Chapter 54 Part 2

Just as Lin Langyi was about to leave, her flipping finger stopped. She stared at the girl in the booklet.

Plain cyan robes, hair coiled with a single long hairpin, two slender strands framing her aloof, elegant beauty. She had an air of detachment, the kind that kept strangers at bay.

Lin Langyi glanced at the name.

Mu Yan.

Five stars too.

Seeing Lin Langyi pause there, the madam piped up eagerly, “Does miss want Mu Yan? Perfect—she has no guests today.”

Lin Langyi tapped her finger and handed back the booklet. “Her.”

“Right away. This old slave will fetch Mu Yan. Please wait just a moment.”

The madam bustled out. Soon, the Jiangzhou Brew arrived.

Lin Langyi poured a cup and sipped slowly. Clear and sweet on the palate, with an overflowing aroma and mellow body—surprisingly good.

Lin Langyi poured another and drank.

A knock sounded at the door. Lin Langyi said, “Come in.”

Mu Yan entered. She looked at the woman in the room with mild surprise, but the madam had warned her the guest was female, so she was ready.

“This slave Mu Yan pays respects to miss.”

Lin Langyi sized Mu Yan up and down, then tapped the table. “Sit.”

Mu Yan sat. Seeing Lin Langyi’s empty cup, she refilled it. “This Jiangzhou Brew is clear and sweet, but it packs a punch later. Miss, best not to overdo it.”

Lin Langyi smiled faintly. “You’re quite thoughtful.”

Mu Yan gave a shallow smile. “I don’t know miss’s troubles, but for miss’s sake, Mu Yan must advise restraint.”

“You live up to those five stars. Good with words.”

Lin Langyi poured her a cup and offered it. “Drink? Tea if not.”

Mu Yan paused briefly, then took it and downed it. “Mu Yan won’t spoil the fun.”

Lin Langyi sipped her own. “I spoiled my own mood ages ago. Not your fault.”

Mu Yan spotted the wound on Lin Langyi’s palm. “Miss is hurt. Let this slave fetch medicine.”

Lin Langyi shook her head. “No need. Just a scratch.”

“Sit and drink with me.”

Mu Yan saw her furrowed brows, eyes clouded with worry and confusion.

“Why is miss troubled? Tell Mu Yan—maybe she can help.”

Lin Langyi twirled her cup, eyeing Mu Yan. “Did the madam tell you this guest is a woman?”

Mu Yan nodded. “Yes.”

“Your thoughts?”

Mu Yan blinked. “To Mu Yan, man or woman makes no difference.”

Lin Langyi scoffed. “Ridiculous.”

“If a woman said she liked you, wanted to get close—could you accept that?”

Mu Yan took Lin Langyi’s hand and leaned in, smiling. “Since miss doubts it, why not try for yourself?”

Lin Langyi watched Mu Yan draw nearer, their lips closing in until she caught the scent of lip grease.

The instant Mu Yan leaned in to kiss her, Lin Langyi turned her head and drained her cup.

Mu Yan straightened up. “Did you come to Brocade Pavilion to drown your sorrows, miss?”

Lin Langyi toyed with her wine cup and wrinkled her nose. “I’m not drunk.”

Mu Yan looked at her childlike expression and chuckled lightly. “Right, you’re not drunk. You just find things boring.”

Lin Langyi drained her cup and nibbled on its rim, mumbling, “Have you ever liked someone?”

Mu Yan gave a bitter smile. “Once you enter Brocade Pavilion, how could there be any talk of liking someone?”

Lin Langyi tilted her head to look at her. “If you have someone you like, I can pay to redeem you so you can be together with them.”

Mu Yan paused. “Don’t joke around, miss.”

“I’m not joking.” Lin Langyi took out a banknote and placed it in Mu Yan’s hand. “One thousand taels. Is that enough? I have more if it’s not.”

Mu Yan stared at the banknote in her hand, stammering, “M-Miss, th-this… this is too much.”

“It’s not too much. A thousand pieces of gold can’t buy my happiness. Just tell me if you’ve ever liked someone.”

Mu Yan placed the banknote on the table. “When I was young, I once felt a flutter of youthful infatuation. But later, when that person found out I was from Brocade Pavilion, they left.”

“Left?” Lin Langyi said in disgust. “That man must have despised you for your status, right?”

Mu Yan smiled bitterly. “You guessed right, miss. A girl like me, mired in the world of pleasure houses—who could truly like her without any reservations?”

“The world’s full of filth. Who’s more noble than whom?” Lin Langyi sneered repeatedly. “Even that supreme emperor in the palace, exalted above all, doesn’t he sleep with a different woman every night?”

Mu Yan was shocked and quickly covered Lin Langyi’s lips with her hand. “Miss, don’t say such things.”

Lin Langyi pushed her hand away and took a sip of wine. “Don’t belittle yourself. Though you’re deep in the mire, you’re no more wretched than those who cling to high positions.”

Mu Yan’s expression softened, and she smiled warmly. “Thank you for the comfort, miss.”

“Mu Yan is very happy.”

“That’s right, smile more.” Lin Langyi’s eyes were hazy as she gazed at Mu Yan. Suddenly, a familiar face seemed to flash before her eyes.

She couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke Mu Yan’s cheek. “You look so good when you smile. Don’t keep a cold face all day.”

