Chapter 284: Finding Someone to Talk To
Pingjiang City.
A simple and sturdy small boat was moored by the lakeside behind the Li family’s residence.
Wu Miaozhen, carrying a food box, walked down the gangplank.
On the shore, an old woman hidden behind the trees hurried to meet Wu Miaozhen and reported with her hands clasped, “She just returned.”
“I understand. Wait here,” Wu Miaozhen instructed and headed towards the main entrance of the Li family home.
Li Jinzhu had just returned home. As she was washing her face, her face still wet, she heard Wu Miaozhen’s voice from outside the courtyard gate: “Is the Eldest Madam Li at home?”
“I’ll go, I’ll go!” Mei Jie waved her hand, signaling Li Jinzhu not to move, and ran over.
Wu Miaozhen followed Mei Jie in and, meeting Li Jinzhu’s gaze, curtsied and smiled, “My surname is Wu. I met Fourth Mistress once.”
“Oh,” Li Jinzhu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “A Nan is not at home; she’s gone on a trip. Is there something you need her for?”
“I know she went to Jianle City. I’ve come to see the Eldest Madam,” Wu Miaozhen handed the food box to Mei Jie, who was standing nearby.
“Looking for me? Is it about A Nan…” Li Jinzhu looked Wu Miaozhen up and down again.
“May I come in to talk?” Wu Miaozhen glanced at Mei Jie.
“Look at me,” Li Jinzhu blushed and quickly ushered Wu Miaozhen inside, “Please come in. We rarely have guests, please excuse our lack of etiquette. Mei Jie, boil some water.”
“No need to trouble yourself,” Wu Miaozhen said with a smile as she entered, “A place to talk is enough.”
“Then let’s go inside. A Nan’s Second Sister has returned to Li Family Market, so it’s just me and Mei Jie at home, very quiet, please don’t worry.” Li Jinzhu busied herself taking out the best tea cake they had.
Mei Jie ran over and brought a pot of hot water, then placed two dishes of pastries inside the room.
“You two talk. I’ll be in the kitchen. If you need anything, just call out, call out loudly!” Mei Jie instructed, indicating that she understood this Lady Wu wanted to speak privately with Jinzhu, and she would be in the kitchen, far away, unable to hear.
Wu Miaozhen watched Mei Jie, who came and went like a gust of wind, with a smile.
After Mei Jie left, Wu Miaozhen turned her gaze back to Li Jinzhu, who was awkwardly trying to pry open the tea cake, and reached out, “Let me.”
“We don’t usually drink tea,” Li Jinzhu said, not being polite, and handed the tea cake and tea needle to Wu Miaozhen.
Wu Miaozhen pried off a piece of tea and put it into the teapot, then wrapped the tea cake and tea needle together and handed them to Li Jinzhu.
Li Jinzhu put away the tea cake, and Wu Miaozhen had already brewed the tea.
“You are? Is A Nan with you?” Li Jinzhu asked, her heart in her throat.
This woman looked extraordinary. She knew A Nan and knew A Nan had gone to Jianle City. She came to see her, what could it be? Did A Nan owe her money? Or had she promised something?
“My surname is Wu, my given name is Miaozhen. I’ve come from Linhai Town,” Wu Miaozhen said, looking at Li Jinzhu. Seeing no reaction from Li Jinzhu, she continued, “I am the Gang Leader of the Cheng Zi Gang at the Linhai Town Wharf.”
Li Jinzhu’s eyes widened.
There was a female gang leader in Linhai Town, and this female gang leader was very formidable, a vixen, leading a group of demonesses. Mei Jie had told her these rumors.
“Has the Eldest Madam heard of me?” Wu Miaozhen asked with a smile, seeing Li Jinzhu’s wide eyes.
“I’ve heard some gossip, I didn’t expect it,” Li Jinzhu swallowed, suppressing the gossip.
This Foreman Wu’s appearance wasn’t even considered beautiful, let alone like a vixen.
“My ability to become the Gang Leader is all thanks to Fourth Mistress’s guidance,” Wu Miaozhen continued.
“Hmm?” Li Jinzhu was stunned.
How did A Nan know her? Alas, that girl A Nan was very bold.
“Eldest Madam, please be at ease,” Wu Miaozhen said, seeing the trace of worry on Li Jinzhu’s face, and explained with a smile, “The words Fourth Mistress used to guide me were to live the life I wanted for the rest of my days. At that time, my husband had just died a few days prior. My late husband was the previous Gang Leader of the Cheng Zi Gang.”
“Being the Gang Leader is the life you wanted?” Li Jinzhu reacted quickly but was very surprised.
“Yes. I always wanted to sit with dignity on the Gang Leader’s golden armchair, to be a true Gang Leader, and have those men respectfully call me Foreman Wu,” Wu Miaozhen said, word by word.
Wu Miaozhen’s words made Li Jinzhu subconsciously think of the Li Family Ancestral Hall.
“Congratulations,” Li Jinzhu pulled her thoughts back.
