Las bellezas de la dinastía Song

Capítulo 17

Ziru looked at me apologetically, "Wait a minute, I'll get you some ice to put on it." With that, she turned and left.

She returned in a short while, carefully placed small ice cubes into a brocade pouch, and gently applied it to my face. It felt cool and soothing, and the pain on my face definitely subsided.

I glared at her, snatched the ice pack, and slid off the covers.

Ziru couldn't help but chuckle, sitting down beside me and gently brushing the stray strands of hair from my face. Her voice was full of affection as she said, "You, I've never seen a girl sleep so soundly. It really scared me to death."

I retorted irritably, "I'm happy, I like it."

Zi Ru chuckled. "Fine, do whatever you want. As long as you're alright."

Thinking about today's blunder, I couldn't help but laugh, but then the pain aggravated my face, and I fell back down.

"What do you want?" I sighed. Ziru wouldn't disturb my sleep for no reason. Could it be that those thugs are here again?

Chapter 38 The Madam Requests an Audience

After that one night when I impulsively helped Ziru deal with those thugs, I started staying at her place. One reason was that after spending the night with Ziru, we became very good friends. She was gentle, considerate, and multi-talented—a wonderful friend. She took great care of me, just like the older sister I'd always dreamed of.

Secondly, it was because those thugs were resentful and kept causing trouble, so of course I had to protect Ziru. Besides, I was having a good time teasing them anyway.

Thirdly, it was because of Rong Mama, the madam of Zhongfangyuan.

Ziru's sudden change might have been able to deceive others, but it certainly couldn't have escaped the notice of those within Zhongfang Garden, let alone Rong Mama, who had personally trained Ziru for several years. Therefore, on the night the stone lion was moved out, Rong Mama had already noticed my presence. However, although everyone knew it, she never revealed it.

Two days later, as groups of thugs arrived in droves and my traps piled up one after another, she suddenly came to see me.

Two days ago, I would never have paid any attention to her. But then I suddenly had a new idea, so I had Ziru bring her in.

Rong's mother sauntered in with a beaming smile, but the moment she saw me, her expression turned strange. Her face twitched, and after a few moments, she managed to stop, suppressing the urge to scream. She took a deep breath and bowed to me.

"So you're the mother of Zhongfangyuan?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes, this humble woman is Rong Meigu, the madam of Zhongfang Garden. I pay my respects to Miss." Madam Rong's tone remained calm.

"Do you know that I stole your jewelry?" I asked, tiptoeing slightly, trying to provoke someone's pitiful self-control.

"I didn't know at first, but when I met Miss on the street, I guessed it." Madam Rong's expression seemed very calm, but upon closer inspection, one could see that the corners of her mouth were twitching slightly.

"Oh, you saw it. Now you should know I have no money to pay you back; I threw all your money away."

I didn't throw it away, and I'm not going to return it to her anyway.

"Miss is joking. Miss has been very kind to my Zhongfang Garden these past few days. I was just wondering how to repay her. What is a small bag of jewels compared to that?" Perhaps she was thinking of what happened that day, because Rong Mama's face turned a little pale, but she tried her best to suppress it and forced a smile.

"So, you have something even better for me?" I said with a smile.

Madam Rong's face twitched again. "Uh, well... Miss is right."

"Oh, great! What is it? Let me see!" I exclaimed immediately.

Madam Rong hesitated for a moment, gritted her teeth, and took out a brocade pouch from her bosom. Inside was a pair of emerald green jade pendants. “Miss, look, this is an extremely rare pair of ancient jade. In this world, there is only one of its kind. It is incredibly valuable. Even a prince or princess wouldn’t consider it an ordinary item. I’ve often thought that it was a waste for this jade to be in my possession, but today I realize it was destined for you, Miss. Isn’t such ancient jade just right for someone like you? Please don’t find it unworthy.”

Madam Rong stretched out her hand, presenting the jade pendant to me. She spoke ingratiating words, but her face was filled with undisguised heartache.

I chuckled to myself, nodded, and took it without hesitation. I glanced at it casually and then stuffed it into my pocket.

"Miss has been at my Zhongfang Garden for several days now. It was only today that I, a humble woman, realized it. So, I've prepared a room for you next to Ziru's. Please come and take a look, and if there's anything you're not satisfied with, I'll have it rearranged immediately. Also, regarding your clothes, I've already sent someone to invite the tailors from Jinxi Hall to take your measurements. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask." Madam Rong finished in one breath, as if afraid that if she spoke too slowly, she might compromise on the treatment I received.

Chapter 39 Things That Make You Feel Accomplished

"Need it? Ah, of course I need it. Later tonight, I'd like to go shopping with Ziru, um..."

I raised my palm and blew on it.

Madam Rong's face twitched, and she forced a smile, "It was my oversight. I'll have someone send some loose change to Miss in a moment."

"Hmm, not too much, three to five hundred taels will be enough." I smiled, casually.

"What?!" Rong's mother finally screamed in disbelief.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

She deliberately acted so generous, letting me take whatever I wanted. Did she think I didn't know? Actually, it's all because she's driven to desperation. Zhongfang Garden is in turmoil, with thugs coming in droves to retaliate. Her only hope is to rely on my abilities to get through this crisis. Helping Zhongfang Garden is no problem; I'll just treat it as helping Ziru. Besides, it'll be fun. However, this young lady isn't going to help anyone for free or be used for nothing.

Although this predicament seems to be entirely my fault from beginning to end.

Jin San asked for several thousand taels of silver that day, and Madam Rong didn't have it at the moment. However, as a respectable brothel, even if some unexpected situation arose, she should still be able to scrape together three or five hundred taels. If she couldn't, she would have to find a way, wouldn't she?

Hehe, for a miser and a super money addict, what could be more fun, interesting, and rewarding than making her lose money?

"Three or five hundred taels?" Madam Rong seemed to want to chew those words up and swallow them whole. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at me. "You, you, you—"

They won't give it to you?

I turned my head and looked at Ziru, who was staring in disbelief, and said with a smile, "Ziru, by the way, where were we?"

Ziru snapped out of her daze, almost bursting into laughter at my wink. A flicker of pity crossed her face. After a moment's hesitation, she cleared her throat and tried her best to sound nonchalant, "Just now? It seemed like they were saying that the three groups of thugs who came yesterday had used up all the three different traps they set the night before, and they probably couldn't use them today, so they had to think of another way. When they let those thugs leave this morning, they all looked so vicious; I'm afraid they'll be bringing their friends back soon. These traps are..."

Ah, as expected of my dear Ziru, she truly understands my heart. I chuckled to myself.

"Oh, I see. You guys go out first, I'm going to take a nap."

According to the rules, those who cannot pass these three tests are not allowed to see her; this is the first test.

Chapter 53 Pass (Part 2)