Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 4

“Will Lady Si leave with me?”

 Qin Suizhi looked at the dazed Su Ling and frowned: “Ah Ling, what’s wrong with you? Do you know this person?”
Su Ling took a deep breath and quickly sorted out her feelings. She raised her head and said nonchalantly: “How can it be possible? I’m just curious.”
Qin Suizhi nodded his head suspiciously and replied: “Everyone is about to disperse, let’s leave as well.”
Su Ling complied.

When the two were eating, Su Ling’s thoughts wandered.
Qin Suizhi could not figure out the little thoughts of his family’s daughter, but he felt that she was still thinking about Zhu Ze in her heart, so he started helplessly: “Ah Ling, where do you want to go next? Big Brother will take you there.”
Su Ling put down her spoon and followed his words: “I’ve heard that the shows in Qingfeng Pavilion are fabulous, I want to see.”
Qin Suizhi did not know whether to laugh or cry and looked at her, “That Qingfeng Pavilion is a place where the crooks gather, what’s a young lady like you doing at that kind of a place?”
Su Ling retreated in order to advance, she reluctantly squeezed out a hint of a smile and said: “If Eldest Brother doesn’t like it, then let’s not go.”

How could Qin Suizhi not realize that this smile was forced.

When it came to Eldest Miss Qin’s arrogant and willful temper, actually, Qin Suizhi’s contributions could not go unnoticed. He did not spoil Qin Ling unconditionally just these one or two days. The truth was, whenever he saw her unhappy, he would immediately abandon his principle and change his decision.
“I’ll take you.” After speaking, Qin Suizhi rubbed his eyebrow and continued: “So you should wear your veil hat properly and don’t take it off.”

Su Ling nodded while smiling, “Okay.”
Qin Suizhi let out a smile.

The Dongzhimen in the capital, the most flourishing place in Great Zhou.
The street bustled with activity, and there were a lot of shops for every need. The voices of peddlers never stopped, kept rising and falling in succession.
Su Ling looked around and thought: Compared with the time when the late emperor was still in power, the capital has indeed become much livelier.

They walked through an alley and made a turn at the corner before they finally arrived at Qingfeng Pavilion.
There were three floors in Qingfeng Pavilion. The first floor was the stage for the shows. The second floor was private rooms, where many distinguished guests, usually high-ranking officials, people from the martial arts circle, and merchants from foreign countries gathered to drink while watching the show.
As for the third floor, it was where the outstanding and famous, lawless, Feiniao Chamber was located.

The first time she went there, it was to buy information regarding Xiao Yu.
Under the black plaque outlined with gold was the sentence—Know your past life’s truth, understand your current life’s pain, unravel your next life’s mysteries.

It remained fresh in her memory until now.

Su Ling followed Qin Suizhi and entered the main door.

The chief shopkeeper of Qingfeng Pavilion, Yu Baiqi, saw the strangers and immediately sized them up.
She had seen a lot of prestigious and influential officials in the capital, however, this young sir before her eyes was dressed like a noble, and his manners were also unlike those of common people. She concluded that he was either the son of a rich merchant or someone who had just come to the capital.
As for the young miss behind him, Shopkeeper Yu squinted her eyes.
Dressed in dazzling gauze, pearl earrings, and a belt that was decorated with green jade flower, even the veil hat could not completely conceal the magnificent beauty.

It was just that, she had the feeling that the bearing of the person was somewhat familiar, however, she could not quite point it out.

Looking at the two people’s manners again, Lady Yu guessed that, the two must be siblings.

Lady Yu walked over with a smile on her face and said: “Are the two guests here to watch the opera?”
Qin Suizhi nodded: “Yes.”
Lady Yu hooked her lips, “Then, let’s head to this side.”

After a while, Lady Yu said to the two siblings: “The guests happen to be visiting when it is Lady Si Yue’s turn to perform. She is a famous actor from Guangzhou Prefecture, very charming and also talented in the four arts.”
Su Ling smiled: “When will it start?”
Lady Yu replied: “In about 15 minutes.”
Su Ling said again: “Do you have the script?”
Lady Yu answered: “Naturally. It will be brought to Miss later.”

[four arts: zither, go, calligraphy, painting]

Lady Yu had been crawling among men all the year-round, it could be said that the word enchanting was plastered all over her face. Seeing that Qin Suizhi was good-looking and serious, she could not help but tease him: “Our Lady Si Yue is selling her skills, not her body. No matter how much Young Sir likes her later, don’t be extravagant ya.”

Just a sentence made this unmarried young master’s face red.

Su Ling actually could not help laughing.

After Lady Yu walked away, Qin Suizhi glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, saying: “Look at your adept appearance. Tell me, have you been here behind my back before?”

Once the voice fell, Su Ling immediately shook her head.
However, she secretly chuckled.
Did not know how many times had she felt this way ever since she woke up.

