After lunch, Yaoniang mustered up the courage to visit Lu Qingyan's residence.
I came here once half a month ago, and my impression was that it was an extremely exquisite and majestic courtyard.
At that time, Lu Qingyan invited Yaoniang to come back another day.
Arriving as promised, after the announcement, Xiaowan came out to greet her. She said that the young lady was taking a nap and asked Yaoniang to come in and wait for a while.
As soon as it seemed that it was not the right time, Yaoniang wanted to visit again another day, but she was grabbed by the wrist and dragged into the yard. She also said that if the young lady knew that I let you go, she would have to scold me.
Yaoniang was both moved and cautious, but in the end she couldn't resist and had to let her in.
The sweet-scented osmanthus in front of the court was still fragrant. This time, I bypassed the grand foyer and walked along the winding veranda until I passed through the arches hidden by several ancient trees with twisting branches, and my eyes suddenly opened up.
The clear gravel at the foot of the steps formed a path, leading directly to a two-story small building in the distance. The small building seemed to be built on an island in the middle of a lake. It was surrounded by water on three sides. There were large lotus flowers planted on the water. Although they were in bloom at the moment, There is still a clear rhyme.
Looking across the water, a group of vermilion buildings with glazed green tiles blend seamlessly with the surrounding scenery. Reflected in the water, it's like walking into a fairyland!
Where is this?
This was the first time Yaoniang saw such a beautiful courtyard, and she was stunned!
The place where I was entertained last time was nowhere near as beautiful as this.
Xiao Wanwan turned around and saw Yaoniang's intoxicated look, and couldn't help but smile: "This is the place where my young lady usually recites poems and practices calligraphy. It's called Qiyuxuan. She rarely entertains guests here, so I know it." There aren’t many people.”
After listening to Xiaowan's introduction, Yaoniang's red lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to ask something, but she couldn't open her mouth.
"Miss usually only sleeps for half an hour. Now it's almost time. I'll take you in first."
Xiao Wan said, holding Yao Niang's hand again, noticing that her steps were a little stiff, and comforted: "Young lady and you are friends in life and death, coming here is like coming to your own home, there is no need to be restrained !”
Yaoniang suppressed the ups and downs of her thoughts and nodded gently.
After entering the prime minister's house, I have broadened my horizons, but I still have to sigh with emotion at this situation. The daughter of the prime minister's family is indeed first-class rich. I have heard all kinds of stories about wealthy families in dramas before. , far less than the shock that came before me.
It’s hard to imagine how beautiful this small lake with rippling blue waves is, in spring and summer, with green willows and smoke all around, and lotus leaves touching the sky on the lake!
Yaoniang lowered her head and walked with Xiaowan for a while, and finally stepped into this small building called Qiyuxuan.
Although it is called a pavilion, it is no different from an ordinary attic. Both the upper and lower floors have views of water.
The furnishings inside also show the taste of the owner. The floor is covered with Chinese carpets, covered with soft and delicate furs of unknown rare animals. The tables and stools are all made of high-quality mahogany, with carved beams and paintings everywhere, and the colors are noble and elegant.
Xiaowan first asked Yaoniang to sit down, made a bowl of tea, and went upstairs to see if the young lady was up.
Yaoniang took a sip of tea, looked up, and was attracted by a picture framed on the wall opposite.
In just three lines, the words are of extraordinary momentum and the strokes are straight and vigorous. Although Yaoniang knew only a little about calligraphy, she could tell at a glance that it was written by a famous artist.
Seeing the fourth character "燇" at the beginning, Yaoniang immediately thought of Zhong Yao, who was revered by later generations as the originator of regular script. This was a famous calligrapher during the Three Kingdoms period. He was good at writing small regular script and was called the King of Zhong together with the calligraphy sage Wang Xizhi.
It must have been copied by later generations. Zhong Yao's original work was lost in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Although it is a copy, the calligraphy skills of the person who wrote it are by no means simple. It can be said that it is fake and authentic, with both form and spirit. It is a pity that the seal signed with it is so old that it is not clear who has the last name.
There is a copybook next to it, which is much more delicate. Yaoniang's eyes suddenly light up again. It is a short poem in cursive script, with a total of twenty-eight words: The flowery atmosphere makes people want to break Zen, and the mood is actually past middle age. When spring comes, poems and thoughts are like a boat on the water on the eight-section beach.
