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The river flows swiftly, and the mountains stretch endlessly.
When the ship reached Yingzhou, the gateway to the capital, Song Mama and Xia Quezi received a message.
The important person no longer needs a substitute!
The two looked at each other in bewilderment. Therefore, there was no need to keep Mu Run any longer.
However, the training had taken a lot of effort from Shrimp Cripple and Song's mother. Living together day and night, Mu Run had become very obedient and well-behaved. Aside from the various learning tasks they assigned her, she had never caused them any trouble. They couldn't bring themselves to simply discard her after she had served her purpose.
"Why don't you take her with you first? Maybe one day a benefactor will need her again, and it will be better for us than to be at a loss again," Shrimp Cripple said to Mother Song.
Mrs. Song nodded, "Alright. I'll teach her the art of disguise, to conceal her appearance as much as possible, so that no one can see her true face."
"That's your specialty."
"Things you can't take with you when you die, so give them to whoever you like." Mother Song had no regrets whatsoever.
Shrimp Cripple chuckled again, "Alright, you teach her then, I'll go back and report."
Mu Run stood behind the corner door, listening to the conversation between the two people, and then quietly left.
When Song's mother found Mu Run practicing calligraphy in the room, she looked at the characters that were already showing promise and nodded, "Of all the arts, calligraphy, painting, music, dance, poetry, and tea, you've learned calligraphy and tea very well."
Mu Run put down his pen, bowed to Madam Song, and his every move was precise and orderly. "Thank you for the praise, Madam Song. It was a bit rushed and the time was too short."
“You have talent.” After glancing at her handwriting twice, Song’s mother put it down and sighed, “I have some news for you that I don’t know whether it’s good or bad: the important person no longer needs you.”
Mu Run looked bewildered and surprised. "Then, I..."
Madam Song continued, "But just in case, you should come back to the Prime Minister's residence with me first."
"The Prime Minister's residence? The Prime Minister's residence!"
“Yes. We didn’t tell you on the way that I am the head nanny of the Prime Minister’s wife. Outside, you should call me Mama Song, but once we’re back at the Prime Minister’s residence, you should call me nanny.”
"Who is that lame shrimp?"
"The 'Shrimp Cripple' is just his alias; you don't need to know his real identity. I'll teach you the art of disguise now. When you're at the Prime Minister's residence, you must use this art to change your appearance every day, so that no one can see through your true face, or your life will be in danger!"
"I see."
Thus, Mu Run learned the art of disguise from Madam Song. After mastering the art, she changed to a carriage and left Yingzhou Wharf.
Being a substitute for a noble person involves a whole host of rules, seemingly endless. But being a slave or maid is simple: just be honest, obedient, and diligent.
Mu Run styled her hair into a maid's bun and used a disguise technique to transform herself into an inconspicuous little maid.
It was during the disguise that she noticed a significant change in her face compared to when she was in Bianyun Village. Although she hadn't had enough to eat every day for the past month on the ship, the food was absolutely exquisite—bird's nest, sea cucumber, and various medicinal soups… which transformed her sun-tanned, freckled face into delicate, fair, and tender skin. Moreover, her facial bone structure was exquisitely proportioned, making her particularly suitable for makeup.
Looking at her unassuming face, Song's mother nodded. "I'll change your name. What would you like?"
Mu Run recalled the ancient poems she had to read every day on the ship these past few days, and her head was about to explode...
"Jiuge, is that alright?"
"Nine Songs... that sounds good and fits the scholarly atmosphere of the Prime Minister's residence. Let's call it Nine Songs then."
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