*Unedited
After leaving the Lotus Pond, Xue Mu walks along the bank of the pond and into the small court nestle right besides it. Nuo Yan follows behind, keeping a nice distance away.
” Have you found Hong-er? ”
Xue Mu ask suddenly without turning back, his voice calm. Nuo Yan glances at him before answering.
” No Sir, however we have found out that she haven’t left Chang-An City. ”
It then sounds like Xue Mu chuckles before lapsing into silence.
” Put more people on this. ”
” Yes Sir. ”
The short conversation ended just as the Lotus Chamber comes into view. Whiffs of Magnolia is all over the courtyard as Xue Mu walks through it, pushing open the door to the room.
Inside sits a person, dressed in dark blue, one hand holding onto a white folding fan, looking every bit of a scholar. Seeing Xue Mu, he laughs as he waves at him.
He is no other than the youngest officer in this city, Cao Jingren.
” You finished handling everything? ”
A silly smile hangs on his face, looking like a different person from the one at Zhou Jingjing’s banquet. Xue Mu walks over and sit opposite from him.
” The drawing? ”
Cao Jingren lazily pulls out a scroll from his wide sleeve and places it on the table.
” Nicked it from that Aersi person. ”
Xue Mu look at the nicely wrapped scroll and lifts his brow up.
” As expected of ‘Thousand Hands’. ”
Cao Jingren’s face darken.
” For the 493 times, don’t call me that. ”
Before the Cao Family produces the officer Cao Jingren, they have a skill no one knows of, being handed down within the family, doing things ‘stealthily’ all the time. Being the prodigy, Cao Jingren not only have the brains for studies, he even excels at their family tradition. He was known in the Martial World as ‘Thousand Hands’, where no one can see his hands ever in action.
But very few people have actually connect dear little ‘Thousand Hands’ and Chang-An’s young raising talent together.
Xue Mu does not continue his teasing but instead, carefully unwraps the scroll and taking it out. After rolling it out, he stares at that stalk of white orchid for a while before frowning.
” It’s a fake. ”
” Not possible!! ”
Cao Jingren retorts loudly, as if challenged.
” I validate it myself at the banquet, it is most definitely the work by Jiading Maoxue! ”
He snatches the painting from Xue Mu’s hands and stares at it. After a few look, the color of his face slowly pales. It is really a fake. Seeing his reaction, Xue Mu knows that there must be something going on. Taking another look at the white orchid, he asks.
” Where is this from? ”
Cao Jingren pursed his lips, unable to accept it.
” I snatched it from Aersi. ”
He don’t get it, where have he gone wrong? Or have Aersi left behind another hand? Xue Mu lowers his gaze as he gives it some thought.
” Tell me everything that happened in that banquet. ”
Cao Jingren takes a deep breath, as his dryly says.
” Firstly, the maid Tang Zhibo planted at the Zhou Mansion switches the real 《White Jade Orchid • Spring》with the fake and Aersi follows her out. ”
He stop, and his gaze turns to Nuo Yan. Spotting Cao Jingren’s gaze, Nuo Yan continues.
” I saw it personally that the maid handed the painting over to one of Tang Zhibo’s men and Aersi then ‘bumped’ into him and switches out the painting again. ”
” Right, so the real painting is on Aersi’s hand. ”
Cao Jingren nods, as if confirming something, before continuing.
” I got the signal so I took the chance when the place lost control to steal the fake painting on the master chair, pretend to bump into Aersi and swap the 2. ”
And that’s it. The real painting bounced from one hand to another but it should end up in his hand. So why…..
He takes another few looks at the fake painting, his brows all scrunched up. This matter have been ordered by the Emperor himself so please don’t tell him that he only have this fake painting to present to the Emperor?!
The three men in the room lapsed into silence, each thinking of their own stuff. After being in thought for a while, Xue Mu suddenly speaks up.
” That maid is a fake. ”
Cao Jingren lifts his head up, his eyes surprise and confused. Xue Mu’s eyes moves as he continue analyzing.
