Chapter 59 World Three (Ten)
Bao Shan timidly raised her head, her soft lips parted slightly as she called out softly, "Xiao Lang."
Xiao Yujing turned his back to the sunlight, a soft glow pouring down onto his shoulders, blurring his features and making it hard to discern his expression. He held out his hand, and a sash of emerald green hung from his wrist. On the way back home, Xiao Yujing couldn't figure out what to do with it. Holding it constantly in his hand was unseemly. He lowered his brows in deep thought, finally wrapping the slender belt around his wrist and tying it in a simple, loose knot.
At this moment, the purple belt was tied around Xiao Yujing's wrist and placed right in front of Baoshan.
A crimson glow appeared on Baoshan's cheeks, and she replied softly, "This belt seems to belong to me."
Such a light color, probably only the treasure fan in the mansion would use it, but her tone was weak and she looked extremely unsure.
Baoshan lowered her head and just stared at the flowing black hair, one could tell she was frustrated and lost.
It turned out that it was because of this belt that Xiao Yujing was willing to call her.
Xiao Yujing frowned slightly: "It's yours, it should be returned to its original owner."
He said these words, but his body did not move at all. Seeing this, Baoshan put the pipa on the stone table, stood up, and stretched out his hand to untie the belt on Xiao Yujing's wrist.
Baoshan was wearing a plain dress with only a few petals embroidered on the cuffs.
She raised her arms, and the pink and white petals swayed slightly with her movements, as if real petals were fluttering in the wind.
She looked extremely serious, with her head slightly lowered, her fingertips touching the end of the flying belt and gently pulling it.
Xiao Yujing wrapped the belt around his wrist twice. In order to return the belt to its original owner, Baoshan had to pinch the belt with his fingers and slowly wrap it around Xiao Yujing's wrist.
The silver bracelet hung down, and the slightly cold touch made Bao Shan stiffen, and his fingertips brushed against Xiao Yujing's wrist.
Her fingertips were still red, injured by the pipa strings.
Xiao Yujing looked at the spots of crimson and couldn't help but frown.
As for the soft skin sliding across his wrist, Xiao Yujing naturally felt it. It was only a fleeting moment, like a dragonfly skimming the water, but dusty memories instantly came flooding back like a tide.
Those fingertips had slid across every part of Xiao Yujing's body, and were finally forcibly grasped by him and wrapped around his neck.
Xiao Yujing's eyes dimmed slightly, Baoshan had already put the belt in his palm, his cheeks were flushed, like a gorgeous flower in full bloom on a branch.
Xiao Yujing sat on the stone bench, his eyes sweeping over the pipa on the table.
He had already inquired about the origin of the treasured fan clearly.
The skinny horses raised in Yangzhou City were educated to please the nobles. Wang bought the precious fan to use her to seek a child so that she would have a better life in the future without Xiao Yujing's favor and care.
That day was absurd, and Xiao Yujing felt that he was wrong. After listening to Baoshan's words, he wanted to do as she wished.
However, as Xiao Yujing stepped out of the mansion, the breeze blew through him, and his mind cleared up a bit. If Baoshan followed his words and always stayed by her side, it wouldn't matter if she had one more person in such a large mansion. However, if Baoshan wanted to have an heir, as Wang Shi had hoped, Xiao Yujing would have to do day and night to show his kindness and support, and only then would Baoshan's wish come true.
For the first time, Xiao Yujing felt a little regretful for what he blurted out. Perhaps it was because the sobering tea he had that day was too strong, and he was still trapped in last night's dream and couldn't extricate himself, so he allowed himself to beg for the treasure fan.
He asked loudly, "What do you want from staying in this mansion?"
Bao Shan's expression darkened upon hearing this. After a moment's thought, she slowly spoke, "The Madam wants me to bear a child for Xiao Lang. In return, she will ensure that I have a safe and comfortable life. Even if I don't have to worry about food and clothing, I will be able to sleep soundly and have peace of mind."
Xiao Yujing's dark eyes froze, as if he had never expected that Baoshan would be so frank and tell him Wang's instructions truthfully.
