Rose Lock - Chapter 42

In the elegant and grand parlor, a pot of steaming Longjing tea was brewing. Inside the inner room, on a round couch, brocade covered Hua Manyi’s body, her collarbone slightly exposed, faintly revealing the edge of a pale purple dudou (an undergarment).

Her waterfall-like long hair had been freshly washed, clean and soft on the pillow. Only her stubborn little face was pale and weak, like a lifeless flower bud, with red-rimmed eyes and white lips.

Gong Yan stood by the bed, one arm crossed, a cigarette clasped between her fingers, her gaze indifferent as she looked at the unconscious woman. Her eyes fell upon those not-too-thin lips, staring for a long time, lost in thought.

“Is Hua Manyi alright?” Lu Nian’s voice came from outside the door. The maid Lai Qiu blocked her, saying, “Miss Lu, this is the Madam’s parlor, you cannot enter.”

“Madam?” Lu Nian was surprised.

Lai Qiu nodded, “That is our eldest Miss, Gong Yan.” A long time ago, the mature and steady eldest Miss had told them to address her as Madam, saying that calling her Miss at this age was not appropriate or dignified enough.

Lu Nian’s clothes were soaked from rescuing someone, and she had just gone to change into a fresh outfit.

“Miss Lu, Manyi has been seen by a doctor, she’s fine.” Gong Yan appeared in the doorway sometime, speaking in a soft voice. Lai Qiu quickly straightened up and curtsied upon hearing the sound.

Lu Nian pursed her lips, “I see, then I’ll come back later.”

After seeing her off, Gong Yan turned and re-entered the room. When she sat back down by the bed, a golden silk handkerchief was conspicuously in her hand. Her red lips were tightly pressed with a hint of coldness as she held the handkerchief to Hua Manyi’s lips, wiping them over and over, little by little.

“Mmm…”

Feeling the friction on her mouth, the pain and discomfort caused Hua Manyi to instinctively push the hand away with force, clenching her lips tight, and suddenly bursting out a hoarse “Go away! I’m not married, I’m not your daughter-in-law!”

The handkerchief slipped from her grasp, falling to the floor by her feet. Gong Yan’s hand paused in mid-air, watching the woman on the bed with red-rimmed eyes, caught in a nightmare, yet not waking up.

Her originally pale lips became slightly rosy and incredibly tempting from the wiping. The cigarette in Gong Yan’s hand remained untouched for a long time, and then, as if captivated, she inexplicably leaned down and moved closer, her red lips slowly approaching. Just as they were about to meet, the sound of Gong Shulan’s wheelchair rolling across the floor came from behind her.

“Sis, Father called to ask if you still want to go to the memorial service?” Gong Shulan lifted the bead curtain and entered, seeing Gong Yan sitting at the table, leisurely pouring herself tea.

“Yes, we’ll go now.” Gong Yan glanced back at Hua Manyi on the bed. Before leaving, she called Lai Qiu and instructed her to take good care of the woman.

Lai Qiu agreed.

In the car, Gong Yan saw Gong Shulan holding a bouquet of roses, which was even larger than the one she had bought. Gong Yan got into the driver’s seat without much expression. Since Butler Fu had unexpectedly taken the afternoon off for personal business, she decided to drive herself.

“Sis, there are so many guest rooms at home, there’s no need to let her sleep in your bed,” Gong Shulan suddenly spoke, watching the scenery rushing past the car window. “Or… is this Hua Manyi particularly special to you?”

“Just a woman I picked up on the side of the road, how could she be special?” Gong Yan’s red lips curled slightly, dismissing the remark.

“But for people like us, allowing an outsider into such a private space is intriguing enough,” Gong Shulan retorted. Moreover, Gong Yan had left Hua Manyi alone in the room; if the woman were a spy or agent, this action would be equivalent to exposing a weakness right under the enemy’s nose.

Tch—

“I let Jiang Yin stay overnight in my room before, what did you say then?”

The curve of Gong Shulan’s mouth disappeared completely, her expression turning ugly. Ultimately, unable to win the argument, she fell silent.

…

In the afternoon, Hua Manyi was startled awake by a nightmare, sweat beading on her forehead, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. But as she opened her eyes, the unfamiliar surroundings made her whole body tremble. She quickly threw back the quilt, discovering she was only wearing a dudou and underpants, all her other clothes were gone.

Could she have been brought back by that wet nurse?

Hua Manyi was frightened and distraught, scrambling out of bed. Who knew this bed, like those in grand parlors of the previous dynasty, had a small flight of steps beside the couch? She nearly stumbled and fell.

She caught a glimpse of a golden silk handkerchief on the steps, paused, and picked it up. The familiar scent immediately brought a certain figure to mind.

