Chapter 837: Chapter 837: Pinched Awake
The purpose of Cui Sanniang was to have Xiao Cui work as their mole, to follow Xiao Lian Hua during the escape, and to secretly leave marks, ideally leading people to the largest pier and ferry terminal.
This was her double insurance to ensure that no one would be lost, preventing a situation where the attempt to steal was unsuccessful and backfired; it was also a painstaking plan for Xiao Lian Hua.
Cui Sanniang’s coercive persuasion struck directly at Xiao Cui’s sore spot; she was always looked down upon at home, unloved by her father and mother, called a financial burden every day, beaten if she didn’t perform well, while anything good at home was given to her brother, which made her envious but unable to resist.
The life Cui Sanniang depicted was so beautiful, even better than the richest family in the village, something she never dared to dream of.
At the same time, the fate of the girl before her terrified her; after being frightened by Cui Sanniang, how could she dare to disobey?
Additionally, having nowhere to go after escaping from home, coupled with resentment towards Xiao Lian Hua.
So, without a second thought, Xiao Cui agreed to Cui Sanniang’s plan, wholeheartedly becoming a mole.
This led to Xiao Cui’s subsequent series of actions.
Soon, their group reached the destination, stopping between two large boats, and saw the boat Cui Sanniang had rented.
The boat was noticeably larger than a small boat, with the cabin in the middle, a red lantern hanging at each of its four corners, and a bright piece of silk cloth tied to the bow.
At a glance, one could tell it was a Flower Boat, used for leisure on the river by the docks, especially on this waterway, with the most exquisite Flower Boats being in the Jinling area. However, the boat Cui Sanniang rented was obviously of very low grade, specifically for poor men to satisfy their cravings, engaging in the lowest form of flesh trade.
There was a boatman wearing a bamboo hat on the boat who, seeing them from afar, jumped ashore, tied the rope to the shore to steady the boat, then jumped back on the boat, pulled out a plank, and casually bridged it between the shore and the boat for people to walk over, finally deftly untying the silk cloth and wrapping it around his waist before returning to the shore.
When he saw Cui Sanniang’s group approaching, he said lightly: "Oh, if it hasn’t been long and Sanniang is even prettier, still as charming as before, hahaha."
It was evident that the boatman and Cui Sanniang were old acquaintances.
Cui Sanniang’s shaded eyes twinkled with a smile, chuckled softly, and, waving her handkerchief playfully said: "Young Master Chen still knows how to talk."
The boatman laughed twice more, glanced at their group, leaned closer to Cui Sanniang and lowered his voice: "Sanniang, I rented this for your sake, the rent is already low, make sure nothing happens..."
Cui Sanniang quickly patted her chest and assured: "I’ve traded goods so many times with Second Master Liu without any incidents, Young Master Chen, rest assured, we understand the rules. After returning, the boat will be given back to you intact, and the silver surely won’t be lacking."
Only then was the boatman satisfied, without pointing out the strangeness of their group, exchanged a few polite words about not going to Yangzhou with them, and finally, teasingly lifted Cui Sanniang’s chin before leaving content, taking the piece of silk cloth with him.
After the boatman left, Cui Sanniang’s eyes turned cold, wiping her face hard with the handkerchief, spat: "You shameless man, talking like I’ve gained such an advantage, if I wasn’t in a hurry, ghost would rent this filthy boat."
After cursing, Cui Sanniang turned back to see Xiao Cui and the others looking like wooden stakes, which ignited her anger. Seeing people continuously boarding the big boats on either side, her expression turned somewhat tense.
She glared at Xiao Cui and the others severely, urging: "Still not getting on, do you want me to invite you?"
The boats on both sides belonged to nobles and dignitaries, people they couldn’t afford to provoke, so getting it done quickly was best.
Xiao Cui and the others immediately panicked, hastily moved forward. However, in their haste, Xiao Cui, carrying Xiao Hua Mei all the way, was somewhat exhausted. When reaching the plank connecting the shore and the boat, seeing the swaying plank, she grew fearful.
Under Cui Sanniang’s urging, Xiao Cui, in her nervousness, stepped crookedly on the plank and nearly fell into the water. Fortunately, Cui Sanniang pulled her, preventing her from falling.
Xiao Hua Mei, on Xiao Cui’s back, also nearly fell, saved only by the quick hands and eyes of the other two girls who supported her to the ground.
However, that plank didn’t have such luck; initially not very steady, it was knocked askew by Xiao Cui and fell into the water.
"Fool!" cursed Cui Sanniang hard, looking vexed but had no time to care about it.
She signaled Second Master Liu to put down Xiao Lian Hua and retrieve the plank.
Second Master Liu reluctantly put down the person on his shoulder but refused to let them touch the ground, insisting Cui Sanniang hold them properly.
Cui Sanniang was already infuriated about Xiao Lian Hua’s escape, and seeing Second Master Liu ignoring the bigger picture made her even more furious.
However, eventually, she went to hold the person, as this was her future hope, the Oiran she intended to cultivate. She’s gone to all this trouble merely to extinguish any thought of escape.
This scene was observed by Xiao Cui and the others, and Xiao Cui felt very unwilling, thinking she obviously made contributions, yet was still treated like a dog, she involuntarily glanced jealously at Xiao Lian Hua being supported.
Soon, Second Master Liu retrieved the plank and put it in place; he immediately strode toward Cui Sanniang, intending to take and carry Xiao Lian Hua up first.
This intention was like adding fuel to the fire; Cui Sanniang quietly ordered him to take Xiao Hua Mei and the others aboard first.
The anger inside her had nowhere to vent, holding Xiao Lian Hua’s small body, raging internally, she pinched Xiao Lian Hua hard, her favorite method of pinching until a big bruise formed at the Flower Building; habitually she did so.
However, she regretted it right after pinching, wanting to open the cloak to see the pinched area on Xiao Lian Hua.
Xiao Lian Hua was her hope for a comeback, not allowed to have a single scar, needed to be meticulously maintained, pampering the entire body’s skin to be glistening, smooth as a peeled egg was best.
But before she could look, out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone approaching from a distance, couldn’t help but glance over.
This glance frightened her to the point her soul nearly left her body; she hurriedly urged Second Master Liu to move faster, her heart pounding, utterly forgetting to check Xiao Lian Hua’s condition.
Pinched, Xiao Lian Hua softly groaned, her fingers moved, her eyelids slowly opened, her head in a daze, not knowing where she was.
Thanks to Second Master Liu’s restraint and Cui Sanniang’s hard pinch, Xiao Lian Hua awakened from the pain.
Consciousness gradually returned, discovering darkness before her, covered by something, being held tightly, nostrils filled with a strong fragrance.
This scent instantly cleared her mind; she recognized it as that old woman’s fragrance.
Xiao Lian Hua suddenly straightened, quickly removing whatever covered her, turning her head saw the shaded eyes old woman’s astonished expression, seemingly not expecting her to wake so quickly.
No time to think more, Xiao Lian Hua twisted to free herself from the grasp on her shoulder and ran.