Although she was already trying her best to imitate the Qin Ling in her memory, one would still unconsciously reveal their real thoughts and would not be able to continuously conceal them.
In these two days, not saying other people, Qin Suizhi had sighed on more than one occasion, expressing that she seemed to had changed.

But that was it for the Qin family. Even if they felt it was somewhat odd, they would not doubt her identity.

However, the palace was different.
Her appearance, her voice, her handwriting, and her every habit, everything could bring her disaster on any given day.

If she entered the palace with this face, she could deceive others, but what about Xiao Yu? That kind of shrewd man, after some time, how could she guarantee not to reveal the slightest flaw?

Everyone in the palace was experienced. Not to mention that she was not Qin Ling to begin with, even if Eldest Miss Qin was still in this world, using those several tricks of killing without blood, one could still accuse her of being a monster.
If one could get back to life by exchanging the souls, then he was no different from a demon, no one could tolerate him.

What should be done then?

Su Ling was thinking until here when she heard leisure drum beats rang.
Smoke rose in spirals from every incense burner around the room, making the room misty. Suddenly, a slender and fair wrist emerged from behind the green curtain, moving vertically, indicating its grace.

Immediately following after, a woman with red attire lined with gold thread, on her head was a buyao with silver-colored flower embedded with gems, carrying a fan to cover her face. Step by step she walked to the stage.

Su Ling lowered her head to look at the script.
Yun Tai Chuan.
It was about a noble lady of a marquis household who worked in a brothel for a living.

Su Ling supported her cheek with her hand and cast her gaze over.
At first, she had only wanted to see the excitement, however, after seeing a little, she was hooked.

Su Ling had never seen a woman whose eyes, nose, and lips were not so outstanding, but could still appear so charming. Every frown and smile exuded amorous feelings and every emotion was expressed in an unconstrained manner.

She spread the red-colored attire lined with gold. Here is the brothel.
She put on a satin gauze attire. Here is the residence of a noble person.

At one moment she looked back with a soft smile, the next moment she lowered her head and wept.

Su Ling tapped the table using her index finger and hooked the corners of her mouth.
This Lady Si Yue is really good ah.

Qin Suizhi saw her watching attentively and silently thought: With her temper, if she enters the palace, I don’t know what will happen in the future.

Thinking of this, Qin Suizhi clenched his fists.
The reason why he took her to apologize to their father yesterday, actually was not just for the word “filial piety”. There was another reason that he did not say.

He had sworn that oath, so in this life, he was destined not to participate in imperial examination to become an official. Supposing that she really entered the palace, he could not give her anything aside from providing her with a lot of wealth.
She could only depend on Qin Wang alone.

Qin Suizhi accompanied Su Ling to play for three days. Before leaving, he reminded her over and over again: “Even after I leave, you must not see Zhu Ze again.”
Su Ling nodded her head over and over again: “Yes. Okay. I know it already.”
Qin Suizhi let out an “en” sound and said: “Okay then, I’ll come back next month.”

The Qin residence, the northern yard.
Mist overshadowed the moon, the leaves rustled.

Jiang Lanyue was sitting on a stool in the courtyard. She lowered her eyes to remove the earrings and whispered to a momo by her side: “What is the eldest miss doing these days? Is there any news from the Zhu family side?”
The old momo whispered back: “Young Sir Zhu said, the eldest miss hasn’t written him any letter lately.”
Jiang Lanyue frowned: “It can’t be ah. Is it possible that after returning from death once, the temper has really changed?”
The old momo said with a smile: “From what this servant sees, she is the type of person who won’t be able to change. Madam, do you know, where did Eldest Young Sir take her these past few days?”
Jiang Lanyue lifted her eyebrows: “Where?”

[momo: an elderly maid, sometimes also a wet nurse. For convenience reason, I won’t translate this. Saying “elderly maid” here and “elderly maid” there is horrible]

The old momo answered: “Qingfeng Pavilion. Eldest Miss is quite interesting, it almost seems like she isn’t willing to live a peaceful life ever since she was born. She, a young lady of a proper family, runs to Qingfeng Pavilion to play. What good can there be? Why does Eldest Young Sir let her do as she pleases like this?”
Jiang Lanyue sneered: “Has it not been like this since they were little? If Qin Ling wants the moon in the sky, Qin Suizhi will pick it for her. Meanwhile my Rong’er, if I don’t fight for her, she will have nothing.”
The old momo asked: “This matter, should it be passed on to Master?”
“No need.” Jiang Lanyue pointed out three fingers, “Qin Suizhi is gone. Within three days, she will surely disclose this matter by herself. Let her expose herself at that time, won’t it be better?”

***

However, Jiang Lanyue did not expect that it’d only took less than a day for Su Ling to trigger the episode she was looking forward to.

Qin Suizhi had returned to Qian’an, Qin Wang was busy every day, and Jiang Lanyue could not control her, so Su Ling took a servant girl and a male servant to Qingfeng Pavilion early in the morning.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the door, Qingfeng Pavilion was already in chaos.

