parrot
Zhiyuan thought for a moment and said softly, "Miss goes to school every day and leaves very early. Sister Qingwu goes out with Miss. Usually, only Zhuling and I are in Luoya Residence. Today, Young Master came by once, but seeing that you had not returned from school, he turned and left. The rest of the people are the maids and the old women who teach in the mansion. There is no one else."
Lin Xu lowered his head, his expression unreadable.
"Did my cousin say anything?"
Zhi Yuan smiled, "Young Master went to the street today and bought you a pair of little parrots when he came back. He said they look cute and look just like you."
Lin Xu's brows twitched; it was indeed something her cousin would do.
"I've already had the parrots moved into the warm room. They're very energetic now, thanks to the water and millet I've given them."
When she was seven years old, she stayed at her maternal grandparents' house for a while, and the whole family did their best to make her happy. Several older cousins tried every means to give her precious gems, beautiful jade, and even collected all the popular storybooks on the street, but she was still listless.
She had just lost her mother and had lost interest in ordinary things. Liang Zhengyuan, however, was quick-witted and kept a little parrot in her room. All it did every day was eat rice and try to talk like a human.
At first, Lin Xu found the bird annoying, as it would incessantly mimic her every time she spoke a few words. It quickly learned to shout "sister" at the top of its lungs, even mimicking her tone. Lin Xu spent her days arguing with the little parrot, which gave her something to do and gradually made her more cheerful.
The time she spent at her maternal grandparents' home in He City was one of the few happy times in her previous life. A faint smile involuntarily appeared on her lips as she got up and went to the warm pavilion.
Sure enough, an exquisitely carved cage hung in front of the window, inside which were a pair of parrots that looked like they had just been born, their feathers not yet fully grown, huddled together resting. One had a tuft of red on its head, and the other had a patch of gray on its head.
Although it is not fully grown yet, you can see that its feathers are bright and beautiful, and it will probably be a very clever and beautiful parrot when it grows up.
Looking at the two tiny lives huddled together, occasionally smacking their lips, her heart softened.
Liang Zhengyuan was the most approachable of her many cousins. The other brothers were focused on their official careers, and two of them had been guarding the border for many years, just waiting to lead troops into battle and seek official titles. Only he was the one who gave her maternal grandfather the most headaches. In recent years, he had grown taller and taller, and because he always had a smiling face, he attracted the admiration of many young girls in Hecheng, and had many romantic affairs.
But after being raised in Mujing, he diligently went to the martial arts training ground every day, showing much more ambition than before. His maternal grandfather would be very pleased if he knew.
She stared blankly at the two parrots, oblivious to the approaching footsteps behind her. Liang Zhengyuan hadn't seen Lin Xu all day; since she'd been going to the palace to study from dawn till dusk, she was even busier than him. He deliberately teased her, speaking only when he got close, which indeed startled the serious-looking girl into screaming.
Liang Zhengyuan, with the smug satisfaction of a successful prank, laughed heartily: "It seems that my cousin Xu'er really likes this little parrot. I knew I made the right choice."
Lin Xu's face was still showing signs of shock and panic. His expression was pale as he said irritably to Liang Zhengyuan:
"Are the instructors at the martial arts school teaching you how to play pranks?"
Liang Zhengyuan was four years older than her and a full head taller than his cousin. Seeing her small and thin figure pretending to be angry, her cheeks slightly flushed, he became even happier.
He was always very good-tempered, and he was even more unserious in front of Lin Xu, still treating her like the little girl from his childhood who loved to argue with the parrot until her throat was dry. He just shook his head and laughed:
“It was clearly my cousin who was staring at the bird and that's why I scared her. Why are you blaming me? Ever since you entered the palace, you've been acting like a little adult.”
He had a deep friendship with Lin Xu and found common ground with his mischievous younger sister. However, since Lin Xu entered Zhiqiong Hall for further studies, she seemed to have become a different person, working tirelessly from dawn till dusk, which made him feel somewhat unfamiliar with her.
I bought these two parrots simply so I could see that childlike expression on her face again.
She hadn't laughed in a long time.
He couldn't help but recall what Lin Xu had said half a month ago. That day, the little girl had a very serious expression on her face, only saying that she wanted her uncle to marry her off to the young master of the Dou family.
He knew the Dou family members. He had been in Mujing for a long time and was in a circle with many scions of prominent families. He had met them all over time, but he didn't have a good impression of the two men from the Dou family.
My elder brother, Dou Yanzhou, though handsome and holding an official position in the court, I've only had a few brief conversations with him, but I already felt he was blinded by greed and a ruthless character obsessed with power. Such a man might seem like a good husband, but what he needs is a virtuous wife who is obedient to her husband and raises their children.
As for the younger Dou Yanxun, the situation is even more of a mess...
He spends his days mingling with a group of notorious playboys in the capital, frequenting brothels and gambling dens. Even if he is exceptionally beautiful, he would not be a good match for a woman from a respectable family.
It's only because that guy looks so charming that he can attract some naive young girls, but if Xu'er really marries him, she will definitely suffer.
Moreover, his stay at the Lin residence was at the behest of his grandfather.
