Linxia

Chapter 128, Interlude

The banquet was almost over. The dishes had been changed several times and were removed one by one. The maid brought a golden plate for the guest to rinse his mouth.

Now a small accident happened on Fang's father and mother's side. Although they had seen a lot of the world in the past half year, their core had not changed. There was no need to be particular about it. They just happened to be thirsty, so they took the drink and drank it.

The beautiful maid who brought the golden dish was stunned for a moment and couldn't help covering her mouth.

At the same time, some of the rich and powerful children in the distance and the two girls, Gu Yuyan and Shi Wenjun, who were nearby, all had strange looks on their faces.

"Dad, Mom!" Fang Lin wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

"how?"

"It's okay." Fang Lin paused for a moment. Amid many concerned looks, he remained calm and drank the golden dish water calmly, as if it was not for rinsing the mouth but was meant to be drunk.

Such a confident demeanor, which was obviously wrong, seemed to become right, and made the maid who brought the golden butterfly couldn't help but suspect that she was seeing things too often.

Tian Xuan noticed something and drank without hesitation, making what should have been a bit awkward become natural and nothing serious.

The children of the powerful and wealthy who were a little further away were paying attention to this side and witnessed the incident from beginning to end. At this moment, their expressions varied. They fell silent for a moment and began to discuss in low voices.

"That brother may not have a great background, but his ability to respond flexibly is beyond my reach."

"Your actions just now are truly worthy of a scholar of our generation. I will go and get to know you later."

"Hmm, I remember who this person is! It is the young man named Fang who scolded Rong Tongsheng and made him faint that day. No wonder he brought the invitation from Prefect Pu... Compared with the foolish filial piety in those novels, this is a truly pure filial act, without losing grace, wisdom, or composure."

……

These children of powerful people had never mocked or ridiculed before, and they would not do so after seeing this scene. Instead, they looked up to the other party and became more serious because of this response.

The two girls nearby were hit particularly hard and were even more shocked.

Shi Wenjun looked at Fang Lin deeply, knowing that Fang Lin had seen the effect of the golden disc water, but he made a decision in an instant and drank it with Fang's father and mother to avoid embarrassment for his parents. The pure filial piety and intelligence in this action touched her heart.

Gu Yuyan also looked at him with new eyes. She put away her pride and put Fang Lin on an equal or even higher level. She took the initiative to pour wine: "Sir, Yuyan apologizes again for what happened before."

This was talking about the teasing over the wine at the beginning. Before that, she felt embarrassed because of Fang Lin's frank attitude, but it was not to the extent of lowering her face to apologize. It was only just now that she was sincerely impressed by Fang Lin's performance that she let go of her pride and reserve.

"Miss Yuyan, don't worry. I have long since let it go." Fang Lin was telling the truth.

It was just a glass of wine and there was no actual harm. It was understandable that the other party was trying to protect himself. He really didn't care and didn't take it seriously.

Gu Yuyan felt relieved and admired Fang Lin's broad-mindedness. At the same time, she felt more clearly his attitude towards her. It was not that he was deliberately cold, but rather a kind of polite and distant feeling. She knew that he really had no feelings towards her, so she couldn't help but look at Tian Xuan. In addition to envy, she also felt a little curious, and a little competitive spirit.

Tian Xuan noticed that Fang Lin's attitude was because of her, and she felt sweet in her heart. She didn't want to leave any grudges in the hearts of the two girls, so she took the initiative to ask, "Sisters, you smell so good, is it the scent of orchids and osmanthus?"

She started chatting with him in a few words.

At this time, the banquet delicacies are removed and replaced with fruits and vegetables. This gap allows everyone to rest and relieve their greasy feeling. There will also be some voluntary activities afterwards.

During this short break, Gu Yuyan, Shi Wenjun and Tian Xuan started chatting. "Sister Tian, ​​the fragrance on our bodies is due to the hundred flower essential oil."

"Yes, we make it ourselves. Once you apply it on your body, the fragrance will linger."

Gu Yuyan said, looking at Fang Lin: "What do you think about this, sir?"

"A natural beauty, with fair skin and beautiful features, like Xi Shi and Yang Fei, with light eyebrows, is naturally attractive. Why should she smudge her beauty with makeup?"

This was a bit offensive. Shi Wenjun and Gu Yuyan frowned when they heard it. Tian Xuan quietly pulled Fang Lin to the side. Fang Lin shook his head slightly to show that it was nothing. He changed the subject: "It's just that there are not many people like Xishi and Yang Fei. Most people in the world still need to dress up, just like flowers become more shiny when they are moistened and jade becomes more polished. There is no need to belittle yourself. Xunzi also said, 'The nature of a gentleman is not different, but he is good at making use of things', which is the truth."

The whole thing was made up, and these words surprised Gu Yuyan and Shi Wenjun. After hearing these words, they felt that Fang Lin did not come from an ordinary family. Instead, he looked more like a scholar with considerable talent. Especially his dialectical and objective attitude was refreshing.

Gu Yuyan is not shy about her own tricks. She talked about the method of making osmanthus oil: "Newly opened osmanthus flowers, two taels of sesame oil, soak in a spouted porcelain bottle, then seal with oil paper, and steam in a boiling pot..."

“Lily fragrant oil requires one qian of borneol, one liang of osmanthus, one liang of jasmine…” Shi Wenjun also shared the method of making lily fragrant oil.

The two girls shared their experiences and also asked for some information about Tian Xuan.

Shi Wenjun learned that Tian Xuan did not lose her virginity and consummate the marriage because Fang Lin considered the safety of having a child and was also preparing for marriage. She secretly sighed in her heart that there are men in this world who are so considerate of women, which touched her heart.

After hearing about the two people's relationship of supporting each other and sharing the ups and downs, Gu Yuyan was also envious.

The two girls often deal with people, are good at socializing and are extremely smart; Tian Xuan is also the smartest one Fang Lin has ever seen, and they have a pleasant chat together.

Sometimes they would ask Fang Lin, who was brief and to the point, and didn't say much, but every half sentence he said was thought-provoking, making them think that he was a talented person. However, what was more important was the equal attitude between them from beginning to end. He respected them, and did not flatter them because of their beauty, nor did he look down on them because of their status as famous prostitutes. Unlike other people, no matter how well they hid it, there was always a hint of contempt in their hearts, or regret or pity. It was like getting along with friends, which was comfortable and relaxing.

……

On the side of Prefect Pu, the banquet was also cancelled and replaced with fruits and seasonal vegetables.

Master Peng came over and whispered to Prefect Pu about what happened with Fang Lin. Prefect Pu listened, smiled and nodded slightly, thinking to himself: "I was right about Fang Lin. He always brings me some surprises."

At this time, the surrounding dignitaries were full and were discussing post-banquet activities, such as shooting covers, pitching pots, and flowing cups...

"Today, let me be the master!"

Prefect Pu said, "The games of throwing pots and shooting covers are quite exhausting. It would be better to try something more relaxing, such as writing poems and inscriptions. There is no limit to the subject matter, format, or rhythm."

Now that he has spoken, no one will object.

Everyone present was a shrewd person. At this time, many people had already realized that the reason why Governor Pu came here today was probably to set the stage for his nephew.

They all made up their minds and paid more attention to Fang Lin afterwards, and also had some expectations for the work that this person would produce later.

……

(End of this chapter)