Chapter 127: The Little Beggar at the Garden Gate
Liu Liang wrapped an arm around Mu Yunyao and carried her directly up onto the branches.
She landed lightly among the osmanthus branches, and Mu Yunyao could not help laughing aloud. After finding a branch and sitting down properly, she directly broke off a spray of osmanthus and held it in her palm. Then she turned to ask Liu Liang, who was guarding her at the side.
“Is this one prettier than the branch I picked before?”
Beneath the moonlight, her ten slender fingers were luminous and white as jade, more beautiful than that cluster of osmanthus blossoms.
Liu Liang nodded. His mind had been dazzled by the beautiful sight before him, and he became even less certain how he should answer.
Only then did Mu Yunyao feel satisfied.
“Then I will take this branch of osmanthus back and give it to Mother now. As for the one I picked before, I will simply treat it as having been thrown away to hit a dog.”
As she spoke, she was about to jump down, startling Liu Liang so badly that he hurriedly stopped her.
“Master, be careful!”
Mu Yunyao burst into laughter.
“You used to have the temperament of a block of wood. Who knows how many times people scolded you for it? I did not expect that after following me, you would actually start speaking more. I truly wonder how angry that black-hearted devil would be if he saw it.”
Liu Liang did not understand.
“Master, you are drunk.”
“I am not drunk. I am perfectly clear-headed right now…”
Mu Yunyao lifted her head and looked through the osmanthus branches toward the night sky. Beneath the moonlight, everything before her eyes was bright and clear, as though the whole world had become much cleaner.
“Evening clouds have scattered, leaving clear cold overflowing;
The Silver River turns its jade plate in silence.
This life, this night, cannot long remain so fine.
Next year, where shall we gaze upon this moon?”
By next year’s Mid-Autumn, she should already have returned to the Su family. Even if she encountered such a beautiful moonlit night and such scenery again, she was afraid she would no longer have the mood to appreciate it.
Liu Liang looked at Mu Yunyao. He only felt that there was an intense emotion about her at this moment. He could see it, yet he could not understand it.
“Master, if you like the scenery here, you may still come admire it next year.”
Mu Yunyao gave a soft laugh. The emotions around her withdrew completely.
“I heard there is a kind of cinnabar osmanthus. When it blooms, the flowers are red, charming as blood, terribly beautiful. Tomorrow, have this golden osmanthus tree cut down and replace it with cinnabar osmanthus. If there is a chance next year, I want to see red osmanthus flowers…”
Next year, when she returned to the Su family, it would be the beginning of her revenge. On a Mid-Autumn reunion night, admiring blood-colored osmanthus flowers would suit the occasion perfectly.
“Yes, Master.”
When the night wind blew, the effects of the wine grew even stronger. Mu Yunyao only felt increasingly dazed. In her hazy memory, Liu Liang helped her down from the tree and sent her back to her own room.
When she woke again, the sky was already bright. She had only just sat up when Jin Lan, hearing movement, knocked on the door and asked, “Miss, are you awake? This servant will come in?”
“Come in.”
Osmanthus wine was light, but this body had never drunk wine before, so after only a few cups, she had become thoroughly drunk. Now that she had slept through the night, the smell of wine had completely faded, and she did not feel uncomfortable.
“Miss, you are finally awake. Shopkeeper Qin has already come to ask for you twice. He said he wishes to invite over the piece of calligraphy His Majesty bestowed, have someone copy it, and make it into a signboard to hang up. This servant replied that you were still asleep, so he did not let anyone disturb you.”
“Mm. After I finish washing and dressing, I will go take a look.”
After Mu Yunyao dressed, she walked around the screen and came out. She immediately saw the vase placed on the table.
Inside a jade hu spring vase was a branch of osmanthus. Its leaves were emerald green, and its blossoms were bright and flourishing. It suited the vase extremely well.
Jin Lan noticed her gaze and quickly said, “It was Liu Liang who asked me to find a vase. He said Miss liked osmanthus flowers, so this servant took the liberty of placing it here.”