The old man was very concerned about Lin Xu, his only granddaughter, and worried that she might be mistreated in Mujing. That's why he specially sent him here to protect her. If his cousin got hurt or suffered any injustice, he, as her older brother, would be in deep trouble in front of his grandfather.
The thought of the old man's fierce, wide-eyed glare sent a chill down his spine.
Looking at Lin Xu in front of her, she couldn't help but ask softly, "That day, my cousin said she liked Dou Yanxun. Was that just a joke on a whim?"
Looking at her cousin, who seemed to be testing her, Lin Xu recalled how, not long ago, when she was sent to Zhiqiong Hall for her studies, Lin Fu stood beside the sedan chair with a face full of worry.
The father seemed to think for a long time before saying, "Xu'er is determined to make progress, and I naturally support that. But is it really worth it for you to study so hard for someone like that? Our Xu'er has never suffered from academic hardship in all these years, but now he has to go to the palace to study. The rules there are strict, and you can imagine how hard it will be. If you get tired, just tell your father, and we can come home anytime."
Seeing his daughter remain silent, Lin Fu continued, "I sent you to Zhiqiong Hall because I inquired about the young master of the Dou family. He is really not someone I can entrust with anything! Zhiqiong Hall is full of nobles. Even among those scholars, there are those you think are decent. Besides, if you really find it too difficult, I can find you a few honest and obedient men. There will always be men from lower-class families who are willing to marry into your family. Then our Xu'er won't have to suffer like this."
She looked at her father's worried face, noticing the few gray hairs that had crept into his temples, quite noticeable in the sunlight. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer.
How she longed to go back to the way things were before! But whenever she closed her eyes, the scene of her father's bloodied face and the corpses scattered all over the Lin mansion would always appear before her. There was no turning back... She could only grit her teeth and move forward.
So what if she's studying? So what if she's giving herself to a man she doesn't love?
If all of this can ensure the safety of the Lin family, what is this little bit of suffering?
She even sometimes thought that she would do anything, even murder and arson, committing heinous crimes.
She could no longer be the spoiled young lady who relied on her father's protection.
Lin Xu looked up at his cousin, whose fair and aloof face was resolute and determined. He rarely saw his usually pampered cousin with such a resolute expression; the last time was not long ago. He was clever and immediately understood what Lin Xu was about to say.
"I truly admire Dou Yanxun. If my cousin ever has the chance, please put in a good word for me."
Liang Zhengyuan heard a sigh in his heart.
.
That night, the moonlight was as still as water.
Lin Fu finished processing the case files and spent the whole night writing at his desk, and now his shoulders were a little sore. He shook his head, stretched his stiff neck, and was about to put down his brush when he felt a cool touch on his shoulders and neck.
Lin Fu was startled and quickly turned around. A maidservant in plain clothes stood behind him, her simple attire making her appear even more delicate beside the dimly lit bookshelf. Her appearance seemed somewhat familiar. Looking at her slender, graceful hands, he asked softly:
"You used to serve in Consort Qi's room?"
The maid knelt on the ground, a faint fragrance wafting around her. "Madam Qi was worried that Master was tired from work, so she specially sent me to serve him."
Since Liang Shuangyu's death, he has not remarried. For many years, he has only had one concubine, Qi Shi, by his side. In his early years, he also had two maids who served him, but since Qi Shi entered the mansion, he has not had any new concubines for a long time.
Lin Fu glanced at the slender figure on the ground again, and finally asked softly, "What's your name?"
The maid raised her head, revealing a delicate, fair face with a pointed chin, giving her a pitiful appearance. Her eyes were like autumn water, and she said timidly, "Master, my name is Lan'er."
"Orchid?" Lin Fu thought for a moment. "Like the moon reflected in the gentle breeze, and the vast expanse of misty waves, you shall be called Lan Yue from now on."
The person lying on the ground trembled slightly, and after a moment answered in a trembling voice, "Thank you for bestowing a name upon me, sir."
.
The next day happened to be the day of rest for the lecturers at Zhiqiong Hall, and Lin Xu finally had a free day. Accustomed to getting up early every day, he suddenly felt a little empty.
Zhiyuan chuckled and teased, "Miss, you've fallen in love with reading!"
Normally, I don't have time to eat breakfast before going to school, so I always ask the kitchen to make some snacks to take with me on the way. Today, I finally had some free time, so the kitchen servants were very attentive and brought out a total of twelve dishes.
Looking at the tempting, steaming dishes on the table, Lin Xu thought to himself that during the day, his father went to court and Liang Zhengyuan went to the martial arts training ground. Today, they finally had a chance to show off their culinary skills.
As she picked up a delicate pink lotus-shaped pastry, the old woman beside her poured her tea and whispered, "I heard that last night, the master favored a maid and has already taken her as a concubine."
Lin Xu lowered his eyes, revealing a hint of doubt. Seeing this, the old woman said, "She is the maid who used to serve Concubine Qi. Now the master has given her a new name, Lan Yue."
Since the previous epidemic, Lady Qi had been confined to her room for a long time, and Lin Xu had been busy with his studies every day, so he hadn't heard from her for a while. Now she was getting restless again—was she making new moves so quickly because she saw that he had fallen out of favor?
She picked up her teacup and took a sip, seemingly in high spirits.
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