Chapter 10, Transaction (1)

Old Master Lin sat in the armchair, sipping tea and smiling as he observed her. Once again, he dispelled any doubts about Buqi: "Buqi did not inherit the beauty of this lady. However, looking at Buqi now, your smile resembles that of this lady, as if you were carved from the same mold. When I received the portrait, I effortlessly thought of you. The expression, the more I look, the more it resembles you."

Fanghua had combed through her hair repeatedly with a comb and had searched through it with her fingers. After confirming that there were no lice, Lin Dansha smiled and praised her hair, personally tying it back with a ribbon.

The moonlight is beautiful this evening

However, it seems that she has no need to refuse. There also appears to be no reason for her to refuse

She carefully looked at the portrait again, committing the image of that extraordinarily beautiful woman to memory. With a light sigh, she said: "It's a pity that Buqi does not possess such a stunning appearance; perhaps my godfather has made a mistake"

In this life, at the age of five or six, I saw Huajiu slowly losing her vitality on a snowy night. The townspeople had closed their doors and windows, and she could no longer remember how she crawled through the dog hole into Ah Huang's doghouse. She only remembered that the wind that night made her limbs unresponsive, and the blood in her body was freezing inch by inch

She touched the jade bracelet in the bowl again. It was entirely emerald green, lustrous and translucent. The old lady Lin had worn it for decades, and with a casual swipe, she slipped it onto her own wrist, claiming it was a meeting gift for her newly recognized god-granddaughter. The young mistress, envious, insisted that the bracelet was worth a hundred taels of silver

She touched her dress, and a surge of love for gold and silver welled up in her heart

Next, it becomes quite simple. A loving call of "good girl" from a mother, and a voice choked with emotion as she calls out to her godfather, tears welling in her eyes. Of course, Lord Lin could never have imagined that the affectionate address from Buqi was prompted by her recollection of the phrase "dog mother raised".

One who has never experienced the cold of winter will not feel happiness while wrapped in a fox fur by the fireplace. Without needing to look back, she clearly knows what expression will be on the face of Lord Lin, who is sitting behind her sipping tea. This old fox has her firmly in his grasp. Suddenly realizing the connection with a prominent royal relative, any beggar or lowly maid would be filled with a mix of surprise and joy.

Old Master Lin stated both directly and indirectly: "The adoptive father sees that you resemble the lady in the painting, and it reminds him that Buqi was also an abandoned child picked up by Hua Jiu. If the Wang family recognizes you, then Buqi will be fortunate, and the Yaoling Manor will also feel gratified for having raised you for many years"

Is that so? A hint of mockery quickly flashed in her eyes, and she smiled slightly

Old Master Lin then spoke earnestly: "Buqi, the old lady cherishes you, and I have taken you as my adopted daughter solely so that you may enjoy her favor. Who would have thought that this portrait would arrive from Wangjing? I was originally hesitant, fearing that Buqi might think I adopted you for this reason. After much contemplation, I truly do not wish for a pearl to be lost in the mountains and fields"

In her memory, this was the first time she found the snowy landscape beautiful. For the poor, heavy snow does not bring beauty, but coldness

You sing a part, and I will perform a part. Thus, the matter is settled.

The dress was also newly sewn by Lin Dansha, and she had not worn it even for a day. It was a short jacket made of high-quality satin embroidered with small floral patterns, paired with a pink Xiang skirt. A deep green silk ribbon, about ten inches wide, was tied around her waist. Its fresh and delicate beauty reminded her of the morning lotus blooming in the pond after the rain

Not abandoning the thought, secretly cursing, adopting her as a goddaughter, isn't it just because her demeanor resembles that of the lady in the portrait? Yet, one must insist on speaking so justifiably.

It is merely a resemblance, nothing of great significance. Suddenly, Buqi thought of the flower Jiu that had frozen to death, and sadness gradually welled up in his eyes. Having been together with Jiu for more than five years, the tenderness in his dirty face represented the purest emotion in the world. Unfortunately, he will not be able to see today.

Such a grand gesture, dyeing the feathers of a mountain chicken to resemble those of a phoenix ... The unwavering gaze returned from the snowflakes clustered on the green pines, and she turned around with the expression that Master Lin hoped to see

Old Master Lin further stated: "The prefectural government of Xizhou will successively distribute this portrait to the wealthy gentry of the aristocratic families. Relying solely on the portrait to identify individuals, there are certainly more than one who are of similar age or bear resemblance in demeanor or appearance. In serving the Seventh Prince, it is likely that many young women will be recommended at that time."

What if the royal court determines otherwise? Will she be executed?

In her previous life, when she was around five or six years old, she sold roses on a winter night at one o'clock in the morning. She clung to the pairs of red-clad men and green-clad women passing by, pleading with them to spend one yuan to buy a single stem. The biting cold of winter made her nose run, and she only hoped to be taken back to the rented house soon, where she could cook a bowl of hot noodle soup to eat

The snow accumulates on the fluffy needles of the green pines, resembling crystalline flowers

The newly sewn skirt was taken out by Lin Dan Sha without a frown. At the same time, he proactively mentioned that he would prepare herbal medicine for her daily to soak in herbal baths, allowing her sun-kissed skin to become soft and fair, and nurturing her hands, which had become rough from labor, to be as delicate as green onions

The unwavering fingers entwined a strand of hair. The dark, lustrous strands had a weight to them, and with a gentle release, it was as if a mischievous child swiftly slipped away from her fingertips