Free Web NovelChapter 48: Chapter 40: A Home with a Parasol Tree Attracts a Phoenix
"This was your idea?"
"Of course! The other day, I happened to stumble upon two of my father’s concubines having a squabble. It was utter chaos, and honestly, quite entertaining. As I watched, it suddenly occurred to me—your story scripts are so good! I figured if we hired people to stage a fight, a lot of people would love watching it just as much as I did. So I came up with this idea, and I never expected it to work so well! My second brother was thrilled. He said that for your next story script, we should find some talented actors from a theater troupe to perform it. The effect would be even better." freewebnovel.cσ๓
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
’I never would have guessed that was the real story. Linlang is so quick-witted. Whether it was a happy accident or just a stroke of incredible luck, the outcome was good, and that’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat.’
"No wonder you sent me a whole box of gold and silver ingots. Now I can accept it with a clear conscience."
Xie Linlang burst out laughing. She loved how refreshingly direct Yun Zhao was.
After they shared a laugh, Song Yunzhao looked at Xie Linlang and asked, "Are you still planning to come stay with the Song Family for a while?"
Xie Linlang hesitated. She wasn’t sure how to answer right away. After a moment, she said, "I still need to think about it. I haven’t decided yet."
"Have you changed your aspirations?" Song Yunzhao asked with a smile. ’If so, that would be for the best. Becoming a concubine is hardly a respectable path.’
"Not exactly. It’s just... the family business is starting to expand in the Capital City, and my father and brother don’t want me to become someone’s concubine anymore. They said we should wait and see."
Song Yunzhao froze. For some reason, she suddenly recalled a line from the book: when the Xie family first arrived in the Capital City, they faced obstacles at every turn. Their business ventures were far from smooth, which was the real reason Xie Linlang had been so determined to marry into a powerful family.
’Now, thanks to my story scripts, the Xie family’s business has seen a small turnaround. Her father and brother are shrewd when it comes to business; as long as they have the slightest opportunity to break through, of course they wouldn’t want their daughter to suffer. It’s not like Linlang was born wanting to be a concubine. Who wouldn’t rather be a proper wife? That must be why she’s hesitating now.’
Song Yunzhao’s heart eased. She looked at Xie Linlang and said, "I’ll keep writing the story scripts, so don’t worry."
’So, you don’t have to keep thinking about selling yourself as a concubine to pave the way for your family.’
Hearing this, Xie Linlang stared blankly at Song Yunzhao for a moment before suddenly dropping her head.
Song Yunzhao saw her shoulders trembling. She sighed softly, gave her a gentle pat, and said in a soothing voice, "Everything will be all right."
Xie Linlang took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes forcefully. She then looked up at Song Yunzhao and said, "Yun Zhao, I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, but... you see that my family is wealthy, but being rich without anyone powerful to back you up isn’t necessarily a good thing. Otherwise, why would my brother be studying himself to death? For him to be able to study, our family spent a fortune just to smooth the way. Before he passed the exam to become a Scholar, so many people mocked us, saying we were toads lusting after a swan’s flesh. They said a family that reeked of copper could never produce a refined and noble scholar—that we were just daydreaming."
Song Yunzhao sighed softly. ’The book had only mentioned this in passing, but it was nowhere near as detailed or clear as hearing it from Linlang herself.’
"I refuse to accept my fate. I’m going to change it. I’m just a merchant’s daughter. If I can really marry into a powerful family, even as a concubine, that would be my good fortune. What would I have to be unhappy about? For my family, I’m willing."
Xie Linlang said this through gritted teeth. After she finished, she seemed to let out a breath of relief and gave Yun Zhao a smile. "Once our Yuquan Building makes a name for itself in the Capital City, we can slowly build connections with those noble families. Once we get a foot in the door and establish a line of communication, there won’t be anything to fear. So, Yun Zhao, it’s all thanks to your story scripts."
A home with a parasol tree will attract the phoenix.
’Their family now had these unique story scripts, so of course they could attract an Honorable Lady.’
Song Yunzhao quickly waved her hands. "You can’t put it that way. It was just a matter of good timing."
But Xie Linlang didn’t care for Song Yunzhao’s modesty. ’She was certain of it: Yun Zhao was her benefactor, her very own Honorable Lady!’
"Don’t be so modest. If you strike it big someday, I’ll be riding your coattails to the top. Who would I have to fear then?"
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
’Riding her coattails? This girl was really willing to say anything.’
’So that’s what the Xie family is banking on!’
The two girls’ eyes met, and they both burst out laughing at the same time.
Much, much later, when Song Yunzhao and Xie Linlang looked back on this conversation, it would all feel like a different lifetime. Who would have known that all those things said in jest would actually come true?
The next morning, Song Yunzhao was hurried out of bed to wash up and change. Today was the auspicious day for the imperial selection. She got up, still groggy, but the moment a cloth soaked in cold water was wiped across her face, she was wide awake.
Jiangxiang’s face had healed considerably. There was still a faint red mark, but it was nothing serious. She came out holding an outfit and asked, "Young Lady, will you wear this today?"
