Chapter 3, Please Enter the Jar (Part 2)

Lü Qiao and Zi Lan exchanged a glance, hesitating for a moment, then Zi Lan whispered: "It was made by Sister Mo."

Xiliang Mo paused her hand that was crushing the flower petals and said softly, "Since she has come, let her come." If she does not come, how can anything be accomplished?

The Western Liang fairy was already seated by the stone table in the garden, attended by the maidservants. She lifted her gaze and cast a faint glance at the two maids, but did not speak.

Xiliang Mo lowered her eyes and said softly: "These days my legs have not been well. Although I can get out of bed now, I can only move around in the courtyard, and I walk slowly. Therefore, I plant some things in the courtyard and tend to some flowers and herbs, treating it as a way to pass the time. Thank you for your concern, County Princess. Since you have come to see me, would you like to take a look?"

"County Mistress, that girl Zilan has slandered me, and I only argued with her in response," Lvqiao said indignantly. Her master, Xiliang Dan, and Xiliang Xian were both born of the same mother from the Han family and were the most favored. Consequently, her own status in the residence had risen accordingly. Now that Xiliang Xian was present, she would not miss this opportunity.

Comparing with Xiliang Xian, it is like the difference between clouds and mud, yet Xiliang Mo still holds the status of an elder sister, and the Lan family has not been dismissed, so the feelings involved are quite strange and uncomfortable for Xiliang Xian

"County Lord, please come quickly"

Hearing that Sister Mo is in good spirits, playing with cosmetics in the courtyard, it seems your legs have indeed recovered well. It is a pity that Second Brother is still in a deep coma. Xiliang Xian smiled lightly, casting a sidelong glance at Xiliang Mo, her tone was calm yet carried a chilling aura of frost and snow.

At the beginning of the year, after Bai Mei and Liu Mama passed away, it seemed that the housekeepers had forgotten to send someone to Xi Liang Mo. As a result, this rough servant girl entered the young lady's room to serve her

According to the old custom, Sister Mo is the only legitimate daughter of the noble lady of the Guogong, Lady Lan, making her the most esteemed in status after the legitimate son

In this residence, there is only one legitimate daughter, namely the County Princess of Duan Yang—Xi Liang Xian.

Before long, Honglian was indeed seen standing outside the courtyard, saying: "The county lord has arrived, go and inform Miss Mo!" Bai Rui hurriedly came out, saluted Xiliang Xian, and lifted the curtain, allowing Xiliang Xian to step inside gracefully

Xiliang Xian elegantly sat down under the service of the maids, smiling as she said: "What could possibly be worth your quarrel, to the extent of fighting in public and losing the young lady's face?"

Green Qiao pouted and said: "Sister Hong Lian, you may not know this, but although this ointment is not as precious as that from the Fanghua Studio, it is freshly made. A light layer of it is very delicate, and when the pale green is applied to the face, it can make the skin appear bright and refined without being overly white"

"What brings the county lord here today? This place is rather shabby, and I fear it may not meet your expectations," said Mo from Xiliang respectfully, while also offering a cup of tea.

The young woman leading six maidens stepped out gracefully, her age barely exceeding fourteen. Her complexion was fairer than frost and whiter than snow, with elegantly arched eyebrows and elongated eyes that seemed to hold a captivating pool of autumn water. However, her lips were slightly thin, giving off a somewhat sharp impression. Yet, as she spoke, a pair of shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks, making her seem endearing.

Her hair is jet black, styled in a hibiscus cloud bun, adorned on both sides with a pair of auspicious double happiness emerald bats and jade phoenix hairpins, shimmering brilliantly. Her ears are decorated with pearl earrings, and around her neck are two strands of eastern pearls. She wears a light purple skirt embroidered with peonies, and drapes a golden silk embroidered white cloud shawl over her shoulders, exuding elegance and brightness

The daughter of the Lan family, born in the same year as the Xiliang fairy, Xiliang Mo, found herself in an awkward position. The title of the legitimate daughter in the family register was taken away, and she was merely listed as the daughter of the Lan family. It is unclear whether this was intentional or unintentional. Since her childhood, the Duke of Jingguo would show a cold demeanor whenever he saw her during festivals, which resulted in her rarely appearing before him. Consequently, over the years, the Duke of Jingguo had almost forgotten that he had such a daughter

Long ago, a maidservant had replaced Xiliang Fairy to serve tea. What good tea could there be in a place where a person is both a half servant and half master? Naturally, Xiliang Fairy looked down upon it.

Every girl has a fondness for rouge and beauty, and although these are not expensive items, Xiliang Fairy curiously asked, "You just said this is freshly made, where is it made fresh?"

From a distance, someone was spotted approaching. Bai Rui quickly lifted the coarse blue curtain and entered the courtyard, addressing the slender girl in white who was busy at the window: "Miss, someone has arrived; from afar, it looks like a county princess."

Although Jingguo was born into a prominent family of the Western Liang, he had spent many years engaged in martial activities. The atmosphere in his residence was not as oppressive and meticulous as that of other century-old noble families, yet it still did not permit the maids to make such a commotion in front of their masters

No longer appearing timid, although still taciturn, she exudes a chill that always leaves her feeling uneasy

However, since ancient times, it has been a source of great controversy for women to show their faces in public. Moreover, when the Lan family had a woman disguise herself as a man to join the army, it caused quite a stir in the court within just a few years. Fortunately, this dynasty values martial prowess, and with General Lan and the Emperor backing them, the Lan family was able to extricate themselves from the public outcry and even marry into a century-old prestigious family

Zilan pressed her lips together and respectfully presented a small porcelain box, saying: "This is the Green Snow Containing Fragrance Balm. It is not particularly valuable, but it is something I specifically ordered. A few days ago, it went missing. I share a room with Lvqiao, yet I do not know why she also has this item a few days later, so I just inquired about it."

