130. Nie Wuci, Descendant of a Renowned General

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Lu Jin looked up to see another woman standing before him—it was Nie Wuci, the dancer.
“You… aren’t you so-and-so? What are you doing here?”
“Master, I have been behind the screen all along. I am like my sister…”
“Your father is also a governor?” Lu Jin was astonished. Could it be that his special ability was collecting the children of governors?
“Master, Wuci is my aunt’s daughter. My uncle was the famous general Nie Su of the Northwest, who died six years ago in battle against the Western tribes at Lihai. My aunt followed him in grief soon after. My father then brought Wuci into our home,” Liang Muxue explained Nie Wuci’s background.
“This case involving the stolen military provisions originally had nothing to do with Wuci. But this foolish girl insisted on following us, and those soldiers, unable to distinguish right from wrong, threw us all into prison. If it weren’t for Wuci’s companionship, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have survived…” Liang Muxue’s voice trembled as tears welled up again.
Nie Wuci, standing nearby, had reddened eyes but remained silent.
Lu Jin felt a pang of sorrow. Such behavior no longer existed in the future era; it would be mocked as foolish and idiotic by many.
Like Nie Zheng of old, who abandoned home and family to avenge a close friend, single-handedly slaying dozens and finally disfiguring himself by gouging out his own eyes—actions nearly incomprehensible to modern minds but once revered as the chivalrous spirit of the ancients.
Right or wrong? Lu Jin did not know, nor could he emulate it. But he always held such people in the highest respect, much like Nie Wuci’s seemingly pointless self-sacrifice now.
“Don’t you have a stage name? Or is it just Nie Wuci?” Lu Jin asked.
“I am simply called Nie Wuci,” she replied.
Lu Jin was at a loss for words. He originally had nothing to do with this, yet here he was entangled, unable to leave.
“Miss Nie, you dance quite well. When I…”
“Then I will dance only for Master from now on,” Nie Wuci said without self-deprecation. Even after becoming a criminal herself, with her sister here, where else could she go?
“That’s not what I meant. I meant to arrange a dance performance for you to become famous throughout Daliang. Why come here to be a servant?” You all don’t realize how glamorous stars are in the future; they compete for such opportunities, yet here you are.
“Master, it seems the rumors about you aren’t entirely true,” Nie Wuci recovered from her sadness and spoke sharply.
“Hm? Miss Nie, what do you mean?” Lu Jin was puzzled.
“You watched me dance just now, eyes shining bright, yet now you act so coy,” Nie Wuci blushed.
“…” Damn it, what kind of demon is this? Don’t I have any pride? You danced like that, even if I were a monk, I couldn’t resist!
“Miss Liang’s eyes are swollen from crying, but Miss Nie hasn’t shed a single tear,” Lu Jin countered.
“What’s the use of crying? If Master doesn’t take us away, I’ll just lead my sister out by force.”
“…” Goodness, a heroine indeed. If I hadn’t come, there might have been bloodshed here.
“Wuci, speak properly to Master,” Liang Muxue said, troubled by her sister’s fiery temper. Master was their only hope.
“So, Miss Nie plans to become a servant as well?” Lu Jin asked.
“Is my dancing not good?”
“…” Lu Jin reddened. It is good, but he didn’t dare to look too much!

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One had to admit, Nie Wuci was truly talented. Tall and shapely, her skin translucent like jade, her cool face full of untamed spirit. A pair of delicate dimples at the corners of her lips added endless charm.
She wore a white waist-length ruqun with stunning curves beneath the collar, and over it a loose scarlet beizi embroidered with white cranes and golden chrysanthemums.
Nie Wuci’s red and white attire and graceful bearing exuded a unique aura—neither garish nor plain, sharp yet enchanting.
“You said you’d fight your way out just now—are you skilled in martial arts?” Lu Jin rather enjoyed talking with straightforward people; after all, he himself was not complicated.
“My father is a veteran stationed at the frontier. I have trained in martial arts since childhood and have never given it up.” Nie Wuci was clearly more carefree and uninhibited than Liang Muxue; Lu Jin noticed she no longer referred to herself as a servant.
“Do you think Zhichun Garden is so easy to break into?” Lu Jin didn’t know the place well, but Nie Wuci seemed to underestimate it.
“At worst, death is death.” Nie Wuci shrugged.
Lu Jin chuckled softly, saying nothing. If death were so easy, she wouldn’t be standing here. People always overestimate their abilities and resolve before facing real danger. When life or death truly comes, most ultimately yield to reality.
“Where did you learn to dance? Martial arts and dance aren’t the same.” Children of high officials nearly all played the zither in the past, unlike Nie Wuci.
“I can train in dance without neglecting martial arts.”
(⊙O⊙) Are you playing tongue twisters with me? But Lu Jin understood the meaning.
His head buzzed—what a mess. Two newcomers arrived at once, unleashing their big moves, how was the author supposed to fill chapters? Better to grudgingly accept a few hundred chapters.
“I don’t know whether your fathers are guilty, but since the court has condemned you, you are descendants of disgraced officials. How could I dare to take you away?”
“Master, since Zhichun Garden can shelter us, it must be safe. And you are from the Shen family,” Liang Muxue said, noticing Lu Jin’s hesitation and trying to reassure him.
“Do you know bookkeeping?” Lu Jin asked. Knowing just some arts and chess wouldn’t help; many families had plenty of that.
“Before my father was dismissed, I managed the family accounts.”
“And you?” Lu Jin turned to Nie Wuci.
“Not as good as my sister, but I am skilled with the sword and a fine dancer.”
“What use is good swordsmanship?”
“Master is so weak, doesn’t he need protection?”
(⊙O⊙) How do you know I’m weak? Besides, who knows if your skills aren’t just superficial? If I can barely protect myself, how can I protect others?
“Miss Liang, come with me.”
“Hey, hey, Master, what about me?” Nie Wuci pleaded.
“Aren’t you only good at dancing? This place suits you well.”
“Who wants to dance for those stinking men?”
“Me neither.”
“I only want to dance for Master.”

