Wanjin Lady

Chapter 416 Return to the Top
The cold autumn wind blinded Wei Zheng. He caught a glimpse of the young lady's hesitant expression and felt a pang of anxiety. He quickly asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"It's okay." Wen Wan shook her head, "My Lord, please go back early."

After closing the door and listening to the sound of galloping horses, Liu Yiyi patted her chest and said, "I was scared to death. This Marquis was fine, and suddenly he wanted to escort us here."

Wen Wan smiled: "It's raining tonight. Although it's only two steps away, it's safer to have him escort you."

Liu Yiyi rolled up her sleeves and said, "Master Tu said you're very busy here, so I brought all the women in the family to help. If you need any help, just let me know."

Wen Wan smiled and pointed at the busy backyard. "There's a lot to do. Mother came at the perfect time. Let's start by steaming the taro and mashing it to make small taro balls."

Liu Yiyi asked seriously, "Can I eat while working?"

Wen Wan: Liu Yiyi is really Wen Jing's real mother! The first sentence these two asked when they came to work in the Red Mansion is exactly the same!
Zhang Chunhua's arms were sore from fiddling with the sweet soup base and lychee honey all night. Fortunately, the rain stopped completely the next day and the sky was just beginning to brighten. With her sore arms, she managed to push the door open a crack and was startled by the line of people outside.

It’s so early in the morning, and there’s no end to the line!

Miss Cao, who was at the front of the line, poked her head out and said, "I heard that the opera at the Red Mansion is free tomorrow. Is that true?"

Zhang Chunhua was confused and said, "Yes, but the drinks are at full price! And it's only for 500 people!"

"Is that the queue here?"

"Correct!"

Zhang Chunhua looked at the expectant faces outside the door, and her heart skipped a beat, fearing that the stampede accident like the one at Chunri Building would happen again.

"Wait a moment! Right away!"

Zhang Chunhua said, slamming the door shut and yelling for help. Not long after, the women in the Red Mansion finished washing up and came downstairs, and the door to the Red Mansion opened again.

The entrance and exit are blocked by a huge wooden table, giving it an imposing appearance of one man blocking the way for ten thousand.

Miss Cao was at the front of the line, so she naturally saw how busy things were all night. She felt a little uneasy: "Am I disturbing you by coming too early?"

The little girl before him flashed a full-length smile. "Of course not! It's an honor for the Red Mansion to host a distinguished guest like you! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting in the cold wind for so long. Please wait a moment. I'll give you your ticket right away."

Not bad.

This standard smile and thoughtful words make people feel appropriate from the inside out. This is the style of Red Mansions!
Zhang Chunhua deftly tore a piece of paper in half. Miss Cao then saw a thick stack of yellow paper on the table, covered in various simple designs. She held the half and listened as the girl explained with a smile, "This is an admission ticket. Each piece of paper has a pattern and a number on it. Split it in half. Tomorrow, when you come to the Red Mansion, tell me the number first, then give it to me for verification."

"That's a good idea!" Miss Cao carefully folded the ticket and put it away. "It's simple and can prevent others from impersonating you."

"Please keep it safe. We are not responsible if it is lost."

When the wind chimes shake, it's the next one.

Lady Cao could only step aside. She saw that the Red Mansion had just opened today, and so many people had gathered in front of the door. If it weren't for the rainy day that kept her awake, she would have thought to come early to queue up, otherwise she might not have been able to get an admission ticket! Lady Cao could read, of course. She glanced at the signboard displayed at the entrance of the Red Mansion.

"Orchids share the same spirit, sisters from all over the world share Chang'an."

"Hand with thorn hairpins, one side is in storm and the other side is in sunshine."

"May all the Mount Emei in the world hold together the moon, illuminate each other with the lamp, and Pengshan, no matter how far away, will all be my old home."

Miss Cao couldn't help but praise: "Good poem! Good lyrics!"

The women queuing nearby couldn't help but come forward and say, "Big sister, what's written on this? Read it out loud for us!"

Miss Cao read it again, and seeing that everyone was confused, she smiled and explained, "Zhilan Tongqi means that all women in the world are sisters, and we should unite as one. Regardless of whether we are rich or poor, women should break down barriers, help each other, and be as close as neighbors."

Zhang Chunhua immediately followed after hearing this. The young girl was full of energy and her voice was loud. "My shopkeeper was very angry when she heard that Chunrilou was taking money from female customers and insulting them. She said that it's not easy for women to survive in this world, and we should help each other and be as close as sisters!"

Zhang Chunhua picked up the wooden stick on the table and started banging on it. "So our boss said we're going to start a Women's Day celebration in Bozhou City! Tomorrow, all the shops in the city that hang a 'Women's Day' sign outside will have a 50% discount on all their merchandise!"

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. The young ladies who had just been queuing in an orderly manner immediately became agitated upon hearing this. "Is it true? No wonder I just saw that rouge shop hanging red silk when I came from South City. They also said they were having a Women's Day sale! They told me to go to the store tomorrow to take care of the business!"

"Hey girl, are you serious? Anything with a sign is discounted?"

"Women's Day? A holiday specifically for us women? Oh my, how come there's another holiday?"

"Okay then, after listening to the new play Red Mansion tomorrow, we'll go shopping this afternoon! By the way, other stores are offering 50% off, does Red Mansion have 50% off too?"

Someone immediately retorted, "There's no discount at the Red Mansion! Only free admission to the opera! Don't misunderstand! And don't spread rumors!"

"Oh, then tomorrow we will sit together with the ladies and listen to the opera?"

If you can really meet the wives of officials, this red building is worth a visit.

Miss Cao had been to the Red Mansion before, so she wondered: How could such a small space on the second floor accommodate 500 people?
I never thought that there was actually enough room on the second floor!
The next day, Miss Cao walked around the winding path on the first floor, passed the familiar reception desk, and went up to the second floor. Miss Cao almost screamed out loud!
The three walls of the courtyard under the second floor were all demolished, and the benches were neatly stacked. It was crowded with people, and it was even more lively than the day at Chunri Tower.

However, these many people do not appear messy at all.

The wives of officials, members of the Red Mansion, were led to the sofas on the second-floor steps by a dedicated escort, while the women checking tickets sat on benches. There were heads everywhere, and as female workers in light yellow work uniforms moved nimbly around, the place, though noisy, was relatively quiet.

"Row 3, seat 46, Miss Cao...your seat is here!"

The ones wearing pink work uniforms are female workers hired temporarily by the Red Mansion. They only help to run errands and do some odd jobs. It is said that they are all sweet-mouthed and hardworking, and their smiles are sweeter than honey.

Mrs. Luo, on time, was ushered to her designated sofa by a one-on-one receptionist upon reaching the second floor. She was met by familiar faces, all around her. She pressed her body against the sofa's curves and sighed, "The Red Mansion is still so comfortable! That Chunri Mansion can't even compare!"

The lady next to him immediately chimed in, "Did you go to Chunri Tower? Oh, I've never been there. My maid went there once, but she came back saying it was full of peasants, the whole place smelled of poverty, and the milk tea was bland and tasteless. It wasn't even worthy of carrying shoes for the Red Mansion!"