Hong Lian could not help but smile, sarcastically saying: "Isn't it just a box of rouge? And it's green, which will make you look like a green-headed fly. It's a shame that both of you are still big maids, yet your eyelids are so shallow, leaving no room for the little maids to mock you."

Not to mention that the father of Lady Lan, General Fu Yuan, has long since passed away, the Lan family has been in decline for many years. The once illustrious General Huangyi of the Lan family has not entered the court since marrying into the Xiliang family, and has been bedridden, living in seclusion and practicing Buddhism for over a decade, showing no concern for her only daughter born during this time.

Watching Xiliang Mo calmly manipulate the flower petals to extract the flower juice, without a hint of worry, Bai Rui felt somewhat perplexed. Ever since the incident in February, the only ones left to serve in Mo's courtyard were her and the rough worker, Granny Bai. After the young lady, despite her illness, personally went to see Granny Liu in her final moments following the public execution, it was as if she had become a different person.

She examined the porcelain box in her hand, a celadon small plum design made of fine white porcelain. Although it was not valuable, it was indeed exquisite. Upon opening it, she found a layer of light green paste-like powder inside, of which a small amount had already been used, but several delicate chrysanthemum patterns were embossed on the surface, exuding a faint fragrance that was quite enticing

Zilan appeared with a pitiful and tearful expression, which was quite moving; however, it caused Xiliang Xian to slightly cool her autumn-like gaze. Coming from a prominent family, she valued propriety and decorum, and did not appreciate such overt displays of sentiment. Yet, her illegitimate fourth brother was favored by their father, and she was too indifferent to comment on it.

She was somewhat surprised; a year ago, she had passed through this courtyard, but it appeared dilapidated and exuded a sense of decay. Given that it was already past February, one would expect that no one would tend to it, yet it seemed to possess a different kind of vitality.

The most polite and clever words were two points more refined than Lu Qiao. Xi Liangxian glanced at Lu Qiao, who wore an expression of indignation. This girl was just like her sister; whatever master raised her, that was the kind of servant she became—direct and overbearing, truly useless.

Xiliang Xianxian first surveyed the small courtyard, which was cleaner than the typical servant's quarters, yet still quite simple, far inferior to his own Linxian Pavilion. However, flowers that bloomed in accordance with the seasons were planted all around; though not precious, they appeared much more elegant than before, evoking a sense of a humble abode with flowers blooming naturally.

"What is this? Is this place a marketplace where you two little rascals can shout and make a scene? Do you think the rules of the residence are too lenient, and you wish to be sent away?" Hongwu, the maidservant attending to Xiliang Xian, stepped forward and cast a cold glance at the onlookers, causing the maids and wives to hurriedly bow and retreat.

With no father to care for her and no mother to love her, at the beginning of the year, a significant incident occurred in her room, leading the masters of the residence to regard Xiliang Mo with even less favor. Consequently, no one called her "Miss" anymore. Xiliang Mo's status was akin to that of a senior maid in the residence, placing her in an awkward position that was half servant and half master.

Upon hearing this, Xiliang Xian and Honglian focused their gazes on the faces of Luqiao and Zilan, and indeed, it was as such. Both Luqiao and Zilan originally did not have particularly fair complexions, but now they appeared to be translucent and radiant.

The West Liang fairy is also curious; the cosmetics in the residence are all custom-made, and the maids use nothing inferior. Although this fragrant paste is pleasant to the senses and visually appealing, I have never seen a green paste before. It does not seem as precious as that from the Fanghua Studio, and I wonder what its purpose could be

"I never expected that Sister Mo knelt down in the ancestral hall last time; I wonder if her legs are alright. Yet, she seems to have the heart to engage in these cosmetics and powders. I must go take a look." Xiliang Xian had learned about seventy to eighty percent from the Han family, and she was well aware of what these young girls and servants were thinking. Therefore, she decided to visit Xiliang Mo to see what that girl was up to.

Not long after, the Han family, which had also recently entered the royal circle through a marriage arranged by the royal family, found itself in a situation where the man had three wives and four concubines. Shortly after entering the family, the Han woman gave birth to a son and was elevated to the status of the principal wife, receiving a second-rank title, which was only one rank lower than the first-rank title of the Lan family. From then on, the world mostly recognized the lady of the Duke's residence as the second wife, Han. Their eldest daughter was also regarded as the legitimate daughter. On one occasion, after a great victory, the Duke returned to court, and the Western Liang fairy was rewarded and also granted the title of county princess.

Indeed, upon hearing the name of Mo Jie'er, Xi Liangxian's expression paused for a moment, then she smiled lightly: "Is that so? So it was made by Mo Jie'er." Her voice revealed no discernible emotions, yet everyone in the room understood that Mo Jie'er's status in the residence was truly awkward, particularly in relation to Xi Liangxian's identity.

She is the only titled young lady in the residence of the Yasukuni Public House, the daughter of the Han family who manages the household—Princess Duan of Xiliang.