This poem is probably the original work of a certain master. It was written in a casual and free style. The writing style is vigorous and bright, with the charm of cursive script and the beauty of running script. It is brilliant and innocent.
There is no signature on this post. No matter how much Yaoniang likes it, she can't guess who made it for a while.
When Yaoniang was working as an oiran in the Duxiu Pavilion, although she specialized in vocal music, singing and dancing, she still had some experience in calligraphy and painting. Every year, Aunt Hua spent a lot of money to hire famous teachers for tutoring. During this period, she copied the cursive calligraphy of Zhang Xu and Huai Su. By comparison, it is easy to notice that they are neither.
Less arrogant and more comfortable and gentle.
The calligraphy and paintings that can be collected by Sister Lu are absolutely extraordinary. When I see her later, I must ask about them carefully.
Yaoniang thought secretly.
By this time, the tea was almost cold, and then I heard the sound of thumping going downstairs. Xiaowan walked quickly and said with a smile: "You made me wait for a long time. The lady just woke up and ordered me to pick you up." building."
Yaoniang was surprised and asked doubtfully: "But to your lady's boudoir?"
Xiao Wan pursed her lips and joked: "It's my daughter's house, what are you afraid of!"
Yaoniang was still a little shy: "I'm afraid I'll offend Sister Lu."
Xiaowan stepped forward and took Yaoniang's hand again: "My young lady treats you like a sister. You don't have to be polite at all times. Come with me quickly."
The door of the boudoir was opened, and Xiao Wan and Yao Niang filed in. Lu Qingyan was sitting on the brocade couch, arranging her clothes, with half of her shapely white legs exposed.
Yaoniang glanced secretly and couldn't help but smile at the corner of her mouth.
When Lu Qingyan stepped forward to greet Yaoniang, she caressed her waist unexpectedly, making Yaoniang groan and blush.
"You still make fun of me for not..."
"Good sister, I don't dare anymore."
I saw the two of them laughing and joking as soon as they met,
Xiao Wan quickly realized what was going on and retreated.
…
In front of the bronze mirror, Yaoniang carefully combed Lu Qingyan's hanging hair.
Every decoration on the table is extremely exquisite, many of which I have never seen before.
There are three boxes of single headgear, with all kinds of dazzling hairpins, hairpins, hairpins, walking sticks, etc., especially a golden lotus walking stick. Yaoniang took one look at it and almost couldn't take her eyes away. The golden light was shining brightly. The petals are dotted with the finest pearls, which will make any woman's heart flutter when she sees them.
"What kind of incense did my sister burn in the house? It smells so good!"
Yaoniang sniffed hard. After entering her nose, this elegant fragrance, similar to the fragrance of pastoral flowers, had no irritating feeling. She only felt that it was fragrant to her heart and soul, and it had a refreshing effect.
Lu Qingyan turned her head and glanced at the hibiscus incense burner on the shelf, and said with a smile: "This is an incense I mixed at random based on ancient books. It is similar to the incense in the goose pear tent, without the pear skin and nard." , add two qian of borneol and Angelica dahurica, as well as some ground and mashed flower petals into powder, does my sister like it?"
Yaoniang nodded repeatedly and praised Lu Qingyan for her versatility.
After combing her hair, Lu Qingyan was also surprised by Yaoniang's skillful hands. Not only did she manage every strand of hair in an orderly manner, but she also found her favorite bun style at her fingertips, and her technique was even better than those around her. It takes many years of practice and refinement.
Lu Qingyan wanted to make a joke, but when the words came to her lips, she felt inappropriate.
"How is it, sister? Are you satisfied?"
Yaoniang looked at the beautiful face in the mirror and was quite proud of her craftsmanship.
"Satisfied! Satisfied! It's amazing!"
After Lu Qingyan finished speaking, she couldn't help but start stroking her.
Yaoniang leaned down and said, "I see that my sister was hesitant to speak just now. Do you want to say that it would be nice to have a maid like me around you?"
Lu Qingyan's face turned slightly red and she said coquettishly, "You are such a clever ghost!"
Yaoniang covered her mouth and smiled.
"You always say that I can see into people's minds. I think you are a step above me."
"No way, I am so stupid and stupid, how can I be as smart as my sister Bingxue."
