“Young fellow, if you don’t mind, could we share a room with you?” The refined-looking man smiled warmly, his tone sounding sincere, his expression frank and brimming with confidence. “There are two round tables here. We only need one, and we guarantee we won’t disturb you from listening to music and waiting for someone.”
“Why should we share with him? He’s only one person, and his master has already left. How can he still stay here? He doesn’t understand proper etiquette at all.” Young ladies from wealthy households commonly had the ailment of arrogance. This Little Fifteenth had it too.
Talking about proper etiquette! Mo Zi raised her head, eyes brightening, eager to try.
But unexpectedly, in the refined man’s eyes, he smiled and deliberately wouldn’t let her speak. “Fifteenth Young Lady’s words are mistaken. The master left but kept this young fellow to settle accounts, which fully demonstrates trust in him. Moreover, each household has its own rules. Your household’s rules may not be rules when applied to his household, just as this restaurant’s private rooms have no rule that one person cannot occupy them alone, nor any rule that after finishing eating one must hurry and leave.”
It was the first time Mo Zi had seen a man speak so methodically. Unlike a merchant’s glib tongue, he listened to her words carefully and skillfully employed evidence, analyzing everything clearly. Although the claim about the master leaving him to settle accounts was made up, when it came to trust, Qiu Sanniang indeed gave her free rein to handle matters independently. Therefore, this person’s judgment was not wrong.
“The young fellow thought the Second Young Master we mentioned was the Second Young Master he was waiting for, made a mistake, and invited us in. This was originally a misunderstanding. The ones who should leave ought to be us instead.” His hand suddenly made a very strange motion—thumb raised as if grasping something, shaking it toward his chest, then embarrassment immediately appeared on his face.
Mo Zi happened to catch a glimpse but didn’t understand either, only saying two words: “However—?”
The refined scholar hadn’t expected Mo Zi to be so perceptive, and secretly nodded to himself.
“However, if the young fellow is willing to accommodate us, we naturally won’t treat him unfairly.” His previously somewhat stiff movements now flowed like water. He removed a silver-threaded pouch from his waist, took out a five-tael silver ingot and placed it on the table, saying, “If the young fellow agrees, this is yours.”
Mo Zi’s eyes flashed briefly when she first saw the silver, but thinking of her possible debt of three hundred taels, five taels seemed extremely insignificant.
This family’s Second Young Master thought this person was greedy for small advantages like any commoner, and the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but show mockery. “Too little? Zhong’an, put down another piece.”
The refined scholar complied and took out another five-tael piece.
Ten taels now.
Both the oily-toned and cheerful-laughing ones objected in succession, saying things like giving silver to petty people was worse than giving to beggars, and it would be better to favor anyone else than him. The Fifteenth Young Lady also muttered that the silver was a small matter, but if word spread that they’d been extorted by a scoundrel, losing face would be the greater matter. The Sixth Young Lady first glanced at the Second Young Master, her expression displeased, but said nothing.
“Then what?” The Second Young Master spoke, still in that deep tone, but this time not only cold but very compelling. “Out for half a day, and you want to return to the mansion already?”
No one objected anymore.
Mo Zi could see that this Second Young Master and those four siblings were not from the same household. Though they called him “Second Young Master” affectionately, it was entirely one-sided wishful thinking. The younger sister was only eleven or twelve at most, just mischievous. But the way the older sister looked at the Second Young Master was quite meaningful, with a young lady’s thoughts of wanting to draw near yet not daring to. But regardless, the four obeyed the Second Young Master’s words completely.
“Young fellow, what do you say?” The man named Zhong’an asked Mo Zi again.
Now all eyes were on her.
Two tables with one bowl. Across from her stood over ten people, while she sat alone. Reason was on her side, because everything had a first-come-first-served order. Moreover, she had come out to conduct business, not just to eat noodles. If she shared a private room with these people, when the Second Young Master she was waiting for arrived, she wouldn’t be able to speak with him.
The cup in her hand turned left and right, left and right for quite a while, the ripples inside trembling and trembling, trembling until the other party was losing patience.
Was this the best time to refuse?
The two waiters in front of the table showed sweat on their foreheads. Clearly finding a good job wasn’t easy. Offending arrogant wealthy customers might cost them their jobs.
Mo Zi finally moved her head, but in an up-and-down direction.
The waiters immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
“Many thanks, young fellow.” Zhong’an still thought money could make ghosts push millstones.
From beginning to end, Mo Zi had only said those two words “however,” still unwilling to be verbose with people. Since the matter had started because of her, sharing it would be sharing. When Cen Erlang came over, they could go outside to talk. At least she had helped Wangqiu Tower earn more silver. Thinking this way, she was truly a great good person.
The two waiters brought out a folding screen and separated the two tables.
Mo Zi set down her cup and turned her face to the side again, supporting her chin with her hand, seemingly focused on the stage. But no matter how attentive she was, sounds from the neighboring table still reached her ears.
“Putting on airs…” The oily-toned one was already drinking tea but still intended to go on endlessly.
“This matter has passed. No need to discuss it further.” That steady voice could also steady hearts.
Whether these people were willing or not, Mo Zi heard that table quiet for the blink of two eyes, then begin ordering food in a lively manner. How lively? One person ordered something, another was dissatisfied, and when another was satisfied, yet another firmly refused to eat it—all chattering voices of the two brothers and little girl. By the time they’d finally assembled a table of dishes, a quarter hour had passed, during which she hadn’t heard the voices of those three men or the Sixth Young Lady.
From the corner of her eye, Mo Zi glimpsed the waiters retreating. Though the weather wasn’t hot, both uniformly raised their sleeves to wipe sweat.
“Waiters.” Mo Zi called to stop them.
“What are your orders, honored guest?” One immediately answered respectfully.
The first rule in Wangqiu Tower—do not judge people by their clothes.
“The two pieces of silver on the table—each of you take one.” Mo Zi jerked her chin.
The other side of the screen instantly went silent.
“This… how can this be acceptable?” The two waiters shook their heads. The other waiter even said, “This was given to you, honored guest.”
“Who said so?” Mo Zi couldn’t see the expressions of those at that table through the screen, feeling quite at ease. “When the silver was placed on the table, I never said I’d accept it. It’s just some people being presumptuous. The way I see it, you’ve worked very hard today and deserve a reward. Each take one piece, and don’t forget to thank the person who put down the silver.”
The two waiters first didn’t dare take it, but seeing Mo Zi speak so seriously, they pushed and shoved each other while each grabbing a piece. They repeatedly thanked those beyond the screen, bowing at the waist, and retreated out the door.
Small cheers came through the door crack. Hearing them, Mo Zi smiled. Ten taels of silver—if she put it in her own pocket, that would be called humiliation. That’s right, she was poor, and after becoming a maid, she’d never thought dignity and such were priceless, but at least they weren’t cheap.
“Ten taels of silver to buy this kind of happiness can be considered money not wasted.” Her volume wasn’t high, but at this moment in this private room you could hear a pin drop, so probably everyone heard very clearly.
That man named Zhong’an had eyes full of laughter, somewhat self-mocking, somewhat appreciative. He looked toward the shadow beyond the screen, then pulled his gaze back, exchanging a glance with the person beside him.
That Second Young Master only shook his head lightly, meaning no need to pay further attention.
Zhong’an felt helpless. He had originally wanted to toast Mo Zi to show apology for their earlier slight.
“Second Young Master Brother, is the capital fun?” The Fifteenth Young Lady was young and didn’t perceive the subtlety in the private room.
But when she asked this, most people had a sense of relief, because this topic had great potential for expansion, and they could finally completely ignore the person beyond the screen.