Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Exclusive

She cried as if no one was around, her voice like an oriole crying blood, her face was covered with tears, her whole body was trembling, and she almost fainted, without a trace of her former dignity.

When Qin Jingyao heard this, he felt as if thousands of arrows were piercing his heart. The pain made his throat choke and his breathing became disordered.

Even when she discovered that he had deceived her, she had never cried so heartbreakingly.

He knew there was something hidden in the secret compartment, and he'd considered it, but he'd never opened it. She already resented him deeply, and he didn't want to add to it.

He leaned over to her, kneeling on the ground, holding her helpless, trembling body in his arms. He let her tears soak through his clothes and soothed her softly over and over again: "...Don't cry, dear Nong Nong, don't be afraid, don't be sad, I'm here. Whatever you want, I'll do it... dear Nong Nong, "

"Good boy..."

"...Don't cry anymore,"

"Thick..."

"what have you been doing,"

"You destroyed my home,"

"...I hate you,"

"I hate you."

"I hate you!"

Qin Jingyao's body shook violently, his pupils trembled, and his throat seemed to be blocked by sand and stones, making it difficult for him to utter a single word.

Lan Nongnong cried until her head was splitting. Her sobs gradually faded, her breaths short and sharp, and her head buzzed. She hugged the photo frame tightly, as if for support, and bit down hard on the hand that was held to her lips, as if concentrating all her strength between her teeth. The force was so great that blood filled her mouth, and she barely managed to endure the excruciating pain.

The hot liquid slid down her throat and was swallowed unconsciously. As the sticky feeling penetrated her throat, the hairs on her body instantly stood on end. She spat as if her throat was being strangled. Her throat constricted, and she tilted her head to retch violently.

The teeth marks on her knuckles were deep, and blood dripped continuously. Qin Jingyao, fearing she would get it on his body, casually wrapped his sleeve around the wound, propped her up with one arm, and gently patted her back with the other to soothe her. The servants had been sent outside, and he didn't want anyone else to see her in this state.

Her body trembled slightly as if in spasm, but there was no water to rinse her mouth. She was now limp and powerless. Qin Jingyao stared at the blood between her lips. It was his blood that entered her stomach through her lips and teeth, and from then on, it blended with her blood and could no longer be separated.

The blood in his body suddenly boiled, churning with heat. He was swept up by his burning desire and pulled her back into his arms, unable to help but lower his head and kiss her. He clasped her fingers with one hand, suppressing all her struggles.

Knowing that she didn't like blood, he wiped it clean for her with his lips and tongue, not allowing any trace to remain.

Lan Nongnong was filled with shock and anger, and she hated herself for being so powerless that she couldn't even bite him. She could only watch helplessly as he held her face and molested her. She felt suffocated, but she didn't completely faint. She just felt a blankness in her head.

Her eyes were half-open, her chest heaving violently, her lips slightly parted as she breathed rapidly. As her breathing became more even, the emotions that had just been uncontrollably released suddenly cooled.

My body was so tightly restrained that I couldn't even vent my anger by beating or scolding!

She closed her eyes, no longer struggling in vain, yet unwilling to even glance at the person beside her. She simply held the photo frame tightly in her arms, her gaze fixed on the corner of the desk. Straining to endure the stabbing pain in her head, she suddenly spoke in an unusually calm tone, "What do you want?"

If the mountain does not come to me, I will go to the mountain.

Qin Jingyao held her in his arms and suddenly stood up, sitting down in the soft armchair where she had placed a cushion. With a little force from his arms and a light push of his knees, he turned her around to face him, and she sat with her legs apart on his lap.

His big hand encircled her slender waist, his eyebrows slightly raised, his lips rosy, he chuckled softly and said: "I will hold hands with Nong Nong and grow old together."

The two of them were in an extremely ambiguous relationship, but Lan Nongnong remained calm. She simply relaxed and sat down completely, leaning one arm against the table behind her, keeping some distance from him. With a cold look in her eyes, she said firmly, "Absolutely not!"

She then scoffed with sarcasm in her eyes, "Besides using the aunts to threaten me, what other means do you have? House arrest?"

"If you are really willing to do this, why did you bring me here?"

She was petite, and at the moment she was weak and out of breath, her voice was faint, but her eyes were as sharp as knives, and her aura was not at all inferior.

Qin Jingyao stared at her, feeling his emotions surging in his chest.

She should be such a proud and tough woman who never bows her head.

Therefore, although he was at a disadvantage at this moment, his heart was filled with joy.

