Chapter two

Along with the music, the four young girls in delightful dresses were coming out and swaying their soft bodies. 

Even Wu Guang shrank his eyes, "They are..."

"Respond to master Wu, they are my daughters," Yang Fu said.

"Oh!"

"This is their first performance. If there are any mistakes, please forgive them."

"I think they are excellent."

Hearing the praise, lips of Yang Fu extended like the Yellow river. "Thank you so much," he said.

Meanwhile Longwei was watching the performance. Though he didn't say a word or showed a smile, as Yang saw his eyes, he believed one of his girls would be able to attract him. It was great and in his mind did not care if it was his eldest or youngest daughter as long as she could get married with Wu's son. But all his women imagined differently. Each Yang madame desired her own daughter to be consort of Wu's heir; however, Lady Ju and Lady Xu did not dare cut in because they were just second and third wives.

First wife of Yang was Lady Fan. Since she was standing next to madame Wu, she hurriedly took the chance to introduce her girl.

"Madame Wu, she is my daughter." She pointed to a girl that was whirling before the other three girls. "She is the eldest. This year, she is nineteen years old."

"Um." Lady Chen nodded with a smile. "She is pretty. Her movement is very good."

"She worked very hard for this performance. Even teacher Bai Yuyan admires her as great among students that she ever teaches."

"Bai Yuyan? Dancing teacher for the royal family?"

"Yes, it's her."

"No doubt that this performance is great like this."

Hearing the praise, first Yang madame's face bloomed bigger than a crow seeing a food.

It seemed to be long that the guests were standing. Afraid that the high minister's legs would not be well, Yang Fu hurriedly invited him and family, "Master Wu, madame Wu, please be seated in the honorable seats." 

In return Wu Guang waved head one before he stepped following Yang's lead; afterwards, lady Chen and Wu Longwei moved, escorted behind by guests and assistants and guards. Only Lantian was not bothered and did not even follow her family to special seats. Instead, she went to stand far away where there were no people - with her private maid, Xiaolan.

"Yang young ladies dance very well," Xiaolan spoke.

In throat of Lantian said "Huh" and her eyes moved away. Towards Yang's presentation that was applauded by all people, she found it tasteless.

'All events have the same shows.' She thought.

Because it was really boring, the high lady thought of a work to do, and as she looked around, at once she thought of exploring the garden of the new millionaire of Lin'an. But before making a move, she watched her mother first. When she saw that she was utmost cared for by wives of the rich, she felt confident to leave feet towards the wooden bridge before her.

"Miss, where are you going?"

Nonetheless Lantian did not respond; she crossed the bridge, and Xiaolan hurriedly ran after her.

The garden of the millionaire was really the garden of the millionaire. It was not only huge but also was elegantly designed and decorated. In the space, Lantian perceived high trees, small trees, bushes, water, flowers, stones; it looked like Yang collected everything to store inside his house. 

'This family's wealth is not small.' She thought.

Since this yard was interesting, the high woman continued walking - along a small path between big and tall rocks.

Behind Xiaolan walked closely to her lady with eyes not resting. The way was very quiet. It seemed to have only two of them walking on and this made her feel disturbed. In contrast, her lady was not having any fright even a bit. She moved on bravely until she arrived at a small stream.

"Um." Lantian wagged her head then she moved to the water flow. She stopped and looked at her underfoot; after that, she looked up and saw around were big trees. "This place is shady," she claimed. "Very good."

At another side of the stream, there was a big large rock hill designed with a cave. Lantian inspected the hard chamber without taking eyes off.

"Miss," Xiaolan came to stand next to her, "what are you looking at?"

"In that cavern," Lantian held the head of the fan and pointed top of its leaves to the pothole that was before her, "it seems to have people inside."

Following her pointing, Xiaolan tried to watch but she did not find anything besides a big dark spot.

"Ignore it," Lantian stated, then she moved out.

Still journey was carried on. Further and further, Xiaolan felt the coldness captured her spine. As she could not hide her fear anymore, she hurriedly called, "Miss, we walk so far. We should go back."

"Are you afraid?" Lantian asked.

"Yes." Xiaolan nodded. She hugged herself and ran hands over her arms. "This place is quiet."

Lantian giggled, "Fine, let's go back."

After saying it, she rotated her body in preparation to return. Suddenly, her eyes caught something on the ground by the rock.

"What's that?"

She went to pick the thing up and scanned it. It was hanging with a white jade pendant of a mandarin duck. 

"This should be a property of a woman," she said.

Xiaolan came to stand nearby her, asking, "Miss, how do you know?"

Lantian gave the hanging and described while Xiaolan was looking at the object, "The mandarin duck of this hanging is female; moreover, its model is for woman; hence, this should be a thing of lady."

"It should not be Yang young lady's." 

"Why do you think like this?"

"I know little since I stayed with you for many years. This jade is not good at all. The Yang family is rich, so they will not give poor jade to their daughter."

Lantian nodded her head, "You're right. It was not the good one and its price was not high, but it was not the lowest either. I think it should be a belonging of someone from a wealthy family - because although the jade was not expensive, it was made by a good jeweler; if they were not rich, they could not have cash to pay to engrave such jewelry."

At that moment, a soft tone appeared behind, "Excuse me, this hanging is mine."