Chapter 50
The cockfighting arena was more lively than usual today because of the gambling between the second young master of the chieftain's mansion and the young masters of the various Langye families.
The casino owner stood on the second floor, watching the crowds and roars of cheers from the tent below, grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed the bustling waiter serving drinks and pointed to a private room behind the curtain, instructing, "Second Young Master and his friends, whatever they want, go to that room first. Tell the others to wait a while!"
The waiter complained in his heart, "You still need to explain this to me." He touched the half-opened gift from the young masters in his pocket and promised: "Don't worry, I will definitely serve you comfortably and properly."
The boss nodded with satisfaction, told him to go and serve the guests quickly, and then turned back into the private room to show his hospitality.
Inside the private room, Yun Kai was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, holding a glass of wine, relentlessly nagging that if Lao Ben lost, he would fulfill his promise and roast his newly acquired Vietnamese ghost for everyone present to eat. He looked as smug as if he had won.
Lao Ben leaned against the street railing, his arms folded, a cigarette between his fingers. He ignored Yunkai's provocation. In his mind, Yunkai was like a bamboo tree—elegant and handsome on the outside, but hollow and worthless on the inside. He wasn't in the mood to argue with a fool today.
Leaning against the railing, he watched the street vendors hawking their wares and asked casually, "Where's Miss Lan? I haven't seen her in a few days."
It took Yunkai a full second to realize who he was talking about, the Lan family's younger sister. Suddenly, his teeth were clenched. He gasped and asked, "Are you familiar with her? You've only met her once, and you're calling her 'sister'?" The disdain in his words was palpable, completely forgetting that he always asked Yueming to call him Abby.
The casino owner came in, bowed to the young masters, and then said to Yun Kai warmly, "Second Young Master, the venue is ready. We're just waiting for you and Young Master Lao Ben to show off your treasures. I don't know how many people have come to watch the fun. They all want to see your Siamese white phoenix and Young Master Lao Ben's Vietnamese chicken."
Yunkai reclined on his pillow, while Hua Niang, a brothel attendant, knelt beside the carpet, fanning him. He gestured to Hua Niang, who was carrying the wine jug, to fill it up. He said to the casino owner, "Wait a little longer. Lao Ben's cock is going to be in my little Yueming's belly today. Let him and that chicken have some more sweet kisses."
Lao Ben looked at the scenery outside and suddenly smiled. He flicked his cigarette butt with his fingers, sat back on the carpet, picked up the wine glass on the table, drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, and said to Yun Kai, "Then there's no need to fight. Since Miss Lan wants to eat it, let the chef pluck the feathers and send it to her."
Qiangba hugged Hua Niang and said to Lao Ben with a smile: "Didn't you hear him say that it was his house? He asked you to show your affection, but you forgot how Pu Jiang was carried out of Yunxiang City. Our Second Young Master's rage for his beloved is enough to write several chapters in the taverns in the city."
Pujiang had made up the same story about him back then, and Yunkai had been so angry that he punched his mouth. Now that Qiangba had said this, Yunkai subconsciously didn't want to deny it in front of Lao Ben. He raised his neck provocatively and said to Lao Ben, "Do you think Yueming wants to eat chicken? She wants to share the fruits of victory with me. What's so special about a broken roast chicken? Do you think the Tusi Mansion can't even afford chicken?"
These two have been fighting since they were little, and a group of people are happy to watch the show and add fuel to the fire.
"Laoben, let your father chase after the other person's father for money. This time, the second young master got it."
Qiangba stretched his neck and told them a joke about Yunkai: "A few days ago, the second young master couldn't even make an appointment. I asked around and found out that he was at home with the eldest daughter of the Lan family studying! Look at how dedicated he is to studying. If the little girl of the Lan family had been born a few years earlier, he wouldn't have received so many spankings from the teacher."
Yun Kai picked up the fruit on the plate and threw it at him: "What nonsense are you talking about? Teaching her to read is just a side job. I'm busy with the Tusi Mansion!"
Seeing him defend himself, the group's teasing intensified. Seeing the lively atmosphere, Hua Niang, who was pouring wine for Yun Kai, joined in the fun, saying in a sweet voice, "I've seen the young lady of the Lan family before. She's so pretty at such a young age. No wonder the Second Young Master and Young Master Lao Ben were both attracted to her."
Her original intention was to compliment Yueming on her beauty, but Hua Niang couldn't even read a word. She was constantly entertaining guests, so what kind of skills could she possibly possess? The words took on a different meaning the moment they were spoken. Everyone observed, as if implying that Yueming was deliberately trying to get Yunkai and Lao Ben to get angry on her behalf.
Yun Kai's eyes suddenly became extremely cold, sweeping over the talkative Hua Niang inch by inch. Hua Niang's face changed, and she realized that she had said something wrong and quickly fell to the ground begging for mercy.
