CHAPTER 34: TONG FANG SERVANT GIRL

"We are tasked to help out with the preparation of the lunch by our master."

The servant girls of Sima Long replied.

"Thanks! We can learn a thing or two from you."

Yue Xin was glad to hear that, and she quickly led them into the kitchen.

Xue Cong was also surprised to see the unfamiliar faces.

"Yue Xin, who are they?" she asked.

Yue Xin repeated what they had told her, and Xue Cong greeted them with a smile.

"Let’s see what ingredients you have here." One of the servant girls under Sima Long asked.

"We have some poultry, fish, lamb and vegetables."

Xue Cong replied with what they had on hand.

The servant girl thought for a moment and said, "It’ll do."

She glanced at her compatriot and said, "Get started and don’t let Master Sima Long lose face."

The other servant girls bowed and got to work.

Xue Cong noticed the authority the servant girl commanded over the others and the thought the servant girl put in for her master’s face.

She wondered if she would be able to do the same when the need arose.

Amidst the sounds of chopping, meat being fried and crackling of the fire, they started to chitchat among themselves.

"How is the mistress in the mansion?" one of the servant girls under Sima Long asked.

This caught the attention of the other servant girls.

After all, who wouldn’t be interested in some household gossip.

Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin glanced at each other.

They gave the other servant girls an awkward smile in unison.

"Our master seems to be still single," Xue Cong replied.

Yue Jie nodded silently.

She knew why the other servant girl would have defaulted to Lin Xuan Qi having a wife.

Other young masters would be married by now.

"That’s odd," the other servant girls were perturbed.

The servant girl who asked the initial question smiled sheepishly and asked, "So, which of you is your young master’s tong fang servant girl?"

The other servant girls under Sima Long grinned and waited for a reply.

"Err... Our master doesn’t have a tong fang servant girl," Xue Cong replied, and her face flushed as she recalled that night.

It must have been tough on Lin Xuan Qi, she thought silently to herself.

"What? Then how does he..." The servant girl stopped herself when she saw Xue Cong blushing.

Even Yue Jie and Yue Xin had the same response.

Yue Jie knew something about it but not completely and the question made her aware that Lin Xuan Qi must have been hard on himself.

Her sister, Yue Xin couldn’t help herself but started to have many weird thoughts.

"I think all of you should work hard to be one.

"It’s better than being just a servant girl after all.

"One of our sisters is now in the main hall enjoying herself with our master while we have to work here," the servant girl said and let out a sigh.

The other servant girls also did the same.

Xue Cong’s mind raced with thoughts as she chopped the vegetables.

She felt that Lin Xuan Qi was treating her well, compared to where she came from.

It was the same for Yue Jie and Yue Xin.

Yue Jie’s concern was with making sure that Yue Xin was safe.

While Yue Xin’s thoughts were on saving their father from jail and proving his innocence.

But what if Lin Xuan Qi offered to help, and in exchange...

Yue Xin quickly shook her head to get the thought out of her mind.

Master Lin wasn’t someone like that.

...

"Ahchoo." Lin Xuan Qi sneezed all of a sudden.

Someone must be cursing me, he rubbed his nose and thought.

Most likely those rich merchants that are trying to make Hun Xiong Kun go out of business.

"Excuse me. I’m sorry about that. You were saying..."

"Your poem is now the rage in Hong Feng City," Sima Long said and took a sip of the tea.

"All the young masters would go to the brothel, try any means to find a reason to recite the poem.

"A courtesan’s birthday, they recite it.

"Their birthday, they recite it.

"Even when their cricket wins a match, they’ll also recite it."

Lin Xuan Qi nodded and said, "They have good taste, I guess."

Sima Long was surprised by Lin Xuan Qi’s nonchalant response.

"Good taste?

"It’s more than that.

"The emperor of Da Qian now prefers his subjects to be cultured and indulge in the studies and arts.

"You might be able to gain some favor with your talents," Sima Long explained.

"Thanks for the explanation." Lin Xuan Qi thanked Sima Long for the information.

It gave him a glimpse into something he wasn’t privy to previously.

It seems like the Da Qian Emperor is trying to suppress the generals, martial arts fighters and cultivators to consolidate his power.

Something which had happened throughout history.

Most notably during the Song Dynasty.

"Mark my words. There will be good news for you soon," Sima Long said with confidence.

Lee He Song and Liu Shi Shi nodded.

They knew the rich clans and sects would try and befriend Lin Xuan Qi soon.

But it was up to Lin Xuan Qi to decide what he wanted to do with all the potential attention.

"Lunch is ready, Master Lin," Xue Cong came into the main hall and said.

She bowed and kept her head down.

Her cheeks were burning hot with what she was thinking about when she saw Lin Xuan Qi.

She couldn’t help it as he was good looking.

Her young raging hormones did the rest of the work.

There were more dishes than normal, and the variety was also greater.

Lin Xuan Qi gestured for Sima Long to sit down.

Sima Long gladly took his seat, and his tong fang servant girl also did the same.

"This fish is nicely done," Lin Xuan Qi took a bite from the fish and it was tender and nice.

His chopsticks froze when he saw Xue Cong, Yue Jie, Yue Xin and Zhi Yong standing by the side.

"What are you waiting for? Sit down and join us."

The other servant girls under Sima Long couldn’t believe it when they heard Lin Xuan Qi.