maidservant

Chapter 62: Yan Lie meets Yun Shan on the street and feels sad

Yunshan has been working as a medicine attendant for nearly fifty days. This position seems to be a perfect match for her.

She got up early every day, put on some makeup, and then devoted herself to decocting, preparing, identifying and recognizing medicines. She did her best and felt like a fish in water.

The talent and wisdom that had been hidden deep within her heart were now revealed through her role as a medicine attendant. Every time she administered a medicine with precision, her confidence grew stronger.

In this medicine house, she actually found the self-confidence that came from the depths of her soul and made her more determined and self-sufficient.

On this day, Yunshan was on vacation, so Lin Yu asked her to go to the Marquis' Mansion and deliver the birthday gift that he had carefully prepared for her younger brother in advance.

Yunshan took the order and left. After completing the task, she walked leisurely in the bustling street.

Holding the two taels of monthly silver she had just received tightly in her hand, she was thinking in her mind whether she could find some new and interesting things to entertain the eldest prince.

At this moment, Yunshan's eyes inadvertently swept across a familiar figure. It was Yan Lie?
She thought she was seeing things and stood there in the middle of the street for a moment, staring at him in disbelief.

It was not until she heard a hurried sound of horses stopping behind her that she woke up from her dream and quickly stepped aside in fright.

Yan Lie also saw Yun Shan in the crowd. Their eyes met and both of them showed shock on their faces.

Almost at the same time, they blurted out: "Is that you?"

Afterwards, the two of them smiled at each other, their smiles filled with surprise and relief at meeting again after a long separation. Then, they walked into a streetside teahouse together, found a quiet corner, sat down, and began to talk.

Yan Lie spoke first, with a hint of emotion in his tone: "I thought you and Yan Yu were..." Yan Lie said:
"It's great to see you're still alive and well. In this huge capital, it makes me feel much more at ease to have someone who once lived with me in the Shangshu Mansion."

Yunshan nodded slightly, hesitated for a moment, and said:

"Master Lie, Miss Yu is still alive."

Yan Lie's eyes widened instantly, his face full of astonishment:

"She's still alive? When I first came to Beijing, I only heard that she was divorced by the Tang family and had passed away since then?"

Yunshan then told Yan Lie everything about how Li Song had secretly arranged for Yan Yu and Gan Qing to live in hiding on the farm.

"Master Lie, now that His Majesty has ascended the throne and issued a general amnesty, it's reasonable to assume that even if Miss Yu's affairs were made public, it wouldn't be a big deal. However..."

Yunshan paused, frowning slightly.

"It's just that Tang Wenyao is currently working in the Ministry of Personnel in Kyoto. He has an unpredictable personality and is difficult to predict. Miss Yu really doesn't want him to know her whereabouts."

Yan Lie nodded solemnly:

"I understand. She is my biological sister. How could I easily tell others about it?"

The two of them couldn't help but feel grateful for Li Song's kindness.

Yunshan was puzzled and asked, "When you were in such a difficult situation, why didn't you ask Li Xueshi for help?"

Yan Lie shook his head slightly, a hint of helplessness on his face: "The Li family and the Yan family have always had different positions and political views."

Yunshan understood after hearing this. She knew that the relationship between Li Song and them was just a personal one between the younger generation. If someone with ulterior motives impeached the Li family for being too close to the former traitor, it would bring Li Song into great trouble.

The two chatted for a long time. Yan Lie glanced at the sky and said:
"It's getting late. I came out to do something for Li Mao, and it's time to go back and report."

"Li Mao?" Yun Shan heard the name and a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes.
"Is that Li Mao, the man who 'donated eight million to benefit thousands of merchants'? Are you working with him now?" Her tone was full of interest.

Yan Lie smiled and nodded: "Yes, this master is a straightforward and cheerful person. It's comfortable to work with him."

Seeing Yunshan's curious look, Yan Lie continued:
"He's in the back street. I'll take you to meet him and get to know him."

Upon hearing this, Yunshan showed a happy smile on her face, bowed, and followed Yan Lie.

The two walked towards Li Mao's mansion. From a distance, it looked like a magnificent house with three rooms and three entrances.

Flying eaves, pointed corners, carved beams and painted buildings. For businessmen, this specification is already the highest configuration, showing luxury and grandeur.

