Though the Great An Dynasty was more liberal than previous dynasties, with common women seeking work not being unusual, most working women found employment in embroidery shops, cloth shops, or dye houses, or worked as helpers in wealthy households’ inner quarters. They rarely appeared in public positions.
Ming Shu considered that since she was neither skilled at needlework nor household chores, those jobs wouldn’t suit her. As her mind wandered, somehow it landed on Tao Yiqian.
The Tao family was a major merchant house from Lin’an, imperially appointed royal merchants specializing in jade. They traded with the Western Regions and controlled two major Hotan jade mines, with branches throughout the Great An Dynasty, naturally including shops in the capital.
Ming Shu had learned that besides their largest jade shop in the capital, the Tao family also operated two smaller shops – one selling jewelry and one dealing in antiques. She sought out Tao Yiqian because the jewelry shop mainly served women customers and would need female managers. She hoped to ask about work as a female manager, or at least as an assistant to the shopkeeper, even just running errands would do.
Though the Yin family’s doorkeepers weren’t openly hostile, they judged people by their clothes first. Seeing Ming Shu’s plain attire and lack of a calling card, they wouldn’t let her in, making her wait by the wall.
After a long wait, the Yin family’s steward came out. After looking her up and down coldly, he said: “The young master is out with friends today and isn’t home. Come back another day, miss.”
“Oh, thank you.” Though disappointed, Ming Shu didn’t insist. Watching the heavy gates close, she turned to leave, still pondering how to find Tao Yiqian.
After just a few steps, someone called out: “Miss Lu?”
She turned to see Zhao Tingxue, the chief guard who had escorted the Tao family’s goods to the capital.
Zhao Tingxue was young, no more than twenty-six or twenty-seven, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, built solidly with muscles straining his fitted clothes. After hearing Ming Shu’s story, he said: “This Yin household always looks down on people. You won’t get anywhere waiting here. The escort brothers are heading back, and young master Tao is treating everyone to drinks at Feng Tower today. If you don’t mind our roughness, come with me.”
Feng Tower was a famous tavern in the bustling market area, and Zhao Tingxue was trustworthy, so it seemed fine.
Ming Shu thought for a moment, then nodded and went with him.
They soon reached Feng Tower, where Tao Yiqian had indeed rented an entire floor for a farewell gathering with the escort company. When they arrived, everyone was already drinking merrily.
Seeing Ming Shu appear, Tao Yiqian thought he was drunk and seeing things, staring at her stupidly asking: “Am I drunk?”
The escort brothers burst into laughter, and Zhao Tingxue also smiled: “Young Master isn’t drunk, Miss Lu came looking for you.”
Tao Yiqian slapped his face hard, and after confirming it wasn’t an illusion, hurriedly straightened his clothes and led Ming Shu to an empty private room to talk.
“I should have visited Brother Lu and you to express my thanks, yet you’ve come seeking me instead – I feel terrible about this,” Tao Yiqian said.
“It’s fine, I didn’t come for your thanks.” Ming Shu waved her hand with a smile, getting straight to the point and explaining her purpose.
After hearing her out, Tao Yiqian frowned: “Ming Shu, is your family facing some urgent need for money? If so, just ask, I have come here.”
“No.” Ming Shu still shook her head, “Though our family circumstances are ordinary, we’re not at the point of asking others for money. I just want to find work to help support the family. You’re the young master of the Tao family, with shops in the capital and your maternal grandfather here, surely you’re well-connected. I wanted to ask for your help in inquiring about opportunities.”
“But all I have are jobs suitable for men, for a young lady…” Tao Yiqian was somewhat troubled.
Ming Shu actually wanted men’s work, but just as she was about to explain her willingness, Tao Yiqian suddenly slapped his head and exclaimed happily: “Look at my memory! You’re in luck, I have a suitable job for you.”
“What kind of job?” Ming Shu hadn’t expected such good fortune and immediately smiled.
“It’s a long story, let’s talk while we walk. I’ll take you to my maternal grandfather’s house first.” Tao Yiqian was ready to leave immediately, giving Ming Shu no time to prepare.
