Chapter 45 : Another Encounter
Fourth month of the lunar year brought forth flowers in all their splendour as though they wished to dress the world up into a pink bride. While, the withered trees burst forth their new sprouts and their green vigour.
Yuxi was carefully doing embroidery work under the window of the study when Moju lifted up the black-painted bamboo curtain and walked to her side and said, “Miss, Sister Xue Qing asked to see you.” Xue Qing was the personal maid of the main house eldest son, Han Jianming.
Yuxi put down the handkerchief in her hands and went out. Moju looked at the handkerchief in the embroidery basket, where she noticed that the stitches on it was seriously ssy. She could not guess what was being embroidered. She felt a little strange. How could the longer Miss learn to embroider, the worse her skill beca?
Xue Qing bowed respectfully to Yuxi and said, “Miss, Master Heir said he would go to Songyun Pavilion to buy so books. He asked, if Miss would like to go with him. If Miss agrees, Master Heir said that you can go with him on the day after tomorrow. “
Yuxi naturally agreed. The day after tomorrow happened to be a vacation day, so Eldest Brother must have chosen to buy books on that day. As for whether the Old Madam and her Elder Aunt would agree or not, this was not what she should worry herself about. Elder brother would surely settle it himself.
Moju personally sent Xue Qing out, and when she ca back, she said, “I didn’t expect that Master Heir would be fond of Miss this much.”
Yuxi was in a good mood as she said, “The last ti Eldest Brother said that he would take to Songyun Pavilion was three months ago. I really forgot about it. I didn’t expect that Eldest Brother actually rembered it.”
Mama Shen said with a big smile on her face, “This ans that Master Heir actually keeps thinking about Miss.” Speaking of which, Fourth Miss was quite capable person. Not only did she managed to make Madam to be fond of her, but also both Master Heir and the Second Young Master. Even if Fourth Miss did not have any brothers, with the Heir and the Second Young Master took good care of her, she would not have to worry about having no brothers to back her up in the future.
Although Han Jianming was not yet old, he already acted steadily and had a higher prestige in the state residence compared to his father, Duke Han. So when he had decided to take Yuxi out to buy books, the Old Madam and Qiu Shi had no objection.
The night before Yuxi went out, she entered the dark room. She made a total of three boxes of ointnt, which were already done two months ago. In order not to arouse Mama Shen’s suspicion, she took out a box and sared it on her hands in front of Mama Shen. As a result, Mama Shen was scared to death. At last, Yuxi acted helplessly and destroyed the box of ointnt in front of Mama Shen. She then solemnly promised not to make ointnt for the ti being, which in a way reassured Mama Shen. The remaining two boxes of ointnt were locked in the cabinet, with the key to the cabinet, she kept close to herself.
Good Fortune Children / Fuwa
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Before going out, Yuxi dressed herself up like a fuwa (good fortune child) again. After leaving the residence, she said to Master Heir, “Eldest Brother, I think I want to take a look at Mama Fang after buying so books. Can you ask your retainer to send to Shangyuan Street later on?”
Han Jianming did not agree, “If you want to et with Mama Fang, you should just call her into the residence. Shangyuan Street is where fish and dragons mixed in together (Chinese idiom : crooks mixed in with the honest folk). What if soone who doesn’t have eyes collided with you?“ As Yuxi was the unmarried young woman from his residence, he felt not at ease to send her to that place.
Yuxi forced a smile and said, “Eldest Brother, I did think to call Mama Fang into the residence, but she is ill. I am very worried, so I want to check up on her.” This was not to trick Han Jianming, but Mama Fang was indeed ill. She was uneasy and she also happened to have sothing to find Mama Fang, so she wanted to take this opportunity to visit her as they passed by.
Han Jianming was silent for a mont and said, “In that case, I’ll have soone escort you there after you finished buying your book. However, this is the last ti and there can be no more. “
Yuxi’s mouth split open, revealing a smile as she said, “Okay, this is the last ti.”
