Film and Television World Life Record

Before we knew it, it was mid-April. Spring had turned to summer, the weather was gradually warming up, and the whole world was filled with vitality.

For people of this era, this kind of weather is probably the best. There is no winter cold, no summer heat, only warm sunshine and lush green earth. Everything is so bright and refreshing.

Su Tan'er has been busy lately. The Su family mainly deals in cloth. The first batch of silkworms has been harvested, and this batch of silk is the most important one of the year. It is no exaggeration to attach great importance to it.

After the silk quilts were harvested, the Su family's small workshops scattered throughout the country also sprang into operation, preparing for the new year's goods to be put on the shelves.

Su Tan'er was naturally very busy. During the day, she led several maids to inspect various workshops, and at night she stayed up late to check accounts and deal with various problems.

This made Li Mu, who spent his days leisurely and idle, feel a little ashamed.

Su Tan'er chose her own path, and there was nothing he could do to dissuade her.

All I can do is prepare more of her favorite fruits and snacks every day, or talk to her and listen to her vent about the various problems she encounters at work.

In addition, Qin Siyuan's chess stall was set up again on the banks of the Qinhuai River a few days ago, giving Li Mu another place to go. Sometimes when he passed by, he would stop there to sit and play a couple of games.

Sometimes, when he counts on his fingers, he realizes that a year has passed since he came into this world.

Over the past year, I have lived a very comfortable and carefree life. I have a very beautiful wife, a well-behaved maid, a confidante, and a considerable reputation. I have also gradually integrated into this era.

However, all this prosperity was ultimately just a powder keg buried beneath the surface, a fleeting illusion of wealth.

In the streets and alleys, you often hear people talking about how someone has become a bandit king in some nearby area, or how someone has raised a flag to rebel in another place. They treat it all as if it were commonplace, clearly because they've long been numb to such things.

By the end of April, Jiangning City was once again enveloped in a festive atmosphere.

In addition to the dragon boat races to be held on the Qinhuai River on the Dragon Boat Festival on May 5th, there will also be a six-day grand event starting in early May to select the most beautiful woman.

If the annual poetry festival in Jiangning is a stage for talented men to showcase their abilities, then this beauty pageant is a grand gathering of beautiful women.

Just like the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Lantern Festival, which have the support of the government, the Flower Queen Contest also has the strong support of the government.

The competition format was simple: over six days, for the first three days, the Qinhuai River area of ​​Jiangning, with its sixty or seventy brothels of all sizes, was practically open to guests. On prepared terraces, the girls from their courtyards would perform, and if guests liked something, they would buy flowers and send them over; these flowers were proof of the popularity of the event.

It's actually no different from live streaming tipping in the real world.

During this period, brothels used all their skills to promote their girls, and the outcome depended entirely on their methods.

The main event takes place in the last three days. The daytime activities are no different from the first three days, but in the evenings, a large gathering will be held near Bailuzhou. The prefect of Jiangning and many social celebrities will also attend to participate in this elegant event.

The courtesan competition began in this festive atmosphere. Many brothels in Jiangning City held grand ceremonies, and on the Qinhuai River, painted boats with colorful ribbons fluttered in the breeze, creating a lively scene.

Li Mu, with Xiao Chan by his side, strolled casually among the brothels, following the flow of people. The little girl was dressed very beautifully today, in a white summer dress adorned with small flowers. She was slender, obedient, and lovable. Following Li Mu around the brothels, she was quite eye-catching.

I had intended for her to change into men's clothing, but the little girl refused. She hesitated for a long time before cautiously saying, "It's not that I have to change clothes. Xiao Chan spent a long time getting ready this morning! Changing clothes will take a long time."

"Then we won't change it." Li Mu could only wave his hand.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chan's annoyance immediately turned to joy. She tugged at Li Mu's sleeve and giggled, "Young Master, you're so kind..."

Li Mu ruffled her bun hair: "You're only just realizing this now?"

Xiao Chan blushed slightly, immediately covered her head, and pouted, saying, "Young Master, my hair is all combed!"

This elicited a loud laugh from Li Mu.

The two wandered around for a while. Xiao Chan was enjoying herself, but Li Mu found it rather uninteresting. Although the girls inside were dressed up, there weren't many who were truly outstanding.

It will probably be about three days later when the selected girls take to Bailuzhou to perform, and that's when things will really get interesting.

