“Hehe, then I’ll call you little treasure. Are you feeling a bit nervous?” the Clan Chief asked again, and after asking, he himself chuckled: “You don’t have to worry. During this month here, just eat well, drink well, and stay well. If you’re happy, your blood will be purer and better. If you’re unhappy, toxins will develop in your blood, and it would be of no use for me to e. So I hope you can relax and have a good stay here.”
Could being unhappy really produce toxins in the blood?
It seemed his mother had mentioned this too, but whether the toxins were actually in the blood, he didn’t know.
“Elder Yun, take my little treasure down first, arrange a suite for her, remember, it must be spacious, bright, and fortable. And assign two people to serve her. She is our Red Twilight Clan’s lucky star; we must take good care of her,” the Clan Chief finished speaking, and the gauze curtain in front of him slowly descended, leaving behind just a shadow.
Elder Yun then approached Xia Dabao and said, “Please, Lady Dabao.”
Xia Dabao hugged Axian tightly and as she turned around, she saw Bei Shan and Yun Xiao had also e along. Bei Shan wore a proud expression on his face, probably happy on behalf of his Clan Chief, but Yun Xiao’s face was inscrutable.
Elder Yun led Xia Dabao across the bridge and up Mountain Road. After reaching here, Bei Shan and Yun Xiao no longer followed.
This area was full of large houses, though sparse and irregular, looking as though they were built according to whims.
Elder Yun brought Xia Dabao to a house halfway up the mountain. As soon as he opened the door, two maids came forward to pay respect to Elder Yun.
Elder Yun then pointed at Xia Dabao, “This is Lady Dabao and her brother. You must serve them well. If she is the slightest bit dissatisfied, I will throw you into the snake pit to feed the snakes!”
The two maids quickly replied, “Understood, Elder Yun.”
Elder Yun then turned back to Xia Dabao: “Lady Dabao, I’m sorry to impose on you to stay here for now. If you have any needs, just tell these two maids. If they can’t resolve it, e find me, okay?”
Xia Dabao nodded her head, “Okay!”
After Elder Yun left, the two maids eagerly weled her: “Lady Dabao, we have already tidied up the room for you. Would you like to e in and see if it satisfies you?”
Xia Dabao entered, holding Axian.
This wooden house was situated halfway up the mountain, warm in the winter and cool in the summer, with windows opened for excellent ventilation. The room was decorated with fabrics featuring patterns from the Southern Zhao State, reflecting their bold yet subdued characteristics.
Xia Dabao placed Axian on the bed. Axian lifted his eyelids briefly, saw Xia Dabao, and fell back asleep, not caring where he was. As long as he had his sister with him, his heart was at ease.
Xia Dabao, having been holding him for so long, felt a bit sore in her arms, so she shook them out and then asked the two maids, “What are your names?”
“I’m Camellia,” one of them said.
“I’m Peony,” said the other.
Xia Dabao couldn’t help but chuckle to herself. A camellia and a peony, weren’t those the names of the ladies in “A Myriad of Reds Amidst Blooms”?
“I’m thirsty. Can you get me some water?” Xia Dabao then said.
After drinking the water, Xia Dabao walked out to the veranda.
The house on the mountainside had a veranda right outside the room, with a stone round table in the middle, surrounded by some camellia plants. Standing on the veranda, one could see the mist in the mountains, which was quite refreshing to the mind and spirit.
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