Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Xiao Luolan and her daughter stood by the window, pretending to admire the scenery.

Usually, it was just the two of them, but now with Fang Yun's sudden presence as their maid, they were unsure how to interact with her.

Compared to them, Fang Yun quickly found her place, knowing her duty was to take care of their personal affairs, so she followed the standards of a personal maid she learned while serving the third mistress in the Li household.

She tidied the bed, hooked up the bed curtains, gathered the shoes Madame Xiao and young mistress Xiao had changed out of for later cleaning, and noticed her own deed of sale placed inside the jewelry box on the table, seemingly of no concern to its owner amidst the jewels and finery.

Fang Yun sneaked a glance at her new mistresses. Madame Xiao and young mistress Xiao were the kindest nobles she had ever met. Madame Xiao always spoke softly, and young mistress Xiao smiled at her, making Fang Yun wonder if they were satisfied with her.

Fang Yun was uncertain.

After the young girl finished her tasks and stood at a distance, Xiao Luolan called out, "Fang Yun."

Fang Yun approached, "Mistress."

Xiao Luolan, feeling awkward, slowly asked, "What was your monthly allowance before?" Although her Youzhou dialect was still rough, language is essentially the same, only differing in pronunciation, so she spoke slowly.

Was this recognition? Fang Yun felt happy, "Previously, my monthly allowance was two hundred wen."

Xiao Luolan, unsure of the local cost of living but seeing Fang Yun's frail appearance, guessed she hadn't lived comfortably. They were heading to Langge in Youzhou, a long journey. The young girl would need extra clothing and food while accompanying them.

Xiao Luolan carefully said, "Now that you're with us, your monthly allowance will be three hundred wen." They needed to exchange some money tomorrow, most importantly for a carriage and other necessities for the journey. Perhaps they could borrow a rider from Lei Langjun as a guard for added security. Relying too much on Master Zhou made her uneasy and embarrassed.

Fang Yun was overjoyed, "Thank you, mistress."

"Madame Xiao, young mistress Xiao," came a knock at the door, and Mr. Qingshan's voice was always so comforting.

Xiaoling Snow opened the door and saw Zhao Qing Shan with his fan, "Mister Qing Shan."

Zhao Qing Shan smiled, "Miss Xiao, have you had your meal?"

Xiaoling Snow blinked, "Not yet."

"This inn's 'Apricot Roast Spring' dish is quite famous in Cang County. Since neither of you have eaten, why not try it together?"

Xiao Luolan and Xiao Qingxue exchanged glances, both unsure of what "Apricot Burnt Spring" was.

With 'burnt' in the name, was it a dish or a dessert?

Xiao Qingxue's interest was piqued, "Then I shall respectfully comply."

"Please," Zhao Qingshan gestured, stepping aside.

Xiao Qingxue walked alongside him, with Xiao Luolan following behind, accompanied by Fangyun.

Zhao Qingshan led the way, engaging in witty and humorous conversation with young Miss Xiao, eliciting her bell-like laughter.

Instead of going downstairs, Zhao Qingshan guided them to a secluded room on the second floor.

Two of the Lei family's cavalrymen stood guard at the door, swords hung at their sides. The door was wide open, and several candles lit the room brightly.

Zhao Qingshan removed his shoes before entering the room.

As Xiao Qingxue was about to do the same, she saw Fangyun approach, kneel beside her, bow, and gently hold her ankle, seemingly to help her remove her shoes, causing Xiao Qingxue to stiffen instantly.

Inside the room, Mr. Qingshan turned, looking puzzled at why young Miss Xiao had frozen in place.

Even Fangyun couldn't help but lift her head to look, wondering what was wrong with the young lady.

Xiao Qingxue, rigid, had her shoes removed and stood waiting for her mother.

Zhou Xu, who had been sitting cross-legged, stood up and walked to the door, his resolute face carrying a slight smile, "Madam Xiao, please come in."

Xiao Luolan, stiffly having her shoes changed, stepped onto the smooth and clean bluestone tiles with her white silk stockings: "Thank you for your hospitality."

Zhou Xu casually averted his gaze, chuckling, "Madam Xiao, let's not stand on ceremony. Please take your seat, no need for further thanks."

