After transmigrating into the Wuzhou capital as a maid, the max-level office worker Xia Mufan adopted a “dimwitted” persona, often swatting people with her broom until her masters finally grew fed up and freed her from her servant status.
She switched to a “gentle and kind” persona as a free commoner and set up a stall, then took over a shop. She hung out a banner and opened for business: braised pig trotters with mulberries and Chinese yam, shredded chicken tofu pudding, fried lotus root sandwiches...
The little shop sat beside the Luoyang County Office on one side and the Eastern City on the other. Everyone drawn in by the delicious aroma was a government employee living off the imperial treasury. After eating, they would wave a hand and say, “Put it on my tab.”
The first challenge of running a shop turned out to be getting paid?!
Now “gentle and kind,” Xia Mufan dabbed at the tears brought on by the scallions. “I’m out of money. I’ll have to close the shop and go home...”
At the mention of closing, the capital’s government employees panicked and quickly paid up.
When someone caused trouble, they immediately arrested them, then chimed in with advice: “Lady Xia, don’t hesitate to ask if you’re having difficulties. You mustn’t talk about closing the shop so lightly!”
Xia Mufan became even more “gentle and kind,” especially toward Shaoqing Yan of the Court of Judicial Review. Everyone called him a noble, upright, and impartial gentleman. Most importantly, he was compassionate toward the poor and generous with money.
Until one night, she saw him pin a man to the ground with a single stab. Stepping through the blood and planting a foot on the man’s head, he said coldly, “Do I need to teach you what to say in court tomorrow?”
Afraid he might kill her to keep her quiet, Xia Mufan turned and ran, only to be stopped by his saber. She tried to bluff her way through.
Shaoqing Yan, the very picture of a noble gentleman, smiled in a way that frightened her. “Trying to play dumb again?”
Xia Mufan: “Huh?!”
Shaoqing Yan glanced at the broom in her hand. “What, you played dumb in my residence for three years and whacked no fewer than thirty people with that thing, and you don’t know who I am?”
*
A little skit:
A spoiled young lord caused trouble at the capital’s grandest restaurant. Everyone thought of the gentle and kind little cook and grabbed weapons to help her, only to find her holding a cleaver and standing on the troublemaker’s head. She looked down at him and declared, “You? Be my backer? Shaoqing Yan practically begs to be my backer, and I still think his rank is too low!”
Neighbors: Who is this madwoman? Stop talking! At least don’t... spread rumors to his face!
Passing by, Shaoqing Yan maintained his gentlemanly air. “I’m doing my utmost to advance my career, but unfortunately, my superior is in robust health.”
Neighbors: Ooh
Remembering what Shaoqing Yan was really like, Xia Mufan cried, “Ha! You crafty little thief, you’re trying to frame me for cursing your superior!”
Theme: Start now, and you’ll find a way
