Chapter 68: Xia Shuangshuang

The woman wore her hair in a double-bun, adorned with a gleaming gold-filigree hairpin, and wore a skirt with a moon-white lining and a water-pink outer layer. As soon as she saw Duan Rong emerge, she walked over with graceful steps, gathered her skirt in a bow, and asked, "Are you Escort Duan?"

"My surname is Duan!" Duan Rong's eyes brightened slightly when he saw this woman.

"The one who paints on West Street?" the woman stared at Duan Rong and continued to ask.

Duan Rong smiled and nodded.

Once the woman confirmed his identity, her expression clearly softened, and she smiled faintly: "I am a maid of the Xia Mansion, named Xueqing. My young mistress would like to request a painting from you, sir!"

This maid of the Xia Mansion was likely superior to the young ladies of ordinary households.

This maid was called Xueqing, and the name was quite fitting; just like her, she was fair and bright.

"I am but a street craftsman; I am unworthy of the word 'request'! Since your young mistress has the intention, I shall accompany you, miss," Duan Rong said with an easygoing manner. Being sought out for a painting by reputation was better than performing on the street.

Xueqing's gaze shifted slightly. Although this Mr. Duan was not particularly handsome, his speech was modest and measured, giving one a sense of ease, like bathing in a spring breeze.

Xueqing could not help but smile and said, "Sir, please!"

Xueqing lifted the cotton curtain of the carriage, and Duan Rong stepped inside, sitting down on the integrated bench against the window on the right.

The integrated bench was quite wide, cushioned with soft pads, and the floor was covered with an exquisitely patterned carpet!

Xueqing sat down opposite Duan Rong and said in a sweet voice, "Lao Qin, let's go!"

The coachman loosened the reins slightly and gave a light command: "Giddyap!"

The date-red horse seemed to obey the order; its hooves fell softly and steadily, trotting forward with a *clatter-clatter-clatter*, pulling the carriage into slow motion!

On West Street, the road was paved with bluestone slabs, the street surface was clean and level, and the carriage moved at a steady, unhurried pace, clearly showing signs of being well-trained.

Duan Rong felt a slight surprise in his heart. "Though the carriage is small, every detail of welcoming and sending off guests is handled perfectly. This Xia Zhongyang is truly a formidable figure! The handiwork of a God of Wealth is indeed extraordinary!"

Once inside the carriage, Xueqing could not help but size Duan Rong up a few times, but Duan Rong just sat quietly, a calm light flickering in his eyes!

Throughout the rest of the journey, neither of them spoke, and both coincidentally looked at the street scene outside the window, yet their thoughts were all on the person opposite them.

Though their eyes were not looking, they had likely looked at each other countless times in their hearts!

Although Duan Rong was slick, he knew his boundaries well. In such a confined and narrow space, it was best not to joke around; girls usually felt less secure in this environment, and joking around would only invite dislike.

After about half an incense stick's time, following the coachman's "Whoa," he pulled the reins tight, the *clatter-clatter* of the date-red horse's hooves ceased, and the carriage slowly came to a stop.

Duan Rong and Xueqing stepped off the carriage one after the other.

The coachman jumped down, led the date-red horse, and took the carriage through a side gate located an arrow's flight away from the main gate to find the steward for storage and registration.

Xueqing and Duan Rong walked in through the main gate of the Xia Mansion, where the gatekeeper and two guards carrying swords swept their eyes over Duan Rong as if they were looking at him, yet not.

Xueqing led Duan Rong through a covered corridor, turning this way and that, until they suddenly encountered several gorgeously dressed women in a pavilion separated by a walkway, playing with birds.

In that corridor, Xueqing bowed from across the walkway before leading Duan Rong away at a quick pace.

Duan Rong followed Xueqing out of the corridor, walked past a white courtyard wall and a bamboo grove, and finally stopped in front of a pavilion by a pond.

Although this pond was not large, it was surrounded by a Rockery and shaded by bamboo, arranged with great method.

A woman dressed in pale purple was sitting by the pavilion, tossing fish food into the pond.