The vermilion gate was solemn and majestic, and the stone lions in front stood proudly, as if guarding everything within the house. Yan Lie led Yun Shan straight through the main gate. The doorman, upon seeing Yan Lie, simply nodded slightly and did not stop them.

Yunshan thought to herself, "It seems this Mr. Li is truly someone who doesn't stick to the worldly formalities. How could an ordinary family just casually bring someone in through the main gate?"

As you step into the mansion, you will see deep courtyards, winding corridors, and exquisite scenery everywhere.

Exotic flowers and plants are dotted around, rockery and ponds complement each other, and the occasional clear bird calls add a touch of tranquility and elegance.

When the two of them reached the main hall, Li Mao was already waiting there.

When the three met, Yunshan and Li Mao's eyes were both attracted by the mole between each other's eyebrows. They were both slightly startled, and a strange look appeared in their eyes.

Yan Lie couldn't help laughing when he saw the two of them like this, and said jokingly:
"I've always felt like there's something strange going on. Could it be that you two are the reincarnations of the crane man and carp woman who served the Bodhisattva together in your past life? Hahahaha."

However, Li Mao's expression suddenly became serious. He stared at Yunshan and asked anxiously, "Miss, what's your name?"

Yunshan was a little confused by his serious look, but she still answered seriously, "My name is Song Yunshan."

"Song Yunshan? Were you called Ah Shan when you were little?"

There was a hint of haste and nervousness in Li Mao's words.

"How could Mr. Li know this?!" Yunshan widened her eyes, her face full of surprise.

"Yunshan, Ashan, it's just a meaning. Li Mao, your trick is meaningless." Yan Lie didn't care about the conversation between the two at all. While talking, he sat down leisurely on the chair next to him.

Li Mao turned a deaf ear to Yan Lie's words and pressed on, "Do you have a sister?"

“——What?!” Yunshan was stunned when she heard this.

Li Mao told Yunshan everything about Xiaoyue. After hearing it, Yunshan was so excited that her whole body couldn't stop shaking.

At this moment, she completely disregarded any respect for etiquette. She grabbed Li Mao's sleeves with both hands, her eyes full of earnestness and expectation, and begged in a tearful voice:
"Mr. Li, please take me to see her, please!"

Seeing her like this, Li Mao, Yan Lie and Yun Shan quickly changed into casual clothes, took out the warrant given to him by the young master of Kyoto, and with the help of this warrant, he successfully led the two of them into the String Music Pavilion.

As you step into the String Music Pavilion, you will see the bright lights inside, the sound of string music is endless, and the venue is full of guests, making it very lively.

Xiaoyue was wearing an elegant silk dress, sitting upright in the hall, holding a pipa in her arms, plucking it lightly with her slender hands, and the melodious music poured out like a gurgling stream.

Li Mao's heart softened. Xiaoyue played and sang the tune he had composed for her a few days ago:

[The beauty is slim and graceful, virtuous and elegant.]

But my fate is so miserable and my dreams of the Chu and Qin mansions are gone.

In the past, there were many benefactors, and the rewards were not small, including gold and silver.

Time hastened my aging, and I am becoming increasingly anxious as I am marginalized.

Li Mao listened to the subdued chorus, and suddenly he heard Xiaoyue add the second half of the poem:
[Fortunately, I met a close friend with whom I could confide, and we could understand each other without hesitation.]

The young man expressed his love openly, but the official prostitute was too shy to respond.

After being rejected, I felt sad and heartbroken, missing you for several nights.

I haven't seen you the next day, tears streaming down my face as I sit alone in desolation.

She has him in her heart! She is sad because he didn't come!

Li Mao was delighted and turned around, only to see that Yunshan's excitement had reached its peak. She couldn't wait to lean forward and rush over to recognize her sister regardless of everything.

Li Mao saw this and hurriedly reminded:
"Miss Yunshan, there are too many people in the main hall to see clearly. I hope you can calm down for a moment and come with me to the second floor to sit down. After this music ends, I will bring Xiaoyue to see you."

Yunshan listened to what Li Mao said, but also knew that it was not appropriate to be rash at this time. She nodded slightly and walked towards the second floor, looking back every few steps.

(End of this chapter)