Chapter 468: 0286 Do you still like it? (Two in One)_2
Therefore, Xu Chang’an in the cabin, tilted his ear and spoke with Yun Qian about something, allowing her to also enjoy the scenery on both sides.
The riverside was bustling, and the distant lake was dotted with painted boats, many young women strolled together, gazing from afar at the crowd on the shore, while here and there young men gathered in small groups, creating a bit of noise.
The Rowing Maiden glanced back, finding Xu Chang’an looking at the riverside, she explained, "Young Master, it’s probably a courtesan from one of the buildings taking a stroll."
Xu Chang’an wasn’t really curious.
This area, filled with brothels, had many famous courtesans, each building having its own star.
Like Liu Qingluo, who used to be the star of the Wanzhi Building.
After saying so, the Rowing Maiden sneaked a glance at Yun Qian, couldn’t help but think, even though Miss Yun wore a veil, she was indeed the most beautiful.
Those young men and women on the shore surrounded the courtesans, yet were unaware that the most beautiful person in the world was hidden within their own small boat.
She used to think her Sister Liu was the most beautiful, but now she had turned against her... well, not exactly turned against.
Back then, when she followed Liu Qingluo, she heard her mention how beautiful Miss Yun was, but she didn’t think much of it at the time.
Now she regretted it very much, since she was the only one in the whole garden aware of Miss Yun’s treasure, now without a single person to talk to.
If Liu Qingluo were still here, she and Sister Liu could surely chat about Miss Yun for ages.
...Sister Liu.
The Rowing Maiden remembered the Wine Lady, a moment of loneliness flashing across her face.
"Young Master." After a moment of silence, the girl summoned the courage to ask, "Is Sister Liu... doing well in the Immortal Sect now?"
After speaking, she feared Xu Chang’an wouldn’t know who "Sister Liu" was, so she specifically explained about the winery.
Xu Chang’an wasn’t surprised by her sudden inquiry, he thought for a moment.
Is Liu Qingluo doing well now?
Of course, she is, even Gu Qiancheng listens to her, and before coming down the mountain, she entrusted him to bring a message to Senior Zhu, saying all is well on her side and no need to worry.
It would be hard for her to be unwell.
Xu Chang’an nodded.
The Rowing Maiden, having received a positive answer, felt as if a great stone had been lifted from her heart, sighing with relief.
Xu Chang’an didn’t say much, but it was enough, she figured that matters of the Immortal Sect couldn’t be disclosed at length to outsiders like herself.
As for whether Xu Chang’an would deceive her, naturally he wouldn’t.
It only made her admire Yun Qian more, and her trust and fondness for Xu Chang’an never waned.
"As long as Sister is well, that’s good." The Rowing Maiden murmured, gently biting her lip, looking at Xu Chang’an with words unspoken.
Not knowing... if after Sister Liu entered the Immortal Sect, she would be able to get a little closer to the person she liked?
Given her character, she probably couldn’t.
Not to mention Young Master’s devotion, just the pressure Miss Yun gave...
It’s impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
So she thought that entering the Immortal Sect might not necessarly be a good thing, because being only able to watch the person she liked from afar might be worse than not seeing them at all.
Anyway, someone as unambitious as her, a boatman, didn’t care about the benefits of cultivation, she only concerned herself with women’s little thoughts.
And she realized Liu Qingluo was different from her, that Sister would be happy simply to see the person she liked...
Unlike her, who, after seeing Ms. Yun, wasn’t satisfied, and even wanted to have a talk.
"I... truly am a greedy person." The Rowing Maiden lowered her head, gazing at her toes.
But soon she rejoiced for Liu Qingluo.
After all, it’s the Immortal Sect.
To be admitted into the Immortal Sect is a blessing that many could only dream of.
——
Shortly after, a tall building appeared ahead.
"We’ve arrived at the Flower Moon Building." The girl said after steering the boat to the shore, "Young Master, I’ll first take Miss Yun to the East Garden."