Mu Yan was stunned for a moment. “Miss, are you…”

Lin Langyi shook her head. “Call me Lan Ting.”

Mu Yan pursed her lips. “Lan Ting.”

Lin Langyi smiled in satisfaction. “That’s more like it. You said we’re friends. You call me Lan Ting, and I call you Xiaoyi. Isn’t that nice?”

“Calling me Young Master all the time is so annoying.”

“You’re all casual and happy when you call Qiaoqiao, but calling me Lan Ting is like asking for your life.”

Lin Langyi cupped Mu Yan’s cheeks and leaned in close. “Xiaoyi, don’t you think you’re being infuriating?”

Mu Yan laughed helplessly and replied, “Yeah, I’m infuriating. Don’t be mad at me, Lan Ting, okay?”

Lin Langyi clutched her chest in delighted surprise. “Are you apologizing to me? Coaxing me?”

Mu Yan looked at her adorable expression and nodded with a smile. “Yeah.”

Lin Langyi eyed Mu Yan warily. “You’re not Xiaoyi.”

Mu Yan was surprised. “Lan Ting, you…”

“Don’t call me Lan Ting. You’re not worthy of that name.” Lin Langyi knocked on her own head, stood up, and swayed.

Mu Yan quickly steadied her. “Miss, you’ve had too much to drink. Stay at Brocade Pavilion tonight. I’ll keep you company.”

Lin Langyi pushed her away. “No, I have to go back. She’ll worry if she knows I’m not at the inn.”

“Is it Xiaoyi?”

Lin Langyi nodded. “Yeah, it’s her. I can’t make her mad, or she won’t talk to me anymore.”

“No, she’s already ignoring me now.” Lin Langyi pouted pitifully, tears welling in her eyes.

Mu Yan felt a pang of sympathy. “Miss, why don’t you rest here tonight? I can go to the inn and let this Xiaoyi know, so she won’t ignore you.”

Lin Langyi shook her head vigorously, making herself wobble even more. “No, no.”

“I’m a bit dizzy. Let me stand steady.”

Mu Yan held her up, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Better now?”

Lin Langyi nodded. “Yeah, better.”

She pushed Mu Yan away and headed for the door.

Mu Yan was still worried. She picked up the banknote from the table. “How about I escort you back? It’s too dangerous for a young lady like you to walk the night roads drunk.”

“Don’t worry, I’m super strong.” Lin Langyi opened the door and froze at the sight of the person standing there, frowning. “You…”

Mu Yan saw the person at the door and asked in surprise, “Who are you?”

Zhai Yi looked at the wine-soaked Lin Langyi and said helplessly, “I’m her guard.”

Mu Yan was on guard. “Is that so? Any proof?”

Zhai Yi said, “Did she tell you about Xiaoyi and Lan Ting?”

Mu Yan nodded. “How did you know?”

“Were you eavesdropping outside?”

Zhai Yi said, “I am Xiaoyi.”

Mu Yan: “…”

“You look just like Xiaoyi?” Lin Langyi said in surprise. She pinched Zhai Yi’s chin, looking left and right. “I didn’t see you in the booklet earlier. What’s your name? I’ll order you, then give you five stars.”

Zhai Yi: “…”

Thanks for the five-star review.

Lin Langyi kneaded Zhai Yi’s cheeks and muttered, “Why won’t you answer me? Do you think I can’t afford to have you entertain me?”

Zhai Yi pulled her hand away. “Be quiet.”

Lin Langyi was shocked. “You’re actually snapping at me?”

She grinned and lunged forward to hug Zhai Yi. “I like it so much. Snap at me again? That fierce yet helpless look of yours is even more like Xiaoyi’s.”

Tuantuan: [Ding. Female Lead favorability at 80%.]

Zhai Yi: “…”

Mu Yan chuckled softly. “Since you’re her guard, here’s the banknote back. Give it to her when she’s sober.”

Zhai Yi didn’t take it. “She gave it to you. Keep it.”

Mu Yan was surprised. “Th-this is too much.”

“It’s just one thousand taels. Do whatever you want with it if you don’t need it.”

Mu Yan clutched the banknote tightly, moved. “Thank you.”

Lin Langyi pointed at Mu Yan and said proudly, “A mere thousand taels—I have plenty.”

She tilted her head toward Zhai Yi and pointed at her own face. “If I wanted you to keep me company, it’d be a thousand taels too, right?”

Zhai Yi: “…”

“No, no.” Lin Langyi leaned in close, scrutinizing Zhai Yi’s face with drunken eyes. “You’re even more like Xiaoyi than she is. Five thousand taels—how about it?”

Zhai Yi half-supported, half-dragged her toward the door. “No deal.”

Lin Langyi grumbled, “Little girl, don’t be so greedy. Why are you jacking up the price?”

“Be quiet.”

“Five thousand not enough? Then six thousand. Deal?”

“Shut up.”

“That stubborn, helpless act of cold indifference is way too much like Xiaoyi. I love it. Seven thousand taels—yes or no?”

“Will you behave?”

Mu Yan looked downstairs at the woman called “Xiaoyi” holding the drunken girl. Her movements were gentle and careful, full of tenderness and indulgence, with a silent pampering. No matter how she played and teased, there was always a response.

“So this is the one your heart belongs to, miss.”