Although she spent all her time by her mistress's side, she would occasionally have a moment to chat with the women outside the kitchen. She then heard that a few days ago, Caiyun Pavilion had held a grand banquet, inviting all the local tailors. Some gossipy women spread the word that Miss Pa and her female tailor had gotten married.
The women in the kitchen had various opinions. Some said Miss Pa had become abnormal because of what happened at home; others said Miss Pa had been drugged by the female cook; and what was even worse was that when they talked about what happened in bed, they described it in a very filthy and detailed way, as if they had witnessed the two girls getting into bed with their own eyes.
Mu Xing didn't respond. After a long while, she frowned and said, "This is their own business. Just listen to it once and that's it. Don't spread rumors, understand?"
"Who can I gossip to? I'll only tell you, Miss..." Fu Guang pouted, but felt increasingly uneasy.
She had brought this up with her mistress with the intention of testing her. Knowing her mistress as she did, she was confident she would be very curious, ask many questions, and then write a commentary. But her reaction now was rather strange, almost like… an attempt to cover something up…
Thinking back to what Uncle Song had told her a couple of days ago… about her great-aunt, and how this disease could be hereditary…
As Fu Guang carried the tea tray out of the study, he was surprised to find himself drenched in a cold sweat.
…
The Yuhua Academy in the early morning was still filled with a lifeless atmosphere.
The custom at brothels was never to let guests stay overnight, so at dawn, the beautiful girls who had looked stunning in the evening seemed to shed their masks. One by one, they revealed their true colors, disheveled and dirty, running around in slippers.
"You little slut, so eager to find your man? Damn it! Don't you have eyes?"
"Your breath smells so bad first thing in the morning, did you not brush your teeth?"
The arguing, which sounded like roosters crowing, immediately echoed upstairs and downstairs, making everyone's scalp tingle.
With a "snap," the window slammed shut. Bai Yan frowned and sat back down at the table. Just as she was about to pick up her pen, she heard the latch click. She immediately got up and stuffed all the manuscript papers scattered on the table into the quilt.
Turning around, I saw my mother standing in the doorway, a forced smile on her face: "You're up?"
Bai Yan smiled naturally and said, "Just got up." As she spoke, she hurriedly told the maid to make hot tea.
Sitting down opposite Bai Yan, her mother didn't keep her in suspense and went straight to the point: "Have you been doing business with only Young Master Mu for the past two months?"
Bai Yan nodded: "Young Master Mu is very generous; his party alone is worth the money of two or three other people's. Besides, it was you, Mother, who told me to raise my social standing..."
Her mother interrupted her, "I did say that." Looking up at her fingernails, she added, "But that was before. What I want to ask you is, what about now?"
Having already prepared herself, Bai Yan remained calm and maintained her smile: "Yes, that's all in the past. Now, I'll naturally listen to Mother's advice on what to do."
"Oh, really?" Mom said casually, "What if I told you not to accept any more invitations from Young Master Mu?"
Bai Yan had prepared an excuse for lighting the big candles, but she didn't expect her mother to say that.
A chill ran through her, and she barely managed to compose herself before forcing a smile. "What do you mean, Mother? I had a hard time keeping Young Master Mu in check. If we give up now, won't we lose both him and our money?"
With a sneer, the mother said mockingly, "If you continue like this, I'm afraid I'll be the one who truly loses both my money and my lover!"
Her tone was stern, and Bai Yan's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly remembered what Fei Hua had told her: her nanny wouldn't allow the girls under her care to develop feelings for customers. If the nanny found out, they would either be tortured and abused, or sold off. The worst fate was being sent to a brothel to become the lowest of prostitutes…
However, she was certain she hadn't given herself away. Aside from her outings, back at the brothel, she never liked participating in the girls' gossip. Even speaking of which, she had never shown any excessive attitude towards Young Master Mu. Why…?
Without time to think it through, Bai Yan forced herself to calm down and said in a wronged tone, "What are you saying, Mother? We're just playing along with the guests, how could we take it to heart? The young masters are so foolish as to take it seriously, Mother, do you take it seriously too?"
Her mother looked at her with scrutinizing eyes, and Bai Yan forced herself to be calm and said, "If I didn't do it for real, how could the young masters be willing to spend money? You know how much I've received and how much I've paid in tribute."
"My mother has been a powerful figure in this business for many years. What hasn't she seen? I don't have my mother's experience, but I know one thing: what you can hold in your hands is what's real. As for other rumors, they may be easy to say, but they can be devastating to hear. If you let the winds blow in your ear, you might lose your grip on the money. At that point, even if you're still alive, your heart will be cold. What's the point of talking about money then?"