Leading Xiao Chan out of the brothel, they walked along the Qinhuai River for a while. Qin Siyuan was still setting up his chess stall, but Kang Xian was not there.

Li Mu led Xiao Chan over. On the banks of the Qinhuai River in early summer, a gentle evening breeze blew and willows drooped along the banks. Li Mu sat down to play chess with Qin Siyuan, and the little girl sat beside him, watching quietly in the breeze. Her hair was gently caressed by the wind, and she looked innocent and pure, yet she also seemed to have grown up a bit.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of Jin Feng Lou, as the head of the four major brothels, the brand's flagship, and a favorite to win the courtesan competition, Yuan Jin'er had finished her morning performance, removed her makeup, and was enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.

Although the performances were done in rotation, her time on stage wasn't very long in half a day. But as a favorite to win, talented guests came from far and wide, some even spending a fortune just to see her.

Even after stepping down, one can only painstakingly navigate among these people and deal with all sorts of troubles, which is also a very mentally taxing task.

Fortunately, Sister Yunzhu finally found time to visit her.

After removing her makeup and not even bothering to comb her hair, Yuan Jin'er leaned lazily against the cool bed, talking as she stuffed a plate of fruit and candied fruit into her mouth.

The next moment, Nie Yunzhu took the fruit plate back.

"I told you to eat less of this and more soup and rice, so you won't get bloated during the performance. Let's see what you do then!"

Yuan Jin'er puffed out her cheeks and chewed while mumbling, "Sister Yunzhu, it's okay, I'm feeling great! Mom has been making me eat so little these past few days, I'm starving. Besides, what's the point of such a high ranking! Let whoever wants to be the courtesan be it."

Nie Yunzhu finally put the fruit plate aside again: "You should eat less of that. Eating too much sweet stuff will make you fat."

Yuan Jin'er picked up another candied fruit and put it in her mouth, chewing it like a hamster, saying as she ate, "I know, Sister Yunzhu."

As she spoke, she suddenly grinned and said, "No, today I should call you Brother Yunzhu."

Nie Yunzhu glared at her. To avoid drawing too much attention, she was dressed as a man today, holding a folding fan, wearing a black robe, with her long hair tied up and a scholar's cap on her head. At first glance, she really looked like a talented scholar with a feather fan and a turban.

Especially her demeanor. After more than half a year of experience in the business world, and with the Zhu Ji business growing larger and larger, Nie Yunzhu has inadvertently developed a certain air about her.

After chatting for a while, Nie Yunzhu looked at the few poems on the table and couldn't help but laugh, "This Cao Guan really cares about you. The courtesan competition has just started and he's already sent over a few poems."

Yuan Jin'er stretched and said lazily, "She does care, but I don't know if it's for my sake."

"Actually, Sister Yunzhu, you should understand that Jin'er doesn't want to become a courtesan! The title of courtesan is prestigious and sounds good. Those so-called talented men are proud of winning the favor of the courtesan, but if they really become the courtesan and are in the spotlight, the ending is not necessarily good."

She sighed and said, "Sister, you also know about last year's courtesan, Feng Xiaojing. Because she was chosen as the courtesan, she became too famous and was taken a liking to Cheng Yong, the commander of the Wu Lie Army. She refused to submit to him and was once forced to the point of almost jumping off a building. If someone hadn't spoken up for her, she would have been slashed with a knife on the spot."

"This is still because our dynasty suppresses the military with civil officials, and military officers have low status and are afraid of being impeached. If they really encounter a big shot, they don't even have a chance to resist."

"Whoever wants to be the top courtesan can be. If I become the top courtesan, I'm afraid I'll have to find someone I like and marry them immediately."

"I'm afraid that by then, my price will be even higher, and I won't have enough money to redeem myself. But after all, I'm a courtesan, and someone will always be willing to marry me. I can admire her as a flower, and I can also brag about it to others. She'll still be of some use."

Nie Yunzhu sighed, "Alas!"

"Jin'er, don't be so discouraged. If you really want to go out and don't have enough money, your sister can help you."

Yuan Jin'er immediately smiled and said, "Then thank you, sister. Jin'er would like to be a manager with Sister Yunzhu!"

Chapter 601 My Husband Wants to Take a Concubine

The two sisters chatted for a long time. Looking at Yuan Jin'er, who was full of energy and seemed carefree, Nie Yunzhu sighed. Everyone thought they were glamorous and popular, but who could understand their situation?