"Miss." Xu Chang’an looked at Yun Qian, explaining softly by her ear that he would come to her shortly.
"Understood." Yun Qian nodded.
So Xu Chang’an disembarked and walked along the bamboo-lined path, holding an umbrella, towards the Flower Moon Building.
"..." The Rowing Maiden quietly watched the retreating figure of Xu Chang’an, her heart pounding, and she didn’t dare turn back to look at Yun Qian, she only murmured, "Miss, shall we... be off as well?"
Yun Qian said nothing.
As the boat went a short distance along the narrow path, the girl suddenly heard a faint sound coming from the cabin.
Her hand, which held the oar every day and was slightly calloused, instantly gripped tightly, and she turned back with nervousness, her defocused eyes slightly brightening.
Sure enough, Yun Qian gently opened the umbrella and walked out from the awning.
What a beautiful scene that was?
The young lady held an umbrella, straightened her back slowly, and her head turned slightly as the veil swayed in the wind, appearing lazy yet beautiful.
"Yun... Miss, go slowly." The girl focused on steadying the boat, trying to get it close to the shore to prevent it from rocking and causing Miss Yun to fall.
She had often replayed in her dreams the time when, after she fell, Yun Qian extended a hand to pull her up.
Yes.
Although she didn’t manage to be pulled up and ended up sitting back on the ground.
But from that time, she knew this lady Yun was kind-hearted and very gentle.
If Yun Qian were to fall on her boat... she assured herself she wouldn’t sleep well thereafter.
Even so, the boat remained wobbly, yet Yun Qian walked with steady steps, and in just a few paces, she stood before the girl.
"M-miss, what’s the matter..."
Getting so close to Yun Qian, one could smell a faint fragrance of soap and... a hint of meat bun, the girl instantly began to stutter.
"..." Yun Qian didn’t speak, only looked at her.
It seemed like an illusion, the Rowing Maiden always felt there was a flash of scrutiny in Yun Qian’s gaze towards her.
And being stared at like this made her whole body feel slightly warm.
This aware gaze, mysterious and profound, turned the girl’s heart into a big drum, pounding rhythmically.
"M-miss, is there, is there something you wish to say?" She mustered the courage to lift her head.
Her sentence was stammering and stumbling, yet Yun Qian’s gaze remained without anger or impatience, the eyes beneath her long lashes holding a trace of deep coolness.
"..."
The Rowing Maiden, looking into Yun Qian’s dark eyes, suddenly shivered, as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water, instantly calming down.
"Feeling better?" Yun Qian looked at her.
She would also speak proactively with someone, like the girl before her, she had in the past spoken to her first, it wasn’t something novel.
"...Have I made you laugh, Sister?" The Rowing Maiden blushed and lowered her head.
"Laugh?" Yun Qian shook her head: "I don’t find it amusing."
’...’ The Rowing Maiden, listening to Yun Qian’s calm words, stared in a daze at Yun Qian’s veil, the calloused hand at her back clutching her clothes tightly, "What you said is right, Sister, it’s not amusing."
Xu Chang’an wasn’t mistaken, after he left, she wouldn’t speak.
However, once Yun Qian spoke, she calmed down, and the "Sister" she couldn’t call out before easily came out.
"Do you still like him?" Yun Qian asked what she wanted to know.
"..."
Like?
Although Yun Qian didn’t specify, the girl knew she was being asked about Xu Chang’an.
Once before, she answered this question, and that time said she liked him.
Only this liking was different from Liu Qingluo’s, not a romantic affection, but liking comes in many forms, gratitude, yearning, trust all count, romantic lust occupied very little share, it was the kind of liking that should she be asked to be a concubine for Xu Chang’an, she would immediately agree.
And now?
Does she still like him?
The Rowing Maiden became lost and anxious...
Why ask herself again? Did Sister change her nature?
The girl sneakily glanced at Yun Qian, unsure of her thoughts.
If she were to say she still liked Ms. Yun’s husband, would she be upset?