Chapter 3: Machine Heart (Seeking Point Collection and Red Tickets)

  "What? How can this be?" Lian Xiang exclaimed in surprise, and immediately continued: "Although I don't have much to do with Su Jin on a daily basis, looking at Xiao Man's appearance, she is also very well-behaved."

  "Hmph!" Qinghe saw Lianxiang say such shallow words, and only felt amused in her heart. Fortunately, Lianxiang had always been so naive and romantic, Qinghe didn't say much, but continued: "Sister, haven't you ever heard an old saying? It's called knowing people by their face but not their heart. This little barbarian's face doesn't have 'good person' or 'bad person' written on it, how can you tell her character from her appearance?"

  "Is that really so?" Lian Xiang was left speechless by Qing He's words, and could only feel that the affairs of this world were indeed confusing her greatly.

  "Moreover, that little girl is clever with her words, truly speaking with hidden meaning. Even I, as her sister, almost got deceived by her." Qinghe took a sip of tea, but her eyes were fixed on the other side, gradually becoming distracted. Her mouth, however, continued to speak in a rapid succession, like pouring beans: "Hmph, what a clever little thing! Don't look down on her humble status and origins from the brothel, truly remarkable! With this merit of sending messages and making connections, if today's events really come to pass, I'm afraid this little thing won't be content with just being a concubine anymore! So clever, truly so clever. If even a servant girl is this clever, then how wise must Su Jin be? Could it be that Tan Zong..."

  "What? What do you mean, sister?" Lotus Fragrance had just begun to understand Ding's words when she was suddenly confused again by Qinghe.

  The lotus fragrance was so naive that it made Qinghe's soul return, and she hummed in a bad mood. However, she couldn't help but secretly sigh in her heart: "This younger sister of mine really has no cunning at all. If one day I'm gone, I'm afraid she'll be bullied to death!" But although she thought so in her heart, her mouth was not lenient: "Hmph! Let me ask you, are we from a brothel?"

  "That's natural, why did sister ask such a question." Lianxiang was stunned at first, then giggled and said: "Usually, sister always says I'm stupid, could it be that now sister is also stupid?"

  "You little scamp, dare to tease me again and I'll tear your mouth apart!" Qinghe snorted, then continued asking as before: "So, am I considered lowly?"

  "Sister, how can you say such a thing!" Lian Xiang snorted, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand, but between her eyebrows and eyes was a hint of an irrepressible smile.

  "Both you and I were born in brothels, with lowly status. Su Jin was also born in a brothel, with lowly status. But apart from the three of us, including Su Jin, which woman who mingles with the wind and dust isn't from a brothel and has a lowly status? If one day we're lucky enough to be redeemed by a good family and taken home as concubines, perhaps there's still hope for a better life. But if we enter those grand and wealthy households, I fear it will be difficult to live in peace."

  "Sister, you're wrong this time." Lianxiang couldn't help but retort: "How can a wealthy family who doesn't have to worry about food and clothing not live a life of ease?"

  "Ah~" Qinghe couldn't help but shake her head and sigh, thinking for a long time before speaking: "In the past, I didn't explain to you either. Now that it's come to this, I'll make it clear to you, sister, so as to avoid regret later on."

  Seeing Qinghe's serious expression, Lianxiang hastily stood up and sat upright opposite Qinghe. However, although Lianxiang looked serious, her face still showed a few hints of doubt.

  "Have you forgotten that when we were young, how many sisters did I have who were just like me?"

  "Probably eight or nine people?" Lian Xiang was taken aback by his words and only replied after a moment of thought.

  "Eight or nine people?" Qinghe smiled, but her face was full of bitter intention: "It's ten people. One died of illness when you and I were nine years old, and four were sold to a brothel in Datong Prefecture when we were twelve. When you and I were fourteen, one was beaten to death by mom for refusing to receive guests. Two years ago, Shixiang fell in love with a young master from Suzhou and wanted to redeem herself, but mom opened her mouth and asked for 400 taels of silver, which the young master couldn't afford, so he had to leave reluctantly. Shixiang threw herself into a well. Last year, Xiaofurong was redeemed by an old official from a neighboring prefecture, and I heard that she was beaten to death by his wife on charges of adultery just a few months ago."

  "Ah...... Sister Furong is dead?"

