Chapter 9, The Phoenix Woman (3)

A delicate cry suddenly rang in my ears: "Buqi!"

Did her expression and the meaning behind her words indicate that there was no engagement? The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. What was the purpose of Master Lin recognizing her as his adopted daughter? In a moment of distraction, Lin Dansha had already led her into a pavilion within the garden. Pushing open the intricately carved wooden door, a wave of warm, humid air rushed out. Inside, the air was filled with steam, and in the center was a bathing pool. Against the wall was a hot spring source, with hot water bubbling forth. Water flowed into the bathing pool from the mouth of a beast head, and then gushed out from the mouth of another beast on the opposite side. At this moment, a large wooden tub was placed by the pool, overflowing with the fragrance of medicinal herbs

She gestured for Buqi to follow her into the inner courtyard. Buqi glanced at Lin Dansha's back, feeling increasingly uneasy. Given Lin Dansha's arrogant nature, she should have asserted her dominance as soon as they entered. By softening her stance and giving her an opportunity to save face, Buqi expected that Lin Dansha would certainly instruct her to act as a maid in the garden, only taking on the identity of a young lady when receiving guests. Why did the whole family seem as if they had been struck by lightning and turned foolish?

Lin Dansha smiled and said: "Father specifically ordered someone to build this hot spring pavilion. Soaking in hot springs is good for the skin, and I have also prepared herbs soaked in the wooden tub. Not only can it eliminate fleas and lice, but it can also strengthen the body and replenish energy. Don't hesitate, take your time soaking. I have already arranged new clothes for you. After you finish bathing and dressing, go pay your respects to grandmother."

She quickly undressed and went straight into the hot spring pool

The term "miss" was pronounced with great emphasis, accompanied by a slight raising of her eyebrows.

Lin Dan Sha left gracefully, departing ahead of others

Being manipulated by Master Lin, she had no choice but to bear the title of young lady while also having to consider the expressions of the subordinates. No matter what, she was unwilling to suffer this loss.

Fanghua huffed coldly and turned away. Buqi's mood instantly improved tremendously

While not abandoning her gaze at the beautiful scenery of the garden, she sweetly said: "Sister, you are beautiful, and the garden is arranged like a fairyland. I have heard that suitors have trampled the threshold of Yaoling Manor. I wonder who is fortunate enough to marry you!"

Cuiying Academy is located within the second gate of Yaoling Village, embodying the essence of gathering the finest blooms. Yaoling Village is built at the foot of the mountain, and it is here at Cuiying Academy that there exists a natural hot spring. Nourished by the hot spring, the fourth young lady, Lin Dansha, has planted numerous precious flowers, trees, and medicinal herbs in the garden. If one were to say that peonies bloom in winter, such a remarkable sight can only be found at Cuiying Academy

A small wooden bridge stands before me, with hot spring water flowing beneath it, the stream partially hidden in the mist, yet blooming with a few white lotus flowers. The ground is already a pure white, while the distant buildings are surrounded by vibrant flowers in various shades of purple and red. It is likely that the hot spring water meanders through seven twists and nine turns, with a layer of mist gently spreading throughout the garden, enhancing the garden's ethereal beauty.

Lin Dan Sha will only reach the age of fifteen next year, and her hair is not styled in a bun. She has parted her hair from the center of her forehead, gathering some strands on both sides to braid into two thin braids, which are tied at the back of her head with a ribbon, cascading down to her waist. She wears a pink fine jacket, paired with a light skirt embroidered with plum blossoms. The jade pendant hanging from her waist, pressed against the skirt, produces a delicate and crisp sound as she moves. Her appearance is complemented by a pink fine pearl headband, enhancing her picturesque features and her fair, translucent complexion. She wears a pink fine jacket, tied with a light skirt embroidered with plum blossoms. The jade pendant at her waist, pressed against the skirt, produces a delicate and crisp sound as she moves.

Her voice was sweet and delicate, so charming that she couldn't help but touch her hand, fearing that goosebumps might fall in such a beautiful garden. As she turned her head, she saw Lin Dansha, adorned in splendid makeup.

