“That is a secret for now.”
Luolan smiled and said, “However, the three on display today can be shown to everyone.”
With that, she turned and gave Iron Hammer a slight nod.
Iron Hammer placed the first Star Cutter blade on the table and opened the second wooden box.
He took out the black blade, turned it around for the crowd to see, then drew the blade.
The two young noblemen quickly leaned in.
“Ten paces to kill one man, a thousand li without lingering.
When the deed is done, brush off clothes and depart, hiding deep both body and name.”
Young Master Qin read the words on the blade aloud.
Though most of the watching maids were illiterate, these lines were simple and clear, and nearly all understood them.
“These two lines must have been written by Master Jin!”
“How do you know?”
“Master Jin killed many in the northern borders. Is that not ten paces to kill one man, a thousand li without lingering? And after defeating the Dangxiang, he returned to Xichuan. Is that not brushing off clothes and departing, hiding merit and name?”
“Now that you mention it, it does make sense.
The day before yesterday, I followed the young master to the Tang family restaurant. The storyteller there said Master Jin’s martial skills are incredible. One man, one blade, routed the Dangxiang cavalry until they fled in disarray. When Master Jin returned, he was drenched in blood!”
“True or false?”
“The storyteller said his son is in the Iron Forest Army and saw it with his own eyes. How could it be false?”
“No wonder Master Jin writes poetry so full of killing intent. Ten paces to kill one man, a thousand li without lingering. It sounds terrifying.”
“Haha, a few days ago you said you liked Master Jin best. Why are you scared now?”
“Dead little Lian, bad little Lian, what nonsense are you spouting? Who likes Master Jin?”
“Master Jin not only writes poetry and fights battles, he is also a noble. What is wrong with liking him? I like him, but I am just a little maid. Someone like Master Jin would never notice people like us!”
“You are talking rubbish. The storyteller in the restaurant said Master Jin never looks down on anyone. He said women are just like men and can hold up half the sky! Master Jin opened a textile mill in the village. All women can work like men and earn wages. They can even join the tiger-hunting team. Their status is completely equal to men!
At the slave market, he saw those poor slaves being sold and bought several hundred at once. He did not mistreat them after bringing them home. Instead, he let them spin yarn like the village women. He provided food and lodging, and gave them dozens of wen in wages every month!”
“Yes, yes, I heard about that too. Master Jin also said that if the slaves work for three full years, he will free them from servitude. After that, they are free people. They can marry whomever they want, or if they do not wish to marry, they can keep spinning yarn for Master Jin. He will support them for life!”
“How can there be such a good person in the world? The storyteller must be making it up.”
“Miss Luolan has met Master Jin. Whether it is made up or not, we can just ask her.”
…
Thanks to the storytellers, Jin Feng’s name grew ever louder in the capital.
The storytellers only cared about speaking freely. Why would they worry about the truth?
To please their audiences, Jin Feng became, in their mouths, the most perfect man in the world.
Not only handsome and talented, with unmatched strategy and a kind heart, but also a great general of supreme martial prowess…
Which maiden does not dream of love?
The Jin Feng described by the storytellers was exactly the ideal husband in every girl’s heart.
Thus, Jin Feng, who had never even visited the capital, inexplicably became the nation’s husband.
Countless girls in the capital now thought of him. Not just these little maids, but even unmarried young ladies from great houses.
Some bold ones even sent letters and such, entrusting Luolan and Iron Hammer to deliver them back to Xihe Bay for Jin Feng.
A perfectly good black blade exhibition had veered completely off track just because they started talking about Jin Feng.
These little maids rarely got out to breathe fresh air. With their usual supervisors absent, the gossip they normally kept hidden burst into flame. They all pressed Luolan, asking if Jin Feng was really as the legends said.
“I do not know what the legends say, but what you mentioned earlier about Master Jin treating slaves well is true.”
Luolan’s eyes grew slightly moist. “To be honest, I am a slave bought by Master Jin and Madam Xiaobei.”
“What? You are a slave too?”
“How is that possible? How could Master Jin entrust such important matters to a slave?”
The watching maids were all stunned, mouths agape.
They themselves were slaves from great houses or brothels and knew full well how female slaves were treated.
Yet every time Luolan went out, carriages led the way, veteran soldiers followed. She was more imposing than many young ladies from great families. Her tone and expression brimmed with confidence.
Even the brothel madams who made maids tremble treated Luolan with utmost courtesy.
The maids could not imagine that Luolan, with such a powerful presence, was a slave just like them.
“Being a slave is not something glorious. I have no reason to lie.”
Luolan said, “I am indeed a slave, but the master and madam have never looked down on me because of it. Instead, they trust me completely, teach me business without reservation, and even let me manage such an important place as the capital.”
“Miss Luolan, you are so lucky!”
“Yes, why have I not met a master like Master Jin!”
“Such good masters are rare. Probably only Master Jin in the whole world.”
“If I could work for Master Jin like Miss Luolan, I would wake up laughing from my dreams.”
“Give it up. Miss Luolan is literate, can read and write, do accounts, and manage such a big business perfectly. What can you do?”
“Little Lian, you are underestimating Sister Qiaoyun. She can warm Master Jin’s bed. She is from the Golden Moon Pavilion. She knows plenty of skills!”
“Keep talking nonsense, and I will tear your mouths!”
The maids chattered on and soon dissolved into giggles and playful scuffles.
But their eyes, when looking at Luolan, were full of deep envy.
“You are all right. Luolan also believes the greatest luck of this life is meeting a master and madam like Master Jin and Madam Xiaobei.”
Seeing the conversation veering again, Luolan quickly composed herself and smiled. “Alright, everyone quiet down. Now, please let Brother Iron Hammer show us the third Star Cutter blade.”
At first, the maids had little interest in the black blades, but now, like the young noblemen beside them, their eyes locked on Iron Hammer, eager to hear what words were engraved on the third blade.
