Liu Liu returned to the separate courtyard, where Cui Er was waiting in her room.
Mu Xing, tired, had been persuaded by Liu Cui Er to sleep.
Liu Liu knew Cui Er had something to ask her, so she waved Hong Xiu away, walked to the couch, and sat down. Cui Er poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.
"Miss, when did the Emperor come here?"
"Yesterday. Don't overthink it, nothing happened."
Liu Liu patted Cui Er's hand, knowing she was worried about her, and smiled faintly.
She remembered Cui Er seemed to have been getting close to Duan Mu recently. It looked like the former bickering pair was about to blossom and bear fruit. She had been meaning to talk to her about it, but hadn't expected her to come over.
"Cui Er, come, sit down. I have something to ask you."
"Mm," Cui Er nodded and sat on another couch. Seeing her miss looking at her so seriously, she knew the topic was related to her, but she couldn't think of anything about herself that her mistress would be so serious about.
"Cui Er, I've seen you getting close to Duan Mu recently. Do you have feelings for him? Would you like me to arrange your marriage to him?"
Liu Liu asked inquiringly. Cui Er's face turned red as soon as she heard her miss's words, and she quickly shook her head, "Miss, Cui Er doesn't want to get married. I'll serve you all my life."
"How can that be? Cui Er is no longer young and should get married. If you don't get married, I won't feel at ease. You've followed me loyally all these years, and I want you to be happy.
As for that Duan Mu, although his personality isn't good, his heart is very kind. Thinking of the suffering he endured back then makes me feel for him. I hope you two will both be happy.
You are like a sister to me, and Duan Mu is like my younger brother. You are all my family, so marry him, take good care of him, and temper his impetuous nature. Then I can rest assured."
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, Cui Er couldn't help but cry. She knew her miss was good to her, but she never thought her miss would treat her like a sister. Her loyalty over the years was worth it. "Miss?"
"Alright, don't be sad. It's not just you. The other sisters on the island, when they reach a suitable age, I will also marry them off. A woman cannot be alone her whole life; she will be lonely in old age. At least find someone to accompany her."
Liu Liu smiled, but her heart ached for the feelings she had once invested. However, now she had Mu Xing and wasn't afraid of being lonely in her old age.
"But Miss, you..."
As Cui Er began to speak, Liu Liu knew what she was going to say. She raised her hand to stop her, "Don't talk about me. I have Mu Xing. He won't abandon me, his mother, so I won't be lonely in my old age."
"Miss," Cui Er thought for a moment, then finally lowered her head with a blush. Liu Liu was relieved and patted Cui Er's hand. "After we return to the island this time, I'll have you and Chu Feng get married together. It will be a lively celebration on the island."
"Mm," Cui Er finally nodded. She left the matter entirely to her miss. She did have feelings for Duan Mu.
That fellow had also asked her several times recently, but she hadn't agreed because she had always wanted to serve her miss and Mu Xing. She didn't expect her miss to arrange her marriage to him. Since that was the case, she would marry him. She could still serve them, mother and son.
"Good, you may go now. I'll rest for a while."
Liu Liu said softly. Cui Er nodded, got up, and walked out. Hong Xiu walked in, having overheard the conversation between her mistress and Cui Er from the corridor.
She was particularly moved by the words that even other sisters would eventually get married.
Because her mistress always cared about everyone's happiness, she felt warm inside. Since coming to Xiaoyao Island, her heart was no longer cold; it was always warm.
On the island, everyone was like family. Even if you were cold, they could warm you up. Interpersonal relationships were much simpler; as long as there was mutual care.
"Hong Xiu, you go rest for a while too. Don't always get tired. I'm fine, I want to sleep." Liu Liu got up and walked to the couch. Hong Xiu knelt and helped her take off her shoes, served her to lie down, and then nodded softly, "Yes, Mistress. Please rest."
Because of the interruption in the afternoon, everyone forgot about going to Xue Xiang Lou. Moreover, Feng Jiu had something happen to him.
Who had the mood to go to Xue Xiang Lou? Unexpectedly, as dusk approached, Feng Jiu sent his steward to inform them to go to Xue Xiang Lou together. It made sense. Feng Jiu was a man of integrity, and his words carried weight.
Even if he was truly in pain, he wouldn't show it. Although everyone wanted him to stay home and rest, no one dared to speak up, fearing they might touch his sore spot.
It was said that Feng Jiu had sent his seventh wife to a separate courtyard and kept A Bu. This was probably the best outcome.
Liu Liu sighed. After all, they had cooperated for three years, and Feng Jiu was an extremely generous person. She felt heartache for him. Seeing his indifferent expression, as if he didn't care at all, it was impossible for a man's pain not to be revealed on his face.
Two luxurious carriages were parked in front of Wanfeng Tea House. Feng Jiu led two subordinates and invited Zhan Yun, Feng Xie, and two more subordinates into the front carriage. He and Liu Liu, along with Dai Mei, got into the back carriage.
Dai Mei had changed into men's clothing. Liu Liu hadn't wanted to bring her, but she insisted, so Liu Liu relented.
The Feng Yue City at night was different from the day. The signs along the road were adorned with rows of red lanterns, their lights flickering and swaying in the gentle breeze.
There were many pedestrians on the street, the hawkers selling their wares, and lovers strolling at night, embracing each other, whispering sweet nothings, and laughing continuously.
As the carriage passed, a scent of perfume wafted in. Liu Liu frowned slightly. Night was the beginning of revelry.
These men had wives and concubines at home, yet they still sought pleasure elsewhere, leaving their beloved wives and beautiful concubines to languish alone in their chambers.
Liu Liu felt it was not worth it for those women. Unfortunately, this was ancient times, a patriarchal society. No matter how unwilling she was, what could she do? She could only control herself, not others.
Liu Liu was lost in thought inside the carriage. Feng Jiu beside her was also silent. The carriage was quiet. Dai Mei, having been offended by Feng Jiu earlier, was secretly amused seeing him hurt, lifted the curtain, and gazed at the street under the night sky.
The night was cold, and the soft glow was like silk, the light like water.
After traveling for a while, the carriage soon stopped. As everyone alighted from the carriage, they saw the renowned "Xue Xiang Lou."
It was said that the women at Xue Xiang Lou were exceptionally expensive. Even the ordinary cleaning maids were more beautiful than others, which was why many princes and ministers came here by reputation.
"Xue Xiang Lou," a two-story building with six main doors facing the street. The sign above the door shone brightly, with three gilded characters: "Xue Xiang Lou."
On both sides of the main door were two rows of red lanterns, six in each row, strikingly red. Above the lanterns, silk drapes were arranged into large, vibrant floral arrangements, making the entire facade eye-catching. Carriages and horses were constantly arriving and departing, and the flow of people was endless.
Feng Jiu led them to the front of the building. A sharp-eyed madam quickly came forward, covering her mouth with an eight-treasure fan. Her shifty eyes darted over them, glancing at them up and down.
She knew at a glance that these people were all wealthy and influential, and since they were brought by Master Feng, she was naturally extremely enthusiastic. She raised her eight-treasure fan, and a vulgar scent of perfume wafted over, almost making people dizzy. Unaware, she opened her mouth, revealing her large, bloody one. "Hehehe," she said with a smile.