” Someone pretends to be the maid Tang Zhibo have planted in the mansion. She switches out the painting but handed another fake one to Tang Zhibo. ”
Cao Jingren stares blankly at Xue Mu, his thinking getting clearer by the minute as everything unravels in his head.
” She gave Tang Zhibo a fake, and Aersi replaces it with another fake. Lastly, I stole the fake from Aersi. ”
They have been running about the entire day, in the end, it is all for naught.
Cao Jingren’s anger reaches the explosion point and he burst out laughing.
” If everything is as the Marquise had said, then who would have such skills to deceive the Marquise, Tang Zhibo and even Aersi? ”
Xue Mu’s eyes gleams and a very slight smile appears on his face.
” Du Juan. ”
” ACHOO! ”
Liu Qinghuan suddenly sneezes. She turns around and looks at Nian Tang, who is following her behind.
” Are you scolding me in your heart? ”
Nian Tang looks at her and smirks.
” If I want to scold you, I would gladly do it in front of you. Why should I keep it inside of me and make me feel terrible? ”
Liu Qinghuan nods.
” True. If you ever want to compliment me, feel free to say it to my face. Don’t keep it all within yourself. ”
Nian Tang’s mouth twitches. How can this woman have such a thick skin?! Glancing at Liu Qinghuan’s clothing, she coldly snorts.
” As the Mistress of the Mansion, you should pay attention to your behavior, and not give trouble to the Marquise wherever you go. ”
Liu Qinghuan tilts her head and blinks innocently at Nian Tang.
” Nian Tang, even if your really wants to be a mother, I am still not your daughter. ”
Nian Tang ” ……. ”
She wants not to speak another word with this person.
Back in her room, both Ci Tao and Qing Zhi is not inside. Looks like she have gotten them into trouble as well. When they are back, Liu Qinghuan makes sure to raise their pay.
Seeing Liu Qinghuan enters into her room, Nian Tang then obeys orders and stand guard outside. Liu Qinghuan closes the door and pulls out a scroll from her wide sleeve. A smile hangs on her face as she rolls it open. It is the《White Jade Orchid • Spring》.
The real 《White Jade Orchid • Spring》.
Xue Mu, Tang Zhibo and Aersi all have many working for them but who is to say she, Du Juan, is working alone? They had use the pomegranates as signals and successfully went under everyone’s noses.
Only she doesn’t know if that last ‘accidental’ step onto her was too heavy or not. If she really injures her, maybe they won’t ever collaborate again.
Liu Qinghuan happily hides the painting, and just as she sits down to pour herself a cup of wine, knocks are heard, follow by Ci Tao and Qing Zhi walking in.
” Madam. ”
They greets Liu Qinghuan. Seeing them back, Liu Qinghuan quickly goes forward.
” Did the Marquise make things difficult for you? ”
Seeing them return uninjured, Xue Mu most likely haven’t punished them physically. The two maids eyes redden as they shakes their head, pausing for a while before kneeling down.
” Madam, Sir had said that if this ever happen again, we can only use our death to pay for it. ”
Liu Qinghuan helps them up, consoling them.
” Relax, there won’t be a next time. ”
Next time, she definitely won’t let Xue Mu finds out.
Getting a confirmation from her, the two maids feel a lot more at ease. Qing Zhi wipes the tears away from the corner of her eyes before asking.
” Madam haven’t have dinner, right? ”
Hearing her ask, Liu Qinghuan feels hungry all of a sudden.
” Ah, come to think about it, I only ate a few pomegranate seeds. ”
Hearing that, Qing Zhi goes off hurriedly to prepare dinner as Ci Tao remains behind to help Liu Qinghuan change.
Not after a while, Qing Zhi brings along with her dinner and even a small bowl of sparkling pomegranate seeds. Liu Qinghuan pops one into her mouth. So much sweeter than the ones in Zhou Jingjing’s mansion. She blinks, and looks at Qing Zhi suspiciously.
” This is…..? ”
Qing Zhi laughs.
” Sir ordered specifically for me to bring it to Madam. ”
Liu Qinghuan recalls what she said at the Lotus Pavilion and can’t help smiling.
