The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Xiao Yun’s Selfish Desire

When she said this, the young girl’s eyes appeared deeper and more radiant. Though her words were unspoken, they were just right.

The entire Yunxiu Pavilion fell silent, as if a pin drop could be heard. Only Xiao Ninth Miss, as if suddenly enlightened, revealed a look of joy in her eyes.

“If Mother has nothing else, then Sixth Miss will take her leave!”

Seeing Princess Yunyin nod in agreement, Xiao Sixth Miss lowered her head slightly and slowly walked away.

She rounded a screen made of rosewood shelves and marble, then crossed a long, winding corridor. Stepping out of the Ornamental Gate, she finally left Fengxiu Pavilion.

The constant smile on Xiao Sixth Miss’s face faded slightly. Looking up, the figure of her maid, Qiu Yue, came into view.

“Miss, you’re out. Did the Mistress call you over for anything important?”

“Nothing important, let’s go!”

“Yes!” Seeing that Xiao Sixth Miss clearly didn’t want to say more, Qiu Yue wisely responded and followed her footsteps.

As soon as they reached the Ornamental Gate, they saw Eighth Young Master Xiao, Xiao Yun, dressed in luxurious clothes, standing in front of them. He was looking at her with a knowing smile.

“Tell me, what did you say to Mother?” Xiao Yun asked, his arms crossed and a look of arrogance on his face. The servant boy beside him, Huai Shui, chimed in, “Yes, tell us quickly, our Young Master has important matters to attend to and cannot wait for long.”

Xiao Sixth Miss hurriedly curtsied and said, “Eighth Young Master, Mother only asked me about my thoughts on today’s matter, nothing else!”

“And what did you say?”

“I… I am but a woman of the inner chambers, I dare not speak carelessly.” Xiao Sixth Miss said with her head bowed.

Xiao Yun sneered coldly. Suddenly, he reached out and pinched Xiao Sixth Miss’s chin with his right thumb and forefinger, forcing her to raise her head and meet his gaze.

“In another six months, you’ll be almost twenty, right? I heard you refused to discuss marriage and get married. Even Mother praises you as the rare wise woman among the Xiao Mansion’s ladies, knowing your place, understanding when to advance and retreat, and being patient! Heh, even if you can endure, I cannot… my patience is wearing thin… do you want to taste that kind of pain again?”

Perhaps because Xiao Yun was using too much force, tears welled up in Xiao Qin’s eyes. Yet, amidst her extreme restraint, a faint smile slowly bloomed.

“Fine, I’ll tell you.”

Only then did Xiao Yun release his grip.

“I simply told Mother that there’s no need to make such a fuss. Just repeat the same old trick and ruin her reputation, just like her mother.” Xiao Qin replied softly.

But no matter how soft her voice was, she felt as if a pair of dormant eyes were watching her. A gust of wind blew by, making her shiver uncontrollably.

As soon as she finished speaking, a satisfied and sinister smile spread across Xiao Yun’s face.

“Let’s go! Speaking of which, your figure and face are indeed beautiful, but compared to that niece I’ve only met once, you’re still far behind. When you’ve made up your mind, how about I find you a suitable husband?”

After saying that, Xiao Yun actually burst into laughter and strode away, leaving Xiao Sixth Miss standing there, tears streaming down her face.

“I don’t want this, I don’t want to be like this…” She suddenly hugged herself, squatted down, and buried her head in her hands, muttering to herself.

“Miss, Miss… what’s wrong?” Her maid asked anxiously.

Neither of them noticed that behind a rockery not far from the Ornamental Gate, a small figure was quietly leaving.

✿✿✿

“Brother, what are you saying? Have you never seen a woman before? She’s your niece!” In a secluded area among trees and rocks, Xiao Ninth Miss widened her eyes and looked at Xiao Yun in disbelief.

As soon as she shouted, Xiao Yun immediately covered her mouth.

“Don’t be so loud, someone might hear you!” He whispered in her ear.

Xiao Ninth Miss nodded, signaling Xiao Yun to quickly remove his hand.

✿✿✿

Xiao Yun made sure she wouldn’t shout again before letting go.

“Brother, Mother will arrange this. Just find a random servant boy. Why do you have to do it yourself? If something happens to you, how will I explain it to Mother? She’ll definitely blame me again!” Xiao Ninth Miss said angrily and annoyed.

