Chapter 2
"Miss, wait for me." Handan caught up with Bai Tiao, "I don't understand. Seeing that the exorcists are almost here, why doesn't Liu Luoguo have a broom?"
"How could he not have any? He was the only one doing business in the underworld on the whole street, so he had to buy from him."
"But Miss Feng clearly only spent five taels of silver to buy it. If you have it, why don't you sell it to us and lie that you don't have it anymore?"
There was a lot of resentment in Handan's words. Bai Tiao paused and looked back. "Manager Liu just wants to find a nobleman to arrange for him. There are also small gangs among the servants in the mansions. If they arrange it this way, they will find him soon. When he says he really doesn't have the goods, if you want it, add two taels of silver. Do you think he will not buy it?"
Handan suddenly realized what was going on, and then stamped her feet angrily, "Miss, this Liu Luoguo is really a swindler, I don't think he is a good person. Moreover, it would be fine if he were just an ordinary citizen, but we are the Prime Minister's Mansion, we have to give face to the Buddha if we don't give face to the monk."
"It's just a small trick. Although it's not worthy of being called a noble one, it's reasonable. There's no need to be angry."
What is not mentioned is that the Shangshu Mansion is now in its heyday, and the eldest son Feng in the border has been reporting victory to the capital every year. Anyone who knows a little about the affairs of the court in the Prime Minister's Mansion and the Shangshu Mansion will now give face to the Shangshu Mansion. What's more, it is obvious that the shopkeeper Liu has someone behind him, and he is just a clown on the stage.
Thinking of this, she had to turn around and warn Handan: "Be more cautious when you are out there, or you will be the one who suffers."
After saying this, he walked away with lotus steps without even glancing at Handan who was obviously unconvinced behind him.
She walked solemnly through the streets and stopped under the plaque of flower-leaf cloth. In the small attic on the second floor, goose down olive green curtains kept out the cold wind. The cloth racks were covered with a dazzling array of silks and satins, and the walls were hung with dazzling brocade ready-made clothes. There were cloud patterns, flower patterns, butterfly patterns, etc. Bai Tiao picked up and observed them carefully.
The shopkeeper had sharp eyes and had seen the daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion come in a long time ago. Seeing Miss Bai caressing the cloth seriously, he did not dare to disturb her. After a while, he saw Miss Bai frowning slightly, as if dissatisfied. The shopkeeper put down the delicate work in his hands, picked up the front of the robe and stepped forward to bow: "Miss Bai, how about moving to the second floor? There are more rare patterns on it."
Bai Tiao turned around and agreed. She followed the shopkeeper through the long hall and up the wooden stairs. The fabrics on the second floor were indeed more elegant and brighter in color. The display was comfortable, with each piece of fabric having its own place, and next to it were ready-made garments made of the fabric. She nodded with satisfaction.
The shopkeeper was also tactful and followed quietly without saying a word.
White flower patterns on a pink background, red peony patterns on a light green background, light yellow and red butterfly patterns, until she came to the silk with a blue background and pink lotus patterns. The silk women's gowns displayed next to it were very noble, with colorful butterflies on the wide sleeves and hems, clever and vivid. The pink lotus on the base fabric was lifelike and pure and flawless. She kept her eyes fixed on him for a long time, and a faint smile appeared on her expressionless face: "Huan'er likes blue the most, and I like lotus the most."
Whenever she recalled the past, she always smiled faintly. Handan glanced at her with a narrow expression: "Miss, you...you know that Miss Feng will not accept it. You have never been in a good mood in previous years."
"If she doesn't accept it, it's her business. If I give it to her, it's my business." Bai Tiao turned around and nodded to the shopkeeper who had been standing not far away and was silent. He quickly walked forward and said, "Miss Bai, what can I do for you?"
"Send this piece of silk to the Prime Minister's residence, along with this ready-made garment."
"Yes, I'll arrange it right away." After waiting for the shopkeeper to finish his words, Bai Tiao walked out with lotus steps.
After paying the silver, Handan hurried to catch up with Baitiao.
Spring is coming soon. Except for the white snow on the blue brick and tile walls, there are festive red silk. The streets are crowded with tourists and bustling. At this time, the sound of horse hooves comes one after another, from far to near.