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The voices gradually faded as the pavilion grew quiet.
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“Steward Yu…” Lu Jin felt awkward; he had just properly bid farewell but now returned.
“Master, I am ready,” Yu Qingmei said, understanding from the two women following Lu Jin. Without her permission, they wouldn’t have dared to approach him.
Lu Jin was baffled. He hadn’t said anything yet—were they ready with a room? That would be a misunderstanding!
“Master, here are the contracts for the two ladies. They were born noble but unfortunately fell to this place. Meeting Master is their blessing; please treat them well.”
Lu Jin was speechless. Was this a conspiracy? He saw Liang Muxue bowing her head and Nie Wuci pretending to look elsewhere with wandering eyes.
“Steward Yu, you give me two top courtesans at once—what about Zhichun Garden? How will you explain this to the Shen family?” Lu Jin wondered. He would definitely have to explain, but did Yu Qingmei not care?
“With Master’s care, I believe Zhichun Garden will flourish. As for the Shen family, haven’t I already explained it?” Yu Qingmei smiled.
Lu Jin sighed, she was truly clever—no wonder she managed such a large operation as a woman.
“Then Steward Yu, be thorough. Let each of them have a personal maid,” Lu Jin thought of the little girl who had knelt and begged him earlier, standing there hesitantly when they left.
He wasn’t bringing two servants—he was bringing two grandmothers.
“Ladies, you’ve seen what kind of man Master is. Remember to cherish this.” Yu Qingmei’s eyes glistened. Though a steward, she was still a servant. Having such a kind master was a blessing for both mistress and servants alike.
Liang Muxue and Nie Wuci never expected Master would assign them a maid. If before it was just about escaping, now they could not help but feel moved. They quickly expressed their thanks.
“Steward Yu overestimates me and has caused her trouble.”
“What trouble? I only hope Master can take all the girls in the house away; I’m just afraid the second young lady won’t agree,” Yu Qingmei smiled.
“I know Steward Yu’s good intentions, but I don’t need that many people. Still, don’t worry, I’ll think carefully and strive to help the girls escape their suffering soon, giving them a useful skill. Then Zhichun Garden will surely be the most elegant place in Daliang,” Lu Jin replied.
“If Master says so, I’m relieved. And on behalf of the girls, thank you.”
After completing the formalities and bidding farewell to Yu Qingmei, Lu Jin boarded the carriage with the two women. Two new little maids had to follow behind with Xiao Bai since there was only one carriage.
Inside the carriage, Lu Jin sat on one side, Liang Muxue and Nie Wuci on the other.
The sisters were quite happy; they had finally escaped a life of degradation, their faces bright with joy tinged with a trace of nervousness.
Lu Jin scratched his head, expecting Yu Qingmei to object, but instead she was happily handing them over.
Was he a saint? Certainly not. He acted not only because they had pleaded to him, arousing his sympathy, but also because both had fine backgrounds and talents, now fallen like petals in the mud, making it hard for him to stand by.
After all, he was a worldly man, always had been. Just as with the Shen family, he returned without hesitation not only because of Shen Yanxi’s deep affection but also because of her extraordinary beauty and talent, and the Shen family’s foundation. If she were ordinary, he didn’t believe Shen Yanxi could have loved him; he might as well have fed the fishes.
Though sincere, his heart was still stained with dust. He could never escape the bonds of the mundane, only trying to keep a flicker of flame in the mire, comforting himself amidst the haze, pretending to be kind-hearted.