"I really can't bear to see Nong Nong, without any sadness or joy, like a puppet. But Nong Nong, can you do it yourself?"

She had previously closed off her perceptions due to severe cold and external pressure. If she were under his close supervision and without any external interference, she knew she would not be able to close off her mind on her own.

Now that she is sober, she is even less willing to live in peace.

She has such a good time, why should she waste it here?

The two men's eyes met, as if they were using their own spears to attack their own shields, and they were deadlocked with each other, neither giving in.

After a long pause, Qin Jingyao finally relented. He sat up straight, closing the distance between them. He raised his hand to touch her cheek, but she turned her head away. He laughed, stretched out his long arm to support her on the table behind her, and tightened his other arm, pulling her into his embrace, snuggling tightly.

Their cheeks were pressed together, and their breathing could be heard.

"In that case, why don't we both take a step back, put aside the past, and renew our relationship?"

Lan Nongnong found it ridiculous and even more infuriating at his shameless words. However, she was exhausted and powerless at the moment, and she really didn't want to argue again and again and only add to her anger.

She closed her eyes and said coldly, "If we don't agree, go away."

Qin Jingyao's smile faded. Seeing the deep weariness on her face, he knew it was not appropriate to waste his energy on her. Besides, the current situation wasn't as difficult to handle as he had expected, which was already a pleasant surprise.

"Since Nong Nong is tired, let's go back."

Lan Nongnong suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze blazing with anger: "It's you who should leave! Either let me go, or leave my place."

Qin Jingyao, however, did not accept the restraint. Instead, he laughed out loud, put his arms around her waist and hips as if supporting a child, and stood up and walked out, saying in a leisurely tone, "This yard is not going to run away. If Nongnong has the strength, you can come here on your own at any time. But today, since I carried you here, it is natural for me to carry you back."

He was incredibly strong, and Lan Nongnong tore and scratched him with all her might, but she couldn't move him at all. Instead, she was exhausted to the point of dizziness, tinnitus, and panting. She looked at the courtyard that was gradually receding, and her heart gradually became as quiet as water.

He is right. Only by keeping your body healthy can you do what you want to do.

---

A person's life depends on a breath.

Now that Lan Nongnong was finally breathing again, her recovery was naturally swift. Last time, it took her quite a while to be able to walk on her own, but this time, she was able to walk on her own in just three days.

But the recurrence of her illness had ultimately damaged her foundation, leaving her severely weakened. She wasn't anxious, focusing solely on nursing her health. She ate, took her medicine, drank herbal tea, and took herbal baths. She felt like she was immersed in a jar of medicine, her whole body suffused with bitterness, yet she simply frowned, never slacking off.

During this period, she retrieved the household registration and banknotes she had left behind, and took off the collar, waist chain and anklets that bound her.

Speaking of this, I don't know what method he used, but these chains are extremely strong and can't be pulled off or cut. He refused to untie them on the grounds of health preservation. It was not until she held a pair of scissors and threatened to draw blood that he personally untied the chains one by one.

Including the bracelet that I couldn't pull off no matter what I did before.

It was after this incident that she suddenly realized that she was not completely without bargaining chips.

Just looking at the various circumstances after he brought her back this time, it was enough to prove that he did have some affection for her or felt guilty about it, which was why he cared about her health and was willing to give in.

Even this concern seems so insignificant when it conflicts with his own interests.

Lan Nongnong is unwilling to compromise her health, but when she has no other choice, using limited resources to find a way out is her only option at the moment.

-

I held my breath in my heart, and everything I saw was different from before.

Lan Nongnong, wearing a velvet hat and a thick coat, wrapped herself tightly as she walked slowly around the mansion. When she looked up at the glazed roof again, she no longer felt the suffocating feeling of being trapped in a glass bottle.

Many illnesses begin with the head. She must have been pierced by the cold back then; she still experiences frequent stabbing pains in her skull, and even with a cotton hat on, she feels a chill. The glass roof, however, blocks the chill, and she's naturally less suffering.

Her condition was gradually improving, but it was a hardship for Qin Jingyao. Everything else was fine, but in the past two months, he had become accustomed to taking care of everything for her personally without anyone else's help.

He fed her, gave her medicine, washed her, bathed her in the hot springs, and slept on the same bed with her at night. Even if she didn't respond, just holding her petite and soft body in his arms would fill his heart with unspeakable satisfaction.

