In the front hall of the Splendid Pavilion, the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Two men in short coats made of coarse cloth that had been washed and turned pale stood awkwardly in the hall. Their skin was dark, their hands were covered with calluses, and their eyes evaded. It was obvious that they were country folk who had been working hard all year round. One of the older ones, rubbing his hands together with a flattering smile on his face, said to Shen Ruoxin who was sitting at the top, "Miss Shen Er, we..." We really came to look for our niece. A few days ago, I took her to the city to broaden her horizons. But in the blink of an eye, she got lost... We've been looking for several days and we're almost driven crazy!
Another younger man nodded repeatedly and chimed in, "Yes, yes!" We've all found out that it was just a couple of days ago, in that Sparrow Lane in the west of the city, you were kind-hearted and saved a girl about the same age as our niece... Please do us a favor and let us see her!
The appearance, clothing, even the place and time when they went missing they described were all in perfect harmony with Ashi's situation. If Shen Ruoxin had not personally experienced that "rescue", she would almost have believed their sincere words.
Shen Ruoxin picked up the teacup, gently blew on the foam, and did not reply immediately. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of A Shi standing behind the screen, who had been quietly brought by Uncle Wang. The child's small body was taunt, his hands tightly grasping the corner of Uncle Wang's clothes. His eyes were filled with indescribable fear, and he was looking through the gap of the screen in terror at the two men who called themselves "relatives".
This reaction has said it all.
Shen Ruoxin sneered inwardly, but remained calm on the face. She put down her teacup and asked in a calm tone, "You two are the children's..." ?"
"I'm her uncle!" The older men scrambled to answer.
"I'm her cousin!" The young one also hurriedly chimed in.
"Oh?" Uncle and cousin? Shen Ruoxin nodded slightly. "Where are the parents of that child?" Why did the two of you take her to the city?
The elderly man rolled his eyes and sighed, "Alas, don't mention it!" My brother and sister-in-law were both gone in a pandemic two years ago... Leaving this one ill-fated seedling behind, we, as uncles, naturally have to take care of it. This is not to bring her to the city to broaden her horizons. In the future... So that I can find a good family in the future...
He spoke with tears streaming down his face, as if he were truly an elder who had been extremely worried about his niece.
So that's it. How pitiful! Shen Ruoxin's face showed just the right amount of sympathy. "Then may I ask, Uncle, what's your niece's best friend's name?"
"Er..." Call... Call it Dogegg! The older man blurted out, but then realized something was wrong and quickly changed his words, "Ah, no, no. It's a nickname. The nickname is Dog Egg. It's easy to raise!" Daimyo... The full name is... Cuihua! Yes, Wang Cuihua!
The young man also nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes. Her name is Cuihua!"
Behind the screen, Ashi's body was shaking even more severely.
Shen Ruoxin was already ninety percent sure in her heart. She put down her teacup, stood up, and walked slowly to the two of them. Her gaze was scrutinized, but her tone remained gentle: "You two must have worked hard all the way here." Just... The girl I saved the day before yesterday was so frightened that she still doesn't speak much and can't remember her name or where she lives. You say you are her relatives. There must be some evidence, or... Tell me what features she has that others don't know about, so that I can confirm. Otherwise, if I give her to the wrong person, wouldn't that be a waste of time for the child?
This statement is very reasonable and flawless.
The two men exchanged a glance, both somewhat flustered. They were ordered by Zhao Babai's men to bring silver to cause trouble at the Splendid Pavilion. I originally thought that by relying on the information I got and putting on a show, I could get that little girl to leave, or at least disgust the Jinxiu Pavilion and tarnish Shen Ruoxin's reputation - even if she dared to casually take in a child she had abducted, it wouldn't sound good if the news spread. Who would have thought that this young Miss Shen Er would be so difficult to deal with? With just a few words, she managed to defeat them all.
Characteristics? How could they know any characteristics!
The elderly man's eyes rolled around and he stammered, "Characteristics..." Characteristics... She... There is a blue mark on her bottom!
The young man also hurriedly added, "Yes, yes!" There is a green mark as big as a fingernail on the left side of the bottom!
Shen Ruoxin almost burst into laughter upon hearing this. It's no wonder they could come up with such words! She held back her smile, but instantly a layer of frost covered her face and her voice turned cold: "Oh?" Is there a green mark on the buttocks? May I ask you two, how did you find out? Could it be... You often visit your niece on ordinary days... What about the butt?
