Chapter 113 (2/2)

“Have her enter!”

Yu Lian Hua’s conduct was vulgar, and she also had a bit of a crude appearance, but to the me who had become accustomed to seeing nobility, she was much more amusing. When Xiao Zhou Zi led Yu Lian Hua inside, I became shocked because I recognized the man by her side. He was one of the Four Great Masters–Feng Qing Bai.

The year we went to You Xiang Pavilion to unsuccessfully search for Shen Zong Yun, I nearly succumbed to Wei Jia’s scheme and Nuan Chun injured his hand. If Feng Qing Bai hadn’t used a chair to bash Wei Jia’s head, I might not even be in this world right now. After the incident, I repaid my life’s savior and had the authorities remove him from his brothel’s registry so that he could leave his trade and marry. I also asked Xing Yun to send him some silver, but the response I received was that Feng Qing Bai only accepted freedom and wouldn’t accept the money no matter what.

Recalling these past events, I held a bit of regret towards him. Who could have thought he would end up with this woman who sold chastity belts? Ai, it really was just like the saying: A good man can’t find a good wife; an idle man weds……Ahem, Feng Qing Bai definitely wasn’t an ‘idle man.’[a]

Yu Lian Hua’s eyes brightened, and she hollered: “Little Sister Ruan, it’s you, ah! That’s great! I can’t live on like this anymore so you gotta give me a bite to eat. My family’s chastity belt shop is done for. Ai, you know about Liu Fei Xu, right? He got infected with a lecherous disease and died and didn’t even tell anyone, causing us to also be implicated. My Pa has been banished to an army post outside the Great Wall and my shop was seized……”

“This small one humbly pays respects to the Princess of Qi.” Feng Qing Bai’s clear voice rang out, as if to remind his wife that a member of the imperial clan was in front of her. He pulled Yu Lian Hua down with him as he performed the rites.

Baffled, Yu Lian Hua swiveled her head left to right. Not seeing any other females present, she blurted out: “Princess of Qi? What Princess of Qi? Why don’t I see her? Is she a ghost?” Feng Qing Bai jumped in fright and hastily gave his wife a meaningful glance.

I let them rise and asked them to have a seat before calling for Xiao Xi Zi to bring in the tea. Yu Lian Hua continued to blankly stare at me with eyes as wide as brass bells like I was a monster.

“Why did you think of Ming Xiang Cui Yu to look for work?” I smiled, directing my question towards Feng Qing Bai. Towards the one who saved my life, I was still very courteous.

“Because Manager Yu had worked here before. At the time, Liu Fei Xu was still alive. After his death, Manager Yu was implicated and banished outside the Great Wall.” Feng Qing Bai glanced at his still-stunned-silly wife, his eyes flashing with light: “This small one has forgotten to say that Manager Yu is my father-in-law. This small one wed Lian Hua not long after leaving You Xiang Pavilion. Before our marriage, Lian Hua’s principal husband had passed away from sickness; thus, I logically succeeded his position as principal husband.”

This was truly the female version of ‘The Oil Vendor and the Queen of Flowers,’ with Yu Lian Hua as the oil vendor and Feng Qing Bai as the queen of flowers.[b] A fresh flower was inserted into a pile of dung. Poor Feng Qing Bai.

I sincerely felt sorry for him, but maybe he was happy? It could be seen from the expressions in his eyes. The year I transmigrated, I came across Yu Lian Hua by the Lan River and heard her speak of the Four Great Masters. She greatly worshiped every single one of them and was a faithful fan. Now that she had received one of them, she surely must treasure him, right?

In this situation, it was reasonable for me to give Feng Qing Bai a job.

“Nuan Chun, what positions are left in the store that are higher? Arrange one for Mister Feng and don’t make it too difficult.”

Nuan Chun distinctly remembered what had happened that year in You Xiang Pavilion and had a good impression of Feng Qing Bai: “I can dismiss the accountant and arrange for Mister Feng to manage the ledgers.”

“Many thanks to niang niang, many thanks to Mister Nuan Chun.” Feng Qing Bai stood up and cupped his hands in salute.

“If you are currently facing difficulties, you may collect a portion of your wages in advance. That’s that, then! Xiao Xi Zi, lead Mister Feng and Madam Feng out.”

Feng Qing Bai performed the rites once again before pulling Yu Lian Hua outside. Yu Lian Hua was still dazed, but when she reached the door, a wail suddenly came from her throat and she kneeled in front of me: “Little–uh, whatchamacallit, niang niang–give me a position in the Prince of Qi’s manor to do odd jobs, okay! Looking after the yard, protecting the residence, cooking–I can do all of that. I’ll definitely work properly and won’t humiliate you.”

I stiffened my expression, deliberately not giving her any face: “Yu Lian Hua, my princely residence is not lacking in unskilled laborers and has even less of a need for chefs and sentries. You should leave!”

Feng Qing Bai was utterly embarrassed. His wife often lost his face outside, and he had grown accustomed to it. But her being so unbridled in front of the Princess of Qi truly made his face burn with shame, and he quickly pulled her hand, dragging her out.

I waited until they had all left before turning towards Nuan Chun: “You should treat Mister Feng just like any other employee, but you must remember that one sheng of rice brings gratefulness; one dou of rice brings hatred. If you are thinking of his past actions and wish to repay him, then simply have him smoothly and steadily work in Ming Xiang Cui Yu until the end. If you want him to leave earlier, then regard him as an ancestor and provide for him. Let him eat well, dress well, and receive a high salary without needing to work. As the days go by, favor will give birth to arrogance; thus, when problems arise, he would have to leave even if he was unwilling, and no one would denounce you for being in the wrong.”

“This slave understands, Eldest Miss.”

“Ai, Nuan Chun, you grew up in the rear courtyard so there’s lots of things you still have to learn, ah!” I threw myself into his arms. This chest that felt so paternal and brotherly always made me want to cling to it. I stroked him: “Nuan Chun, what should we do? I want you again!”

[a] Complete saying is: 好汉无好妻，懒汉娶花枝 A good man can’t find a good wife; an idle fellow weds a beauty.

[b] 《賣油郎獨占花魁 The Oil Vendor and the Queen of Flowers 》is a short story by Feng Meng Long (Ming dynasty). According to the Chinese Wikipedia entry, the FL is separated from her family and sold as a prostitute, where she uses her talents to become the Queen of Flowers (a nickname for famous courtesans/beauties). She meets the ML, who is an oil vendor but pretends to be a noble in order to spend the night with her. He later saves her and to repay him, she vows to marry him, using her hard-earned money to buy her freedom and they live happily ever after.