After serving Liu Qinghuan her dinner, Qing Zhi clears up the empty plates and walks out, only to find Xue Mu standing at the courtyard. She stops her steps and quickly walks forward to give her greeting.
” Sir. ”
Xue Mu nods.
” Did Qing Qing finish her food? ”
Qing Zhi’s eyes sparkles. Sir is obviously worried about Madam’s confinement and is afraid that she will throws a tantrum and goes on a food strike. She smiles and respectfully answers.
” Sir, Madam just finishes her dinner, polishing everything. ”
Xue Mu heard Qing Zhi’s answer and can’t help but laughs softly. He remembers from the time they ate together. He too, saw that she finishes everything on her plate, leaving nothing behind. She even said seriously to him, that having left-overs will cause one to go to hell.
If the Emperor ever hears that, he would die from anger.
Qing Zhi have no idea what Xue Mu is thinking, she only feels that Sir looks really good when he laughs. Suddenly thinking of something, she boldly asks.
” Is Sir not planning to head inside and visit Madam? ”
Xue Mu freeze for a second.
” ..No, take good care of her. ”
” Yes Sir. ”
Qing Zhi bows, and see Xue Mu out. But Nian Tang is still staying inside the courtyard. Qing Zhi glances at her and feel that this confinement thing.. is probably not going to last long.
Xue Mu heads back to the Loyus Pond, and Peng Peng is still inside counting the lotuses. Seeing Xue Mu crossing the bridge, Peng Peng excitedly yell over.
” Marquise!! I counted everything!! ”
” Oh? ”
Xue Mu stop and looks at him.
” How many? ”
” 51 red lotus, 27 blue lotus, 33 white lotus and 18 yellow lotus! ”
” Wrong, count again. ”
Peng Peng ” …… ”
His mouth opens and closes for a while and he could only say.
” Marquise, it is already very late. Can I continuing counting tomorrow? ”
Xue Mu nods.
” Yes, but then you can only stay in the pond for tonight I guess. ”
Peng Peng ” ……. ”
Marquise, can we change another game?
Two clear rows of tears flows down Peng Peng’s face.
*Unedited
After leaving the Lotus Pond, Xue Mu walks along the bank of the pond and into the small court nestle right besides it. Nuo Yan follows behind, keeping a nice distance away.
” Have you found Hong-er? ”
Xue Mu ask suddenly without turning back, his voice calm. Nuo Yan glances at him before answering.
” No Sir, however we have found out that she haven’t left Chang-An City. ”
It then sounds like Xue Mu chuckles before lapsing into silence.
” Put more people on this. ”
” Yes Sir. ”
The short conversation ended just as the Lotus Chamber comes into view. Whiffs of Magnolia is all over the courtyard as Xue Mu walks through it, pushing open the door to the room.
Inside sits a person, dressed in dark blue, one hand holding onto a white folding fan, looking every bit of a scholar. Seeing Xue Mu, he laughs as he waves at him.
He is no other than the youngest officer in this city, Cao Jingren.
” You finished handling everything? ”
A silly smile hangs on his face, looking like a different person from the one at Zhou Jingjing’s banquet. Xue Mu walks over and sit opposite from him.
” The drawing? ”
Cao Jingren lazily pulls out a scroll from his wide sleeve and places it on the table.
” Nicked it from that Aersi person. ”
Xue Mu look at the nicely wrapped scroll and lifts his brow up.
” As expected of ‘Thousand Hands’. ”
Cao Jingren’s face darken.
” For the 493 times, don’t call me that. ”
Before the Cao Family produces the officer Cao Jingren, they have a skill no one knows of, being handed down within the family, doing things ‘stealthily’ all the time. Being the prodigy, Cao Jingren not only have the brains for studies, he even excels at their family tradition. He was known in the Martial World as ‘Thousand Hands’, where no one can see his hands ever in action.
But very few people have actually connect dear little ‘Thousand Hands’ and Chang-An’s young raising talent together.
Xue Mu does not continue his teasing but instead, carefully unwraps the scroll and taking it out. After rolling it out, he stares at that stalk of white orchid for a while before frowning.
