Chapter 20 The Double-Pupiled Beauty in the Backyard of the Deep Mansion 2
Outside, there was a lot of noise, but inside the courtyard, there was a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Luo Shu lay lazily on the bamboo chair, dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves and falling on her, a picture of serene tranquility.
"Squeak—!"
The old wooden door was pushed open with a sickening sound, and the person who came in walked with faltering steps, yet with a unique familiarity with this courtyard.
"My dear lady, haven't you had lunch yet?"
An old woman with half-black and half-white hair and a hunched back, carrying a food box, opened the courtyard gate and peeked out to talk to Luo Shu.
Luo Shu responded lazily and opened her eyes.
What kind of eyes were those? Double pupils are usually a terrifying thing, but in her eyes, they were two stars orbiting each other, and the vast starry sky was all she could see.
If Luo Shu with her eyes closed is the most exquisite doll in the hands of the Creator, then those eyes gave her the most important life.
Of all the beauties in the world, she alone possesses seven-tenths of them.
But despite her unparalleled beauty, only an elderly woman with failing eyesight and a mentally challenged girl saw her.
"This old servant went to help out in the kitchen today, and they gave us a lot of food, which I brought back for you, Miss. Come quickly, Miss, come and eat."
The old woman took out the food from the food box she had brought back and placed it one by one on the wooden table under the tree.
Today, the young lady hosted a banquet for distinguished guests at the mansion, and there were quite a few fruits and dishes left over in the kitchen. The old lady, also known as Zhou Mama, took the opportunity to bring back a lot of them.
"Miss, I've already chopped the firewood."
A burly girl walked towards them, carrying a rusty axe in her hand, looking somewhat frightening.
"Oh dear, why don't you put the axe down right now? What if you hurt the young lady? You idiot."
The old woman complained about the silly girl, who chuckled indifferently, revealing her foolishness, scratched her head, and stared at Luo Shu with her eyes fixed on her.
Chun'er was a maid assigned to this courtyard after Uncle Luo and Mother Zhou came to live there. She was mentally disabled because she had a brain injury caused by a fever when she was a child.
Before Luo Shu's aunt was alive, they weren't living too badly. However, she kept Luo Shu confined and wouldn't let her go out. Luo Shu's aunt knew that her little girl's birth was too unusual, and if it were discovered by outsiders, she couldn't protect her. So she could only keep an eye on her little girl and prevent her from leaving the house.
It wasn't until Aunt Luo Shu died in childbirth a few years ago that Luo Shu and the others' lives became difficult, their food, clothing, and daily necessities deteriorating significantly. They were even exiled to this poor and dilapidated courtyard. But the world is fickle, and human nature is indeed cold and indifferent.
Originally, Luo Shu had two maids by her side, but since she was sent to this small courtyard, only Zhou Mama and Sha Chun'er were left.
There weren't many dishes on the wooden table: a plate of jujube and yam cake, two chicken oil rolls, and a small handful of pine nut candy. But for Luo Shu and the others, these were already rare delicacies.
Luo Shu was not valued and often missed her period. She was wearing last year's clothes, which were a bit short, revealing her fair and delicate wrists, but this did not diminish her charm at all.
However, this predicament is undeniable, and sugar was still a valuable commodity at this time. As far as Yi Luoshu's current situation is concerned, she only received a little sugar during the Chinese New Year last year.
Silly Chun'er, standing nearby, stared longingly at the pastries on the table, swallowing hard. But she dared not move; her young mistress's waist wasn't even as thick as her arm. Yet, for some reason, she was inexplicably afraid of her.
Silly Chun'er wanted to eat but didn't dare, waiting for Luo Shu to speak. Luo Shu picked up two pieces of jujube and yam cake and two pieces of pine nut candy and handed them to Silly Chun'er. The girl happily took them and stuffed a big piece into her mouth, choking and rolling her eyes back, which made Zhou Mama roll her eyes as well.
"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you. Be polite in front of the lady."
Zhou's mother gave another lecture, patting Sha Chun's back to help her swallow.
"It's so delicious! I haven't had any candy in almost half a year. It smells so good, I couldn't resist."
Silly Chun grinned, holding a half-eaten pastry in her hands, making her look even sillier.
Zhou Mama didn't pay any attention to her, only telling her to take the food and go eat it elsewhere, so as not to get in the way of the young lady. She then said to Luo Shu, "Oh dear, my young lady, please have two pieces first. Why did you give them to Chun'er first?"
Luo Shu slowly picked up a piece of yam cake, chewed it slowly, her phoenix eyes half-closed, her posture lazy and casual.
"Mom eats too, but I'll only eat two pieces. Eating too much will cause indigestion."
"Then this old servant will keep it for Miss, she can eat it tonight." Zhou Mama's voice was kind as she gently put the extra food into the food box and put it away.
