novelraw Chapter 7 : Delighting in Mountains and Waters
Chapter 7 : Delighting in Mountains and Waters
Chapter 7: Delighting in Mountains and Waters
Honggu led Lin Xiaowan past the second floor, where sounds of either noisy revelry or lingering sensuality filled the air, and arrived at a quiet private room on the third floor.
Pushing the door open, the view suddenly broadened.
The room was far more spacious than expected, and the decor was not gaudy or overly adorned with rouge tones, but rather quite elegant.
Against the eastern wall stood a guzheng and a pipa, their bodies polished and clearly well-maintained. On the western side stood a screen painted with ink landscapes, and beside it, a writing desk complete with inkstone, brushes, and paper. At the center was an exquisite tea table, accompanied by several embroidered stools.
Most delightful were the carved wooden windows facing south. Pushing one half open, the evening breeze drifted in, carrying a trace of coolness.
Lin Xiaowan strolled to the window. Below, the gradually lighting lanterns of the street and the passing figures were all within view. The noise seemed separated by a thin veil—lively, yet not harsh.
Not long after, the door sounded lightly, and Honggu returned.
Behind her followed two maids of similar age, about fourteen or fifteen.
Both wore matching light green ruqun dresses, their hair styled in twin buns, yet their demeanors were quite different.
Honggu pointed to the one on the left, whose eyes were bright and round, with a natural upward curve at the corners of her lips. “She is Leshan.” Then she pointed to the one on the right, who kept her gaze lowered. “This is Leshui. They are sisters.”
Leshan immediately revealed a smile, while Leshui quickly glanced up at Lin Xiaowan before lowering her head again, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum. “Greetings, Miss.”
After the introductions—
Honggu’s tone turned stern as she warned the two girls, “From now on, Miss Xu is the master you must serve with all your heart. Her words are my words. If you dare show even the slightest neglect or disobedience…” Her gaze sharpened. “You know the rules of this establishment.”
The two girls trembled and responded in unison, “We would not dare!”
Only then did Honggu’s expression soften. She clapped her hands.
Two men in black fitted outfits entered from outside. Though they carried no weapons, they stood upright with steady gazes, exuding a capable and disciplined aura.
“Miss Xu, these are the guards assigned to you by the pavilion. They will remain outside the door on standby. If you need anything or wish to go out, simply instruct them.”
Honggu continued, “As for lessons in music, calligraphy, and painting, instructors will come tomorrow. For today, settle in and familiarize yourself with the surroundings.”
After speaking, she cast Lin Xiaowan a smiling glance before turning briskly and leaving, clearly eager to plan how to promote this “newly descended” “orchid of the secluded valley.”
Lin Xiaowan watched her leave before slowly pacing around the room, her gaze sweeping across every furnishing.
Walking to the wooden platform before the screen, she noticed an exquisitely crafted wooden box about the size of a palm, painted with gold patterns.
Opening it casually, she saw dozens of small silk pouches neatly arranged inside, each tied with a thin string.
She picked one up. It felt soft and light. Through the semi-transparent silk, she could see what was inside—slightly flesh-colored, very thin, with a peculiar texture. It even somewhat resembled… processed lamb intestine?
Just then, Leshan entered carrying freshly brewed tea. Seeing Lin Xiaowan holding the box with a puzzled expression, her face flushed red as she explained softly, “Miss, this is a… contraceptive pouch, for… for guests to use.”
“Is it required to use them in the pavilion?” Lin Xiaowan asked.
“I-if not used, then if there are abnormalities with one’s monthly cycle, one would have to take the pregnancy medicine specially prepared by Honggu. That medicine… is very harmful to the body.”
Lin Xiaowan glanced at her, her tone calm. “You seem to understand it quite well. Have you used it before? How does it feel?”
Leshan waved her hands repeatedly, her face turning even redder. “N-no! My sister and I are not of age yet… Honggu said our priority now is to learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and the etiquette of serving people. These things are for later…”
She became too embarrassed to continue.
Lin Xiaowan chuckled softly, finding it quite amusing to tease the little maid. She placed the pouch back into the box and closed the lid.
Walking to the tea table, she sat down and gestured for the two girls to come over and sit as well.
Leshan hesitated, and Leshui was even more timid, not daring to move.
Lin Xiaowan merely glanced at them. Her gaze was not stern, yet carried an unquestionable calm authority.
Leshui secretly raised her eyes to observe this newly arrived young lady.
Though she appeared only slightly older than herself, and despite being in such an unfamiliar environment, there was not the slightest trace of panic or timidity on her face. Instead, she possessed an ethereal quality that seemed out of place in such a worldly setting.