” It’s a fake. ”
” Not possible!! ”
Cao Jingren retorts loudly, as if challenged.
” I validate it myself at the banquet, it is most definitely the work by Jiading Maoxue! ”
He snatches the painting from Xue Mu’s hands and stares at it. After a few look, the color of his face slowly pales. It is really a fake. Seeing his reaction, Xue Mu knows that there must be something going on. Taking another look at the white orchid, he asks.
” Where is this from? ”
Cao Jingren pursed his lips, unable to accept it.
” I snatched it from Aersi. ”
He don’t get it, where have he gone wrong? Or have Aersi left behind another hand? Xue Mu lowers his gaze as he gives it some thought.
” Tell me everything that happened in that banquet. ”
Cao Jingren takes a deep breath, as his dryly says.
” Firstly, the maid Tang Zhibo planted at the Zhou Mansion switches the real 《White Jade Orchid • Spring》with the fake and Aersi follows her out. ”
He stop, and his gaze turns to Nuo Yan. Spotting Cao Jingren’s gaze, Nuo Yan continues.
” I saw it personally that the maid handed the painting over to one of Tang Zhibo’s men and Aersi then ‘bumped’ into him and switches out the painting again. ”
” Right, so the real painting is on Aersi’s hand. ”
Cao Jingren nods, as if confirming something, before continuing.
” I got the signal so I took the chance when the place lost control to steal the fake painting on the master chair, pretend to bump into Aersi and swap the 2. ”
And that’s it. The real painting bounced from one hand to another but it should end up in his hand. So why…..
He takes another few looks at the fake painting, his brows all scrunched up. This matter have been ordered by the Emperor himself so please don’t tell him that he only have this fake painting to present to the Emperor?!
The three men in the room lapsed into silence, each thinking of their own stuff. After being in thought for a while, Xue Mu suddenly speaks up.
” That maid is a fake. ”
Cao Jingren lifts his head up, his eyes surprise and confused. Xue Mu’s eyes moves as he continue analyzing.
” Someone pretends to be the maid Tang Zhibo have planted in the mansion. She switches out the painting but handed another fake one to Tang Zhibo. ”
Cao Jingren stares blankly at Xue Mu, his thinking getting clearer by the minute as everything unravels in his head.
” She gave Tang Zhibo a fake, and Aersi replaces it with another fake. Lastly, I stole the fake from Aersi. ”
They have been running about the entire day, in the end, it is all for naught.
Cao Jingren’s anger reaches the explosion point and he burst out laughing.
” If everything is as the Marquise had said, then who would have such skills to deceive the Marquise, Tang Zhibo and even Aersi? ”
Xue Mu’s eyes gleams and a very slight smile appears on his face.
” Du Juan. ”
” ACHOO! ”
Liu Qinghuan suddenly sneezes. She turns around and looks at Nian Tang, who is following her behind.
” Are you scolding me in your heart? ”
Nian Tang looks at her and smirks.
” If I want to scold you, I would gladly do it in front of you. Why should I keep it inside of me and make me feel terrible? ”
Liu Qinghuan nods.
” True. If you ever want to compliment me, feel free to say it to my face. Don’t keep it all within yourself. ”
Nian Tang’s mouth twitches. How can this woman have such a thick skin?! Glancing at Liu Qinghuan’s clothing, she coldly snorts.
” As the Mistress of the Mansion, you should pay attention to your behavior, and not give trouble to the Marquise wherever you go. ”
Liu Qinghuan tilts her head and blinks innocently at Nian Tang.
” Nian Tang, even if your really wants to be a mother, I am still not your daughter. ”
Nian Tang ” ……. ”
She wants not to speak another word with this person.
Back in her room, both Ci Tao and Qing Zhi is not inside. Looks like she have gotten them into trouble as well. When they are back, Liu Qinghuan makes sure to raise their pay.
Seeing Liu Qinghuan enters into her room, Nian Tang then obeys orders and stand guard outside. Liu Qinghuan closes the door and pulls out a scroll from her wide sleeve. A smile hangs on her face as she rolls it open. It is the《White Jade Orchid • Spring》.
The real 《White Jade Orchid • Spring》.
