Chapter 433: Something big happens at the estate (1/2)
Chapter 433: Something big happens at the estate
What Han Yunxi didn’t know, Baili Mingxiang would know even less. Faced with the question, Baili Mingxiang gave a long pause before she said sincerely, “Esteemed wangfei, it’s the heart that counts when giving a present. And your heart belongs to you, esteemed wangfei.”
Han Yunxi’s reply was far less serious. “What’s all that? With an answer like that, you might as well have answered nothing at all…”
“Esteemed wangfei, it doesn’t matter what the present is if it’s from someone you like, right?” Baili Mingxiang said next.
“Empty words,” Han Yunxi said carelessly, but she was secretly smiling as she looked at all the jewelry before them. After a while, she asked, “Baili Mingxiang, you’ve liked someone before, haven’t you? How do you know such things?”
Baili Mingxiang’s heart lurched before she instantly denied the claims, “I haven’t.”
“Liar, you’re afraid of being found out!” Han Yunxi’s keen eyes made Baili Mingxiang’s heart tremble with fear. She had already stuffed her secret into the deepest part of her being, and with it all the consequences that would come from exposing such adoration.
“Esteemed wangfei, Mingxiang really has no one. Mingxiang simply knows that esteemed wangfei really likes this box of jewelry. Even if His Highness gave you a box of scrap metal, you’d still be happy, won’t you?” Baili Mingxiang was quite clever and changed the topic back to Han Yunxi herself.
Han Yunxi wasn’t much interested in discussing likes and dislikes anyways, finding the subject pointless. She wasn’t sure how she’d gotten into the topic with Baili Mingxiang around. Her latest question only made Han Yunxi lose interest in it entirely. “Fine then! This wangfei will give him a box of scrap metal!”
Baili Mingxiang laughed, but didn’t continue the subject.
A long while later, Han Yunxi asked, “Has His Highness been with your father for the last two days?” Ever since she received her present, Han Yunxi hadn’t seen Long Feiye again. He didn’t even return to the estate after dark. He’s not letting me go anywhere, but he hasn’t run off somewhere by himself, has he?
“Mingxiang has never been qualified to know of His Highness and father’s matters,” Baili Mingxiang replied honestly.
Han Yunxi nodded. If he’s really gone off somewhere, I don’t care what Zhao mama says. I’m going out to get some air myself as soon as I’m done with these jewelry!
“When we’re done with these, I’ll take you out to eat something nice. We’ll sneak out so Zhao mama and the rest can’t follow us!” Han Yunxi said in a low voice.
“Thank you, esteemed wangfei,” Baili Mingxiang replied respectfully. She didn’t know anything about His Highness Duke of Qin’s travel restrictions for Han Yunxi.
The two of them busied themselves for two days before all the jewelry were covered in poison and placed in the various compartments. The only thing left was tidy up work that wouldn’t take more than half a day. After making sure that Long Feiye hadn’t returned in the past few days, she and Baili Mingxiang made an appointment to go out tomorrow afternoon.
Early morning that day, Baili Mingxiang got up as usual and was about to go out when she saw Su Xiaoyu entering the house.
“Little Yu’er, why are you up so early today?” Baili Mingxiang asked. She had always been the first to rise these past few days, just to prepare the tea leaves and snacks for esteemed wangfei. Su Xiaoyu would only show up after she’d finished everything.
“I went to poop!” Su Xiaoyu rubbed her sleepy eyes and replied in a languid tone.She was sick of the sight of Baili Mingxiang after failing to get up early enough in the past few days. She had originally planned to finish her plans at night, but her mistress was a night owl who frequently stay up late nights to stare blankly outside her bedroom window, so Su Xiaoyu hadn’t risked it.
Under these circumstances, she had no choice but to lie awake all night until the coast was clear to complete her plan. Unexpectedly, she ran into Baili Mingxiang as soon as she stepped in the door.
It’s not like anyone really sees her as a servant. Why does she have to work so diligently in the first place?
Baili Mingxiang didn’t think much as Su Xiaoyu returned to her rooms, but went to prepare tea and snacks as usual. The sun was already up by the time Han Yunxi came downstairs. There was a cool breeze on the late spring morning, making the air very pleasant and comfortable.
“Good morning, esteemed wangfei,” Baili Mingxiang bowed slightly, her tranquil tone matching the morning perfectly.
“I smelled your Keemun tea when I was still upstairs,” Han Yunxi said as she sat down with a smile. On the stone table lay an ebony tray, upon which rested the white porcelain tea cups filled with Keemun tea. Next to them were emerald green pastries arranged in picturesque disorder, making for a pretty sight.
The fragrance of the tea rose in delicate tendrils. Baili Mingxiang’s soft white hands skimmed across the table, her fingers like an orchid as she picked up the first cup. “Esteemed wangfei, please.”
Han Yunxi didn’t say anything, but accepted as she sampled the various treats with a calm and peaceful heart.
The essence of the Gongfu tea ceremony lay in the words ‘gongfu,’ or ‘skill.’ It was a slow, exacting ritual that found serenity in its sober speed. The calm pace encourage one to ponder and meditate. Both the courtyard and its residents were sunken into a silent stillness. There was no sound but for the little charcoal fire stove on top of the tea table, which was currently bubbling away with water.