Chapter 184: Chapter 184: A Lifetime of Regret
On the day of the official contract signing, when Ren Hua saw Qu Fulan in women’s clothing, she thought Qu was the sister of that previous person. Upon learning the truth, she sprayed tea everywhere.
"You, you’re a woman?" Ren Hua stared at Qu Fulan in astonishment. "How did you disguise yourself so well that no one could tell?"
Qu Fulan smiled, "Just put on a bit of makeup."
Ren Hua sighed with admiration, "Impressive, impressive." Then she looked at Qu Fulan’s face and exclaimed, "Such a beautiful visage, no wonder you need to disguise yourself when you go out."
Qu Fulan: "You’re too kind, too kind. We’re alike."
Even when Ren Hua dressed as a man, her feminine grace couldn’t be hidden, so she knew the difference wouldn’t be much.
A face like a silver plate, eyes like apricots in water, lips naturally red, and brows naturally green.
No wonder she had to dress as a man when going out.
After signing the contract, Ren Hua knew that Qu Fulan’s new store was opening in half a month and insisted on staying to celebrate.
In these times, it’s difficult for women to survive in business; there are hardly any who dare to show themselves. Finally meeting someone who matched them in personality and eye contact, it’s only natural to want to befriend them.
Qu Fulan asked where Ren Hua stayed in Capital City.
Ren Hua named an address that Qu Fulan happened to know, it was just two streets away from where she lived.
Don’t underestimate these two streets; the difference was like heaven and earth.
It’s like where Qu Fulan lived was where the nobility resided, while where Ren Hua lived was ordinary residential houses.
Qu Fulan assumed she was also renting, but Ren Hua said that the house was their own.
"My father bought a house there more than ten years ago, saying when my brother comes to Capital City for exams, at least there’ll be a place to stay. I’ve been staying there whenever I come to the Capital City over the years."
Truly a business family with foresight.
"Where do you live? Come by my place to play when you have time; there’s no one else, it’s very convenient," Ren Hua suggested.
Qu Fulan smiled, "I’ll come by when I have a chance. After all, we live just two streets apart, not very far; I live in Gaoyi Lane."
Ren Hua was immediately shocked, "Are you a daughter of a wealthy family? How come you are also engaged in business like us merchants?"
Daughters of wealthy families usually don’t step out of the house, engaging daily in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, aren’t they? At this age, shouldn’t they have already gotten engaged, starting to prepare dowries early?
Qu Fulan smiled, "I’m just an ordinary civilian, just renting a house."
Ren Hua, having traveled for business, had heard and seen many novel things, so she was only surprised for a moment before concluding it was nothing extraordinary.
Qu Fulan had been associating with Ren Hua for two days and knew basically everything about her.
Ren Hua was a typical girl from a merchant family; besides money, her family had nothing else.
But in ancient times, having money did not mean having status. Without the protection of noble lineage, Ren Hua’s beauty nearly reduced her to being a local’s concubine.
Luckily, the noble insisted on specific astrology requirements, and Ren Hua’s astrology was calculated to harm a husband, so he forfeited.
To avoid becoming a noble’s plaything, coupled with Ren Hua’s interest in business from a young age, she started dressing as a man for business, avoiding much trouble.
But as the years pass, she inevitably has to marry.
Out for business all these years, she’s also been looking for a suitable person to marry.
"I don’t dream of marrying into a wealthy family; the lives in those families are not necessarily better than ours. I think of marrying someone with a simple family structure and decent abilities and prospects. Even if the family conditions weren’t great, it wouldn’t matter, as I can earn money."
This suggests finding a minor official.
Having even a little official protection is undoubtedly favorable.
Qu Fulan thought Ren Hua’s ideas were reasonable; she knew what she lacked, so she strived to pursue it.
Without noble protection, one should pursue nobility.
Qu Fulan was similar; to earn money, she diligently built networks and solidified relationships.
In the end, they shared a common need for noble protection.
Ren Hua had some understanding of Qu Fulan as well, knowing she had once been a servant for a wealthy family. She didn’t belittle her for it, instead respecting her more.
"You are truly extraordinary, a slave turning into a master, I admire you," Ren Hua exclaimed.
Mrs. Xiao waited for Qu Fulan for two days before finally spotting her at her new store’s entrance.
Because Qu Fulan didn’t oversee the renovations daily, Ji Nishang happened to run into her by luck the day before. Later, she took her aunt specifically to find Qu but couldn’t locate her.
Not only that, there was no one to relay a message, so they had to wait for two days.
Qu Fulan had just gotten off the carriage when she was called.
"Miss Qu," the caller was Ji Nishang.
Only to see Nishang smiling as she walked towards Qu Fulan, bowing, "I am Ji Nishang, Mrs. Xiao of Xiao Mansion is my aunt; my aunt wishes to meet you."
Mrs. Xiao wants to meet her? What’s the reason, first Xiao Shiqing leaves, now comes Mrs. Xiao?
Qu Fulan disliked such situations, choosing to be honest with Xiao Shiqing for mutual peace, yet now it seems peace cannot be achieved.
The serenity and disconnection she sought, others may not desire.
However, it mattered little what Mrs. Xiao wanted to discuss.
Qu Fulan didn’t want to pretend not to know the other party. Many things were understood without speaking; moreover, they approached her, so there was no need to act ignorant.
"Sorry, I’m too busy today with many things, excuse me," Qu Fulan said and wanted to leave.
Ji Nishang didn’t expect Qu Fulan would refuse, froze for a moment, she evidently thought merely seeing her would fulfill the meeting’s purpose, after all, what right does a mere servant have to refuse?
However, thoughts differ from words, and she quickly realized, unable to deny Qu Fulan’s words, she promptly offered an apologetic face saying, "We were indeed presumptuous, coming over so abruptly; however, it’s urgent, we hope Miss Qu can understand."
This meant asking Qu Fulan to adhere to the principle "urgent matters dictate", to agree to a meeting.
Qu Fulan smiled, "My matters are more urgent, concerning ’first come, first served’, I’m busy so I won’t stay."
Ji Nishang didn’t expect such a blunt rejection, her heart sank, and she blurted out, "If it pertains to something as significant as your redemption from servitude, would you also follow ’first come, first served’? Opportunities are rare, Miss, grasping it on time is vital, or you may regret it for the rest of your life."
Ji Nishang thought speaking these words would ensure Qu Fulan took it seriously.
After all, initially her aunt didn’t acknowledge her, now she desires to meet and assist in buying her freedom, displaying acceptance; as long as Qu Fulan isn’t foolish, she ought to know how to respond.
Qu Fulan was stunned for a moment, realizing that in their eyes, she remained a servant.
Indeed, considering her long tenure as a servant, how long since she’d broken free? Many aware of her servant status were oblivious to her liberated identity now.
Although she explained to Xiao Shiqing, evidently he hadn’t informed his mother, resulting in the current situation.
However, none of this mattered; the important aspect was why Mrs. Xiao suddenly wished to redeem her?