Now, when I return home during the day, there is no longer any warm and beautiful woman to accompany me, and I am alone facing the cold quilt at night, and my heart feels even more empty.

Gazing at her sleeping face, Qin Jingyao's heart softened, his eyes thick with affection, a dense web of love pouring down. The candle wick crackled softly, masking a soft sigh from within the bed curtains.

Calming incense burned in her room, and the medicinal soup was also added with herbs to replenish qi and calm the mind. Since she did not allow him to come, he would wait until she fell asleep before coming, and then quietly leave before she woke up.

Her fingers were as slender as scallions, and the pink crescents on her nails had yet to return. The peach-pink jade ring on her ring finger only accentuated her healthy complexion.

It’s a pity that these ornaments he carved with his own hands will not be seen by the public for a long time.

---

On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, we worship the Kitchen God.

According to folk custom, on this day, people offer malt sugar, melons and fruits to the Kitchen God, praying that he will speak good things to the gods and bring good luck back to the palace.

The palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and everyone, from top to bottom, was given new clothes. The servants who came to pay their respects were calm and composed, but their eyes and eyebrows could not hide their joy.

Lan Nongnong suddenly realized that the New Year was approaching.

She has come into this world and is about to spend her third Spring Festival.

Jogging along the cobblestone path back to the Wulan Courtyard, I saw from afar several palace guards carrying two boxes and baskets waiting for orders. These days, such gifts have been pouring in like water, and Lan Nongnong has long been accustomed to them.

Seeing her return, a palace guard quickly stepped forward, stopped three meters away, bowed his head and said, "My lady, there are New Year gifts from Yuqing. May I ask if you would like me to open the box and inspect it?"

Yuqing? Could it be sent by my aunts?

Lan Nongnong's eyes suddenly lit up, and she nodded hastily in agreement, quickly stepping forward. The guards guarding the box quickly opened the lid.

In previous years, she always spent the Spring Festival with her aunts. They prepared red envelopes for her, made her new clothes, and burned incense to ward off bad luck. She would bring them new and interesting things from the city, and they would hang up Spring Festival couplets and red lanterns together. She would also keep a family photo in her hand and stay up all night with her aunts.

This year they are thousands of miles apart, but her aunts still remember to prepare holiday gifts for her, but she has completely forgotten about it.

Lan Nongnong's nose felt sore, and she felt guilty. She gently withdrew the two maids beside her, leaned over, took out the letter at the top of the box, and read it carefully.

In their letters, her aunts urged her to take good care of herself while she was away on her own. They each sent her a red envelope for the New Year and knitted her several sweaters, fearing she would catch a cold. The letters mentioned the snowy roads and the potential for delays, and asked if she was adjusting to the winter in Beijing. They also said they were all well and had received the New Year gifts she had sent.

At the end, she also mentioned that Sister Wen Niang often went to the temple to inquire about her news, and finally hoped that she would return soon.

There were three pages of letter paper, and when Lan Nongnong finished reading it, she was already in tears.

Qingluo put a cotton cloak on her, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and comforted her gently: "The masters specially sent the New Year gifts for a happy occasion. Miss, you have just been active. Don't cry, otherwise you will have a headache again."

"Your health is the most important thing right now. There are quite a few items here. I'll have them carried into the house for you. Please take your time to look at them and let us open our eyes, okay?"

Lan Nongnong was just saddened by the scene for a moment. After thanking Qingluo, she took a handkerchief to wipe her tears and walked slowly inside.

The two boxes were mostly filled with things prepared by the aunts. Sister Wen Niang also sent a number of exquisitely embroidered tassel sachets made of fine fabrics, asking her to use them as New Year gifts, along with her dividends for the past few months.

Now that I'm back in the open, I can't just sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Sister Wen Niang's designs still need to continue, and plans can never keep up with changes.

As the old saying goes, wait and see, and you will fail; think and act, and you will succeed. She wasn't one for foresight, so if she wanted to do something, she'd just go for it.

Lan Nongnong made up her mind. Although she had adapted to the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors in the mansion, she still did not dare to face the severe winter rashly. So she planned to ask Qingluo to pick some special products from the capital and send them to her by postman.

However, she was not considerate enough, and by the time the gift reached Yuqing, the New Year had already passed. She had no choice but to write a letter to apologize, hoping that Sister Wen Niang would forgive her.

As for the aunts, since they have already stated that they have received the New Year gifts, she should not create any more trouble.

After changing clothes, Lan Nongnong went to the study to write a reply.