This question was extremely impolite and even carried a hint of humiliation.
The two men immediately blushed and were at a loss for words, unable to utter a word for a long time.
"Humph!" Shen Ruoxin snorted coldly and stopped looking at them. She turned to Wang Bo, who had been standing solemnly by her side, and said, "Uncle Wang, I don't think these two are here to look for their relatives. Instead, they seem..." Those who are here to cause trouble! Although my Jinxiu Pavilion is a merchant's home, it is not a place where people can run wild at will! Just go to the front door and shout, saying that someone is pretending to be a relative with unclear intentions. Ask the neighbors on both sides to come and judge! By the way... "Go to the prefectural office again and ask the police officer on duty to come over and bear witness!"
Uncle Wang had been holding back his anger for a long time. Hearing this, he perked up and said loudly, "Yes!" Miss Two! Saying that, he pretended to walk out.
When the two men heard that they were going to ask the neighbors for justice and also alert the authorities, they were so frightened that their souls were out of their wits! They were already guilty of being thieves. How could they dare to deal with the authorities?
No, no, no! Miss Shen Er! Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! The older man grabbed Uncle Wang, his face filled with a frightened smile. "We..." We might have mistaken us for someone else! Yes, yes. I've mistaken you for someone else! Let's go right now! Let's go right now!
Saying that, he pulled up the young man who was still in a daze and ran out, rolling and crawling as if there were evil spirits chasing him from behind. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared outside the gate of the Splendid Pavilion.
A farce thus came to an end.
Behind the screen, Ah Shi gradually let go of the hand that was tightly grasping Uncle Wang, and his small body was still trembling slightly.
Shen Ruoxin walked over, squatted down and gently patted her back, saying, "Don't be afraid. The bad guy has left."
Ashi raised his head and looked at Shen Ruoxin. In those big black and bright eyes, apart from the remaining fear, there was also a hint of dependence and... Thank you. She opened her mouth and made several dissonant syllables, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
It's okay. Take your time. Shen Ruoxin smiled gently, but a tempest rose in her heart.
This "kinship recognition" incident seemed to be aimed at A Shi, but Shen Ruoxin keenly sensed that there must be a hidden force behind it. Could it be that Zhang Ji and Zhao Ba PI, who still have evil intentions, want to use such despicable means to ruin the reputation of the Jinxiu Pavilion? Or was it that the stepmother, Mrs. Liu, was not willing to let the previous rumors be suppressed and came up with a new underhanded trick?
No matter who it is, it all indicates a cruel fact: she and the Splendid Pavilion have always been in a passive and beaten situation. The other party can easily find out her news (such as the incident of saving A Shi), but she is often slow to notice her opponent's movements and conspiracies, and can only respond passively.
Just like this time, if she hadn't happened to be there, if A Shi hadn't shown timidity in his reaction, if Wang Bo hadn't been by his side... The consequences are unimaginable.
No! This can't go on any longer!
She needs eyes and ears! A net that can cover the entire Pingjiang Prefecture and even farther areas is needed! One that can warn of risks in advance, understand the movements of opponents, and even... A network that can convey its voice at critical moments!
Once this idea emerged, it grew wildly like a vine.
But how to build such a network? She was a lady of a noble family. Under her command, apart from the staff of the Splendid Pavilion, she had neither power nor any background in the martial arts world. Acting rashly will only bring trouble upon oneself.
A casual gaze fell upon Shi's little face, which was filled with dependence, and an inspiration flashed through Shen Ruoxin's mind like lightning.
Ashi's talent... Observation ability, memory, imitative ability... Aren't these precisely the capabilities required to form the most fundamental and crucial nodes of an information network?
If... If we could find more children like Ashi, or those with similar potential, or people at the bottom of society who are insignificant...
Embroidery shop! Apprentice!
Yes! The Jinxiu Pavilion has now gained a high reputation. Under the guise of "expanding business and recruiting apprentices", it is most reasonable to recruit a group of girls from poor families!
Most of these girls came from the lower classes and were scattered throughout every corner of the prefectural city. They themselves are a natural and down-to-earth information network. They long to change their fate. As long as they are given opportunities, food and clothing, and respect, it is easy to cultivate loyalty.
Moreover, the identity of an apprentice in the embroidery shop is the best cover! Who would doubt a group of little girls buried in needlework?
