Chapter 401
Chapter 401: These Months
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Entering the back garden with Sang Wen, Fan Xian raised his head to see warblers and swallows, greens and reds, singing to each other harmoniously . The depths of spring was nearing the heat of summer . The cold wind carried a message, and the bright moon hung like a wheel in the sky . Everywhere were lanterns hanging among rock gardens and green trees . The moonlight mixed with the firelight and added a sense of haziness . Amidst this haziness, a dozen girls were chatting . Those beautiful girls did not wear much and either stood under trees or were curled up on the bed . Their poses were different, and their beauty occasionally shone through the muslin . Their bodies emitted a light aroma that directly assaulted the nose .
Fan Xian paused . He couldn't help feeling a sense of confusion . Perhaps he had arrived at the Cave of the Silken Web? When did Hua Garden become Chen Garden?
The girls chattered without stopping and, for the moment, did not even notice Fan Xian standing with his back to the light . They continued to talk excitedly about the events at Baoyue Brothel that happened during the day: the might of that strike and the imperial envoy's awe-inspiring rant on the street .
The main speaker was one of the two headliners . The ones listening were the girls with wide eyes filled with either curiosity or admiration .
Fan Xian lowered his voice and said, "Didn't you say the girls from the brothel were all sent somewhere else?"
Sang Wen covered her lips as she smiled and explained, "Aren't these the girls from the garden?"
Only now did Fan Xian realize . Unconsciously he took a closer look and sighed in his heart . Everyone said that girls changed greatly at 18 . These were the refugee orphan girls that Sisi had picked up and brought back . How was it that a few days in Suzhou and they had bloomed so beautifully?
Although their sense of childishness remained abundantly between their brows and their inexperience was still present, how could it hold back the advancement of their youth? It made one joyful .
Since no one unrelated ever came into this back garden, the girls, who were excitedly listening to Liang Diandian's story, did not behave in any formal way . There were some lying on the couch with their buttocks' sticking up and pretending to pride, while some held fans pretending to be elegant . The long straight legs gave off a taut beauty through the thin cloth .
The Great Prince's concubine, Ma Suosuo, was sitting on a chair listening . Although she had seen the events from a distance, the story told by Liang Diandian's sandalwood mouth was more hair-raising . Except, Liang Diandain had not personally seen the events within the brothel, so her description of Fan Xian's persistence in the face of death and courage could not help but be slightly exaggerated . She successfully created the image of a perfect young man that Qing Kingdom was not meant to have .
The gazes of girls were hot and embarrassed . They loved the imperial envoy but could not and dare not to say anything . Even Ma Suosuo with her head slightly tilted watching the pond had a strange light shining in her eyes .
Fan Xian swallowed and knew that if he kept watching he would make many life mistakes . Those girls were still developing, but the Great Prince's concubine and Liang Diandian were both natural born beauties with brows black as umber and lips as red as vermilion . They had spirit in their eyes that made those who look lose their minds . How could he look more? He was just about to call out to remind everyone when he heard one of the girls in the Garden unintentionally say something, so he closed his mouth and quickly stood in the darkness .
Sang Wen glanced at him in suspicion, not knowing what had happened .
The little girl was no more than 12 or 13 years old . Her eyes were wide as she naively asked, "Sisters, why haven't we seen the mistress yet?"
Because of timing, Fan Xian had lived alone in Hua Garden for several months and did not move to Hangzhou . During this time, the girls Sisi had brought back lived in the garden . They had long learned the identity of their savior . To be servants in the imperial envoy's home made them feel very lucky, however, after all this time, they had yet to see the mistress . This seemed strange to them .
Liang Diandian listened to this question and was startled . She didn't say anything, and the little girls had no idea that she was of Jingdou . She knew of the ruckus years ago around the Fan-Lin marriage . The Lin family daughter was the Eldest Princess' illegitimate child . This secret, which had been known only to the noble and powerful members of the court, became a rumor in the public sphere . Although there was no evidence, most people believed it . Everyone knew that Sir Fan junior and Xinyang had long been like fire and water .
