The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Under the night sky, the bell rang past midnight. The city of Jiangning was brightly lit, like the outline and skeleton of the city. Carriages galloped past, pedestrians holding lanterns came and went on the road, fast or slow, like the flow of blood. The Qinhuai River rippled, and the ships came and went, the lights formed a path of light like a small box.
People who were enjoying the night life had already begun to head home. Occasional knocks on the door and friendly greetings could be heard from the houses on the streets. After midnight, the lights of the city gradually began to fade, like floating duckweed, thinning from the surroundings to the center of the city. The lights in some of the brothels and teahouses were still lit, but there was already a sense of desolation. The decorated pleasure boat gradually approached the shore, and then the lights gradually went out, leaving only a sparse number of rooms still lit up.
The night gradually passed, and in the dark places, the mist began to float. Two hours, another two hours, when the city was at its most tranquil, in an inconspicuous stilt house on the side of the city, a yellow light shone through the window.
This was a slightly messy woman's bedroom. The original furnishings might have been relatively simple, but now there were many things in the room that were obviously moved in recently. There were strange potted plants, a few odd-looking cabinets, and some interesting rope pendants hanging on the bed. In addition, there were several unknown objects wrapped in bags, some of which had no place to put, and were placed on the chair. The dressing table was filled with rouge and face powder. When the light was lit, the woman's voice came out.
"Oh, Sister Yunzhu, sleep a little longer …"
The mosquito net was lifted halfway, and a soft murmur came from the wooden bed. Nie Yunzhu was wearing a dudou and silk pants. She reached out to put on her thin undergarments, but the woman on the other side of the bed turned over and arched over.
"Okay, you continue to sleep …"
Yunzhu smiled. She got out of bed and put on her floral shoes. She then took the oil lamp and the match to the round table that was slightly more spacious around them. There was only one guest room in the small building. In the end, the guest room was given to Kou'er. Yuan Jin'er, in the name of sisterhood, confidently slept in the same room as Nie Yunzhu.
They were indeed good sisters, so it didn't matter if they slept together. These days, Yuan Jin'er had gotten so many strange things from nowhere, filling Nie Yunzhu's originally simple and elegant bedroom one by one, making it a little messy. Fortunately, Nie Yunzhu was not the kind of cold and aloof person who would not allow others to interfere. Yuan Jin 'er was enjoying herself, so she let her be.
"That Ning Yi … It would be strange if he dared to come today." The woman on the bed rolled around slowly, her tone drowsy. "Isn't he afraid of being scolded by me …"
Hearing her tone, Nie Yunzhu smiled slightly. When she went out, Hu Tao and Kou'er had already woken up and were boiling water in the kitchen. She went over to help. After washing her face, she returned to the dressing table in the room and began to put on simple makeup and comb her hair. During this time, Yuan Jin'er on the bed mumbled a few words, but the meaning was indiscernible.
After a while, the woman finished dressing up and changed into a formal dress for going out. She still looked simple and plain, but in fact, she spent a lot of effort in the room every morning. She then walked to the steps outside the door and cleaned for a while. When she was done, she took a plate with a teacup and a teapot and sat down on the steps.
The sky was still dark, and the moon could be seen in the night sky. In the far east, the mountain fog was heavy, revealing some floating silhouettes. The wind blew over, moaning on the Qinhuai River. The light shone from behind. She brewed a cup of tea for herself and waited quietly.
After a while, the casually dressed Yuan Jin'er rubbed her eyes and came out. Her body was slim and slender, with a flexible and graceful figure suitable for dancing. She was not short, but at this time, she looked a few years younger. In the past, when Nie Yunzhu sat here waiting for Ning Yi, she would either sleep or leave after saying a few words. But today, she sat down next to Nie Yunzhu and continued to nap, as if she had no intention of leaving. Yunzhu hugged her shoulders. The morning breeze easily woke people up. Not long after, Yuan Jin'er let out a long sigh of relief. She leaned on Yunzhu's lap and poured herself a cup of tea.
"Oh, when he comes over, I must scold him. It's so embarrassing!"
Yuan Jin'er announced. Yunzhu laughed at the side. "You're still angry? What's there to be angry about? He already rewarded you with five hundred taels. You did well."
"But how can that be? He just pooled it! If he pooled it well, then everyone will know. Where will I hide my face? Will I still be alive? "
"But he reacted so fast. Not many people will know."
"No way. So many people saw it. It was so embarrassing at that time …"
Thinking of what happened last night, Yuan Jin'er had a feeling that she could not bear it. At that time, she ran up to him and asked for a reward. But he only gave her four taels. It was okay that he did not have any money at the moment. It would be good if he wrote a poem for her. But in the end, Ning Yi still turned around and said to the girl behind him, "Five hundred taels". He did not take out the money at hand. After a while, he asked the Su family to give it to Yan Cui Lou. But at least the Xue family must have known it. Others must have seen it …
It was the first time that she was so embarrassed … No, it was the second time. The first time was when she ran out to scare him, but she was scared by Liu Qingdi. This time, he shamefully took out four taels to send her away … It was even more shameful to collect five hundred taels …
Since she left Yan Cui Lou with Yunzhu last night, she had been yelling about revenge. At this time, she was muttering and drinking several cups of tea. Soon after the dawn appeared in the sky, the morning wind gradually rolled away the mountain fog. The figure with a bandaged left hand finally appeared not far away. He ran at the same pace as usual. But when he got close, he stopped and looked at Yuan Jin'er for a moment.