  "I don't believe it either, but I've asked around and have no choice but to believe it." Qinghe sighed and fell silent for about half a cup of tea's worth of time, as if praying for her deceased sister.

  "Let's not talk about others, let's just talk about Furong. When she left back then, weren't we happy for her? We thought she had finally struggled free and escaped the sea of suffering. But who knew that in the blink of an eye, she would be separated from us by heaven and earth. If she had died of illness, it would have been one thing, but to be beaten to death by the mistress on charges of adultery... Ha! Do you think there's no foul play involved?"

  "It's absolutely unbelievable. Elder Sister Furong isn't that kind of person." Lianxiang was taken aback, then immediately added: "Then why..."

  "So that little savage said that we, who come from a humble background and have a low social status, are indeed in the right. Qinghe paused for a moment, then continued: "For people like us, if we really enter a wealthy family, I'm afraid the first thing to worry about is being bullied by the mistress of the house under false pretenses. Although the current laws are quite strict, it's not difficult for the mistress to find an excuse to put us to death. If she has the intention, I'm afraid it won't take a few days to harm us, and even the authorities will be powerless."

  What Qinghe said was unbearable, and Lianxiang felt an uncontrollable chill run through her body. She hastily replied, "Are you saying that I will have to spend the rest of my life in this brothel?"

  "Nature is not like that. If you meet the right person, you can also escape from suffering. Just like in the past with Shi Xiang, if you really encounter someone who values emotions and righteousness, you can also escape from suffering. At that time, although you may not be able to enjoy wealth and honor, you can live a carefree life."

  "But Xiāng Pō isn't..."

  "Hmph, Mother is just a money-grabber, as long as you give her enough silver, are you afraid she won't let you go?!" Qinghe couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in her heart, but quickly suppressed it and calmly said: "Do you think that Tan Zong really has the silver to redeem Su Jin's body? It's not like Su Jin herself saved up the silver. Now that Tan Zong has obtained the title of Yuanguo Gong and is on good terms with this year's top scholars, I'm afraid even Mother wouldn't dare to open her mouth too wide. Moreover, Su Jin signed a half-contract, not a full-body contract like ours, so Mother wouldn't dare to interfere."

  "Sister said so. However, if that's the case, why is Xiao Man still like this?" Lian Xiang was already frightened by Qing He's words, but she remembered what happened today and quickly asked in pursuit.

  "That's what I meant by clever." Qinghe sighed: "Do you think she really did it for Su Jin? In the end, it was all about herself. Everyone in Nanjing Prefecture knew that Wang Gongzi wanted to get Su Jin, but they couldn't do anything because of Su Jin's good reputation, so they had to take this gentlemanly approach."

  At this point, Qinghe's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness, and she coldly laughed: "I suppose our young master has already come up with a plan to deal with Tan Zong, and that little savage is just one part of it. If the plan succeeds, not only will Tan Zong be imprisoned, but Su Jin will also have no choice but to enter the palace. At that time, Little Savage will have rendered great service, and even if Su Jin finds out about her role in the matter, she won't be able to hide her merit. By then, a concubine's status might not be enough for her."

  Lotus fragrance thought for a moment, and indeed it was as Qinghe said. But the key point was not quite clear, so she hurriedly asked: "But didn't Sister say that such wealthy families can't be entered? This little barbarian is so clever, how could he be so foolish?"

  "Hmph, don't forget that Su Jin and Xiao Man are different from us. They are still officials with a good reputation, how can we compare to them? Moreover, the Wang household is currently lacking a young mistress, I'm afraid this little lady is thinking of securing her position as a favored wife in the future. Even if she can't become the main wife, being a secondary wife would be a good outcome too."

  At this point, Qinghe snorted coldly and revealed a few points of sarcasm and disdain on her face: "It's just that the little savage had good ideas but forgot that even if she had 'meritorious service', her birth was not enough. The Wang family has been in office for generations, and is one of the top families in Nanjing Prefecture, and even the main family in Shandong is a wealthy family that can be counted on. How could they tolerate someone like her to sit as the first lady? Even if it were Su Jing, the young lady of her family, it would not be possible. Being able to live a peaceful life in the Wang family might already be a good ending."

  "Ah!" Lian Xiang was about to continue questioning when the carriage suddenly shook and came to a stop.

  "Gentlemen, let us raise our glasses together!"

