maidservant

Chapter 27: Li Song works at the Hanlin Academy and Yunshan meets a fellow traveler

"My wife, Liang Di, was delighted to hear the good news and asked me to congratulate you."

"Thank you for your concern, cousin. Is everything going well for her in the East Palace?"

When mentioning Lin Yu, Yunshan slightly restrained her expression and said seriously:
"At present, the East Palace is relatively stable, but the situation in the palace has always been complex and changeable, and the master has to deal with it cautiously every day. But don't worry, the master is extremely intelligent and will definitely handle all matters well."

The two chatted for a few more words about Lin Yu's recent situation and the situation of Donggong. The atmosphere was harmonious and cordial.

Suddenly, Li Song seemed to remember something, looked up at Yunshan and asked, "By the way, why did you go out on the street today?"

Yunshan slapped her head, as if she had just remembered something important:
"I almost forgot, I want to buy some things needed in the East Palace."

Li Song thought for a moment, and a gentle smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:

"In that case, I'll go shopping with you. There are so many people on the street, and it would be more convenient if I were here."

Yunshan was slightly startled. Before she could say anything, Li Song stood up first, gently lifted the curtain and got out of the car.

The two walked side by side on the bustling street, surrounded by a variety of shops and people coming and going.

The sunshine shines on them, adding a touch of warmth and beauty to this ordinary shopping trip.

When the two of them strolled to a jewelry store, Li Song saw Yunshan staring at a glass hairpin, so he picked it up and put it in Yunshan's hair.

"Glass and beauty complement each other perfectly."

After saying that, Li Song was seriously taking out the money to pay the bill, but he saw Yunshan quickly throwing the silver to the shopkeeper. Before he could react, Yunshan had already reached out and grabbed his sleeve, pulling him to run.

Li Song was stunned at first, then he smiled helplessly and dotingly, letting her lead him through the crowd.

Since Yan Yu's accident, Yunshan hasn't felt so relaxed for a long time.

The two of them ran along like this, their laughter spreading on the street behind them.

This half-day stroll allowed them to immerse themselves in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Before they knew it, Li Song brought Yunshan to the restaurant where they had dinner together last time.

Walking in, the familiar environment brought back previous memories.

After the two sat down, Li Song

Suddenly thinking of something, he turned his head to look at Yunshan and asked softly, "You have loved eating cakes since you were a child. Do you know how to make them?"

"Yes, although the cakes made by this servant are not as good as those made by the cooks, they are still delicious."

A hint of joy flashed in Li Song's eyes. He stood up and walked towards the shop owner, saying something to him.

After a while, he came back and said with a smile, "I've booked a small kitchen over there. Why don't you make some cakes for me to try?"

Yunshan was a little surprised, but thinking about how Li Song had helped her many times and came to Yan Yuxue's rescue when she was in trouble, she felt that anything he asked her to do was her duty.

She walked into the small kitchen with a smile, washed her hands, skillfully selected the ingredients, and started cooking.

Li Song watched quietly from the side, occasionally handing over an object, his eyes full of concentration and appreciation.

Yunshan meticulously prepared the exquisite pastries fresh from the oven in no time. She carefully placed the pastries on a plate and brought it to Li Song.

Li Song picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. After tasting it carefully, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes:
"It's really delicious. The cooking skills are really good. I wonder if I am the first person to have tasted this?"

Yunshan gently put down the cake in her hand, looked up at him, and answered truthfully: "Master Li, I have made this cake with Miss Yan Yu before."

Li Song had a pleasant smile on his face. "So, you've only made this pastry with me, a man?"

When Yunshan heard this, she seemed to be enlightened. She was startled at first, and then her face quickly flushed.

She lowered her head shyly, and responded in a flustered and naive manner:
"My lord, you have been so kind to me. If you ask me to make some cakes, I will of course do my best." Her voice was soft and trembling with shyness. She looked like a frightened but cute little deer.

Li Song's heart rippled when he saw her like this. His smile deepened a little, and his gaze fell on her more tenderly, as if everything in front of him had become extremely beautiful.

With a hint of mischief and a smile in his eyes, he said half-jokingly:
"If you want to thank me, you have to pledge your love to me, just like the storybook says."

These words echoed in her ears. Yunshan took a deep breath and tried to calm her thoughts. There was a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

"The young master is a man of pure spirit and gentleness, and now he has joined the Hanlin Academy, so he must be looking for a noble lady to marry."

She paused, her voice trembling slightly, "Sir, please don't joke with us like this anymore. If it gets out, it will delay your marriage."

She knew in her heart that she was just a lowly maid. Even though she secretly admired him, she was well aware that there was an unbridgeable gap between them.

To be a concubine? The miserable plight of the concubines in the harem often surfaced in her mind, and she was unwilling to commit herself to such a situation full of calculations and helplessness.

Therefore, she could only harden her heart and say these seemingly rational words.

Li Song listened to her words, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but his words stopped in his throat. In the end, he just sighed softly and changed the subject.

Afterwards, the two of them took a carriage to the East Palace, and Yunshan got off the sedan chair not far from the palace gate.

After she took a few steps forward, she vaguely felt a burning gaze behind her.

Li Song looked at her back gently and attentively, and said as if he had mustered up the courage:
"If the young lady ever leaves the palace, will you be willing to spend your life with me?"

His voice was not loud, but it was particularly clear at the noisy palace gate.

Yunshan was stunned for a moment. She turned around and looked up at him, and saw the sincerity and expectation deep in his eyes.

This sincere confession was like a huge rock thrown into the lake of her heart, causing the balance of love and survival in her heart to tilt in an instant.

At that moment, impulse overwhelmed her like a tide. She only wanted to give it a try regardless of the consequences. Even if she could only marry Li Song as a concubine, even if she might waste her youth and time in that deep backyard in the future, she felt it was worth it.

After all, the man in front of her is the one she loves and the one her heart is attached to.

However, the passionate feelings were ultimately no match for the return of reason.

But after a moment, she gradually calmed down from the impulse.

The reality was like a bucket of cold water, completely waking her up and forcing her to re-examine this relationship and her future path.

She slowly and respectfully bowed to Li Song as a servant, then turned and left.

(End of this chapter)