PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 33.2

After being scolded, An Ruoxi didn’t dare to say anything more. She returned to her room, restless and feeling guilty.

At this time, An Ruochen carried a bowl of sweet soup to Big Long’s courtyard. As she walked, she pondered things along the way.

She had a busy day today. She followed Steward Fang in the morning to learn how to deal with some backyard chores and meet with Lu Daniang. Since she was in charge of the daily errands of the Purple Cloud House, she talked with Steward Fang about using some of the vegetable goods sent by Lu Daniang. She wanted to repay Lu Daniang’s kindness in the past, and Steward Fang agreed to it. An Ruochen asked her to come to the Purple Cloud House. For one, An Ruochen wanted to talk to her about this. Secondly, she wanted to ask Lu Daniang to send another message to the old nanny, saying that the An House’s side wants An Ruoxi to meet her. Now, she can pry out the An House’s news from her sister. The old nanny should take care of her safety, not get involved in this matter, and retire to her hometown quickly.

Lu Daniang agreed to be the messenger and said she would find a chance to talk to the old nanny when she delivers vegetables to the An House, and persuade her again.

An Ruochen then made a trip to the Jiang family’s clothing store in the afternoon to observe and test Li Xiu’er under the guise of tailoring clothes for the General and the lords as the New Year approached.

These days she went to the five families on the list, but found nothing suspicious. Previously, Yao Kun, the governor, reopened the investigation of Xu Matchmaker’s suicide and sent officers to ask the families, where Xu Matchmaker had sold maids to, some questions, but they did not find anything unusual. Big Long sent his spies to observe them, but did not get any helpful information either.

The Jiang family clothing store was the sixth house An Ruochen visited. As soon as she entered, Li Xiu’er greeted her warmly. An Ruochen could see that Li Xiu’er did not recognize her. After she explained her identity, Li Xiu’er’s face stiffened. After that, she excused herself and retreated into the inner courtyard. Her husband, Boss Jiang, came to greet An Ruochen personally instead.

An Ruochen appeared serious about buying clothes, carefully picking the materials, asking about the style, listing the requirements for making clothes, and providing sizes. Boss Jiang responded carefully, and at the end he said, “Miss An, do you have other things to do besides ordering clothes?”

An Ruochen blinked: “Boss Jiang, do you offer anything else here except making clothes?”

Boss Jiang waved his hand: “No, no. Don’t misunderstand me. It’s just that I heard some rumors, and the authorities also came to ask some questions. What happened to Mrs. Xu? Didn’t she kill herself? She was the matchmaker for my family, but we had no deep friendship with her, so what she did is none of our business.”

“I have nothing to do with the things that Mrs. Xu did, either. She did the matchmaking for me, but the marriage didn’t work out.” An Ruochen looked innocent: “Is it because of this matter that Boss Jiang is displeased and does not want to take my money?”

“No, no.” Boss Jiang panicked and waved his hands. “I did not create any rumors about you. You came to my place to order clothes for the Generals. My store is honored. How dare I dislike it?”

An Ruochen was about to say something when she heard someone laughing beside her. An Ruochen turned her head and was instantly alerted.

Zhao Jiahua. The boss lady of the Zhaofu Restaurant.

Zhao Jiahua was holding a two years old little girl. She nestled in Zhao Jiahua’s arms and rubbed her eyes. In the file, An Ruochen read that Zhao Jiahua and the owner of the Zhaofu Restaurant, Liu Zexue, had a two-year-old daughter, Liu Yin. This was probably the child.

Zhao Jiahua smiled at Boss Jiang: ”Boss Jiang, the way you explained everything makes you look guilty.”

Boss Jiang panicked and waved his hands again: “No, no, we are not ……”

Zhao Jiahua laughed again: “I’m joking, don’t mind about it, Boss Jiang. I am here to get the clothes.” She gestured with her eyes, and the maid next to her handed out the list.

Boss Jiang took a look at the list and responded that the clothes were ready. He asked Zhao Jiahua if she wanted to try them on in the private room at the back.

An Ruochen quietly watched Zhao Jiahua’s reaction.

Zhao Jiahua smiled calmly and politely refused, saying she was holding her child, so she didn’t need to try it on. She told the maid to get the clothes.

Therefore, Boss Jiang sent someone to lead the maid to fetch them. When another guest came, Boss Jiang looked at An Ruochen, who smiled and said, “Boss Jiang, go serve the guest. I’ll take a look around.”

Boss Jiang gave a salute and turned around to greet others.

Li Xiu’er did not come out again, and Boss Jiang did not seem to pay any attention to Zhao Jiahua’s movements.

An Ruochen approached Zhao Jiahua saying, “This child is so cute. What’s her name?”

Zhao Jiahua replied, “Liu Yin.”

An Ruochen smiled and asked, “Is it Yin (?) from (??) Yin Guo (cause)?”

Zhao Jiahua looked stunned and replied with a smile, “The Yin character is for the grass (?), also the Yin character for floating in the mud (????).”

This time, it was An Ruochen’s turn to be stunned.

Zhao Jiahua was originally a courtesan at Pin Xiang House in Fengan County, named Tian Yin (??). An Ruochen wanted to test her, but she didn’t expect that she would reply with a “floating in the mud (????).”

T/N: This is a Chinese character game. The Yin in Liu Yin is (?). An Ruochen purposely asks if the character is Yin (?) because Zhao Jiahua’s real name is Tian Yin (?). But Zhao Jiahua answered that the Yin is from (????), which refers to a prostitute/courtesan.

The phrase means that different destinies of rich and poor are ruled by chance or refers to a woman who becomes a prostitute.

Is this because Zhao Jiahua knows her past identity was exposed, so she admitted it?

Before An Ruochen could reply, Zhao Jiahua continued, “I heard your sister is missing. Is there any news now?”

An Ruochen’s whole body tensed up, and she asked, “Does this madam know me?”

Zhao Jiahua smiled, “Miss An is a well-known person in Zhonglan City. Who does not know about you? I never saw your face. But when Boss Jiang said “Miss An” and “General”, I guessed it.”

It sounded natural, unquestionable.

Zhao Jiahua asked again, ”Have you found your sister?”

An Ruochen shook her head and asked again, “Madam’s restaurant has customers coming and going every day, so you have good sources of information. Have you ever heard anything about my sister?”

Zhao Jiahua shook her head and asked in return, “Does Miss An recognize me?”