Thinking of this, a hint of envy arose in Leshui’s heart. She recalled how she had cried countless nights after being sold here.
The two girls approached the tea table and carefully sat on the embroidered stools, only occupying half their seats.
“Tell me, how did you come here?” Lin Xiaowan lifted her teacup and gently blew away the foam, her tone casual, as if chatting idly. “Since we are to spend a long time together, it is good to understand each other.”
Leshan glanced at her sister. Seeing that she still dared not speak, she took a breath and said softly, “Replying to Miss, we… were originally daughters of farming households outside the city. Our family was poor, and there were many younger brothers. They truly could not afford to raise us anymore. One day, our father said he would take us into the city to see the sights, but… but he led us to the back door, took Honggu’s money, and left without looking back.”
“Honggu is very strict with us. If we make even the slightest mistake, we cannot avoid being beaten or scolded…”
As she spoke of the past, her voice carried suppressed sobs. Leshui was already silently wiping away tears beside her.
Lin Xiaowan remained silent for a moment, then set down her teacup. “The world is harsh; one cannot act as one wishes. Let the past be. Since you are here, follow my rules from now on.”
Her tone remained calm, yet clearly defined boundaries. “My three daily meals and hot water for washing are to be delivered to the room on time. Before entering, you must knock and wait for my permission. When I do not call for you, there is no need to attend me closely. Do you understand?”
The two girls quickly nodded. “Understood.”
Leshan suddenly recalled something and added, “Miss, Honggu instructed us to take your measurements so that the tailor can quickly make a few fitted garments. To ensure accuracy, you will need to remove your outer clothing.”
“Just as well, these clothes are somewhat worn.”
Lin Xiaowan showed no hesitation. She rose and went behind the screen, removing her outer garments as instructed, leaving only her underclothes.
Leshan took a soft measuring tape and carefully measured her shoulders, arm length, chest, waist, and legs, while Leshui recorded the measurements with a brush on paper.
Lin Xiaowan’s skin was like jade. Though her figure had not fully matured, it already revealed astonishing symmetry and latent grace, causing the two girls to feel a quiet envy.
After the measurements were done, Lin Xiaowan dressed again and pointed to the box on the dressing table. “That—take it away.”
Leshan was taken aback and hesitated. “Miss, this…”
“I have no use for it.” Lin Xiaowan’s tone was calm and indifferent, as if speaking of something unrelated to herself. “I was born with a cold constitution, and my meridians are unusual. A doctor once said I would never be able to conceive in this lifetime. These things are useless to me.”
Leshan and Leshui exchanged glances, both showing astonishment in their eyes.
In their limited understanding, for a woman to be unable to bear children was almost the greatest flaw and sorrow, something that would invite scorn. Yet this Miss Xu spoke of it so calmly?
Daring not to ask further, Leshan quickly stepped forward and picked up the box. “Yes, Miss. Then… we will take our leave now. Please rest early.”
The two girls exited the room and gently closed the door.
Walking along the carpeted corridor, once they had gone some distance, Leshui softly said to her sister, “This Miss… is quite strange…”
Before she could finish, they saw Honggu coming up the stairs, seemingly heading elsewhere. At a glance, she noticed the familiar gilded box in Leshan’s hands and immediately stopped.
“That box… was taken from Miss Xu’s room? What did she say?!”
Honggu’s tone carried a hint of tension.
Leshan was extremely afraid of this madam and dared not delay. She quickly repeated Lin Xiaowan’s words exactly.
“Innately unable to conceive?”
After hearing this, Honggu was first stunned, then her eyes suddenly burst with astonishing light, the joy on her face almost impossible to suppress.
For an ordinary woman, being unable to bear children was a tragedy.
But for a courtesan destined to deal with all kinds of men, this was simply… the removal of the greatest hidden danger and trouble!
No need to worry about accidental pregnancy affecting her value or causing complications! Especially when paired with Xu Fu’s cold and refined beauty and temperament.
She was simply… a natural-born famed courtesan!
Honggu let out two strange chuckles, her hands grasping at the air as if already seeing streams of gold and silver rolling in.
“Honggu, Honggu…” Leshan called softly.
She came back to her senses, realizing her loss of composure, and quickly coughed twice before asking, “Have the measurements been taken?”
Leshui hurriedly handed over the paper with the recorded measurements.
Honggu took it, glanced over it, and nodded in satisfaction.
“Good, good! You may go now. Prepare yourselves well and serve attentively tomorrow! If there is any neglect, you will not be spared!”