Chapter 20: Unblemished yet Not Corrupted (20)

Chapter 20: Unblemished yet Not Corrupted (20)

He Chun flung his sleeves and left, leaving behind only the words "as you wish." Zhe Wan, however, regained her composure. Yet, she still had to soothe Su Shan.

This time, Su Shan was genuinely frightened. With a pale face, she paced around the room, "Miss, did you say something wrong?"

Zhe Wan bent down to pick up the scattered flowers, broken pottery, and porcelain shards, deliberately speaking out of anger, "No! He just can't stand seeing me happy!"

Upon seeing her picking up the shards, Su Shan forgot her fear and quickly bent down to pull her away, "Miss, let us do it. Don't cut yourself!"

Once the immediate danger was averted, she began to blame herself, "It's my fault for not persuading you to stop. I said that this step was too big and that we should have waited to acquire these things."

Though she had been joyful when inquiring about the prices and thrilled at the thought of Miss owning a residence and a shop, such happiness now seemed insignificant under the First Young Master's fury.

Zhe Wan looked at Su Shan with teary eyes. Su Shan's disposition was indeed influenced by her. Back when they were in the Zhe family, she would often ask, "Su Shan, do you think I said something wrong today?"

"Su Shan, did Fifth Sister look at me strangely today? Did I offend her?"

"Su Shan, I walked ahead of Third Sister today. Do you think she might feel that I'm trying to outshine her?"

"Suzhàn, I argued with my stepmother today. I feel so guilty. Should I go apologize to her now? I feel like such an un filial daughter."

"Suzhàn..."

As she continued, she gradually realized that she had transformed Suzhàn into a different person through her questions.

Her eyes reddened, and she couldn't hold back her tears. Through those sobs, she poured out her heart to Suzhàn, "You have no idea, he even threatened to hit me just now."

Suzhàn's pacing came to an abrupt halt, her face turning from pale to ashen with anger. Her hands trembled in fury as she raised her voice, "He dared to threaten to hit you?"

Zhe Wan: "Yes. He belittled me, saying that buying the shop was reckless and made him lose face. He glared at me with both eyes wide open, as if he was going to strike."

Suzhàn sighed in relief, "Miss, don't be afraid. He wasn't really going to hit you."

But she couldn't help but worry, what if he really did dare to hit Miss?

Zhe Wan: "If he really did try to hit me, where would I go?"

Suzhàn shuddered all over, "Miss, we must buy a residence! We must buy a shop!"

She had witnessed men beating women before. With their superior strength, they would drag women by their hair across the ground, causing not only bruises on their backs but also tearing away at their scalps.

Despite this, these women were still expected to return home and cook and wash for their husbands, or face another beating.

Zhe Wan said, "Even if he beats me, I still have to care for Chuan-ge and serve my mother-in-law."

Su Shan was deeply saddened by this. "We must buy it! Miss, forget about the shop for now, let's buy a house, somewhere distant and secluded!"

She pondered for a moment. "Just as we discussed earlier, let's buy it under my name. I'm already registered as a good woman, so if you live in my house, and I lock the doors, wouldn't he be trespassing if he tries to barge in?"

Zhe Wan never expected such a brilliant plan! She immediately nodded. "Yes, he wouldn't dare act too wildly under the emperor's nose. Besides, he has many political rivals waiting to catch him off guard."

"Susan, you're so clever! We should definitely buy it under your name."

Although Su Shan was frustrated, she knew that even her own house might not deter the young master. However, with the girl's praise, she couldn't help but feel a bit more confident. "Really?"

Zhe Wan replied earnestly, "Yes, really!"

Pulling Su Shan down to sit, Zhe Wan continued, "I see clearly now. He belittles and suppresses me, saying I'm unworthy, that I bring shame. By doing this, he hopes I'll admit my shortcomings and feel ashamed. Then, I'll be afraid of his anger and won't consider buying a house or shop anymore. Instead, I'll devote myself entirely to managing our household affairs for him."

"As long as I have nowhere to go and my family doesn't care about me, isn't it up to him whether he wants to scold me or not? Even if he didn't intend to hit me, being scolded is still unpleasant."

Prompted by her words, Su Shan thought it through and, for the first time, spoke with unusual determination and initiative, "Miss, don't be afraid. You're very clever. I'll help you keep an eye on the shop and earn plenty of silver."

"If Young Master wants to hit someone, let him hit me instead."

Zhe Wan chuckled. "You silly girl."

Neither of them needed to suffer any blows.

After settling Su Shan's affairs, she arranged to meet Madam Song, the eldest missus of the Song family, the next day. She woke up before dawn the following morning to get herself ready and dressed. This was the first time she had ever taken such a serious approach to handling her own matters, so she put in great effort.

"Which dress do you think would suit me best?"

Su Shan and Chan Yue offered suggestions. "Mama Ming said the amethyst camellia in the Flower and Plant Room has bloomed, and it would match this pink dress perfectly."

"A plain white jacket would complement it well outside. The combination of pink and white will make you look fresh and radiant."

Zhe Wan agreed. Wen Yue came over to do her hair. "I've learned a new tea blossom hairstyle. It'll look lovely with a tea blossom accessory."

The room was bustling with activity as one person handed a comb while another offered hair oil, accompanied by occasional laughter, indicating the cheerful atmosphere inside.

Li Hechun, on his day off, had to attend social engagements. Passing by, he noticed the commotion and frowned. He was about to inquire but, remembering yesterday's events, he still felt resentment and left with a cold smile. He wanted to see what she could accomplish.

