The next evening, Xue Ling and Bi Liu came to a magnificent mansion.
Xue Ling knocked on the shiny bronze door knocker. A small door above the door opened and a middle-aged man popped his head out, “Two misses, who are you looking for?”
“Is this Zhao Resident?” Xue Ling said coldly and plainly, “Is Miss Hong Xiu here?”
“Young Madame?” the middle-aged man said, “May I know why two misses are looking for Young Madame?”
“We are her sisters. Please report it to her,” Xue Ling took out a visiting card from the sleeve of her gown and handed it over.
The concierge took the card, said, “Please wait for a moment,” and closed the door.
Xue Ling studied the door and said, “This Field Officer Zhao’s family seems very rich.”
Field Officer was a small official who was responsible for capturing thieves in the town. It was similar to the future’s Lieutenant of Vice Squad. Its position was not high nor was it too low. Theoretically, he should not have so much money to buy such a big house.
“He must be from a wealthy family,” Bi Liu said.
They chatted for a while and the door opened with a “squeak”. A graceful young woman in silk clothing stood at the door and glanced at them while smiling. She welcomed them elegantly, “Sister Bi Liu. Sister Xue Ling.”
Behind her, four colorfully dressed maid followed and surrounded her.
Bi Liu and Xue Ling curtsied and the young women in silk clothing quickly pulled them up and smiled, “Please come in and talk!”
She was beautiful, elegant and pleasant. She was indeed the previous Miss Hong Xiu of New Moon Brothel.
At present, she was beaming and smiling like a flower.
She entered New Moon Brothel because both her parents died and she had no relatives so she sold herself for her parents’ burial. The brothel-keeper of New Moon Brothel pitied her so she accepted her.
She usually felt lonely. She was envy when she looked at other people who had parents and siblings. For the first time, a companion from New Moon Brothel came to visit her and she felt particularly happy.
The three entered the main door, passed folding screens, went through three Portal from the side of the main hall and came to the back garden.
In the autumn chill, the chrysanthemums were blooming beautifully.
The three women sat in the pagoda. A maid brew tea by a side. They ate fruits and chatted happily.
“We should greet the Old Madame first,” Bi Liu smiled.
Hong Xiu waved her hand and smiled, “Mother-in-law went to eldest uncle’s house.”
“Oh?” Bi Liu said in surprise, “Why did she leave?”
“Maybe she thinks I’m an eyesore,” Hong Xiu showed a wry smile and said sarcastically, “I am sinful and caused Zhao family to lose its successor.”
“Zhao family does not only have your husband,” Bi Liu said, “There is your uncle too.”
“That’s why she went to the uncle’s house and lives there,” Hong Xiu shook her head, “Come to speak of it, I’m not filial piety too. It was as if I drive mother-in-law away.”
“How about your husband?” Bi Liu said, “He is not angry at you too, right?”
“Him—?” Hong Xiu smiled, “He is fine.”
“That’s good,” Bi Liu said, “I heard that brother-in-law did not treat you as nicely as before.”
“He is very filial piety towards his mother. There’s no choice,” Hong Xiu said, “I don’t blame him.”
“That’s good,” Bi Liu nodded slightly, “He still has feelings for you so it is worthy for you to be with him.”
Hong Xiu pulled Bi Liu’s hand, “Bi Liu, you need to take me as an example. Redeem yourself early. Do not wait until you are too old to marry.”
“I’m still young,” Bi Liu laughed.
Xue Ling said, “Sister Hong Xiu, brother-in-law didn’t bully you, right?”
“When a couple is together, there are not many who treat each other courteously. There will inevitably be a fight or two,” Hong Xiu said, “I sometimes angered him. Although he practices martial arts, he never hit me.”
“It seems like brother-in-law is a good man,” Xue Ling laughed, “What official is he now?”
“Field Officer. It is not a high position. He is busy all day long,” Hong Xiu shook her head and smiled, “He is always exhausted when he got home.”
“Then let brother-in-law change an official,” Xue Ling said.
Hong Xiu laughed and said, “He is already very lucky to be able to become an official. He is righteous and does not know how to flatter people so he didn’t get on his boss’s good side.”
“I see…,” Xue Ling nodded lightly.
Bi Liu said, “Xue Ling, do you have a way?”
“I don’t. The public house and the town defense prefecture are not be allowed to hook up. This is what my Master told me,” Xue Ling shrugged.
Hong Xiu’s bright eyes gleamed and she smiled, “Which Master?”
“Chief of the public house, Chu Li, Master Chu Li,” Bi Liu said.
