Kangping withdrew the money from the Houfu accounts and went to the government to settle the matter. Although the matter was resolved, the fact that the Ju Fu buffet had been shut down and a group of vendors had sued the Ju Fu buffet in court was common knowledge. This was because the stories of Xing Dai Rong’s popularity had spread throughout the streets and alleys, and now that she was being sued and had outstanding debts, the matter was being discussed even more widely. Within a day, Xing Dai Rong’s reputation plummeted. From being a kind and charitable woman, a wonder of the world, she became a deadbeat who owed money to innocent vendors, took their food and used it to build her reputation, and ultimately forced the Houfu to pay her debts. At the same time, someone spread the rumor that Xing Dai Rong was going to open a lingerie shop, a business that defied conventional morality. Furthermore, due to her past as a courtesan, everyone began to gossip and embellish the story. They said that she was a courtesan, that she only bullied innocent vendors, used their flowers to make offerings to Buddha (a Chinese idiom meaning to use others to benefit oneself), borrowed money from others to build her own reputation, was a deadbeat with a mind full of dirty ideas, only knew how to seduce men, was trying to climb the social ladder, and was tricking the Houfu’s young master into doing her bidding. All her former fame and praise disappeared. The friends who had discussed how lucky Cheng Yunshuo was to have married such a wonderful woman all changed their tune and began to ridicule him. Cheng Yunshuo, as a result, didn’t dare to go out for a while and stayed in his Leisure Pavilion. Even though he had lost his allowance, his meals were still provided. However, he was only given the regular meals supplied by the Houfu, and the extra dishes he used to order were no longer available as his monthly allowance had stopped. Anything beyond the standard meals would have to be paid for.
In a blink of an eye, the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. Qiu Ling received a new set of clothes. The Houfu was a wealthy household, and even ordinary servants would receive two new sets of clothes a year. The mistresses and concubines had a new clothing allowance for each season, with concubines getting a new set every quarter, and receiving an additional set during festivals. Qiu Ling was delighted with the new golden embroidered autumn jacket delivered by the Houfu’s wardrobe, and she strolled around the courtyard leisurely. From afar, she saw Xing Dai Rong wearing a summer thin shirt.
“Oh, you’re still wearing summer clothes, aren’t you cold?” Qiu Ling, waving her fan, approached Xing Dai Rong. The tides had turned. When she was favored, Qiu Ling avoided her, but now that Xing Dai Rong was down on her luck, Qiu Ling could not resist stepping on her.
Xing Dai Rong glanced at Qiu Ling, who was adorned in new clothes, snorted, and turned to walk away.
“Where are you rushing to? Let’s have a chat.”
“What do I have to talk to you about?” Qiu Ling flaunted, “Look at my new clothes, aren’t they beautiful? Where are your new clothes? Everyone is getting new clothes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Oh, sorry, I forgot! You’re not a concubine yet, so you don’t have any allowance.”
Xing Dai Rong: “…”
She gritted her teeth and looked at Qiu Ling, who was relishing in her misfortune. This vile woman just had to rub it in!
Ever since Cheng Yunshuo lost his allowance, she had no money to spend. She was nameless and without a position in the Houfu, so she didn’t have a monthly allowance or any benefits. All her food and clothing had to be paid for by Cheng Yunshuo. Since she came from a brothel, she didn’t bring any autumn clothes with her. Now that Cheng Yunshuo had no money, she couldn’t make new clothes. It was already mid-August, and she was still wearing her summer thin shirt. She didn’t have a single autumn coat.
“What’s there to show off? It’s just a raggedy old piece of clothing!”
“Raggedy old clothing…do you have any?” Qiu Ling stopped waving her fan, blinked her eyes, and looked at her.
“Qiu Kui, let’s go back!” Xing Dai Rong didn’t want to argue with her anymore. She was now down on her luck, and she wouldn’t bother fighting.
“Don’t rush away, sister. If you really have no autumn clothes to wear, just tell me, I have two old ones in my room, you can take them.” Qiu Ling smiled.
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