Chapter 125: Desolation
The madam was a little embarrassed. She awkwardly put away the handkerchief, lifted the curtain, and led her inside.
Ji Xiang Courtyard was a proper brothel, with vermilion lanterns hanging high everywhere inside. A long corridor stretched from inside the courtyard to outside, and a path paved with red brocade led straight to the end of the corridor.
A gentle breeze lifted the red silk ribbons, which fluttered in the wind like butterflies dancing. Sparse flower buds clustered around the high platform, faintly revealing the former splendor.
However, at present, only a few girls were wiping the flower drums, making the atmosphere seem extremely deserted.
"Little Fish, hurry up and get down here! You're always hiding in your room being lazy. Quickly take our distinguished guest to change his clothes!"
The madam called out to the second floor, but received no response. Impatiently, she went upstairs to check and came back down with a pale face after a long while.
"What's wrong with her? Is she sick?"
Several girls who were usually close to her gathered around, but they trembled with fear at the mere opening and closing of the madam's lips.
"Hanged."
Yuan Siyin heard it very clearly.
In the past two days, I've seen quite a few people die violently in the streets, and a faint aura of death permeates the entire Huaizhou.
The plague was clearly far in the north, and Huaizhou was quite far away. Logically, this shouldn't have happened. Moreover, the governor of Huaizhou was extremely "foresighted" and promulgated the household registration system.
Therefore, the problem can only lie with this governor.
"I'll go change it myself."
A young woman brought over a dress, which Yuan Siyin took. She casually went into a room, changed, and felt a bit stuffy, so she opened the window.
A gust of cold wind hit her face, causing her to unconsciously clutch her collar.
It was still light out, and I estimated that the stars would appear in about half an hour.
A fog had risen outside, for no apparent reason. She leaned against the window and looked out into the distance, feeling a little wistful.
She was alone many times, for many years.
But for no reason, I feel that I have never felt so lonely as I have these past few days.
If she hadn't left the capital, by this time of day, Aqing would have already finished school and would probably be pestering her to tell stories and making snacks with her using red sleeves.
My aunt should be leaning back in her fox fur recliner, half-closing her eyes, muttering that the jujube paste cake made in the small kitchen was quite good, and that she should save it for Emerald to eat when she comes to the palace tomorrow.
Yu Shiyan... let's not even mention that unlucky thing.
Thinking of this, Yuan Siyin became even more depressed.
It's all his fault. Otherwise, I wouldn't be running around trying to survive, even though it's not just for myself right now.
"Miss, are you ready?"
A weak, feeble voice came from outside, sounding as if she had aged more than ten years in an instant.
"alright."
When she opened the door, her expression had returned to normal.
Upon hearing the sound, everyone looked over listlessly. They saw Yuan Siyin in a white, floor-length, misty plum blossom dress, over which was a moon-colored satin cloak embroidered with magnolias and butterflies. The cuffs were embroidered with delicate gold butterflies, and the skirt was covered with a thin layer of silk gauze, like a light mist. A cloud-patterned belt was tied around her waist. She looked both noble and extremely graceful, making everyone's eyes light up.
She walked straight up to the madam, her sleeves fluttering with a delicate fragrance, like the scent of orchids filling the air.
"Can we go now?" Yuan Siyin asked softly.
The madam snapped out of her daze and nodded: "Let's go, the sedan chair we hired outside has arrived."
The clothes are clearly the same, so why do they look different on her?
Ignoring all other thoughts, the madam led Yuan Siyin and several other girls dressed similarly out of Jixiang Courtyard. After getting into the sedan chair, they didn't say a word, but just looked at each other.
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