Chapter 12: The Singing Ensemble's Meeting
Chapter 12: The Singing Ensemble's Meeting
Jenny was both angry and anxious. She had finally achieved her dream of passing the audition for the Barrow Singing Ensemble and earning the right to study and perform with them. Her hard work over the years had paid off.
However, her mother, who had promised her a reward, was now going back on her word.
Tonight's banquet was of great importance to Jenny. If she could impress the senior members of the ensemble, she might have a chance to perform on stage earlier than expected.
"It's only three pounds!" Jenny sniffed, her eyes turning red.
"I'll pay you back once I earn some money. Don't you want me to attend my first banquet looking shabby?"
"Everyone else will be dressed beautifully, and you want your daughter to be ridiculed for wearing tattered clothes?"
"Three pounds is not a small amount," Mary said, equally troubled. "And joining the ensemble is just the beginning. There will be many expenses ahead, and newcomers won't earn any money for a while."
"You're just an apprentice; there's no need to dress so extravagantly. A decent dress will do."
If it had been one or even two pounds, Mary might have gritted her teeth and agreed.
But three pounds!
How long would it take her to earn that much?
This amount could support the family's expenses for a considerable time.
Mary wasn't unwilling to buy a dress for her daughter; it was just that the price of three pounds exceeded her expectations.
She had known that the items on this street weren't cheap, but she hadn't expected a simple dress to be so expensive.
If she refused,
Her daughter would be wronged.
If she agreed,
The family's finances would face difficulties.
For a moment, Mary was torn.
"What a coincidence."
At that moment, a familiar voice sounded, "Landlady Mary, Jenny, you're shopping here too."
"Karl!"
"Baron Karl!"
The mother and daughter turned at the sound of his voice and saw Karl, dressed in an inspector's uniform, walking out of the shop.
"Yes," Mary forced a smile.
"I brought Jenny to have a look."
"I heard Jenny passed the audition for the Barrow Singing Ensemble. Congratulations!" Karl said with a smile.
"The Barrow Singing Ensemble is qualified to perform hymns of praise. If Jenny can perform on stage, she will surely become a VIP at many banquets."
The ability to perform 'hymns of praise' was an important distinction that set the status of a singing ensemble.
Those who couldn't sing them were relegated to mingling among the commoners.
Some women in such ensembles even ended up as prostitutes, tarnishing their reputations.
The opposite was true for those who could perform the hymns.
Singing these hymns required the performer to maintain purity of body, or else it would be considered disrespectful to the deity.
Only such ensembles were worthy of performing in grand halls.
"Thank you," Jenny lowered her head, hiding her reddened eyes.
"I've just joined the ensemble, and there's a lot to learn. I don't know when I'll be able to perform on stage."
"Your voice is unique, and I believe you'll be performing officially soon," Karl said politely, then glanced at the dress on display.
"This dress is lovely."
"Yes!" Jenny's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly added, "I think so too, Mom. You were planning to buy it for me."
She tugged at Mary's sleeve.
Mary's eyes darted around, genuinely not wanting to buy the dress, but it was difficult to refuse her daughter directly at this moment.
Jenny had noticed this and took the opportunity to 'coerce' her mother with her words.
"Is that so?" Karl smiled.
"Jenny passed the audition, and I haven't given her a gift yet. Let me buy it for her."
"Oh!" Jenny's face lit up with joy, covering her mouth with her hands. "Really?"
"Of course," Karl nodded and called over a shop assistant. "How much is it?"
"Three pounds!"
"Okay."
"No, please." Seeing Karl take out his wallet to pay, Mary finally snapped out of her daze and hurriedly said, "I'll buy it."
"It's fine," Karl shook his head. "I was wondering what to get as a gift."
"Jenny, go and try on the dress. If there's anything that doesn't fit, have them alter it quickly."
"Okay."
Jenny freed herself from Mary's arm, took the dress with a smile, and headed for the changing room.
"I'm so sorry."
