Chapter 007: The Flower Appreciation Banquet

Chapter 007: The Flower Appreciation Banquet

Lin Baozhen disliked her younger sister. Upon arriving at the separate courtyard, she immediately got off the carriage and left Lin Yingxue behind.

Chang Yan, with a gleeful expression, winked at Lin Yingxue, while Feiyan, lowering her voice, spoke despite knowing it would offend Lin Baozhen: "Madam, such behavior is inappropriate."

When outside, even if the sisters did not get along, they needed to maintain appearances, especially since this was Lin Yingxue's first time attending the flower appreciation banquet. If the second miss made a scene, it would bring ridicule upon the entire Lin household, and Lin Baozhen's actions would also be criticized.

"Enough."

Lin Baozhen had been in a good mood until she saw that Lin Yingxue was more beautiful than her, which annoyed her. Hearing Feiyan's words, she could no longer hold back. "You always speak up for her and are so loyal to her. Isn't it a waste for you to follow me? You should go serve her as a maid!"

Feiyan's face turned pale. "Madam, may heaven witness that my heart belongs only to you."

"Don't say such flattering words." Lin Baozhen found these words tiresome. In her dreams and during her time with Wu Xian, Feiyan always claimed to support her but never truly considered her needs. Instead, Chang Yan had stayed by her side until the end. Since she didn't want this maid anyway, she might as well get rid of her now.

Thinking this, Lin Baozhen directly said, "My younger sister only has one maid. Go serve her instead."

As they spoke, Lin Yingxue approached, and Lin Baozhen pulled Feiyan over and pushed her toward Lin Yingxue. "I see your maid isn't very useful. This maid is for you."

Lin Yingxue's current maid, Ye Zi, was chosen by Wang Shi from a slave dealer. At the time, Ye Zi had just recovered from a serious illness and looked frail and yellow.

Lin Yi was dissatisfied with this maid and had thought about replacing her, but Old Lady Ou took pity on the young maid and kept her. Ye Zi, grateful to Old Lady Ou, served Lin Yingxue wholeheartedly.

Lin Yingxue liked Ye Zi very much. She was plain-looking and blended into crowds easily, making her unnoticeable. While Lin Yingxue rarely ventured out, Ye Zi often traveled around the capital city, keeping her informed about various matters and helping her acquire books.

Before Lin Yingxue could respond, Feiyan's usually calm voice showed panic. "Madam, I am your maid."

Lin Yingxue felt a pang of sympathy, remembering Feiyan's care during the copying of Buddhist scriptures. She said, "Older sister, Feiyan was sent to you by the matriarch of Houfu, and her contract is in your hands. Don't joke like this; Feiyan is scared."

Lin Baozhen replied, "Look, your younger sister cares deeply for this maid. She knows everything about Feiyan. They make a perfect pair, don't they? Since you mentioned the contract, I'll give it to you after the banquet."

After saying this, Lin Baozhen left with Chang Yan.

Lin Yingxue looked at Feiyan, feeling a headache coming on.

Although Feiyan was good, she was from Changqing Houfu and might not be entirely loyal to her.

Lin Yingxue said, "Once we return, I will have... Lord send you back to Changqing Houfu."

Since learning about her mother and father's past, Lin Yingxue found it difficult to call Lin Yi "father," so she referred to him as "Lord," just like the servants.

Feiyan couldn't hold back anymore. She had noticed the disdain and hostility in the madam's eyes recently. The madam clearly didn't want her, and if the second miss didn't take her in, she would have to return to Houfu.

But returning to Houfu meant an uncertain future.

She knelt down and bowed to Lin Yingxue:

"I was bought as a maid in Houfu under a lifelong contract, with no ties to my family. Please trust me to serve you faithfully. As for the contract, I will ask the madam for it after the banquet. My loyalty will be solely to you."

Lin Yingxue was taken aback. "Please get up."

Feiyan's tears fell onto the stone floor, creating dark stains.

This was Lin Yingxue's first flower appreciation banquet, and seeing such a scene, she felt the gaze of the gatekeeper's maids. Her cheeks flushed, and she stepped forward to help Feiyan up.

Suddenly, a voice came: "Since she said she has no family ties and will obtain the contract, you can trust her. This maid will be loyal to you."

Lin Yingxue recognized the voice and turned to see Fu Jiaze.

Her grip loosened, and she instinctively smiled at Fu Jiaze.

Lin Yingxue was already stunningly beautiful, and when she smiled, her nose crinkled slightly, her eyes curved, and her clear, expressive eyes sparkled with warmth.