“Lady Yu, state your price. This Lady Si, this young master wants her.”
Lady Yu smiled: “Lady Si sells her skills, not her body. She comes to Qingfeng to perform in the show today to make a living. Young Sir Jiang doesn’t need to make things hard for a lady. If Young Sir Jiang is looking for a confidant, you can look around at Chu Pavilion.”

“Moreover, even if I state a price, I’m afraid your esteemed self wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

Su Ling knitted an eyebrow.
Which Jiang is it?
Is it the Jiang from the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Jiang Chengyuan, or is it Jiang Zongting, the Director of Board of Rites?

The man laughed heartily: “My father is the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Jiang Chengyuan. How can I, Jiang Wu, lack money? You state the price.”

Oh. It’s really that moneyless Jiang.

Su Ling said in her heart. With your father’s obstinate temper, it is strange that you have money.
Jiang Chengyuan was a famous miser in the Ministry of Revenue. He was so stingy that he often offended people in the court.
Someone had once stared at the Jiang family’s account to find faults. However, Jiang Chengyuan was clearly innocent and had never been greedy for any extra cents.

Su Ling tilted her head and looked at the sobbing Lady Si Yue.

Suddenly she felt that the timing of Jiang Wu’s appearance was just right.

Lady Yu smiled: “I’m sorry, Young Sir Jiang. Unless Lady Si nods today, Lady Yu will not state any price.”

“Everyone, surround this Qingfeng Pavilion.” Jiang Wu said: “I really want her today, don’t say that I’m robbing people in your Qingfeng Pavilion, I’ll give you the money right here and now.”

“Hold on.”

Su Ling advanced one step and started: “Young Sir Zhao don’t be too hasty ah, since you can open a price, then I can also open a price. If your price is higher than mine, I’ll leave, otherwise, you and your people will have to go.”

Jiang Wu squinted at Su Ling’s veil and asked: “Who are you? From which family? Dare to tell me the rules?”

Su Ling sat down on a low stool, put her wrist on her knees calmly, and replied: “Young Sir Jiang doesn’t need to know who I am. It’s an auction after all, what matters most is the money. Don’t you agree?”

Jiang Wu glanced at the martial people standing at his side and took a breath: “Fine, fine. I’ll bid 50 taels.”
According to the salary of officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty nowadays, 50 taels was already enough to buy two concubines.
As a starting price, it was not low.

Su Ling answered nonchalantly: “100 taels.”
Even though the Qin family was not prominent, the Wen family was extremely wealthy, especially after Qin Suizhi started managing the Wen family’s business. The business spread from Qian’an to Henan. The money given to Qin Ling was usually not little.
She had estimated the items and silver taels in Qin Ling’s hand, at the very least, she could gather 800 taels.
It was just that, these 800 taels still posed a problem. If she could gather 800 taels, so could Jiang Chengyuan’s son.

Seeing that she did not want to give him face, Jiang Wu could not help but let out a “ha” sound and fought back: “200 taels.”

Su Ling immediately answered: “400 taels.”

After this sentence, the atmosphere immediately boiled.

Jiang Wu’s complexion abruptly changed. He clenched his fists and said coldly: “500 taels.”

Seeing that he did not double it,
Su Ling calculated in her heart, then smiled and said: “800 taels.”

Even with naked eyes, one could see Jiang Wu’s sweat sliding from his temples. He said angrily: “Who are you?!” He looked at the two unsightly people behind Su Ling, really did not look like one who came from a rich family.
But if not a noble lady, then this woman’s confidence was too much!

Su Ling told him slowly: “Seeing Young Sir Jiang’s attitude, are you going to hit me? Today, if you move your hands, I’m afraid your esteemed father will bring you to see Lord Xue for a cup of tea.”
Lord Xue. That was the high official of the Ministry of Justice, Xue Xiangyang, the current Consort Xue’s biological elder brother.

“What’s your surname? Are you one of the misses from Xue residence?”

Su Ling did not answer, “Lady Si Yue is still here, does Young Sir Jiang still want to bid?”

Seeing this attitude, Jiang Wu did not dare to increase the bid. Moreover, he did not think that this actor was worth 800 taels.
He wrinkled his brows and replied: “You’re just a young miss of a family, what are you doing buying an actor for 800 taels!”

“You said I’m buying, but I’m actually not. Today, whether she goes or stays, it all depends on her decision.”
There was a saying, there are many ways to see the meaning of unfairness and assistance.

Su Ling stood up and approached Lady Si Yue. She lifted half of her veil and softly asked: “Will Lady Si leave with me?”

The author has something to say:
Noble 00: I’m finished. I’ve spent all the money.
Su Huaian, Qin Suizhi, Xiao Yu: You’re not wrong.

<<00 reads Ling-Ling so it refers to Su/Qin Ling. The author will mention it a lot in the small theaters in the future, so I decided to explain it here first to avoid confusion. And the “You’re not wrong” above is something like “Way to speak the obvious” or “Tell me something I don’t know”.>>