Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 215 Little Devil (Happy New Year)

Judging from some of Lady Zixia's methods, she is not like Jiang Yanbo and others who pay more attention to status, position, and reputation. She will only look down on or suppress those who are unknown. Even if she knows that something is good, she will not be willing to learn it.

Madam Zixia, on the other hand, has a more business-minded approach. If your product is good, then I will learn from it and find a way to obtain it, without being bound by any concerns about saving face.

Since Qingyun Temple is open to the public and sells tickets, she naturally had to come and see what secrets it held, so she wouldn't feel embarrassed.

However, she was not married and had no children, but that didn't matter, as she brought a little nephew from the Doulu family.

As soon as they arrived at the gate, a beautiful Taoist nun stepped forward, bowed, and said, "This humble Taoist is Jingsi. Please come this way, benefactor."

Lady Zixia sized up the nun and thought to herself, "She seems like the person that young man chose." She nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Master."

As Master Jingsi entered through the gate and passed through a winding passageway, they suddenly heard bursts of laughter. Turning a corner, they saw an open space in front of them, where more than ten children were standing and throwing a small wooden ball with a Tai Chi symbol on it. The ball rolled back and forth, which was quite magical.

Dozens of children nearby stared wide-eyed, their bright eyes following the small wooden ball as it moved up and down.

"Auntie, what's that?"

The young servant beside Lady Zixia was quite surprised.

Lady Zixia then looked at the Taoist nun.

The nun Jingsi said, "This toy is called the Tai Chi Ball, and it is made based on a Taoist ritual object."

“Tai Chi ball.” Madam Zixia nodded, then looked over and saw several children squatting nearby who looked familiar, clearly guests. So she asked, “Where are these children’s mothers?”

The nun Jingsi said, "They are all in the backyard. Madam can also let your son play here and learn this Tai Chi ball."

There really is a hidden meaning. Madam Zixia thought to herself, and then said to her little nephew beside her, "Sheng'er, would you like to go and play with your brother Ming, or go sit with your aunt in the backyard?"

"My nephew is going to visit Brother Ming."

In this scene, the little boy, who could even take a step, let go of his hands and ran towards a seven or eight-year-old boy, calling out, "Brother Ming."

Seeing that her little nephew quickly squatted down with the other children, staring intently at the Tai Chi ball, Madam Zixia felt relieved and followed the Daoist nun Jingsi along the corridor to the backyard.

Upon arriving at the backyard, a delicate fragrance filled the air. Along the corridor, screens separated more than a dozen small private rooms. Inside each room, there were tea tables and couches, with the faint scent of sandalwood wafting through the air. Noble ladies were lying on the couches, with a young Taoist nun beside them, seemingly applying something to their faces.

"What are they doing?" Lady Zixia asked curiously.

Jing Si replied, "In response to your question, they are using beauty treatments."

"For beauty?" Madam Zixia asked curiously.

"Exactly."

Jing Si nodded and said, "Our Taoist school has always had beauty preservation techniques, and recently we have developed a face mask that can improve skin tone and wrinkles when applied to the face."

Lady Zixia asked in surprise, "A face mask?"

Jing Si nodded and said, "Would you like to give it a try, Madam?"

Lady Zixia nodded without hesitation and said, "Of course."

The nun first looked around and saw that the room was already full. "Madam, this way please."

Then he led Madam Zixia to the back hall, where the huge hall was divided into several small rooms by screens.

The nun then called over a younger nun, who promptly led Madam Zixia into a separate room.

After lying down, the young Taoist nun first asked, "Does Madam have any makeup on?"

Lady Zixia shook her head.

She is naturally beautiful, with red lips, white teeth, and exquisite features. Makeup might be a negative for her.

The young Taoist nun nodded, first applying a hot towel to Madam Zixia's face, then taking a small porcelain jar, scraping out a lump of pale yellow ointment with a spoon, putting it in a bowl, pouring in warm water, and gently stirring it.

"Madam, I will apply this ointment to your face. Please do not worry, it will not harm you. I will remove it after an incense stick has burned."

Madam Zixia nodded; she was actually even more anxious than the Taoist nun.

The young Taoist nun skillfully applied the ointment evenly to Madam Zixia's stunningly beautiful face.

Lady Zixia suddenly looked the young Taoist nun up and down and asked, "May I ask your name?"

The young Taoist nun said in a panic, "No, no, I am a Taoist nun."

Madam Zixia smiled and said, "So it's Sister Zihui." After a slight pause, she asked, "Sister Zihui, I didn't expect your Taoist temple to help women maintain their beauty. I don't know if I'm just ignorant, but I've never seen anything like it before."

Zi Hui said softly, "Nourishing one's appearance is also nourishing one's body. This is not uncommon in Taoism, but few people regard it as a Taoist principle. Now, our abbot, after being enlightened by the nameless master, is determined to promote this aspect of Taoist knowledge."

Lady Zixia hurriedly asked, "What kind of knowledge?"

