Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 389 - 389 390 The Sound of Shattered Dreams_1

Chapter 389: Chapter 390 The Sound of Shattered Dreams_1 Chapter 389: Chapter 390 The Sound of Shattered Dreams_1 Guo Yuehua was somewhat displeased to hear Muniang say that her looks were only average, but as she listened to the words that followed, she realized that this was a bargaining tactic. She immediately chimed in, “I’d rather die than entertain clients. Today, this gentleman is willing to redeem me; I must be blessed by the heavens. If I truly don’t have such fortune, then death is my only option; either way, my body shall never be defiled!”

The madam’s face changed color upon hearing this. Muniang’s words were indeed true—the madam feared losing this girl into her own hands. Who would actually care about a mere life? She was afraid not just of the girl’s death, but also of losing twenty pieces of silver because of it. Now, as she listened to Muniang’s words, her heart grew anxious and she quickly said, “My lord, my lord, let’s talk this out nicely. If you’re not happy with the price, just name it.”

Muniang curled her lips into a smile, “Madam, I’m not being unreasonable here. I’m offering a hundred pieces of silver. How about that?”

What else could the madam say at this point? Muniang had given her enough face, and a hundred pieces of silver was still quite a profit, wasn’t it? There was naturally no reason for her to refuse. With a wave of her hand, she had someone bring over Guo Yuehua’s Servant’s Certificate.

Muniang turned to Guo Yuehua with a smile, “Trust me, the path I offer you is undoubtedly the best one.”

Guo Yuehua nodded blankly; at this moment, she felt the only person she could trust was Muniang herself.

Muniang and Zhong Yulang returned to Mei Garden with Guo Yuehua and briefly explained what she would need to do. When Guo Yuehua heard that she would have to perform on stage as an actress, she was no less shocked than Zhong Yulang. To her, a woman who came from a distinguished family, how could she stoop to such a “degrading” act?

“You might feel ashamed now, but later you will realize that this opportunity I’m offering you is one many people will beg for and never obtain,” Muniang said. “You will be the first female actress in history, and I assure you, capable of garnering the adoration of the entire Daqian Dynasty. An opportunity like this—if you don’t take it, plenty of others will. It’s my luck to have met you today because I’ve found the perfect candidate for this leading role, but it’s also your luck—a choice that could change your life,” Muniang stated.

Then, her tone changed, growing a bit heavier, “Besides, you should know something. As of today’s events, you really have no other choice. My asking you now is merely to offer you one last bit of respect.”

Guo Yuehua felt a heavy weight in her heart; she suddenly realized that this gentleman wasn’t as gentle as she had imagined. His words just now were, in fact, a warning to her.

Guo Yuehua gritted her teeth and finally said, “Then I’ll act.”

Muniang’s lips curved into a smile, “Good, that’s more like it.”

Guo Yuehua’s face reddened—isn’t that comment a bit too frivolous?

Not just Guo Yuehua, even Zhong Yulang could hardly stand it anymore. He thought the most regrettable thing he had done was to accompany Qiao Muniang to the brothel. After this visit, it seemed as though Qiao Muniang was the man, and he, like a little concubine!

“It’s just, it’s just,” Guo Yuehua suddenly said in a low voice.

“Just what? Feel free to speak.”

“May I have my Servant’s Certificate back?” Guo Yuehua asked, hastening to explain as if worried Muniang would be angered, “I’ve heard that actors don’t have Servant’s Certificates. I, I, I…”

What she really meant was that she felt uneasy with her Servant’s Certificate in someone else’s hands. If Qiao Muniang became upset one day and sold her off, who would she turn to? If she could get her certificate back, at the very least, she would no longer be controlled by others.

Muniang raised an eyebrow, indeed a clever one, yet she still laughed and said, “I’ll give it to you. It’s of no use to me to keep it, but not yet. You’ll have to perform on stage at least once. Do well, and I’ll give it to you.”

Muniang had to hold some cards up her sleeve; if the girl ran off with the Servant’s Certificate, what would she do?

Guo Yuehua asked suspiciously, “I just have to perform well on stage once, and you’ll give it to me?” It seemed too easy.

Muniang nodded, “Right, just one time is needed.”

One performance would be enough for her to realize how great a deal she had stumbled upon, and by then, she wouldn’t want to let Muniang go even if she were chased away, Muniang thought with inward amusement.

“Then great! When do I make my debut on stage?” Guo Yuehua straightened her back; for such an effortless task, she naturally hoped it could happen as soon as possible.

“In three days, it will be your first performance. You’d better work hard in rehearsal these next three days. Perform well and I’ll certainly reward you,” Muniang encouraged her.

“Agreed!”

Yu Ze had already been waiting in the carriage outside the Mei Garden ever since it turned dark, and now Muniang finally climbed into the vehicle. Her young scholar’s appearance amused Yu Ze, “Why suddenly decide to dress up as a man?”

Muniang stuck out her tongue, “It’s all because of that damn Yun Guan’er, dropping the ball at the critical moment. I had to personally go out and search for a leading lady at the last minute.”

“Did you find one?” Yu Ze knew Muniang too well, seeing her buoyant demeanor he could tell things must have gone well.

“Found one, Zhong Yulang and I went to a brothel and picked one out after a thorough search, and finally found someone suitable!”

Yu Ze’s lips twitched, “You actually went to a brothel?”

“Had no choice, it was a desperate measure. Rest assured, dear, I have no interest in women,” Muniang quickly snuggled into Yu Ze’s embrace to prevent his jealousy from boiling over.

“No little grooms in the brothel?”

Muniang couldn’t help but laugh, “None, none at all!”

Only then did Yu Ze wrap his arms around Muniang contentedly, “Why didn’t you ask me to accompany you?”

Muniang hummed, “Dream on, you think you can visit the brothel? You’d better not set foot in there!” That’s why she took Zhong Yulang with her instead of Yu Ze—it was full of bitches; what if he got seduced?

Seeing his little wife’s concern for him, Yu Ze felt pleased, “Won’t go, having you is enough.”

How could those mediocre beauties compare to a single finger of his own wife?

The next day, when Muniang returned to Mei Garden, everyone was busy rehearsing. Watching from the sidelines, Muniang observed Guo Yuehua performing with Zhong Yulang, and indeed she was quite good. It wasn’t so much her acting skills; it was that she naturally possessed Ren Yingying’s stubbornness and the demeanor of a martial arts heroine, resulting in a fine performance.

After the scene was done, Muniang led the applause, “Not bad at all, even though it’s just a rehearsal, reaching this level is quite good.”

All the actors hurriedly said, “Thank you, Lady, for the compliment!”

But Guo Yuehua suddenly froze, completely dumbfounded on the spot. The handsome gentle-man from yesterday turned into a woman today… She felt like she was hearing the sound of dreams shattering.