[Water Margin] Hu Sanniang with her delicate hands - Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

Madam Liu was an efficient person. Once she received Hu Sanniang’s approval and funding, she immediately got to work. She already knew a few capable embroiderers, and now with capital, she quickly recruited three or four skilled and trustworthy women. Hu Sanniang invested in the slightly larger street-facing storefront next door, made some minor repairs, and hung a simple wooden sign reading “Sanliu Embroidery Workshop.” The business was officially launched.

The workshop primarily dealt in various exquisite embroidered goods, from handkerchiefs and sachets to screens and curtains, and also sold some silk threads and fabrics. Madam Liu was responsible for the craftsmanship and daily management, while Hu Sanniang managed the accounts and external affairs. Although she was not skilled in needlework, her ability to manage, coordinate, and assess situations was innate. She established strict rules: materials must be fine, wages fair, and delivery prompt. Within half a month, the workshop’s reputation spread throughout the southern part of the city, and orders gradually increased.

However, where there is stillness, there is often wind. Xijin Prefecture was a mixed bag, and the south of the city was a nexus of various power groups. A newly opened, thriving embroidery workshop, run by a young, beautiful, and mysterious Han woman, naturally attracted many covetous eyes.

One afternoon, Hu Sanniang was checking the accounts in the back courtyard when a sudden commotion erupted in the front hall. She put down the ledger and walked out slowly. She saw three shifty-looking men with scimitars at their waists blocking the entrance. The scar-faced leader had one foot on the threshold, squinting at Madam Liu, who was calculating at the counter.

“Well, well, business is good, little lady!” The scar-faced man chuckled, his gaze lecherously circling Madam Liu. “Do you understand the rules of the South City turf? Ten taels of silver a month for ‘peace money,’ to ensure your shop operates smoothly. If you don’t understand…” He tapped the hilt of the saber at his waist, his threat unmistakable.

Madam Liu’s face turned pale. She forced herself to remain calm: “Masters, we run a small business. We really… really can’t spare that much…”

“Can’t spare it?” The scar-faced man’s expression darkened. “Then don’t blame us for being impolite! Boys, see what valuables you can find! We’ll take something to settle the debt first!”

The two thugs behind him smirked and started to push their way inside.

“Stop.”

A clear, cold female voice sounded from behind. The three thugs turned around, only to see Hu Sanniang standing behind them. She wore a simple blue dress, unadorned, her expression calm, but her eyes were as cold as winter ice.

The scar-faced man recognized her from the incident with Lord Liu the other day. Though he was somewhat wary, bolstered by the presence of his men and the fact that she was a woman, his courage returned: “Oh, it’s you again? What, you want to meddle again? Let me tell you, this peace money is the rule of the entire South City. If you know what’s good for you, hurry up and—”

Before he could finish, he felt a blur before his eyes and a sharp pain in his ankle! Hu Sanniang had somehow grabbed the ankle of the foot he had rested on the threshold and twisted it with a slight push!

“Ouch!” The scar-faced man screamed. Losing his balance, he fell backward clumsily, landing in the middle of the street. Shocked and enraged, he struggled to his feet and drew his scimitar: “B1tch! You refuse a toast and force a forfeit! Get her!”

The other two thugs also drew their knives, their faces vicious, and lunged at Hu Sanniang!

A wave of gasps erupted inside and outside the shop. Madam Liu closed her eyes in fear.

Hu Sanniang’s eyes flashed fiercely. She did not retreat but advanced! Her figure was as nimble as a butterfly flitting among flowers, dodging the incoming blades. Her jade-like hands struck out quickly, with fingers or palms, precisely hitting the wrists and elbow joints of the two thugs!

With two sounds of “crack” and “ouch,” the two thugs felt a sudden numb pain in their arms. Their scimitars clattered to the floor, and they clutched their arms, howling in agony.

All of this happened in a flash! The onlookers hadn’t even clearly seen how Hu Sanniang made her move, yet the three menacing thugs were already on the ground.

The scar-faced man stared, his hand clutching his saber trembling slightly. He finally realized that this woman was by no means ordinary! That intensity and killer intent were those of someone who had genuinely seen bl00d!

Hu Sanniang slowly walked up to him, looking down at him. Her voice was low but every word was distinct: “Go back and tell the person behind you: Sanliu Embroidery Workshop pays taxes according to the law and operates legally. If anyone dares to cause trouble again,” she looked over the wailing thugs on the ground, then fixed her gaze on the scar-faced man’s terrified face, “it won’t be as simple as a dislocated joint. Now, scram.”

The scar-faced man was intimidated by her gaze. A chill went from his soles to the top of his head. He dared not say another word, scrambling to help his companions and fleeing in panic, not even bothering to pick up the sabers on the ground.

The surrounding neighbors burst into cheers, looking at Hu Sanniang with admiration and astonishment. Madam Liu finally dared to open her eyes. Seeing Hu Sanniang standing there unharmed, she was moved to tears.

The commotion subsided temporarily, but Hu Sanniang knew this was just the beginning. By demonstrating her skill, she would inevitably attract the attention of more powerful groups. Overt threats are easy to avoid, but hidden ones are not.

That night, she sat alone in the courtyard, meditating under the moon. The waters of Xijin Prefecture were deeper than she had imagined. Establishing herself here solely on her own strength would be difficult.

As she concentrated, an extremely faint whistle, like that of a night owl, came from outside the courtyard wall. It was not Dǎlǐbō’s agreed-upon signal.

Hu Sanniang was instantly on alert, her hand gripping the short dagger hidden in her sleeve.

“Mistress Hu, no need to panic,” a low, hoarse male voice spoke in stiff Han Chinese, sounding as if it were pressed against the wall. “We are here under the Princess’s orders to secretly protect the lady’s safety. Someone has already gone to ‘warn’ the master behind those thugs from today. If the lady encounters any difficulties in the future, you may bury a message under the Osmanthus tree in the courtyard, and someone will retrieve it.”

After the words finished, there was no further sound outside, as if no one had ever been there.

Hu Sanniang’s heart was stirred. Dǎlǐbō… she had actually been having people protect her in secret all along? Of course. With her meticulous mind, how could she truly leave Hu Sanniang to struggle alone in this den of iniquity? This so-called “second path,” which seemed like a hands-off approach, was actually still under her wing, just in a more subtle way that respected Hu Sanniang’s will.

She walked to the Osmanthus tree in the corner of the courtyard. The moonlight was like water, and the tree’s shadow swayed. Her emotions were complex: there was the warmth of being protected in secret, but also a slight reluctance—had she still failed to completely break free from Dǎlǐbō’s patronage?

But on second thought, Dǎlǐbō had not interfered with any of her decisions, only providing a layer of security when she might encounter insurmountable danger. This was not a constraint; it was… a safety net.

She looked up towards the direction of the Princess’s Residence. The night was deep, and the outline of the mansion was unclear, but she felt as if a pair of light brown eyes were looking through the multitude of houses, quietly observing her.

So be it. Since she had chosen this path, she would follow it. She would use this strength to gain a foothold and grow, until the day she could truly… deal with Dǎlǐbō as an equal.

Hu Sanniang clenched her fist, her gaze once again becoming determined.

The light of the embroidery workshop flickered faintly but stubbornly in the Xijin Prefecture night. And in the darkness, the eyes of the wolf guards watched silently, like stars.