A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated 1

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After washing, she went inside to serve her Lady. When Lady Hua saw her, she clapped her hands, giggling. "You fell asleep before you could even eat dinner, so why are there dark circles under your eyes? I'm sure you were thinking about your lover all night, am I right?"

Pingting turned and looked at the mirror. As expected, there were dark violet smudges under her eyes. She blushed slightly, "What is My Lady joking about? Say that again and I won't serve My Lady anymore."

She had always talked to her Master like that back in the Jing-An Ducal Residence, and didn't think she was being rude. Fortunately Lady Hua had been flattered throughout her life and liked her temper. Trying to hold back her laughter, she said, "Don't be angry, I totally understand. When I first saw the guy of my dream, I couldn't sleep for the first couple of nights too."

Pingting wasn't originally thinking that, but Lady Hua's words made her heart thump and she lowered her eyes. "Let me help wash My Lady, the water is getting cold."

"I don't need you, clumsy girl, I can wash myself." She grabbed the dry towel off Pingting, "You were never suited to serve others in the first place."

"I'm not suited to serve others?" Pingting eyes widened. She had always been serving others, especially her mischievous master and no one had ever said she was doing a bad job. She could play qin and chess equally well, she was talented in both literature and art, while also being known for her entertaining wit and conversations, and she wasconsidered to be extremely gentle. How is she not suited to serve others? Pingting had to protest back, "But in the previous days when I washed you, I only broke a few strands of your hair."

"Of course, because you have never helped people wash their hair before."

Lady Hua was right. Back in the Jing-An Ducal Residence, she had her own maid to help wash herself. She had hardly washed her own hair, never mind helping others wash theirs. Once or twice, she had tried to wash her Master's hair, but He Xia had shrieked in pain after a few seconds and she gave up on that idea.

After Lady Hua had washed, she continued to work on her sewing. Unfortunately, she had jabbed herself several times and was crying in pain after a while.

Pingting tried to hide her boredom. "I said it would take hard work, so why does My Lady still want to learn it? Everyday My Lady gets me to help and then gets hurt... What's the point in doing this?"

Lady Hua sighed and stared blankly at her sewing. "What can I do? I miss him, so I sew for him, but then I get jabbed and so I hate him because it's his fault I'm doing this. Then I remember he can't see me, he doesn't know what I'm doing. Oh God, I'm so annoyed!"

Pingting wanted to laugh but seeing her Ladybeing so depressed, she couldn't bring herself to do it. The image of 'Dong Dingnan' once again came back into her thoughts, her vision blurred and her needle began to twist dangerously.

"Ouch!"

Lady Hua clapped, eyes sparkling. "You finally got jabbed. I say this needle is biased, it only likes to jab my thumb."

The two people continued to talk on, though Pingting appeared to be fully engaged in the conversation, she felt anxious. She had secretly hoped that 'Dong Dingnan' would come so she could learn more of her master. Her eyes flicked from East to West and the day was rapidly ending, but no one came to visit them.

Lady Hua saw Pingting's tight lips and she broke into a sweet smile. "Don't worry, he said he will come in three days. If he doesn't, we will just ignore him."

Towards evening, the two girls were sitting inside and eating dinner when the Housekeeper hurried in. "My Lady, someone wants to see you."

Pingting abruptly lifted her head, eager. Lady Hua turned and said, "Let him in."

The blinds came down and Pingting's heart began to beat faster. She stared at the door with anticipation.

Soon, they heard footsteps approaching the door and a huge moving silhouette appeared. He entered the room and bowed respectfully towards the Lady on the other side of the blinds. "Good evening My Lady, my name is Chu Morang, and I am here to pass on a gift."

Oh, so it wasn't 'Dong Dingnan', but the person who had passed the qin to her previously. She thought in disdain. It felt as if someone just coldly splashed a bucket of icy water onto her fiery energy. She was utterly disappointed.

Chu Morang politely laughed, "This is one of GuiLe's many bronze ornaments. It's not that expensive, but the detail is rather impressive."

Pingting looked out through the blinds, and she could tell at one glance that the ornament which Chu Moranghas presented was in no way at all lacking. Not only was it expensive but it was carved by the famous Gui Le bronze master, Lu Bing. Lu Bing was a legendary craftsman who died thirty years ago.

The ornament was of a girl playing qin on the mountains, her expression realistic and serene. It was so lovely that many people wouldn't mind having a painting of it. This 'Dong Dingnan' had probably given her this gift to compare its magnificence to her qin skills.

Pingting decided that 'Dong Dignan' spent money extravagantly and admired his tactics. "Such an expensive gift is hard to accept. Please take it back." Her voice was notably cold.