Hearing the congratulations, Wu Miaozhen smiled, “I’ve heard about your family’s affairs, Eldest Madam. With a Foreman like you, it’s no wonder Fourth Mistress is so extraordinary.”
“You flatter me. Is there something you’ve come for?” Li Jinzhu asked cautiously.
“It’s not exactly something,” Wu Miaozhen paused, looking at Li Jinzhu, “I am a lonely person, with no knowledge of my parents’ origins, no children, and no close relatives. I’ve come to talk with the Eldest Madam.”
Li Jinzhu was stunned for a moment before reacting, “Are you facing difficulties?”
“It’s not exactly a difficulty. A while ago, I just seized two territories. Now, if the gangs at the Linhai Town Wharf were ranked, I would be in the first golden armchair,” Wu Miaozhen said clearly.
Meeting Wu Miaozhen’s gaze, Li Jinzhu cautiously congratulated her again, “Congratulations.”
She couldn’t guess the intentions of this Foreman Wu. Facing such a person, she felt uncertain.
“There is a Mr. Huang at the wharf, formerly the County Magistrate of Kunshan County. Does the Eldest Madam know this Mr. Huang?” Wu Miaozhen continued.
Li Jinzhu nodded.
“A few days ago, Mr. Huang found me and said that a single plank is easily broken, and I should know when to stop. What does the Eldest Madam think?” Wu Miaozhen asked, looking at Li Jinzhu, who had furrowed her brow.
“I don’t quite understand. Does ‘a single plank’ mean the Gang Leader is too lonely?” Li Jinzhu asked cautiously.
“It means the Cheng Zi Gang should not be the only dominant force,” Wu Miaozhen answered directly.
“Does the Gang Leader want only the Cheng Zi Gang to be the sole power in Linhai Town?” Li Jinzhu asked, understanding.
“More or less,” Wu Miaozhen nodded.
“Does the Gang Leader want me to ask A Nan for you? Or…” Li Jinzhu paused, “someone else?”
“No, I know how to write a letter to Mr. Zhou, who is by the Young Lord’s side. Mr. Huang is at the Linhai Town Wharf, so there’s no need for anyone else to relay messages. I just want to ask the Eldest Madam, what does the Eldest Madam think?” Wu Miaozhen replied very directly.
“The Gang Leader is the one in charge. Your matters, big or small, you surely make your own decisions. The Gang Leader’s mind must be made up. Are there any difficulties in the middle? Can I help?” Li Jinzhu asked.
“There are no difficulties. My matters, big or small, are indeed my own decisions. However, on this matter, I truly haven’t been able to make up my mind. I’ve indeed come to talk with the Eldest Madam, to hear what the Eldest Madam thinks and feels,” Wu Miaozhen said in a gentle tone.
Li Jinzhu was silent for a moment, then asked softly, “Is the Gang Leader afraid of offending Mr. Huang?”
“A little. I’m afraid of hurting his good intentions; he truly means well for me,” Wu Miaozhen said.
Li Jinzhu was silent for a long time, then shook her head, “I really don’t know.”
“My husband wasn’t very smart, but he wasn’t foolish either. When he was alive, I had to manage the household, worry about his affairs outside, and constantly guard against him. Every day from the moment I woke up, the entire day was filled with tasks. I dealt with those things day by day. At that time, I had no choice, and I didn’t have the time to think too much.”
Wu Miaozhen spoke slowly.
“After he died, I started thinking about this and that, thinking as if I had lived a young life again.”
Li Jinzhu looked at her. She too had the leisure to think these days. The thoughts that made her feel like she had lived a young life again must have been very happy.
“When your younger siblings are all married, what are your plans, Eldest Madam?” Wu Miaozhen suddenly changed the subject.
“I haven’t thought about it yet,” Li Jinzhu withdrew her thoughts.
“Everyone outside pities you for remaining unmarried after your self-combing, but I think it’s a blessing, just as I think it’s a blessing that I can’t have children.
“If I could have children, and now had several, even if my husband were dead, my eyes would be on my children, worrying and toiling for them all day. When they all grew up and got married, and I no longer had to worry and toil for them, I would be old. Even if I still had some strength, I would have to think about not causing trouble for my children, and certainly not planting seeds of disaster. If a child became an official, I wouldn’t even dare to die, unable to move left or right, and would end up just eating vegetarian meals and chanting Buddhist scriptures, staying still and praying for a long life.”
Li Jinzhu felt like laughing at what Wu Miaozhen said.
“I also bought some of the fine cloth summer quilts your family makes, and they are indeed good, more comfortable than silk. Does Fourth Mistress know that you make such good summer quilts? Has Fourth Mistress written to you?” Wu Miaozhen looked at Li Jinzhu.
“She knows. What does the Gang Leader want to say?” Li Jinzhu sensed something hidden in Wu Miaozhen’s words and asked.
“This is just idle talk, looking for something to talk about. I’ve taken up too much of your time, sorry to have disturbed you, Eldest Madam,” Wu Miaozhen stood up to take her leave.
“You’re too kind, Gang Leader,” Li Jinzhu stood up and escorted Wu Miaozhen to the door.
