Chapter 134: A Brief Comment on Wu Liniang

A girl took the wedding dress. All the girls of Intoxication Pavilion thanked Miss Zhao sincerely and together. It was unclear if Miss Zhao couldn’t attend because it was a pleasure house and she was a young lady, or if she was afraid of catching Liu Liwa’s “disease.”

Wu Liniang and Shen Zuijin saw the whole thing. They stood behind the girls, but they were only there to collect Xiuzhu’s one hundred silver taels. Compared to the sincere Wang Erdao and the thoughtful Miss Zhao, they seemed so cold-hearted.

Wu Liniang could sense what the girls were thinking. She and Shen Zuijin could only glare with dark faces and use their authority to pressure others. But today, none of the girls were afraid of them. In fact, no girl paid them any attention. They were ignored…

Soon, with help from many sisters, a completely new Miss Xiuzhu appeared before everyone. Her bright red wedding dress was full of joy. Her hair was neat and clean, and she wore light makeup that made her look even more delicate. With her shy expression, she looked just like a new bride, not at all like a girl from a pleasure house. This came from her mindset—she had never thought of herself as a prostitute.

Surrounded by her sisters, a red silk ribbon finally connected Xiuzhu and Wang Erdao. Even without a wedding host, getting married was every girl’s dream. Each of them did their part to follow all the wedding customs. Wang Erdao cooperated well and did everything he was supposed to. Finally, amid everyone’s cheers and with the groom’s support, Xiuzhu entered the wedding sedan.

Just as she was about to step into the sedan, Xiuzhu suddenly turned her head. Her eyes found Liu Liwa in the crowd. Her happy face broke into an even brighter smile. Clearly, Xiuzhu knew that all of this was connected to Liu Liwa. She was introverted but clear-minded. But her final fate would depend on her luck and how much humanity Wang Erdao had left.

Liu Liwa smiled back and silently gave her his blessing. He wished her good luck!

They watched Xiuzhu’s wedding sedan move farther away, slowly disappearing at the end of the alley. The onlookers gradually left. Only the girls of Intoxication Pavilion stood there for a long time, their tears flowing like a river…

After a long while, a cold wind blew. A few withered yellow leaves drifted down from somewhere and landed slowly on the ground, far from the big tree. Even falling leaves returning to their roots was a distant hope. Wasn’t this a reflection of the pleasure house girls’ lives? How many could find a good home like Xiuzhu did?

But such sadness came and went quickly. They were all moved by the scene, feeling envy and jealousy. But when they turned around, they still had to survive in Intoxication Pavilion. Survival was every living thing’s instinct. No matter how hard or bitter life was, they had to live. A bad life was better than a good death.

The girls wanted to ask Liu Liwa what clever plan he had used. Wang Erdao, who had been labeled a liar, suddenly showed up and really married Miss Xiuzhu with such a big show. But when the girls saw the Madam standing with Liu Liwa, they all dropped the idea. Still, Wu Liniang was beautiful and alluring, and Liu Xiaoqi was handsome and tall. They really looked well-matched.

But the girls didn’t know that Wu Liniang had sought out Liu Liwa for the same reason they had—she couldn’t contain her burning curiosity. She wanted to know: “What method did you use? How did that man really come to marry Xiuzhu?”

Wu Liniang held a few silver taels in her hand. This was all of Miss Xiuzhu’s savings. After more than ten years in Intoxication Pavilion, she hadn’t even saved one hundred silver taels. Probably, the gambler Wang Erdao had swindled a lot from her along the way. But Wu Liniang didn’t argue with her about it. Right now, she was most interested in the method Liu Liwa had used.

Liu Liwa felt very heavyhearted. Especially after seeing Xiuzhu’s grateful smile, he grew even more uneasy. Wang Erdao was decisive and cunning. He would stop at nothing to reach his goal, even giving up his dignity. Such a person was terrifying. If he learned the truth a few years later, the consequences were hard to predict. Liu Liwa had gambled too much this time. It could cost Xiuzhu her life.

For a moment, he felt enormous pressure. Without thinking, he told her the whole plan. Wu Liniang was also clever. She only needed to hear the gist before concluding: “In three to five years, Xiuzhu is doomed to be miserable!”

“Elder sister, don’t scare me. I’m already starting to regret it. If you say that, I feel like taking people to snatch the bride back right now.” Liu Liwa smiled bitterly. He suddenly noticed that Wu Liniang was looking at him and smiling. Even though it was a cold smile, it was better than her usual stern face and superior attitude. He figured it had something to do with their last private talk in the bedroom. Especially after they bet on “spanking,” although he didn’t know about Wu Liniang’s changes, in his own heart, he already saw her as an ordinary woman he could chat and joke with. Even if this woman might be hiding huge secrets. But between men and women, it wasn’t secrets that mattered—it was sweetness.

And Wu Liniang really was changing in ways she never expected. For example, when Liu Liwa just called her “elder sister,” she never thought someone, especially a man, an unrelated man, would call her that. And she wasn’t even angry.

She couldn’t figure it out, so she didn’t think about it much. She just said coldly: “You really have methods, but you are too self-righteous and dictatorial. You don’t consider the consequences enough. You’re not fit for big tasks.”

“Hmph, I’m just a brothel steward. My biggest role is to get close to girls and perverts.” Liu Liwa smiled bitterly.

Wu Liniang glanced at him sideways. A flicker of disappointment showed in her eyes, but she didn’t dwell on Xiuzhu’s issue: “What progress have you made on the three things we bet on?”

Although Liu Liwa didn’t know her purpose, he didn’t want to know, so he saw no need to hide anything: “Young Master Ye just hooked up with Third Miss Zhao. They’re all lovey-dovey right now, so there’s no reply for now. But if he ends up with Third Miss Zhao, I’ll be the main matchmaker. Supervisor Wen hasn’t come around much lately, so there’s no chance to meet. But he and I have built some rapport. It just needs time and opportunity. As for Miss Zhao, I advise you to give up. She and I are not the same kind of people!”

“No!” Before Liu Liwa finished speaking, Wu Liniang suddenly snapped: “This Zhao Jiabi is crucial. No matter what, you must form a connection with her. You say you’re not the same kind of people, but I don’t think so. Yesterday she used my girls to help her sell goods. Today she gives clothes and a wedding dress. Clearly, she’s trying to win people over. You may not be her kind, but she’s forcing her way onto your path. Tell me, is she trying to poach?”

“Maybe, and if she is trying to poach, her chances of success are pretty high.” Liu Liwa said.

“Why?”

“Because she’s generous and gives things to the girls. Look at you—all you do is put on airs, show a stern face, and fine them silver. You’re not even comparable to her.” Liu Liwa said bluntly: “You need to know, you can’t be tough with women. Women need to be coaxed. You’re a woman too—hasn’t anyone ever coaxed you?”