Chapter 80 (2/2)
Some people were never meant to be in the same world. Wei Qian knew that she and Feng Baiyu, who was known for his calm att.i.tude and distant smile, could never be together. She didn't dare to compare herself to Princess Wan'er. She could only keep her feelings to herself. It was a secret she would bring to her grave.
Outside the manor, the sun was blindingly bright. Jun Huang s.h.i.+elded her eyes with a hand. There were only a handful of people on the street. She wrapped her clothes tighter around herself and went to her new house.
The first thing she saw when she entered was the fallen leaves covering the ground. It looked a little bleak. On the fake mountain in the garden stood a sparrow. It flew away when it spotted her.
Jun Huang put her luggage on the stone table in the garden. Looking around, she let out a soundless sigh. She picked up a broom and started sweeping the fallen leaves in the pavilion.
When she was finished, her entire body was covered in sweat. She took a deep breath before making her way to the south wing with her luggage. For her, the quiet south wing was the perfect place to live in. Moreover, the wall at the back was taller. That would stop Nan Xun from going in and out freely like he had done when she was in Prince Chen Manor.
She arrived at the south wing and opened the door. It looked identical to the west wing. However, it seemed that the room had rarely been used before. It wasn't as well-equipped. She couldn't just move the furniture from other rooms here though. She would have to buy the furniture that was missing here.
She made a mental list before leaving the house. She was generous with her money and didn't try to haggle with the vendors. She asked two bulky men to deliver the items to the house for her. She gave them some silver and started moving the items inside the room.
She placed the items where they should be. She had bought a silk emerald screen painted with mountains and rivers, a delicate bedside lamp, a light color silk curtain, a tea set, and other various things, including something big like a bookshelf, to something small like plants for the garden. She even paid someone to change the water in the lake and put a few koi fish inside. And she replaced the wilted plants with ones she bought.
It took half a day for her to finish setting up the garden. She entered the room, put the silk curtain on the bed, and replaced the blanket. Only then did she take a seat at the sandalwood desk and rest. She waved her foldable fan as she looked at the room she had made so much efforts in decorating. She felt an indescribable sense of achievement.
Someone knocked on the door. She frowned. She had announced that she would be celebrating her move today, but she didn't think anyone would come so early. She walked out of the south wing to get the door.
Once at the front gate, she opened the red brown wooden doors. Nan Xun stood before her with a small smile. Behind him were a few people who dressed like servants.
Jun Huang pointed at them. ”Who are they?”
Nan Xun threw a glance back and quirked his lips. ”You must need servants in your manor. I bought some for you earlier in the morning.”
Jun Huang knew that couldn't be the truth. Nan Xun must have picked the ones he trusted among the people in his own manor. She nodded and didn't question him.
Nan Xun ordered a few men to move the items he brought into the house. Then he led some of the women inside with Jun Huang. They sat down in the garden. ”Pick one as your personal maid. I a.s.sure you that they can all be trusted.”
Jun Huang nodded before giving each of them a good look. Her gaze settled on a young girl who looked to be at the age of fifteen or sixteen. The girl seemed like the honest sort. Jun Huang smiled and pointed at her. ”I'll have her.” Jun Huang turned to the girl. ”What's your name?”
”I don't have a name,” the girl said quietly with her eyes on the ground. ”May the gentleman give one to me?”
Jun Huang supported her chin with a hand and started brainstorming. None of the names she came up with seemed right. She might as well call the girl something easy to remember. ”You look young. I'll call you Little Girl.”
”Understood,” said Little Girl with her head bowed.
The ”name” amused Nan Xun. He almost laughed. It was rare for Jun Huang to smile so genuinely. He was glad as long as she was happy.
Jun Huang ordered the rest of the maids to make preparation for the banquet at noon. Then she ordered Little Girl to boil her some hot water for brewing tea. They accepted the orders and left, leaving only Jun Huang and Nan Xun in the garden.
Jun Huang looked at the various flowers with a calm expression. She looked right at home in a place like this. Nan Xun watched her and didn't say anything.
Not long after, the page boy who was told to watch the door led Qi Yun in. Qi Yun was surprised to see Nan Xun. He thought that he would be the first one to arrive. He didn't expect Nan Xun to be here already.
”I didn't expect brother Nan to come so early,” Qi Yun said in an indiscernible tone.
Nan Xun only gave Qi Yun a nod. No one knew if he did it on purpose. Qi Yun felt a little embarra.s.sed. Jun Huang stepped in and invited Qi Yun to take a seat.
Qi Yun looked around at the cla.s.sy design. He found the place to be comfortable. Curious, he insisted on having Jun Huang give him a tour.
Jun Huang knew that giving tours to her friends would be part of the celebration. She got to her feet, intending to take Qi Yun around. Nan Xun, however, didn't seem eager to follow them. Jun Huang couldn't stop herself from frowning. ”Aren't you coming with us?”