Although I haven't drawn for a long time, the feeling of it is still there. In addition, my mind is free of distractions, so I can compose the picture as if inspired by God.

After working at her desk for about an hour, she finished two drawings. She stood up and stretched her muscles.

The most striking changes were seen in the plants in the greenhouse. Last year, her peach and pear trees were still blooming in the middle of spring and summer, but now, in the dead of winter, they were already reviving and sprouting new buds. The lotus flowers in the flowerpots also seemed to be blooming forever, graceful and elegant.

Having just moved back two days ago, Lan Nongnong had already noticed something else going on beneath the courtyard. She lowered her eyes to take a closer look. The gray tiles, the colorful pebbles, the verdant grass—even leaning over to take a closer look—were so real they looked real.

If you hadn't walked on it and felt that it was softer and more elastic than the playground surface, who would have thought that this surface was actually fake?

Lan Nongnong suddenly sneered. She looked up at the sky, then turned her eyes to look at this so-called home.

Which one of them is not fake?

Even though everything in the house in this courtyard was exactly the same as her former home, it was no longer her home because it appeared in a place where it should not exist.

That day, Lan Nongnong wrote and paused, drawing a total of six patterns. Now, she only needed to take a medicinal bath once a day. Although there was no bathing pool in the courtyard, there was a large bathtub that she had asked someone to custom-make. However, it troubled Biyu and others to run back and forth.

She thought to herself that she would give everyone a generous red envelope during the New Year.

It was already dark when they came out of the bathroom. Lan Nongnong didn't let them keep watch. She turned off the lights and went to bed.

---

The Sheng Dynasty had ample holidays. In addition to the seven-day weekday rest period and various festivals, the annual leave alone totaled fifteen days. This year, the harvest was abundant, and there were no snowstorms in various places. The emperor was delighted and granted the entire court an additional day of annual leave.

Therefore, the seal was sealed from the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month until the 10th day of the first lunar month. Qin Jingyao had been leaving early and returning late recently, planning various matters for the half-month holiday with the court officials.

Although the court is closed, state affairs cannot stagnate for a single day.

I reviewed a lot of documents today, and when I returned to the mansion, the cold moon was hanging in the sky and the stars were densely spread.

Before entering the mansion, Qin Jingyao looked up at the starry sky and suddenly felt something: "A bright moon and numerous stars are a good omen."

After washing and changing, he gently lifted the bed curtains and saw his beloved sleeping peacefully. His heart was instantly filled with tenderness. However, after not seeing her for a day, his longing for her was already overwhelming.

His mind moved slightly, and his thumb couldn't help but linger on those soft lips. The touch was tender and numb, as if attracted by magnets, making him lean closer involuntarily.

The next day, after morning exercises, Lan Nongnong was sitting there with him during breakfast. She instinctively looked up at the sky. Qin Jingyao smiled inwardly and explained gently, "The court has begun a holiday starting today. I'm sorry that Nongnong has been left alone at the mansion for a while now, so I'll take this opportunity to spend more time with you."

Lan Nongnong suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and remained silent. Qin Jingyao also tactfully did not disturb her while she ate. The two of them ate at the same table, and although they did not say a word, the atmosphere was subtle yet surprisingly harmonious.

After the meal, Qin Jingyao followed her for a walk to help digest the food. Seeing her swallowing the medicine with a normal expression, his heart sank. Then he saw her skilled movements, and it was obvious that she had been taking the medicine frequently recently and it had become a habit.

He remembered how a few months ago, whenever she needed to take medicine, she would hide in his arms and act coquettishly to resist. But now, he was completely indifferent. The smile in his eyes gradually faded, leaving only silence.

"During the Spring Festival, there is a temple fair in the city, but it is not suitable for Nong Nong to attend in person now. This year, I have to let Nong Nong enjoy the festival in the mansion."

Lan Nongnong didn't understand why, so she ignored him and went to her study to draw a pattern. During this time, she combined work and rest, completely ignoring the man who was playing chess with his left and right hands beside her.

When it was getting dark and I put down my writing and went out, I finally understood the deeper meaning of his words that morning.

Looking around, the surroundings have completely changed.

---

Colorful lanterns hung high, winding and twisting like a magnificently scaled dragon with no end in sight. From time to time, flames shot up into the sky, drawing cheers from all around. The sharp cry of long whips piercing the air was followed by a burst of silver flowers, and the gray glazed roof suddenly became ablaze with color, dazzling and brilliant.

