Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Little Tiger's bamboo snake finally fell apart, which made him very sad. Willow Leaf suggested that he buy another one, and Little Tiger nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with hope.

Xiu Luan was overjoyed to see Liu Ye'er. She touched Xiao Hu'er's chubby face and asked someone to take him to Liang Jie'er's courtyard to play with Fu Hui.

"Is something the matter?"

Liu Lian didn't hide anything from her and told her everything, "Do you know where Gong Jianyun lives? I'll ask him for help."

"It won't do, it's not proper for just the two of us to go! My eldest sister-in-law isn't here, she's gone to offer incense with Mother and Grandmother, let my second sister-in-law come with us." As she spoke, she instructed someone to invite the second young mistress.

Liang Jie readily agreed. The Gong family's house wasn't far from the Liu family's; they arrived in the time it takes to eat a meal. The gate was open, but the old man guarding it was nowhere to be seen. There was someone talking in the main courtyard, so the three of them went straight in.

In the shade of the main courtyard, there was a table with two plates of vegetables, two plates of dumplings, two wine glasses, two pairs of chopsticks, and two people entangled together next to it. They were two acquaintances, Gong Jianyun and Zheng Xiangxiang.

The host and guests were both stunned. Xiangxiang cried out in surprise and pretended to straighten her not-so-disheveled dress. The guest, regaining his senses, turned to leave, but Gong Jianyun quickly stopped him, his face full of embarrassment, not daring to look up at the guest. Liulian then explained his purpose, but Gong Jianyun was too confused to process it. Liulian sighed, "I beg Constable Gong to take a few brothers to the countryside; they can just sit at Widow Yang's tea stall! Would you be so kind as to help?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Um, Miss Seven, she was just passing by. Nothing happened between us. You can ask her if you don't believe me! Nothing happened..."

"Officer Gong, please continue with your business. We won't disturb you any longer!" With that, Liu Lian dodged him and headed out. Gong Jianyun panicked and grabbed her arm, but Liu Lian wouldn't allow him to argue, saying calmly, "Officer Gong, please have some self-respect." She flicked his hand away with her middle finger, as if swatting away a bug. Xiangxiang stood far away, her face pale, not even bothering to greet the newcomers.

On the way, Xiu Luan kept angrily cursing the two of them, and Liu Lian didn't respond. Liang Jie'er also didn't respond.

Gong Jianyun was a handsome and dashing man, and Xiangxiang fell in love with him at first sight. Xiangxiang wasn't blind to Gong Jianyun's feelings for Liu Ye'er, but she chose to turn a blind eye, believing that Liu Ye'er would rather marry into the Liu family. After discussing it with her father, Xiangxiang dared not act rashly this time. Families in the butcher's business didn't flaunt their morals; Zheng Tu decided to take Gong Jianyun into his fold.

Zheng Tu delivered meat to the city every day, so Gong Jianyun's return to the city was no secret. Xiangxiang, dressed in her newly made ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), swayed like a willow in the wind into the Gong family home, using her feminine gentleness to soothe the thirsty man. Gong Jianyun understood her feelings and considered refusing, but the clean clothes, delicious food, tidy house, gentle voice, and adoring gaze were all intoxicating. Xiangxiang's offensive was gentle yet resolute; she wove a net with her affection and her father's support, firmly capturing the man who had captivated her. In matters of the heart, it's all about ability; no one owes anyone anything. Besides, a cart driver's family isn't necessarily more noble than a butcher's family. Liu Ye'er had five hundred strings of cash, while Xiangxiang, if she asked, Zheng Tu could give her a thousand.

Gong Jianyun was surprised by Liu Ye'er's age. He had never thought she was too young to be discussing marriage. He even suspected it was just Old Huo's excuse. The thought of having to wait another four or even five years filled him with despair. She was at the age where he longed for water but couldn't live without a woman. He could do without maids, concubines, and philandering, but how could he manage without a woman at home? Washing, mending, making beds—how could he manage without a woman? Liu Ye'er was only thirteen! A useless burden, a complete waste!

He reluctantly allowed Xiangxiang to gradually intrude into his life. He believed that Xiangxiang was only doing this to repay his kindness in saving his life.

Liu Lian, having disturbed the Liu family's lunch, took her leave, not even waiting for Fengxian to return. Little Tiger happily clutched his newly acquired bamboo snake and ghost face. Liu Lian's mind was a jumbled mess. She had held hope for Gong Jianyun; he was beautiful, capable, and compatible—she thought they would be happy. Unexpectedly, truly unexpected! As for being head over heels in love or hating someone with a passion, that wasn't the case; they had only met a few times. Adult rationality was a good thing. Liu Lian doubted whether she could completely immerse herself in a selfless love like Xiangxiang. She couldn't, even at fifteen.

Widow Yang was in for a rough time. Gong Jianyun, leading his men to the countryside to investigate a notorious bandit, sat down at Widow Yang's tea stall, glaring at her and summoning the local constable for questioning. He solemnly produced a portrait and asked every available boatman and porter to identify it. Nobody was a fool; everyone knew about Widow Yang's feud with the Huo family, and everyone knew that Constable Gong had once proposed marriage to the Huo family. Besides, the tea stalls weren't owned by the same family; there was no need to drink tea from this wicked woman.

One day, two days, three days… the men at the yamen (government office) kept at it. Constable Gong insisted on seeing the Seventh Miss, once, twice, three times… he ran out of excuses. Old Master Huo, after asking Liu Ye'er's opinion, gently advised him to give up, but Gong Jianyun refused—this girl had ignited his intense desire to conquer her, and he would never let go.

Tired of his persistent pestering, Liu Ye'er finally stood before him, still dressed in her worn-out everyday clothes, standing there coldly, unable to utter a single word of her prepared explanation. Liu Ye'er gracefully bowed, "Thank you so much, Officer Gong, for saving my life. I have no way to repay you, I am ashamed! Is Officer Gong much better now?"

"I couldn't walk far; I came by car." For some reason, Gong Jianyun felt very wronged and almost burst into tears.

"Seventh Miss, Xiangxiang and I really..."

“Officer Gong,” Liu Lian interrupted him, “I don’t know if five hundred strings of cash is enough to repay your life-saving grace? That’s all I have…”

"What do you mean? Do you think I'm here to extort money from you?"

"It turns out I misunderstood. I'm so sorry! Officer Gong's chivalrous act cannot be disrespected with money. I'm sorry for my rudeness, Officer Gong. I've misunderstood my benefactor!"

"Alright! Xiangxiang and I are still not on good terms!" Gong Jianyun said angrily. Shouldn't the scene be her crying, making a scene, and cursing him? I was prepared for a storm, even to kneel down and beg her, just to win her back. Talking about money, what's the meaning of that?