Chapter 89: The Storyteller

Since Tan Yun had made up her mind, she acted swiftly, and within a few days, Tan Qingjiu received the news.

“It’s been said that the bandits of Wangyou Mountain robbed Madam Wang of the Wang family, one of the four great families of the capital. Madam Wang was on her way to the temple to offer incense when she was attacked; the fright was so great that she collapsed on the spot.”

“Upon hearing the news, Lord Wang was furious. He reported directly to His Majesty and led troops to suppress the bandits himself.”

“Those bandits on Wangyou Mountain had always preyed only on commoners, never daring to target the nobility or officials. One wonders why they so recklessly crossed the line this time, utterly unprepared and were wiped out completely.”

Tan Qingjiu smiled and glanced at Qingdai, who was animatedly chatting with the other medical women and apprentices. “With that mouth of yours, it’s a pity you don’t take up storytelling.”

Qingdai laughed heartily, “Isn’t it? If the opportunity arises, Master, you should open a teahouse so that when I’m idle, I can take to storytelling myself.”

Having said this, Qingdai walked over to Tan Qingjiu. “That Lord Wang is truly decisive. He took all those bandits back to the capital and, before His Majesty, concocted a slew of lofty reasons. His sole aim was to have them all executed at noon at the city gate as a warning to others.”

“His Majesty has already agreed, and the executions are set for the day after tomorrow, just outside the gate.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded, “Very well. That day should be quite the spectacle. I must go and see it for myself.”

Qingdai’s lips curled into a smile. “That’s one matter. There’s another—Master, concerning your incident of falling into the water, I’ve also quietly spread some embellished rumors.”

“In the first couple of days after it happened, Tan Yunge was quite vigilant, probably wary of us spreading tales. She stationed many people outside to gather information, frequenting teahouses and taverns in hopes of intercepting any gossip as soon as it began to circulate.”

“Fortunately, Master, you were wise and instructed us to keep quiet for the time being. Tan Yunge’s people watched for two or three days, saw no movement on our side, and relaxed. Within days, her people withdrew.”

“That’s when we began to spread the rumors. This time we were extremely cautious—not starting in teahouses or taverns, but in places where ordinary folk gather most. The main streets where people buy and sell, the beggars’ quarter, the brothels.”

“These places may seem beneath notice to Tan Yunge, but the effect is real. The rumors have been circulating for three days now, and Tan Yunge has yet to catch wind of them.”

“Even if she still has people watching the teahouses, taverns, and theatres, by the time the rumors reach those venues, nearly the entire city will already know.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded, lowering her gaze with a soft laugh. “Isn’t Tan Yunge most concerned with her reputation? She’s spent years painstakingly cultivating an image of gentleness and virtue—even pretending to help Shen Xiao by bringing the woman Shen Xiao favored in the brothel back to the prince’s manor, just to seem generous and magnanimous. Since she cares so much, I must treat her accordingly…”

“I’ll take from her, bit by bit, everything she values and possesses.”

Tan Qingjiu dropped her eyes. “The rumors have spread enough; it’s time to cast the net. Find me the largest and finest teahouse in the city and reserve a private room for tomorrow—I want to hear the storyteller recite this episode.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll listen to the storyteller; the day after, I’ll watch the executions at the city gate.”

“I wonder if Tan Yunge can withstand such successive blows.”

Qingdai pursed her lips, “She deserves to be shown what she’s up against. I heard that after your fall into the water, Tan Yunge sought out Chen Yue Ru, who advised her to calm herself and make amends to you, explaining that her actions were merely the result of emotional agitation.”

“But so many days have passed, and Tan Yunge has made no move at all. She’s probably hoping that you won’t pursue the matter further, that time will wash it away, and she can pretend nothing ever happened—thus avoiding an apology.”

Tan Qingjiu laughed, “Indeed, someone as proud as Tan Yunge could hardly bring herself to bow and apologize to me.”

“She likely hasn’t yet realized that I am not the same Tan Qingjiu she bullied at will six years ago, who dared not utter a word in protest.”

“But no matter. If she hasn’t sensed my change, I’ll give her the chance to feel it, thoroughly.”

Tan Qingjiu had said she would go to the teahouse the next day. After lunch, she left the manor and headed to the city’s largest teahouse, Lai Feng Pavilion.

Lai Feng Pavilion was the grandest teahouse in the city, with three floors, always bustling and full.

Fortunately, Tan Qingjiu had someone reserve a private room in advance. On arrival, she went straight to her room.

The room had a large window; opening it afforded a clear view of the storyteller downstairs.

Tan Qingjiu sat down, ordered tea, and waited for the attendant to leave. Qingdai hurriedly spoke, “Mistress, our people just sent word. On our way here, we were followed.”

Tan Qingjiu was unconcerned. “Whose people?”

“More than one. Our sources say it’s Tan Yunge’s and Tan Yun’s.”

Just as Tan Qingjiu had expected.

Tan Yun had, for days, been sending people to follow her, likely fearing she’d run into Shen Chang’an.

The tea arrived promptly. Tan Qingjiu glanced out the window, and Qingdai pointed to a small man in green who had just entered. “That one.”

“Our people say the man in green is Tan Yunge’s spy.”

“The teahouse is crowded; there’s hardly room left. The manager should really throw him out.”

Tan Qingjiu laughed softly, “No matter. Let him stay and listen.”

A sharp rap of the judge’s block echoed; the storyteller began.

“Yesterday, we spoke of some strange happenings among the city’s noble families. I saw that all you esteemed guests enjoyed it, so today, let’s continue along those lines.”

“Recently, one lady in the city has attracted much attention. She was once a young mistress of a noble house, condemned to the pond for bearing a child out of wedlock. Yet six years later, she returned as a famed physician to the capital. Today, the tale I’ll tell concerns her…”