She swore an oath to the heavens and the sun, and her mother finally turned her gaze back, picked up her tea and took a sip. Her tone softened considerably: "Of course I know what kind of person you are, but I was worried that you were too naive and would fall into the trap of some rich young master, so I gave you a few words of advice. But you took it seriously and said something about 'gossip'. What are you talking about?"
Setting down her cup, Mother changed her tone: "However, over the years, I've learned a lesson. Words are empty talk; actions speak louder than words. I've had someone look it up, and the 17th of next month is an auspicious day. I'm planning to save some big candles for you, so don't disappoint me."
Bai Yan frowned, about to speak, when she suddenly heard the pimp's voice from downstairs: "Young Master Mu invites you—" The women in the building immediately became agitated, and the clattering of slippers on the floorboards sounded like blows to the heart, making people lose their composure.
Mother had already gotten up and left: "Go greet the guests when they arrive; you know what to do with the rest."
Chapter 41
In the lobby of Yuhua Academy, Mu Xing was listening to the pimp when he heard a clanging noise upstairs. He unconsciously looked up. Just then, Bai Yan walked to the railing. Their eyes met, and Mu Xing's previously calm and aloof expression instantly melted away, revealing a gentle smile.
"Miss Bai!"
She was dressed in a sharp suit and wore a fedora, looking quite dashing, but she was carrying a rosewood food box. Already out of place, her smile made her appear somewhat foolish.
As Bai Yan looked at him, all her helplessness and panic instantly vanished and calmed down. Her heart and eyes could only hold the person in front of her, nothing else.
As the young teacher, Bai Yan didn't need to personally greet guests. Seeing that Mu Xing had chosen Bai Yan, Bai Yan's maid came forward to take the food box from her hands. Mu Xing quickly said, "No need, I'll carry it myself."
Looking at her with a puzzled expression, the maid didn't say anything and led Mu Xing upstairs.
As Mu Xing went upstairs, he secretly gestured to Bai Yan, who was standing on the veranda, with the food box in his hand, like a child who had hidden a treasure and couldn't contain his desire to show it off.
Although she didn't know why she brought food so early in the morning, seeing her looking like she wanted to show off but was holding back, Bai Yan found it funny and couldn't help but feel anticipation.
It's not the food I'm looking forward to, but the sentiment behind it.
Entering Bai Yan's room, Mu Xing said, "I was too busy the past few days to come see you, but I finally had some free time today." As she spoke, she looked around Bai Yan's room.
It wasn't too different from what I had imagined; the furniture and decorations, all adorned with gold and silver, were of a common style. In the outer room, a set of sandalwood table and chairs were covered with brand-new covers in both dark blue and moon white, while a dark red tablecloth sat on the table.
After placing the food box on the table, Mu Xing noticed a large ink stain, about half the size of his palm, on the tablecloth.
She couldn't help but wonder if Miss Bai usually sat here conceived her articles.
"I know. Go take care of your business, you don't need to worry about me all the time." Bai Yan poured two cups of fragrant tea and placed them in front of Mu Xing. Just then, the maid brought over a hand towel, which she took and gently wiped Mu Xing's hand that was carrying the food box.
"But don't forget me all the time," she said softly, her hands moving gently and meticulously.
Mu Xing looked up at her, the temperature in her palms dropping, but the temperature in her heart soaring. In a moment of impulsiveness, she deliberately said, "You're so carefree."
Bai Yan glanced at her, put the handkerchief back, and only after the maid left did she sit down to the side and reach out to open the lid of the food box: "What do I have to worry about? This early in the morning, you still went out of your way to bring me... ham porridge?"
Unlike the previous elaborate and delicate offerings, this time the food box contained only two small bowls.
In the soft, sticky rice porridge, bright green vegetables lay horizontally and undulating, while slightly darker diced ham pieces stood out, like red flowers falling on snow, adorning the dish. Beside it was a small dish of oily pickled vegetables.
Seeing that she had already opened the food box, Mu Xing immediately said, "It's genuine ham brought from Yunnan, not canned. Try it."
Slowly removing the lid, Bai Yan was momentarily speechless.
She had only mentioned ham to Young Master Mu on a whim, and she was already quite satisfied with the exquisite meal Mu Xing had arranged. She never expected that Mu Xing would so early in the morning to bring her such a small bowl of ham porridge, simply because she had mentioned missing Yunnan ham.
It wasn't just a whim; Young Master Mu truly took every word she said to heart.
Even knowing how sincere she was to him, he would never tire of being moved by such surprises time and time again.
Bai Yan took out the tableware and porridge and set them out. She asked, "You haven't had breakfast yet either?"
"Be careful, it's hot." Mu Xing smiled. "I originally planned to make other dishes and send them to you like last time. But when I woke up this morning, I suddenly thought, on such a beautiful morning, how wonderful it would be if you could sit across from me, and we could drink porridge and eat the same dish of pickled vegetables together."
