Hibiscus as a Painting

Chapter 134

I'm leaving. I won't be able to come and stay with you anymore. This departure... may not be a return.

Zi Jin approached the grave she had never been to before, step by step, and plucked a newly sprouted plum blossom branch from the grave mound, carefully placing it in her bosom: Since we don't know if we can come back, then come with me. That way... I won't be afraid, I won't be cowardly, and I won't have to think about it anymore.

“The master’s carriage is waiting outside the gate, and the old lady has already boarded the carriage,” Bao Xian said softly, standing inside the pavilion.

Zi Jin removed the brocade pouch she had worn for a year from her waist, squatted down, and buried it in front of the grave: "Xiao Feng of the Zi family, this is for you. I made it myself. Although it's not very pretty, it'll do for you. If you're not afraid of being laughed at by those below, then wear it."

Zi Jin slowly got up, glanced at him sideways, and strode away without looking back.

Two carriages were parked outside the "Bu Ri Gu" manor. The first one was rather simple, while the second one was clearly more luxurious.

Bao Xian squatted down outside the rather luxurious car: "Madam has boarded the car, Master, please come up as well."

Zi Jin squinted at Bao Xian, her heart filled with hatred, yet she couldn't bring herself to step on him: "Get up, I'll get up myself."

Bao Xian raised his head and smiled, patting himself on the shoulder: "Master, don't be afraid, it's very secure."

A hint of anxiety flashed in Zi Jin's eyes. She walked around Bao Xian, jumped onto the carriage, lifted the curtain, hesitated for a moment, and then crawled inside.

Bao Xian followed closely behind, sitting on the other side of Zi Jin without looking to the side. He quickly arranged the tea table and snacks in the carriage and placed the charcoal stove, which was at a moderate temperature and warm to the touch, next to Zi Jin.

Zi Jin carefully examined the rosy-cheeked young boy beside her, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes: "It seems you won't give up until you've completely ruined my reputation."

Bao Xian lowered his head and replied, "Madam is thinking of everything for Master. Over the years, the person who impersonated Master has always had a bad reputation. ... Master can rest assured that Shanzhong Town is the domain of the Yu family. No matter how absurd Master is, no one will dare to say a word."

The boy looked somewhat familiar; his bright eyes were filled with tears, as if he were too nervous. His pink lips were tightly pursed, and he didn't dare to look up.

Zi Jin casually lifted the boy's chin, scrutinizing him closely, her gaze growing colder and colder: "The old woman is quite meticulous."

Bao Xian said expressionlessly, "Madam is also following Master's preferences..."

Zi Jin abruptly withdrew her hand from the boy's, angrily saying, "You're all good at speculating, but are you so sure that I like Sikou Xunxiang?"

The boy shuddered in fright and unconsciously leaned away from the outside.

Seemingly realizing the inappropriateness of her words, Zi Jin took a deep breath, her emotions slowly calming down. She smiled gently at Bao Xian, slowly lifting Bao Xian's chin and lightly rubbing his lips: "Compared to his refined manners, I still prefer Steward Bao's elegance. It's just a pity that Steward Bao has already transcended worldly desires. He's only good for serving men... what a waste... hehe..."

Bao Xian lowered his eyes, no longer arguing, a hint of hurt flashing in his eyes.

That hint of hurt pierced Zi Jin's eyes. She felt a pang of pity, yet the thought of the poison in her body only fueled her resentment. Zi Jin released her grip with disgust, saying maliciously, "I wonder how filthy a body that's been touched by a man must be?... Ah, Steward Bao?"

Bao Xian kept his head down, clenched his hands tightly, and his lowered eyes were full of resentment.

Unaffected by the chill around her, Zi Jin pulled the boy, who dared not look up, into her arms and gently fed him the snacks on the table. The boy dared not resist, eating in small bites. The boy's obedience stirred Zi Jin's pity, yet also a sense of annoyance. However, seeing Bao Xian's half-dead state, she felt a vengeful pleasure. All things considered, she was in a good mood.

Fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky, and the carriage slowly made its way in the direction it was supposed to go...

Unresolved emotions and inescapable demonic obstacles; karmic retribution—when will we meet again? Ten years of grudges and debts, all lost in the vastness of time. (Part 5)

Ten years of grudges and enmities are now lost (Part 5) At the border of the three kingdoms, the climate is hot and there is a treasure mountain called Immortal Mountain. The temperature difference on this mountain is huge, allowing people to experience all four seasons in one day, which can be described as "one mountain with four seasons, ten miles with different weather".

A hundred miles away from the Immortal Mountain lies a town called "Mountain Town." Located at the crossroads of three kingdoms, this town attracts tourists year-round and serves as a major transportation hub, making it no less significant than any other large city. If any of the three kingdoms were to covet "Mountain Town," the other two would not give up. This beautiful, bustling town, with its thriving commerce, is essentially a no-man's-land.

