Chapter 172: Buxian Tower on the Lantern Festival
Even someone like Eunuch Li, who was accustomed to the splendor of the capital, found his spirit drawn away by the beauty before him.
“Buxian Tower truly lives up to its name. Beautiful—truly too beautiful!”
Mu Yunyao, dressed in moon-white, walked over slowly. The surrounding flower lanterns cast their colors upon her skirts, tinting the fabric with a faint rosy glow and making her already lovely features appear even more peerless. Most striking of all was the cloud-and-flower golden buyao in her hair. As she moved, it swayed gently, falling beside her ear like a stroke from the hand of Heaven, adding a touch of brilliance to her beauty.
“Greetings, Godfather. Greetings, Eunuch Li.”
Eunuch Li could not help praising her inwardly. If Miss Mu were to one day arrive in the capital, who knew how many noble young ladies would feel jealousy rise in their hearts? Her spiritual, graceful bearing was beautiful and vivid, truly dazzling. “Miss is far too courteous. Only after coming to Buxian Tower today do I know that all the Lantern Festivals I passed before were spent in vain.”
“Such praise from Eunuch Li truly leaves Yunyao overwhelmed by favor. Please come inside and have some tea.”
Within Jinxiu Garden, there were only graceful tea attendants. Unlike other places, no dancers or opera troupes had been invited to attract attention. Yet no one felt the scene lacking. Instead, there was a special atmosphere, one that made those present feel as though they themselves had become a little more refined than others.
Mu Yunyao led them to the Liuli Terrace. Draped curtains had been arranged around it, and a brazier stood in the center. Each seat was covered with light fur and soft cushions, allowing guests to admire the scenery to their hearts’ content without feeling the slightest chill.
With honored guests present, Mu Yunyao naturally brewed the tea herself. Eunuch Li watched her every movement, as smooth as drifting clouds and flowing water, and could not help but stare. “No wonder my master never stops praising Miss Mu’s skill. Not only is Miss’s embroidery superb, but even your tea brewing is unparalleled.”
“Many thanks for Eunuch Li’s praise.” Mu Yunyao placed the brewed tea before the two of them and lifted her hand slightly in invitation. “Please.”
Eunuch Li carefully lifted the lid of the teacup, expecting to see the miraculous sight Xu Li had once praised, of flowers and grasses forming within the cup. Unexpectedly, when he opened it, he saw tea leaves unfolding inside. Reflected in the surrounding lanterns, they resembled a silent landscape painting. Just as he was about to study it more closely, the leaves gently drifted apart, and the mountain-and-water image gradually dissolved, making one sigh despite oneself.
“Miss is truly remarkable. Your tea-brewing skill has improved again, has it not?” A landscape was naturally far more difficult than flowers and grasses.
“It is only a small trick, unworthy of any elegant hall.”
“Miss is far too modest.” If this were merely a small trick, then the young ladies in the capital who called themselves accomplished in both talent and art would likely be ashamed to death.
Eunuch Li studied the tea liquor. It was clear and bright, like a piece of superior jade. A light inhale brought a mellow fragrance. When he tasted it, there was a faint bitterness at first, then a gentle sweetness returning in the throat. Another sip left lingering fragrance throughout the mouth, layer upon layer, with endless aftertaste. “Good tea. Truly good tea! Might Miss also send me some separately, so I may bask in a little reflected favor?”
Mu Yunyao smiled. “The winter is cold, and Eunuch Li has been troubled to come such a long way. Your portion was naturally prepared long ago.”
“Many thanks, Miss Mu.”
“Eunuch Li is far too courteous.”
After the tea was finished, Mu Yunyao withdrew, leaving Cao Yunnian to continue leading Eunuch Li through Jinxiu Garden to admire the scenery.
Back home, Nan’er was racing madly about the courtyard with a small tangerine lantern in his hand. Seeing Mu Yunyao, he hurried forward to salute. “Greetings, Miss. Madam is accompanying Madam Jin in the hall. Miss may go straight over.”
