Volume 6: Dream Record Chapter 380: Yuan Xudong is straightforward
"Xiao family, Xiao Fan!"
"Xiao family?"
Looking at the high-spirited Yuan Xudong, Zhou She didn't dare to speak rashly anymore. He just frowned slightly and said doubtfully:
"Which Xiao family?"
"My father is the governor of Pingjiang, the vice chancellor of government affairs, and the governor of Suzhou. He is highly regarded by the government and will soon go to Tokyo to serve as prime minister!"
"So you are the son of Prime Minister Xiao. I am so sorry for your disrespect. After meeting you today, I find that you are indeed very handsome and extraordinary, a rare talent!"
Hearing that Yuan Xudong was the son of Prime Minister Xiao, Zhou She's face changed slightly, and he quickly bowed and saluted, being rude at first and respectful later. Song Yinzhang and her maid Yinping beside him also hurriedly bowed and saluted respectfully, saying:
"I'm here to greet Master Xiao. I was rude before, I hope you'll forgive me!"
"Yin Ping greets Master Xiao!"
"It's okay, everyone get up!"
As he spoke, Yuan Xudong glanced at Song Yinzhang's personal maid Yin Ping, then looked at Song Yinzhang and said with a smile:
"Ms. Song, I think your maid Yin Ping is very cute and well-behaved. I am away from home and have no one to take care of me. I am willing to offer thirty taels of gold in exchange for Yin Ping. I wonder if Miss Song is willing to give her up?"
"Three, thirty taels of gold?"
Hearing that Yuan Xudong wanted to exchange thirty taels of gold for a maid named Yin Ping, Zhao Pan'er, Song Yinzhang, Zhou She, and even Yin Ping herself opened their eyes slightly wide, looking extremely surprised. Thirty taels of gold could at least be exchanged for three hundred strings of cash for a maid. Song Yinzhang and Yin Ping had always lived together and had some feelings for each other. In addition, Song Yinzhang was not short of money, but due to Yuan Xudong's status, it was difficult for her to refuse directly. Just when she was hesitant, Zhou She beside her could not help but persuade her:
"Yin Zhang, she's just a maid. Since Master Xiao likes her so much, you can sell her to him. I'll buy you two more when we get back to Huaiyang!"
"But……"
Seeing Song Yinzhang hesitate, Zhou She hurriedly whispered:
"Yin Zhang, Young Master Xiao's family is extremely powerful, we cannot afford to offend them. Besides, you sold the silver bottle to him for her own good. What if Young Master Xiao really likes her and is willing to take her as a concubine? Wouldn't she have someone to rely on for the rest of her life?"
After hearing what Zhou She said, Song Yinzhang looked at the silver bottle and said reluctantly:
"Yin Ping, what do you think?"
After taking a look at Yuan Xudong and Zhou She, Yin Ping wiped her tears with the back of her hand. With tears in her eyes, she looked at Song Yinzhang and choked up:
"Miss, Yinping is willing to serve you for the rest of my life, so please don't sell me out, okay?"
"Okay, I won't sell you!"
Looking at Yin Ping who was crying, Song Yinzhang finally made up her mind. No matter how much Zhou She persuaded her, or how powerful Yuan Xudong's family was, she looked at Yuan Xudong and said politely:
"Master Xiao, although Yinping is my maid, we have always lived together and are as close as sisters. If she doesn't agree, I can't sell her. Please forgive me, Master Xiao!"
"Yeah?"
Looking at the deep affection between Song Yinzhang and Yinping, Yuan Xudong was too lazy to beat around the bush. He looked at Zhou She and said directly:
"All those who are of low status are not allowed to marry good people or redeem themselves. They can only be released by the governor of each state. Without the governor's special approval, Miss Song cannot even leave Qiantang. If you want to marry her, it will be a serious crime of privately taking a courtesan. You will be tattooed and exiled 3,000 miles away. I don't know how you deceived Miss Song, and I don't want to know. I know someone in the Imperial City Bureau. Your family background can be found out with just a check. If you want to marry Miss Song, I will send someone to Huaiyang to investigate. If you tell even a single lie, I will have your tongue cut off. How about that?"
"Mr. Xiao, I..."
"Wait a minute, think it over first!"
Without waiting for Zhou She to speak, Yuan Xudong interrupted him and said with a smile:
"I never joke around. You'd better think before you speak. Otherwise, you'll lose your tongue!"
After saying that, Yuan Xudong smiled and looked at Zhou She, whose face was as red as a pig's liver and remained silent:
"If you don't speak, then I'll ask you!"
Then, Yuan Xudong went straight to the point:
"Tell me, why did you approach Miss Song? Was it for money or sex, or both?"