The porcelain spoon tapped crisply on the bowl, and steam rose and swirled in the air before gradually dissipating, leaving only a fragrant aroma in the room. Even before she had tasted the porridge, Bai Yan felt as if she were about to be burned and tears would well up in her eyes.
She said softly, "With such a heart for me, what do I have to worry about?"
Mu Xing was taken aback, realizing that Bai Yan was responding to her earlier joke. She had originally wanted to say that was true, but then swallowed the words back.
Her mind involuntarily recalled what Fu Guang had said last night: "Two women got married!"
Two women got married!
Two women!
She hadn't thought about it carefully yesterday, but now, seeing Miss Bai, some things she had intentionally ignored yesterday seemed to be stirring up agitation. But those things were all too blurry; she could vaguely see them, yet couldn't touch them.
Unconsciously, Mu Xing scooped up a spoonful of porridge and put it in his mouth. He was thinking in a daze when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his mouth.
"Ouch—it's hot!" She suddenly dropped the spoon, covered her mouth, and jumped up. Bai Yan was startled and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? Did you burn yourself? Madam! Bring in some cool tea!"
After a flurry of activity, Mu Xing, her eyes still blurry with tears, took a sip of cold tea to rinse her mouth. Bai Yan looked at her, amused and exasperated: "You told me to be careful of the heat, but why weren't you careful? Luckily you didn't get burned, or else!"
Mu Xing awkwardly sipped his tea: "I was just thinking about something."
Bai Yan then remembered: "Are you going to the clinic today? What time is it? I'm afraid we'll be late."
Mu Xing raised her hand to look at her watch, covered her mouth and sighed, "It's too late." After thinking for a moment, she laughed again, "I guess this is a case of 'going on strike for the sake of a beauty'."
She glared at her, then thought for a moment and said, "Are you really not going to work? Then how will you give instructions to your assistant?"
The moment the topic of followers came up, Mu Xing immediately abandoned his strike idea.
She was supposed to be on duty at the clinic today, but since she was going to visit Miss Bai on the way, she asked Uncle Song to take her to Huai'an Road, and then she took a rickshaw here. Because she was afraid she wouldn't make it to the clinic in time, she asked Uncle Song to wait for her. If it took too long, Uncle Song might become suspicious.
With a sigh, she could only say, "I'm afraid that's not appropriate. I'll have to come another day."
After hurriedly eating her porridge, Mu Xing packed her things and prepared to leave. Bai Yan escorted her downstairs, but when they reached the lobby, she suddenly remembered that there was a shortcut at the back entrance of the bookstore. She quickly pulled Mu Xing towards the back entrance.
"It's shorter to go out this way than the main road." Turning out the back door, she said, "Turn left here, then right, then straight..."
After hearing her describe a long and winding route, Mu Xing was both amused and exasperated: "I'm afraid I won't be able to remember it."
“I’ll take you there.” Bai Yan said, suddenly reaching out to grab Mu Xing’s hand and walking forward before Mu Xing could refuse. Her steps were firm, her curly hair bounced, but her ears, hidden in her hair, quietly turned red.
With a smile, Mu Xing grasped Bai Yan's small, soft hand in his own and followed her steps.
Chapter Forty-Two
Although they were in a hurry to get back to the clinic, neither of them quickened their pace.
As dawn broke, the summer sun swept across the land in the early morning, shining brightly on their shoulders. They walked side by side, their soft whispers echoing through the alley, leaving behind a trail of affection.
“There are fewer people here. Next time you come, if you find the road too crowded and noisy, you can take this road.” Bai Yan said, pointing to Mu Xing: “There is a garden behind this. Sometimes my friends and I sunbathe here and have some peace and quiet.”
Mu Xing joked, "Alright, from now on I'll come here secretly to find you and take you away, and your aunt won't even know."
Bai Yan laughed and said, "Okay, the fifth room from the left in our house is mine. If you want to come pick me up, just throw a stone at me, and I'll follow you without looking back."
Mu Xing pretended to consider it seriously: "Then you'd better pack your things in advance, otherwise you'll be in a panic and we might both get caught by your mother."
Bai Yan shook her head: "If I go with you, what need do I have for gold, silver, and valuables?"
With a softened heart, Mu Xing turned to look at her.
Bai Yan smiled, sunlight shining into her eyes, making them sparkle, and all her sincerity was so bright and clear, without any concealment.
Like a kitten that has let down its guard, it lies softly next to its loved one, turning over to reveal its tender belly.
Taking a deep breath, Mu Xing gripped Bai Yan's hand tightly and said earnestly, "One day, I will take you away."
Perhaps the way she's taken away won't be what Miss Bai wants, but she will definitely get her out of this quagmire, in her own way. Perhaps, this is the only thing she can give Miss Bai in return.
Nodding, Bai Yan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you."