“Wait! You’re drinking with the escort brothers, isn’t it inappropriate to leave now?” Ming Shu called out to stop him.
Tao Yiqian thought for a moment and said: “It’s fine, I’ll let them know.”
With that, he rushed out of the private room, went to the table to apologize, had drinks poured, and punished himself with three cups.
Just as Tao Yiqian was about to leave after drinking his three cups, a clear voice rang out.
“Let me also offer a toast to these heroes.”
It was Ming Shu, who had somehow appeared at the table and already asked the waiter for clean wine cups.
She held her cup with both hands, smiling, facing a room full of men without any timidity or fear. Though wearing coarse clothes, she carried herself with aristocratic grace, like someone who had seen the world.
“I just heard from Chief Zhao that you heroes are heading home tomorrow. That snowy night before, we shared life and death dangers, and thanks to all your heroic efforts in eliminating the bandits, my brother and I came through safely. Throughout our journey together, we’ve received your care. Words cannot express my gratitude, so I offer this wine to show my appreciation.”
“How can Miss Lu say such things? That day, it was your brother and you who saved our lives first. We all owe you our lives, how can you thank us instead?” Zhao Tingxue hurriedly stood up and said.
“Chief Zhao, that dangerous night, we helped you, but weren’t we also helping ourselves? Without everyone’s fierce fighting, how could we be safe today? After all, traveling in the jianghu, helping others is helping oneself. This cup of wine is Ming Shu’s way of making friends with you all. Let’s drink!” Ming Shu finished speaking and drank her cup in one go.
The strong wine burned her throat, stirring some faint memories. Once upon a time, she seemed to have faced many people like this, with someone behind her, patting her back and advising: “Don’t be afraid, even as a daughter, someone meant for great things shouldn’t be bound by minor conventions.”
In business and the jianghu, isn’t it all about connections? Having more friends could never hurt.
“Well said! Helping others is helping oneself!” Zhao Tingxue felt his heart surge with warmth, clapping the table in applause, then said, “Miss Lu is a heroine among women, and I’m determined to be your friend. Bring me a large bowl, I want to toast the young lady too. If you ever need Zhao’s help or need anything from the Weishun Escort Company, just come find me!”
Following his words, the gathering grew lively again, with everyone standing up to switch to large bowls, pouring wine, and collectively toasting Ming Shu.
Only after everyone’s bowls were empty did Ming Shu cup her hands in farewell and leave with Tao Yiqian.
Just after stepping out of Feng Tower, Tao Yiqian said to her: “That was strong liquor, you just drank it like that? Are you alright?”
“It was just a small cup of wine, what could happen?” Ming Shu shook her head, instinctively feeling she had some tolerance for alcohol.
Tao Yiqian gave her a thumbs up: “You’re impressive, I’ve never met a young lady like you!”
“Well, now you have.” Ming Shu brushed away his thumb and asked, “You still haven’t told me what the job is?”
“You know what, I’m thinking now that you might be the only one who can do this.” Tao Yiqian walked with her while explaining, “My eldest aunt is looking for a study companion for my cousin…”
Before he could finish, Ming Shu interrupted him.
“I won’t sell myself into servitude.”
This was far from the kind of work she wanted to find.
“You don’t need to sell yourself or become a servant, let me finish explaining.”
Tao Yiqian’s eldest uncle was the Yin family’s eldest son, holding a fourth-rank sinecure position in court. His sister was the favored Consort Shu in the current emperor’s harem, making them quite an illustrious family. He had married Lady Li, a duke’s daughter, and also had one concubine. He had three children in total – two daughters and one son. The eldest daughter and son were born to Lady Li, while the youngest daughter was born to the concubine. The cousin Tao Yiqian mentioned was Lady Li’s eldest legitimate daughter, named Yin Shujun.
Currently, this Yin Shujun was giving everyone in the Yin household headaches.
She was about the same age as Ming Shu, at a crucial time for marriage discussions, but her temperament had somehow grown more violent year by year. Not only did she lack the proper manner of a noble young lady in dealing with people, she even talked back to elders and bullied juniors. Worse still, since last year she had begun arbitrarily punishing, whipping, and abusing her serving maids. Her mother had tried gentle persuasion, and punishment through copying texts and kneeling, using both soft and hard approaches, but nothing worked. Instead, her daughter’s temperament grew increasingly vicious.
