Chapter 9: Peony Tears (Part 2)

  "Ah Xue, can you sit with me for a bit?" Peony had already put aside all her identities and just wanted to find someone to talk to. Friendly reminder: this book's first update website

  Although she was seeking Qilin's opinion, she had already found a place to sit down and wait for Qilin to come over, but Qilin didn't seem to have any intention of doing so. Mudan thought that Qilin was constrained by her status and didn't dare to go over, so she patted the grass beside her, indicating for Qilin to sit down.

  Qilin sat down quietly, she didn't have any identity issues, she just didn't like to get involved with people of higher social status.

  Recalling the days when she had to drink with clients for a contract until her stomach bled, Qilin felt a chill and never wanted to go back to those days. From time to time, she was also taken advantage of.

  Peony waited until Qilin sat down and started talking "Ah Xue, what do you think of me?"

  Ah? Qilin looked at Peony with a puzzled expression. She had known the love story of Peony Fairy and Lü Dongbin when she saw the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, but today, seeing the mortal Peony, was not inferior at all. Qilin stood up and bowed slightly, saying "Miss Peony is born with beauty, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, charming and moving, just like the Peony Fairy in heaven."

  This sentence is not flattery at all, but Qilin's heartfelt praise.

  "What's the use of being a beauty? Won't I be forgotten just the same?" Peony said, her voice filled with emotion. Tears fell silently onto her dress as she lifted her eyes, now red from crying. She continued, "Now that I've fallen to this state, although my skills are not as good as others, I still don't want to give up."

  Not resigned? Indeed, was kicked off the stage, not resigned. Qi Lin guessed right, where there are women, there must be war. Women, when can you not make it difficult for women.

  "What's the meaning of Miss Peony's words?" Qilin asked, only to realize that the question was quite abrupt. However, if she didn't ask, she wouldn't be able to find a topic to talk about. Qilin originally wanted to quickly change the subject, but unexpectedly heard Peony sobbing. When she turned her head, Peony was covering her face and crying. Qilin instantly rolled her eyes and twitched the corner of her mouth, wondering what to do next.

  Peony wiped away her tears, but didn't expect the silk handkerchief in her hand to be blown by the wind into the water flow. Peony didn't mind, and Qilin didn't ask much either.

  After waiting for her breathing to calm down a bit, Peony finally spoke up: "When she first came to Zuihuatang, she was not liked by the sisters. I saw that she had no one to rely on, so I secretly supported her. She also relied on her natural beauty and multiple talents to win over the hearts of the guests."

  Zi Lin quietly listened to Mudan's words, and the "her" in his mouth should be referring to today's Huakui.

  "I treated her with sincerity, but she turned out to be treacherous. That day was the annual Hundred Flowers Conference at Drunken Flower House, where the top courtesan would be chosen. Peony gazed up at the bright moon in the sky, her eyes flickering as if recalling past memories. I didn't expect that the night before, she came to thank me, but before I even finished a cup of wine, I fainted. When I woke up the next day, she had already taken my place."

  It was an unspoken rule, and such things are common in modern times.

  "From that day on, she rose to prominence and became extremely cold towards me. Even my old customers were taken away from me. Being in the Drunken Flower House was like being dead. I didn't expect her to be so heartless, treating me as if I was nothing more than a servant girl." Peony thought of these things and felt a chill run down her spine, followed by another bout of sobbing.

  Qilin blinked her eyes, what's wrong with that, it didn't ruin your looks, and to have implemented even more cruel measures on you was already very good, yet you're still not satisfied.

  But having heard what others had to say, she still had to speak up for herself. Qilin handed a handkerchief to Mudan and slowed down her tone, saying "Actually, as long as you do your own thing well and don't pay attention to other people's cold words, are you worried that you won't be able to keep your position?"

  When Peony heard Qilin's words, she raised her eyes and met the sparkling light in Qilin's eyes. She grasped Qilin's hand excitedly and said: "I've long heard that Miss Xue is intelligent and wise. If I can get your guidance, I'll be eternally grateful. In the future, I will definitely take care of you."

  Qilin was even more stunned after hearing this sentence. She didn't say anything, she just expressed her initial thoughts.

  Helpless, she curled up the corners of her mouth, how could she go and compete with a courtesan? And how could she help?

  "Miss Peony, this is a servant's fault." Qilin dared not say more, fearing that she would misunderstand something. Scratching her head, she saw Peony with tears in her eyes and couldn't bear it. "Actually, Miss Peony doesn't need to deliberately attract attention, just doing her own job is enough."

  "What's going on?" Peony looked at Qilin in confusion "What does it mean?"

  Qilin smiled slightly, picked up a fallen leaf and said "Miss Peony, the peony flower is already the favorite of all flowers, why add other decorations? As long as the true color of the peony is revealed, it's enough. Gold will always shine."

  Peony suddenly thought of the headwear and jewelry she had spent a lot of money on to consolidate her position, but it backfired and she was ridiculed. Today, after hearing Qilin's words, Peony felt enlightened and excitedly pulled Qilin's hand and laughed.

  "A Xue girl is indeed clever, hearing you say that, Peony feels suddenly clear." After finishing speaking, Peony took off the pearl flower on her head and put it in Qi Lin's palm. "A Xue girl's kindness today, Peony will definitely repay later. This pearl flower is made of Feng Huang stone, although common, but also a high-quality goods, A Xue girl can take it first."

  Zi Lin was stunned, and before she could react, Peony had already left. All that was left was the pearl flower in her hand, sparkling and shining, looking very valuable, but she used it to top a bird's nest.

  Time was no longer early, Qilin stretched her waist and suddenly felt sleepy, it's time to go back and rest.