After finishing her snacks and drinking a couple of sips of tea, Luo Shu lay back down on the bamboo chair, enjoying a moment of leisure amidst the fleeting nature of life.
Right now, the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. We don't have to worry about not having warm clothes to wear when it snows, nor do we have to worry about not having medicine to treat heatstroke. This is the best time of year.
The noise outside was deafening; you could hear energetic young male voices as well as clear, melodious girlish chirps. It was incredibly lively, and many young people probably wanted to join in the fun.
But this does not include Luo Shu. Perhaps because her aunt confined her when she was young and did not allow her to go out, she gradually began to resist going out.
Luo Shu is very laid-back and easygoing in this world. She has very low material desires. She enjoys what she can, and she can accept not having it.
Delicacies like abalone are fine, as are simple meals; I'm easygoing and content.
System 5283 was helpless. Oh well, it's just accompanying the big boss on a publicly funded trip anyway, so why should it worry about it?
However, there is something her host might be interested in.
5283: Host, the female protagonist of this event must have traveled from another time. The time and space she originally came from should be the 21st century of our previous world.
Luo Shu: Okay, continue.
5283: The female protagonist of this world plagiarized a large number of poems, and the restaurants and cosmetic shops she opened also had elements of the 21st century. It is no surprise that she was a time traveler.
Luo Shu: Is she also cooperating with your Time Travel Administration Bureau, just like me?
5283: Host, we would never do something so unethical. Among our hosts, plagiarism of poetry is severely punished. She must have been accidentally transported here due to a spacetime glitch.
5283's voice was filled with frustration. This kind of person is simply morally corrupt, plagiarizing other people's cultural achievements, and has no sense of shame whatsoever.
5283: I have already sent a message to the General Administration, and they will come to assist us in patching this vulnerability.
Luo Shu: Well done.
5283: ......Boss, do you want to go outside and take a look?
Luo Shu: No, I'm too tired, I want to lie down.
The pavilion was built in a simple yet grand style, with fresh fruits and pastries, as well as a snow-white cream cake, placed in front of several distinguished guests.
This is a rare item. It's a new treat that Luo Yunyao's pastry shop just launched. It's as white as a cloud, sweet, and tastes great. Currently, only a few wealthy and powerful families can afford to eat it. It's said that the production process is very difficult, making this food called "cake" worth a fortune, and it's extremely hard to find.
"Elder brother, if you don't want this cake, you can give it to me. I remember you don't like pastries and desserts."
The fourth prince had striking features, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a somewhat unconventional expression. He was only 17 years old this year, and his mother was extremely favored. He was also somewhat capricious and quite picky about food.
The eldest prince didn't speak, but he took a bite of the cake, clearly expressing his attitude.
The fourth prince was depressed. The second prince handed his portion to the fourth prince. The second prince was not as majestic and heroic as the first prince, nor as cheerful and sunny as the fourth prince. His lips were slightly pale, and he was thin and small, like a pine tree or bamboo, with a scholarly air about him.
However, his frequent coughing also indicated that he was not in good health.
Luo Yunyao entered just in time to see the Second Prince handing the cake to the Fourth Prince. Her fingers curled slightly, but after a moment, she returned to her usual charming and graceful demeanor.
Upon seeing her enter, the eyes of the eldest prince and several noble sons lit up, their admiration evident in their eyes, especially the eldest prince, whose burning possessiveness was so intense that it was impossible to look him in the eye.
"This humble woman greets all the princes and gentlemen. These are some snacks that I have recently made. Please try them and see if they suit your taste?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Luo Yunyao blushed even more, revealing a girlish demeanor that was both gentle and charming. Many young men stared at her, and someone immediately shouted.
"Miss Yun Yao is intelligent and quick-witted. These things taste absolutely wonderful. They are simply exquisite."
"Yes, Miss Yun Yao is an exceptional poet and writer, and also quite accomplished in the art of cooking. She was truly a remarkable woman of her time."
"I am completely convinced by Miss Yun Yao."
All the male guests praised Luo Yunyao's wisdom and ingenuity. Luo Yunyao was beautiful and quick-witted; such a woman was rare in the world.
Luo Yunyao's face flushed even more, like the morning glow or peach blossoms, her beauty was breathtaking.
The ladies from prominent families on the other side were so angry at the sight that they almost ground their teeth to powder. However, because they were present, they had to smile generously and echo the praise of Luo Yunyao. In fact, they were almost tearing the handkerchiefs in their hands.
With Luo Yunyao's arrival, it seemed as if they were being compared to dust.
In terms of family background, she is the eldest daughter of the powerful and wealthy Luo family; in terms of appearance, she is in no way inferior; and her poetry and prose are not to be underestimated.
