0p0 Chapter 545 First Encounter with Begonia
Chapter 545 First Encounter with Begonia
Mu Xin Nuan knew that Lu Shaofeng was now highly regarded by Duanmu Chuze, and some people would inevitably try to win him over with bribes.
Lu Shaofeng seems to be a very upright person. In addition, he comes from a wealthy family, so he naturally wouldn't be greedy for such a small amount of money.
But what if it's beauty?
Judging from the current situation, Lu Shaofeng will be staying in Yu County for several years. If this continues, will he be able to resist the temptation of beautiful women?
Therefore, Mu Xin Nuan hoped that Liu would leave as soon as possible. In this way, they would be a loving couple, and Liu would naturally look down on such wicked and seductive methods, since she came from a scholarly family.
Having her reminding him is ultimately a good thing for Lu Shaofeng.
Leaving Liu's place, Mu Xin Nuan knew she had achieved her goal. After the New Year, when spring arrived, Liu would definitely go to Yu County. However, there would be one less person to talk to.
Mu Xin Nuan went to a teahouse, accompanied by Rong Yue and Chun Yu, and sat down in a private room.
Not long after, Rong Yue entered with a dark expression.
"what happened?"
"Your Highness, I just went out to urge you to have tea and refreshments when I heard those people talking nonsense down there. They actually dared to disrespect Your Highness."
"You said it yourself, it's nonsense, so why bother with it?"
Rong Yue was taken aback, feeling anxious. Why was her master's temperament so good?
"Alright, sit quietly for a while. I've heard that there's a woman in this teahouse who plays the zither exceptionally well. Go and have someone invite her over."
"Yes, princess."
Rongyue was puzzled. The princess herself was already a very good musician, so why would she spend more money to hire a third-rate musician?
As Mu Xin Nuan sipped her tea, she looked at the beautiful face of the woman opposite her, and she could clearly see the resentment and jealousy in her eyes.
"Young lady, your musical skills are quite good. May I ask who your teacher is?"
"Madam, I only learned a few songs with my father when I was young."
"Judging from this, you were born into an official family?" Mu Xin Nuan's voice was gentle, without the haughty air of a noble lady, which made the woman feel more favorably toward her.
"Madam, I am the daughter of a disgraced official."
Mu Xin Nuan nodded. No wonder!
Should we blame our ill-fated destiny, or resent the imperial court?
"Your playing of the zither is quite good, young lady. But with such beauty and such remarkable skill, why do you choose to be a prostitute here?"
Geisha are also prostitutes!
The young woman's face was rather pale. She bit her lip lightly and said, "I have a mother to support at home, and I am too weak to even kill a chicken. So, I have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure."
"Are you a free woman, young lady?" Mu Xinnuan asked with a smile.
The girl nodded. "Madam, I am just a free person who comes here to perform every day."
Looking into her anxious eyes, Mu Xin Nuan could easily tell that she was eager to get out of this situation.
"May I ask your name, young lady?"
"My name is Haitang, Madam."
Mu Xin Nuan nodded, bowed her head and gave a few instructions. Then Rong Yue went over and took out two silver ingots. "Here is one hundred taels of silver, Miss Haitang. My lady is kind-hearted. Please take the silver and go back today. Don't show your face here for now. When my lady has figured out a way to help you, she will come to find you again."
Haitang was both happy and worried. She quickly stood up and said, "Thank you, Madam."
Although this teahouse wasn't particularly luxurious, it was frequented by scholars and literati, including some from prominent families. Haitang chose this place hoping to meet a discerning patron who would take her home.
In this way, her wandering and helpless life can finally come to an end.
Unexpectedly, she met a lady today who was very generous, but Haitang really couldn't figure out what she was thinking.
Haitang has been here for some time now. Although she has met several men who are quite fond of her, unfortunately, they are either too poor to support her, or they are too ugly or too old for her to accept.
"Thank you, Madam." Haitang bowed again, then told Rong Yue where she lived before leaving gracefully.
"Madam, why are you so concerned about a mere geisha?"
Mu Xin Nuan remained silent, blinking a few times. Perhaps she had already thought of a way to deal with Jin Er. She just didn't know if Hai Tang would be willing.
"Chunyu, have someone investigate this Haitang's background, the more detailed the better."
"Yes, ma'am."
Mu Xin Nuan drank another cup of tea and had no intention of staying there any longer. When she came out of the private room, she saw that there were quite a few people sitting in the main hall, and she could hear all sorts of discussions.
Although the rumors have been mostly quelled in the past few days, it's inevitable that some people will maliciously resurface and spread them again. That's just how some people are; they see other people's problems as huge, no matter how small. But when it comes to themselves, they don't care about anything, no matter how big.
Mu Xin Nuan wondered if her intense interest in other people's lives was because life in Yanzhou was too easy.
"Stop talking nonsense here! Hmph, it's obvious that some people just don't like the Prince and Princess and are deliberately coming here to ruin their reputations. Don't you think that if the Prince and Princess hadn't come to Yan, would we common people still be able to drink hot tea and eat hot meals? Now that you're full and have nothing better to do, you think of gossiping about others? You've truly disgraced scholars!"
Mu Xin Nuan was slightly surprised. When she looked up again, she saw a table in the middle where several scholars seemed to be arguing.
The scholar who had just spoken wore a blue robe and a matching headscarf, indicating his humble origins. The man speaking with him, however, wore a disdainful expression and made sarcastic remarks.
"What? We're not even allowed to speak? Tsk tsk, Young Master Wu, what happened? When did you manage to climb onto the high branch of the Prince's mansion?"
Mu Xin Nuan, wearing a veil, stood on the stairs, coldly watching the farce unfolding below.
"Watch your mouth! We all know that you've been in close contact with Lord Jin these days, and we've heard that your articles have received his praise many times. So what? Everyone has witnessed what the Prince and Princess have done for the people of Yan! Such slander and belittling are unacceptable!"
"Yes, that's right!"
Young Master Wu's words resonated with many people, mostly ordinary folks.
The young man who spoke so rudely was clearly of good birth. The jade crown on his head, though not of the finest quality, was certainly not something an ordinary family could afford.
"You're all eager to curry favor with the prince and princess, but I'm not! My He family doesn't need someone like him!"