Liu Ying felt that the madam had misunderstood something, so she went on to say, "My name is Liu Ying. I am a disciple of Dong Chou of the Lingyu Sect. My master and Boss Mu Lan are old friends. I asked you to pass on a message that I would like to meet Boss Mu Lan."
The madam, suddenly realizing something, waved her handkerchief and smiled obsequiously: "So that's how it is! Look at what I was thinking. Young master, please have a seat. I'll go and inform Steward Huo right away."
Author's Note: Although I'm thick-skinned, I was still shocked to see a whole page of negative scores lol. I wonder if the extra scores will be automatically removed. The editor won't be back until after the holiday, so... I don't know what to do.
╭(╯3╰)╮ Thank you to the girls who gave me extra points!
Happy Teachers' Day everyone! Let's play a little card-flipping game. The girls all know the rules, so come on, sofa girl!
Lord of Qingping Yue
The outer perimeter of Qingping Le was a place for guests to play, while the inner courtyard was the residence of the young ladies, madams, maids, and others. At the deepest part was the private residence of the owner, Mu Lan. The first snow had just melted, and the ground was covered with a layer of withered yellow grass. At this moment, the owner, Mu Lan, was on the grass outside the pavilion. His loose, emerald green robe was wrapped around his body in a rather disheveled manner, and his hair was brownish, tied up casually with a silk ribbon. If the nun Ding Ni saw him, she would definitely slap him hard and say that his attire was inappropriate.
Mu Lan's eyes were bound with an embroidered handkerchief, while several beautiful women playfully surrounded him, saying, "Master, I'm here~" "Come on~ Master, come on~" "Here, I'm here~"
Another beauty sat in the pavilion, playing the zither. She paid no attention to the other beauties who were surrounding Mu Lan with their charming expressions. She was completely focused on the zither, and the music was melodious and beautiful, soothing to the soul. This zither-playing beauty was a recent star of Qing Ping Yue. She was originally the top courtesan of Li Chun Courtyard in Changsheng Town. Her zither skills were unparalleled, and she was also quite knowledgeable in literature, making her very popular among the romantic and talented men.
Qi Fengting received a message from the madam and rushed over to find Mu Lan. He was already used to Mu Lan's decadent lifestyle. When he got close to Mu Lan, Mu Lan, who was blindfolded, grabbed him and said, "Let me see which little beauty you are."
“It’s me,” Qi Fengting said expressionlessly.
Mu Lan, who was about to remove her blindfold, silently lowered her hand: "You came to see me, it can't be anything good."
“Someone wants to see you; they are a disciple of Tong Chou from the Lingyu Sect,” Qi Fengting said.
"Dongchou's disciple? Is he male or female?" Mu Lan asked.
"A man."
"How does she look?" Mu Lan asked with a lewd smile.
"My mother said he's a handsome young man." Qi Fengting was used to Mu Lan's strange questions.
“Alright, I’ll go see this beauty.” Mu Lan didn’t lift the veil over his eyes, but simply raised one arm. Qi Fengting skillfully helped him, and together they went to the elegant pavilion where Liu Ying was.
Liu Ying was waiting in the elegant pavilion. He was eager to know the truth, yet he often felt confused. If she was no longer herself after that upheaval, then what about his feelings? What about the joy he felt being with her? He couldn't wait to give her everything, to do everything he could to fulfill all her requests just to see her smile. His actions were no different from his uncle's infatuation with Yan Ming. Was this what it meant to be in love?
Liu Ying drank tea alone, lost in thought, her mind filled with heavy choices. Footsteps sounded outside the door. Liu Ying put down her white porcelain teacup and gazed at the purplish-red wooden door. Qi Fengting pushed the door open and stood in the doorway, inviting Mu Lan, dressed in emerald green like a peacock's tail, into the room. The emerald green hem of her dress caught Liu Ying's eye first, followed by the entire woman, radiant and dazzling like a peacock spreading its tail.
With her eyes still covered by an embroidered handkerchief, Mu Lan sat down on a chair with Qi Fengting's help and said to Liu Ying, "Are you the apprentice of that drunkard who always mooches off me?"
“My master is Dongchou,” Liuying said, though Mu Lan was definitely referring to his master.
"Is it because your master is craving my homemade 'Drunken Spring' wine again, and sent you to ask for a jar?" Mu Lan asked with a smile, her long emerald green sleeves covering her mouth, her posture gentle and charming.
"No, my visit to see Young Master Mu this time has nothing to do with my master. I just have a question I'd like to ask you," Liu Ying replied.
"Oh? I live a secluded life and never get involved in the martial world, yet I have questions that I can answer?" Mu Lan asked curiously.