Seeing that the matter had come to this, Mary could only apologize helplessly. "You've been so kind."
Karl waved his hand.
He had overheard the mother and daughter's argument and, since he had been planning to give a gift anyway, decided to pay for the dress.
Three pounds was nothing to him, but for an ordinary family, it was a significant amount. Don't be fooled by the fact that a carriage ride costs three or five pennies; even that is beyond the means of most families.
In the dressing room, Jenny emerged in a glamorous gown, extending an invitation to Karl. "Baron Karl, there's a banquet for the new members tonight. Could you accompany me?"
"Really?" Karl asked, surprised.
"Of course!" Jenny exclaimed enthusiastically. "It would be an honor to have a noble like you attend the banquet."
Mary, standing nearby, opened her mouth as if to speak but then closed it again, recalling that she had planned to accompany Jenny to the banquet.
"Okay," Karl nodded. "I'll definitely be there later."
"Your uncle's neighbor has a carriage. He'll take you to the banquet, but remember to be polite," Mary instructed.
In the room, Mary helped her daughter get ready. "Karl will come after work, but I'm not sure when he'll arrive. If he doesn't make it, don't blame him. After all, an inspector has a lot on their plate."
"I understand," Jenny replied.
Jenny, growing impatient, flung her sleeve. "I'm leaving now."
"Take this money," Mary said, handing her a prepared wallet. "Now that you're an adult, you can't go out without money."
"Thanks, Mom," Jenny said, kissing Mary's cheek and waving goodbye. She held up her skirt and walked outside.
This was her first formal banquet as an adult, and it was hosted by the singing ensemble. She couldn't contain her excitement.
Arriving at the banquet venue, Jenny found that many people were already waiting.
"Noskan!"
"Pry!"
"Jenny!"
Several new members greeted each other, admiring each other's attire as they awaited the arrival of their seniors.
Soon, the seniors began to arrive.
"Senior Percy!"
"Senior Oberon!"
The seniors of the singing ensemble had arrived. Compared to the inexperienced newcomers, these seniors were not much older but exuded a more seasoned demeanor.
The banquet was a novel experience for the newcomers but a routine affair for the seniors.
However, only the more peripheral members of the team were present, as the core members had not joined this gathering, likely due to the newcomers' lower status.
"Jenny, your dress is lovely," Percy, one of the team's backup singers, commented as he approached Jenny. "It must have been expensive, right?"
Jenny, feeling slightly awkward, replied, "It's manageable. Three golden pounds."
Percy raised his eyebrows. "I remember that your family's financial situation isn't the best."
"Yes," Jenny blushed. "A friend gave it to me."
"A friend?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"A male friend?"
Jenny lowered her head. "Yes."
"He must be serious about you to spend so much money," Percy sighed. "But let me remind you, if you want to become the team's lead singer, you must avoid any romantic entanglements."
"Without a pure body, many performances will be off-limits for you."
Jenny's expression changed slightly.
"Hey, Percy!" a loud voice called out.
Everyone turned to see a group of men in police uniforms striding towards them with an air of authority.
"That's me," the lead officer confirmed.
Percy quickly raised her hand. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes," the lead officer nodded. "There's a matter that may concern you. Please come with us for an investigation."
"What?" Percy's face paled. "Can't it wait?"
The officer frowned, his patience wearing thin. "We know you're a member of the Barrow Singing Ensemble. If there are no issues, you can return tomorrow."
"But..." Percy turned, her eyes pleading for help.
However, the other members had various reactions, and even her close friends were evading her gaze, clearly not intending to intervene.
"What's going on?" Karl asked, having just gotten off the carriage. "Ham, it's been a while."
"Baron Karl," Ham, the officer, who had been stern-faced, softened upon seeing Karl. "What a coincidence. You're here for the banquet too."
"Yes," Karl confirmed. "What's happening?"
Ham hesitated for a moment. "It's just a minor issue."
(End of Chapter)
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