"Master Xiao, Yin Zhang and I are in love with each other. We fell in love because of the song..."
Seeing Zhou She who still wanted to deceive him, Yuan Xudong was secretly angry, with a cold light flashing in his eyes. He had clearly warned him, but he still dared to talk nonsense. He really didn't cry until he saw the coffin. Did he really think he was bluffing? Angry in his heart, Yuan Xudong directly took out a military dagger from the dimensional space. With a flash of the knife, the sharp blade pierced through Zhou She's right palm and nailed it to the tea table. The sharp knife pierced his bones. Zhou She was just an ordinary drunkard and womanizer. How could he bear such a piercing pain? He lay on the table and wailed in pain. Seeing Yuan Xudong committing the crime, Song Yinzhang and Yin Ping were scared silly. Zhao Pan'er was a little better, but her face was full of panic and her eyes were afraid. She didn't care about the three women. Yuan Xudong held the handle of the knife and looked at Zhou She who was wailing in pain and said coldly:
"Tell the truth, if you tell me another lie, I will cut off your tongue and feed it to the dogs!"
"I said it, I said it!"
I didn't expect Yuan Xudong to have such a violent temper. Zhou She wailed in pain and spilled all the beans:
"I owed a lot of money to others and couldn't pay it back. I heard that Song Yinzhang was the best pipa player in Jiangnan, well-versed in music, wearing gold and silver, and many dignitaries rewarded her with money. I wanted to marry her and cheat her dowry!"
"Yeah?"
After taking a look at Song Yinzhang, who looked pale, Yuan Xudong continued to ask:
"What about Miss Song's lowly status?"
"I lied to her and told her that my uncle was the magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture and that he could help her escape from slavery and return to a good family. She didn't understand anything, but I told her so and she believed me!"
"very good!"
Very satisfied with Zhou She's answer, Yuan Xudong continued with a smile:
"One last question. If you tell me, I'll let you go. Do you really like Miss Song?"
"Yes, she's so beautiful, which man wouldn't like her? But I just like her body and money. She's just a musician from the Jiaofang Bureau. I can play with her for fun, but how can I really like her?"
"Yes, your answer is very honest!"
Looking at Song Yinzhang, who was pale and about to cry, Yuan Xudong held the hilt of the knife, looked at the wailing Zhou She and asked with a smile:
"By the way, did you take advantage of Miss Song?"
"No, no, I haven't even touched her hand. On the contrary, I spent a lot of money on her. Mr. Xiao, what I said is true. Please let Zhou go!"
"Go away, don't let me see you again!"
As he spoke, Yuan Xudong directly pulled out his sharp military knife, wiped it clean and put it away. Zhou She howled in pain and fled in panic.
Looking at the heartbroken Song Yinzhang, Zhao Pan'er and Yinping comforted her.
Song Yinzhang secretly lamented her fate. She was not as lucky as Zhao Pan'er. She was born in an official family. She worked in the Jiaofangsi for a few years and got help from a nobleman. She got rid of her status as a prostitute early. Her family had been a prostitute for generations. Her ancestors were all musicians in the Jiaofangsi. It had been passed down from generation to generation. She had to fight for her life in the second half of her life. Since she could not meet a juren or jinshi, she could only find a wealthy businessman to entrust her life to. But she didn't expect that Zhou She, the only person willing to help her get rid of her status and return to a good family, was actually a liar who coveted her money. Thinking of this, Song Yinzhang was heartbroken, tears welled up in her eyes and she choked up and said:
"Sister, I am not as lucky as you to meet a brother-in-law, Ouyang, who is in tune with you. Since I can't marry a scholar , finding a wealthy businessman to entrust the rest of my life to is the best choice for me.
You have been free for a long time, and you have no idea how hard it is for people like us who are still in low status. I was really confused before. For so many years, all I saw was the pipa and the music scores. I thought I was a musician respected by princes and governors, and I always looked down on those singing girls and entertainers who used their beauty to please men. But it was not until you told me that a musician is a musician that I woke up from my dream.
All those who are of low status, from generation to generation, are not allowed to marry a good person, and are not allowed to redeem themselves. Sister, I don't want to be summoned, I don't want to accompany drinking at the government banquet, I don't want to be restricted in my life, I would rather be a free wild bird in the wild than a parrot that can only stay in a golden cage with a jade ring. "
Knowing that Song Yinzhang was depressed, and seeing her crying, Zhao Paner felt bad and unusually bitter. She hugged Song Yinzhang and comforted her softly:
"Okay, I know everything. I have asked Master Xiao to help you escape from prison and return to justice. He is the son of Prime Minister Xiao. Prefect Xu will definitely release you. Don't worry, okay?"
"real?"
