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nChapter 45 : Another Encounter

nFourth month of the lunar year brought forth flowers in all their splendour as though they wished to dress the world up into a pink bride. While, the withered trees burst forth their new sprouts and their green vigour.

nYuxi was carefully doing embroidery work under the window of the study when Moju lifted up the black-painted bamboo curtain and walked to her side and said, “Miss, Sister Xue Qing asked to see you.” Xue Qing was the personal maid of the main house eldest son, Han Jianming.

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nYuxi put down the handkerchief in her hands and went out. Moju looked at the handkerchief in the embroidery basket, where she noticed that the stitches on it was seriously messy. She could not guess what was being embroidered. She felt a little strange. How could the longer Miss learn to embroider, the worse her skill became?

nXue Qing bowed respectfully to Yuxi and said, “Miss, Master Heir said he would go to Songyun Pavilion to buy some books. He asked, if Miss would like to go with him. If Miss agrees, Master Heir said that you can go with him on the day after tomorrow. “

nYuxi naturally agreed. The day after tomorrow happened to be a vacation day, so Eldest Brother must have chosen to buy books on that day. As for whether the Old Madam and her Elder Aunt would agree or not, this was not what she should worry herself about. Elder brother would surely settle it himself.

nMoju personally sent Xue Qing out, and when she came back, she said, “I didn’t expect that Master Heir would be fond of Miss this much.”

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nYuxi was in a good mood as she said, “The last time Eldest Brother said that he would take me to Songyun Pavilion was three months ago. I really forgot about it. I didn’t expect that Eldest Brother actually remembered it.”

nMama Shen said with a big smile on her face, “This means that Master Heir actually keeps thinking about Miss.” Speaking of which, Fourth Miss was quite capable person. Not only did she managed to make Madam to be fond of her, but also both Master Heir and the Second Young Master. Even if Fourth Miss did not have any brothers, with the Heir and the Second Young Master took good care of her, she would not have to worry about having no brothers to back her up in the future.

nAlthough Han Jianming was not yet old, he already acted steadily and had a higher prestige in the state residence compared to his father, Duke Han. So when he had decided to take Yuxi out to buy books, the Old Madam and Qiu Shi had no objection.

nThe night before Yuxi went out, she entered the dark room. She made a total of three boxes of ointment, which were already done two months ago. In order not to arouse Mama Shen’s suspicion, she took out a box and smeared it on her hands in front of Mama Shen. As a result, Mama Shen was scared to death. At last, Yuxi acted helplessly and destroyed the box of ointment in front of Mama Shen. She then solemnly promised not to make ointment for the time being, which in a way reassured Mama Shen. The remaining two boxes of ointment were locked in the cabinet, with the key to the cabinet, she kept close to herself.

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nGood Fortune Children

/ Fuwa

nSource : Latamene @ kisspng

nBefore going out, Yuxi dressed herself up like a fuwa (good fortune child) again. After leaving the residence, she said to Master Heir, “Eldest Brother, I think I want to take a look at Mama Fang after buying some books. Can you ask your retainer to send me to Shangyuan Street later on?”

nHan Jianming did not agree, “If you want to meet with Mama Fang, you should just call her into the residence. Shangyuan Street is where fish and dragons mixed in together (Chinese idiom : crooks mixed in with the honest folk). What if someone who doesn’t have eyes collided with you?“ As Yuxi was the unmarried young woman from his residence, he felt not at ease to send her to that place.

nYuxi forced a smile and said, “Eldest Brother, I did think to call Mama Fang into the residence, but she is ill. I am very worried, so I want to check up on her.” This was not to trick Han Jianming, but Mama Fang was indeed ill. She was uneasy and she also happened to have something to find Mama Fang, so she wanted to take this opportunity to visit her as they passed by.

nHan Jianming was silent for a moment and said, “In that case, I’ll have someone escort you there after you finished buying your book. However, this is the last time and there can be no more. “

nYuxi’s mouth split open, revealing a smile as she said, “Okay, this is the last time.”