Xue Mu, Tang Zhibo and Aersi all have many working for them but who is to say she, Du Juan, is working alone? They had use the pomegranates as signals and successfully went under everyone’s noses.
Only she doesn’t know if that last ‘accidental’ step onto her was too heavy or not. If she really injures her, maybe they won’t ever collaborate again.
Liu Qinghuan happily hides the painting, and just as she sits down to pour herself a cup of wine, knocks are heard, follow by Ci Tao and Qing Zhi walking in.
” Madam. ”
They greets Liu Qinghuan. Seeing them back, Liu Qinghuan quickly goes forward.
” Did the Marquise make things difficult for you? ”
Seeing them return uninjured, Xue Mu most likely haven’t punished them physically. The two maids eyes redden as they shakes their head, pausing for a while before kneeling down.
” Madam, Sir had said that if this ever happen again, we can only use our death to pay for it. ”
Liu Qinghuan helps them up, consoling them.
” Relax, there won’t be a next time. ”
Next time, she definitely won’t let Xue Mu finds out.
Getting a confirmation from her, the two maids feel a lot more at ease. Qing Zhi wipes the tears away from the corner of her eyes before asking.
” Madam haven’t have dinner, right? ”
Hearing her ask, Liu Qinghuan feels hungry all of a sudden.
” Ah, come to think about it, I only ate a few pomegranate seeds. ”
Hearing that, Qing Zhi goes off hurriedly to prepare dinner as Ci Tao remains behind to help Liu Qinghuan change.
Not after a while, Qing Zhi brings along with her dinner and even a small bowl of sparkling pomegranate seeds. Liu Qinghuan pops one into her mouth. So much sweeter than the ones in Zhou Jingjing’s mansion. She blinks, and looks at Qing Zhi suspiciously.
” This is…..? ”
Qing Zhi laughs.
” Sir ordered specifically for me to bring it to Madam. ”
Liu Qinghuan recalls what she said at the Lotus Pavilion and can’t help smiling.
After serving Liu Qinghuan her dinner, Qing Zhi clears up the empty plates and walks out, only to find Xue Mu standing at the courtyard. She stops her steps and quickly walks forward to give her greeting.
” Sir. ”
Xue Mu nods.
” Did Qing Qing finish her food? ”
Qing Zhi’s eyes sparkles. Sir is obviously worried about Madam’s confinement and is afraid that she will throws a tantrum and goes on a food strike. She smiles and respectfully answers.
” Sir, Madam just finishes her dinner, polishing everything. ”
Xue Mu heard Qing Zhi’s answer and can’t help but laughs softly. He remembers from the time they ate together. He too, saw that she finishes everything on her plate, leaving nothing behind. She even said seriously to him, that having left-overs will cause one to go to hell.
If the Emperor ever hears that, he would die from anger.
Qing Zhi have no idea what Xue Mu is thinking, she only feels that Sir looks really good when he laughs. Suddenly thinking of something, she boldly asks.
” Is Sir not planning to head inside and visit Madam? ”
Xue Mu freeze for a second.
” ..No, take good care of her. ”
” Yes Sir. ”
Qing Zhi bows, and see Xue Mu out. But Nian Tang is still staying inside the courtyard. Qing Zhi glances at her and feel that this confinement thing.. is probably not going to last long.
Xue Mu heads back to the Loyus Pond, and Peng Peng is still inside counting the lotuses. Seeing Xue Mu crossing the bridge, Peng Peng excitedly yell over.
” Marquise!! I counted everything!! ”
” Oh? ”
Xue Mu stop and looks at him.
” How many? ”
” 51 red lotus, 27 blue lotus, 33 white lotus and 18 yellow lotus! ”
” Wrong, count again. ”
Peng Peng ” …… ”
His mouth opens and closes for a while and he could only say.
” Marquise, it is already very late. Can I continuing counting tomorrow? ”
Xue Mu nods.
” Yes, but then you can only stay in the pond for tonight I guess. ”
Peng Peng ” ……. ”
Marquise, can we change another game?
Two clear rows of tears flows down Peng Peng’s face.