Of course, this cannot be achieved overnight. What she needs is not an ordinary embroiderer, but a "seedling" with special potential. She needs to design an unusual assessment method, which requires time to screen, cultivate and build trust.
This will be a long and difficult process, and it may even be full of risks. But Shen Ruoxin knew that this was a crucial step for her to break the passive situation and truly take control of her own destiny!
"Uncle Wang," Shen Ruoxin stood up, her eyes shining with an unprecedented light, but her tone was unusually calm. "Do something for me in the next two days."
"Second Miss, please give your instructions." Uncle Wang said respectfully.
"Go outside and let the news spread. Just say that our Jinxiu Pavilion is doing a good business and we are short of staff. We plan to recruit another batch of apprentices." Between the ages of seven and twelve, regardless of their background, as long as they are willing to endure hardships, study diligently, have quick hands and feet, and are sharp-eyed and clear-minded, they can all give it a try. Accommodation and meals are provided. After completing the study, the best candidates will be retained and the salary will be favorable. If I'm particularly outstanding, I... Teach in person.
Although Uncle Wang was somewhat surprised as to why the second young lady suddenly wanted to recruit a large number of apprentices, he didn't ask any more questions and immediately agreed, "Yes, I'll make the arrangements right away."
"Wait," Shen Ruoxin called out to him and added, "The key point..." Go and ask in those alleys where the poor gather and in the villages outside the city. Tell them that orphan girls are given priority and those from extremely poor families are given priority.
Wang Bo was stunned for a moment, but then he understood the deep meaning of the second young lady and nodded vigorously, "Old servant understands!"
"Also," Shen Ruoxin looked at Li Molan and Wang Xiuniang, "Instructors, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time from now on." Apart from teaching needlework, I hope... Can, intentionally or unintentionally, incorporate more... in daily teaching Exercise eyesight, memory, and... Well, the practice of identifying the textures of different fabrics, the color differences of silk threads, and even the details of guests' clothing and accessories.
Li Molan and Wang Xiuniang exchanged a glance, both somewhat puzzled. But out of trust in Shen Ruoxin, they still nodded in agreement: "Second Miss, don't worry. We know what to do now."
"Ah Xing," Shen Ruoxin finally looked at her personal maidservant, "You usually pay more attention to the embroiderers in the backyard and the new apprentices. Who is more smart, who is more tight-lipped, and who is more meticulous in observing things..." Keep it in mind and tell me quietly.
A Xing nodded vigorously: "Um!" Second Miss, I remember!
After arranging all this, Shen Ruoxin finally let out a slight sigh of relief. She knew that this was just the beginning, a beginning full of unknowns and challenges. This "net" under the cover of the "apprentice" is still just a vague prototype at present, and even the connection points haven't been sorted out yet.
She walked to the window and looked at the old locust tree in the yard. The cold wind of late autumn swept by, and the withered yellow leaves rustled down, covering the ground. But in Shen Ruoxin's eyes, it seemed as if she could see the scene of the old tree sprouting new buds again in the following spring, with luxuriant branches and leaves.
She lowered her head and looked at Ah Shi, who was earnestly practicing drawing plum blossom buttons on the ground under the window of the side room, by the light of the day, using a branch. His small figure was focused and persistent.
"Ah Shi," Shen Ruoxin murmured to herself in her heart, "We all have to strive to live on, and even better."
What she didn't know was that while the Jinxiu Pavilion was releasing the news of recruiting apprentices, in the secret room at the back of Zhangji Embroidery House, Zhao Baopi was listening to the report from his subordinates with a sultry face.
"... Those two good-for-nothings couldn't even intimidate a little girl and almost alarmed the authorities! Zhao Papi slapped the table hard, his eyes shining with a fierce light. "That girl surnamed Shen is getting more and more troublesome!"
Beside him, a middle-aged man who looked like a secretary stroked his goatee and said slowly, "Master, please calm down." It was not surprising that they failed to recognize their relatives. However... It's rather interesting that the Splendid Pavilion suddenly intends to recruit a large number of apprentices, especially the orphan girls from poor families.
Zhao Babapi frowned and said, "What's the point?" I can't hold on any longer. I want to find some cheap laborers!
Not necessarily. The secretary shook his head, a glimmer of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "I always feel that this Shen Ruoxin is not as simple as she seems." This move of hers, perhaps... There is another profound meaning.
He pondered for a moment and then said to Zhao, "Master, perhaps we..." Should we also send a few people to the Splendid Pavilion to "learn some skills"?