Yun Kai spun his wine glass, leaned on the pillow and sneered: "Who are you? How dare you talk about the young lady? I'm afraid I don't want to talk about you anymore."
Hua Niang was so scared that she raised her hand and slapped herself twice, then begged for mercy with gnashing teeth, saying that she couldn't speak.
Afraid that Hua Niang's crying would annoy Yun Kai even more, Qiangba quickly had her dragged out.
The lively atmosphere suddenly cooled down. Qiangba felt that the awkward silence was boring, so he cleared his throat and tried to smooth things over: "It's about time, why don't we get started! I've put all my wealth on your Siamese white hair, don't cheat me!"
Yunkai stood up and straightened his collar. Hua Niang, who was fanning him, knelt at his feet to tidy up his feet. After tidying up his clothes, he put on his shoes and said, "Manjia, this old Mo Tao, is getting worse and worse at managing people." Then he walked out first.
Everyone in the room, except Lao Ben, who was calmly drinking, looked at each other, and finally looked at Qiangba. He had specially called Hua Niang from Manjia Tower, but now she had offended Yunkai, flattering him.
Qiangba was confused by the look and said angrily, "Why are you looking at me? Do you hear me? Don't mention his sweetheart anymore."
Two chickens were fighting fiercely in the cockfighting arena when Yun Kai noticed that the one he was fighting with was gone. He suddenly felt something was wrong. Was this guy up to something bad? Or was he afraid of losing and looking bad when the chickens were killed, so he just slipped away.
He waved over to Feng Xiaosai and whispered something in his ear. Feng Xiaosai nodded and left. He returned a moment later and whispered something in Yun Kai's ear. Yun Kai was surprised to hear this and asked, "Why did he go to Shengweixuan? Is he hungry?"
Feng Xiaosai leaned over again. Yun Kai was so angry that his lungs were about to explode when he heard half of it. He glared and said, "I told you this kid is holding back something good." After saying that, he ignored the curious looks of others and rushed to the cockfighting arena like a gust of wind.
On the day Yin Tai returned, Madam Du of Shengweixuan sent a letter to the Tusi Mansion, saying that the head of the family's cousin was coming to visit her. The messenger didn't specify who it was, but Yueming knew it after a moment's thought. She told the messenger to tell Madam Du that there was no need to come to the mansion to meet her, as she was only a guest and it would be inappropriate to entertain her there. She simply chose Shengweixuan as the place to meet her, and told Madam Du to ensure she was well-prepared to greet the guest.
She had wanted to personally tell Yin Tai that she was leaving the house, but Yun Kai hadn't figured out what was wrong with him; he'd follow her wherever she went. With his cunning nature, he knew who she was going to meet the moment she heard him speak. She didn't want him to know she was meeting someone from the Du family, so she had to wait until he was out cockfighting before sending Ai Ye to tell Yin Tai.
They had Little Lahu harness the carriage, and the master and servants went to Shengweixuan. Mrs. Du personally met her at the door and led her up to the private room on the second floor.
In the private room, a tall and strong man stood with his back to the window, looking at the street view. Yueming smiled and called out, "Uncle Song."
The man standing at the window turned around and smiled lovingly: "Miss, long time no see."
Yueming first ordered Aiye and Yehu to guard outside and not let anyone in. Turning back, he scolded: "My father told me to call you uncle, and you still call me Miss."
Juniper walked over and pulled her to sit at the table. He looked at her carefully for a moment and said with a smile, "I haven't seen you for a few years. You've grown up like a girl."
Yueming picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea, asking with concern, "Why are you here at Yunxiang? Are you here to do something? How long will you be staying?"
Just as Juniper was about to answer, there was a knock on the door. Juniper responded with a "Come in."
Mrs. Du came in with a tray, put down the dessert and some snacks, and left without saying a word.
Du Song picked up the brown sugar rice cake for her with his chopsticks before saying, "I'm helping Mr. Tao run salt business in Lishengmeng. I knew you were in Yunxiang, so I came to see you."
Hearing Li Shengmeng, Yueming's eyes lit up: "Li Shengmeng Tao Mansion? Then we can meet often. Han Yunkai promised to take me with him to Li Shengmeng's wedding!"
Hearing Yueming call Second Young Master Han by his name, Du Song paused while holding his teacup. Remembering the rumors about Yun Xiang recently, he asked hesitantly and worriedly, "Are you and Second Young Master Han getting along well?"
The word "get along" was used in a somewhat ambiguous way. Yueming didn't understand Dusong's implication and said heartlessly, "We get along OK. We've become sworn brothers verbally."
Dusong was confused. What did this verbal brotherhood mean?
Seeing Du Song's bewildered expression, Yueming explained, "He said he wanted to become sworn brothers with me, and I agreed, but I didn't kill a chicken or burn incense or swear anything."
Du Song twitched his lips and said to her, "You should read less Water Margin."