nAt the entrance of Songyun Pavilion, a teenager holding a folding fan in his hand with a noble manner came towards them and said with a smile, “Yo, Master Heir, why did you bring a beautiful little girl here? What’s your name, little girl? “

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nWith an indifferent look, Han Jianming said, “I’m planning to buy books, so I won’t delay Childe Lu.” He had always considered these people who were rubbish covered in gold and jade (Chinese idiom : gilded exterior, shabby and ruined on the inside) beneath him.

nSince Han Jianming didn’t introduce Yuxi to them, she also won’t open her mouth to do it.

nChilde Lu paid no attention to Han Jiangming’s cold attitude toward him. If people asked him why he was treated that way by Han Jianming, he would just say that Han Jianming was a bit like a woodenhead who didn’t know how to have fun, thus spoiling such a good status in vain.

nAs both Han Jianming and Yuxi walked into Songyun Pavilion, Han Jianming said after a moment of silence, “That man is the second son of the second master of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence.”

nYuxi was stunned and suddenly remembered one thing, “Is the second master of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence called Lu Song?” Lu Song was Teacher Song’s former husband.

nHan Jianming was satisfied with Yuxi’s quick responsde, “When you meet people of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence, you don’t have to pay attention to them.” The men of Marquis Zhongyong’s official residence were not good at studying and practicing martial arts, but they were good at eating, drinking and gambling. Now, there was only one empty title left in the Marquis Residence. He didn’t know how long this title would last.

nYuxi nodded and said, “I know.”

nHalf an hour later, Han Jianming saw Yuxi’s selection of books, and his mouth twitched. She actually picked out several medical books. He thought she wanted to buy books on art.

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nWhen Yuxi saw this, she hurriedly explained, “I almost died of smallpox last time. I was thinking that if I had knowledge on pharmacology, I wouldn’t be afraid.” Afraid of Han Jianming’s disapproval, she immediately continued saying, “Eldest Brother, buying some medical books are only to fulfil my own idea and I really want to learn pharmacology.” Even if she wanted to learn medicines, she did not have this condition.

nHan Jianming shook his head helplessly and said, “What do you mean by saying this pile of things? Are you afraid I won’t agree?“ Seeing Yuxi’s expression of surprise, he continued, “It’s not a bad thing for a girl to learn some pharmacology, but these medical books are too obscure and hard for you to understand.”

nYuxi’s heart was touched. If you really cared about those who loved you, you would think that everything those persons did was good. She said, “If I can’t understand it, I can just look at the flowers and plants on it. I can also use it as reference to embroider something different from others later on.”

nHan Jianming nodded with a faint smile on his face and said, “It’s good that you can think so.” He was afraid of Yuxi being one track-minded as it was a bad attitude.

nYuxi gave a bright smile, “Thank you, Eldest Brother.” Eldest Brother always had a serious look. That was why she stayed at a respectful distance from him in her previous life. Now, after personally got in contact with him, she found out that her Eldest Brother was only serious on the outside, but actually cared about them very much in the inside.

nAfter paying for the books, Yuxi went out with Han Jianming. When she reached the door, she caught sight of two people entering and she looked up at the sky as she went speechless. How could you just get out of the door and met the Murderous Devil? It was a wonderful fate. However, after Yun Qing’s rescuing act, she was not afraid of him anymore.

nWhen Yun Qing saw that Yuxi was not hiding from him and did not even look frightened, he deliberately teased Yuxi and said, “Cousin Xi, why are you not afraid of me now?”

nYuxi blushed when she remembered the last time they met each other. In fact, the current Yun Qing was no more than just a child, and luckily she had lived for a whole life. For her to be afraid of a child, was really a disgrace. She looked up and said, “You have two eyes, a nose and a mouth, too. Why should I be afraid of you?”

nYun Qing said, “Yes, I do have two eyes for one mouth, so why did you shiver when you saw me last time?”

nYuxi didn’t want to admit that she was scared last time, if she admitted, then she would be the one to loose face, “I was not scared of you. I was just not feeling well at that time.”

nHearing this, Han Jianming couldn’t help himself from laughing. He usually saw Yuxi as an old-fashioned and reserved girl. It was rare for him to see such a lively and lovely side of her.

nJiang Hongfu who was nearby, reminded Yun Qing, “Cousin, we have to go in and buy books.”

nLooking at Jiang Hongfu, Yuxi suddenly asked, “Does Cousin Fu often come to Songyun Pavilion to buy books?”

