The Exiled Villainess and Her Shopping Dimension

Chapter 232

The next day, the performance troupe indeed arrived at Mu manor. They came with complete costumes, various musical instruments, and singers who could sing beautifully.

It was said that their total fee exceeded 100 gold coins. This was the best performance troupe, favored by the nobility. Sometimes, even people from the palace would summon them to perform for relaxation. This indicated that they were more skilled than the officials from the ceremonial department.

In fact, the palace had people from the ceremonial department for such events. They could play music, sing, and even create their own opera plays. Unfortunately, their skills weren’t diverse enough. Their limited and traditional mindset within the palace wasn’t as broad and modern as that of the outside performance troupes.

The two concubines didn’t send just any ordinary troupe to Yueqian. They carefully selected and spent a significant amount of money to build a friendship. Originally, Yueqian thought the two concubines were naive and easily manipulated. But today, her opinion changed.

The fact that they fell into the traps set by the young miss of the Ming family and her companions was because they never suspected their own friends. Therefore, it didn’t mean they were foolish but rather that they trusted their friends too much.

The outcome was evident. In the future, the two concubines would become even stronger. However, if it comes to intelligence in social interactions and building connections, it seemed the two concubines were better than the consort in this regard.

As the troupe walked in, they didn’t notice that their number had increased by one. Fortunately, they didn’t see the scar on his face because he wore a straw hat with a thin cloth covering down to his neck. After entering with the troupe, he was separated without anyone knowing. The commoners outside didn’t notice if the number of people entering and leaving the manor changed.

The performance troupe lived up to their reputation. They spent the time playing beautiful music, lulling Yueqian to sleep in the afternoon. Afterward, they left with an additional reward of one gold coin, which, although unnecessary, left a good impression on everyone.

As time passed towards evening, with the sun setting lower, Yueqian felt slightly relaxed after taking a short walk to digest her afternoon meal. It was then that she asked Wan Gui about the person she had asked to be summoned.

"Wan Gui, where is “he” now?" The beautiful lady inquired. Wan Gui had forgotten about it as well.

"Ah, he is waiting in the vacant room next to the storage room. I asked him to hide there until the troupe left. I completely forgot about him until now. Shall I go fetch him for you?" Wan Gui asked. She realized she had left him waiting all day without offering any food. He might feel mistreated and think they were bullying him.

Seeing Wan Gui’s worried expression, Yueqian smiled slightly. It seemed that her servants, whether Wan Gui or Rui Beng, were all too soft-hearted. If they continued like this, everyone might be in danger. Nevertheless, she didn’t feel any disgust.

Her sharp eyes glanced at Yang Ji briefly before she declined Wan Gui’s offer.

"No, let Yang Ji fetch him. She should know where he’s hiding now," Yueqian said straightforwardly.

If there was anyone most meticulous among the servants, it would be Yang Ji, whom she considered the most outstanding. Additionally, during Yueqian’s nap, it was customary for Yang Ji to prepare food and then set some aside for Geng Zhi, who liked to sew in the room near the storage room. It seemed that room had practically become her sewing room.

Of course, Yueqian didn’t mind. This was a medium-sized manor with plenty of empty spaces. Anyone could use the rooms as they pleased, as long as they didn’t disturb or harm the masters of the manor. Besides, Geng Zhi had been working very hard lately, cutting and sewing cloth to make simple diapers daily until she exhausted the 10 meters of fabric. It would likely take another two or three days.

"Yang Ji?" Wan Gui raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the calm, middle-aged woman with some confusion.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the order, but she didn’t know when Yang Ji had learned about hiding the person in the vacant room next to the storage room. The more she thought about it, the more wary she felt about the people in the noble manor. Yet, Yang Ji seemed completely indifferent to her.

"Yes, Yang Ji," Yueqian smiled slightly, feeling as if Yang Ji was displaying her prowess even without doing anything.

"I’ll go fetch him," Yang Ji quietly accepted the task before leaving, leaving behind Wan Gui’s dissatisfaction. She felt as if she had been undermined. She had taken on this task herself and had contacted the wandering musician, but why did it seem like the work she was doing had become someone else’s?

"Miss," Wan Gui felt a slight urge to protest. Yueqian seemed to sense what the other was about to say, so she spoke up herself.

"Yang Ji is more meticulous, though she doesn’t talk much. While you were feeling guilty for forgetting about the wandering musician, our cook had already taken food to him," Yueqian explained, pointing out the flaw.

