Chapter 186: Chapter 186: The Barefooted Aren’t Afraid of the Shod
Qu Fulan initially thought that explaining things clearly to Xiao Shiqing would put an end to any relations with the Xiao Family.
But that didn’t work at all, she still got people coming to her door, proving that men are unreliable and that ultimately, you have to rely on yourself.
However, no matter what schemes Mrs. Xiao had, bringing the guards along ensured her safety.
When Mrs. Xiao saw the four guards, her face dropped.
What does this mean? Guarding against her?
She didn’t bring guards into the private room; they were all waiting at the door. What does she mean by bringing guards into the private room?
Even Ji Nishang hadn’t anticipated Qu Fulan’s blatant boldness. Seeing her aunt displeased, she felt she had to play the mediator. So, she smiled and said, "Better let the guards wait outside. This restaurant has strict management, surely you aren’t afraid we mean you harm?"
Qu Fulan said, "These are Heir Pei’s guards. They only take orders from him, so there’s nothing I can do."
With that, she pretended to call the guards out, but the four guards clasped their hands together, "Without the Heir’s orders, we are unable to comply, and we ask for Miss’s understanding."
Qu Fulan shrugged, looking innocent, "See, there’s nothing I can do."
Mrs. Xiao’s face turned green, her anger rising several times, only to be calmed by her niece.
Ji Nishang, though also displeased, found herself helpless as well.
She thought there was no need to clarify everything to her either, leaving words half-said wasn’t something to be afraid of being overheard.
Ji Nishang pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Aunt knows you’re serving as a maid at the Pei Mansion and is very concerned, wanting to help. Due to the relationship between the two families, it’s been delayed until now. Now that things are properly arranged and the timing seems right, she intends to redeem you and bring you back to the Xiao Mansion. What do you think?"
"No need to bother. I’m doing very well now, and I don’t want any changes," Qu Fulan said.
Mrs. Xiao frowned, "What do you mean by that? Who in their right mind wants to remain a maid? Someone’s offering to redeem you, you should be grateful, what kind of attitude is this?"
Qu Fulan found it amusing, "My attitude is, no need to bother yourselves. I decide on my own matters, so why is Mrs. Xiao getting all worked up for no reason? My well-being, good or bad, what has it to do with you? If you truly cared, wanting to help, then why play strangers when you saw me back then? Now suddenly deciding to acknowledge is not allowing me to refuse, is that the Xiao Family’s reasoning? That’s indeed a grand and domineering style, after all, the Pei Family has never acted so arrogantly."
Qu Fulan didn’t tell them she had already shed her servant status. Whether they believe it is one thing, but there’s no point in flaunting a contract around and telling people, look, I’m free now, I’m no longer a maid... what a silly move that would be.
Ji Nishang’s face didn’t look good either. Saying nice words was merely to give both sides a way out, making things look good on the surface for everyone, but Qu Fulan had simply exposed it, is this how a business person should act?
"Why must Miss Qu speak so agitatedly? We merely mean well, wanting to lend a hand. Even if you don’t accept it, you shouldn’t speak in this manner."
"So why avoid my question? Why act like a stranger back then when you knew me? Even if, due to various reasons, helping wasn’t possible then, meeting in private and greeting would have been no issue, right? Since you could thoroughly ignore me before, why suddenly want to redeem me now, is there an agenda? Spare me the rhetoric from earlier, ask yourself if you believe in it? If even you can’t convince yourself, how do you expect to convince others? Miss Ji, is that how you use your eloquence in business, by muddling and fooling others?"
In any conversation, the biggest mistake is allowing others to lead you by the nose. If Qu Fulan answered based on their thoughts and questions, she’d fall into a trap and be manipulated.
So, no matter what the other party asked, she only needed to pay attention to her own issues.
As expected, Ji Nishang was caught off guard by the counter-question, particularly that remark about "business eloquence", leaving her unsure how to respond for a moment.
Ji Nishang now understood that Qu Fulan wasn’t easily manipulated; tricks that worked on others were useless on her.
Before Ji Nishang could think of a countermeasure, Mrs. Xiao couldn’t hold it anymore, "If not for the concern of you seducing Shiqing in secret and doing things that disgrace the family’s honor, I wouldn’t have thought of redeeming you so the two of you could reunite openly. This is for the sake of your reputation, yet instead of being grateful, you start questioning others."
There was some truth in Mrs. Xiao’s words compared to Ji Nishang, a merchant who had learned cunningness, without a single truth coming out of her mouth.
According to the original book’s depiction of Mrs. Xiao, she would indeed accept Li Jirou for maintaining the family’s reputation.
In the book, it was like this; even when Xiao Shiqing suddenly brought someone home, Mrs. Xiao would let Li Jirou stay despite her reluctance, but whether she could marry her son was her decision.
Now, whether Mrs. Xiao had the same intention with Qu Fulan was unclear.
But it didn’t matter. She came today to find out their intentions.
But it turned out, the other party wasn’t going to reveal their motives easily, so she didn’t have the time to linger.
"Mrs. Xiao, you overthink. I never intended to enter the Xiao Family from the start. I won’t say any more unnecessary words. I have matters to attend to, excuse me."
With that, without waiting for them to say anything, she turned and was about to leave.
Ji Nishang couldn’t help but stand and say, "Why speak so righteously, Miss Qu? If you never thought of entering the Xiao Family, why ask for a portrait to be painted and sent to my cousin? Otherwise, how could a recent portrait of you end up in his study after so many years?"
Qu Fulan was puzzled, a recent portrait of her in Xiao Shiqing’s study?
She didn’t know about that.
In theory, after not seeing each other for years, they’d definitely recognize each other upon meeting, but that doesn’t mean one could paint the other’s likeness without meeting.
She had no idea how that portrait came to be, and she hadn’t seen it either.
Before Qu Fulan could process it, Mrs. Xiao was already agitated, "Is there really such a thing? Nishang, why didn’t you say earlier? So you’ve met with Shiqing privately already? Using such means to seduce him! I was wondering why Shiqing wouldn’t listen no matter what, turns out you were stirring up trouble."
Though Qu Fulan didn’t understand how the portrait situation came about, if she let the big mouths run wild rumor-wise, her reputation would indeed be tarnished.
So Qu Fulan immediately countered, "I’d also like to know why Heir Xiao secretly keeps a portrait of mine! If he can’t provide a reasonable explanation, it suggests his character is to secretly draw others, maybe he has portraits of other young ladies as well. Who knew that despite looking all proper, Heir Xiao actually likes to secretly draw others, isn’t this akin to a peeping Tom? If word got out, tut tut tut, the ’Xiao Heir the Peeping Tom’ reputation would indeed be confirmed."
Mrs. Xiao and Ji Nishang, who were planning to leverage this, found themselves frustrated, annoyed by such a sharp counter.
"Don’t slander people, clearly it’s you..."
"Mrs. Xiao, such words shouldn’t be spoken carelessly. If you insist on smearing me, I don’t mind dragging Heir Xiao down with me. Anyway, my Li Family is already fallen, and as someone with nothing to lose, who’s afraid?"