Lan Nongnong looked up in a daze. The silver flowers withered, and the sky above returned to darkness. The next moment, the golden flames resurfaced, the brilliant light reappearing. Her heart also flickered, and she felt lost in thought.

The hand holding the heater in her sleeve was suddenly grasped by a large hand. Her vision darkened, her ears sank slightly, and her face was covered by a mask. Before she could come to her senses, she was led into a long, bustling street.

"Blowing sugar figures, blowing sugar figures! The twelve zodiac animals, heavenly soldiers and generals, fairies and maidens, I have everything! Miss, would you like to order one?"

"Tanghulu! Round and sweet tanghulu!"

"Enjoy the lanterns, guess riddles, and win prizes! Don't miss it if you're passing by!"

"Come, come, take a look! Famous calligraphers from the capital are personally writing to welcome the spring and send blessings. They're selling Spring Festival couplets and giving away the word 'Fu'!"

"Beat the flower drum, set off firecrackers, say goodbye to the old and welcome the new! Welcome the new year!"

"Spring pancakes for sale! Sweet, fragrant and sticky spring pancakes, come and try them!"

“…”

The singing and hawking sounds are festive and loud, the long street is crowded with people, and everywhere you look you see smiling faces.

Lan Nongnong was in the midst of it all, yet she felt like a wandering soul, completely out of place. She knew it was all an illusion, yet the clamor and the sweet aroma that filled her nostrils seemed so real.

Suddenly, something soft bumped against her leg. Bewildered, she looked down and saw a series of three or four-year-old children, all with milk-white skin, chubby faces, and big, round eyes. They were dressed in festive red clothes and holding flower drums, lanterns, bells, or sugar figurines, all looking up at her.

Seeing her looking over, the children all poked their heads around with smiles. The girl who had bumped into her was even more daring. She stood on tiptoe, raised the candy figurine in her hand, and handed it to her, saying in a baby voice, "Sorry, sister, I'll give it to you. Don't cry! Mom said that you should be happy during the New Year so that you will have good luck in the coming year. Here you go!"

Lan Nongnong felt a sudden buzzing in her head, and the surrounding sounds instantly faded. She hadn't known when her hand had emerged from under her cloak, clasping the smaller hand, barely the size of her own. Another small hand scribbled across her face, and only then did she realize she had crouched down. She tried to say thank you, but her throat felt like it was clogged with cotton, and she couldn't utter a single word.

She hurriedly reached for her waist to take out her purse to give them New Year's money, but suddenly remembered that she had not been out for a long time and no longer had any money with her.

Several children in front of her were looking at her curiously with their round eyes. Lan Nongnong was anxious and ashamed, and just when she was at a loss, a large hand suddenly caught her eye. She looked closely and saw that it was an open silver-red purse the size of an inkstone, filled with strings of copper coins strung together with red ropes.

She was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly took the purse. She told the children to line up and, without even bothering to count the coins, she simply stuffed each of them into the small pouches around their waists. Suddenly, her ears were filled with the clear, sweet auspicious words of blessing from the childish voices.

A smile had crept onto the corners of her lips, and the air of alienation gradually dissipated. She softly urged the children to play carefully, then squatted there and watched them form a string again, jingling and laughing as they ran off.

Qin Jingyao was worried that she would feel uncomfortable squatting for too long, so he gently hugged her and lifted her up, smiling and saying softly, "Let's go."

Lan Nongnong turned to look at him, still dizzy from standing up. Not far away, fireworks and silver flowers were blooming brilliantly. Amidst the shimmering light, he stood tall and proud, like a crane among chickens, standing out from the crowd. His face was handsome, like a priest descending from the earth, noble and aloof, unbending.

He lowered his head slightly, his eyes cast downward, as if overlooking the world.

The fire was temporarily extinguished, and the smile on his face was gentle and clear, and his eyes were full of affection and doting.

The front yard was quite extensive, having been completely cleared of its utensils for the street fair. The three inner and outer streets could accommodate hundreds of stalls. Walking from beginning to end, from the slant of the moon to the middle, the excitement finally faded.

*

As the Lunar New Year draws near, the streets become bustling with activity. People are returning to Beijing, returning home, shopping for New Year's goods, making new clothes, getting a haircut, and cleaning their homes—the crowds are shoulder to shoulder. From all corners of the country, they're all busy and bustling about, all driven by the same important event.

However, no matter what time it is, the people always have a lot of strange things to say. And recently, the most eye-catching strange story is still the Shangshu Ling Mansion that has taken the lead.

