"Officer! My apologies, I’ll take this wretched girl away at once!"
The man fawned with a sycophantic smile, attempting to drag the girl away.
With a swift sidestep, the girl dodged and positioned herself in front of the patrolling soldiers. She discreetly slipped a pouch from her sleeve into the officer’s hand before raising her voice.
"Officer, this clan uncle of mine is causing a scene at my stall—utterly shameless! As if he holds no regard for the Patrol Office. If family disputes can be settled by making a public ruckus, who would dare set up shop here? Might as well let everyone come and throw tantrums!"
"Nonsense! You insolent brat! Officer, how can a mere girl like her brazenly run a stall? I’m taking her back to answer to the clan! This fox-spirit is disgracing our Xu family name—such indecency!"
The man was livid that his niece dared defy him and even slander him before the officers. He wished he could drag her back and drown her in a pond. But thinking of her dowry, he clenched his teeth.
"Clan Uncle, which law forbids women from trade? When Auntie toils in the fields, why don’t you accuse her of ‘brazen exposure’?"
The Xu Family Daughter stood tall in the street, like a daisy weathering a storm—fragile yet unyielding.
"I—you—stop twisting words!" Barely literate, the man had no retort. Flustered, his face reddened, and in a fit of rage, he swung his hand to strike her.
The girl couldn’t dodge in time. Just as the blow was about to land, a hand seized the man’s arm and flung him to the ground.
"Officer?!"
"I don’t give a damn about your clan’s squabbles! But if you disturb this street’s business, and if rent collections drop—will you compensate our magistrate? Huh?" The square-faced officer berated him before delivering a few sharp kicks to his backside.
"Scram!"
Clutching his rear, the man slunk away but turned to glare venomously at the girl, his expression promising vengeance.
"You too! If you disrupt business, don’t blame me for being ruthless! This silk flower—"
"If the officer fancies this humble silk flower, it’s my honor. Please take a few for your ladies—consider it free promotion."
She pressed several flowers into the officers’ hands, ignoring the onlookers’ stares and showing no shame at her exposed identity.
As the patrol left, the Xu Family Daughter sighed at her stall. After today’s incident, her business here was likely doomed.
Lost in thought, she suddenly heard a voice.
"So, you’re a woman?"
A veiled figure crouched beside her.
"Yes. Family circumstances forced me to this."
"I noticed your flowers days ago but didn’t dare buy them. Knowing you’re a woman puts me at ease. They’re lovely—how much?"
"Ah?"
The Xu Family Daughter had braced for scorn, not this eager voice.
"Ten coppers each."
"I’ll take this one. Here’s your payment."
As the veiled woman left, the Xu Family Daughter’s smile lingered until whispers reached her—loud enough to be deliberate.
"No wonder I thought that ‘boy’ looked fair-skinned. Turns out it’s a girl!"
"Ho! Fourth Fu, you’ve been eyeing her? What’ll your tigress wife say?"
"Pah! I’ll thrash her if she dares nag!"
"Fourth Fu, is your fate strong enough for that?"
"Strong where it counts, haha!"
Lu Chao descended from the teahouse amid the vulgar banter. Passersby avoided the area, but the Xu Family Daughter sat unfazed, as if hearing dogs bark.
Spotting Lu Chao at her stall, a bold peddler called, "Young master, that’s a widow—ill-omened! Her flowers bring bad luck!"
Lu Chao smirked. "If they’re truly so potent, I’d buy them all for the border—let them hex the barbarians."
The heckler choked on his retort, cowed by Lu Chao’s towering attendants.
"Miss, care to discuss business?" Lu Chao smiled at the Xu Family Daughter.
"What do you mean?" She eyed Lu Chao’s youthful stature warily.
"I’ll lend you ten taels, interest-free. In return, manage a shop for me. The debt deducts from your wages monthly. Deal?"
She stared as if he were a swindler.
"If you trust me, find me at Baizhen Workshop. If not, no matter." Lu Chao tossed ten coppers for a flower and left.
Lu Yuanyi frowned. "Chao, why not just give her the money?"
Lu Chao shook his head. "Could you face such scorn and still hold your ground?" He glanced at Lu Yuanyi. "Unshaken, shrewd, and resilient—she’s destined for greatness."
Her defiant stance against the jeers reminded him of his mother shielding him years ago.
"Chao, do you think she’ll come?"
"Who knows? Fate will decide."
The Xu Family Daughter—Xu Jinghe—watched the kind-faced boy leave, biting her lip. Her calloused hands betrayed her toil.
What could he want? Her looks? Pah! The boy was her brother’s age—such thoughts dishonored him. Surely this couldn’t be worse than wedding some forty-year-old geezer. She’d gamble on this chance!
Resolute, she packed her stall and strode away.
At Baizhen Workshop, Shopkeeper Xu sipped tea contentedly, poring over the monthly ledger with a grin.
"Shopkeeper! The Lu young masters are here!"
A clerk scurried upstairs to announce before darting back down—customers kept him busy.
Shopkeeper Xu peered below and spotted familiar attendants outside. He hurried downstairs.
"Ah! No wonder magpies sang today—our young masters grace us!"
"Shopkeeper Xu, business thrives!" Lu Yuanyi teased as he and Lu Chao browsed.
"All thanks to you both! Or I’d be feeding pigs by now!"
Lu Chao admired the intricate paper flower plaques, marveling at ancient craftsmanship.
The Hundred Treasures Shop displayed an array of uncommon objects—delicate ornaments and jewelry of various designs, alongside ceramics with classically elegant craftsmanship. The second floor housed musical instruments like guqins, somewhat resembling the boutique shops of later eras.
Lu Chao even discovered jewelry and decorations made from seashells. Upon inquiring with the shop assistant, the prices were truly staggering.
...