Lu Qingyan turned around to stop Yaoniang's mouth, but she ducked past her with a tilt of her head.
Both girls burst into laughter.
Lu Qingyan patted Yaoniang's hand again and said softly: "Sometimes I'm afraid that some words may cause you to misunderstand. It's like coming to my place to show off to you will inevitably make you a little more scrupulous. "
Yaoniang shook her head quickly: "Yaoniang knows best who Sister Lu is and will never think so."
Lu Qingyan nodded and said, "That makes me feel relieved."
Yaoniang said with a smile: "From now on, if my sister wants to say anything, she can speak freely, and my sister should do the same, without any second thoughts!"
Lu Qingyan stood up immediately after hearing this, pulled Yaoniang and asked her to sit down.
"My sister is so beautiful. My hands are itchy just looking at you. This time it's my turn to dress you up."
"Sister can't help..."
Seeing Yaoniang, she refused to sit down.
Lu Qingyan pretended to be angry and said, "Just now you said that we should be honest with each other. Could it be that you are going back on your word?"
Yaoniang was stunned when she heard this, and finally sighed and sat down obediently.
Lu Qingyan smiled from ear to ear, quickly picked up her own jade grate, and imitated how to comb Yaoniang's hair.
This eldest lady of the prime minister's house had never done any waiting work, and her combing skills were obviously much worse than Yaoniang's. Although her movements were very gentle, she still hurt Yaoniang a few times.
When she lived in an alley in the north of the city, Yaoniang once let Pei Liang comb her hair. Whenever he felt a little pain, Yaoniang would blow her beard and glare, blaming him for being careless.
But this time, Yaoniang was as obedient as a civet cat. Even if Lu Qingyan accidentally hurt her, she didn't show any expression. Instead, she chatted with her with a smile the whole time.
After finally finishing her hair, Lu Qingyan asked Yaoniang to choose some headwear. This time Yaoniang refused to accept anything she said. In desperation, Lu Qingyan had no choice but to insert the hairpin from before.
As for the eyebrow daisy and rouge gouache, Lu Qingyan used more types herself, many of which were valuable items. Yao Niang had only heard of the snail daisy for eyebrows, which was brought to the palace as tribute from foreign countries to the concubines. Now that I have used it on myself, I feel even more flattered.
Knowing that Yaoniang used a makeup powder called Su Yuchun every day, Lu Qingyan immediately asked her to throw it away after she went back. The nanny in the mansion had told her since she was a child that although this Su Yuchun cream had a whitening effect, But it contains a substance called lead poison. Frequent application will damage the appearance and cause the skin to become more and more sensitive.
Yaoniang didn't understand this, she only knew that this Su Yuchun was a rare thing that the old ladies were only willing to provide after they became the number one.
No wonder Yaoniang's face feels dry and itchy as soon as autumn comes. She never thought it could be such a hazard!
Yaoniang naturally believed in Lu Qingyan's statement, but as a small character from the bottom of society, she had no chance to understand this, and she felt mixed emotions for a while.
Lu Qingyan held up a colorful porcelain jar, poured some pink paste onto the jade plate, mixed it with water and diluted it, dipped it in with a small feathered stick, and applied it evenly to Yaoniang's lips.
"This is Jade Girl's Peach Blossom Cream. It can be used as lipstick or blush. The cream is steamed with red flower dew from the Western Regions. The color is long-lasting and non-toxic. You must take back a few jars when you leave. If there are not enough, I will send someone to give them to you. Send it."
After hearing Lu Qingyan's introduction, Yaoniang was so moved that she couldn't help but lick her lips, and she licked a hint of the sweetness of flower dew.
What's even more amazing is that when this product is applied to the face, it does not turn out a bright red color as expected. Instead, after it is moistened into the skin, it has a delicate beauty with a jade-like surface containing spring, and a white and rosy skin.
Yao Niang was immediately happy, she was very fond of this beautiful girl Peach Blossom Cream.
After being carefully dressed up, Yaoniang was so beautiful that even Lu Qingyan felt a little envious.
If Lu Qingyan's beauty is like a noble and cold orchid in the empty valley, then Yaoniang is like a delicate peach blossom blooming in the world of mortals. The former is daunting, but the latter is fascinating and addictive.
“My sister’s face is really becoming more and more charming the more I look at it.”