Bai Tiao stepped aside politely, while Handan leaned out to watch.
A long line of officers and soldiers marched closely together. The man sitting on a horse in the middle had a red silk wrapped around his chest, a whole strip of fire fox fur stitched around his collar, and a large black brocade banner that fell all the way to his feet. He had his hair tied up in an ice crown, looking cold and handsome. He had narrow eyes, a high nose, thin lips, and fairer skin than a woman.
Handan's eyes widened: "Miss, this man is so handsome!"
Bai Tiao didn't raise his eyes. Just by listening to the discussions of the people around him, he knew who was on the horse: "This is this year's top scholar, Han Fengci."
Handan turned around, staring blankly: "Miss, do you know?"
Bai Tiao nodded: "Although this man has a good appearance, he has a cold temperament, looks down on others, and is difficult to get along with. However, his talent and knowledge are extraordinary, this is what my father said about him. It is said that the emperor read his article for two days and concluded that he knows astronomy and geography. His knowledge is so profound that even great scholars would have to admit he is better than him."
Bai Tiao said it calmly, but he knew clearly in his heart that things were about to change in the court.
Handan didn't understand all this, she just felt that this man's appearance and status were not worthy of anyone. She raised her eyebrows unconsciously. The young lady had just reached the age of marriage this year, and there were many people who came to propose marriage, but the young lady never accepted. Now this number one scholar is much better than those ordinary people. She would go out and find out some other day. After all, when the young lady gets married in the future, she will also become a concubine.
Bai Tiao glanced at Handan and said nothing more, only one sentence: "Go back home."
Suddenly, heavy snow fell from the sky, with silver flakes flying into the sky. The entire Shangshu Mansion was instantly covered in white. The people who were sweeping the snow were frightened by a roar and looked around.
"I'm so mad! I'm so mad! I didn't check the almanac before going out today, and I always run into white potatoes no matter what I bring."
Feng Huanhuan stomped her feet as she walked, and the round buns on both sides of her head were covered with small icicles, like a doll in a New Year painting. The servants all lowered their heads to avoid her: they didn't know who had offended the eldest daughter, but they knew that the other party would definitely not have a good life.
"Miss, don't be angry." Feicui's mouth was dry after persuading her all the way. As soon as she returned to the room, she gulped down several cups of tea.
Whenever her young lady meets Baitiao, she will be angry for several days, and she will suffer with her.
With a 'bang' sound, Feicui almost spit out the tea that she had just taken a drink of, but she forced herself to hold it back, repeating this back and forth, causing a sharp coughing fit.
"Ahem... ahem..."
Feng Huanhuan, who was cursing happily, was startled and quickly ran to Feicui's side to watch: "Hey, what are you doing? Why are you drinking so quickly?"
Feicui held her waist, but seemed to be out of breath. She even pulled Feicui to sit on the yellow rosewood stool, patting her back and chest. After a long time, Feicui finally breathed a sigh of relief, her voice was a little hoarse: "Miss, I want to live a few more years to accompany you, can you please stop scaring me all the time?"
"I...I am excited. I promise, I promise I will let you know before I lose my temper next time."
Seeing the young lady who was so confident, Feicui stared at her with two extremely sincere grape beads, and the corners of her mouth twitched; "I would like to thank the young lady in advance."
Then she said, "But, Miss, don't you think Miss Bai is acting strange today? She is a well-educated and well-mannered lady, why would she go to Fude Pavilion in person?" Feicui had been holding these words in all the way.
Feng Huanhuan's face sank and she turned around and sat on the stool, obviously not wanting to bring up this topic.
Although she often bullied Bai Tao outside, she never said a bad word about her in private.
She and Bai Tiao knew each other in childhood and were as close as sisters. Bai Tiao was one year older than her and took good care of her. About three years ago during the Mid-Autumn Festival, she and Bai Tiao met at the Guanyin Mountain Natural Hot Spring. The hot spring water with a faint sulfur smell was surrounded by white mist, which made people more tired. After a while, she leaned on the edge of the stone and fell asleep. When she woke up, Bai Tiao was nowhere to be found. That day, she wrapped herself in a thin silk inner garment, and searched inside and outside without caring about her appearance. Finally, she heard a rustling sound outside the door of an unused inner room. She didn't have time to call for help, and didn't care about anything else. She bravely kicked the door and found Bai Tiao and a man in black having sex and hugging each other.