Those so-called gatherings of talented men and beautiful women might be seen as elegant and refined by the talented men, or as a romantic encounter where someone is favored by a famous courtesan and becomes her lover, or as a beautiful woman winning their heart. These are considered extremely elegant and enviable things.

She didn't think it was anything particularly elegant; it was just a woman's way of pretending to be someone she was anxious about, trying to find a glimmer of light in her otherwise bleak future.

At Jin Feng Lou, she diligently studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, gaining some fame and autonomy, and was able to develop her career as a courtesan who sold her art but not her body. However, she dared not become too famous, for fear of attracting the attention of wealthy and powerful men and becoming a tool for them to display their achievements and charm.

These people are alright if they follow the rules. But if they don't, and are really determined to get a woman, not many people can resist.

During her time at the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, she lived in constant anxiety and trepidation, fearing both that her fame would attract the attention of powerful and influential people and that her lack of fame would leave her without autonomy and force her into prostitution.

Jin Fenglou's mother was a decent person, but she couldn't be considered a good person either; she was just a rule-abiding citizen.

Those unknown girls, even if they are chaste and virtuous, how many can keep their bodies? Despite all the means, the final outcome is hard to change.

Even those girls who initially resisted the most fiercely gradually became numb and adapted over time, living like zombies every day.

Some went insane and were kicked out, becoming beggars. Their fates were tragic; most didn't survive the winter and died silently.

During those days, she was afraid and worried every day, afraid that she would become like that in the future.

While carefully maintaining her reputation, she was also wary of becoming too famous.

Finally, she made it through, saved enough money to buy her freedom, and encountered a respectable mother, escaping the hellish place. This was the elegant haven that the talented scholar had so fondly remembered.

Today, Yuan Jin'er faces the same situation. She seems to be enjoying great success, but her future is uncertain. New talents replace the old ones. How many more years can she remain popular? There will always be a time when she can no longer protect herself.

At that point, whether or not she sells herself will no longer be up to her. The best outcome will be that she is bought back as a concubine and becomes a tool for showing off.

Nie Yunzhu's thoughts raced for a moment before she spoke again: "Jin'er, if you really want to leave Jin Feng Lou, you should prepare as soon as possible and not delay too long. I will help you when the time comes."

Yuan Jin'er nodded: "Don't worry, Sister Yunzhu, Jin'er is already preparing. We'll just see when the time is right."

After discussing for a while, Yuan Jin'er suddenly smiled and asked, "Sister Yunzhu, do you have someone you like?"

Nie Yunzhu blushed slightly, neither denying nor admitting it.

Yuan Jin'er asked in surprise, "Who is it! When will you bring him back so I can see him? I'll seduce him and see if he takes the bait, and test him for my sister."

Nie Yunzhu was both amused and exasperated. She reached out and pinched her pert buttocks, saying, "You little brat, you're talking nonsense."

Yuan Jin'er chuckled and said, "Jin'er is serious. If he is really a good person, it wouldn't be a problem for Jin'er and sister to serve him together. Sister, aren't you afraid that Jin'er will steal him away?"

Seeing that Nie Yunzhu was about to make a move again, Yuan Jin'er laughed and quickly dodged, but was eventually caught up with.

A moment later, a voice pleading for mercy came from the courtyard: "Jin'er was wrong! Sister Yunzhu, spare my life!"

……

In the evening, Li Mu brought Xiao Chan home, while Su Tan'er was still busy.

Although she didn't say it, Li Mu knew what Su Tan'er had been busy with these past few days; it was probably to become a royal merchant.

The imperial merchants of the Wu Dynasty were divided into two types. One type was the reparations paid to the Liao Dynasty since the two peace negotiations at Tanyuan and Heishui. The demand for cloth was very high. Although the price was not too high, it was good to be able to establish a relationship with the royal family. Even if the profit was small, the sales volume was large.

Another type is high-end silk, which is what the royal family truly needs. This part is not only highly profitable, but if a channel can be opened, it will be of great benefit to the Su family's fabric business itself.

Even the royal family uses it and says it's good. What a great advertisement! Don't you think so?

Of these two types of imperial merchants, the first is easier, while the second is more difficult.

There are only two ways to open up avenues: one is to take shortcuts and find connections, and the other is to be down-to-earth and improve your skills.