The koi in the pond moved with the food, rolling in red waves—how beautiful!

Xueqing walked a few steps faster, ran into the pavilion, and said, "Miss, the person is here!"

The woman put down the fish food, stood up, walked out of the pavilion, and looked toward Duan Rong.

Duan Rong was slightly surprised; Xueqing had said "young master," but he had not expected it to be a young lady!

This young lady wore a pale purple skirt and stood by the pavilion, her skirt hem swaying gently in the breeze. In the sunlight behind her, the pavilion, the pond, and the bamboo formed a picturesque scene!

Duan Rong smiled slightly, which served as a greeting. Whether it was a young master or a young lady, they were both little Gods of Wealth and could not be neglected!

This little God of Wealth in the purple skirt had skin that was white with a rosy tint, and although it was only a short distance from the pavilion, she walked with liveliness and poise.

There were two faint dimples on her face, so even before she smiled, one could already feel the smile from her face.

Seeing that faint smile, Duan Rong could not help but feel a slight flutter in his heart, but it immediately became as light as a cloud!

This little God of Wealth in purple had been born into a wealthy family and radiated an air of affluence in every gesture, but because of this, she lacked a certain simple charm that Duan Rong had always found endearing!

In terms of temperament and appearance, the woman before him was perhaps even above Xiao Baijiao, yet upon seeing her, he felt a sense of detachment, lacking the uncontrollable heart-flutter he had felt when meeting Xiao Baijiao!

Perhaps this was the oppressiveness of wealth...

Xia Shuangshuang had always been close friends with Shen Mizhi, and their temperaments were quite compatible!

A few days ago, Shen Mizhi had been sulking, and when asked what was wrong, she kept her lips sealed.

Xia Shuangshuang later found an opportunity to ask Qiuhun in private, only then learning it was because of the painting on the street, which had nearly resulted in a loss of life.

From that moment on, she had been quite curious about this painter named Duan Rong!

That day, when Shen Mizhi came to visit, she took the opportunity to tell Shen Mizhi that she wanted to invite Duan Rong to the mansion to paint for them both.

Unexpectedly, Shen Mizhi turned hostile on the spot and walked away! When she went to look for her the next day, she was even shut out!

The more Shen Mizhi acted this way, the more curious Xia Shuangshuang became!

Therefore, today, taking advantage of Shen Mizhi's absence, she had Xueqing invite Duan Rong over!

Xia Shuangshuang saw that although Duan Rong had a sturdy build and a modest manner, he had a square, sallow face and could not be called handsome at all. Apart from a pair of eyes that shone with a tranquil light, looking at you as if they could speak, there was nothing special about him.

Xia Shuangshuang felt a bit disappointed and thought to herself: How could such a person provoke Sister Shen to such anger?

Although Xia Shuangshuang felt disappointed, she had been raised with strict discipline since childhood, so she still wore a faint smile on her face and said, "Mr. Duan's reputation has been growing lately! I have long had the idea of inviting you to the mansion for a chat, but matters kept delaying it, and only today could it be arranged!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong gave a carefree smile and said, "I am but a street craftsman; I fear I will disappoint you, miss."

Duan Rong was not being humble; Xia Shuangshuang grew up in a wealthy family, and her discernment and knowledge would certainly not be poor. If he were to raise expectations further, he would be courting his own disaster.

"Sir, there is no need to be overly modest." As Xia Shuangshuang spoke, Xueqing had already brought the painting tools and placed them on the Stone Table inside the pavilion.

Xia Shuangshuang stepped aside and said, "Sir, please enter the pavilion to paint."

Duan Rong walked slowly into the pavilion and sat down at the Stone Table, while Xueqing and two maids stood by his side, washing brushes and grinding ink.

Duan Rong sat at the Stone Table, looked at Xia Shuangshuang with a smile, and asked, "May I ask, miss, what would you like me to paint?"

Xia Shuangshuang stood to the side outside the pavilion and said, "Spear dancing!"

(End of chapter)