Old Man Zhang's house had gained a young man and woman as tenants, and it became a favorite topic of gossip among the neighbors.
They were said to be a young master and young mistress from a wealthy household who had eloped. This sort of drama was exactly what the streets and alleyways loved to hear about; it was common in operas, after all. Now that an opera plot had come to life right beside them, how could people possibly run out of things to talk about?
Yet the woman never stepped outside, so no one had seen her. Old Man Zhang praised her as if she were a deity, but nobody could really picture it. She was probably much like Steward Zhou's daughter—shy and sheltered in an upper chamber, perhaps occasionally glimpsed when she went to offer incense at the temple. At most, she would be a little fairer than others and dressed a little more prettily. What Fairy could there possibly be?
If she took off those silks, removed her gold hairpins and powder, she might not even compare to Wang Er'ya from the street. At least Er'ya had wide hips and could bear children.
Inside the house, Liusu crouched before an earthenware pot, stewing soup for Qin Yi.
She had heard the idle chatter outside. Sniffling indignantly, she yanked out a stalk of straw and whipped the pot with it, imagining that she was lashing Qin Yi. It felt wonderfully satisfying.
What the hell did they mean, she was only about as good as Steward Zhou's daughter, and not even as good as Wang Er'ya... Even as a ball, this old lady was cuter than her, all right?!
Forget it. Why bother competing with them?
Liusu had deliberately stayed indoors. She did not want to change into