In the center of the town, there is a four-story building called "Youjian Teahouse," which is the most prominent building in the town. The top floor of this building has the best view of the mountains and was once an elegant place for literati to enjoy the scenery and compose poems.

Just over a month ago, this famous teahouse became the biggest den of iniquity in the mountain town, a place where wealthy landowners and gentry indulged in decadent pleasures. Even those self-proclaimed refined scholars and gentlemen could only sigh in despair at the sight of the building.

This story begins with the Yu family, the most powerful and wealthy family in the mountain town.

The Yu family were descendants of nobles from a previous dynasty. During the turmoil of that dynasty, the Yu family suffered a great calamity, and the only son of Old Madam Yu perished in the disaster. To escape the chaos, Old Madam Yu, with her only granddaughter, came to this remote mountain town. The town at that time was not as prosperous as it is today. Old Madam Yu used all her wealth to buy half of the mountain town in one fell swoop, abandoning her aristocratic arrogance and devoting herself entirely to commerce. Now, the Yu family's shops are spread throughout the Three Kingdoms; it would not be an exaggeration to describe them as incredibly wealthy.

Perhaps due to the pain of losing her son in her early years, Old Madam Yu doted on her granddaughter excessively, leading to the young lady of the Yu family oppressing the villagers, being cruel and ruthless, and being lecherous by nature. No man in the mountain town with even a little bit of good looks could escape the clutches of the young lady of the Yu family, and countless servants and entertainers in the Yu family manor were tortured to death.

Not only did the old lady Yu completely ignore Miss Yu, but she also used some unknown method to ensure that any man Miss Yu took a liking to would appear in her room within three days. With the old lady Yu's indulgent attitude, no one dared to question Miss Yu's numerous misdeeds.

A little over a month ago, the young lady of the Yu family, who indulged in nightly revelry, grew tired of the scenery of the red-light district and suddenly had the idea to move "Huan Guan," the largest brothel in Shanzhong Town, from the red-light district to the busiest central street, while relocating "You Jian Tea House," a sacred gathering place for literati, to the red-light district. When the literati and scholars of Shanzhong Town learned of this, they were all furious and gnashing of their teeth, but had no one to confide in.

In the top-floor room of the "Huan Guan" with the best view, Zi Jin held a wine glass and stood by the window, gazing at the distant mountains. Fine snow was falling outside the window, making the distant mountains appear even more hazy.

It's been over a month, and with the year-end approaching, I guess they won't be coming for the time being. It's probably for the best... I'm really afraid they'll come. And what would we do then?

Bao Xian pushed open the door and saw a male entertainer kneeling in front of the table warming wine. Zi Jin stood by the window, holding a wine cup. The wind and snow hit her sleeves and then disappeared. "Master, it's snowing heavily outside. Please come in a bit."

Zi Jin's face was full of frivolous smiles. She strolled over and sat down next to one of the male performers, placed the wine in her hand to his lips, and chuckled softly. The male performer's eyes were filled with affection, and his lips curled into a smile as he drank the wine in one gulp.

The brazier inside was burning exceptionally brightly, and the alternating hot and cold temperatures made Zi Jin's already flushed face even more rosy: "Why is the usually busy Steward Bao here?"

Bao Xian lowered his head: "A quarter of an hour ago, a caravan entered the city and will pass by here soon."

Zi Jin raised an eyebrow with a sarcastic smile: "Heh, they actually came. I wonder which one came first."

Bao Xian looked up and saw Zi Jin lying in the male entertainer's arms: "I wonder which one you miss the most, Miss?"

Zi Jin toyed with the male performer's fingers, then glanced casually at Bao Xian: "Has Grand Steward Bao been busy these past month or so?"

"fine."

Zi Jin took a sip of the wine brought to her lips by the male entertainer: "Steward Bao not only has time to worry about which one the master is waiting for, but also time to replace the entertainers the master likes one by one. It seems he has too much free time."

Bao Xian lowered his eyes and said, "Your Majesty is overthinking it. It's inevitable that the actors will become spoiled if they are pampered too much. It would be too boring to be with the same person every day."

Just as Zi Jin was about to speak, she heard the unhurried sound of a carriage outside the window. She picked up her wine cup and stood up unsteadily. Seeing that Zi Jin was unsteady on her feet, the male entertainer quickly got up to help her. Zi Jin put her arm around the male entertainer's waist and leaned out the window to look at the street.

On the snow-covered streets, a group of more than thirty people slowly made their way towards the post station. In the center of the group was a blue brocade sedan chair, which was surrounded by the group of more than thirty people without leaving any gaps.

Zi Jin immediately recognized the sword-wielding guard following beside the sedan chair, and a warm smile appeared on her lips, extending to her eyes.