"How dare you come here …"
"How dare you!" Ning Yi raised his eyebrows. "Don't you think it's messy enough?"
"Why don't I dare to say it? Four taels of silver! Four taels of silver! "
"I only have four taels of silver. What can I do? Have you discussed it with me at the beginning? You deserve it! "
"I was covering for Sister Yunzhu. It's your fault that you didn't do a good job!"
"Covering for her? Is that how you cover for her? By tonight, people will be talking about it in Jiangning. Do you know that? "
"You're just talking about me!"
"It won't be so noisy without you. The influence of Yunzhu on the stage is limited. At most, people will be curious for a while. Once you make a scene, it won't be over … They will just make a scene … "
"I helped you win face for Sister Yunzhu. How dare you say I made a scene! Many people are begging me to make a scene! "
"Thank you, thank you. You helped me win face. Did you see the guy named Liu Qingdi's face when you came up? He almost wanted to eat me alive. Later, when you left with Yunzhu, he was still beating around the bush."
"Then why did you say that?"
"I said I didn't know. Who knows who Yuan Jin'er is? I never knew her. Why did I follow her up? If he wants to ask, he should ask you."
"That means I'm sticking my face to your cold butt …"
"Anyway, he has his eyes on me. You're the one who caused it."
"I'm not very familiar with him …"
In fact, there was not much difference between them. However, quarreling was a matter of losing the person but not losing the spirit. After quarreling for a while, Ning Yi sat down by the tea tray and poured a cup of tea. Yuan Jin'er quarreled for a while and asked Nie Yunzhu to judge. Nie Yunzhu smiled and put on a look that she would not help either side, so Yuan Jin'er ran away with hatred.
The sun rose in the east. Ning Yi sat there quietly drinking tea. Nie Yunzhu hugged her knees. After a long silence, she lowered her head and said with a smile, "Last night, I was willful. Jin'er made a scene because of my willfulness. Oh … She is a troublemaker. Liheng … Don't blame her …"
"It's okay. I also think it's quite interesting." Ning Yi smiled and looked at the direction where Yuan Jin'er disappeared. He was used to doing big things, so he haggled over small things and calculated the gains and losses. However, there were also many times when he was audacious. At this time, he didn't care about it. It was just a change of thought. "When she wanted to go on the stage, I don't know how many things she promised Yan Cui Lou."
"Jin'er and Mrs. Chen are old friends. I heard that she is going to rehearse the dance for the girls in Yan Cui Lou. I will also go to help. It's not troublesome."
Ning Yi nodded. "It's good that it's not too outrageous."
"But … next, things will be more troublesome …" Nie Yunzhu thought for a while and then said in a low voice, "With … with Elder Qin, should I … go to him to apologize and refuse …"
This was the most important thing to discuss. Ning Yi looked at her for a long time. "Have you thought about it before going on the stage?"
"Yes." Nie Yunzhu nodded. "I thought about it a little, but not too much."
She was a little apologetic. "In the end, I still caused trouble for Liheng …"
"It's not a big deal." Ning Yi shook his head. "I will solve it."
"But it's not a good thing after all …"
"That's true. I'll go and talk to him."
"I also know Elder Qin. He is very good to me. It's better for me to go …"
Ning Yi thought for a while and smiled. "Well, I'll find time to go with him in a few days to apologize. After all, it's not good to cause too much trouble for his adoptive father and daughter. I will solve the rest. You don't have to worry about it. "
"Okay." Nie Yunzhu answered and nodded. This time, she didn't say sorry or implicate him. She just felt happy and at ease that they could do this together.
Before going on the stage, she had thought about some things. She also knew that Liheng didn't care about these things on the second floor at that time. Once she went on the stage, she might be contaminated by these things again. She used to be very afraid of such things. It was not easy for her to endure it and leave the brothel. In the next two years, she was a little afraid of going out too much or getting close to those places unnecessarily. She was really tired and didn't want to be involved in these things.
But it was different at this time. Liheng didn't care, but she cared in her heart. At that time, she found that she cared so much in her heart. The fear of the past became insignificant at this time. She already had a hope in her heart. She wanted to go on the stage and perform for him. Only this was clear.
She wanted to do it, so she did it.
"Recently, the city is a little tense. The city gate may be closed again. If Liheng comes out in the morning, should he try not to go out? I'm afraid it's not safe. "
After that, they chatted for a while. When Ning Yi was about to leave, Yunzhu said these words. Ning Yi nodded.
"After the city gate is closed, he won't come out to run so early in the morning. Occasionally, he will come to take a look during the day. But you girls really have to be more careful. Although the public security may not be that bad, the atmosphere is indeed easy to cause problems. "
"Okay."
Nie Yunzhu nodded and waved her hand as she watched the figure go away. When she turned back, Yuan Jin'er, Hu Tao, and Kou'er were all looking at her from the gap of the window sill. She sighed and smiled. She was slightly disappointed but also satisfied. Because in a few days, Liheng would bring her to apologize.
On the other hand, when Ning Yi returned home, breakfast was already prepared in the room. Su Tan'er saw him and smiled. She already knew what happened in Yan Cui Lou last night...
"I heard that Husband was in the limelight last night..."
Although that was what she said, the smiles on the faces of Su Tan'er and the three maids were a little mischievous. Obviously, they were talking about this just now. At this time, they still found it interesting and couldn't help but laugh...
*****
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