Mu Yunyao stepped forward and examined it carefully for a long while. Then she smiled slightly.
“I do indeed like it very much. Later, carry it to Mother’s room.”
“Yes, Miss.”
After washing up and eating a little, Mu Yunyao finally went to Jinxiu Garden.
With the calligraphy bestowed by His Majesty, Buxian Tower’s business had become even more explosive. As soon as it opened today, the garden was already filled with guests.
Now that things had stabilized during this period, they no longer sent invitation cards outward. Anyone who wished to come to the garden for tea needed to reserve a place in advance. Moreover, after the time was reserved, if the guest did not arrive within half an hour, the seat would be given to someone else.
These days, outside Jinxiu Garden, there were always a few children of eight or nine waiting. Once they discovered that someone had not arrived, they would run nearby to find people dressed in fine clothes and ask whether they wished to come to Jinxiu Garden. If someone gained the seat through them, they would more or less give the children a few wen as a reward. If the children encountered someone generous, they would have enough food money for an entire month.
When Mu Yunyao arrived, a child happened to walk in front of her. Seeing her heading into Jinxiu Garden, he could not help running up and remind her in a small voice.
“This young miss, no one is late today. The guests in the garden are all seated for now. Even if you go inside, there will be no place.”
Mu Yunyao could not help but stop to examine the child before her.
He looked only seven or eight years old. The clothes he wore were patched, but they had been washed especially clean. Now, seeing her stop, he involuntarily retreated two steps, timidity showing on his face.
“Thank you. I am going inside to look for someone, so it should not be a problem.”
“So you are looking for someone. Then I have delayed Young Miss’s time…”
As the child spoke, his face suddenly reddened. He pursed his lips slightly, and a tiny dimple appeared on one cheek, looking especially adorable.
Mu Yunyao found herself somewhat interested.
“Do you wait at the garden gate every day?”
The child had not expected Mu Yunyao to ask him a question. A little unease appeared on his face.
“I… I only wait at the gate. I do not beg from the guests inside the garden. I would not dare disturb them…”
“Beg?”
Jin Lan stepped forward and explained to Mu Yunyao, “Miss, these days, some little beggars have gathered at the garden gate. They help run errands, watching to see whether any guests who reserved seats fail to arrive. If there are any, they send the news out. Whoever obtains the seat will give them some reward money.”
The child nodded and looked at Mu Yunyao somewhat nervously.
The young miss before him did not look very old, but she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Standing before her and speaking somehow made him feel ashamed of his own inferiority.
“That is indeed a good little business. I wonder who told you to come here?”
“It was our elder sister.”
The child did not dare hide anything and answered Mu Yunyao truthfully.
As they were speaking, a young girl ran over. In a fluster, she hurriedly bowed to Mu Yunyao.
“Greetings, Young Miss. My younger brother is still young and ignorant. If he has offended you in any way, please forgive him. Nan’er, quickly apologize to this young miss.”
“Sister, I…”
The child called Nan’er quickly lowered his head and twisted the front of his clothes.
“I… I am sorry…”
Mu Yunyao smiled and shook her head.
“Young lady, you have misunderstood. Your younger brother is very well-behaved. He only reminded me of something and did not offend me at all. May I ask if you have time? I reserved a seat in the garden. I can invite you and your younger brother to eat something and drink a cup of tea.”
A few traces of guardedness immediately appeared on the young girl’s face.
“There is no need. As long as we did not offend Young Miss, then we…”
“Sister… I am hungry…”
Hearing the mention of food, the child beside her filled his eyes with longing and tugged softly at the young girl’s clothes.
“Be quiet. We are leaving…”
After saying this, the young girl bowed to Mu Yunyao, pulled the little boy, and turned to leave.
Mu Yunyao smiled and did not mind. She brought Jin Lan with her and walked into the garden.
* The Mid-Autumn Festival Tune by Su Shi. The poem echoes the night’s fleeting beauty and Mu Yunyao’s awareness that next year will be very different.
so this is the rise of greeters in restaurants... lovely chapter!
ReplyDelete