Moreover, this Luo Yunyao, relying on her talent for poetry, often mingled with those young gentlemen. The Qi people were open-minded and did not restrict men and women from meeting. Therefore, Luo Yunyao was quite famous among those talented scholars and writers, and her reputation was even widespread. It was no exaggeration to say that a family with a daughter had many suitors.
Countless young ladies longed for their ideal husbands, but all fell at Luo Yunyao's feet. Whenever they thought of it, the young ladies of the capital were so angry that they couldn't eat.
But what could she do? She still had Grand Tutor Luo standing behind her, and she was on good terms with several princes, so they would still have to fawn over her.
Ugh, I'm so angry!
This is the sentiment of all the young ladies in the capital.
The banquet continued, and the servants quietly replaced the empty plates and cups, adding fresh food and wine to serve each distinguished guest.
A breeze arose, and ripples spread across the tranquil lake. A young man suggested, "Why don't we take a boat trip on the lake? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
There were indeed two pleasure boats moored by the lake. Some lively young men and women were tempted and clamored to board the boats for a ride. Luo Yunyao secretly resented the person who made the suggestion.
Playing on the lake is not safe; it's easy to drown if you're not careful. Besides, some of them have been drinking, so it would be terrible if they drowned.
But she couldn't step forward and spoil everyone's fun, so she could only secretly resent it while smiling and making arrangements.
The group boarded the boat and floated on the lake, enjoying a unique and pleasant experience.
Willows droop along the riverbank, a gentle breeze blows, and in April or May, the wind is a bit strong. People are flying kites by the lake, a scene of breathtaking beauty.
"Miss, look, my kite is flying so high."
As she ran, Silly Chun'er let out the string, and the faded and somewhat tattered paper kite rose into the wind, flying higher and higher.
Luo Shu looked up at the large kite in the sky, a smile appearing on her face, as beautiful as melting ice and snow.
Seeing her young mistress's approving expression, Chun'er became even more enthusiastic, leading it to fly higher and higher.
With a snap, the wire broke.
Chun'er was at a loss, staring blankly at the broken thread, not knowing what to do.
"It's alright. This kite has been flying for several years, so it's not surprising that the string broke. Go and see if it has landed over here. If it has, pick it up."
Luo Shu spoke softly, her voice as clear and melodious as a mountain stream. Hearing it on such a warm summer day sent a shiver down one's spine, sending a tingling sensation straight to the top of one's head.
Seeing that her mistress hadn't punished her, Chun'er's worry disappeared, and she returned to her usual cheerful, silly self. She patted her head and went out to find a kite.
As luck would have it, the kite fell onto the lake where Luo Yunyao and her group were boating, and was retrieved by an old woman on the boat.
The kite was an ordinary design, but because it had been stored for so many years, the colors of the patterns on it had faded, and it was even more dilapidated after getting wet.
Chun'er also saw the kite fall into the lake. She panicked a little. There were many people in the lake, and she didn't dare to go over. She planned to sneak away.
"Where did you come from? Don't you know the young lady is hosting a banquet today?"
The head maid frowned as she looked at Chun'er's clumsy appearance. Such a crude girl would never be assigned to serve these young masters and ladies.
"This servant is from the Second Miss's courtyard. I've taken the wrong turn. I'll go back right away."
Chun'er's voice was hesitant, and she didn't dare to look up at people, like a shrimp that had shrunk its body.
The head housekeeper thought for a moment before remembering who the second young lady was. She glanced at Chun'er with some disgust and waved her hand, telling her to get lost.
"Hey, this maid is quite plump. Was she the one who flew the kite?"
A dashing and handsome young man stepped out of the painted boat that had docked at the shore; it was none other than the Fourth Prince.
The attendant behind him carried the wet kite, and the Fourth Prince Li Xuanwei looked at the girl in front of him with interest.
The head maid recognized the Fourth Prince and knelt down before him, followed by the silly Chun'er.
"Tell me, where are you flying this kite?"
Li Xuanwei stroked his chin and asked curiously.
Sha Chun dared not speak, but the head maid beside her said tremblingly, "Yes, it flew over from our second young lady's place. This servant will take this maid away to discipline her. Please calm down, Your Excellency."
Sha Chun's face turned pale, beads of sweat rolled down his face, and his body trembled violently like an autumn leaf in the wind.
"That's interesting. I've never heard of a second young lady in the Luo family."
Li Xuanwei became even more interested. Everyone in the capital knew of Luo Yunyao's beauty, but no one knew that there was another young lady in the Luo family mansion.
"Second, the second young lady was born to Concubine Liu. She was born with a disability, so she doesn't go out often..."
The stewardess spoke in a softer and softer voice, her voice trembling uncontrollably. Li Xuanwei told her to get up with Sha Chun and then said, "That little maid, take us to see your second young lady. I want to see what kind of person is born with a disability."
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