A girl spat and scolded, "This our master's family business . What right do we have to discuss it? If Sisi hears you, you better be careful with your mouth?"
The girl earlier laughed naively and said, "Hehe, actually…I just wanted to see what kind of immortal beauty is the woman that is worthy of the young master . "
In their hearts, Fan Xian was one of the best people, so they were curious about what kind of person Lin Wan'er was .
"I heard that this mistress is the daughter of a virtuous and large family . " Liang Diandian's mind suddenly turned and she laughed sweetly . "However, I heard that her appearance is nothing special, probably not even as good as Sisi . "
"That is true . How many people could be worthy of the young master…"
"Hehe, who knows if in the future…oh right, isn't there another girl living in the garden? It's just that we don't see much of her usually, what arrogance . "
Liang Diandian gave a not-quite-there smile and said, "I heard…that she is also the master's female confidant, only she is not like Sisi who has been with the family for a long time, she has no name or status here . "
"Shut up!" The girl who vaguely knew of Haitang's identity could not scold Liang Diandian so she could only pick on the girl . "Are you really looking to die? The airs of such arrogant people are not for the likes of you to see . "
…
…
Fan Xian could not listen anymore . He coughed a few times and walked into the light .
The girls all jumped in fright and stood up . They reigned in their emotions and calmed their breaths . They bowed uniformly and gently said, "Greetings, young master . "
The titles in Hua Garden still followed the rules in the manor in Jingdou .
Fan Xian looked at this little girls and shook his head, thinking, If the discussion in his own household is like this, who knew what rumors were flying around outside . However, he was a person with an easy disposition and couldn't be bothered to care about how other people were silently criticizing him . He warmly said, "It's late, you should all go sleep . "
The girls muttered something and then saluted again . They quickly tidied their clothes and silently returned to their own rooms .
Only Liang Diandian and Mao Suosuo were called back by Fan Xian .
He stared at Liang Diandian, whose beautiful face revealed a natural charm, and did not say anything for a moment .
Liang Diandian felt a joy in her heart but nothing showed on her face, on the contrary, she purposely appeared delicate and weak . She shyly half lowered her head to put her most beautiful side on display .
The year of the Fan-Lin marriage, the rumors around the marketplace said that Fan Xian was truly very tender toward his sickly wife . From this, she knew that Sir Fan junior was a person who cared about his relationships .
Among the boudoirs, Fan Xian was the man of these girls' dreams . Although Liang Diandian had grown up in a pleasure boat, she was not an exception, only she had a few more tricks and plans that other people did .
Liang Diandian was confident in her appearance, thinking, The mistress is nowhere near as pretty as herself and yet was still able to receive Sir Fan junior's love . This man probably liked pitiful women, so she had purposely put on this appearance . Furthermore, after the Suzhou branch of the Baoyue Brothel had opened for business, Fan Xian had yet to let her take a client . He probably had some intentions toward her .
Feeling Fan Xian's unwavering stare, Liang Diandian's joy grew deeper . She kept her head lowered shyly and did not say anything .
Standing behind Fan Xian, Sang Wen saw this scene and a loathing smile rose to the corners of her mouth .
Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Everyone has the right to make a better life for themselves, so I do not have any feelings of ill will toward what you are thinking . "
Liang Diandian suddenly raised her head and met Fan Xian's completely emotionless gaze . Only then did she know she had gotten it wrong and felt fear in her heart .
Fan Xian continued coldly, "However, I do not like it . "
Liang Diandian felt shame assault her and did not dare say anything .
"No one is born to serve another . If you do not wish to work at Baoyue Brothel, have shopkeeper Sang Wen clear your record . Once you have earned the silver back, we will let you go . " Fan Xian stared at her lovely face . "Sang Wen, help her pack and move her to another place to live . "
Sang Wen had not expected the commissioner to be so merciless toward the fairer sex, but she also did not dare say anything . She took Liang Diandian, who had tears glimmering in her eyes, into the manor to pack .
Only Fan Xian and Mao Suosuo remained in the garden .
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