The Legend of Concubine's Daughter Minglan

Chapter 33

This morning, Brother Changbai visited House of Clear Dusk. He was here for the promised cotton shoes. Minglan greeted him herself. Several steps after his entrance, he saw a detached beauty sweeping the floor. Since she looked unfamiliar to him, Changbai stared at her for seconds. However, noticing his glance, the beauty stretched her neck with a cold humph and a lofty face. Changbai frowned at her reaction immediately, and said to Minglan, "How come your servant girls so misbehaved? They shall be educated!"

Mei'er was so ashamed that she dropped the broom and rushed into the house. Minglan was left there embarrassed.

A few more steps into the yard, there was a servant girl leaning against a pillar, acting like a pliant willow swaying in the wind. She recited poems in a soft voice. Listening carefully, Changbai found she was saying, " Blue-collared lad, you've long been in my heart. ". He frowned again and scolded Danju, "It's enough for servant girls to become literate and follow orders. Who taught them this! Ignorance is a virtue for women. And she is at most a servant girl!"

Ke'er got pale. She stumbled into her room. Minglan was depressed and put on a false smile!

Minglan invited Changbai into the house. It was just a few sentences' communication before Yinxing scrambled Danju's job and served tea and desserts from time to time. Yinxing stood by their side, kept smiling, and couldn't help staring at Changbai. Xiaotao asked Yinxing to leave but she refused. Changbai looked extremely sullen. He set the teacup down to the table heavily and said, "Sixth sister, it's time for you to discipline your servant girls!"

After saying that, he grabbed his new shoes, turned around and left without delay. Minglan now was totally depressed!

After launch, "diligent" Changfeng, who had been absorbed in his study upon Sheng Hong's praise, took a break and went out for a walk. He walked to House of Clear Dusk before he knew it. Though he and Minglan didn't get along well, Minglan still warmly invited him to go inside and have tea. However, Changfeng was obviously spaced out. Seeing Mei'er, he stepped forward immediately and greeted her, "How have you been, Mei'er?"

"I was just driven out of your house and won't die. There is no need for your third childe to bear me in mind." Mei'er replied ironically.

"...You, you are wronged!" Changfeng couldn't help caring Mei'er with a trembling voice.

At this time, Ke'er came in a pitiful gesture, seeming to be trembled at every step. Seeing her move, Changfeng's eyes went wet, "Ke'er, you look thinner!" On hearing this, Ke'er couldn't bear but shed her tears, which dropped like a broken string of beads, "Third Childe, I thought I would never get the chance to meet you again..."

Changfeng rushed to hold her in arms and comforted her. And a wail of sorrow and cry arose to the very sky.

Cuiwei, Danju, even Yinxing and Jiu'er were so astonished by the scene that they stood there not knowing what to do. They involuntarily turned to Minglan and asked her what to do next with eyes while Minglan was speechless at the mess.

She thought today was already a bad day. However, to her surprise, what worse was still on the way.

Lord Qi had reported to the emperor and was permitted to stay at the capital during the Spring Festival. Thus, Teacher Zhuang announced the beginning of the winter vocation. Before Qi Heng left, he gave Minglan a gift for house moving in advance. It was a flatfish-shaped chime of white tallow jade sitting upon a varnished rack. Beside it dangled a fine hammer of the same jade. Such a fine white tallow jade was so crystal clear and eye catching that Minglan dared not put it in the meeting hall. She put it on the desk in her bedroom instead.

However, unexpectedly, Molan and Rulan dropped around on the same day. Rulan was already on the brick bed having tea, but Molan insisted to walk around Minglan's new house. She pulled Rulan directly into Minglan's bedroom. Minglan felt things were not going well instantly as in no time Molan said in a soft voice by pointing to the white jade chime, "...That is the gift given by brother Yuanruo!"