"Nanny Wan, you’re kind-hearted but lack thoroughness. You must spend more time with children, which isn’t a bad thing. Everyone’s personality suits certain tasks, and some tasks should be left to others. It’s better to have others help with the work." After the beauty finished speaking, Wan Gui looked at her mistress again and saw only her gentle gaze. The middle-aged woman could only sigh in resignation.

"Yes, I understand." Although Wan Gui was intelligent and could grasp others’ plans easily, she indeed had the shortcomings her mistress mentioned.

The two women, a mistress and a servant, walked together. Yang Ji and her niece went to prepare food after fetching the man. Geng Zhi continued working on the diapers, believing that her mistress would surely have more tasks for her. Geng Zhi knew her sewing skills weren’t the best, but she had vowed to serve her mistress to the best of her ability since the day Yueqian bought her from the terrifying slave market.

Soon, the young man a hat covering his face walked in. He had a good build, tall and well-proportioned. If not for his scarred face, he might have been the object of many women’s dreams. Yueqian touched her chin slightly, seemingly pondering something.

"Greetings, Furen Mu," a melodious voice came from his mouth.

Yueqian could only see a vague shadow under the lace veil, yet his voice was so charming that she couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity. Such a gifted person, seemingly born to be beautiful, had ended up being harmed by his own parents.

Though she knew fate often played cruel tricks on people, if hadn’t been like this, she would never have discovered such a beautiful seed. Had he not been abandoned, this man might have ended up a farmer, never having the opportunity to learn the arts of singing and dancing as he did now.

"Hmm, sit down. I have something to discuss with you," she gestured for him to sit so they could talk.

The young man nodded and complied quietly, showing the intelligence she desired, despite his concerns about the medical costs for the old man who raised him. Even his eyes were filled with worry. Yet, he knew how to behave himself, not rushing to ask questions, simply sitting silently as instructed. His demeanor made Yueqian like him even more.

"May I see your face?" She asked. At this question, the young man hesitated immediately.

"Miss, I don’t think it’s wise for you to see this cursed face. Besides, I heard you are pregnant. My face might shock you and harm your unborn child," he straightforwardly refused but showed concern for her.

"It’s fine. I don’t get scared easily," Yueqian waved off his concern.

"Even so, my face..."

"Don’t you want the money?" Yueqian cut him off with a single sentence.

She signaled to Rui Beng, who had been standing by. As prearranged, Rui Beng tossed a silver coin in front of him. The young man’s eyes widened slightly, though he still looked uncomfortable.

"This is just a small token of goodwill. In the future, I can hire you permanently, and how much you earn will depend on your skills."

Yueqian prompted him again, showing that she had strong financial backing. If he cooperated and followed her, he would earn much more in the future.

"Why? Why do you want me to work for you? May I ask?" The young man, who was a wandering musician, didn’t trust anyone easily, especially those who gave him such great benefits. Didn’t they seem to want a great return as well?

If he trusted her, the reward might be death. If that were the case, he definitely wouldn’t want to take this job. He still had a benefactor to care for, so how could he afford to die easily?

"Are you doubtful? If so, you can ask Wan Gui. She is the one who recommended you. I don’t know you personally. However, the work I have for you is neither evil nor dangerous. I simply need someone who belongs to me."

"I truly mean that. Once you agree to be mine, you won’t be able to change your mind. Because on that day, death will stand before you. Even the person you love the most, I will not spare. So choose wisely from the start. If you cannot be loyal to one master, then don’t take this job."

Yueqian raised her teacup and took a sip. She didn’t pressure him much, yet her sharp words conveyed a heavy sense of pressure.

"You won’t use me for dangerous tasks?"

"Of course," she responded almost immediately.

"And you will give me money to treat my grandfather?"

"That, too, is certain," the beautiful woman affirmed again. The young man hesitated slightly. He needed time to think, but Yueqian rarely gave others a second chance. She smiled nonchalantly.

"I’m not forcing you. If you don’t want to work for me, you can leave. A silver coin should be ample compensation for your time." Considering his daily wage of only a few copper coins, receiving a silver coin was quite generous. Moreover, the work he did today was minimal: just waiting, eating, and coming here. He didn’t dare to say it was too much because he knew how crucial that money was for his grandfather’s treatment.

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