Jenny was both angry and anxious.
She had finally achieved her dream of being admitted to the Barro Chorus, earning the qualification to study and sing there. Her long-standing hard work had paid off. Unexpectedly, her mother was now going back on a promised reward.
This evening's banquet was extremely important to her. If she could catch the attention of the senior members of the chorus, she might have the chance to perform on stage earlier.
"It's just three pounds!" Jenny sniffled, her eyes reddening. "I'll pay you back when I earn the money! Do you want me to embarrass myself at my first banquet? Everyone else will be dressed up beautifully; do you want your daughter to be mocked in her ragged clothes?"
"It's three pounds, not a small amount," Mary said, looking equally distressed. "And joining the chorus is just the beginning. There are many more expenses to come, and newcomers won't earn money for a short time. You're just an apprentice; you don't need to dress so nicely. A decent dress would suffice."
If it had been one pound, even two, she might have gritted her teeth and agreed. But this was three pounds! How long would it take her to earn three pounds? How long would that money last if used for the household?
Mary didn't want to refuse to buy the dress for her daughter, but the price of three pounds was indeed beyond her expectations. She had known that things on this street weren't cheap, but she hadn't expected a simple dress to be so expensive.
If she didn't agree, her daughter would look aggrieved. If she agreed, the household finances would face difficulties. For a moment, Mary found herself struggling.
Just then, a familiar voice sounded. "What a coincidence. Landlady, Jenny, you're also out shopping here."
"Carl!"
"Baron Karl!"
Upon hearing this, the mother and daughter turned to see Carl, dressed in an inspector's uniform, emerging from the shop.
"Yes," Mary forced a smile. "I brought Jenny to take a look."
"I heard Jenny was admitted to the Barro Chorus?" Carl asked with a smile. "Congratulations! The Barro Chorus is qualified to sing gospel hymns. If Jenny can perform on stage, she will definitely become a guest of honor at many banquets."
Whether or not a chorus could sing 'gospel hymns' was an important distinction in its status. If they couldn't, their members would just mingle among the common folk. Many women in such choruses even ended up as prostitutes, and their reputations suffered accordingly. Conversely, it was different for those who could. Singing gospel hymns required singers to maintain their physical purity; otherwise, they would be judged as disrespectful to God. Only such choruses could perform in 'halls of elegance.'
"Thank you," Jenny lowered her head, hiding her reddened eyes. "I've just joined the chorus and have a lot to learn. I don't know when I will be able to perform."
"Your voice is very unique. I believe you'll be performing officially very soon," Carl commented politely, then glanced at a dress on display. "This dress is nice."
"Yes!" Jenny's eyes brightened. She quickly said, "I think so too! My mom is thinking about buying it for me." As she spoke, she tugged at Mary's sleeve.
You...! Mary's eyes were panicked. She really didn't want to buy it, but it wasn't a good time to outright refuse her daughter. Jenny, also seeing this, took the opportunity to verbally pressure her.
"Really?" Carl smiled. "Jenny was admitted to the chorus, and I haven't given a gift yet. Why don't I buy it for you?"
"Ah!" Jenny's face lit up with ecstasy, her hands covering her mouth. "Really?"
"Of course," Carl nodded. He waved to call over a clerk. "How much?"
"Three pounds!"
"Fine."
"No!" Seeing Carl taking out his wallet to pay, Mary finally came to her senses and quickly said, "I can buy it."
"It's okay," Carl shook his head. "I've been wondering what gift to give. Jenny, go try on the dress. If anything is not right, have them adjust it. It will be quick."
"Okay." Jenny broke free from Mary's arm, giggling as she took the dress and headed to the changing room.
"I'm really sorry." Seeing how things had turned out, Mary could only apologize helplessly. "I'm sorry to put you to this expense."
Carl waved his hand. He had overheard the mother and daughter arguing and had indeed planned on giving a gift, so he straightforwardly paid for it. Three pounds meant little to him, but for an ordinary family, it was a significant amount. Despite carriage rides costing three to five pence, taking a carriage was already beyond the means of an ordinary household. Mary had to count every penny.
"Baron Karl," Jenny said, stepping out of the changing room dressed in the luxurious gown, and extended an invitation. "The seniors in the chorus are holding a banquet for the newcomers tonight. Could you accompany me?"
"May I?"
"Of course!" Jenny replied enthusiastically. "Having a nobleman attend the banquet is our honor."
Mary hesitated, opening her mouth to speak but stopping short. She had originally agreed to accompany Jenny to the banquet.
"Very well," Carl nodded. "I will definitely be there."
「In the room.」
Mary was helping her daughter get dressed. "Your uncle's neighbor has a carriage. He will take you to the banquet. Remember to be polite. Carl will be coming after work; I don't know when he'll arrive. Don't blame him if he doesn't make it. After all, an inspector has many duties to attend to."
"Understood." Jenny swished her sleeves, somewhat impatiently. "I'm leaving."
"Take the money," Mary said, stuffing the prepared wallet into her hand. "You're grown up now. You can't be out without money."
"Thanks, Mom." Jenny beamed, pecked Mary on the cheek, waved, and walked outside, lifting her skirt with both hands. This was her first formal banquet as an adult, and it was for the chorus. She was already quite eager.
Upon arriving at the venue, many were already waiting.
"Northscan!"
"Pulei!"
"Jenny!"
Several newcomers greeted each other, admiring one another's outfits as they awaited their seniors.
「Shortly after.」
"Senior Percy!"
"Senior Oberon!"
Several senior members of the chorus arrived one after another. Compared to the green newcomers, these members, though not much older, conducted themselves with more maturity. The banquet was a novelty to the newcomers but mundane for the seniors. However, only the relatively peripheral members of the group attended. The real core members hadn't, presumably because the newcomers weren't important enough.
"Jenny, nice dress," Percy, the substitute lead singer, approached Jenny and asked with a smile. "It must have been expensive, right?"
"It's alright," Jenny replied, slightly reserved. "Three gold pounds."
"Oh!" Percy raised an eyebrow. "I remember, your family isn't too well off."
"Yes," Jenny's cheeks flushed. "A friend gave it to me."
"Friend?" Percy frowned. "A male friend?"
Jenny looked down. "Yes."
"Willing to spend so much money on you, he seems quite earnest," Percy sighed, then continued, "But let me remind you, if you want to be the lead singer in the future, you must avoid romantic entanglements. Without a pure body, you won't be able to perform many pieces."
Jenny's expression shifted slightly.
"Who is Percy?" a loud voice rang out as they spoke.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice to see a group of men in police uniforms marching their way, bearing an imposing demeanor.
"That's me," Percy quickly raised his hand. "What's the matter?"
"Hmm," the lead officer nodded. "There's a case that might involve you. Come with us for an investigation."
"Ah!" Percy's expression changed drastically. "Now? Is it possible not to go?"
"What do you think?" the officer frowned, somewhat impatient. "We know you're members of the Barro Chorus. If there's no issue, you can return tomorrow."
"But..." Percy turned back, his eyes full of supplication. However, everyone else wore varied expressions, and even a few close members were avoiding eye contact, clearly not intending to intervene on his behalf.
"What's going on?" Carl had just stepped out of his carriage when he witnessed the scene. "Ham, long time no see."
"Baron Karl!" The officer named Ham, previously stern-faced, immediately beamed. "What a coincidence! Are you also here for the banquet?"
"Yes," Carl nodded. "What is this about?"
"This..." Ham hesitated before saying, "A small matter."