Having said that, he was the first to sit down.

On the small rectangular table, several dishes were already set up. Zhou Xu sat cross-legged on the left side, with Zhao Qing Shan's place to his right, separated by a distance of over a meter, all men's seating on the left.

Xiaoluo Lan and her daughter took their seats at the right side of the table.

They sat on green mats, which brought a touch of coolness on this summer evening.

Seeing the relaxed atmosphere, Zhao Qing Shan, with a lift of his sleeve, picked up bamboo chopsticks and offered a piece of vinegar-dressed celery to Xiaoling Snow: "Try this, young Miss Xiao, see if it suits your taste."

Xiaoling Snow, noticing the delicate array of dishes on the table, was already hungry. Hearing Zhao's invitation, she tried a piece of the sour celery.

Too sour for her liking.

Xiaoluo Lan chuckled at her daughter's scrunched-up face. Zhou Xu, looking at Xiaoluo Lan illuminated by the lamplight and appearing even more voluptuous and beautiful, shifted his position, his robe concealing the shifting shadows. Leaning forward with his elbow on the table and hand supporting his forehead, he also chuckled softly.

"Seems young Miss Xiao is not fond of sour flavors."

Xiaoluo Lan joined the conversation about her daughter, saying warmly, "She has never liked sour things since she was little," her voice full of affection.

Zhou Xu, looking kindly at Xiaoling Snow drinking water, suggested: "If you don't like sour, try the steamed lamb on the table, sprinkled with pepper and apricot sauce. The spicy and sweet lamb might be to your liking."

Xiaoling Snow tried it and her eyes lit up. It was indeed delicious.

"Mom, you should try it too."

Xiaoluo Lan also tasted it and found it agreeable.

"Lady Xiao, this cold mixed bamboo shoot is crisp and refreshing, perfect for summer," suggested Zhou Xu.

Xiao Luolan, noticing that Master Zhou was continuously encouraging them to eat, couldn't help but say, "Master Zhou, please eat as well."

Zhou Xu smiled with narrowed eyes, "My plate is emptier than yours."

The atmosphere in the room was harmonious and pleasant.

"Here comes the Apricot Braised Spring," Zhao Qingshan put down his chopsticks.

Xiao Qingxue, curious about this, looked towards the door to see a neatly dressed attendant enter the room, carrying a tray with four gourd-shaped copper wine pots and four small cups with ring handles.

Each table received one copper pot and a small cup.

Xiao Luolan hadn't expected it to be wine.

She could feel the faint warmth emanating from the wine pots.

Hot wine?

Xiao Luolan looked at her daughter, torn about whether to let her drink. Personally, she preferred not to.

"Madame Xiao, this is a light, sweet wine brewed from apricot flowers, not intoxicating. You might enjoy a cup," Zhao Qingshan poured himself a cup and drank it in one go.

Xiao Qingxue, intrigued, looked at her mother.

Xiao Luolan, feeling helpless, poured herself a cup. The wine had a subtle floral scent, resembling green plum wine. She tasted a little – it was sweet, without the sharpness of alcohol, something her daughter might like.

Still, Xiao Luolan cautioned her daughter, "You can only have one cup."

Xiao Qingxue nodded in agreement, poured a cup of Apricot Braised Spring, and savored it slowly, her eyes curving into crescents.

Zhao Qingshan shook the pot slightly, "Madame Xiao, there's plenty more of Apricot Braised Spring downstairs. If young mistress Xiao likes it, let her have a few more cups. It's not harmful."

Xiao Luolan, seeing her daughter enjoying it like a little kitten, felt somewhat embarrassed. She couldn't explain to Mr. Qingshan that Xiao Qingxue had just come of age and was still a child in her eyes.

Xiao Qingxue said, "Mr. Qingshan, one cup is enough for me."

She was a good girl, adhering to her mother's limit of one cup. After all, it wasn't a big deal.

Zhou Xu chuckled, "One cup is indeed enough."

To Zhou Xu, the Apricot Braised Spring seemed lighter than water, but watching Madame Xiao's flushed, radiant face, he felt as if he were intoxicated.

Drunk on the tender glimmer in Madame Xiao's eyes, her rosy, jade-like countenance, and beneath her pomegranate skirt.