116 Conversing Rivalries (1/2)
Hundred Flower Hall.
Recently, with all the troubles that madam Lu faced, she seemed rather happy, walking towards the third floor. Lady Lan had invited her to tea this morning. She would have declined if not for Servant Zhao urging her that there were some important things that should not be delayed.
This meeting, of course, would not be held in the usual room where lady Lan kept the most important information. It was a room that was in the middle of the hall. The place was very much similar to the decoration of a restaurant that could be found in the imperial capital. Yet, this was not the capital.
Perhaps madam Lu did not feel the similarities, or she could no longer be bothered to remember her days in the capital. The room was like any other, with a table covered with brocade cloth and two chairs. She sat herself down to wait on a brocade cushion. The wait was not long today, as lady Lan knew that putting up airs in front of that woman would only result in making it harder for them to communicate with each other.
She understood that it was only with full cooperation that plans would go on smoothly. There were hopes that if she showed madam Lu some face, that madam Lu would know her place and not be so stubborn the next time around.
”You're early today.”Madam Lu spoke as soon as lady Lan showed up in her usual blue clothes and face veil. Her clothes, along with her aura made her seem like an untouchable immortal that descended upon the mortal realm. Yet to madam Lu, she was merely one who liked to pretend.
”Of course, have you been waiting long?” the voice from beneath the veil.
”It's fine.” Madam Lu waved her hand dismissively to get away from the conversation, ”Haven't you invited me for tea today?”
Lady also sat down in the chair across from madam Lu, delicately clapping her hands. At the sound of those claps, the doors opened, with a young girl bringing in a bamboo tray that had a clay teapot with two pots. Madam Lu watches the young girl with an interested gaze that could only be described as a fox stalking its prey. The girl could feel the gaze on her lowered her head slightly. She hurriedly set the tray on the table before leaving.
”Is this how you train people?” Madam Lu looked towards lady Lan and asked. ”Why don't you give her to me, and I promise I will train her to be an obedient young lady.”
Lady Lan seemed to be as unfeeling as ever. She took placed the plain porcelain cup in front of madam Lu, while the other was for herself and said ”Your definition of obedient does not match mine.” Her graceful hands reached for the teapot, slowly pouring the tea into madam Lu's cup, ”Besides, the ones that you train can only ever become courtesans. They can never be among the likes of true noblewomen. I like the ones who can be true young ladies of noble birth.” As she finished, she placed the teapot back down with a thud.