Chapter 7.1: Apricot Blossoms
Luo Sheng stood in the dark, mostly hidden by the shadows of
flowers and trees, listening to the approaching voices.
It is Sheng Da Lang and the other three cousins. Luo Sheng
also smelled a faint smell of alcohol. She had scared the four of them before,
and because they were too scared to eat at home, they seemed to eat outside.
Sheng San Lang staggered towards where Luo Sheng stood with
the support of his brothers. Sheng Er Lang's tone was filled with disappointment[1]
as he said, "San di[2], why are you grieving over the death of a woman who
didn't even like you?"
Sheng San Lang raised his head slightly, his eyes appearing
red under the moonlight. "I'm not grieving, Er ge[3] don't
talk nonsense." "Nonsense?" Sheng Er Lang tapped Sheng San
Lang's shoulder with his folding fan and mocked, "Then why are you drunk
like this? Using alcohol to drown your sorrows."
"Er Lang, please don't scold San Lang again; he's
already upset," Sheng Da Lang interjected. Sheng Er Lang sneered, unable
to contain his frustration, "I just don't understand. Miss Qian committed
suicide because she couldn't marry Su Yao, so why is San Lang the one grieving
for her?"
Committed suicide? Luo Sheng's eyes flickered slightly. Her
eyes are like pool of water, reflecting the shimmering shades of the
surrounding flowers, branches, and trees. Sheng San Lang's cheeks reddened,
whether from drinking too much or embarrassed, as he said
aggressively, "Who's grieving? The wine tonight has a profound taste. Is
it wrong for me to have a few more sips?"
Sheng Si Lang tugged Sheng San Lang's sleeve and urged,
"Third brother, stop talking——" Sheng San Lang's large fan-like hand
rubbed the top of his young brother's head: "Go away, you're just a kid.
You have no right to lecture me." While it was acceptable for his elder
brothers to lecture him, who was this younger brother to nag at him?
Sheng Si Lang blushed and stammered anxiously: "No,
biaojie, biaojie is there!" The other three stopped together and had
complicated feelings when they saw Luo Sheng in front of them. Luo Sheng calmly
greeted the four of them by slightly nodding her head and walking forward with
Hongdou without looking back. In the evening, the wind was strong and blew away
fallen petals, resembling the four people's desolate mood.
Sheng San Lang wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked,
"Did she hear what we said?" "It's hard to say whether she heard
our words, but San di, you were so loud just now," Sheng Er Lang chuckled.
"She must have heard you."
Sheng San Lang: "..."
Luo Sheng returned to her room, freshened up, and changed
into a snow-white dress before leaning on the couch. Hongdou pulled a small
stool and sat beside Luo Sheng, perplexed. "Miss, why did you claim to
have a sleepwalking illness?"
Gazing at the shadows cast by the trees on the green screen
window, Luo Sheng calmly replied, "To make the enemy feel at ease and lure
the snake out of its hole." The little maid shook her head in confusion.
"This maid doesn't quite understand." Luo Sheng looked at the maid's
puzzled expression, and a rare smile graced her face. "You don't need to
understand. Just follow my instructions."
She likes this simple-minded little maid. As she doesn't
have Miss Luo's memories, she is grateful that Miss Luo had only been in Sheng
Mansion for a short while. This way, she didn't have to worry about exposing
herself in front of these people. Miss Luo's personal maid would pose a problem
for her if she is too intelligent. After all, it's better not to kill
innocent individuals to silence them.
"Summon the two little maids guarding outside,"
Luo Sheng instructed. Hongdou responded affirmatively and went out briefly to
bring the two maids in.
The two maids were around thirteen or fourteen years old and
were typically only assigned to perform minor chores. They are not permitted to
enter the inner room unless they have duties to do. "Greetings, Miss"
The two little maids bowed cautiously, intimidated by Luo Sheng's usual
demeanor.
Luo Sheng nodded slightly and instructed Hong Dou,
"Take four taels of silver and give them two taels each." Having
witnessed her Miss's lavish spending, Hongdou readily retrieved the silver and
tossed it into the two maids' arms. The two little maids were so shocked they
fell to their knees and asked in unison: "Mi, Miss, what would you like us
to do?"
Could it be that Miss Luo lacks manpower and wants them to
abduct a certain family's young master? Although money is enticing, they still
can't do this kind of thing. Luo Sheng explained calmly, "Tomorrow, you two
will go out to—"
[1] The
idiom used here is 恨鐵不成鋼 (hèn tiě bù chéng gāng)
1. lit. disappointed that iron does not turn into steel (idiom)
2. fig. frustrated with sb who has failed to meet one's expectations
[2] Third younger brother
[3] Second
older brother
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