Second Master Liu turned his head to glance at Xiao Lian Hua, sitting at the front of the carriage beside him, feeling a restless urge arise.
The small person looked obedient and charming, quite endearing. Initially spoke little, but over the days, began to talk more, which gave him a sense of accomplishnt.
She trusted them a lot, as if she were one of them. Several tis they avoided danger thanks to Xiao Hehe’s warnings, though there were so troubles, but those were trivial.
Moreover, Xiao Hehe wasn’t afraid of them, unlike Xiao Hua i who feared him, trembling whenever he approached. But Xiao Hua i didn’t seem well...
A shadow of gloom flashed across Second Master Liu’s heart, but he quickly dismissed it. They were nearing Yangzhou, and if soone dies, they die. They could just throw the body into the river, but it was a pity that Xiao Hehe was being watched too closely. If only he could...
He glanced inside the carriage where it was silent, though he knew Cui Sanniang was inside pretending to nap.
Ah...forget it, Cui Sanniang made sense, better to bear it for now.
"I’ve never been on a ship," Xiao Lian Hua shook her head. "Where is Dangtu Town? Is it like Guxi River Town?"
Second Master Liu’s interest was piqued, and he began to explain: "There’s no comparison. Guxi Town is situated on the Guxi River and part of Xuanzhou. Ultimately, it’s in the Xuanzhou region, whereas Dangtu Town is different. You know the Yangtze River, right? It’s many tis larger than the Guxi River. Dangtu Town is at the confluence of the Yangtze and Guxi Rivers, so calling it a town is an understatent; it’s only slightly smaller than Xuanzhou. But Xuanzhou Prefecture is more suited for dining and entertainnt, while Dangtu Town is better for shipping and trade routes, with a much denser population."
Xiao Lian Hua secretly noted this, nodded, and gave a thumbs up: "You know so much."
Second Master Liu was greatly pleased and began to talk incessantly: "Dangtu Town is at the convergence of the two rivers, making cargo transportation very prosperous. Large and small ships co and go constantly, and there’s an Imperial boat-building site here. Nowadays, more and more people co here looking for work, with countless inns, restaurants, and flower buildings..."
Xiao Lian Hua nodded along, occasionally chiming in, fueling Second Master Liu’s enthusiasm. He boasted about everything from the food, drinks, and play at Dangtu Town to his past capabilities, even detailing where they’d stay upon arrival and what plans followed, showcasing his prowess.
Xiao Lian Hua occasionally widened her eyes in earnest attention, even offering so spontaneous praise for his might and valor.
In the end, Second Master Liu was satisfied, and with his leering little eyes, he glanced sideways at Xiao Lian Hua, unable to resist freeing a hand to pinch that tender skin.
Xiao Lian Hua, quick-eyed and swift, dodged, darting into the carriage to complain to Cui Sanniang, who was semi-reclining there pretending to nap: "Shaded Eyes Lady, Uncle Hua Liu wants to pinch ."
"Why are you still calling Uncle Hua Liu?"
"Why are you still calling Shaded Eyes Lady?"
Both Second Master Liu outside the carriage and Cui Sanniang inside spoke simultaneously, their mood soured by Xiao Lian Hua’s words.
Cui Sanniang suddenly opened her sharp, shaded eyes, softening upon seeing Xiao Lian Hua’s face.
Second Master Liu frowned, regretful at not having touched her.
He had to suppress his itchy hand, recalling the girl’s innocence and charm, suppressing any anger, although all his resentnt ended up blad on Cui Sanniang. That old hag kept such a close watch on people that he couldn’t even manage a touch.
But it was yet another thing that had to be negotiated. As he watched the carriage’s path, he tried to coax: "Xiao Hehe, call Second Master, not Uncle Hua Liu anymore."
In the carriage, Xiao Lian Hua, nestled in a cozy spot, replied curiously, "Aren’t you working at a flower-filled Flower Building?"
"Correct."
"And your surna is Liu?"
"Yes."
Xiao Lian Hua concluded, "Then you’re Uncle Hua Liu."
She was great at naming; Uncle Hua Liu perfectly matched the person before her. Outsiders would know it was him instantly; no other na fit quite like it, and she didn’t fancy calling anyone else "Master." It seed like only one person deserved to be addressed as "Master."
Yet, when she tried hard to recall that person, her mory always slipped right at the brink, just one tiny push away from rembrance. She believed with more effort, she’d soon rember.
Second Master Liu’s mouth opened and closed before finally shutting. He didn’t know how to explain what Hua Liu was to a ten-year-old sheltered girl. Had it been soone else, he wouldn’t care that much, having a thousand ways to make them comply.
But Xiao Hehe was different. She trusted him wholly, the first girl not to fear him, who often praised him, her look frequently filled with admiration, which he greatly enjoyed.
This was yet another annoyance; Xiao Hehe stubbornly called him Uncle Hua Liu and never changed it, alas.
Sharing his annoyance was Cui Sanniang. Hearing Xiao Lian Hua call Second Master Liu "Uncle Hua Liu," she secretly smiled, but hearing herself addressed as "Shaded Eyes Lady" was discomforting.
"Shaded Eyes Lady"—she was Cui Sanniang. Ordinarily, girls called her Sanniang or Mother Cui.
She had repeated nurous tis for Xiao Lian Hua to stop calling her Shaded Eyes Lady. She loathed having her eyes ridiculed, yet each ti Xiao Lian Hua obediently listened, only to revert to the old ways when addressing. It was very frustrating.
Once, when Cui Sanniang could no longer bear it, she asked Xiao Lian Hua why she never anded it.
Xiao Lian Hua said, "You look a lot like the wet nurse at the He Mansion. Every ti I see you, it reminds of her."
Cui Sanniang knew large households had wet nurses, and thrilled at the rare insight into Xiao Lian Hua’s upbringing, she quickly asked, "Was she your wet nurse?"
Xiao Lian Hua nearly denied it but rembered her current identity as He Hao, so she nodded.
The wet nurse of the He Family boy had high cheekbones, thin swollen eyelids, and a an look. Each encounter with her resulted in a disdainful expression, warning that such a wild girl might never marry, always saying strange things.
The He Family boy, being so big, still clung to the wet nurse. She often laughed at him and later seldom saw the wet nurse.
At such tis, Cui Sanniang’s brows relaxed. With a mansion and a caring wet nurse, what else could one be but a noble lady? Being likened to a wet nurse was surely familiarity?
In her lifted spirits, Cui Sanniang stopped fussing over it, letting things continue as they were.
Truth be told, Cui Sanniang wasn’t always engaged in this disreputable business, t with disdain. Years ago, she was the well-known Mother of the Drunken Fairy Tower, managing many girls, with Yangzhou’s famous Oiran, Water Fairy, under her wing.
Speaking of Water Fairy, she was proficient in poetry, song, painting, chess, writing—a master of all. She resembled an ignorant Fairy, untouched by worldly sorrows, with an otherworldly aura accented by a natural hint of allure. A gentle smile, a backward glance, and one would be entranced.
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