She shouldn't have bothered to cover it up and claim that she was just bought into the mansion.
He was completely unaware of the mistress's plans and intentions in order to prove his innocence.
Bao Shan looked at the lake in the distance, her eyes a little dazed: "When I was in Yangzhou City, my mother told me to be more flexible so that the nobles would like me, and to be more gentle so that the favor would last longer.
It's a pity that these words didn't come true when they happened to Xiao Lang. Why?
Baoshan raised her two watery eyes, and there was a shimmering light in them.
She frowned slightly, as if she was really confused as to why she was still treated coldly by Xiao Yujing even though she had softened her body and temper.
Born in such an environment, Baoshan should have a smart mind, sinister and annoying.
But she raised her fair face slightly, her eyes and eyebrows showing the utmost purity and innocence, just like the calm lake under the bridge, clear and limpid.
Her beautiful hair was tied in front of her chest, and each strand of hair was very obediently stuck to her clothes, with the ends of her hair looking very soft.
No matter who it is, it would be difficult to harden their heart when being looked at like this by Baoshan.
But Xiao Yujing only had a thought in his mind and instantly returned to his usual cold appearance.
When Xiao Yujing heard Baoshan mention the word "Mom", he guessed that the person was not her biological mother, but perhaps a matchmaker who made a living by raising skinny horses. Such a person must be profit-oriented.
Xiao Yujing thought of the news he had heard and frowned. He sold the fan for five hundred taels of gold. The matchmaker must have been very proud and happily gave the fan away.
Bao Shan actually called this person "Mom" who had no sincerity at all, with a hint of dependence in her tone.
He said coldly: "Do you hope that it will come true?"
I hope that the tricks my mother taught me can make a man obsessed with her and willing to crawl under her skirt.
Bao Shan said softly, "Of course I hope so. If it comes true, Xiao Lang will probably be more affectionate towards me."
Xiao Yujing had never expected this to be the reason, and a hint of hesitation flashed across his eyes.
"What about the offspring?"
Did she have the same idea as Wang, hoping to make a living in the mansion by relying on her offspring?
The precious fan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her clear eyes were filled with confusion. "I don't know, but the lady is knowledgeable and experienced, she will not harm me. Having a child is probably... a good thing."
A feeling of powerlessness crept over Xiao Yujing. He looked coldly at Baoshan's frailty and ignorance, his voice growing colder. "If I let you out of the house, would you be willing?"
Baoshan is a bird raised in a cage. Her mother taught her how to please men and gain their favor. She treated her as a commodity to be sold and took good care of her, hoping to sell her at a good price.
Wang bought her into the mansion because she regarded her as a tool to win favor and have children.
But this tiny bird, having been raised in a cage since childhood, had long been accustomed to obeying and submitting to the orders of those in power, such as Mum, Mistress...
I just know that I have to listen to them without thinking carefully about whether it is good or bad, right or wrong.
Xiao Yujing wanted to open the cage and let the bird out.
He would give Baoshan a clean identity and enough money to support himself as long as Baoshan agreed.
Ke Baoshan trembled her eyelashes and timidly said, "Can I... refuse?"
Xiao Yujing frowned: "Reason."
Bao Shan, who was so weak and vulnerable, actually refused someone. This was probably the first time in her life. However, Xiao Yujing felt a little depressed when she rejected him.
Bao Shan lowered her head, carefully looking at the red belt lying in her palm, and said softly, "I am very happy to be with Xiao Lang. I don't want to leave."
As if she didn't notice Xiao Yujing's stiff body, Baoshan's voice was filled with some sadness: "Ever since I was old enough to understand, I knew that I would be someone's concubine for the rest of my life.
If she were luckier, she would be welcomed into the mansion and become a concubine with a legitimate status.
If their fate is worse, they will be kept outside. When their master is interested, they will come and tease them. Then they will have to wait a long time for their master to come and dote on them.
She was such a shy and weak person that she blushed when she misunderstood Xiao Yujing as a stranger in the hot spring pool.