There are many dignitaries in the capital. They hold banquets in their houses, invite opera troupes, and celebrate for three or ten days. If the celebration can last for a month, it is considered a huge event. Afterwards, everyone will talk about it and praise it for a long time.

Just a few days ago, the nobles in the capital competed with each other in hosting banquets, one after another, competing to see whose mansion was the most grand and the most sophisticated. The host would not announce it publicly, but the rumor had spread, and they wanted to use the people's mouths to compare.

To gain a good reputation in the mansion is to win people's hearts, which is of great benefit to the family head's political achievements and promotion. The ability of each mistress of the mansion to manage the household can also be used to rank her, and she will be respected when she goes out.

To put it simply, who in the world doesn't crave a good reputation and doesn't like to hear flattery?

However, the excitement continued until the Shangshu Ling Mansion took action and instantly overwhelmed all other mansions.

I've only heard of banquets being held in the mansion, but who would have thought of holding a temple fair in the mansion?

It's not like the wealthy haven't considered it, and it's certainly not incapable of it. But if they really wanted to organize it, while ordinary vendors were easy to find, those famous singers and jugglers were already booked out. To snag a spot from someone else would require far more effort than hiring someone.

Spending money was a minor issue, but arranging the venue, deploying personnel, screening and selecting, and maintaining order within the palace were truly laborious and tiring. And the temple fair was simply for fun; you could enjoy it from the comfort of your car, so why bother?

Who would hold a temple fair for one day, a celebration for two days, singing and dancing for three days, opera performances for four days, and acrobatics for five days just to make their loved one smile? It is said that it lasts for seven days straight, right up to New Year's Eve?

Why mobilize such a large force and go to such great lengths?

Such a fantastic and unbelievable thing was actually done by the Shangshu Ling Mansion.

As soon as the news came out, it caused a sensation in the whole city, everyone was shocked, and even the palace was alarmed.

It is precisely because the Shangshu Ling Mansion has been constantly active over the past year, with rumors of the "Immortal Mansion" that are still talked about today, and now a grand temple fair is being held in the mansion, that everyone is shocked but not surprised. They even feel that even if Lord Ling does something unprecedented, it will not be surprising.

Many shopkeepers did a rough calculation and found that in just these five days, they had spent at least 60,000 taels of silver! Remember, the common people in the city could only earn 30 to 50 taels a year through hard work.

Some shops only make a few hundred or a few thousand taels a year, and those that make over ten thousand are rare. And yet Lord Ling Gong actually squandered such a huge sum of money just for a moment of pleasure?

Compared to this, even those notorious and extravagant playboys in the capital have to avoid him and admit defeat.

A regular customer heard the shopkeeper's trembling voice and the look of pain on his face, and couldn't help but laugh: "Lord Linggong, who spent money, doesn't feel any pain, but you, who didn't spend money, are the first to feel pain!"

"Exactly! Our Lord Linggong has a golden egg-laying hen passed down from his mother's family, and he also has a generous reward from the palace. This little bit of silver is just a drop in the bucket."

"I only regret that I don't have any skills, so I can't make this windfall! Hey, what do you think? If I go and learn a skill now, will Lord Linggong still hold this temple fair next year?"

"Come on! That's a family skill, honed through countless trials and tribulations. You can catch up in just one year? You're audacious! If it comes to bragging, you might even have a place!"

This remark immediately drew a roar of laughter from the room. The man covered his face and muttered quietly, not daring to poke his head out again. However, someone else, filled with indignation, sneered, "A hen crowing at dawn—truly a hen crowing at dawn! The dignified Minister of the Chancellery has been seduced by a woman, seizing the temple fair for her own selfish desires, competing with the people for profit, wasting their money and labor! This evil woman is a disaster for the country!"

As soon as the words fell, the laughter in the room suddenly stopped, and everyone looked towards the person who spoke.

Someone recognized the speaker and immediately laughed heartily, "I was wondering who was spouting such nonsense here, but it turns out he's full of nonsense, unable to accomplish anything practical. He doesn't earn money to support his family, doesn't take care of his wife and children, and relies solely on his wife's dowry to survive. And all day long he keeps pointing out this is wrong and that is not good enough. What a shameless old man!"

boom!

The laughter, louder than before, threatened to lift the roof off the room. Seeing the man's face flush, his eyes wide with anger, and his attempt to brazenly retort, the others refused to give him a chance and immediately began to criticize him.