"My sister always makes fun of me"
"Oh, it's a pity that I am a daughter, otherwise..."
"If I can marry Sister Lu in the next life, I will be a concubine, and the slave family will be willing to do so."
"You have such a little mouth..."
After the joke, the two moved to the study outside the boudoir, where there were windows on three sides and the walls were covered with calligraphy and paintings, making the decoration more elegant.
Yaoniang looked out the window at the pond full of withered lotus flowers, and suddenly thought of a poem.
“It must be beautiful here on a rainy day!”
Yaoniang blurted out.
Lu Qingyan smiled: "What did my sister think of?"
Yaoniang lowered her head shyly and said: "This situation reminds me of a poem by Li Yishan: The autumn clouds do not dissipate and the frost flies late, leaving the withered lotus to listen to the sound of rain."
Lu Qingyan smiled and nodded: "This is one of the reasons why I named this place Qiyuxuan in the first place."
Yaoniang sighed softly, and there was a little loneliness between her brows.
Lu Qingyan observed the words and guessed that she must be bored at home, so she suggested: "There is a Luming Lake in the western suburbs of the city. There are more lotus flowers on it than here. If it rains recently, my sister is interested in joining me." Take a boating trip?"
"This is very good, my sister can only ask for it!"
Yaoniang immediately beamed with joy.
"That's a deal!"
After the agreement was reached, Lu Qingyan looked around and found a piece of calligraphy posted on the wall, which was inscribed on Li Shangyin's poem "Su Luo's Pavilion to Send My Feelings"
It's just that I changed the word "withered" in the last sentence "Leave the withered lotus to listen to the sound of rain" to the word "broken".
Lu Qingyan took it off and handed it to Yaoniang.
"I boldly changed one character, not because I think I am better than Li Yishan. I just feel that this incomplete character is more in line with my state of mind. What do you think, sister?"
After Yaoniang took over, she thought about it a little and couldn't help but nod her head.
"The character "Ku" is just similar in shape. It is not as good as the character "Can" which has both form and spirit, and highlights the charm of autumn lotus. Sister, this character is well changed!"
"Actually, there is no such thing as good or bad. Everyone is in their own way. As long as my sister approves, I will be satisfied."
Lu Qingyan put the calligraphy away humbly.
Yaoniang's heart moved, and she thought of the two calligraphy sheets she had seen downstairs before.
"There are two copybooks hanging downstairs, but are they also written by my sister?"
Lu Qingyan covered her mouth with her sleeves and smiled slightly: "My sister looks up to me so much. The one on the left is Cao Mengde's copy of Zhong Yao's "Xue Han Tie", and the right is Huang Tingjian's "Hua Qi Xun Ren Tie". My calligraphy matches it. The difference is more than a thousand miles."
Yaoniang smiled and asked again: "I wonder which of you can master my sister's calligraphy?"
Lu Qingyan took Yaoniang's hand and came to the desk. There was a piece of jade rice paper spread out on it, and hundreds of small "juanxiu" characters densely packed on the paper.
"This is the "Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra" that I copied. Yan Liu, who was a beginner, switched to Xue Tao in the later period. Yan Liu's calligraphy is too broad and profound, and it is difficult to learn the charm. It is better to retreat to the second best. Xue Tao's writing style is a different way. It’s a little easier to navigate.”
"But that talented woman who invented Xue Tao's paper?" Yaoniang heard about it.
Lu Qingyan hummed and said nothing more.
Yaoniang saw another painting scattered on the desk. The courtyard in the rain in the painting looked familiar, but she couldn't remember where it was.
Above the colorful flowers, there is a butterfly outlined with minimalist lines, swaying in the rain and flapping its wings.
Yaoniang looked interesting and took a step forward to observe it carefully.
Lu Qingyan's eyes suddenly showed a trace of panic, but she had no time to stop it, and her hands and feet became unnatural for a moment.
Fortunately, Yaoniang was concentrating on admiring the paintings and did not notice anything strange about the people around her.
"Sister, it turns out there is a butterfly under the flowers!"
Yaoniang raised her head with surprise and met Lu Qingyan's gentle gaze.
"The painting...is a rain butterfly."
"They look like a pair. They are so well painted!"
Yaoniang exclaimed again.
Lu Qingyan smiled and nodded, but the light in her eyes suddenly dimmed a bit.