Her mind cooled down. That wet nurse couldn’t possibly have such fine accommodations for her, a parlor of such high elegance and luxury. An incense for calming the nerves was burning on the table—this was more likely Gong Yan’s room.

“Miss Manyi, you’re awake?” Lai Qiu entered quietly from the doorway, carrying a food box. She quickly walked over and began setting the meal on the table.

Hua Manyi, barefoot, looked at her warily, “Who are you?”

Lai Qiu paused her work. Seeing Hua Manyi’s graceful and attractive figure fully revealed beneath just a dudou—her slender waist, delicate curves, fair feet, and slim legs—she smiled, “I am Lai Qiu, the Madam’s maid.”

“The Madam you speak of is… Gong Yan?” Hua Manyi pressed.

“Gong Yan?” Lai Qiu pondered, studying Hua Manyi’s face. She was indeed a girl of seventeen or eighteen, but calling the Madam “Yan” seemed a bit too familiar. Unsure of the newcomer’s relationship, Lai Qiu simply stated the Madam’s full name, “The Madam is our eldest Miss, named Gong Yan.”

According to Lai Qiu, she had been rescued by Gong Yan, and this was the Gong family’s grand mansion, the former residence of the South City Naval Governor from the previous dynasty. Every corner still preserved the layout and furnishings of over a decade ago, strictly ordered.

However, with the Western influence blowing in, some things were no longer strictly following the old rules.

Hua Manyi changed her clothes, had some food, and then stepped out of the parlor to look around. South City, being in the South, had residences whose structure largely followed the layout of Suzhou gardens: covered walkways, carved window frames, round archways that revealed new vistas, rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, and flower terraces. Every detail was extremely soothing and aesthetically pleasing.

Hua Manyi walked along the long corridor, inadvertently arriving at a lakeside pavilion. Several people were talking inside. Just as Hua Manyi was about to turn and leave, the sharp-eyed old madam sitting in the pavilion spotted her.

“Hey, girl, come over here and help me bring that calligraphy and painting from the stone table in front of you.”

Hua Manyi pointed to herself. Only after seeing the old madam nod did she confirm that the woman was indeed asking her to fetch something.

Holding the rolled-up scroll, Hua Manyi spoke, “Old Madam, the calligraphy and painting you asked for.”

Grandma Gong acknowledged her with a hum, took the scroll, and without looking at Hua Manyi, unrolled it. It was an ink landscape painting, with a newly composed poem inscribed on the side.

“This is a painting that our Yan-er did the year she turned 20. It’s quite good; those painters all said she had talent. It’s a pity she only did a few ink paintings before she started drawing those Western-style prints. In the end, she didn’t do many Western prints and just stopped painting altogether. All she does now is business.”

Grandma Gong’s words were filled with regret. The matchmaker, Madam Liu, quickly offered comfort, “Grandma Gong, don’t be sad, don’t be sad. Your granddaughter knows how to paint, and it just so happens that young Master Lu also understands art. They have even more common ground now, don’t you think?”

Grandma Gong didn’t speak, but a smile spread across her face. Madam Liu pressed on, “Old Madam, Young Master Lu just returned from business overseas a few days ago. At 34, he’s mature and steady, not like those flighty young masters. Both the newcomers love business. Not only will they have common topics, but if they join forces in the future, they would absolutely be a match made in heaven for business.”

A match made in heaven…

Hua Manyi stood to the side, gripping the handkerchief tightly, a dull ache forming inexplicably in her chest.

“Mmm…” Grandma Gong rolled up the painting, not echoing Madam Liu’s words. “Business isn’t the main thing. The key is that Yan-er has to like him.”

“Uh… yes, yes, yes,” Madam Liu finally figured out Grandma Gong’s preference and suggested, “How about letting them meet first to get to know each other?”

How could they talk about liking someone they hadn’t even met?

Grandma Gong nodded, agreeing with her suggestion, “Tomorrow, you take this painting and deliver it to that Lu Yu.”

Madam Liu’s hand trembled, “Ah, such a valuable item, and you want me to take it? Old Madam, I’m clumsy. It would be terrible if I damaged it. Why don’t you have someone else deliver it?”

Hua Manyi felt a gaze fall upon her. She slightly raised her eyes, only to see Grandma Gong looking at her.

Grandma Gong said, “I heard Yan-er was very anxious when she brought you back, rushing to get a doctor for you without catching her breath, and even letting you stay in her room. It seems you have a good relationship with Yan-er, don’t you, child?”

“I…” How should Hua Manyi describe that she was merely a little dancer Gong Yan had picked up, and their relationship wasn’t actually that good?

“Then, would you be able to deliver this painting? The Lu family’s address is Mansion No. 105 on Baishui Street.”

By the time Hua Manyi reacted, a heavy scroll had been placed in her hand. Grandma Gong claimed to be tired and went back to rest.

Support Rose Lock