Xiao Yun said nonchalantly, “How could Mother blame you? This has nothing to do with you. Just pretend you don’t know anything, okay? Besides, your brother has a plan in mind. I will definitely handle this matter to Mother’s complete satisfaction. Then, whether that girl lives or dies will have nothing to do with our Xiao family anymore.”

“But brother, I have a feeling things won’t go so smoothly. That day, Mother sent assassins to kill her. But what happened? That wretched servant girl not only didn’t die, but she came back and dealt us a heavy blow, causing you and me to be humiliated and suffer on Jingyang Street today. How dare you provoke her again? Besides, that girl is just a little pretty, how can she make you so infatuated?”

The more Xiao Ninth Miss spoke, the angrier she became. Firstly, she was angry that her brother hadn’t learned his lesson, and secondly, she was angry that he was so lustful that he even wanted to lay his hands on his own niece.

But then again, the young masters of the south were indeed passionate about beautiful things. Even their poetry was inseparable from the subject of beautiful women. The most famous example was the palace-style poetry of Emperor Jianwen, Xiao Gang. Now, all the nobles in Jiankang City were imitating him, and this trend had become increasingly prevalent.

“A little pretty? Sister, you don’t understand. That girl is more than just a little pretty. You have to know who her father is. My eyes don’t deceive me. That day she came to our mansion, I only caught a glimpse of her, but I already knew she was stunningly beautiful.”

Since there was such a beauty, how could he let someone else have her?

“Oh, alright, alright! Do as you please! I’ll pretend I don’t know anything.”

After saying that, Xiao Ninth Miss lifted her leg to run away, but was stopped by Xiao Yun.

“Wait, you can pretend you don’t know anything, but I still need your help, sister.”

“Help with what? How can I help?” Xiao Ninth Miss raised her eyebrows, a little unhappy. Wasn’t it none of her business? Why did he need her help again?

“Go and ask Xiao Tenth Miss to invite that girl out, to meet at Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower.” Xiao Yun said.

“Why is Tenth Miss, that sickly girl, involved again?” Xiao Ninth Miss asked, puzzled.

Xiao Yun explained, “If I invite her to meet, she definitely won’t come out. But she treated Tenth Miss before and is indebted to her. It’s only right to repay a kindness, and besides, Tenth Miss is also her relative. She will definitely believe her words and be willing to meet.”

✿✿✿

If Xiao Yun hadn’t asked for her help, Xiao Ninth Miss would probably never have stepped foot in Tenth Miss Xiao Ruoling’s Lingqing Pavilion in her entire life. The whole place was filled with the smell of medicine and an air of lifelessness, making her feel unlucky for no reason.

“Where’s Tenth Miss?” After entering the courtyard and searching around without finding Tenth Miss, Xiao Ninth Miss grabbed a maid in the courtyard and asked.

The maid was so frightened that her whole body trembled, her lips quivering, not knowing how to answer. But at this moment, a slender figure in a water-green dress was slowly walking towards them from the courtyard gate.

“I’m here. What is it, Ninth Miss?”

The person who came was none other than Tenth Miss, Xiao Ruoling.

“You dead girl, where did you just die to?” Xiao Ninth Miss asked rudely.

“The physician who came to our house last time told me to get more sunshine, so I was just basking in the sun.”

At the mention of the physician, Xiao Ninth Miss’s eyes lit up. Suddenly, she lowered her voice and said softly, “Tenth Miss, your illness is almost cured now, right? Are you grateful to that physician?”

“Of course I am. A drop of water received in need shall be repaid with a gushing spring. I still understand this principle.” Xiao Ruoling said calmly, her gaze shifting subtly to Xiao Ninth Miss.

“Since you say you should repay a drop of water received in need with a gushing spring, how about you send her a thank-you gift tomorrow?” Seeing that Xiao Ruoling didn’t seem to object, she continued, “And by the way, invite her to meet at Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower. Tell her that our Xiao family was inhospitable to her before, so this is firstly to apologize and secondly to repay her kindness.”

“Alright.” Xiao Ruoling replied with a smile, but there was a hint of disgust and disdain in her smile that Xiao Ninth Miss didn’t notice.