Gongsun Linlang looked at the person in front of her.
Not tall, average build, slightly plump. Her looks could be called delicate, though her eyes were a bit small—overall, utterly ordinary.
The kind of person who would walk down the street without anyone giving her a second glance.
As for her clothing—there was only one word for it: poor.
Her hair was tied into a simple bun, wrapped in cloth. Her linen clothes, washed to a dull yellow, didn’t quite fit but were practical, almost like workwear. Her cloth shoes were worn and peeling, though clearly cleaned as best as possible—so clean they had faded white.
Just an ordinary passerby.
And yet—there was something different about her.
Gongsun Linlang found her strangely familiar, though she couldn’t place it.
“Honored lady, please forgive me. I am just an ordinary resident of the city. Five days ago, I took an order from Hongyan Workshop to sew clothes. Today I delivered them as agreed, but was told they were unqualified. When I asked why, Manager Qian threw a bowl of soup into my basket and demanded compensation. I have elderly parents and children to support—how could I possibly afford that?”
Yu Chun seized the moment and explained everything.
“She’s lying!” Qian Lanniang snapped. “Her work was substandard. When I refused it, she splashed soup and caused a scene. Please judge fairly, Master!”
“Where did the soup come from?” Gongsun Linlang’s sharp gaze swept toward the shop manager behind her. No detail escaped her.
“The master will naturally judge fairly. Don’t speak nonsense!” The manager, used to handling such situations, interjected calmly.
Gongsun Linlang raised an eyebrow slightly. She said nothing, simply shifting her gaze back to Yu Chun.
Imagine it—a tall woman, whip in hand, clearly trained, staring at you on her own turf while you argued with her staff.
“Please judge fairly. If one cannot even manage a household, how can one manage the world? Please look at my work first!”
Arguing about the soup would lead nowhere. Yu Chun wiped the food scraps off the coarse cloth with a handkerchief—ugh, the sour smell of mutton soup was disgusting.
She removed the outer cloth, poured a bit of alcohol from a bamboo tube to clean her hands, then carefully opened the package.
Seeing the oil paper, Qian Lanniang’s face turned pale. With oil paper protecting the clothes, Yu Chun had no reason to spill soup. She looked toward the manager for help, but the manager subtly shook her head.
Inside was a neatly sewn garment. Yu Chun held it up respectfully.
“May I ask why this is unqualified?”
Gongsun Linlang smiled faintly.
Now she remembered—this woman, though dressed in poverty, was exactly like her master, the Regent Prince of Yangxia.
She spoke while looking directly into people’s eyes. She walked with purpose, without the affected softness expected of women.
She turned to Qian Lanniang.
“Her stitching method is different,” Qian Lanniang replied quickly. She had clearly prepared this argument.
An ordinary woman would have been overwhelmed.
“But the contract does not specify stitching methods. It requires cleanliness, neatness, and durability. My method is stronger.”
Yu Chun argued her case calmly.
“I’ll take a look.” Gongsun Linlang examined the garment.
Instead of simple running stitches, it used backstitching—careful and firm. Clearly more durable.
Her eyes showed undisguised approval.
They needed capable people—especially women. And this one was adaptable.
“You pass,” Gongsun Linlang said. “Others only do what’s required. Why go the extra mile?”
Yu Chun looked at her for a moment, trying to think of something clever to say—but her mind went blank.
“Because… this way, if anything goes wrong, fewer deductions can be made from my thread allowance? And… I thought these clothes might be donated to soldiers. I can’t contribute much, but I can at least do my best. It benefits everyone.”
“Hahaha!” Gongsun Linlang laughed. “You’re quite straightforward.”
The female manager signaled Qian Lanniang.
Grinding her teeth, Qian Lanniang held the garment. The issue of extra thread was no longer worth mentioning—taking more supplies wasn’t wrong if used properly.
“It was my mistake. I’ll register her work now.”
Yu Chun’s eyes widened. How could someone change their attitude so quickly?
Wang Xifeng: Why are you standing there? Do you want to make enemies and lose your job? Polite words cost nothing!
This time, Yu Chun didn’t need further prompting. The world was never purely black and white.
“It was my fault for not explaining clearly. I apologize to this sister.”
The manager finally smiled. “Since everything is settled, I’ll return to work.”
Yu Chun didn’t even realize that her honest explanation had erased the trap set for her.
“You may go,” Gongsun Linlang said to the others, then turned to Yu Chun. “Wait for me in the second office on the right upstairs. I have something to discuss with you.”
“Yes!”
Could it be compensation?
Yu Chun practically floated up the stairs.
Wang Xifeng: A fool’s luck.
Daiyu: Don’t mock her. Her kindness brings her fortune.
The staircase was simple—plain wooden railings, unlike the ornate styles of the era.
The second floor was quiet. The first office was labeled “Administration,” where several people—men and women—worked.
A woman in elegant clothing approached.
“Who are you looking for?”
“The owner downstairs asked me to wait in the second office.”
“Wait here.”
She leaned over the railing and called down playfully, “Madam Gongsun, is this your guest?”
“Yes! Please take her there!”
Yu Chun envied their easy relationship.
She wanted to belong here.
Led through offices—publicity, sales, finance—she was treated with courtesy. Tea was served, along with delicate lotus-shaped pastries.
“Please help yourself.”
The tea was fine, but the pastries—
“May I take four of these home?”
The woman paused, surprised.
“Of course.” She even provided a decorative box.
“No need for more,” Yu Chun smiled. “My family has never seen such things. Just a taste is enough.”
“It’s fine,” Gongsun Linlang said as she entered. “Take more.”
“Thank you!” Yu Chun said sincerely.
“I’ve met good people today.”
Gongsun Linlang laughed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone so straightforward. I like that.”
“I can offer you a position—Special Administrative Assistant. Three strings of cash per month, clothing allowance, food subsidy, lodging, and raises over time.”
Yu Chun was stunned.
Three thousand coins a month—equivalent to high-risk labor.
“I accept!”
“But there’s a condition,” Gongsun Linlang said softly. “You must sign a ten-year indenture. After that, you’ll be free.”
“But children of indentured servants cannot take the imperial exams.”
Yu Chun had already learned that.
One side—wealth and opportunity.
The other—her children and family.
How much was conscience worth?
“Thank you. Truly. But I have responsibilities.”
Gongsun Linlang smiled, not surprised.
“After the war, come find me. I’ll give you another chance.”
“Go now. Your children are waiting.”
Yu Chun’s eyes grew moist.
“Why did you help me?”
“No reason… or perhaps—because there is still kindness in this world.”
“Remember this: you deserve the life you strive for.”