Chapter 549 - 0327 Zhu Pingniang’s Schemes (Two-in-One)
Chapter 549 - 0327 Zhu Pingniang’s Schemes (Two-in-One)
The rain gradually eased, and before long, it had completely stopped.
Xu Chang’an followed the recommendations of the girls from Piluo Residence and walked into the alley, soon spotting a rouge shop.
From a distance, the rouge shop seemed somewhat strange and was quite deserted. A girl with braided hair was standing at the counter sorting through something, and not a single customer appeared for a long while.
In the alley, the post-rain dampness was particularly apparent, adding to the sense of desolation.
Xu Chang’an slightly slowed his pace.
His first thought was whether the rouge in this shop wasn’t very good, otherwise, why during a festival, all the other Rouge Towers were sold out, yet this shop remained quiet, and its location wasn’t favorable either...
Located at the far end of the alley, it was no wonder business was poor.
However, this thought merely flashed in Xu Chang’an’s mind for a moment before he discarded it. One thing for sure, he trusted the girls from Piluo Residence, ensuring the quality wouldn’t be a problem.
Xu Chang’an quickly approached the rouge shop, lightly clearing his throat.
Upon hearing his voice, the braided girl at the counter slightly froze, then looked up to see a strange scene.
A man, wearing a straw hat, furtively hiding his face, stood in front of her.
The braided girl stared for quite a while, her beautiful brows furrowed, and she spoke: "Sir, the road towards Wanzhi Building on Cuiyu Street is to the west; there’s no road ahead."
Although she was born a musician, she had redeemed herself early and did not entertain guests.
Xu Chang’an: "..."
Hiss.
He was mistaken for soliciting.
Moreover, Xu Chang’an could faintly feel that the pretty girl before him was very wary of him. Although talking to him, her body already had begun to lean back, ready to retreat into the shop at any moment.
But there was no choice, his attire indeed didn’t resemble an upright person---
On Cuiyu Street, a man wraps himself up, appearing unpresentable, and deliberately enters these small alleys... seeking conversation with a soft and solitary looking girl, it doesn’t seem decent.
However, Xu Chang’an didn’t think too much, he merely stepped back a few paces, distancing himself significantly from the counter.
Upon seeing this, the braided girl evidently breathed a sigh of relief and then asked: "Sir, you..."
"I want some rouge." Xu Chang’an was just here to make a purchase, so he got straight to the point.
"Buy... rouge?" The braided girl stared for quite a while, seemingly unable to comprehend why a man would come to buy rouge at her place: "Sir, you may have mistaken the place; if going to Emei Square or Golden Silk Building, it’s towards the west too."
Seeing this, Xu Chang’an blinked.
He suddenly understood why this rouge shop was different from others.
Also understood why the girls from Piluo Residence recommended him to come here rather than Emei Square or Golden Silk Building.
Because he saw the shadow of Liu Qingluo in the braided girl before him.
Undoubtedly, she was a redeemed girl who opened a shop after leaving.
Considered a sister to Liu Qingluo, usually running a small business alone, thus business was tepid, presumably... regular customers were former sisters or the girls from Piluo Residence.
Those women from Piluo Residence, truly finding ways to bring business to their girl.
Shaking his head.
"I haven’t mistaken it; doesn’t a rouge shop sell rouge?" Xu Chang’an pointed to the sign above.
"Well, yes it does..." The braided girl looked at Xu Chang’an with suspicion, her eyebrows furrowed, but she soon brightened her eyes: "Sir, which... where did you hear about them selling rouge here?"
Her shop tucked in the corner wasn’t easily found.
Logically, when someone comes to buy something, you sell it, no need for so much talk.
But Xu Chang’an seemed suspicious, plus... she’d just had trouble recently, so now acted cautiously, fearing her rouge would be tampered with after sale, bringing disaster.
Her rouge had just had issues, costing quite a bit of silver, now she didn’t want a repeat.
"It was the girls from Piluo Residence who introduced it." Xu Chang’an stated calmly.
"Sisters from Piluo Residence?" Upon hearing this, the girl froze, then breathed a sigh of relief, retaining only a trace of alertness in her eyes, and said: "I figured... Turns out you’re a guest of those sisters."
"Indeed, people cannot be judged by appearance." The braided girl found Xu Chang’an somewhat intriguing.
Unexpectedly, such a secretive man could attract the attention of those sisters?
As for her little shop, unless familiar and trustworthy, she wouldn’t recommend Xu Chang’an, especially now she’d been framed saying her rouge was inferior.
The braided girl pointed to a piece of red silk on the counter and said: "Sir, it’s your first time wandering Cuiyu Street, right? The shop has raised the silk, meaning it’s closed."
"Is there such a saying?" Xu Chang’an blinked.
"Yes." The braided girl replied, "I... no, I’m also tidying the accounts, later I have to work at Piluo Residence, so today I’m closing an hour early."
"You belong to Piluo Residence?" Xu Chang’an froze.
"Sort of." The braided girl squinted, contemplating if Xu Chang’an was lying, she’d soon know when she went over.
"But since you’re introduced by the sisters, tell me what you want..."
The braided girl spread a bamboo slip in front of Xu Chang’an.
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