Baiyun temple was naturally not as comfortable as at home. As soon as Yu Xiang entered her room, she asked someone to start burning fire for the ground heating system[1]. When the temperature increased, she immediately removed her clothes and only wore a little duer. She picked up a copper mirror and observed the blisters on her back.
Liu Lu took the bronze mirror from her hands to help her adjust the angle and hesitatingly said, âYoung Miss, in the future you may have to refrain from acting in this way with the Little Marquis in such situations, even biological siblings shouldnât act like this.â
âIn what way?â Yu Xiang untied the knot of the duer and took it off. The two plump and perfectly round white and swaying balls jumped out, which made Liu Lu blushed and felt parched. She thought in her head Young Missâ body is really too beautiful. As a woman, Even I canât withstand the temptation, I wonder how the Marquis feelsâŠ
As she thought of this, her face changed a little and then she scolded herself that she was bewitched. Only then did she clear her throat and said, âThatâs to undress in front of him. Today, you have taken off everything except a duer. Although you two are brothers and sisters, you should observe this social etiquette as much as possible.â
Yu Xiang indifferently waved her hands, âI understand. Wasnât it because I was petrified by the insects?â Even though that was what she had said, she didnât take it to heart at all. She could not agree with that cruel concept of chastity of ancient women after all. What kind of reasoning was it to have your arm cut off if you were accidentally touched? Besides, Yu Pin Yan was her elder brother, whatâs there he wasnât allowed to see?
Liu Lu nodded reassuringly. She found the Yuyan ointment[2] sent by Miracle Doctor Pu previously and spread it evenly on her masterâs back. The small blisters dried up and became scabby at a very fast speed that couldnât be seen by the naked eye. Yu Xiang let out a comfortable moan causing Liu Lu to swallow her saliva. She said to herself, the words âextraordinarily beautiful womanâ actually meant this.
Tao Hong was burning mugwort outside. In spring, the ground was always damp, and the house was full of a moldy smell. It would be so foul smelling without burning mugwort. She was about to take the ashes out and throw them away after she had finished burning the mugwort. However, she saw Ying Mo Mo from Eldest Young Missâ courtyard creeping in as she looked around. ăă
âHey, what are you doing acting like a thief?â Tao Hong pointed to her and asked loudly.
âShh, shh!â Qiu Shi placed her fingers on her lips and made a silent gesture.
Tao Hong became anxious as well and quickly helped her lift the curtain to let her in quickly.
âWhatâs the matter? Yu Si Yu is causing trouble again?â Yu Xiang put on her robe lazily and tied the jade belt loosely around her waist. Liu Lu reached out to close her lapel, covering the sexy clavicle and the alluring deep cleavage in the middle.
Qiu Shi lowered her head and responded, âResponding to Young Miss, Eldest Young Miss asked her maidservant, Qing Ya, to bring Mister Fang to her room tonight at a quarter past xushi (7-9 pm). What do you think should be done about this?â
Yu Xiang glanced at the hourglass, there was still about half a shichen (one hour) before xushi (7-9 pm), she ordered, âLet them meet. Iâd like to see what she really wants to do. If I donât catch her in the act, sheâll never remember the lesson. Before xushi (7-9 pm), drive all the servants out of the courtyard to at least give her some face. Bring me my mink fur cloak. Iâll go and have a look.â
Liu Lu hesitatingly said, âYoung Miss, it would be alright if you let the maidservants handle this. If you go, it would be detrimental to your reputation as well.â
Yu Xiang sneered and said, âI have never expected to marry anyone in my life, so whatâs the use of having a clean reputation? Itâs only right to help my elder brother guard this huge Marquis Yongle manor. Go, bring my cloak.â
Liu Lu saw that she had already made up her mind and went to get her cloak. She instructed two strong pozis to carry her and quietly went to the back of Yu Si Yuâs side room.
Qiu Shi hid in the side room and monitored through the gaps of the windows. Seeing that Qing Ya had left, Qiu Shi used various excuses to dismiss all the people in the yard. Yu Si Yu was flustered and disoriented, therefore, she never noticed anything amiss.
At You Shi (7-9 pm), Qing Ya crept in and looked around the yard first. When she found out that no one was around, she was overjoyed. Then, she beckoned to Fang Zhi Chen, who was hiding behind the foot of the wall, to come in.
Fang Zhi Chen darted into the room and Qing Ya stood outside as a look out.
Once Yu Si Yu saw Fang Zhi Chen, she started weeping and said as she sobbed, âMister Fang, you are finally here.â
âWhat is Young Miss looking for this subject for?â Fang Zhi Chen cupped his hands in a gentle and cultivated manner and his gaze stopped at Yu Si Yuâs tearful face. He was also extremely fond of this delicate and beautiful lady, but no matter how conceited he was, he knew that the Marquis manor couldnât possibly marry both young ladies to himself. Comparing Yu Si Yu and Yu Xiang, it was Yu Xiangâs exquisitely dainty, beautiful and charming face that made his heart race. In addition, her status was more to his liking.
Although he was not fated to be with Yu Si Yu, it was great to feel Yu Si Yuâs adoration for him. He thought he should at least fulfil her last wish, so he followed Qing Ya and secretly went to her rear courtyard.
Fortunately, Yu Pin Yan and the Old Madam brought many servants out of the manor, and Qing Ya was also familiar with the patrolling guardsâ shift change, otherwise he would have been seen.
Yu Si Yu wiped her tears slowly with her handkerchief, then looked at him with eyes full of tender feelings and said, âGongzi[3], do you know why our bazi arenât compatible?â
âWhy?â
âItâs because someone interfered and bribed the master from Baiyun temple to say that our bazi arenât compatible so that it would ruin our marriage. If gongzi is interested in me, you can ask Madam Pei to find another venerable Taoist devotee or Buddhist monk and bring him to the Marquis manor to examine our bazi in person. Under the eyes of the public, they canât say anything. Does Gongzi think this is feasible?â
Fang Zhi Chen stammered for a long time. He couldnât bear to refuse Yu Si Yuâs deep affection, but he didnât want to marry her.
Yu Xiang, who was behind the room, laughed in anger, she ordered Tao Hong and Liu Lu to push her out. The sound of the wheelchair turning caused Yu Si Yuâs expression to change dramatically. Qing Ya, who was outside the door, was pressed to the ground by Qiu Shi and was tied tightly by the sash that Qiu Shi had removed.
Yu Xiang ordered Tao Hong and Liu Lu to light the lantern. She raised her chin slightly and looked towards the two people who rushed out of the room, âElder sister has such a great interest. To have a private meeting with your lover in the middle of the night. If Grandmother knows, she would be moved to tears.â