Chapter Seventeen: A New Strategy

Zhilian glanced over a few times, slightly puzzled.

“Master Han, most of my sisters here are barely literate. They can’t possibly understand the deeper meanings within, and if they tried to explain, it would be half-understood at best.”

She had almost forgotten.

In this era, the only women who could read were mostly young ladies from official families.

Did that mean the plan had failed?

How could they save Drunken Flower Pavilion? Perhaps another approach was needed.

“However, I do know of some women who could serve our pavilion, but their backgrounds would bring deadly peril upon them,” Zhilian said quietly.

“Daughters of disgraced officials?” Han Qing guessed immediately. Only such women would end up in such a place.

Most of them concealed their names, never daring to show their faces.

The government’s threat forced them to live in hiding.

“Yes, these women were well-educated from childhood, but after calamity befell their families, surviving in this world became their only option.”

All they could do was lament the injustice of fate.

“Do you have anyone in mind?” Han Qing asked, realizing Zhilian’s familiarity with the matter meant she had candidates.

“I do, but the authorities disapprove greatly. I couldn’t possibly bring them out so rashly.”

Han Qing understood.

Only one person could resolve this.

Young Master Zhu?

He always turned to him in times of need, even though he often acted indifferent.

“In three days, carry out the plan. Drunken Flower Pavilion will surely weather this crisis,” he said calmly.

It was only a letter, after all.

Young Master Zhu could handle it.

Someone had to speak up for the daughters of disgraced officials and their future.

Should they spend their whole lives in hiding, never daring to face the world?

It wasn’t just their own fault.

Sometimes it was simply a matter of standing on the wrong side, supporting the wrong people.

When Young Master Zhu read the letter, he sighed.

“He’s the only one who dares write to me so bluntly, asking me to resolve this quickly,” he grumbled.

But truly, he regarded Han Qing as a friend, and lending a helping hand was no great trouble.

Thanks to the introduction of the crosstalk performances, Drunken Flower Pavilion caused a sensation, drawing crowds of young gentlemen eager to see for themselves.

After all, day after day of admiring beautiful but simple-minded women grew tiresome.

These women performing crosstalk were not only stunningly beautiful, but also impressively learned.

Clever and lovely.

Who could fail to be drawn in?

These days, Drunken Flower Pavilion was bustling with guests, more and more arriving each day.

Within less than a week, they had already earned back the money spent purchasing the place.

It was nothing short of miraculous.

The impact was so great that, though Young Master Zhu had only meant to do a small favor, he soon heard of Drunken Flower Pavilion’s growing fame and brought several friends along to see for themselves.

It truly left a lasting impression.

“You’ve really run into someone extraordinary—to have lifted this place to the very top so quickly?” someone joked.

“Indeed, remarkable,” Young Master Zhu replied, full of admiration.

Others might imitate various tricks, but the crosstalk scripts were hard to copy. Most were written by Han Qing himself.

He blended elements of both modern and ancient times, cleverly playing to the hopes and thoughts of his audience.

This set a promising trend.

Meanwhile, other pavilions found their business dwindling to a trickle these days.

But they could hardly blame anyone else.

It was only because they lacked a good proprietor and a clever partner.

That night, Han Qing continued to write new crosstalk pieces, putting his mind to work.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice.

“Husband, may I ask you something?” Xiuxiu asked gently.

“What is it? Don’t worry, take your time.”

“You promised to teach me to read—do you still mean it?” Jiang Xiuxiu asked softly, stealing a glance at her husband.

“Of course. I can start teaching you tomorrow,” Han Qing replied cheerfully.

His wife’s resolve to learn was a tremendous step forward.

With steady effort, some good would surely come of it.

“All right, then let’s rest early,” Jiang Xiuxiu said shyly, her cheeks flushing red as she nestled into Han Qing’s arms.

“Yes, you too,” he replied tenderly.

He should be even gentler with his wife.

But he realized why Jiang Xiuxiu had brought this up so suddenly—it must be that his absence from home these past few days had made her anxious.

She was slowly learning to care for him, gradually opening her heart.

His efforts had not been in vain.

He drifted off to sleep.

But trouble was quick to follow.

At the establishment First Residence, a fire broke out the previous night, leaving dozens burned and four or five dead.

A matter of life and death soon brought the attention of the Court of Judicial Review.

Was it an accident or murder?

No one knew.

Yet accusatory fingers were immediately pointed at Drunken Flower Pavilion.

Naturally, they had been fierce business rivals.

Who else could bear such a grudge?

But wasn’t this a ridiculous accusation?

Drunken Flower Pavilion’s business was thriving—why would they seek trouble for themselves?

Madam Wang of First Residence reported the case, her voice hoarse with emotion as she recounted years of grievances with Drunken Flower Pavilion.

“My lord, please give us justice! Surely this is the work of some malicious competitor. If not for those letters, how could so many lives have been lost?” she sobbed.

The magistrate was stirred.

“This is a grave matter. I will arrange for constables to investigate at once.”

Madam Wang left, trembling, her face a portrait of despair and unease.

Thus, Miss Zhilian of Drunken Flower Pavilion was summoned for questioning.

No doubt they hoped to find out whether this had truly been a rival’s plot.

“My lord, I am but a humble businesswoman. We are deeply grieved by the calamity that has befallen them. May I ask what brings you to question us?” Zhilian replied coolly.

She had sparred with Madam Li for years and knew all the twists and turns of such matters.

“Madam Wang of First Residence claims this was sabotage by a competitor. What have you to say?” the official asked.

“My lord, this is a terrible injustice. We are running our business properly—why would we court disaster? Besides, who does not know that Drunken Flower Pavilion is now the top establishment in the city?” she answered calmly.

There was truly no motive.

And, besides, there was no evidence.