Fragrance Fills the Building: The Brassiere is Born ( Part 3 )

The woman nodded slightly and remained silent. Her frozen face showed no emotion. Mu Linfeng was unhappy. Although he respected her, he was still a prince. He decided not to speak and engaged in a silent staring contest, thinking to himself, "I don't think any man can resist me at the moment."

The woman was angered by Mu Linfeng's behavior. Thousands of people wouldn't dare to treat her this way. She gave him a few glances and spoke calmly, yet coldly, "Do you have nothing else to say, young master?"

Mu Linfeng shook his head and said, "I have nothing more to say." The woman was surprised and then laughed, "Nothing more to say?"

Mu Linfeng was enchanted by her laughter. Her coldness seemed to have melted away and she was now like a plum blossom in the snow, with a slight blush on her face.

Mu Linfeng said, "If you often smile, you would be a charming lady. Why keep up this cold facade and push people away?"

The woman's smile disappeared instantly and she remained silent. At that moment, the laughter of Xu Erniang could be heard from outside the room. She walked in and asked, "Young Master Mu, how was Miss Bian's hospitality?"

Mu Linfeng smiled bitterly and Xu Erniang walked up to the woman and said, "What do you want to do, miss?"

The woman stood up and bowed, saying, "Mother, you've made me feel so embarrassed."

Upon hearing the name "Saisai," Mu Linfeng immediately stood up, his face changing as he exclaimed, "What? Saisai? You are Miss Bian Yujing?"

Bian Yujing quickly performed a curtsy to Mu Linfeng and replied, "I am."

Ms. Xu smiled and said, "Mu Gongzi, I was just about to tell you that Saisai is the third most famous courtesan at Chunxianglou. But we had a guest arrive just then, so I didn't have a chance to mention it..." Ms. Xu chattered on beside them.

Mu Linfeng thought to himself, "It is said that Bian Yujing is skilled in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting, particularly adept at small regular script. Moreover, she is knowledgeable in literature and history. It is said that her painting skills are proficient and her brushwork is like a flowing cloud. She is especially good at painting orchids. It is also said that Bian Yujing is not good at responding to guests in general, but if she meets someone who appreciates her, she can talk like a waterfall, making people fall for her." He knew that famous courtesans were particularly fond of literary and artistic figures. Could he make a move in this direction?

Mu Linfeng quickly bowed to Bian Yujing and said, "I am honored to meet you." But in his heart, he thought, "Today, I will give you a gift, and in the future, I will have you entirely."

Bian Yujing's face remained expressionless, and she did not respond, but she was surprised by Mu Linfeng's great gift. Mu Linfeng continued, "I have long heard the saying, 'Seek Bian, Saisai at the wine stall, Chen Yuan at the flower market.' Today, it is truly an honor for me to meet you." In his heart, he thought, "The latter is already mine."

What expression would Bian Yujing have if she knew that Chen Yuanyuan had become Mu Linfeng's beloved concubine? Bian Yujing walked to the window and said leisurely, "That's just the past."

Mu Linfeng didn't understand the meaning behind her words.

Xu Erniang pulled Mu Linfeng aside and said, "A little over a month ago, Saixai was supposed to get married, but then a man named Tian came from the court, saying he was interested in Saixai and wanted to take her to the emperor in Beijing. However, Saixai already had a prior engagement and refused to go, so Tian didn't force her and left. But the person Saixai was engaged to was afraid of offending the powerful people in court and wanted to cancel the engagement, so Saixai ended up like this, all because of that person named Si."

After hearing Xu Erniang's words, Mu Linfeng understood that she must have been talking about the famous poet Wu Meicun from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. According to historical records, Wu Meicun bid farewell to his younger brother Wu Zhiyan at the Shengchu Lou outside the west gate of Nanjing, who was leaving to become the governor of Chengdu. It was there that he met Bian Yujing, who had come to see Wu Zhiyan off, and was struck by her noble and otherworldly yet somewhat melancholic demeanor.