Hearing his sister say that she had asked Yuan Xudong for help, Song Yinzhang was surprised and raised his head to look at Yuan Xudong, and asked in a tender voice:
"Mr. Xiao, are you really willing to redeem me?"
"Yes!"
Looking at Song Yinzhang, who was crying so hard that tears welled up in her eyes, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"But if I help you redeem yourself, how are you going to thank me?"
Without waiting for Song Yinzhang to speak, Yuan Xudong continued:
"Plus, I just saved you from the swindler, so I saved you twice in total. If you really have no way to repay such a great favor, how about giving yourself to me?"
"ah?"
Seeing the lecherous Yuan Xudong, the maid Yin Ping blushed slightly and spat softly. Song Yinzhang also blushed shyly and said:
"Master Xiao, Yin Zhang, Yin Zhang..."
"Okay, don't pay any attention to him, he just likes to talk nonsense like this!"
After rolling her eyes at Yuan Xudong, Zhao Pan'er helped Song Yinzhang up and sighed softly:
"The musicians of the Jiaofangsi cannot leave the music camp without permission. I will send you and Yinping back first. We can talk about the matter of leaving the music camp tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay, thank you sister, thank you Mr. Xiao!"
"You're welcome. Who told you to call me sister?"
Zhao Pan'er smiled and was about to send Song Yinzhang and Yinping back to the music camp of the Jiaofang Division. Yuan Xudong glanced at the teahouse that had not been completely cleaned up and said with a smile:
"Pan'er, it's getting dark. I'm going to take Yinzhang and Yinping back. You just stay at home and clean up the mess!"
"All right!"
After taking a deep look at Yuan Xudong, Zhao Paner handed Song Yinzhang to him and instructed:
"Master Xiao, I'm going to trouble you with Yin Zhang. She is still young and doesn't know much. You are not allowed to bully her and Yin Ping!"
"Sister Pan'er!"
Song Yinzhang said coquettishly in an embarrassed manner, then looked at Yuan Xudong, bowed slightly, and said softly:
"Mr. Xiao, I am sorry to trouble you with Yin Zhang!"
“No trouble!”
After smiling and saying goodbye to Zhao Pan'er, Yuan Xudong took Song Yinzhang and Yinping out of the teahouse in a carriage and headed for the Music Camp of the Jiaofang Division in Qiantang.
In the bumpy carriage, Yuan Xudong looked at the quiet Song Yinzhang and Yinping. It was not easy to provoke Song Yinzhang directly, so he looked at Yinping and wanted to tease her:
"Hey, little girl, I think you're pretty cute. I don't have anyone to take care of me, so would you come and take care of me for two days?"
"No, I have to take care of our young lady, go find someone else!"
"Yeah?"
Looking at the jade-like silver bottle, Yuan Xudong looked at Song Yinzhang and said with a smile:
"Yin Zhang, can I call you that?"
"Of course you can, Master Xiao, you can call Yin Zhang whatever you want!"
"good!"
Smiling, Yuan Xudong looked at Song Yinzhang and said:
"Yin Zhang, I have no one to take care of me in Qiantang, could you lend me the silver bottle for two days?"
"ah?"
Unexpectedly, Yuan Xudong failed to buy the silver bottle and wanted to borrow it from him. Song Yinzhang wanted to refuse, but he was afraid that it would anger Yuan Xudong. He was still counting on him to help him get rid of his nationality and return to the country. For a moment, he didn't know what to do. The silver bottle knew Song Yinzhang's difficulties, so he glared at Yuan Xudong and said directly:
"Mr. Xiao, please don't embarrass my young lady. I promise to take care of you for two days!"
"good!"
Seeing that Yinping agreed, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"Then please come and take care of me quickly. This carriage is shaking so hard that I feel very uncomfortable!"
"ah?"
Looking at Yuan Xudong's evil smile, Yin Ping slightly widened his eyes and asked in confusion:
"How can I take care of you when the carriage is shaking?"
"Come here, I'll teach you how to take care of me!"
After glancing at Song Yinzhang and seeing him nod slightly, Yinping stood up and walked towards Yuan Xudong. At this moment, the carriage suddenly jolted. Yinping screamed in fright and was about to fall into the carriage. Yuan Xudong hugged her and held her in his arms, teasing her:
"You little girl, not only can you not take care of your master, but you also want your master to take care of you in return. What use are you?"
"ah!"
Being hugged by Yuan Xudong, Yin Ping was startled, her pretty face flushed, she couldn't help struggling, and said in panic:
"Xiao, Mr. Xiao, please let me go quickly, Miss..."
