Yi Qing said she was going to the town, but in fact, as soon as she stepped out of the door, she hired a carriage and headed into the city.
At the city gate, there were quite a few people either standing or squatting. Since there was no work in the fields during winter, they came out hoping to find some odd jobs to earn a few coppers.
As soon as Yi Qing walked over, several people stepped forward to strike up a conversation. "Miss, does your family need someone to do some work?"
"Fifty coppers a day will do."
"Miss, I can do it too."
Yi Qing took out a handful of coins. "I'm looking for Scabby Song."
Scabby Song was a loafer. He got this nickname because of the scabs on his head. He loafed around all day and knew people from all walks of life.
After getting the money, those people immediately scattered to look for him and soon found him.
Scabby Song trotted over. From afar, when he saw Yi Qing, he grinned from ear to ear.
"Hey, I said there were magpies chirping on the branches this morning when I went out! So it's the lucky money girl coming!"
Yi Qing shot him a glare and stepped forward.
Scabby Song quickly caught up, smiling obsequiously. "Miss Yi, long time no see. How have you been? And how's your son?"
"Help me find someone." Yi Qing took out a portrait from her sleeve and handed it to him, getting straight to the point.
Scabby Song took it and unfolded it. He looked at it carefully for a long time, stroking his chin. "I've never seen this person."
"It would be strange if you had. I drew this based on my imagination." Yi Qing said.
Scabby Song said, "My lady, you can't play tricks on people like this. You've imagined a person. Even if I wear out my shoes, I won't be able to find this person."
"I'm not asking you to find this person. Look for someone who looks similar to this, preferably as good - looking as possible. Look for him in the opera troupe." Yi Qing said. "He should be smart. Money is not a problem, and you'll also get your share of the benefits."
After saying that, she took out a piece of silver worth two taels and threw it over. "Let someone send me a message when you find him!"
Scabby Song caught the silver, bit it, and said with a sly smile, "Don't worry, Miss Yi. I'll definitely find him for you. Hehe, Miss Yi, why do you need someone so good - looking? Is it because..."
"What, is there a problem?"
"No, no problem. Of course not." Scabby Song chuckled.
Yi Qing then went to buy a few things before heading back home.
A few days later, Xiao Tian said he had something to do in the capital. He hitched a ride on the Lu family's carriage when they went to pick up Baozi. After he came back, he asked Yi Qing to help treat Lady Di.
"No way." Yi Qing refused straightforwardly.
"Yi Weiwei is Yi Weiwei, and Lady Di is Lady Di." Xiao Tian said. "Since she found out about Baozi, how many things has she sent you?"
He had visited Lady Di. She was lying in bed in a desolate state, looking at the bare sycamore tree outside. There was little longing for life left in her eyes.
Even when she saw him, she wasn't very excited. She just said, "My father sent someone to tell me your news. I'm really happy."
She had lost all hope for life.
Xiao Tian couldn't help but persuade her, "If that's the case, get a divorce. Since you got married to him, how many times have you caught him? You're not tired of it, but I'm tired of watching. Yi Weiwei dared to lead people to hunt down Yi Qing when she was only twelve. Now she's even more unreasonable..."
What was there for her to be attached to in such a father - daughter pair and such a Marquis Huai'en's Mansion?
Back then, Lady Di was a heroic daughter of a general's family. Her valiant and graceful appearance had captivated many young masters.
But she had chosen the glib - tongued Marquis Huai'en from a humble background.
This Marquis Huai'en was granted by the late emperor in exchange for the military merits of Duke Di.
Duke Di had so many military merits that there was nothing else to bestow. The late emperor was quite willing to give the rewards to a useless person like Marquis Huai'en, so that he wouldn't pose a threat.
In other words, everything Marquis Huai'en had now came from Lady Di and the Duke Di's Mansion.
But even so, he still had an affair with his maid in Lady Di's room.
But for Lady Di, on the one hand, he was the person she had chosen despite all difficulties. How could she have the face to go back on her choice? And on the other hand, Yi Weiwei was her own flesh and blood. No matter how useless Yi Weiwei was, she was still the child she had given birth to after ten months of pregnancy.
How could she let go?
She just hoped to end her life to be free.
After hearing what Xiao Tian said, Yi Qing said, "No, I can't save her. I only treat diseases. I can't heal a broken heart."
Xiao Tian said, "Please, just go and have a look for my sake."
"Do you have a big enough face?"
Xiao Tian was angry. "You're so polite to Lu Tianxun because he's Baozi's master. Then don't I count as a martial arts master?"
Yi Qing laughed. "If you put it that way, I seem to have to help. Well, wait for a few days. I'm waiting for an assistant."
"Assistant?" Xiao Tian thought he had misheard.
"Yes, an assistant." Yi Qing smiled enigmatically. "I have to put this bluntly. First, I'll treat her, but I can't guarantee a full recovery. Second, I won't stay in the Marquis Huai'en's Mansion. I can leave my assistant there, but he's a man. You weigh the pros and cons yourself."
She had been thinking about how to send someone in front of Yi Weiwei, and now there was just such an opportunity.
"Who is he? Why haven't I seen him?"
"There are many things you haven't seen." Yi Qing said. "Have you ever seen me sleeping?"
Xiao Tian's face immediately turned red. He gritted his teeth and said, "You woman!"
"Think it over yourself." Yi Qing waved her hand.
Scabby Song brought her the news that he had found the person. He was from an opera troupe. He was very good - looking, but because his voice wasn't good, he could only do odd jobs there.
Yi Qing was quite satisfied when she saw the man. She gave Scabby Song ten taels of silver and took the man to the inn.
This man's name was Gao Yu. Judging from his face, his name really suited him.
"I'll give you a hundred taels of silver and introduce a good marriage to you. How about it?" Yi Qing said with a half - smile.
Gao Yu was quite alert. He bowed and said, "Miss, you'd better make it clear. I won't do anything illegal."
Yi Qing said, "God has given you such a good - looking face. Are you willing to always do such low - class jobs? Haven't you ever dreamed of becoming a high - ranking person?"
"Well, of course I've dreamed of it. But with my background, I've never studied and have nothing special..."
"I'll show you a way out..."
She talked for a long time. Gao Yu went from being shocked at first, to being uneasy, and then gradually gathered courage.
"Don't be afraid. Marquis Huai'en rose to power like this. You can too." Yi Qing sneered. "At worst, if you fail, you can still get the hundred taels of silver I give you. It'll be enough capital for you to do a small business in the future."
Gao Yu finally agreed. He bowed and said, "Please give me some advice, Miss."
"I have nothing to advise you. You've been in the opera troupe. You should have sung and heard many plays about talented scholars and beautiful ladies. Just follow those examples. Yi Weiwei is a fool. Just flatter her and praise her."
Yi Qing took Gao Yu back home.
"Is this your assistant?" Xiao Tian frowned and asked, looking at that overly good - looking face.