Her hair was adorned with only a uniquely styled gold hairpin, its tassels swaying gently with her movements, resembling a shower of fine golden rain.

Seeing Lin Yingxue's beauty, Fu Jiaze's heart skipped a beat, and his lips softened slightly.

The phrase "peach blossom debt" suddenly popped into his mind, causing goosebumps to rise all over his body. All his feelings vanished, and he regained his composure, distancing himself with a stern look before walking away.

Lin Yingxue wanted to talk to Fu Jiaze but held back, watching him leave.

After Fu Jiaze left, Lin Yingxue told Feiyan, "Get up. When we return, if you want your contract back, you can stay with me."

She had been hesitant about keeping Feiyan, but the words of her savior strengthened her resolve.

Feiyan, grateful to Fu Jiaze, bowed solemnly to Lin Yingxue. "Yes."

Lin Yingxue handed the invitation to the servant girl at the entrance and followed her to the main courtyard of the flower appreciation banquet.

/

The women were already gathered in small groups, each with their own cliques.

Lin Yingxue was a new face and dressed simply.

People instinctively looked down on her, though they refrained from outright rudeness. No one engaged with her.

A few people nearby glanced at her and laughed mockingly.

Lin Yingxue, recalling the behavior of those in Changqing Houfu, moved slightly away.

"Miss, I know many flowers," Feiyan whispered. "There are several rare varieties here. Would you like to admire them?"

"Yes."

Feiyan had originally served in the gardens at Houfu, where the matriarch loved flowers, giving her the chance to serve close to her.

Now, eager to impress the second miss, she began describing the various flowers.

Lin Yingxue listened to the flowers and thought of various anecdotes, feeling much more at ease. She subconsciously wanted to distance herself from these people, so she walked further away.

The same thing happened in the men's quarters. Fu Jiaze, who had no background or family status, was also ignored. He simply started analyzing the feng shui of the mansion.

Born with innate wisdom and a photographic memory, he did not waste his talents. Besides the Four Books and Five Classics, he read many leisurely books, including those about feng shui and physiognomy.

The princess's secondary residence had excellent feng shui, with a gentle breeze and nourishing rain. His uncle's courtyard was well-positioned, but the layout was haphazard, making Fu Jiaze's scalp tingle.

As Fu Jiaze guessed the arrangement of the place, each step confirmed his assumptions, bringing him increasing pleasure.

These two met at a rockery.

Seeing Fu Jiaze, Lin Yingxue recalled how he had avoided her outside the secondary residence. She quickly took two steps back, "Mr. Fu, I'll go somewhere else."

Lin Yingxue's reaction made it awkward for Fu Jiaze to simply nod. Considering her background and attire, he guessed she too had been slighted by the womenfolk, leading her to this place.

"No need," Fu Jiaze said, marking their first conversation, "the scenery here is beautiful."

Lin Yingxue nodded, "Indeed, it is very beautiful."

A light breeze blew, and Fu Jiaze could smell a faint fragrance from Lin Yingxue. It wasn't an expensive perfume but a calming incense.

For a moment, there was silence, and Lin Yingxue's cheeks turned slightly red.

This young lady's demeanor made Fu Jiaze's scalp tingle again, regretting not letting her leave. What was the point of standing here?

Just as he was about to speak, Lin Yingxue said, "Mr. Fu, thanks to your advice at the entrance, I kept Feiyan."

Feiyan stepped forward and solemnly thanked Fu Jiaze, "Thank you, Mr. Fu, for your help."

Facing Lin Yingxue, Fu Jiaze felt uneasy, but when facing Feiyan, he relaxed, "Serve Miss Lin wholeheartedly. Do not be distracted; if you change masters, things will be difficult."

Having already lost favor with Miss Lin, if Miss Lin also dismissed her, the maid would face a grim future.

Feiyan understood this and said softly, "I will remember your words, Mr. Fu."

After some more conversation, as Fu Jiaze prepared to leave, Lin Yingxue, with damp palms, took out an embroidered pouch.

"Mr. Fu, I have not personally thanked you for saving my life. I am deeply grateful and cannot do much for you. My embroidery skills are decent, so I made this pouch, wishing you success in the imperial examinations, a bright future, and a long life."

Ever since overhearing her elder sister's prophetic dream, Lin Yingxue, while copying scriptures, prayed for Fu Jiaze to be blessed by the gods in the examinations, hoping he could display his talents and that her benefactor would live a long life.