"Regarding possession and resurrection..."
"I don't know," Mu Lan said coldly upon hearing the words "reincarnation."
Liu Ying glanced at Mu Lan, noticing that every unusual reaction had its underlying reason, and clearly the words "reincarnation" had struck a nerve with Mu Lan.
Further questioning would only provoke the other party more. Liu Ying glanced at Qi Fengting, who was standing behind Mu Lan's chair. He was the manager here and naturally had a close relationship with Mu Lan. He didn't look at Qi Fengting's face. No, there was a smile on his lips. It was an expression of waiting to see a good show.
Liu Ying simply drank his tea and stopped talking. He wasn't there to do free work; those who wanted to see a good show had to put in the effort themselves.
Qi Fengting spoke up as expected: "Master, it is really impolite of you to receive guests with your eyes covered. Be careful that Brother Dongchou doesn't use this as an excuse to drink your wine for free again."
As Qi Fengting spoke, he reached out to remove the embroidered silk covering Mu Lan's eyes. Mu Lan did not resist. When the embroidered silk was removed, his blue eyes were revealed. His blue pupils moved and stopped on Liu Ying, paused, and magnified.
"Xiuxiu..." Mu Lan murmured.
Liu Ying heard Mu Lan's soft call and looked at Mu Lan in confusion. Then she saw Qi Fengting's smile deepen and understood something. It was probably because she looked like that old friend.
Liu Ying looked at Qi Fengting meaningfully. Regardless of his purpose, she had been the bait for his fishing and should be rewarded. Qi Fengting smiled elegantly and nodded slightly, as if conveying a message to Liu Ying.
“If Master doesn’t wish to chat with Young Master Liuying any longer, perhaps I should escort you back to your room,” Qi Fengting said insincerely.
Mu Lan refused as expected: "No, I want to chat with Young Master Liu Ying more."
Liu Ying smiled and said, "I only came to ask for an answer. Since Young Master Mu does not know, I have no reason to stay. I will take my leave."
The three people in the room looked at each other. After a moment of silence, Mu Lan said, "Old Qi, you've been scheming again. Fine, I'm happy this time, so I won't hold it against you." After saying that, she walked to Liu Ying's side and said, "Young Master Liu Ying, why don't you have a few drinks with me? Maybe I can remember something when I'm drunk."
"Of course I'll oblige," Liu Ying said. Now that the other party had agreed, how could he refuse?
Qi Fengting brought up a few jugs of wine, then tactfully withdrew. He didn't go far, but stayed at the door to keep watch.
This night was an indelible dark chapter in Qing Ping Le's history. A private room caught fire—the very one where Mu Lan and Liu Ying had been drinking together. Luckily, Qi Fengting was guarding the door. He rushed in as soon as he smelled the smoke and carried Mu Lan a good distance away. Now, the two stood side by side, gazing at the towering flames. The arsonist was sleeping soundly on a large rock nearby, his face as innocent as a baby's. Who would have thought he was the culprit behind this fire?
Qi Fengting and Mu Lan watched together as Liu Ying slept peacefully on the rock.
“He’s not Xiuxiu. Xiuxiu never sets fires,” Mu Lan said.
Qi Fengting nodded, it was rare for him to agree with Mu Lan.
When she was bored in her room, Xue Qing would practice drawing meridian diagrams. If she drew them well, they could be considered erotic novels. When she got excited, she would sing: "Two birds on the tree, making love every day, so many people looking them carefully..."
"Abbot, is Benefactor Xue reciting scriptures? I've never heard that before," the young monk who was delivering food to Xue Qing asked Abbot Chankong curiously.
“Amitabha, the demon star benefactor has finally been moved and started chanting sutras. May Buddha have mercy and spare her from hell.” Abbot Chankong said with his hands clasped together.
"Yo-ho! Another one finished." Xue Qing picked up the meridian chart she had just finished and placed it in a sunny spot to dry the ink. A row of meridian charts were laid out in the sunlight, each one more exquisite than the last, and each one more lifelike than the last. The soft curve of the chin and the way the headband was tied were all very similar to someone... Xue Qing tore the meridian chart to shreds. The duck that was about to be eaten had flown away. If she had known this day would come so soon, she would have done X first and then X!
Da Vinci's foundation for learning to paint was drawing eggs every day. Xue Qing, in order to practice internal strength, touched the door every day. This door was like a living human body. Just as the Yi Jin Jing strengthens the body by changing the flow of internal energy in the meridians, so too does the door. Through her daily exploration, she has found its weakness. As long as she strikes it with a sword, it will fall apart. But she has never struck it. Where can she go if she leaves here? She has lost all interest in wandering around.