The Lady Dancer’s Ten Husbands

Chapter 4 – The Ladies in the Piao Wu Yuan

Hong mama has her own independent courtyard, with two guards standing at the entrance, Xue Ji inhaled deeply before entering the courtyard. Wu Xue Ji is now wearing a clean cut brown skirt.

Hong mama was currently sitting insider her room while waiting for her. She’s holding a white orchid cup to show her composure.

“Hong mama, Ji-er is here.” Wu Xue Ji’s clear voice was heard inside the room, it pulled back Hong mama who was immersed in her own train of thoughts.

“Come in.” A faint voice sounded from the inside, Xue Ji hastily walk inside.

“Sit down.” Hong mama told Xue Ji to sit down and offered her a cup of tea. To Lin Xiaoxue, there’s nothing wrong on accepting Hong mama‘s cup but Wu Xue Ji’s body stiffened in this kind of treatment Hong mama‘s giving to her.

“Thank you, mama.” Still, Wu Xue Ji received the tea cup gracefully.

“Ju-er, you’ve changed.” Hong mama sat down. A pair of canny eyes started staring at Xue Xie’s calm little face.

“People must change especially when their future is at stake. Am I right, mama?” Ji-er smiled at Hong mama‘s well maintained face.

Hong mama nod in agreement. “Oh, well. How do you want this mama to help you?” Hong mama looked at her with admiration, although she was surprised to see this little girl who was originally weak and timid turned into a confident and daring little woman, the thing that really caught her attention was that this little girl aims to be one of the main pillars of her Piao Wu Yuan.

 
“I want Hong mama to give me half a year, because after six months, Ji-er is fifteen years old. In these months I hope Hong mama will let me practice the dance I just performed.” Wu Xue Ji’s face was full of seriousness.

“Hmmnn..” Hong mama slightly nod as she continue speaking “Your dance is pretty good. The actions you made was strange but enticing. It’s bold but in a way that men will left with no choice but to let their eyes set on you.” Hong mama thought that this little girl in front of her has already thought these things seriously.

“Mama, you are thinking too highly of me. My dance is still very lacking due to my body’s rigidness. If the other ladies started to imitate the dance I performed earlier, I’m afraid i’ll loose immediately. So, Ji-er needs half a year to make herself the best dancer in this Yuan and be someone that can’t be surpass by anyone.” Xue Ji’s eyes were full of determination and confidence.

“Ji-er really thought it well.” she said, “If you need anything, one must not be timid and ask this mama directly. I’ll be watching you on the side while you pave your way to the top of this yuan.”

Wu Xue Ji smiled and looked at Hong mama, sincerely saying, “Mama, Ji-er is so thankful of having your support. Ji-er will not let you down.” Xue Ji felt very lucky. Having a boss like Hong mama was like winning a lottery, really hard to come by.

On the next day, Wu Xue Ji now has her own independent courtyard and an errand girl named Lu-er, this kind of special treatment attracts the other ladies enviousness. But the one who is really angry about these changes was the thicked-eyebrowed-lady who Wu Xue Ji serving in the past. Her new maid has already been pulled ears by ears, and because she is one of the few ladies in the Piao Wu Yuan who can sing beautifully and often watched by many people, she is one of the top cards in the Yuan so no one actually dare to provoke her.

At dusk, the Yuan that was quiet for the whole day began to bustle up again. All the courtyards and the corridors are lightened by the red lanterns that was scattered in the entire Yuan.

“Hey, do you still have enough time to be jealous of that little girl?” On the same floor where all the girls are waiting, Liu Fang Qing –one of the ladies in the Yuan whose forte is dancing, was still quite sleepy. She yawned and looked at the side of the wooden door where an angry thicked-eyebrowed-lady can be seen standing.

“Fang Qing, you don’t have to pretend that you’re not jealous. That little girl is going to pursue the art of dancing. Be careful that your guests are robbed by her.” Her angry face turned to sneer at the face of sleepy Fang Qing.

Her face was changed slightly, but soon she regained her composure back. “Stop speaking non-sense. She go get whoever guest she wants. This lady does not care about loosing a few men. Men love tasting new flowers and such this lady was receiving guests quite some time already, I understand their needs, but what flower doesn’t wilt? So I think there is no reason to not feel at ease.”

“Ah. Okay, now. Im the one whose jealous and you’re the magnanimous but can’t you see? That little girl can dance, so what? I can’t think of any reason why mama was treating her so special, she even got her own separate courtyard. Look, I see you practice your dance everyday and I can say that you dance so good, you also deserve to own a separate courtyard!” She will not loose this chance to angry this Fang Qing who is always on her way!

“Stop spouting nonsense. This is Hong mama‘s affair, refrain yourself to incite disharmony! If you have so much time in your hands, why not practice your voice more, maybe you’ll get a chance to accompany her singing later! Hmp! ” Liu Fang Qing was really angry as she stared at her. She turned back and walk inside her room and shut it loudly.

“What!? That bitch will sing!? No way in hell!! Unless that old mama die, there is no chance that girl will be singing on my stage! Ah! You, you! I’m going to wait to see you dance as her accompanist!” The thick eye-browed-lady was so furious that she stepped on the hem of her skirt and slip.

Suddenly, the door separating the common room was opened. A stunning lady dressed in white came in. She turned and look at the thick-eyebrowed-lady coldly.

 
“Yan-er, you don’t have to look.. at me this way.. I’ll.. go.” She started to fix herself and  exit herself in the room. Her yells where heard again when she was already no where in sight

This Yan-er’s lip was hooked on the other side. Her eyes was reflecting her coldness. She started walking her way to Hong mama‘s courtyard without looking back.