Chapter 21: To Be Loathed (2/2)

How depressing. The male lead is supposed to like the bold and interesting female lead. Why would he like me?

She had always shown a completely timid and cowardly attitude in front of him, as well as incredibly dull personality. If the male lead took note of her, that was just because everyone loves beauties. When he sees the female lead, naturally he would know who was the more important.

After a round of rumination, she felt the idea of the male lead liking her was completely absurd. She threw out her thoughts from before and focused on enjoying the scenery outside. She’d been tight on time and had a specific goal to accomplish the first time she went out, so she didn’t have the leisure to admire her surroundings. Now, she had the opportunity to peek at the scenery from the little window of her carriage. However, she couldn’t lift up the translucent cloth curtain to look outside because Ye-mama was watching her like a hawk!

It was a long road to Long Hua Temple, and many nobles were heading there too, crowding the road. One family after another, everyone proceeded forward slowly in a line. Bai Xiangxu almost fell asleep in the carriage as progress slowed to a crawl. Just as she was about to nod off, news came from the front. One of the wheels of a noble’s carriage had malfunctioned and required repairs.

There happened to be a relay station nearby. Therefore, old madame decided to rest there for a moment. After all, she couldn’t endure the dilapidated travel of the carriage for too long in her advanced age.

Bai Xiangxiu was a concubine, so she attended the old madame after alighting from the carriage. Although Bai Xiangxiu was not very familiar with some of the matters, she still gave her best efforts because she had Ye-mama next to her to guide her. The old madame was a bit pleased to see her so earnest and diligent, but still couldn’t understand her son’s decision to bring Bai Xiangxiu.

The Lin family might also come to the unveiling ceremony this time, and it might not be the most appropriate if they learned he had brought a concubine. Fortunately, this Mistress Xiu was well-behaved and knew her place, so there was nothing to be concerned about. The old madame only hoped that the Lin family wouldn’t try to make any problems.

The old madame was also very tired. Her hips were burning after sitting in the carriage for so long. Several servant girls was massaging her with small wooden hammers, but it seemed to be completely ineffectual in alleviating the pain. Seeing the old madame’s discomfort, Bai Xiangxiu took the initiative. “Old Madame, this concubine knows of a few massage techniques. Would you like to try out this concubine’s skills?”

“Oh? Go ahead and try!” The old madame sat down properly.

Bai Xiangxiu responded, “I need you to lie on the bed for my skills to be useful.” Was it a bad idea to make an old madame from ancient times lie ungracefully lie on her stomach? She cautiously and prudently lowered her head, afraid she would be scolded.

The old madame smiled and said, “I don’t know how you learned these weird tricks. Come, help me lie down.” She was highly irritated by her pain, so she was willing to try this concubine’s skills. Bai Xiangxiu had excellent massage skills, and the old madame quickly fell asleep under her massage. It seemed that she was very tired. Bai Xiangxiu left silently, wanting to take a stroll.

The maid and the mama beside the old madame hadn’t expected that Bai Xiangxiu would have this kind of ability. They smiled and let her go out. After all, she hadn’t seen the surroundings after she’d descended from the carriage. Confining a young girl like that to the carriage all the time was hardly a pleasant thing!

Bai Xiangxiu walked out, fully expecting to take a nice stroll to relax her nerves, when lo and behold, she ran into her life’s nemesis: the male lead. Surprisingly, there was another figure next to him, it seemed that the supporting male lead had also come. When the latter saw Bai Xiangxiu, his eyebrows knitted together as he turned his face and refused to look at her.

This was loathing!

As expected of the male lead, those peach blossom eyes of his focused on her body for a while before he asked her, “How is the Old Madame?”

A mama replied, “The old madame is tired. Her waist and back were hurting, but Mistress Xiu gave her a massage and she fell asleep.”