Chapter 77: Dance Hall
Jia Chunni was skilled at cooking and assisted Chun E throughout, earning Chun E’s elaborate praise.
In the end, Chun E vacated the head chef position and handed it to her, then she and Su Yaoguang became the assistants.
“Chun E sis, is brother-in-law not coming back for dinner?”
“He is a guard who went with the escort caravan and won’t return for several months.” Chun E said, “I’m used to being alone. With or without him, life goes on.”
Su Yaoguang noticed something off in Chun E’s expression and didn’t ask further about these matters. She talked about business, then mentioned the clothes in her ready-to-wear clothing shop.
“Those clothes are just a bit outdated in style, but the fabric and workmanship are excellent. In a bit, I’ll draw a few sketches. You can make new combinations based on my drawings, run some promotions like buy two get one free, clear out all that inventory, then stock some good fabric to make better ones, and turn the shop into the most popular ready-to-wear clothing shop around.”
“Ever since I met sister, I realized I’m not suited for this business.”
“How are you not suited?”
“I’m not sensitive enough to beauty and ugliness. If I had your aesthetic ability, I wouldn’t have run the ready-to-wear clothing shop like this, so I say sister is my lucky star.”
“Sister, don’t underestimate yourself. You’ve persisted in this industry for so many years—how are you not suited? No matter what we do, as long as we put our heart into it, we can always do well. Where do so many geniuses come from in this world? Most make up for their shortcomings through diligence. Sister only sees that I can put together good-looking dresses, but doesn’t know how much hardship I’ve endured for it.”
Chun E understood that Su Yaoguang was comforting and encouraging her, and accepted her kindness.
The three women made three dishes and a soup in the simple room and happily ate dinner.
After dinner, Su Yaoguang suddenly wanted to go out and stroll the night market. Chun E had seen plenty and didn’t like shopping, so she let them go by themselves. Su Yaoguang then took Jia Chunni out.
“Cousin, I didn’t expect evenings in the city to be so lively with so many people, and all that food—I’ve never seen any of it before.”
“Boss, two portions.”
“No need, cousin, we just ate and I’m not hungry.”
“I already bought them, eat up! I’ve never had it either and really want to try.”
Jia Chunni laughed: “Then I’ll eat with cousin.”
Jia Chunni was only thirteen, small and thin, looking like a ten-year-old girl. When she first arrived not long ago, she was like a startled rabbit—even if she spoke a bit loudly, it would scare her, fearing she’d be driven away. From then on, no matter how rushed or busy she was, she would watch her tone to avoid scaring this little rabbit.
Now she finally had the innocent smile of a child. When she gave her things, she would still instinctively observe her, but not as timid and fearful as before.
“Dance hall.” Su Yaoguang stood before the plaque.
“Cousin, this place is very expensive.” Jia Chunni looked at the people coming and going, blushing as she said, “Most importantly, mostly men come in and out here.”
“This is a dance hall, not a brothel—no need to be so nervous.” Su Yaoguang saw veiled hats for sale opposite, bought two, put them on with Jia Chunni, and then entered the dance hall.
After entering the dance hall, sure enough there were mostly men, and the few women were quite bold and flirtatious, clearly not decent.
After Su Yaoguang and Jia Chunni sat down, a man immediately came to harass them.
“Little lady, since you’ve come even to a place like this, why wear a veiled hat? Take it off and let brother have a look—today’s alcoholic beverages are all on brother.”
When the man reached out, Su Yaoguang grabbed his wrist. With a crack, the man cried out in pain.
“Young lady, please let go.” The shopkeeper hurried over upon hearing the noise to stop it. “We have dormitory rooms upstairs—why don’t the two young ladies go there to enjoy the singing and dancing?”
Su Yaoguang released the man.
The man plopped down on the ground, crying out in pain.
Su Yaoguang said calmly: “This is a dance hall—men and women both have the right to come here for fun. So what if I’m a woman? Who says women can’t listen to melodies and watch dances?”
With that, she took Jia Chunni upstairs.
As the two went upstairs, they bumped into another person wearing a veiled hat.
Su Yaoguang was going up while the other was heading down to the outhouse. When they collided, Su Yaoguang lost balance and started falling downward, but the man grabbed her wrist. He had meant to let go in disgust, but saw the face revealed as the veil lifted.
He tightened his grip on his arm and pulled her up.
“Thank you.” Su Yaoguang said, “These stairs are too narrow.”
The man nodded and continued downstairs.
After Su Yaoguang and Jia Chunni went upstairs, the man emerged from the corner and said to the shopkeeper: “Which dormitory room are those two female customers in?”
“Peony Pavilion.”
Zhong Chushan searched for a while and finally found Zhou Wangshu coming out of the outhouse.
“Elder brother, we need to hurry back to the academy—you go play today’s melody quickly!”
“Yaoguang is here.” Zhou Wangshu frowned, “I’m a bit worried…”
“Your young wife? Does she know you can play melodies?”
Zhou Wangshu shook his head.
“Then it’s fine? She doesn’t know you play melodies, and you’re wearing a veiled hat—how would she know it’s you?” Zhong Chushan said, “Hurry up, don’t delay.”
Zhou Wangshu passed Peony Pavilion and heard voices inside.
“Chunni, come look quick—the dancers in this dance hall actually include a man, and he’s so handsome.”
Zhou Wangshu: “…”
Hah, got money, now starting to seek fun. Looks like women are the same as men—once basic needs are met, other thoughts multiply.
Zhou Wangshu went to the next door, sat before the zither, and began to play.
As soon as Zhou Wangshu started playing, the singing and dancing stopped, and the dancers cleared the space.
Listening to the music, Su Yaoguang felt her tense spirit from the day relax. She leaned on the lounge chair, nibbling pastries, her thoughts drifting far away.
Jia Chunni didn’t understand it, but she could tell if it was good or not.
The entire hall was silent.
A shop assistant came in to refill tea for Su Yaoguang and them.
Su Yaoguang stopped him and asked: “What’s the name of this zither player? His melodies are very good.”
“This zither player is known as Zi Zhan Young Master.” The shop assistant said, “He’s a zither player we hired at great expense.”
“Does this Zi Zhan Young Master come often to play?”
“Not really. Young lady, you came at the right time and happened to catch him. He appears occasionally and rarely. Look at all those customers downstairs—most come for him. They don’t know when he’ll show, but just in case, they gamble on that chance.”
Shouts came from below: “Zi Zhan Young Master, I admire your zither skill and want to invite you to play at my old lady’s birthday banquet. Name your price.”
“Sorry, our Zi Zhan Young Master never goes to mansions to play.” Another hearty male voice rang out. “You’d better find someone else!”
