~ THE LITTLE BEGGAR AT THE ENTRANCE OF GARDEN ~
Liu Liang wrapped his arms around Mu Yunyao and brought her onto a branch.
Mu Yunyao lightly landed on the osmanthus tree and couldn’t stop herself from laughing. After finding a branch to sit on, she directly broke off an osmanthus flower and held it in her palm. She turned her head to the side and asked Liu Liang, who protected her: “Is this even prettier than the one I broke before?”
Under the moonlight, the ten fingers were as white as jade, more beautiful than that cluster of osmanthus flowers.
Liu Liang nodded. He was distracted by the beautiful scene before him and didn’t even know how to reply.
Only now did Mu Yunyao feel satisfied. “Then I’ll bring this osmanthus flower back to Mother now and treat the one I broke previously as a dog beating.”
Just as she was about to jump down, he hurriedly stopped her. “Mistress, be careful!”
Mu Yunyao laughed out loud. “You’ve been a fool before, and many people defeat you. I didn’t expect that after you followed me, you would become so talkative. I really don’t know what it’s like to be seen by that black-hearted ghost!”
Liu Liang didn’t understand: “Mistress, you’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk. I’m very sober right now…” Mu Yunyao raised her head and looked at the night sky through the osmanthus branches.
Under the moonlight, full of halo, the entire world seemed to have become much cleaner as she said, “Mu Yun has cleared away all the cold, and the Yin Han is silently turning the jade plate. The night of this life will not be long, so where can the bright moon be seen next year?”*
When the Mid-Autumn Festival next year, she should have returned to the Su family. Even if she encountered such a beautiful night and scenery again, she probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy it.
Liu Liang looked at Mu Yunyao and felt a strong feeling coming from her body, but he couldn’t understand it. “Mistress, if you like the scenery here, you can still come to watch next year.”
Mu Yunyao chuckled lightly as the emotions around her disappeared. “I heard that there’s a type of osmanthus cinnabar, and the flower is red and as beautiful as blood. It’s absolutely fascinating. I’ll chop off this golden osmanthus tomorrow and change it to osmanthus cinnabar. If I have the chance next year, I want to see a red one....”
Next year, when she returned to the Su family, it would be the beginning of her revenge. It is a great time to enjoy the osmanthus flower at the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Yes, Mistress.”
When the night wind blew, the smell of wine intensified. Mu Yunyao felt that her mind was in a trance, and she vaguely remembered how Liu Liang had helped her off the tree and sent her back to her room.
When she woke up again, the sky was already bright. She had just sat up when Jin Lan knocked on the door and asked, “Miss, did you wake up? This servant can come in?”
“Come in.” The osmanthus flower wine was weak, but this body had never tasted wine before, so she was very drunk after a few drinks. Now that she had slept for the night, the smell of alcohol had dissipated totally, so she did not feel uncomfortable.
“Miss, you’ve awoken. Shopkeeper Qin has come to ask you twice already, saying he wanted to invite you over the pair of treasures bestowed upon you by the Emperor. He then made a copy and hung it up as a signboard. When this servant replied that you were still asleep, he did not allow anyone to disturb you.”
“Well, I’ll check it out after washing.”
Mu Yunyao put on her clothes and walked around the screen to see a vase on the table. Inside the jade bottle was a single osmanthus flower with dark green leaves and radiant flowers, which was quite fitting for her.
Jin Lan noticed her gaze and quickly said, “It was Liu Liang who told me to find the bottle and said that Miss liked the osmanthus flowers, so I’ll leave it here privately.”
Mu Yunyao went up to carefully measure it, then faintly smiled and said, “I like it. I’ll take it to Mother’s room later.”
“Yes, Miss.”
After washing up and eating something, Mu Yunyao finally arrived at Jin Xiu Garden.
With the Emperor’s calligraphy, Bu Xian Luo’s business became increasingly flourishing. Today, the garden will be full of guests as soon as it opens.
After stabilizing it, she decided not to send out an invitation anymore. If the guests wanted to drink tea in the garden, they had to book one in advance. If they couldn’t get here within an hour, they would have to give the seat to someone else.
Several eight- or nine-year-old children waited outside Jin Xiu Garden every day. Once they discovered no one had come, they would run to the nearby area to find some well-dressed people and ask if they were coming to Jin Xiu Garden. If given the opportunity, the guests would more or less offer them money with the same value as a month’s worth of food.
When Mu Yunyao arrived, a child coincidentally walked in front of her. Seeing her walk into Jin Xiu Garden, he couldn’t help but run over and quietly remind her: “Miss, there’s no one late today. The garden is temporarily full, and there aren’t any seats when you enter.”
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but stop her steps and size up the child before her. He looked about seven or eight years old, and his clothes were patched up and rinsed clean. Seeing that she had stopped, he couldn’t help but take two steps back with a timid expression.
“Thank you very much. I went in to find someone, so there should be no hindrance.”
“So you’re looking for someone. It was my fault for delaying Miss....” As the child spoke, his face suddenly flushed. He pursed his lips slightly, and a tiny dimple appeared on his cheek, making him look adorable.
Mu Yunyao was slightly interested, “Are you always waiting at the garden entrance daily?”
Not expecting Mu Yunyao to ask him a question, the child’s face became uneasy. “I...I was only waiting at the entrance. I didn’t beg the guests in the garden, and I didn’t dare to disturb them....”
“Begging?”
Jin Lan stepped forward and explained to Mu Yunyao.
“Miss, in these few days, a few beggars have gathered at the garden entrance. To see if any guests who have reserved seats in the garden have not arrived, and if there are, they will send out the news, and whoever gets the seat will give them some money.”
The child nodded and looked somewhat nervously at Mu Yunyao. The young lady in front of him didn’t look that old and was actually the most good-looking person he had ever seen. Standing in front of her and talking always makes people feel ashamed.
“This is good business. I wonder who brought you here?”
“Our sister.” The child dared not hide anything, and he truthfully told Mu Yunyao.
Just as he spoke, a young girl ran over and hurriedly bowed to Mu Yunyao. “Greetings, Miss. My young brother is still young and inexperienced. Please forgive him if he dares to offend you! Quickly apologizes to this young lady, Nan’er.”
“Elder Sister, I....” The child, called Nan’er, hurriedly twisted his shirt, “I... I’m sorry....”
Mu Yunyao smiled and shook her head. “Miss has misunderstood. My little brother is very obedient and only reminded me once. There’s no need to rush. I don’t know if Miss has time, but I’ve set a position in the garden to invite you and Little Brother to eat something and have a cup of tea.”
The young lady’s face immediately became wary. “There’s no need. It’s good that we didn’t crash into Miss we...”
“Elder Sister... I’m hungry....” When the child at the side heard about eating, his eyes filled with desire. He reached out his hand to pull the young girl’s clothes and whispered.
“Shut up! Let’s go....” After speaking, the young girl bowed to Mu Yunyao and pulled the little boy along as she turned around to leave. Mu Yunyao smiled and didn’t mind as she brought Jin Lan into the garden.
* The Mid-Autumn Festival Tune by Su Shi
so this is the rise of greeters in restaurants... lovely chapter!
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