The fine drizzle falls like flower needles, as fine as silk, weaving a dense slant on the little boat, creating ripples and emitting reassuring sounds.
After making a "wish", the Rowing Maiden felt exceedingly apprehensive, unsure if she had overstepped her bounds.
The lady wouldn’t be upset, would she?
After all, the Flower Moon Building was well known for its illusions and pretenses, and she always watched Miss Yun with fervent eyes. If misunderstood, she would feel as if she wanted to die.
However, this was the difference between the maiden and Liu Qingluo.
The maiden was rely a boatman, with a clean body unafraid of approaching Yun Qian, unlike Liu Qingluo.
Yun Qian didn’t keep her waiting long.
"Alright."
She acknowledged her wish.
Miss Yun believed having a wish was good; as for what it was, it was all the sa to her.
But... Yun Qian suddenly rembered sothing and asked, "Is it a wish to see him again later?"
Since the Rowing Maiden seed fond of her husband, it made sense she’d want to see him during their break.
"No." The Rowing Maiden shook her head candidly, her ears reddening as she looked at Yun Qian.
This ti, it truly wasn’t.
She genuinely wished to talk more with the lady.
"Hmm." Yun Qian spoke to her, her expression relaxed beneath the veil, but she rembered sothing while observing the fresh-faced maiden holding the boat paddle.
She didn’t yet know the maiden’s na... The maiden hadn’t introduced herself.
Everyone should have a na.
A na is significant, just like the na "Yun Qian." Without this na, she would have no excuse or right to stay beside her husband.
"What’s your na?" Yun Qian asked.
"Ms. Yun, I’ve learned sothing from the ladies in the Flower Moon Building."
The Rowing Maiden seed to anticipate Yun Qian’s question; she looked at the raindrops hitting the water, and the occasional fish poking its head out, softly saying, "Even a fish seen only briefly doesn’t need a na."
She recited a verse: "Last year’s guest beneath the flowers, now as butterflies we part ways; alas, my humble self hardly counts as a colorful butterfly... Being a fish is already not bad."
Yun Qian: "...?"
Yun Qian did not quite understand.
She certainly didn’t understand.
Epheral encounters make nas aningless; the maiden didn’t wish for the lady to know her na. Having a chance to talk today was the extent of her desire.
The maiden didn’t explain further and headed to the East Garden.
——
At this mont, Xu Chang’an stood before the elegant hall.
He did not rush in.
He perhaps needed to adjust his mood, to ntally review topics and potential questions from Senior Zhu for the upcoming eting... After all, requesting help from a superior required care.
"..."
The na Flower Moon Building was full of allure, yet it represented the core site of Beisang City, where ladies took turns performing. The feng shui and architecture reached a pinnacle.
Xu Chang’an looked at the large sign reading "Flower Moon" near the door, finding the script full of realm-like elegance no matter how many tis he saw it.
He wondered how Miss Yun was getting along with the Rowing Maiden.
Even sensing the maiden’s admiration for Yun Qian, Xu Chang’an wasn’t worried, for he trusted the ladies under Zhu Pingniang’s supervision—a trust written in the couplets at the entrance too?
Xu Chang’an stood at the entrance, attentively reading the pitch-black poem on the left.
Face blush and cold dew learn to coquettish. The glow cup perfus the cold beauty, cloud bun sways slender branches.
Smoke rain as before when, frost cluster as forr floral bloom.
With whom to drunkenly pluck fragrance back, last year’s guest beneath the flowers, now as butterflies we part ways.
"Last year’s guest beneath the flowers, now as butterflies we part ways." Xu Chang’an silently recited a few tis, then felt even more respect for Zhu Pingniang and the ladies here.
These words had no difference from the phrase "Ascend the stage with brows swept, descend to remove floral makeup."
The ladies of the brothel had already written "act to play" boldly at the entrance, yet still, so patrons pretended not to see, hoping for genuine feelings in exchange for fake hearts.
No such easy matters existed in this world.
With the exchange of silver coins, it was rely a transaction.
Just then, a woman returned from outside, pausing in surprise upon seeing Xu Chang’an, expressing her delight: "Young Master Xu? You’re back?"
Xu Chang’an turned and saw a lady in yellow attire.
"Why not go inside to find Ms. Zhu? What are you doing standing at the door?" The woman’s eyes sparkled upon seeing Xu Chang’an, and she charmingly attempted to grab his arm, but he effortlessly evaded as usual.
The woman was used to it; as the couplets wrote at the door, they weren’t ones for entanglent.
Seeing Xu Chang’an not going up imdiately seed odd to her, yet she understood young people’s shyness, standing alone being normal, especially with led visits before?
"Young Master, please wait a mont, let check where Ms. Lu is, so she may invite you up."
"I appreciate it." Xu Chang’an bowed in thanks.
Watching him do so, the woman smiled broadly and adjusted her tightly closed neckline downwards, "Young Master is courteous."
"..."
Xu Chang’an averted his gaze, continuing to wait here.
Not seeing what shouldn’t be seen was his principle.
Besides... he wasn’t a child, there was no need for others to lead him up.
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