Chapter 174: Then, Let It Be Death

Chapter 174: Then, Let It Be Death

While enjoying the dance during the meal, the ladies found great pleasure in the experience, something unfamiliar to them. At home, they observed silence during meals and maintained a strict decorum. Even at banquets, the most they might enjoy was a staged opera.

Unlike now, with skilled musicians playing and beautiful dancers performing, pleasures typically reserved for men. It wasn’t that women didn't appreciate watching other women dance; beauty was universally admired unless the observer harbored a grudge against the performer.

In fact, if it were possible, Tang Shuyi would have liked to bring in some young and handsome men to dance and play music, offering an extraordinary treat for the ladies. However, given the constraints of the era, it was best not to.

After lunch, Tang Shuyi led the ladies to an elegantly decorated hall, where they found several exquisite couches. With a smile, she said, "After a meal, it's natural to seek some rest."

As she spoke, she casually reclined on a couch, comfortably stretching herself out. The other ladies chuckled, recognizing the relaxed manner they each adopted in their own quarters, though only in the presence of their closest maids and not even before their children or husbands, where they would maintain the dignity of a matron.

"I always said she knew how to enjoy life. Look at her, lying down right after eating," jested Madame Nanling, as she too comfortably leaned back on another couch, adding, "Can't deny, it’s really quite relaxing."

Laughter ensued, followed by Madame Tang and the second wife of the Tang family doing likewise, with the rest of the ladies comfortably settling on the couches. Since everyone was at ease, any formality would have seemed out of place.

Once all were reclined, Tang Shuyi signaled with her hand, prompting a group of maids to come in and start massaging and kneading the ladies' shoulders and backs, while musicians played soothing tunes. The ladies chatted and enjoyed themselves, with some even beginning to doze off.

After a period of relaxation, the day’s entertainment came to an end. Many inquired about the club’s membership fees, and Tang Shuyi, without any hesitation, explained candidly. After all, there was no shame in doing business.

The club adopted a membership system, only serving members, and turned away non-members. This approach, akin to modern high-end clubs, allowed for precise customer targeting.

Of course, they didn't use the term 'member'; instead, they used more dignified titles like 'honored guest' or 'distinguished guest.'

Madame Nanling took the lead, producing a banknote of two thousand taels to purchase a premium membership card. Following her lead, the other ladies also subscribed. A couple of thousand taels were but a trifle in their hands. Madame Tang and the second wife of the Tang family, though initially considering membership, realized their relation to Tang Shuyi made no difference.

Having spent their silver, the ladies left in high spirits. After seeing them off, Tang Shuyi returned to her "office". As she approached the doorway, she saw Qi Er and Yan Wu eagerly waiting for her.

Approaching them, she saw their eyes crinkled in laughter, with Qi Er holding a stack of banknotes.

Tang Shuyi smiled and ushered them into the room. As soon as they sat down, Qi Er said with a chuckle, "Auntie, this... this is quite the lucrative business, isn't it?"

To earn so much on the first day of hosting guests.

Tang Shuyi gave an affirmative hum, "I'll distribute your commissions at the end of the month."

Both men grinned, revealing their teeth; this money was hard-earned.

"Today’s success is due to the familiarity of the ladies who attended; they all come from well-to-do backgrounds," Tang Shuyi explained. "Future events may not proceed as smoothly."

The attendees today were either personally invited by her, by Lady Tang or Lady Tang the Second, or by the wife of the Nanling Earl. An implicit screening had taken place before these invitations were extended.

These ladies hailed from families of high-ranking officials of the second rank or above, wielded control over their households, and were not short of money. Importantly, they were all straightforward and magnanimous by nature. Dealing with a diverse clientele in the future would inevitably present more challenges.

But those were concerns for another day.

"We have guests arriving tomorrow; ensure you serve them well," Tang Shuyi continued. "Later, make a trip to the Duke’s mansion and inquire from my elder brother about the preferences and dislikes of the guests he has invited."

Tomorrow, Tang Shubai would bring visitors. Just before leaving, the wife of the Nanling Earl mentioned that she would bring acquaintances over in a few days. Having connections certainly facilitated business.

Qi Er and Yan Wu promptly set off to attend to their tasks, while Tang Shuyi walked over to the large window and sat down. She relaxed for a while, gazing at the scenery outside before her thoughts began to wander.

Wu Jingyun could no longer be tolerated, but it was necessary to confirm whether she had exchanged the secrets of the Yongning Marquisate with the Second Prince before taking any action. One shouldn't convict someone based merely on speculation.

A breeze wafted through the window, brushing softly against her cheek. She lay back in the rocking chair, closed her eyes, and listened to the rustling of the leaves outside...

Since her arrival in this era, she had changed, changed a lot. Now, when her heart hardened, it was as cold as steel, and she could speak of killing without a hint of hesitation.

However, some things deep down hadn't changed. In her previous life, she always considered herself selfish, kind to those who were kind to her and indifferent, even to close relatives, if they were not.

In her previous life, her parents divorced and left her in the care of her grandparents, barely inquiring about her thereafter. They went on to seek true love and start new families, almost oblivious to her existence, not even knowing which university she graduated from.

Therefore, later on, when her parents needed her, all she provided was the bare minimum child support, nothing more. She had neither extra money nor extra affection to offer.

Once, her so-called father brought his son to her, boasting about how exceptional he was, having been accepted into the best university in the country and receiving an offer from a prestigious university abroad. He asked her to finance his son’s education abroad.

What was her response?

She said, "Is he your son or mine? Am I obligated to provide for him?"

Her father was shocked, "You have so much money, you're not married, you don't have children, what's wrong with helping your brother?"

She sneered, "Nothing, just that I find it repulsive and nauseating. Don't show up in front of me ever again."

Then she had security escort the father and son out. Later, when relatives heard about this, they criticized her for being heartless. Even if she didn't share a mother with him, he was still her father and that was her brother; she should have helped.

She deleted the phone numbers and WeChat contacts of all the relatives who had called her. She was indeed selfish and cold-hearted.

Perhaps Wu Jingyun had her own difficulties and compelling reasons, but whose fault was it that they stood on opposite sides, that she repeatedly crossed her bottom lines? If Wu Jingyun lived, her own life would be in jeopardy.

Then, let death be the answer.