"I was wondering why this teahouse has such a sour smell. It turns out someone is jealous! Look at how red his face is, could it be that he thinks Lord Ling Gong shouldn't spend his money on his sweetheart, but on him instead? Huh? Hahahaha!"

"Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself first! Do you really think that just because you've read two books you're a scholar? Real scholars are capable of serving as officials, governing the country and ensuring the people's well-being, supporting their families, and imparting knowledge. Don't smear the reputations of scholars!"

"What are you talking about? You're trying to monopolize the temple fair for your own selfish desires. It's just that you have no skills, no money, and are jealous! If I had money, I'd treat you too! The purpose of making money is to enjoy life, otherwise who would get up early and work late to do that hard labor? Besides, our capital is so big, if we really can't hold a temple fair without a hundred vendors, how can we be called a great country? It's fine if you're ignorant and don't understand, but you actually come out to embarrass yourself, bah!"

"Hahaha, you're right! What a waste of money and effort, competing with the people for profit! If those vendors heard this, they'd definitely tear someone's mouth off! They only need to put on a show at the Shangshu Ling Mansion, and then they can set up stalls at the temple fairs, earning both tips and profits. It's clearly a windfall, and I'm afraid they still think the days they set up stalls are too few!"

Everyone chatted back and forth, until the man dared not even lift his head. No one paid any attention to him now, the conversation having drifted off to other topics. People who had been lucky enough to visit the Shangshu Ling Mansion kept chiming in, and were surrounded by the tea-drinking crowd, peppering them with questions.

Everyone was of the same mind. No one dared to ask a single question about the woman. They just kept asking about the warmth and grandeur inside.

The merchants and common people who were chosen to enter the palace were all sternly warned before entering, knowing full well what not to see and what not to say. Seeing that everyone was understanding, they naturally wanted to talk about this rare and eye-opening opportunity of stepping into the Shangshu Ling's palace.

It's so warm inside, even a single layer is too hot. The mansion is so grand and magnificent, and the guards are so numerous. Hundreds of guards form a human wall, marking the boundaries and guarding the front and back passages. So many people, young and old, yet not a single one is in trouble.

What everyone said was similar, both reasonable and exaggerated, making everyone gasp and exclaim from time to time, it was very lively.

*

The evening performances at the mansion were different every day, a feast for the eyes of the servants. Most of these indentured servants were orphans, without relatives or friends, and had long considered the mansion their home.

Although there are holidays on weekdays, they don't necessarily coincide with temple fairs. Even if you do, going alone in such a bustling place can be lonely and boring. Furthermore, with so many people and their hands full, it's easy to encounter pickpockets or kidnappers, making it unsafe.

Therefore, the master brought the temple fair to the mansion for the girl, and out of kindness, he specially selected some lucky-looking servants and maids to dress up as ordinary people on the street. Not only did they get an extra holiday, but they also received five taels of silver each for shopping.

Those who were chosen were as happy as if they had been struck by a golden pie, and they immediately knelt down in the main hall with great joy, praising the master and the lady for their kindness. Even those who were not selected were envious and heartfeltly happy.

People are easily influenced by their surroundings, and Lan Nongnong, surrounded by festivities, felt a certain lightness these past few days. Drawing during the day felt even more fluid, and she finished over twenty drawings before the Lunar New Year. She sealed the envelope along with the reply letter and gave it to Qingluo, asking her to deliver it to the post station.

After they left, she remembered that this was no longer the same as later times, and the post station must have been closed. She felt annoyed for a moment, thinking that Qingluo had just left and must not have left the house yet, nor had she said goodbye to anyone. She wrapped her cloak tightly and hurried after her.

This mansion was roughly the size of half the residential complex of Lan Nongnong's home. Without taking detours, it would take about two incense sticks to reach the main gate. Biyu had once explained to her the rules of the wealthy and powerful in the capital, one of which was that servants were not allowed to use the main roads. She had recently explored every path in the mansion, both open and hidden, and knew the quickest way to the main gate.

The hurried footsteps suddenly stopped, and Lan Nongnong just remembered that servants were not allowed to go out through the main gate. There were two side gates in the mansion, as well as a back gate and a corner gate. She didn't know which gate Qingluo had gone through.

Biyu stopped a step too late and was about to speak, but she saw the girl lower the scarf on the brim of her hat, clutch her cloak, and quickly walk towards the path behind the rockery on the left. She hurried to catch up.

*

Commoners who come to the Shangshu Ling Mansion to perform are usually rewarded with silver upon leaving the residence. Today is the last day, and I wonder if the Lord Ling will show some extra grace and reward more silver.

