers when they come?"
Tan Wei bolted the door quickly. "Others are guests, but he is not."
The man lingered outside the yard for a long time, unwilling to give up. When he couldn't wait for Tanwei to open the door, he walked away, looking back every few steps.
Before leaving, he picked a hydrangea and pinned it on his chest, looking very showy. Tan Wei snorted and rolled her eyes at his back.
"He also looks like a scholar," I said, "but his demeanor is completely different from Zhang Zhi's."
Tan Wei reopened the door and said as he did so, "This man is called Lu Chen. He failed the imperial examination and has been working for a living doing illicit business. He often comes to see our young master, and every time he comes, he tries to persuade us to draw some pictures for him, insisting on a generous reward and asking us to do it without regret."
When I heard the words "substantial reward," my ears pricked up: "Could you tell me what substantial reward means?"
Tan Wei said, "A booklet is worth half a guan of money, right?"
"Half a string of coins!" I gasped.
"Madam Wang, please don't ask any more questions. You can't take this path," Tan Wei said. "It's always a bit shameful to tell others about it, so my husband never thought about making this money even when he was in trouble."
You'd be a jerk if you didn't make money! My greed was burning in my heart, and I said firmly, "Just tell me, half a guan of money for a book, half a guan of money! Even if it means I have to perform fire swallowing on the street, I'd be happy to do it!"
Explore the secrets in silence.
I refused to give in, so I grabbed him and asked, "Please tell me, I'm really short of money. Don't worry, I won't say a word when I get out!"
Tanwei still didn't say anything.
I kept on talking: "There is no difficult work, only brave painters! ..."
This cycle went on for a long time, and I finally tired of asking Tanwei questions. He put down his needle and thread helplessly and sighed.
"Okay," he said, "come closer so my husband can't hear you."
I obediently put my ear close to him.
Tan Wei whispered, "He sells pornographic pictures."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