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nJiang Hongfu nodded and said, “Well, I usually buy books in Songyun Pavilion.” The last time it was not opened for business, it happened that he needed to use a book, so he went to the only open bookstore to buy it.

nYuxi could not help but asked again, “Does Cousin Fu often come out to play on weekdays?”

nJiang Hongfu felt a little strange, but he shook his head and said, “No, I usually study in Baitan Academy. I don’t usually come to this street except to buy books. What’s up? What’s the problem?”

nYuxi shook her head and said, “I’m just asking.” She guessed that Jiang Hongfu met an unforeseen accident in the downtown street. She feared it happened after he came out from buying books. She was willing to save him, but this matter couldn’t be said to others. She could only secretly thinking of a solution on her own.

nAfter buying some books, Han Jianming had something important to deal with. So, he only asked his entourage to accompany Yuxi to Shangyuan Street. “Fourth Sister, don’t stay too long in Shangyuan Street. After seeing the one you want to see, you should immediately go home.”

nYuxi hurriedly nodded.

nAt Shangyuan Street, Yuxi got out of the carriage and went into the baozi (steamed stuffed bun) shop. There was nobody in the shop, though she didn’t think too much about it. She took some people and went directly to the backyard.

nAs soon as Yuxi entered the small courtyard, she heard a sharp voice, which was very unfamiliar to her. This made her involuntarily puckered her brows.

nHongshan did not dare to let Yuxi in, but she first let the entourage in to see the situation. If someone bumped and hurt her Miss, everyone would get into trouble.

nAh Gan, one the entourage, went in with two male servants and came out not long after. One of the male servants was holding a fat, beautifully dressed woman in his hand. The powder on the woman’s face was much thicker than the wall. This woman, at first glance, could be seen as not a good thing.

nYuxi was angry in her heart, but she did not show it on her face.

nSoon, Mama Fang and old woman An also quickly came out. When Mama Fang came out and saw Yuxi, she was shocked, while old woman An was relieved. When their Miss arrived, she was not afraid of them being easily taken advantage.

nHongshan asked the woman, “Who are you? What are you doing in my Master’s shop?“ This statement by Hongshan showed that this shop belonged to Yuxi.

nOld woman An pointed to the fat woman and said, “Miss, this is matchmaker Liu from Shangyuan Street. She came here today to act as matchmaker for Mama Fang.”

nLooking at Yuxi’s indifferent expression, Matchmaker Liu felt scared in her heart. If she knew that a noble person would come here today, even if she was beaten to death, she won’t have accepted the two taels of silver to come and talk about matchmaking. She knelt on the ground and begged, “Miss, please spare this servant’s life. I was just entrusted to come and be a matchmaker.”

nYuxi’s face instantly turned cold.

nOld woman An took hold of the conversation by explaining to Yuxi, “She is hired to be a matchmaker by yamen runner Huang of Linshui Street. That man is steeped in evil (Chinese idiom : engaged in every kind of evil imaginable) and spending his money carelessly in dining, getting drunk, whoring and gambling.”

nMatchmaker Liu wished she could stifle old woman An’s mouth. As old woman An said these things in front of the noble, Matchmaker Liu had to beat her mind to force it to think of a way out. She really didn’t want to die. She knelt on the ground and cried for mercy, “Forgive me, Miss. I only took money to do things for others. I didn’t do anything else.”

nYuxi also felt it was not worth it for her in making it difficult for the matchmaker, as she merely said, “Drag her out.”

nAh Gan immediately ordered two male attendants to support the woman stood up and walked out. When they reached the door of the shop, they immediately threw her out.

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