“Chief Chu Li!” Hong Xiu said, “He is very famous. I often heard from my husband that Chief Chu Li is a talented genius. He is already rank two at such a young age. He is the fastest in rank advancement in the public house.”
Bi Liu laughed, “Chief Chu Li is indeed a genius. Sister Hong Xiu does not seem to have a hard time. The other sisters will be reassured.”
“I’m okay,” Hong Xiu sighed, “We are a group of weak women who are defenseless and helpless. Enduring a little hardship is nothing.”
Xue Ling said, “Why can’t sister have children… Maybe I shouldn’t have asked this?”
Hong Xiu shook her head bitterly, “The doctor said that it is because my body is weak and he can’t diagnose anything else. I can only nurse my health slowly. Even taking medicine all day long does not work.”
“Come to the public house someday,” Xue Ling said, “Master has a good relationship with High Official Guo Mu Lin from Hundred Herbs Courtyard. I will find Sir Guo to take a look at your body!”
“Sure!” Hong Xiu quickly promised.
She was anxious to the point of going crazy now. Without having children, they will not have someone to depend on for the rest of their lives. When they were old, they will not even have someone to organize their funeral.
She used to like shopping and join in the fun, but now, she stayed indoors the whole day. When she saw other’s children on the street, her heart will be in pain, an endless pain.
Whenever there was a glimmer of hope, she must seize it.
They chatted non-stop together. When night fell, Xue Ling and Bi Liu did not stay for dinner and took their leave. They agreed to meet Hong Xiu at the public house tomorrow.
Shortly after they had left, the husband of Hong Xiu, Field Officer Zhao, returned home.
Field Officer Zhao was handsome, tall and burly. He went into the living room and sat down. Hong Xiu served him tea personally, “Husband, you must be tired.”
“Today is considered peaceful,” Field Officer Zhao sighed, “Today, your sisters came?”
“Mm, Bi Liu as well as Xue Ling from the public house.”
“The public house?”
“Master Chu Li’s maid.”
“That’s a very influential background. Why did she come?”
“She is good friends with Bi Liu, who is teaching her to dance.”
“It seems like your backer is really the public house,” Field Officer Zhao laughed.
“If you bully me in the future, I will tell Sister Xue Ling!” Hong Xiu chuckled and said, “I’ll let her ask Chief Chu Li to do justice to me!”
“I don’t have the guts to bully you!” Field Officer Zhao laughed.
“I want to go to the public house tomorrow,” Hong Xiu sat beside him, “Xue Ling said she will help me find High Official Guo Mu Lin from Hundred Herbs Courtyard. High Official Guo Mu Lin is a genius doctor!”
“In my opinion, you don’t have to go through such troubles. Wait for a few years and we can just get a stepson from big brother to succeed me,” Field Officer Zhao said.
“We are still young and High Official Guo Mu Lin’s medical skills are excellent. Maybe I can be cured.”
“…Hai, you…very well, we’ll do as you said!”
The next morning, Hong Xiu could not restrain her impatience and went to Bi Liu’s house first. After that, they went to the public house together.
Xue Ling saw that she had come and directly went to invite Sir Guo Mu Lin over to the East Garden.
For Chu Li’s sake, Guo Mu Lin did not refuse and came to examine Hong Xiu’s health.
The three women sat in the pagoda and stared at him with their bright eyes.
Guo Mu Lin stroked his beard and frowned, “It is indeed quite troublesome… Let your Master come back and perform Nine Transformation Meridian Reforming Technique on her.”
“No problem,” Xue Ling said, “She will be cured after Nine Transformation Meridian Reforming Technique?”
“She is weak inherently. Her meridians are weak and her health is poor. After Nine Transformation Meridian Reforming Technique, find a health nurturing heart technique to cultivate and she will be fine.”
“Thank you, Sir Guo Mu Lin!” Hong Xiu said quickly.
Guo Mu Lin waved his hand and said, “You don’t need to thank me. Only Chu Li can perform Nine Transformation Meridian Reforming Technique. If you want to thank somebody, thank him!”
Xue Ling said, “How long does it need for Sister Hong Xiu to recover?”
“A month after performing the technique, coupled with pills, there should be no problem,” Guo Mu Lin said, “Don’t worry. Without Chu Li, your sickness cannot be cured no matter what, but if there is Nine Transformation Meridian Reforming Technique, it will be a piece of cake!”
Hong Xiu nodded excitedly.
Xue Ling laughed, “Sister Hong Xiu, you don’t have to be anxious. Master is not back yet. I’ll inform you once he comes back.”
“Thank you so much, Sister Xue Ling!”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Xue Ling said with a smile, “In the future, Sister Hong Xiu should come here often and let’s play together.”
“Sure,” Hong Xiu laughed.