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<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="578" data-orig-width="411"></figure>Murong Feng is quite the charming one, it’s no wonder that Jing Wan fell for him. I had the hardest time trying to decide whether to put up a picture of him in the traditional chinese robes or him in a suit. The three piece suit wins. :D
I’m also glad that the sob story of the starving refugees was not in the book. I’m enjoying this cold and aloof Murong Feng much more than the emotional one in the drama adaptation.
Encountering Love: Chapter 14
The Tao Estate was a mansion, and had many rooms that were not being used. Third Miss personally went with Jing Wan to look at the rooms and was so eagerly attentive, completely different from the first time they met. Even though that building was empty, servants came to clean the place every day so that it remained spotless. The living room downstairs was composed of two smaller rooms, which were next to a small dining room, and the upstairs contained a few bedrooms, of which the middle room was the most spacious, and every room was decorated with Western-styled furniture. The Third Miss ordered the main room’s maid, Lan Qin, to tidy up the new bedding and spread it out on the Western-styled spring mattress. Third Miss said: “Miss Yin, don’t worry, these are all very clean.” She then pointed Lan Qin and continued: “This servant girl is obedient. Since Miss Yin did not bring a servant with her, I will appoint her to serve Miss Yin.”
Of course, Miss Yin immediately thanked her. The bedroom had large French doors, and when she opened it, it led out to a balcony. The sky was full of bright stars, which shined on the depths of the forest, scattering the rays of brightness. When the breeze blew over, the branches and leaves rustled. She saw a street not far outside the wall, across from her was a high wall made from polished brick. Her eyes flickered over the dense forest, which was barely discernable from the endless row of rooftops. Looking at the tall rooftops, she thought it seemed like layers and layers of courtyards, but everything was contained in a single, very large, estate.
Because the street had gas streetlamps and was very well lit, the light illuminated the wire netting on wall across from her, which were had little iron spikes and sharp pieces of glass embedded in it. At the end of the block, there was a streetlamp where the post of a police sentry was located. A little further down the wall, there was a guard who paced back and forth with a rifle, making it obvious that the place within the walls was very important. She then asked: “What is that place?” The Third Miss Murong pursed her lips to hide her smile and said: “That is the headquarters of the military governor.” Jing Wan made an ‘oh’ sound, only then realizing that the place was what everyone called the “Commander’s Estate”, which was used whenever the military governor goes on his inspections of the nine provinces. As it turned out, this building was separated from the Commander’s Estate by only a single street; no wonder the Third Miss had settled her here.
The next day, Murong Feng sent someone to pick her up at noon. Even though that person was dressed in military garb, he was very cultured and amiable. When he saw Jing Wan, he introduced himself in a refined and well-mannered way: “Hello, Miss Yin. I am the lieutenant of Liu Shao’s garrison here, called Shen Jia Ping. Liu Shao sent me here to pick Miss Yin up.”
Even though she had gotten ready very early, she still felt a little uneasy but her courage was much greater than others, so she entered the car and composed herself. The Tao Estate was not far from the Commander’s Estate and after a short while, they had already arrived. The car drove into the estate and continued forward for a long time before finally stopping. Right away, a manservant opened the car door for her and she saw that the car had stopped in front of a magnificent building made from grey bricks. In front of the building was a Western-styled flower nursery and since it was the end of spring, the flowers and leaves were all flourishing very beautifully. The manservant led her inside the building, passing through an atrium that was worthy of a palace, and after walking through the corridor, was a reception area, which was decorated with Western furnishings. The room was completely covered in carpet and when she stepped on the soft wool, it silenced her footsteps. The carpet was embroidered with two large roses, and a circle of sofas could have easily fit on the stamen and pistils of a single rose. She had just sat down, when someone came to offer her tea.
She drank the tea and waited for a bit, when she suddenly heard someone walking into the room while saying: “I am really sorry for making Miss Yin wait like this.” It was Murong Feng, who was wearing a traditional Chinese robe and looked just as charismatic as before but with an additional sense of a cultured scholar. She rose gracefully and he saw that she was wearing a Western-styled dress, which accentuated her slender and attractive form. She offered him her hand with poise and he quickly grasped her hand and said: “I was supposed to personally pick Miss Yin up, but I had some urgent matters to deal with in the morning and I was late. Please forgive me, Miss Yin.”
Jing Wan replied: “Liu Shao must constantly take care of the military and governmental matters of nine provinces. I am the one who is boldly imposing upon you.” Murong Feng sat down, chatting with her about the local scenery around Cheng Zhou and after a short while, they heard the manservant say: “The kitchen would like to inform Liu Shao that everything is prepared.” Murong Feng said: “Then let’s eat lunch first.” He rose with a smile, and said: “Miss Yin, please sit at ease, I will return quickly.” A short time later, Murong Feng returned wearing a Western-styled suit, and he said with a smile: “Today, I invite Miss Yin to taste my chef’s skill at making Western cuisine.” When Jing Wan saw that he had changed into a suit, she thought it made if him look even more refined; even though he is the commander of the nine provinces, he is still so young and enjoys being fashionable like a normal, elegant young man. When she heard him say that they would be eating Western dishes, she said: “Liu Shao is too kind.”
The chefs of the Murong Estate are obviously not ordinary and the dishes they made tasted very authentic. Even though only the two of them were eating, there were many servants attentively waiting on them. When they had just served the second course, a manservant suddenly came in to report: “Liu Shao, Commander Chang asks for an audience.”
Murong Feng said: “Let him enter.”
In a bit, the manservant led that Commander Chang in, whom Jing Wan guessed to be around fifty years of age. He looked very powerful, his voice as loud as a mighty bell, he called out: “Liu Shao!” When that Commander Chang saw Jing Wan, he was secretly surprised and measured her with his eyes. Because he was one of Murong Chen’s old subordinates, Murong Feng addressed him as “Uncle Chang” and said: “Uncle Chang most likely has not eaten yet, sit down and eat as you please.” That Commander Chang had entered the room furious, but since there was another person present, he quelled his anger and with a lowered voice, he said: “Thank you, Liu Shao, but I just ate. May I speak to Liu Shao alone?”
Murong Feng replied: “Speak freely, Miss Yin is not an outsider.” Because he had not gotten married yet, he had never entertained female guests before, so Commander Chang thought that perhaps this Miss Yin was a special person. He was one of Murong Chen’s old subordinates and on many occasions, Murong Chen had discussed military secrets on his couch. In the past, Murong Chen favored his fourth wife the most and she was often by his side while they always turned a blind eye to her – now, he also ignored Jing Wan and said: “Liu Shao agreed to distribute the military provisions but they still have not arrived in Shang He yet.” Murong Feng said: “You know that there is a shortage of military provisions at the moment.” Commander Chang asked: “Then why did Liu Shao allocate a thousand bags of white flour to Liu Zi Shan?” Murong Feng replied: “Liu Zi Shan is guarding the East China Sea against the Ying army with his troops, of course we should calm the hearts of the frontline soldiers first.”