The two chatted for a while. Seeing Yueming trying to whitewash the situation by only reporting good news and not bad news, Du Song asked directly, "Are you really living so happily in the Tusi Mansion? I heard that the Third Madam bullied you a lot."
Yueming was choked. The news that she was bullied by the Third Madam and couldn't even get enough to eat must have spread all over the place.
She changed the subject and said, "Mrs. Du knows that I love egg cakes, so why didn't she come today? I'll ask Ai Ye to go and check."
"Miss." The voice was respectful but with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Yueming covered her face in frustration. "Can't we just not talk about this embarrassing thing? Han Yunkai helped me deal with it, and Yin Tai also punished the Third Madam. Can't we just put this behind us?"
"Of course not." Du Song sneered, "A poor lord's daughter, even sent to be a concubine, is so arrogant. She really treats Master Lan as a servant of the Tusi Mansion."
Yueming was silent for a few breaths before advising, "Uncle Song, this is actually a very serious matter. Li Shengmeng sent people to me and cut off Meng Ding Mansion's food supply. Han Yunkai even beat up the young master of Meng Ding Mansion. I've already vented my anger, so let's not make it any more complicated. After all, the Third Madam is from the Tusi Mansion, and we can't make the master look bad. My father still relies on the Yunxiang Mansion for work, and I'm afraid that if you keep pestering him like this, it will ruin his plans."
Du Song originally wanted to tell her not to be afraid, and that it didn't matter if they broke up, but then he thought about how she was all alone in the Tusi's mansion, and how all sorts of secrets and tricks were going on in the backyard. If something really went wrong, he would be too far away to do anything about it in Li Shengmeng's hands.
He pulled a small suitcase from the side, placed it on the table and said to Yueming, "I came to see you for something else." When he opened the suitcase, it was full of silver dollars wrapped in red paper and a dozen small yellow croakers.
Looking at the box of money, Yueming looked at Dusong in confusion: "This money is..."
"Your father owns two tea plantations in Yunxiang. This is the money from last year's tea sales and this year's deposit."
Yueming couldn't believe it. "Why is my father still helping the Tusi Mansion sell tea when it's so profitable?"
Du Song smiled and said, "The price of this tea depends on where it is sold. It certainly can't be sold for so much money in Kunming. Your father relied on the rare chieftain to open up a road to Hong Kong through the Siamese royal family. The tea from both mountains was made into Pu'er and sold in Hong Kong."
All interests are mutually reinforcing. With the domestic chaos and warlords battling one another, Lan Yingde, having returned from overseas, naturally had a broader perspective. Rather than compete with local tycoons for a living, he could leverage his limited military and political connections in southwestern Yunnan to expand his business further afield. While pioneering land reclamation was arduous, the benefits were long-term.
Yueming didn't touch the money and asked Dusong, "Do you want me to keep this money? But I'm in the Tusi Mansion right now, which is not very convenient. Uncle Song, please keep it for a while and give it to my father when he comes back."
Du Song pushed the box towards Yue Ming and said, "Your father left a letter when he left. This money is for you to spend at the Tusi Mansion."
Yueming smacked her lips. "So much money, you want me to spend it? I'm eating and drinking at Tusifu, where do I need to spend so much money?"
Du Song glanced at her clothes and said, "Spend it however you want, buy clothes, hairpins, and take care of servants. Don't treat yourself unfairly."
Du Song's glance finally brought Yue Ming to her senses. She had gone out to meet guests today, so she hadn't worn the men's clothing Han Yunkai had given her. Instead, she had taken out the slightly worn skirt. Du Song must have thought she was having a hard time in the Tusi Mansion.
She suppressed a laugh and said to Du Song, "Where can I buy clothes? The skilled craftsman has gone back to Mengning for the holidays and won't be back until after the Dragon Boat Festival. I'll have to wear these old clothes for a while. I'm not used to Yun Xiang's tube skirt."
After hearing this, Du Song's expression relaxed a little: "Then you take it too, and be more generous when rewarding the servants. The servants in the palaces of princes and nobles are the best at judging people by their appearance. If you are more generous with your fingers, you will suffer less injustice."
Han Yunkai's last beating had already broken the courage of those people, so who would dare to let her suffer? But Du Song cared about her and was afraid that she would suffer. She didn't argue with people who cared about her.
She closed the box and smiled at Juniper, "Okay, I'll keep it and buy snacks."
Du Song reminded him, "The account book is in the bag on the lid of the suitcase. Go back and count the money and check the numbers carefully."
Yueming nodded and was about to ask Dusong about the affairs of Lisheng Mengtao Mansion when he heard Ye Hu's voice at the door: "Master Lao Ben, our young lady is meeting guests inside."
Yueming was stunned. Wasn't Lao Ben and Han Yunkai at the casino cockfighting? Why was he here? Was the fight over? Why was Han Yunkai here too?
As soon as Du Song heard someone coming, he quickly closed the suitcase and stuffed it under the table.
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