Chapter 78: Zishan
A plump middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothing spoke, and from the expensive ornaments all over him, it was clear he was quite wealthy, yet now his pride was wounded by being refused by a piano master.
As Zhong Chushan finished speaking, the few middle-aged men beside Landlord Zhou showed mocking expressions, intentionally saying unpleasant things to provoke him, making it even harder for him to maintain his dignity.
Landlord Zhou slapped the table and loudly declared, "If you play a piece, I’ll give you a hundred taels of silver."
Zhou Wangshu had no reaction to these words, but Su Yaoguang from the Mudan Pavilion clicked her tongue, enviously saying, "Earning a hundred taels just for playing a song, why didn’t I learn this craft back then?"
Having been a Champion Scholar’s wife for several years, she spent her days on how to dress up, how to please men, yet didn’t learn any skills to support herself. What a misstep, what a misstep.
Most importantly, these talents are good for earning money.
Zhou Wangshu heard Su Yaoguang’s words clearly.
Although he didn’t see her expression, it wasn’t hard to imagine her money-grubbing look.
If it weren’t for not wanting to expose his identity, he would have taken the chance to earn that hundred taels of silver. After all, he knew better than anyone how important money was. Unfortunately, once you start, you can’t stop. If everyone came here throwing money at him, his identity would eventually be exposed. He must earn money discreetly now; those dangerous silvers can’t be taken.
"Esteemed guest, it’s not that Zishan doesn’t wish to play for your mother’s birthday, it’s just that Zishan had set a rule before and cannot break his word. So, today Zishan will play a piece for your esteemed father, as an early birthday celebration. Such filial piety deserves a blessing, and I offer you a piece, ’Bodhisattva Heart Sutra’ by the Master of Silence from the Buddhist Saint Monk, to add blessings and longevity for your esteemed father."
The gentle voice finished, followed by the calming Buddhist piano music flowing into everyone’s heart like a small stream. Landlord Zhou sat down, his once furious expression calming down.
Su Yaoguang drifted with the melody, as if seeing the unwilling self once lost. This tune reminded her of many past memories.
"Cousin, what’s wrong?" Jia Chunni asked.
Only then did Su Yaoguang realize she was already in tears.
She wiped her tears and said, "It’s nothing, just too moved."
Jia Chunni said with melancholy, "I also remembered the days of starving and being scolded by grandma, my father, and my second aunt. But strangely, those memories don’t seem as important anymore, as if those people were irrelevant, not worth dwelling on."
"This music can soothe the heart, truly worthy of being created by a saint monk."
After the piece ended, it took a long time for people to come back to their senses. Until the shopkeeper spoke up, breaking the unsettling silence.
"Dear guests, Young Master Zizhan has finished today’s performance, please continue to enjoy other songs and dances."
"Shopkeeper, here’s fifty taels, help me give it to Young Master Zizhan. He played a good song for my old mother, although she didn’t hear it, we should still accept this blessing."
The shopkeeper agreed with a smile, generously saying, "For today, all of Landlord’s drinks are half-priced, as our small shop’s early congratulations to the old lady."
Thus, an unruly customer’s disturbance ended perfectly, without offending the guests or ruining the day’s business.
Su Yaoguang stood at the door, seeing the shopkeeper send Landlord Zhou’s silver to the next room, and as the shopkeeper came out, she waved him over: "Shopkeeper..."
The shopkeeper came over with a smile, saying, "What can I do for you, dear guest?"
"I want to discuss some business with you," Su Yaoguang said. "I noticed the girls in your shop are each as beautiful as fairies, but compared to other dance houses, they still lack something."
"What do you mean, esteemed guest...?"
Su Yaoguang removed her veil, revealing her exquisite makeup.
Then she removed Jia Chunni’s veil.
Jia Chunni was also made up, but completely different from hers.
"What do you think of our makeup?"
The shopkeeper examined them and said, "The ladies’ makeup is very special, it can be said to be quite stunning, never seen such makeup before."
"I can teach your shop’s girls different makeup styles that are unique compared to other dance houses. I charge two taels of silver per style, interested?"
Jia Chunni looked at Su Yaoguang with admiration.
Cousin is amazing!
Originally thought she came here for leisure, still heartbroken over the three hundred cents for cakes and one hundred cents for tea consumed earlier, turns out she was mistaken, cousin is basically a money-making saint.
The shopkeeper pondered over Su Yaoguang, hesitating again and again. At this moment, a voice came from the next room, it was Chen Buyu: "Agree to it."
"Young Master, two taels per makeup style, judging by this girl’s words, there must be at least five, that’s over a dozen taels." The shopkeeper said to Chen Buyu.
"Our dance house can’t afford a dozens of taels?" Chen Buyu replied disdainfully, "I want something unique, if there’s something unique, why not agree?"
"Young Master is indeed generous, with you, the dance house will surely become renowned, the most prosperous dance house here."
Su Yaoguang followed the shopkeeper to the backstage. Once she left, Chen Buyu said, "Brother Wang Shu, your little wife is really interesting."
"We should head back," Zhong Chushan reminded Zhou Wangshu.
Zhou Wangshu was in no hurry and said, "Let’s wait a bit."
"Do you want to see your little wife?" Zhong Chushan asked, "Then stop hiding, just meet her. The sooner you meet, the sooner we can return to the academy."
"No need," Zhou Wangshu said. "Selling makeup techniques is secondary, her main purpose should be to sell makeup items. Later, you take all my earned silver to buy the makeup products from her, as if I’ve given her all my silver."
The shopkeeper came over, saying that after Su Yaoguang applied makeup on the dancers, they were very interested in the makeup products she had, and already eight dancers have ordered her products.
"Order three sets in the name of the dance house, for the dancers who need to perform on stage, and order two sets in my name to send to my mother and my sister," Chen Buyu said.
Zhong Chushan said, "Order a set for me too!"
Zhou Wangshu didn’t rush to leave, but waited until Su Yaoguang and her sister had left before packing up and leaving.
He stood by the window, watching Su Yaoguang’s cheerful figure.
She was truly bold, daring to go anywhere to make money.
However, if it weren’t for such nature, she wouldn’t have risked saving his dying self. He owed her his life and would repay her one day. For now, he would use her place to avoid trouble once more!
Sister? If that’s what she wants, it’s not impossible. After he avenges himself, if he is fortunate enough to survive, he will recognize her as his sister and let her enjoy wealth and glory.