Zi Hui said, “The sage said, ‘The Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things. Since ancient times, the Taoists have studied the laws governing the changes of all things.’”

Madam Zixia was naturally aware of this knowledge, but merely aware of it was insufficient; the subject was far too profound, and after several attempts to understand it, she asked, "What does this have to do with this face mask?"

Zi Hui said, "It is precisely because we understand the changes in the skin that we can treat the symptoms effectively, which is why this face mask exists."

Lady Zixia pondered for a moment and found it quite reasonable, so she asked again, "Do you charge for these face masks?"

Zi Hui shook her head and said, "It's free. According to the rules, we hold a beauty gathering every seven days and invite the esteemed guests of the temple to attend."

Lady Zixia then asked, "How can I become an honored guest of your esteemed temple?"

Zi Hui said, "It mainly depends on how often incense is burned at the temple."

"I see."

Madam Zixia nodded, but in her heart she thought, "What kind of beauty club is this? It's clearly a business. Honored guests? Humph, it's just about who spends the most money." She then inquired, "It's strange, though, why would the opera from the Nameless Academy be performed at your temple?"

Zi Hui said, "That's because this opera talks about the teachings of Taoism." Madam Zixia asked, "Is it what you just mentioned about the laws governing the changes of all things?"

"Exactly."

Zi Hui nodded.

Suddenly, a gasp came from the side, "Chan-mei, your face...!"

"Sister Lu, your face...!"

"Wow! This face mask is amazing, it works so quickly."

"It's a pity that this face mask isn't for sale to the public, otherwise we could buy some to take home."

"What are you worried about? A youth-preserving event is held here every seven days, and any distinguished guest can be invited to attend."

"Ling'er".

"The servant is here."

"Donate ten thousand coins."

"As ordered."

Hearing the conversation outside, Madam Zixia had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

As the sound faded into the distance, she couldn't help but close her eyes and ponder.

Surprising!

This is really weird!

She really couldn't understand what was going on with the nameless academy's sudden turn of events; what secrets were hidden within it?

But she always felt that it was related to her.

"Auntie!"

Suddenly, a laugh was heard.

Lady Zixia suddenly opened her eyes. She didn't know when Wang Xi was sitting next to her, looking at her with a grin, while Zi Hui was nowhere to be seen.

Lady Zixia smiled slightly and said, "It's Que'er!"

Wang Xi asked, "Auntie, what were you thinking about just now? You seemed so engrossed in your thoughts."

Lady Zixia pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Guess."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Auntie must be wondering why we're doing this, and whether we're targeting her."

Madam Zixia chuckled and said, "Que'er is indeed clever and quick-witted."

Wang Xi quickly said, "Auntie, it's best not to laugh when you're wearing a face mask."

Lady Zixia immediately suppressed her smile; even the most beautiful woman will still pay attention to her appearance.

Wang Xi then asked, "Did Auntie guess it?"

Lady Zixia shook her head. "No, may I ask if Que'er can tell me?"

"Of course you can!"

Wang Xi smiled and said, "Actually, this is aimed at my aunt. The key lies in those wealthy women. We plan to use this beauty club to build a huge network of relationships centered around these ladies."

Auntie, do you know that these wealthy ladies are no ordinary people? They are all incredibly rich. If they say anything bad about Zhang Baishou's shop, their husbands and sons will never go there again.

If we don't let them buy glass from their aunt, they won't buy from her anymore. That way, all of their aunt's hard work over the past few years will be for nothing. Que'er is happy just thinking about it, hehe.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zixia felt a chill run down her spine. This was a move to undermine her resolve. However, she smiled and said, "Que'er, you underestimate your aunt too much. You think you can make all my hard work go to waste with just a face mask? Trust is the most important thing in business."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "But the most important thing for a woman is her appearance."

After saying that, he suddenly stretched out his hand.

Lady Zixia was startled. "What are you doing?"

“It’s time, Sparrow, help your aunt peel off the face mask.” Wang Xi said obediently.

Madam Zixia was somewhat resistant, saying, "This is such a small matter, how can we trouble Que'er? Let Zihui do it instead."

Wang Xi replied, "It would be my honor to help my aunt with something. Don't move."

Lady Zixia let him do as he pleased.

Wang Xi carefully peeled off the face mask from Madam Zixia's face.

Upon seeing this, Lady Zixia murmured to herself, "Face mask! Face mask! So that's how it is."

"Clang clang clang!"

Wang Xi suddenly took out a small bronze mirror and placed it in front of Madam Zixia. "Auntie, you are truly as beautiful as a fairy!"

Gazing at the familiar face in the mirror, Madam Zixia paid no attention to her appearance and asked, "Why did Que'er tell her aunt all this?"

Wang Xi immediately said, "Because Auntie also told Que'er about the teacher. Auntie probably doesn't know Que'er's personality. Que'er is very petty and vindictive. So Que'er told Auntie to make her angry and scared. Hehe."

P.S.: Happy New Year to everyone! May you all be healthy, prosperous, and have everything go smoothly in the new year.

(End of this chapter)