Chapter 6, Fragrant Smoke

Ming Yan stared at him, the icy intent in her eyes gradually melting away: "Young master has a kind heart."

A long scar ran across her right cheek. The wound was too deep. The flesh bulged slightly, resembling a pink worm crawling on her face

Mu Lan slowly opened her eyes

This dancer is quite intriguing. Mu Lan feels that she resembles a proud swan, rather than a girl from a brothel

Ming Yan reached out to unveil her own veil. She said sarcastically, "Are you willing?"

"Serve the young master well." Mother Cui, fearing that Mu Lan would be dissatisfied, gave Ming Yan a gentle push.

This reaction, is she really? Mu Lan listened to the ambiguous words and secretly scolded the old man thoroughly.

Mu Lan couldn't help but exclaim, "The young lady really knows how to dress up"

The young lady's tea art is extraordinary. She must have received guidance from a renowned master

Only two people remained in the pavilion, gazing at each other. Ming Yan's aura was too cold, exuding a sense of aloofness that kept others at a distance. Mu Lan was the first to laugh: "What, are you unwilling to serve me?"

The petals unfold layer by layer, from bud to bloom, vividly alive

"Young Master, are you asleep?" Ming Yan gently draped the blanket over Mu Lan. She stared at him in a daze, and after a moment, she finally sighed and murmured, "He really is asleep."

The sound of light footsteps echoed behind, accompanied by the sweet and syrupy laughter of Mother Cui: "Young master, you have been waiting for a long time"

Their eyes met, and he caught a fleeting glimpse of grievance in her eyes. Mu Lan's heart softened instantly. After all, if it wasn't her, it would be another girl. If he wanted to empty his pockets of silver, Mama Cui would not allow him to stay at the Ninghua Building for free. He gave Mama Cui a knowing glance.

The old man's plan also has moments of vulnerability? Mu Lan pondered the likelihood of this possibility. Lin Shiba, just as the old man said, was narrow-minded, unable to accept defeat. A provocation would lead him into a trap. The old man's investigations have always been meticulous and thorough. However, there was no woman in blue at the Ninghua Building? Then, one could only rely on oneself to act according to the situation.

Here she comes? Mu Lan turned around to find a petite girl standing in front of her. The girl was still wearing her blue dance costume, the hem trailing long behind her. However, her face was obscured by a veil, making it impossible to see her features. She had her hair styled in a tall bun, revealing her slender and elongated neck.

She performed a gesture of goodwill. After a slight bending of the knee, she straightened her back again

Mu Lan stared at the peony in a daze. Just as he was about to say something, he unexpectedly yawned. He felt embarrassed and repeatedly apologized: "Miss, my apologies for my rudeness."

"It is my honor to offer you a cup of tea, Miss." Mu Lan sat down with a smile

Mingyan lowered her eyelashes and softly said, "When I was young, I learned from a distant aunt while visiting relatives. I have only mastered about thirty percent of her skills."

She swiftly took out a set of night clothes from the bundle she had brought. After glancing at Mu Lan, she unhesitatingly went to the waterside platform and slid into the water along the edge

Ming Yan seemed taken aback by his reaction, momentarily stunned. When she regained her senses, Mu Lan had already begun to snore softly

Two hours later, Mingyan suddenly opened her eyes. She lay quietly, listening to Mulan's breathing, which remained steady and prolonged, before finally getting up

She extinguished the candle, picked up the leftover tea that Mu Lan had not finished, poured it over the incense burner to put it out, and then walked to the bed and lay down.

As the fragrance of the camellia dissipated, Mu Lan picked up the tea cup and took a sip: "So fragrant! Thank you, miss!"

Ah, no need. I won't force you. " Mu Lan gracefully walked over to the short couch and lay down, yawning again, " You can sleep in the bed. Thank you for keeping me company.

Half an hour later, after her bath, Mingyan gracefully walked out from behind the screen. She seemed to have a particular fondness for blue. The outfit she changed into was still a blue high-waisted long skirt, draped with a wide robe made of blue gauze, which highlighted her fair chest. Her beautiful figure was subtly revealed beneath the garments, drawing attention away from her veiled face.

She did not expect it and stumbled forward. Mu Lan happened to reach out and support her arm

Is she? There is no young lady with the surname Lan in Ninghua Tower, yet she happens to be wearing a blue long dress tonight

The faint and distant fragrance rising from the incense burner resembles that of lotus yet is not quite lotus. Before me, a beautiful woman reveals a pair of delicate hands, her movements graceful as a painting. Mu Lan gazes at her as she boils water and brews tea, momentarily feeling as if this place is not a brothel.

Mu Lan supported his hands behind his neck, having made up his mind, he no longer felt anxious

Boiling water is poured in, causing the snow-white tea flowers to rise and gather into a peony

She tied on the veil, walked gracefully to the incense burner, and picked up some incense to light. Turning her face, she softly said: "I will go take a bath and return to serve you, my lord"

Ming Yan smiled faintly: "Perhaps the young master has exhausted too much energy at the casino during the day. It is late at night, let me serve the young master to rest."

Neither servile nor arrogant, she remains proud. It is evident that she is a lady of high birth who has fallen into the brothel. The air of refinement that Ming Yan possesses, which is at odds with the brothel, evokes a sense of pity in Mu Lan towards her

Ming Yan sat gracefully in front of the low table and said softly: "My face has been ruined, but fortunately my dancing skills are still acceptable, allowing me to earn a living at the Ninghua Pavilion. Besides dancing, I am also skilled in making tea. If the young master does not mind Ming Yan's unattractiveness, then this cup of tea shall be my token of gratitude."

Seeing that he had left someone behind, Mother Cui happily stepped back out

Is that all? Can you give me a definite answer? Mu Lan let out a long sigh, no longer holding out hope of finding the woman in blue.

A normal person would never seek out a girl whose appearance has been ruined in a brothel. Mu Lan was at a loss for words. What a pitiful girl she is. His gaze flickered, and with a smile, he gently lifted her face, saying, "I only know that the dancing figure of the lady in blue is as beautiful as a celestial being"