Su Shan personally picked camellia flowers from the flower greenhouse. Upon returning, she caught sight of his icy gaze, which made her tremble instinctively. Recalling the girl's tearful fear of the young master's supposed punishment, she clenched her teeth to suppress her fright and bravely entered the room. She firmly placed the most beautiful amethyst camellia, one she had picked herself, in her lady's hair.

...

Yuxiu had arranged tea and snacks early in the morning. When Zhe Wan arrived, Yuxiu felt embarrassed, "It was my impertinence, and I'm relieved you don't hold it against me."

"It would have been more proper to invite you to a teahouse outside, but having recently given birth, my health is still fragile. So, I can only ask you to come to my home. Please don't take offense."

Though her voice wasn't soft and even carried a hint of raspiness, Zhe Wan found it soothing and refreshing. She smiled, "I was also nervous about visiting. It's wonderful that you don't disdain me."

Yuxiu invited her to sit down, poured her tea, and they exchanged their maiden names. Instead of urging her to consider other properties or boasting about securing a low-priced shop for her, Yuxiu gently asked, "Are you looking to open a flower and plant shop? That area is quite deserted at first, and you might not have customers. How are your flowers and plants? Would you like me to help promote them?"

Zhe Wan was surprised by Yuxiu's straightforwardness! She didn't decline and promptly replied, "Then let's split the profits fifty-fifty."

Yuxiu couldn't help but curve her eyes, finding Zhe Wan's sincerity truly admirable. "No need for a fifty-fifty split; this isn't a significant matter to me – it's just a small effort. If you feel guilty, you can send me some lovely flowers and plants in your daily life."

She glanced at her courtyard. "By nature, I don't enjoy tending to these things, but I do appreciate the elegance they bring."

Both found each other straightforward and sincere, so their conversation proceeded pleasantly.

Towards the end, Zhe Wan expressed her gratitude. "I've gained so much from you; I really can't think of how to repay you."

At twenty-eight years old, Yuxiu could easily perceive Zhe Wan's unease. Zhe Wan felt that her path had been too smooth.

When one struggles throughout their journey, any ease can provoke anxiety.

But what was this compared to everything else? Yuxiu had always enjoyed making friends and giving more than she received.

Judging Zhe Wan's character, she reassured her. "Flowers and plants are simple for you, but not for me. You might think you're taking advantage of me, but honestly, it was just a minor effort on my part."

"Your words are direct, I hope you won't take offense."

How could Zhe Wan be angry? She smiled. "Then from now on, I'll be the one sending you flowers and plants."

Thus, the two officially became acquainted. Yuxiu took the lead and said, "I've picked out a few shops for you. Take a look."

Zhe Wan had personally investigated these shops with Su Shan, and she had visited that street many times since. At first glance, she could see the merits of these establishments.

She grew delighted. "I've also inquired about these, but they all said they weren't for sale."

Yuxiu replied, "They're all available for purchase, but they won't tell others."

Smiling, she continued, "These are all from people I'm familiar with."

Zhe Wan took a deep breath, calculating her silver, and selected three shops. "I want to buy these three."

She had initially assumed that these three would cost around four or five hundred taels of silver. To her surprise, Yuxiu said, "Your taste is excellent. These three are indeed the best, but they'll be a bit pricier, totaling three hundred and fifty taels."

Grateful, Zhe Wan responded, "It's already great that I can afford them. I have the silver, so there's no need to shortchange the sellers."

Yuxiu laughed heartily. "I wasn't taking care of you – that's the actual price. The bargain is that my brokerage fee is waived, but you'll bring me flowers and plants as well, so it's not a loss for me either."

Zhe Wan found it truly pleasant to deal with someone like Yuxiu. She didn't want to dwell on the matter further. "Thank you very much."

She understood Yuxiu's intentions, realizing that her motive was to create a positive connection for Third Madam. Smiling, she replied, "No wonder Third Sister-in-law is so admirable; it must be your guidance."

Yuxiu promptly clarified, "I'm not just doing this for her; I genuinely appreciate your character."

A girl who from the beginning avoids unnecessary family conflicts is rare, and helping such a person is naturally the right thing to do.

It was the first time Zhe Wan had heard someone praise her character from an outsider's perspective. She couldn't help but curve her lips slightly and presented the flower album she had made. "I don't have anything better to give you; I hope you won't disdain it."

Yuxiu genuinely adored it. Although she was not well-versed in poetry or literature, she never hesitated to purchase elegant items. Most of her silver was spent on these things!

"None of the ones I bought compare to the flower album you've crafted!"

Receiving such a satisfactory gift inspired her to ensure the shop transaction was handled flawlessly. In their social standing, they didn't usually handle such matters themselves. Yuxiu summoned a servant and instructed, "Go to the government office immediately and return before dusk."

Turning to Zhe Wan, she continued, "Send someone along with her as well. Two people will make the task easier."

Zhe Wan called for Su Shan. Intrigued, Yuxiu asked, "Su Shan? As in 'goodness'?"

Zhe Wan shook her head. "When I first named her, it indeed referred to 'goodness,' but at the time, I thought 'dietary' (from 'sushan') suited her better."

Indeed, satisfying one's appetite is of paramount importance.

Yuxiu's heart began to swirl with tender emotions.

Indeed, virtues like hers are cultivated by those who are free from material worries and devoid of troubles.

And Zhe Wan, along with her young maid, were occupied with preparing the imperial cuisine.