Now he talked about concubines and the things kept outside. He was not shy at all. Perhaps he was used to it and didn't feel embarrassed to talk about it.
Bao Shan tightened her grip slightly, holding the colored belt in her palm: "But after meeting Xiao Lang, I felt that such a happy day was really good. It made me indulge in it for a while, and I don't want to live any other days."
She raised her head slightly and saw Xiao Yujing's pair of obscure eyes. She added a bit of firmness to her tone: "Xiao Lang has someone he loves, I understand. I won't force you to have children. If Xiao Lang really wants to drive you away... I don't want to."
She was unwilling to leave and live the happy life that Xiao Yujing had imagined for her.
My beloved...
Xiao Yujing frowned.
He looked at the docile-looking Bao Shan, and a ripple of emotion welled up in his heart. His usually cold heart became a little bitter.
When Xiao Yujing looked into it carefully, he realized that the bitterness was pity.
Ever since being thrown into a beggar's den by his biological mother, Xiao Yujing no longer had any so-called compassion or affection.
Everyone in the world suffers, and he has no time to lament the suffering and pity of others.
Therefore, although everyone praised him as gentle and helpful, treating others with the warmth of a spring breeze, only Xiao Yujing understood that there was not a trace of truth in that gentle face.
But now, he actually felt pity.
Xiao Yujing said coldly: "As you wish."
Since she looked so pitiful, why should he meddle in her business? If he forcibly opened the cage, the bird would probably burst into tears, which would be so pitiful.
This means not driving away the precious fan.
Baoshan raised her eyes in surprise. Tiny starlight twinkled in her clear, spring-like eyes, and there was joy in the corners of her eyebrows and eyes.
She didn't have to leave, Baoshan was happy and extremely grateful to Xiao Yujing for making the promise.
She had nothing, and the only thing she could thank Xiao Yujing for was her body—
Baoshan took Xiao Yujing's hand, lowered his head and rubbed his face lightly.
The soft and delicate skin pressed against Xiao Yujing's palm. He could even feel the tiny hairs on Baoshan's face stirring in his palm, making it itchy.
The precious fan really looks like a bird for people to watch, trying to please its owner with its snuggling posture.
Xiao Yujing put on a serious face, and moved his hand away from Baoshan's smooth cheek, feeling a little angry: Was this method also taught by her mother?
Bao Shan looked dazed, her almond-shaped eyes filled with confusion as she watched Xiao Yujing's figure gradually disappear into the distance.
When peace returned to the pavilion, Baoshan put away the gentle and obedient expression on her face, picked up the pipa on the table, and left.
Her newly made embroidered shoes kicked a small stone.
The pebble fell into the lake with the force, and disappeared with a "bang".
The person she was waiting for had already come and left, so there was no need to stay in this pavilion any longer.
Holding the pipa in her arms, Bao Shan walked slowly. Softness is often the beginning of a love affair, while ruthlessness leads to coldness and vice versa.
If there is pity and sympathy, then a trace of affection will arise.
No matter what kind of affection it is, it will sooner or later turn into lasting love.
Xiao Yujing has always had a cold heart. Even if someone died miserably in front of him, he probably wouldn't be moved or feel any sympathy.
He had suffered hardships early on, so sad things naturally could not disturb his mind, and the same was true for things like the precious fan.
But Baoshan looked at Xiao Yujing's expression today, which seemed to be fluctuating in emotions, and she was afraid that she felt pity for him.
Xiao Yujing felt pity for the precious fan, mostly because he felt pity for his former self, who was abandoned by his parents and should have grown up like a rootless duckweed.
Those who escaped from the beggars' den became Xiao Yujing, and those who did not escape from the beggars' den would be tamed like a precious fan.
Even though Xiao Yujing tried desperately to avoid the past, severing ties with his biological mother and replacing the water in the mansion, he still felt pity for his past self. However, this feeling of pity was too detrimental to Xiao Yujing. He needed to be tactful and as cold as the ice of winter, not indecisive and careless in his mercy.
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