Lu Xuyran shrugged, “You’re the one who said that, so don’t blame me for not warning you later!”
Jie’er wasn’t initially interested, but hearing him say this, she felt there was more to it and couldn’t help but ask, “What do you mean?”
Lu Xuyran had originally planned to keep her in suspense, deliberately not speaking, but when he met Jie’er’s murderous gaze, he reluctantly said: “Jie’er, have you forgotten what I promised you at the restaurant last time? I’m afraid someone would say I’m not keeping my word, but since you’re not interested now…”
[Continued in the next section…]
Jie’er looked at the endless sea of flowers, feeling incredibly happy and even more touched. This man, who was neither a relative nor a close friend, always helped her at the most needed times and provided warmth at the most appropriate moments, just like the sun, omnipresent!
Looking at her staring blankly at the flower field, Lu Xuyuan couldn’t help but lightly tap her head, teasing, “Little Jie’er, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’ve gone silly looking at these flowers?”
Jie’er turned to look at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. After a moment, she pursed her lips and smiled softly, “Thank you!”
Lu Xuyaran looked a bit uncomfortable and laughed, “Silly girl, just be happy!”
……
Entering Wan Qing Pavilion again, the place was unusually lively. Not only were the lights bright, but there were also many people – so many that Jie’er couldn’t help but worry about the risk of boarding the boat. She firmly pulled Lu Xuyaran to find a seat near the door, saying it would be convenient to escape if needed.
Actually, Jie’er didn’t quite understand why Wan Qing Pavilion, which already had its treasure Qing Wan, would still choose a flower courtesan. Why not directly let her participate in the competition?
Lu Xuyaran noticed her confusion and explained with a smile, “Although Qing Wan is excellent, seeing her too often becomes less exciting. She has already represented Wan Qing Pavilion in the flower courtesan competition twice and won both times. According to the rules, she cannot participate for the third time!”
“No matter how famous Qing Wan is, she will eventually age. Therefore, the madam must discover and cultivate new flower courtesan candidates through the annual competition, carefully training them to potentially replace Qing Wan as the pavilion’s pillar at any time!”
“Oh!” Jie’er nodded, half-understanding, feeling that competition exists in every industry, which further strengthened her determination to pursue her own career…
……
After the music faded and the wine slightly cleared (3)
Jie’er found the flower courtesan competition quite boring – just a group of women singing and dancing, with no particularly outstanding performers to catch her interest. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep on the table!
Lu Xuyaran looked at her sleeping, his eyes involuntarily revealing a tender expression. He gently brushed away the hair from her forehead, his doting love overflowing at the corners of his mouth.
Halfway through the competition, Lu Xuyaran was about to wake Jie’er to take her home, but unexpectedly, another pair of large hands was faster, smoothly lifting the sleeping girl and walking out of Wan Qing Pavilion.
Lu Xuyaran watched them leave, the tenderness in his eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by a silent melancholy. After a long time, he finally moved, walking in the opposite direction…
Jie’er woke up the next day, opening her eyes to find herself in a familiar room. Not knowing how she got back, she was about to call Die’er to ask for details.
The door opened, and the person entering was not Die’er, but Ye Lüsheng, with a cold expression.
Jie’er involuntarily asked, “Why are you here?”
Ye Lüsheng coldly responded, “Are you surprised to see me?”
Jie’er shrugged, “I’m just not used to seeing someone other than Die’er so early.”
Ye Lüsheng said indifferently, “Is that so? I think you’ll get used to it soon!”
Jie’er’s mental alarm bells rang, and she anxiously asked, “What do you mean?”
Ye Lüsheng slowly curved his lips, revealing a sinister smile, “Have you forgotten? We are husband and wife!”
“So what?” Jie’er crossed her arms defensively, instinctively moving closer to the inner side of the bed.
“Nothing!” Ye Lüsheng’s expression was indifferent as he coldly announced, “From today, you’ll move back to Mo Zhu Yuan, and you’re not allowed to go out at night without my permission!”
“Why?” Jie’er immediately glared at him defiantly.
Ye Lüsheng said sternly, “Because I’m your husband, and I’m the master of this royal residence!”
“I don’t want to!” Jie’er turned her face away, facing away from him, protesting loudly.
“You have no choice—” Ye Lüsheng said four cold words, then turned to give instructions outside the door: “Die’er, help the young mistress pack. If I don’t see the young mistress moved into Mo Zhu Yuan by evening, you can go to the accounting office to collect your silver and leave. The Lü Wang Residence doesn’t keep useless idle people!” With that, he swept out…
……
After the music faded and the wine slightly cleared (4)
“Young Mistress!” Die’er looked at her pitifully, “Let me help you get dressed.”
“No need, I’ll do it myself. Go pack the things,” Jie’er waved her hand weakly. This little man was using Die’er to threaten her, knowing full well she would never let Die’er leave.
Upon hearing she needed to pack, Die’er’s eyes immediately reddened, looking like she was about to cry, “Woo, Young Mistress, are you going to send Die’er away?”
Jie’er rolled her eyes at her, rubbing her aching temple, and said unhappily, “I’m telling you to pack to move to Mo Zhu Yuan!”
“Ah?” The little maid was stunned for a moment, her previously tearful face instantly changing to joy, “Hehe, Die’er will pack right away!”
……
Entering Mojian Yuan again, Jie’er’s face was completely devoid of her previous curiosity. Dejected, she went straight to Ye Lüsheng’s study, intending to negotiate some terms with him. However, after searching the entire room, she couldn’t find Ye Lüsheng anywhere. At this moment, the housekeeper walked in, and Jie’er hurriedly ran up to ask, “Uncle Li, where is the prince?”
The housekeeper smiled and said, “The prince has gone out. This is what the prince instructed this old servant to give to you, madam!” He handed something like a letter to Jie’er. She opened it to find just a short line: Stay obediently in Mojian Yuan and wait for my return!
Jie’er crumpled the letter in her hand and angrily said, “Hmph, who do you think you are, telling me to behave? I’ll definitely not listen to you!”
Then, she thought, wait a minute – since that guy is not in the mansion now, doesn’t that mean no one will be managing her? Immediately excited, she looked at the old man and asked, “Uncle Li, did the prince say when he would return?”
The housekeeper shook his head, “The prince didn’t specify, but this old servant heard from the deputy general that they seem to have been ordered to go to the Yue Heng Kingdom. The round trip would take at least three months!”
Three months?
Jie’er immediately perked up, especially her eyes, which lit up like an electrified light bulb, bright and sparkling. Wow, that means for these three months, she would be absolutely free! Oh yeah…
As long as that guy wasn’t around, whether it was Mojian Yuan or Hanxui Residence, she could live freely and comfortably…
…
After the Music Fades and the Alcohol Slightly Clears (5)
With the beauty salon about to open, Jie’er’s next worry was how to convince the girls participating in the Flower Courtesan Competition to accept the “Women’s World” transformation. In an era lacking media, with no television or radio, she could only personally go door to door to persuade them.