  "Cheers!"

  It is unknown who proposed it, but now Tan Zong only needs to hear this extremely familiar phrase and can only reluctantly follow with a toast - it is said that this phrase was passed down from the founding emperor's grand banquet!

  They say that the alcohol content of ancient wine was low, but I think these people are all talking nonsense! Just look at the color of this wine, it's pure white; and when you taste it, it's spicy as soon as it goes down your throat. Although it can't compare to the high-proof baijiu of later generations, it's already got a degree of 45 or 46.

  Fortunately, Tan Zong had already gotten used to some of the strange changes in this world over the past few days, such as the three-lane road paved with red bricks on a foundation of mixed soil, or the slightly colored transparent glass on the window frames. And then there was Mahjong, revered as one of the national treasures of later generations, along with Poker, which came and went with it. All these things made Tan Zong lament in his heart that he was born out of time - all the great plans for getting rich through time travel had been stillborn.

  If it weren't for the attire still being mainly cheongsam, I'm afraid Tan Xinzhi would have thought he had arrived in the late Qing or early Republic period.

  Fortunately, apart from these, Tan Zong also has his own strengths. In this era, people are already different from the previous dynasty, and they attach great importance to science and engineering. When promoting officials in the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, they have extremely high requirements for science. This allows Tan Zong, who was born with a scientific background, to have enough capital to survive in this world - even if he fails the imperial examination next year, it will not be a problem for him to find a job as a clerk in the Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Revenue with his scientific knowledge being much higher than the current cultural level.

  Moreover, Tan Zong has already obtained the status of a holder in Nanjing Prefecture, and even if he doesn't go to the capital for the imperial examination, he can still find a job in various prefectures. After a few years, becoming a Tongzhi shouldn't be a problem.

  When the time comes, with a virtuous wife at home and no worries about making a living, it is truly a life like that of the immortals.

  At this point, Tan Zong couldn't help but feel a surge of heat in his ears, thinking about the little savage girl who had brought over the message earlier, saying that Su Jin had already packed her bags and moved into her own rented courtyard. She was just waiting for Tan Zong to return from Wen Yuan's academy after grading the exam papers, and then they would set off together to Autumn Moon Building to redeem her. It was also said that 500 taels of silver had been prepared and placed in the house in the small courtyard, and the amount was certainly sufficient, so Tan Zong didn't need to worry about it.

  Moreover, in order to prevent Tang Bohu from getting drunk and causing trouble, he specially ordered Xiao Man to stand guard on one side.

  All these arrangements, although conveyed through Xiao Man's words, seemed to be spoken by Su Jin himself when heard in Tan Zhong's ears. Every word seemed to pierce his heart, making him wish the night would fall sooner.

  "Sir, isn't your soul gone?"

  Suddenly, he heard someone calling him in his ear, and Tan Zong was also startled. He suddenly came back to himself and only then realized that a woman with a clever smile was standing in front of him. Without looking at the golden branch inserted diagonally into her black hair or the jade bangles on her wrist, but just gazing at those eyes like stars, Tan Zong's heart was already drunk.

  "It turned out to be Qinghe girl, but I don't know when the girl came?" Tan Zong's heart was slightly startled, and his face couldn't help but reveal a hint of suspicion.

  The Cuiyun Pavilion's Qinghe and Lianxiang were both famous in Nanjing, rivaling Su Jin. However, as people would say later, one was a performer and the other was a courtesan, so although they had heard of each other, they didn't have much of a relationship.

  Tan Zong thought that his relationship with Su Jin was already settled, and this social connection also seemed to be a perfect match. However, he didn't know why the leader of the pleasure-seeking group had come to find him. Although he felt somewhat puzzled in his heart, he couldn't skip this courtesy, so Tan Zong didn't say much and raised his hand to toast, but was unexpectedly blocked by a slender hand covering his cup.

  "What's the meaning of this, Miss Qinghe?" Tan Zong couldn't help but frown. Whether in this life or the next, when socializing and making connections, there had always been people urging him to drink, but Tan Zong had never met anyone who refused a toast before. He felt somewhat displeased - if you don't want to drink when I offer you a toast, that's fine, but now you won't even let me offer you one, aren't you looking down on me!