During the banquet, Wu Meicun also tested Bian Yujing's literary talent, and he couldn't help but be impressed. The two became close over time and their feelings deepened.

Later, the two of them became engaged, but Wu Meicun learned that Tian Wan, who had great power and influence, had already set his sights on Chen Yuanyuan and Bian Yujing. Wu Meicun was intimidated by Tian Wan and only played a few songs at Bian Yujing's residence before leaving sadly.

Thinking of this, Mu Linfeng couldn't help but feel sorry for Bian Yujing and shook her head. But when she mentioned Tian Wan, Mu Linfeng suddenly thought, "When I was in Shandong's Mount Liang, I had Wu Xingjiang deal with Tian Wan. After coming to Nanjing, I haven't thought about asking about it. I wonder how Wu Xingjiang handled things?" Xu Erniang, who also had a worried expression, shook her head and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Mu Linfeng looked at Bian Yujing standing in front of the window with a sad expression and couldn't help but sigh: "Since ancient times, being too affectionate often leads to bitterness, and this bitterness can last endlessly."

Bian Yujing heard Mu Linfeng reciting the poem and turned around to ask: "The phrase 'this bitterness can last endlessly' is from Bai Juyi's 'Song of Everlasting Sorrow', but I don't know where the first phrase 'being too affectionate often leads to bitterness' is from. Did you come up with it yourself, Master Mu?"

Mu Linfeng thought to himself, "The phrase 'being too affectionate often leads to bitterness, and this bitterness can last endlessly' is from Wei Zi'an's 'Flower and Moon Scar', which was written in the Qing Dynasty. But it's still the Ming Dynasty now, so it hasn't been published yet." He quickly said, "Yes, I came up with it myself. What does Miss Bian think of it?"

After reading it once, Bian Yujing muttered to herself, "Though time may pass, our love will last forever." She then walked to the table and sat down, saying, "Both phrases have their own meaning, but the one Master Mu came up with is more poignant. It must have come from his heart."

Mu Linfeng smiled slightly and said, "I wrote the poem for Miss Bian."

Bian Yujing looked skeptical and asked, "For Saisai?"

"Yes," Mu Linfeng replied. "I heard about what happened between you and Wu Meicun, and I sympathize with you."

As soon as Mu Linfeng finished speaking, Bian Yujing's face became sad again. Mu Linfeng hurriedly said, "I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories."

Bian Yujing sighed and said, "Master Mu, you don't need to blame yourself. It's not your fault."

Mu Linfeng said seriously, "Actually, Miss Bian is both beautiful and talented. You will surely find someone better in the future. Why hold onto the past?"

Bian Yujing looked at Mu Linfeng, then lowered her head and said, "Master Mu is right, but it's not easy to let go of this love."

Mu Lingfeng had a good impression of Bian Yujing in his heart and quickly said, "If you're sad for him now, how do you know what's in his heart? If he truly cherishes you, he wouldn't leave you. Your actions will only hurt those who care about you."

Bian Yujing stared at Mu Lingfeng for a long time without saying a word. Mu Lingfeng stood up and sighed, "Don't you see how the bright mirror of the high hall reflects white hair, and how morning youth becomes evening snow?"

Bian Yujing also sighed, "What you said is true, there is still a lot of time left for us. If we act like this now, won't we suffer for the rest of our lives?"

Mu Lingfeng smiled faintly, "It's rare for you to have such thoughts."

Bian Yujing even smiled, thanking Mu Lingfeng for his consolation. Mu Lingfeng laughed and said, "No problem."

Bian Yujing suddenly became curious and asked, "With your knowledge and demeanor, you shouldn't be appearing in a place like Chunxiang Tower. Is there something else you came here for?"

Mu Lingfeng clapped his fan and stood up, saying, "Ah, I almost forgot about the important matter." He chuckled, "Yujing is truly clever."

Once Bian Yujing let go of her thoughts and realized that Mu Lingfeng was the one who had comforted her, she didn't pay too much attention to his words. She smiled like a hundred flowers blooming and asked, "Important matter? Whatever it is that Mu Gongzi needs help with, just ask."