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墨書 Inktalez
Due to Ji Yuyan's frail health, all household matters are now managed by Second Lady Haitang. Haitang's surname is Xuan, indeed she is of royal descent. She was once infatuated with Mu Yu and insisted on marrying him. The royal family and the Mu Family had a marriage alliance in their ancestry, but this was the first time someone from the royal family married into the Mu Family as a concubine. However, who could resist the allure of the Mu Family? In the end, the royal family adopted the surname Xuan Haitang and publicly declared her to be the emperor's sworn sister. From then on, Haitang married into the Mu Family. She is the current emperor's aunt and also the aunt of Lingxiang Princess. Although she has no sons, she shares a loving relationship with Mu Yu and treats Hibiscus as her own son.
Just then, a young servant outside announced, "Young Master has returned to the residence."
Haitang stood up and instructed the maidservants to prepare hot water, clean clothes, and so on. After that, she sent a young servant to notify the kitchen, fearing that the young master might be hungry after his journey, urging them to quickly prepare some meals and snacks.
Holding her skirt, she entered the sedan chair and said, "Quickly take me to greet the young master."
As Haitang stepped out of the sedan chair, she saw Hibiscus approaching with a smile, followed closely by Fengyin, who lowered her head shyly. Although she was curious about her surroundings, she did not dare to look around; it felt like this place was quite extraordinary.
"Jin'er, you look weary. You seem to have traveled quite a distance."
"I have met Second Mother. This is Senior Yun Zhongzi's beloved disciple, Fengyin."
Fengyin bowed deeply and greeted her respectfully. "Good day, Madam."
Haitang looked at Fengyin and noticed her flowing Azure Silk hair gently swaying in the wind and her modest demeanor; everything else was hidden beneath her veil. In this era, it is quite normal for unmarried young women to wear veils, especially since she is a disciple of a reclusive master; it would be inappropriate to be too forward.
She said, "Fengyin has come to the Mu Family; we must treat you well. If there’s anything you wish to eat or drink, just let me know. You can call me Auntie like Jin'er does."
Fengyin nodded. Haitang smiled as she rolled up her handkerchief and reassured her, "Do not be afraid." Fengyin's head nearly touched the ground in shyness.
Then she summoned two young maidservants who helped Fengyin into the sedan chair. Haitang returned to her seat in the chair while Hibiscus mounted his horse. Only then did they enter the inner courtyard of the Mu Family.
This type of sedan chair has two levels: on the upper level, people kneel or sit; on the lower level, personal belongings are placed for the owner. A better-quality sedan chair is wrapped in exquisite soft fabric on top of sturdy wood and is quite thoughtfully designed. Currently, aside from those used for receiving guests, all other sedan chairs in the Mu Family are custom-made specifically for their owners, with embroidery and inlays chosen by them.
The sedan chair stopped at Windward Pavilion.
The maid lifted the curtain, and Fengyin stepped down from the sedan chair, walking behind Hibiscus.
"What a coincidence! We just happen to have a Windward Pavilion in our residence, and your name has the character for 'wind' in it. I will have the maids tidy up, and you can stay in Windward Pavilion. After you freshen up, I will come to take you for a meal," Haitang said, truly a person of refined character. With Fengyin's arrival, she arranged for her to stay in Windward Pavilion. No wonder the Mu Family was united and harmonious.
Fengyin nodded.
"You go wash up first; I will come to get you shortly," Hibiscus whispered in her ear.
"Okay," Fengyin replied with a nod.
"I am called Qiao'er; please follow me, Fengyin." Among the maids, one wearing a pale yellow top stepped forward.
"Go ahead, Jin'er; you return to Jin Zhi Xuan as well. Second Mistress is going to check the kitchen."
"Yes, Second Mistress," Hibiscus responded.
Fengyin bowed slightly to Haitang and Hibiscus before following the maid named Qiao'er into Windward Pavilion.
"Miss, which bundle contains your change of clothes?" Qiao'er hesitated to rummage through them and asked instead.
"I'll do it myself." Her gentle voice felt like a breath of spring air.
"Understood, I will step out now. Call me if you need anything," Qiao'er said before leading a few other maids out.
Fengyin walked in from behind the screen, her mouth slightly open. This was not a bathtub; it was clearly a small swimming pool, filled with floating flower petals that intrigued her. She stepped down the wooden ladder, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. Soaking in the water washed away her fatigue, and she began to feel hungry.
Just then, she heard Qiao'er's voice: "Young Master, the young lady is still bathing. Please sit and have a cup of tea."
He had arrived. Fengyin emerged from the pool and put on her clothes. The cuffs and hem of her dress were a light blue gradient, while the rest was white, resembling the horizon where the sea meets the sky. She loved silk; it felt soft to the touch and was light and comfortable to wear. Silk always felt gentle, allowing her to sense the breeze. She opened the door to find Hibiscus sitting on the floor of the hall, sipping tea. Qiao'er, who had been facing away from the door, turned around upon hearing it open. Fengyin still wore a light blue veil, but having just bathed, her hair was still dripping wet, which caught Hibiscus's attention.
"Miss, why did you come out?" Qiao'er asked gently.
"What’s wrong?" Fengyin replied, puzzled.
"You're still wet; you can't meet guests like this, especially since the Young Master is a man."
Qiao'er blocked Hibiscus's view and called over another maid to take a towel and guide Fengyin back to the inner room.
"Fengyin has been secluded in the mountains since childhood and doesn't pay attention to such details. Please do not speak of this outside," Hibiscus said lightly.
"Yes, I understand," Qiao'er replied as she knelt on the ground with her head bowed.
After about half a cup of tea's time, the maid finally led Fengyin out from inside.
"Let's go," Hibiscus said softly.
Fengyin followed behind as they walked out.
"I just went to see my mother and told her you were here. She wants to meet you." The reason Ji Yuyan wanted to see Fengyin was that she noticed Hibiscus mentioning her with gentle eyes and a bright gaze. Naturally, as a mother wanting to know about her son's beloved, she wished to meet her.
Fengyin nodded slightly.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Fengyin shook her head. To her, he still seemed like the scruffy little beggar from seven years ago, someone she could only look up to. But she wasn't afraid of him because he was a good person.
Hibiscus glanced at Fengyin, who had lowered her head in silence. Where had the girl who dared to push him gone? It was only when it came to things she cared about and cherished that she found the courage to defend them. Seven years later, her timid eyes remained unchanged. No matter how Hibiscus looked at her or thought about her, he would never associate her with that little beggar from that snowy day—barefoot, with yellowed hair, dirty all over, and smelling of spoiled food. Perhaps he had already forgotten that inconspicuous little beggar had a messy old man by her side.
If he knew, would he still feel this way?
"Fengyin, we have arrived. Please get off the sedan chair." Qiao'er lifted the curtain.
"Thank you." The soft voice startled Qiao'er. No one had ever thanked her before, not even other servants of the same rank. Fengyin's voice made Qiao'er's nose tingle, but she lowered her head to support Fengyin, where no one could see. But Fengyin noticed.
"What's wrong?" she asked, tilting her head.
Qiao'er met a pair of gentle eyes that radiated kindness.
"Nothing, just look at the steps, Fengyin."
Fengyin didn't ask further; she simply patted her back and then walked up the steps, keeping pace with Hibiscus.
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