maidservant

Chapter 115 Leaving the Palace
Yun Shan carefully packed her important belongings, filling three large bags and two trunks. After Yun Jin helped her see her luggage out of the palace gate, Yun Shan rented a coachman and a sedan chair and left the deep-walled palace.

Upon leaving the palace, one sees the gates of noble families brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, bustling with activity. The streets are teeming with pedestrians, carrying large and small bags of New Year's goods, while horse-drawn carriages shuttle back and forth, and stalls selling New Year's goods stand side by side.

Yunshan sat in the carriage, looking out the window, and saw people selling peace knots. "Yes, I'm already twenty-seven," she murmured softly.

Unable to contain herself, Yunshan got off the carriage and went to the peace knot stall.

The stall owner enthusiastically solicited customers: "The Nian monster is coming! Young lady, buy a peace knot. They've all been blessed with sutras by the master monks at the temple, and they're very effective."

Yunshan picked out a peace knot embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns and held it tightly in her palm.

What's so scary about the Nian beast? The Dali region is peaceful now, and even if the Nian beast really comes to the capital, the government troops will subdue it.

But wouldn't the people and beasts of the southern barbarian lands be even more ferocious and brutal? Yun Shan gazed south, silently praying. Longing surged within her like a tide.

She missed Lin Xiao.

The carriage slowly came to a stop outside the Li residence. By this time, many officials and merchants had come to wish Li Mao a Happy New Year.

The servants at the door wore festive red ribbons tied around their waists, their faces beaming with smiles, almost to the point of stiffness. Seeing Yunshan's carriage stop, one of the servants hurried forward to greet her.

Yun Shan lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage. The servant exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, what brings you to the palace today? And you've brought so many New Year's gifts!" The servant asked politely and then called two more people to help Yun Shan carry the "New Year's gifts."

Yun Shan smiled wryly and did not answer. Instead, she took out some loose silver and handed it to the servants, saying, "It's the New Year, so give everyone some snacks."

Upon entering the courtyard, one can see numerous New Year's gifts, such as red coral and jade carvings, donated by merchants.

Yunshan couldn't help but exclaim, "These merchants are really generous."

The servant beside her explained, "Miss, our master, mindful of the banditry and border conflicts in Nanzhou, has waived 10% of the commission that the Nanzhou porcelain shop owners who have been cooperating with us for many years have been paying. This is a tribute from several of the shop owners who have many shops."

Yunshan nodded.

Her brother-in-law, it is said, has often caused his father a lot of headaches over the years. He is not keen on accumulating wealth, but loves to be generous and righteous.

Yet, when people mention him, they deeply admire this wealthy man who entered officialdom through the imperial examinations. Yun Shan also felt a deep sense of admiration; in this world obsessed with fame and fortune, it is truly rare to find someone who can uphold kindness and have the world in their heart.

As they passed by several young men dressed in mink coats, they couldn't discern Yun Shan's identity, but they sensed that she possessed an extraordinary air, clearly not from an ordinary family. They secretly guessed that she was either the daughter of a wealthy family or the daughter of a newly appointed official, and they all bowed and greeted her respectfully.

Yunshan returned the greetings one by one.

Among them was a man dressed in a golden fox fur coat and wearing a warm jade crown. He was stunned by Yun Shan's beautiful appearance and dignified demeanor.

When Yunshan returned the greeting, he was still staring intently at her. Seeing this, Yunshan assumed he was a playboy and quickly left.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Yun Shan saw Li Mao feasting and drinking with his guests. Knowing it was inappropriate to disturb them at this time, Yun Shan went to the right-hand hall first.

In the right-hand hall, a table was filled with women sitting together, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Yun Shan glanced at Xiao Yue, who was sitting in the main seat, raised an eyebrow, gave a playful smile, and then stepped aside.

"Ah Shan!" Xiao Yue ran out excitedly, grabbed Yun Shan's hand and said, "You're on your annual leave so early!"

Xiaoyue pulled Yunshan towards the palace, wanting to introduce her to the other women.

Yun Shan waved her hand gently and said:
"Sister, you go ahead with your work. I might need to stay here for a while. Is it convenient at home?" Xiaoyue was taken aback. Stay temporarily? For a while?
"Did something happen?" Xiaoyue asked Yunshan anxiously.

"It's alright, sister, it's a good thing."

Xiaoyue nodded with some doubt and called a maid to settle Yunshan in a side courtyard.

Moving back into this secluded courtyard, everything was the same, yet everything had changed.

Yunshan looked at the tree in the yard. The trunk was wrapped in a red cotton cloth, and when the cold wind blew, not a single withered leaf remained.

Although the pool had been cleaned spotlessly by the servants, the surface of the water was frozen solid, and beneath the seemingly solid ice, there was no sign of life.

"It's not this courtyard that's changed, but my state of mind." Yun Shan shook her head, self-deprecatingly remarking on her earlier sentimentality.

As she walked to the door, she gently stroked the pillar.

Once upon a time, Lin Xiao slept leaning against this pillar, and it was here that she and Lin Xiao made a lifelong vow.

Paper-cuts for the Spring Festival have already been pasted on the windows; some are cut into a pair of flying fish, and others into peony flowers.

Yunshan packed her bags, leaned back on the couch, looked at the festive decorations on the window, and listened to the noise outside.

Kyoto under this well-governed rule is truly bustling and prosperous.

Before she knew it, drowsiness washed over her like a tide, and Yun Shan slowly drifted off to sleep.

In her dream, Lin Xiao stood before her, his eyes smiling, gazing at her affectionately, and said:

"I've made you a blue fox. When I come back after the New Year, I'll make it into clothes for you." Yun Shan smiled gently and reminded him softly, "You have to be careful. The flesh and blood of strange mountain beasts might be poisonous."

"Ah Shan?" Xiao Yue's gentle call was like a breeze, slowly pulling Yun Shan back to reality from her sweet dream.

"Sister, are you done with the matters in the front hall?" Yun Shan asked sleepily, her voice still carrying a hint of languor.

"The ladies have all gone back. You, tell me quickly, how have you been doing in the palace lately?" Xiaoyue asked with concern, her eyes fixed on Yunshan, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

Under Xiaoyue's repeated questioning, Yunshan recounted everything that had happened in the palace, except for omitting the emperor's three questions as relayed by Consort Cui.

"Those two, Yang and Zhong, were always making things difficult for me. I had to be careful in everything I did in the palace, and it was really uncomfortable. I just wanted to be free, so I resigned from my official post and came to stay with my elder sister, bringing all my gold ingots with me."

As she spoke, Yunshan acted coquettishly like a child, tightly hugging Xiaoyue's neck with both hands.

"Alright, alright, put away your gold nuggets. Your brother-in-law will definitely be happy that you're here to keep me company." Xiaoyue gently patted Yunshan's back, her eyes full of affection.

The sun gradually sank in the west, turning the sky orange-red. At this time, Li Mao's social engagements also ended. Yun Shan followed behind her sister, respectfully offering her New Year's greetings to Li Mao.

After the two finished explaining the whole story, Li Mao looked at Yun Shan and said gently, "Auntie, please stay here with peace of mind. It's a great thing that you can come and reunite with us during the New Year."

After chatting for a while, Li Mao asked, "What are your plans for the future?"