The maid Fanghua, who accompanied her to the garden, was originally serving the Fourth Miss Lin Dansha in Cuiying Garden. Upon hearing Buqi's words, she covered her mouth and laughed, saying: "The Fifth Miss is also a young lady now!"

The water temperature is just right. The flowing hot spring water washes over her body, driving away the chill, and she lets out a comfortable moan. She thinks leisurely that if she could soak in the hot springs every day, being the adopted daughter of Lord Lin wouldn't be so bad. She hopes that the tasks Lord Lin requires of her won't be too troublesome; otherwise, she will have no choice but to take the pottery bowl that Hua Jiu passed to her and make a hasty exit.

Indeed, the maid in the vegetable garden, the filthy beggar born of a dog, has now become a young lady. If she were to change herself, it would not just be a mouth full of sourness; her teeth would have long been ruined by the acidity. Without abandoning her inner disdain, she smiled again, her brows arched, and said: "Sister Fanghua is clever and charming; if she could be my maid, this young lady would feel even more at ease."

Growing up in the streets, how could one compare the understanding of human nature to that of Lin Dansha? She said with a smile, "As long as Lord Meng does not disdain me and treats me so well, I am already very content. How could I dare to truly stand on equal footing with the young lady?"

After spending seven years in Yaoling Village, Buqi stepped into Cuiying Garden for the first time. As the moon gate opened, she couldn't help but exclaim how beautiful it was

Buqi immediately felt happy. She did not have fleas or lice on her. Even Ah Huang was washed frequently. What made her happy was that she finally felt Lin Dansha had returned to normal. On the surface, she accepted her, acknowledging her as a sister, but deep down, she still looked down on her for being dirty, which was why she had prepared herbs for her to soak in. This was the Lin Dansha that Buqi was familiar with.

Only Buqi remained in the room. She looked at the wooden bucket and casually fished out a handful of herbs, examining them: orange peel, chamomile, and motherwort, which indeed are formulas for beauty and pest control. She pouted and said: "Do you think I'm dirty? Who knows how many people have used this wooden bucket!"

After thirteen years, not having abandoned the first time seeing such a beautiful scene, I couldn't help but exclaim: "It's still better to be a young lady!"

Not accustomed to having someone else bathe for her, she noticed Fanghua's expression and understood that she was also unwilling. Thus, she signaled for Fanghua to wait outside the pavilion

Lin Dansha was very satisfied with Buqi's attitude. She carefully compared Buqi's expression with that of the woman in the painting, and indeed, they were similar. Remembering her father's admonition, she finally felt at ease. She smiled and reproached, "Since Father has already recognized you as his adopted daughter, and you have called him adoptive father, and have greeted your brothers, why are you still distant with your sister? Such words should not be mentioned again in the future. Sister will take you to groom and dress up." She smiled and reproached, "Since Father has already recognized you as his adopted daughter, and you have called him adoptive father, and have greeted your brothers, why are you still distant with your sister? Such words should not be mentioned again in the future. Sister will take you to groom and dress up."

Barefoot people are not afraid of those wearing shoes, let alone the fact that you are merely wearing a pair of slippers. With this thought in mind, she ignored the greenish face of Fanghua, shrugged her shoulders, and entered the garden. Buqi was now curious about what kind of attitude the fourth young lady, Lin Dansha, who had always looked down on her, would display.

Lin Dan pulled her up and reproachfully said: "Father has already acknowledged you as my sworn sister, why aren't you calling me sister quickly!"

Seeing the beauty, her brows raised and her smile brightened, her expression shifted from gloomy to sunny. With a sigh, she muttered to herself, "Miss, my skin is as tender as a young onion; it would not be good if your long nails were to pierce it."

So beautiful! ... Truly ...! ... She is a delicate girl who has been raised in the palm of one's hand. Lowering her head to glance at the blue cotton jacket she was wearing, she recalled the life she had lived over the years. A surge of envy, jealousy, and self-pity flooded her heart. Seeing the disdainful expression on Fanghua's face, Buqi raised a smile and bowed: "Buqi pays respects to the Fourth Miss!"

Lin Dan raised his chin proudly and said: "Not a single one is worthy of my attention. All those who came to propose were turned down by my father."