Wanjin Lady

Chapter 246: Beating Pigs
An Baonian didn't dare to be arrogant, but simply retorted calmly, "My lady, there are more ways for women to earn money than just singing. If Qiao'er is a filial person, she can do sewing and laundry, sell herself as a slave, do some embroidery, or do some manual labor. Which of these can't support herself and her father?"

"She chose to sing at Tianxianglou, simply because singing is easy and lucrative. Her essence is that she wants to get something for nothing and is inherently greedy."

"I see that the young lady is quite young, so I'm afraid she doesn't have much experience. I wonder if there isn't a single good-natured woman among these women out there who make a living? For example, just take Wen Weiming, who was sentenced to death two months ago for raping a decent woman. The boss of the Wen Family Winery is his eldest daughter, Wen Wan—"

Wen Wan, who was eating melons but was suddenly called out: ???
Who is trying to scam Wen Xiaowan, the top star in Ping County?

"That woman, Wen Wan, is always out in public under the guise of selling liquor, flirting with many men in Ping County. She even tricked my wife into working as her accountant, and secretly she didn't know—"

"Big brother, let's get one thing straight. Today we're discussing Miss Qiao'er, so don't ramble on. This is Tianxiang Tower, not a theatre troupe, and I'm not interested in other people's affairs." An Baonian had thought the Wen family's affairs would alert the woman on the second floor, but she cut him off without mercy. "Besides, it's wise to not criticize others, not expose their shortcomings, and not point out their mistakes. It's a shame that you're a scholar, yet you're slandering a woman behind her back. I think your education... has been wasted!"

"well said!"

From the corner of the lobby, another woman's voice came from afar.

Everyone turned their heads to look and saw that it was a young lady with fair skin, clear eyes, and eyes that looked like crescent moons when she smiled, making people feel close to her at first sight.

Noticing the gaze of the young lady on the second floor, Wen Wan raised her head and smiled at her.

The young lady seemed a little shy and was stunned for a moment before she bowed to her in return.

Wen Wan took two steps forward, staring at the security guard, thinking, I haven't settled the score with you for Mei Qing's matter yet, but you come to me first.

"This elder brother is a scholar. May I ask what achievements he has made?"

Although An Baonian didn't know what Wen Wan was going to do, he still raised his chin slightly with a hint of pride on his face, "I am not talented, just a scholar."

Before everyone could react with surprise, An Baonian heard the woman's aggressive question: "If that's the case, then has Big Brother ever participated in the Spring Examination?"

An Baonian pursed his lips, his expression uneasy, "Of course I have participated in this."

"Looking at Big Brother's age... I'm afraid he's taken part more than once, right?" Wen Wan's smile deepened. "According to Mr. An, the status of a Juren is already sufficient for a scholar. Why does Mr. An have to take the Spring Examination so often? Could it be that studying is effortless and highly rewarding, and he's simply greedy and yearning for something for nothing?"

An Baonian was furious. "You are so eloquent! I took the imperial examination to gain fame and honor for the benefit of the people of the world and to defend my country!"

Wen Wan chuckled softly, "Mr. An, that's really strange. Passing the imperial examination isn't the only way to defend our country. Five years ago, when the coastal areas of Bingzhou were fighting the Japanese, weren't those soldiers guarding the border, the merchants who donated their property, the craftsmen who built houses and dikes, and the villagers who transported food also considered defending our country?"

"Okay! Well said!"

As soon as Wen Wan finished speaking, people in the lobby immediately applauded.

A few years ago, Bingzhou was infested with pirates. As a coastal city, Bingzhou paid a huge price to resist the pirates. If Bingzhou had not taken the lead, I am afraid that Bozhou, which was just across the coast, would have become a war.

Therefore, the people of Bozhou have a natural liking for Bingzhou.

"Since Mr. An said that Miss Qiao'er is greedy by nature, I would also like to say that Mr. An is eager for fame and fortune."

"You!" An Baonian's face flushed, and he glared at Wen Wan with a pair of fierce eyes, as if he wanted to kill her. "How dare you confuse studying with singing prostitutes? Whose family are you from? Do you dare to tell me your name?"

"Oh." Wen Wan laughed out loud. "I'm the daughter of the Mo family, a military scholar in the eighth year of the Xianping reign. My surname is Mo, my given name is Daiyu, and my nickname is Xuyou. I live in Zouma Street, East City. If you want to spar with my father, remember to bring your weapons."

Wen Wan announced her name and turned to leave. Zhu Wang cried out "Ouch!" and quickly followed.

The young lady on the second floor chuckled when she heard this, and the chubby little girl next to her asked, "Sister, what are you laughing at?"

The young lady covered her lips and said, "My surname is Mo, my nickname is Xuyou, and my father is a martial arts scholar..."

She remembered that there was no martial arts test held in Kyoto in the eighth year of Xianping!

Wen Wan quickly pulled Zhu Wang onto the carriage. As soon as she got in, she patted the carriage wall and urged the coachman, "Hurry up! Hurry up!"

The carriage started to move shakily.

Wen Wan and Zhu Wangcai raised their hands to wipe the sweat off their face at the same time.

Two pairs of eyes looked at each other.

Damn.

Wen Wan cried out in her heart.

When did I develop a tacit understanding with this pig?
Zhu Wang patted his chest, looking terrified. "Niece, why did you... have to ruin Mr. An's career?"

Wen Wan sneered, "Who told him to curse me behind my back?"

"You just want to vent your anger for your Jiaojiao accountant. I'm not saying anything, niece, you've run into Mr. An in Bozhou, and you want to overturn Old Man Wen's verdict. Some things should be tolerated, just like today... You shouldn't have stood up for Qiao'er! You're still too young, and you can't hold your temper... Sooner or later, you'll suffer a great loss! But--"

Just as Wen Wan was hesitating whether to kick the pig demon away, Zhu Wang changed the subject, "You don't plan to sell that recipe tonight? If so, why did you ask Manager Xu to gather everyone together?"

Wen Wan signaled the driver to stop, then she lifted the curtain and said to Zhu Wang with a smile, "Manager Zhu, we've arrived at your place."

Zhu Wang looked out and said, "No, it's still far away, at least two miles away."

This time, the young lady's smile turned sinister. "I said it's here...it's here."

Zhu Wang laughed, "Okay, I understand, I can do it myself."

Zhu Wang jumped off the carriage and watched Wen Wan's carriage disappear in the dim light. Before leaving, he smiled coldly: If you have the ability, don't ask me, Old Zhu, for help in the future!

"Please, niece! What I said is true!"

The next morning, when Liu Yiyi opened the door, she saw a middle-aged man who was ten months pregnant rushing into the yard and whispering to his daughter. It took a long time for Liu Yiyi to recognize Zhu Wang. She couldn't help but sigh, "It's only been a few days, and Manager Zhu has gained weight again..."

Wen Wan was having breakfast. It was a simple breakfast, just a few steamed buns, a bowl of porridge, and a pile of pickles.

Zhu Wang had already eaten at home, but when he saw the plate of pickled vegetables in front of Wen Wan and saw that Wen Wan was eating with relish, his throat started to well up. He couldn't help but ask Chen Ma to get a pair of bowls and chopsticks, and then he started picking up the pickled vegetables and smacking his lips.

Wen Wan couldn't help but roll her eyes to the sky.

Her family is already poor, and they still have to raise pigs!