“How many days have I been in the capital? Yet I’ve already heard of several cruel acts by Cousin Shujun. Whenever something doesn’t go her way at home, she either beats and scolds servants or insults others. Think about it – a young lady about to be engaged and married, at this crucial time for marriage discussions, if these things get out, who would dare marry her? So my aunt is extremely worried and can only keep her confined at home while making everyone keep quiet about it. But how can walls keep out all wind? It can’t be hidden forever… ah.” Speaking of this, Tao Yiqian remembered his aunt’s deeply furrowed brows these days and couldn’t help sighing.
“How strange – did her personality change suddenly?” Ming Shu became interested.
“Not exactly suddenly, it’s been about two years, I guess. At first, she just… tormented her pet birds and rabbits to death. The family elders scolded her a few times but didn’t take it too seriously. Who knew she would get increasingly worse? I remember she wasn’t like this before. Years ago when she came to Lin’an with her mother, I met her – she was around twelve then, a cheerful and lively girl who called me ‘Cousin Mingyuan’ sweetly, very endearing. I heard everyone at home doted on her too. It’s only been a few years, how did her personality change so much?” Tao Yiqian walked while talking. He had come on horseback, but since Ming Shu hadn’t, they couldn’t share the horse. Fortunately, the Yin residence wasn’t far, and he had things to explain to Ming Shu, so they walked side by side.
“Hasn’t the household hired any matrons to teach Young Lady Yin? Doesn’t the Yin family have a favored consort? Why not have her send a capable matron to teach Young Lady Yin?” Ming Shu asked further.
“Of course they have!” Tao Yiqian replied, “Last summer, the consort sent her capable old matron to teach my cousin proper etiquette and manners. Guess what happened?”
He created suspense, making Ming Shu increasingly curious: “What happened? Tell me quickly!”
“The old matron was strict and harsh, using both ruler and rod. When she hurt Shujun with the beatings, Shujun fought back and pushed her into the lotus pond. Think about it – a woman in her fifties, even in summer, how could she handle being soaked in pond water? She fell ill that night and the next day reported everything to the consort. My aunt went to great lengths, begging the consort thousands of times to settle the matter. The matron refused to stay and returned to the palace. Since then, no one has dared to teach my cousin.”
Ming Shu frowned: “So unruly? Then why still look for a study companion? And why not just use their servants instead of looking outside?”
“My aunt isn’t looking for a study companion to actually study with her, but to watch her, record her daily movements and actions to report back to my aunt, and also to promptly notify my aunt to send people to control her if anything urgent happens. She beats and scolds servants at will, and all the maids in the household are terrified of her. Who would dare keep watch over her? That’s why my aunt wants to find someone from outside whose contract isn’t with our family, who won’t be bought off or scared by her, someone brave who’s not afraid of death…”
“So you think I’m not afraid of death and can be sent to take whippings from your cousin?” Ming Shu looked at him sideways with raised eyebrows.
“No, no… how could I dare… I mean, it’s just being a study companion. You don’t need to get too close to her, don’t talk to her, just record what she does, that’s all. Of course, if you can figure out the reason for her personality change and help guide her back to the right path, my uncle and aunt’s reward would far exceed a study companion’s monthly salary.”
“This much?” Ming Shu held up three fingers.
Tao Yiqian pressed down her other two fingers, leaving only the index finger.
“Just ten taels?” Ming Shu immediately lost interest.
“One hundred taels.”
“Deal! Quick, take me to meet your aunt!”
Author’s Note:
Everyone tries to guess the protagonist’s career. When I write about it later, I’ll come back to this chapter to check – those who guess correctly will get a big red envelope. Haha, just for fun?
It’s not being a study companion, that’s just a stepping stone, and it’s not merchant work – though that will be her career, it’s not the main story being described here. There’s another profession, can you guess?
By the way, little Tao isn’t the male lead number two, haha, the second male lead appears tomorrow.