“Be careful. Do not run into anyone.”
“Yes. I will take A’Mao and Li’er to play in the corner.”
“Go on.”
After greeting Madam Jin and keeping her company in conversation for a while, Mu Yunyao finally sent her off. Only then did she relax, raising a hand to rub her brow. “This day has truly drained the spirit.”
“Yao’er, are you feeling unwell?”
“It is nothing. Mother need not worry. I will be fine after resting for one night.”
“I saved dinner for you. I will have it warmed and brought over. Eat a little before going to rest.”
Mu Yunyao propped her cheeks in her hands and looked at Su Qing. “Mother, tomorrow is your birthday, is it not? Let us set up two tables at Jinxiu Garden. Even if we do not invite outsiders, we can still make it lively.”
Su Qing quickly shook her head. “There is no need. Strictly speaking, I do not even know the exact date of my birth. Although I no longer remember anything from childhood, I know I was not Father and Mother’s biological child. This birthday is merely the day they found me. Whether it is celebrated or not holds no real meaning.”
Hearing this, Mu Yunyao felt a pang of sadness. “If Mother says not to celebrate, then we will not celebrate it. Tomorrow, I will personally cook something delicious for you.”
Although Su Qing felt a little wistful, she had long since grown accustomed to it and was not too troubled. “Then I must think carefully about what I want to eat tomorrow. It is not easy to get you into the kitchen.”
“Good. Mother may think of anything you like. As long as you can name it, I can make it. I certainly will not disappoint you.”
“It is getting late. Hurry and eat something, then go rest, lest your wind-cold return.”
“Mm.”
After finishing dinner, Mu Yunyao returned to her room. When she reached the doorway and saw the room completely dark, she suddenly remembered that Yue Wang should still be inside.
“Jin Lan, you have been keeping watch in the outer room these past few days and have not rested well either. My illness is completely recovered now, so return to your own room and rest.”
“Then Miss must be especially careful. Do not open the window at night.”
“Very well. I will go in by myself. You may withdraw.”
Seeing Mu Yunyao’s firm expression, Jin Lan knew further words would be useless. She answered and handed over the lantern.
Mu Yunyao entered the room. Before she could move forward, the candle was lit.
Only then did she realize Yue Wang was sitting by the table. “It is my fault for not thinking things through. I ask Fourth Master’s forgiveness.” She was not in the room, so naturally the lamp had not been lit at night. Yue Wang had stayed here and could only sit silently in the dark.
“It is nothing. Have Eunuch Li and the others left?”
“They should still be admiring the scenery in Jinxiu Garden.”
Yue Wang nodded. His fingers moved slightly. “Then I can only remain a while longer.”
She had not felt it earlier, but now a faint awkwardness rose between them. Mu Yunyao sat down on a chair to the side, then suddenly thought of something. “Has Fourth Master eaten anything this evening?”
Yue Wang fell silent. The expression on his face seemed to grow even colder.
“In that case… Fourth Master, please wait a little. I will go to the kitchen and return soon.”
At this hour, there was already no one in the kitchen. Fortunately, back in Xiayan Village, she had long been used to kitchen work. Before long, she had started the fire and added water to the pot.
Pressed for time, she had no chance to make anything especially delicate. She could only cook a bowl of noodles to make do.
After waiting roughly two quarters of an hour, Yue Wang heard footsteps at the door. The expression in his eyes softened unconsciously for a moment.
“It is late, and in my haste I did not know what else to make. I only cooked a simple bowl of noodles. I hope Fourth Master will not mind.”
Is not that he sees she's not into him, but that he sees she is wary and seems to want to push him away. But he does see Yunyao unconsciously reacts to his advances.
ReplyDeleteHe wouldn't be worried about her being defensive if he could see she's not into him. He would just know he had no chances.