Because the stage needed to be set up, people began to enter through the corner gate just after noon. They followed the palace guards with their brows lowered and their eyes downcast, not daring to even glance at them. When they arrived at the place, they listened to the warnings, bowed and nodded to see them off, and only then dared to raise their heads.

The stage was a ready-made one used by the troupe two days prior. Several martial arts masters approached to examine it. Several foot-thick copper-lacquered wooden pillars stood firmly on it. The stage was thirty feet square, with a gray tiled copper roof, auspicious animal-shaped eaves, and red carpets around the doors and windows.

Although it was a makeshift structure, it was spacious and imposing, without a hint of crudeness. A rockery stood half a foot from the stage, and a small path at the back led into a bamboo forest, making it convenient for entering and exiting the stage, so there was no need for major modifications.

After a brief discussion, they began to unload the cart and arrange things. Seeing that there was no one around and the palace guards were standing a few feet away, they relaxed a little and started talking in low voices.

"...Wow, this is truly a grand spectacle! Speaking of which, we martial artists have always been known to go on stage to fight, but this kind of performance is truly a first."

"You know what, this is a really good way! Tell those guys in the guild to train their skills and come out, and they can earn some money. These little brats are eating me out of my house. I'm rich, but I can't afford these guys' greed! I have to provide food, shelter, and clothing, and I have to buy tools, see a doctor, and get medicine. No matter how much money I spend, I can't afford it. It's said that Lord Ling is young and promising. He just said a few words and pointed out a way for us to make a living!"

"That's right! A while ago I heard the master was scolded by his wife, saying that he had been fighting all year and didn't earn enough to spend, even the dowry was spent. Fortunately, our martial artists abide by the rules and have a good reputation, so they were chosen by Lord Linggong's mansion. This time, I received the reward money, and I will redeem the dowry for my wife first, and then go out to work hard to earn money, hey!"

"Speaking of making money, I heard that Lord Ling's ex-wife took a lot of property with her when she left the mansion. I heard that she was just a small official in her family and couldn't even afford a servant, so how much dowry could she have? Although she didn't have the blessing to continue to be the wife of a second-rank official, she lived in a wealthy family for so many years and was able to take so much with her when she left. If you ask me, this deal is really worth it!"

"Our Lord Linggong is truly a gentleman! This matter of being childless, let alone in the homes of other nobles, even in the homes of ordinary people, would have to..."

Seeing that the others were talking more and more outrageously, the leading master glanced around vigilantly and shouted in a low voice, "Enough! What kind of place is this? How dare you gossip about the affairs of the Shangshu Ling Mansion? You are courting death!"

The few of them suddenly felt their skin tense up, and when they looked up they saw the luxurious surroundings. They felt a chill in their backs, and broke out in a cold sweat. They quickly shut their mouths and nodded vigorously.

The master in a grey cotton-padded jacket had already gone up to the stage to hammer and adjust the instrument. There was no sound around. The maids followed far behind. The sharp pain made Lan Nongnong's head buzz.

She turned stiffly, took a breath, and asked, "Biyu, your master's wife, did you get divorced? Or was she—, when did it happen?"

The lesson she learned from the incident with the glazed roof a few days ago was still fresh in her mind. Biyu didn't dare to answer easily, for fear of accidentally touching the girl's sore spot again.

Although Xu's departure from the mansion was seen by the servants as beneficial to the young lady and everyone else.

"girl......"

"Don't worry, I won't embarrass you."

Hesitation itself is the answer.

Lan Nongnong suddenly stumbled and hit the rockery backwards, but fortunately her head was not injured.

Biyu was shocked when she saw this and hurried forward to support her: "Girl!"

The two men stood behind the rockery, their voices deliberately lowered, and the people on the stage were so focused on their work that they didn't notice.

Lan Nongnong gently grasped her hand and pushed it away, steadying herself on the rockery. Perhaps because of her thick clothing, she didn't feel the pain at all. However, her voice trembled inexplicably as she spoke, "Just pretend you didn't hear what they just said. Even if your parents ask about it, feel free to blame it on me, okay?"

Biyu heard the protective tone in her words and suddenly looked up.

Lan Nongnong said no more, but just looked at her steadily. After she nodded in agreement, she turned around and left quietly with a slight stumble.

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The author has something to say: Sorry for keeping you waiting, I fell asleep last night and just finished checking for typos [heart][heart][heart]