In the dim room, she didn't even have time to see the whole face of the man in black, but was knocked unconscious by him. When she woke up, Bai Tiao was by her side to take care of her. No matter how angry she was, Bai Tiao still didn't say a word. She was angry because Bai Tiao betrayed her brother.
Her brother was far away at the frontier and had made great military achievements. Bai Tiao and her brother had been childhood sweethearts. She still remembered that when her brother went to war five years ago, she hid in the corner to guard the door for him. Her brother and Bai Tiao expressed their true feelings to each other and made a vow to each other. Now such a ridiculous thing happened, which was not worth it for her brother. Now the news of her brother's victory came and would arrive in the capital soon. How would she tell her brother then?
She didn't think highly of her future sister-in-law and ran away with someone else.
Whenever she thought of this, Feng Huanhuan's nose would always feel sore, and huge tears would fall from the corners of her eyes. She was afraid that her brother would be sad, and she knew how much her brother cared about Bai Tiao.
Feicui, who was standing by, was in a panic. She quickly took out a piece of silk from her sleeve and wiped Feng Huanhuan's tears. "Miss, it's all my fault for being too talkative. I keep mentioning Miss Bai. I will never mention her again in the future."
Feicui was unaware of this matter, and only four people knew about it.
The man in black, Bai Tiao, the maid Handan, and her.
Back then, she specially sent Feicui to Dongjiao Bianxiang to buy honeydew melons. Soaking in hot springs and eating seasonal fruits is the happiest thing. Unexpectedly, this happened. She didn't want the fifth person to know about it, which would damage the reputation of her brother and Bai Tiao. She chose to endure it. Therefore, whenever she saw Bai Tiao, she always felt inexplicably angry. She asked Bai Tiao, if she didn't like her brother, she could just say it directly. Her brother was not the kind of person who would pester her. But Bai Tiao remained silent, which made her most angry.
Feng Huanhuan cried so hard that her tears and snot were mixed together. Feicui tried to comfort her in various ways. After an incense stick, she finally stopped crying. Feng Huanhuan sobbed, "Feifeifei... Feicui, brother... brother will come back soon... soon. I... I miss him."
Feicui finally breathed a sigh of relief, and laid her hands on Feng Huanhuan's legs, looking up at her, "So Miss is missing the Young Master. Miss will be able to see the Young Master soon. This morning when I went to the main hall to bring Miss food, the Master said that the army has set out from the border and will arrive in a month."
Feng Huanhuan nodded, her eyes instantly brightened, her face flushed and watery, "I haven't seen my brother for five years, and finally the clouds have cleared."
In the next few days, Feng Huanhuan was particularly busy. She asked the housekeeper to clean her brother's room, told the cook to prepare her brother's favorite meals, went to the market to buy a lot of New Year's goods, and went to the flower market in the suburbs, making the entire Shangshu Mansion look brand new.
The next day, when Master Feng was leaving the court, two sedan chairs stopped at the gate of Feng Mansion. The palace guards immediately stepped forward to greet the master and the distinguished guests. As soon as they pushed open the door, they saw Feng Huanhuan wearing a light blue glazed brocade jacket with wide sleeves embroidered with winter plums, and two fluffy blue balls hanging on her half-tied bun, flashing by like a gust of wind.
Master Feng stood still, and when he came back to his senses, Feng Huanhuan quickly retreated, holding his arm and swinging back and forth, and said coquettishly: "Daddy, are you done?"
Looking at his daughter leaning on his arms, Master Feng stretched out his hand and scratched her little nose, revealing a loving smile, "Daddy is not as busy as you. Right now, you are the busiest person in the entire Feng Mansion. If Daddy wants to see you, he has to wait in line."
"Hehe, no way, no way. Daddy wants to see me, Huan'er must regard it as a top priority." After saying that, he patted his chest and said seriously, "Huan'er's affection for Daddy is evident to all heaven and earth!"
Seeing the exaggerated acting skills and the body exposed, Feng Huanhuan finally looked up seriously. Just that one glance made her stand there in shock, her heart beating wildly.
"ah--"
A scream resounded throughout the Feng Mansion, and a blue shadow disappeared in an instant.
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