As she spoke, she looked at Song Yinzhang for help. Seeing Yinping sitting in Yuan Xudong's arms, Song Yinzhang blushed and said shyly:
"Xiao, Mr. Xiao, can you let go of the silver bottle?"
"Don't move!"
Holding the silver bottle and feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, Yuan Xudong couldn't help but think of Zhao Pan'er, and his eyes were filled with fire.
One was a musician in the Jiaofang Bureau, and the other was a personal maid of the musician. Compared with Yuan Xudong, their status and position were negligible. There seemed to be a flame burning in his heart. Yuan Xudong hugged the silver bottle tightly and even wanted to pull Song Yinzhang into his arms. But reason prevailed after all. Yuan Xudong slowly let go of the silver bottle and returned the frightened little girl to Song Yinzhang, saying half-jokingly and half-seriously:
"Yin Zhang, do you know why I promised your sister to help you get rid of your citizenship?"
"I don't know the citation!"
"Because I like your sister very much and want to marry her. I also made an agreement with your sister. If Ouyang Xu changes his mind and wants to marry another woman, then your sister must marry me. In fact, I came from Tokyo. There is a newly-appointed scholar named Ouyang Xu who became the son-in-law of Gao Guancha. He is also from Qiantang. I think he should be the Ouyang Xu your sister mentioned!"
Having said this, Yuan Xudong looked at Song Yinzhang, who looked slightly stunned, and said directly:
"After I redeem you, I hope you can go to Tokyo with your sister. According to the agreement, I will marry your sister. She is my principal wife, and you can be my co-wife, okay?"
"What?"
Looking at Song Yinzhang who opened his eyes slightly, Yuan Xudong continued:
"Although you are a co-wife, other than the difference in status, other standards will be the same as your sister. You can have your own yard and maids and servants, and you don't have to worry about food, clothing, and daily expenses. You can stay at home and never go out, or you can go shopping with your maids and servants at any time. If you like, I can also open a restaurant in Tokyo, and you can do business with your sister, or play the pipa in the store. Is this arrangement okay with me?"
Looking at Yuan Xudong who was so straightforward, Song Yinzhang was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to do. It was the first time she met such a straightforward man, which made her unprepared. She couldn't agree to it, but she was reluctant to refuse. If Yuan Xudong could really do what he said, then she would be so happy. She never expected love, but just wanted to find a man to entrust her life to. Sharing a husband with her sister, she believed that her sister would definitely not treat her badly!
Looking at the dazed Song Yinzhang, Yuan Xudong smiled. He either refused or agreed immediately. Looking at Song Yinzhang and the slightly confused silver bottle, Yuan Xudong took out a silver-shining ladies' watch from the dimensional space and put it on Song Yinzhang's right wrist. After helping her adjust the approximate time, he smiled and said:
"Okay, this gift is a token of our love. Look, there are twelve numbers on it. Every two numbers represent an hour. There are three pointers moving around. The shortest pointer points to the hour, the middle one is the minute, and the longest one is the second..."
After teaching Song Yinzhang how to read and adjust time, Yuan Xudong took her hands and smiled softly:
"Do you like this gift?"
"I like it, thank you Mr. Xiao!"
With Yuan Xudong holding her hands, Song Yinzhang said shyly. She and Yinping looked at the timekeeping tool they had never seen before. Looking at the second hand moving non-stop, Yinping asked curiously:
“Isn’t this similar to a sundial?”
"The little girl is quite clever. Yes , it does look a bit like a sundial!"
Looking at the somewhat proud silver bottle, Yuan Xudong took out a slightly lower-grade ladies' watch from the dimensional space and said temptingly:
"Your young lady has become my co-wife. Little girl, will you be my concubine? If you agree, I will give you this watch!"
"I, I listen to my young lady!"
Looking up at the bad Yuan Xudong, Yinping lowered her head and said, looking at such a well-behaved girl, Yuan Xudong was full of love. This evil feudal society, isn't this testing Yuan Xudong's kindness?
Compared with Zhao Pan'er, Song Yinzhang is easy to satisfy. The status of a co-wife is enough for her. As for the little girl Yinping, she can be taken as a concubine. If he wants to have three wives and four concubines, Yuan Xudong still needs to work hard. With all sorts of thoughts in his mind, Yuan Xudong put the watch on Yinping's right wrist and said with a smile:
"Okay, I've accepted the gift. From now on, both you and your servant are mine!"
As he spoke, Yuan Xudong pulled the unsuspecting Song Yinzhang into his arms. Holding the soft body, his right hand could not help but pull the knot on Song Yinzhang's white bra. Song Yinzhang opened his eyes slightly in shock and said:
"Mr. Xiao, don't!"
"Don't call me Master Xiao, call me Fan Lang!"
"Fan, Fanlang~~"