  "Don't worry, Yuan Gong." Qing He was a straightforward person, and Tan Zong only furrowed his brow, but she knew what he was thinking, and couldn't help feeling a bit resentful, silently lamenting that men were indeed concerned with saving face.

  Just thinking of that chance to escape the sea of suffering, Qinghe still couldn't retreat, so she was still smiling like a flower, pointing at the little barbarian sitting behind Tan Zong: "If Lord Ayuan wants to drink with me, he should ask Little Barbarian first. If it's because of this cup of wine that I ruined Lord Ayuan's big event of checking the scrolls tonight, Qinghe will be guilty and won't be able to escape, and later Su sister and Little Barbarian girl will resent me."

  "Qinghe girl really told a funny story." Tan Zong burst out laughing, and called Xiaoman to his side: "Xiaoman is clever and won't do such things. Let's fill up this cup, and consider it as me toasting you on behalf of Su Jin."

  "It's fine like this." Qinghe smiled slightly, raised her hand to take a sip from her cup, but her phoenix eyes caught the few hints of disdain and contempt that flashed in Xiao Man's eyes towards Tan Zong.

  Xiao Man's eyes flashed with a hint of mischief, but it was clear that she had no idea that someone with ulterior motives had taken notice.

  "Indeed." Qinghe sighed inwardly, her expression unchanged: "Then I'll offer my congratulations to Yuanyuan and Su sister." After speaking, she lowered her head again, then raised it, revealing a bitter smile: "Alas, who knows when I and my younger sister Lianxiang will be fortunate enough to receive your favor and escape this fiery hell. You should know that women like us can only envy someone like Su sister."

  Tan heard the words, and his heart couldn't help but tighten - it was the first time they met, even if it was because of Su Jin's relationship, it only counted as knowing each other by name. But from Qinghe's tone, it was clear that there was more to what he said than meets the eye, and it wasn't something an ordinary person would say, only close friends who had known each other for many years would speak like this.

  Moreover, in this clear and pure words, there is a subtle implication that he wants Tan Zhong to ransom him out, which really makes Tan Zhong puzzled.

  Qinghe saw a few flashes of doubt in Tan Zhong's eyes, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief in his heart. He knew that today's situation was already sufficient, so he bid farewell: "Qinghe must have had too much to drink today and said some nonsense, making Yuanyuan laugh. Now, Yuanyuan, please sit down, I'll go wash my face. Ah, I've had too much to drink today, just hope I don't walk into the wrong room later, that would be embarrassing."

  Tan Zong was a true drunkard, seeing Qinghe's calm and composed demeanor, not a hint of intoxication, he suddenly became alert, feeling that Qinghe's arrival today was suspicious, even his words were laced with a hint of strangeness. For the time being, Tan Zong couldn't figure it out, so he put it aside for now.

  When the banquet finally came to an end, it was already around 8 o'clock in the evening when they left the table. At this time, whether it was the dozen or so high school students who had come to make merry or those who had come to buy drinks, they were all drunk. As for Xu Jun and Xu Wenlong, the two top scholars, they had long since been carried home by their servants.

  Fortunately, the Xu family is also a wealthy household in Nanjing Prefecture, and Xu Jun is the eldest son. Now that he has passed the imperial examination as the top scholar, he wouldn't care about such a small amount of money for wine. He had already instructed the accountant to take care of it. Otherwise, with the current state of this banquet hall, I'm afraid no one would be able to afford to pay.

  However, among all these people, there was one exception, Tan Zong.

  Not to mention that Tan Zong's alcohol capacity is higher than others, nor does he feel that he has a small temper, but just because of the abnormal behavior of Qinghe, it makes Tan Zong more vigilant. Therefore, although Tan Zong's pace seems chaotic, his heart is like a clear mirror.

  "Master, it's already eight o'clock, let's go to Wenyuan Hall to check the examination papers now."

  At the reminder of Xiao Man, Tan Zong's heart slightly awakened, and he didn't say much. Pretending to be drunk, he leaned on Xiao Man's somewhat frail shoulders and stumbled out of the wine tower, got into the carriage that had been waiting outside for a long time, and headed straight to Wenyuan Academy.

  "I'd like to see what kind of trouble this simple matter can stir up." Tan Zong snorted inwardly, closed his eyes and lay down in the carriage, starting to snore.

  "(Working hard to update, please collect and vote with red tickets. If you like it, also help recommend it to your friends.)"