At the entrance of Songyun Pavilion, a teenager holding a folding fan in his hand with a noble manner ca towards them and said with a smile, “Yo, Master Heir, why did you bring a beautiful little girl here? What’s your na, little girl? “
With an indifferent look, Han Jianming said, “I’m planning to buy books, so I won’t delay Childe Lu.” He had always considered these people who were rubbish covered in gold and jade (Chinese idiom : gilded exterior, shabby and ruined on the inside) beneath him.
Since Han Jianming didn’t introduce Yuxi to them, she also won’t open her mouth to do it.
Childe Lu paid no attention to Han Jiangming’s cold attitude toward him. If people asked him why he was treated that way by Han Jianming, he would just say that Han Jianming was a bit like a woodenhead who didn’t know how to have fun, thus spoiling such a good status in vain.
As both Han Jianming and Yuxi walked into Songyun Pavilion, Han Jianming said after a mont of silence, “That man is the second son of the second master of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence.”
Yuxi was stunned and suddenly rembered one thing, “Is the second master of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence called Lu Song?” Lu Song was Teacher Song’s forr husband.
Han Jianming was satisfied with Yuxi’s quick responsde, “When you et people of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence, you don’t have to pay attention to them.” The n of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence were not good at studying and practicing martial arts, but they were good at eating, drinking and gambling. Now, there was only one empty title left in the Marquis Residence. He didn’t know how long this title would last.
Yuxi nodded and said, “I know.”
Half an hour later, Han Jianming saw Yuxi’s selection of books, and his mouth twitched. She actually picked out several dical books. He thought she wanted to buy books on art.
When Yuxi saw this, she hurriedly explained, “I almost died of smallpox last ti. I was thinking that if I had knowledge on pharmacology, I wouldn’t be afraid.” Afraid of Han Jianming’s disapproval, she imdiately continued saying, “Eldest Brother, buying so dical books are only to fulfil my own idea and I really want to learn pharmacology.” Even if she wanted to learn dicines, she did not have this condition.
Han Jianming shook his head helplessly and said, “What do you an by saying this pile of things? Are you afraid I won’t agree?“ Seeing Yuxi’s expression of surprise, he continued, “It’s not a bad thing for a girl to learn so pharmacology, but these dical books are too obscure and hard for you to understand.”
Yuxi’s heart was touched. If you really cared about those who loved you, you would think that everything those persons did was good. She said, “If I can’t understand it, I can just look at the flowers and plants on it. I can also use it as reference to embroider sothing different from others later on.”
Han Jianming nodded with a faint smile on his face and said, “It’s good that you can think so.” He was afraid of Yuxi being one track-minded as it was a bad attitude.
Yuxi gave a bright smile, “Thank you, Eldest Brother.” Eldest Brother always had a serious look. That was why she stayed at a respectful distance from him in her previous life. Now, after personally got in contact with him, she found out that her Eldest Brother was only serious on the outside, but actually cared about them very much in the inside.
After paying for the books, Yuxi went out with Han Jianming. When she reached the door, she caught sight of two people entering and she looked up at the sky as she went speechless. How could you just get out of the door and t the Murderous Devil? It was a wonderful fate. However, after Yun Qing’s rescuing act, she was not afraid of him anymore.
When Yun Qing saw that Yuxi was not hiding from him and did not even look frightened, he deliberately teased Yuxi and said, “Cousin Xi, why are you not afraid of now?”
Yuxi blushed when she rembered the last ti they t each other. In fact, the current Yun Qing was no more than just a child, and luckily she had lived for a whole life. For her to be afraid of a child, was really a disgrace. She looked up and said, “You have two eyes, a nose and a mouth, too. Why should I be afraid of you?”
Yun Qing said, “Yes, I do have two eyes for one mouth, so why did you shiver when you saw last ti?”
Yuxi didn’t want to admit that she was scared last ti, if she admitted, then she would be the one to loose face, “I was not scared of you. I was just not feeling well at that ti.”
Hearing this, Han Jianming couldn’t help himself from laughing. He usually saw Yuxi as an old-fashioned and reserved girl. It was rare for him to see such a lively and lovely side of her.
Jiang Hongfu who was nearby, reminded Yun Qing, “Cousin, we have to go in and buy books.”
Looking at Jiang Hongfu, Yuxi suddenly asked, “Does Cousin Fu often co to Songyun Pavilion to buy books?”
Jiang Hongfu nodded and said, “Well, I usually buy books in Songyun Pavilion.” The last ti it was not opened for business, it happened that he needed to use a book, so he went to the only open bookstore to buy it.
Yuxi could not help but asked again, “Does Cousin Fu often co out to play on weekdays?”
Jiang Hongfu felt a little strange, but he shook his head and said, “No, I usually study in Baitan Academy. I don’t usually co to this street except to buy books. What’s up? What’s the problem?”
Yuxi shook her head and said, “I’m just asking.” She guessed that Jiang Hongfu t an unforeseen accident in the downtown street. She feared it happened after he ca out from buying books. She was willing to save him, but this matter couldn’t be said to others. She could only secretly thinking of a solution on her own.
After buying so books, Han Jianming had sothing important to deal with. So, he only asked his entourage to accompany Yuxi to Shangyuan Street. “Fourth Sister, don’t stay too long in Shangyuan Street. After seeing the one you want to see, you should imdiately go ho.”
Yuxi hurriedly nodded.
At Shangyuan Street, Yuxi got out of the carriage and went into the baozi (stead stuffed bun) shop. There was nobody in the shop, though she didn’t think too much about it. She took so people and went directly to the backyard.
As soon as Yuxi entered the small courtyard, she heard a sharp voice, which was very unfamiliar to her. This made her involuntarily puckered her brows.
Hongshan did not dare to let Yuxi in, but she first let the entourage in to see the situation. If soone bumped and hurt her Miss, everyone would get into trouble.
Ah Gan, one the entourage, went in with two male servants and ca out not long after. One of the male servants was holding a fat, beautifully dressed woman in his hand. The powder on the woman’s face was much thicker than the wall. This woman, at first glance, could be seen as not a good thing.
Yuxi was angry in her heart, but she did not show it on her face.
Soon, Mama Fang and old woman An also quickly ca out. When Mama Fang ca out and saw Yuxi, she was shocked, while old woman An was relieved. When their Miss arrived, she was not afraid of them being easily taken advantage.
Hongshan asked the woman, “Who are you? What are you doing in my Master’s shop?“ This statent by Hongshan showed that this shop belonged to Yuxi.
Old woman An pointed to the fat woman and said, “Miss, this is matchmaker Liu from Shangyuan Street. She ca here today to act as matchmaker for Mama Fang.”
Looking at Yuxi’s indifferent expression, Matchmaker Liu felt scared in her heart. If she knew that a noble person would co here today, even if she was beaten to death, she won’t have accepted the two taels of silver to co and talk about matchmaking. She knelt on the ground and begged, “Miss, please spare this servant’s life. I was just entrusted to co and be a matchmaker.”
Yuxi’s face instantly turned cold.
Old woman An took hold of the conversation by explaining to Yuxi, “She is hired to be a matchmaker by yan runner Huang of Linshui Street. That man is steeped in evil (Chinese idiom : engaged in every kind of evil imaginable) and spending his money carelessly in dining, getting drunk, whoring and gambling.”
Matchmaker Liu wished she could stifle old woman An’s mouth. As old woman An said these things in front of the noble, Matchmaker Liu had to beat her mind to force it to think of a way out. She really didn’t want to die. She knelt on the ground and cried for rcy, “Forgive , Miss. I only took money to do things for others. I didn’t do anything else.”
Yuxi also felt it was not worth it for her in making it difficult for the matchmaker, as she rely said, “Drag her out.”
Ah Gan imdiately ordered two male attendants to support the woman stood up and walked out. When they reached the door of the shop, they imdiately threw her out.
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