I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Xia Shuangshuang

The woman had her hair styled in two flat buns, adorned with a shiny gold hairpin, wearing a moonwhite inner dress with an outer skirt in pastel pink. As soon as she saw Duan Rong come out, she gracefully moved a few steps, gathered her skirt, bowed, and asked, ”Are you the Escort Master Duan?”

”I am surnamed Duan!” Duan Rong’s eyes lit up slightly upon seeing the woman.

”Are you the one who paints on West Main Street?” the woman continued to ask, staring at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong nodded with a smile.

Once the woman confirmed his identity, her expression clearly relaxed. She smiled gently, saying, ”I am a servant from Xia Mansion, named Xueqing. Our Young Master would like to commission a painting from you!”

This servant from Xia Mansion is likely more distinguished than the young ladies of common households.

The servant’s name is Xueqing, which is quite fitting, as she is fair and bright like her name.

”Street craftsmen are not worthy of the word ’commission.’ Since your Young Master shows interest, I shall accompany you,” Duan Rong said amiably. Being sought after for a painting is far better than performing on the street.

Xueqing’s expression subtly shifted. Though Mr. Duan may not be physically striking, his speech was pleasant and measured, leaving an impression of a breezy gentleness.

Xueqing couldn’t help but smile, and said, ”Sir, please!”

Xueqing lifted the cotton curtain of the carriage compartment. Duan Rong stepped inside and sat on the right seat by the window.

The bench was quite spacious, with a soft cushion on it, and a beautifully patterned carpet beneath.

Xueqing sat opposite Duan Rong and sweetly said, ”Old Qin, go!”

The coachman loosened the reins slightly and urged, ”Giddy up!”

The Chestnut Horse, as if obeying the command, trotted forward, pulling the carriage slowly.

West Main Street was paved with flagstone, clean and smooth. The carriage moved at a steady pace, evidently well-trained.

Duan Rong was slightly surprised. ”The carriage may be small, but it handles everything with attention to detail. Xia Zhongyang truly is a remarkable figure! The handiwork of a God of Wealth is indeed extraordinary!”

Once on the carriage, Xueqing couldn’t help but scrutinize Duan Rong a few times, but Duan Rong only sat quietly with calm eyes.

Throughout the ride, neither of them spoke, both eyes naturally gravitating towards the scenery outside the window, yet their thoughts remained on the other person.

Although they didn’t look at each other, deep inside, countless glances had been exchanged.

Despite his shrewdness, Duan Rong knew restraint well. In such confined spaces, it’s best not to joke around. Girls usually feel insecure in such environments; casually joking might evoke displeasure.

About half a stick of incense time later, the coachman called ”Whoa!” while tightening the reins, and the Chestnut Horse’s rhythmic trot came to a halt. The carriage stopped leisurely.

Duan Rong and Xueqing got off the carriage one after the other.

The coachman jumped off, led the Chestnut Horse into a side gate about a stone’s throw from the main gate, and went to register it with the Steward.

Xueqing and Duan Rong entered through Xia Mansion’s main gate, while the gatekeeper and two sword-bearing guards discreetly glanced at Duan Rong.

Xueqing led Duan Rong through the winding corridors. Turning this way and that, they unexpectedly encountered a few elegantly dressed women teasing birds in a pavilion across a corridor.

Xueqing, across the corridor, courteously bowed, then quickly left with Duan Rong.

Following Xueqing, Duan Rong exited the corridor, passed a white courtyard wall, through a bamboo grove, and finally stopped by a pavilion beside a pond.

Although the pond was small, surrounded by rockeries and hidden amongst slender bamboo, its arrangement was well-considered.

A woman dressed in light purple sat by the pavilion, tossing fish food into the pond.

The koi in the pond followed the food, trailing vivid waves of color—a vivid spectacle.

Xueqing quickened her pace, ran into the pavilion, and said, ”Miss, the person has arrived!”

The woman set down the fish food, stood up, stepped out of the pavilion, and looked towards Duan Rong.

Duan Rong was slightly surprised, as Xueqing mentioned the Young Master, yet it turned out to be a young lady!

The young lady wore a light purple dress, standing beside the pavilion, her hem fluttering lightly in the breeze, with the pavilion, pond, and bamboo behind her complementing beautifully in the sunlight.

Duan Rong smiled slightly as a greeting. Whether it’s a Young Master or a young lady, they are the God of Wealth and can’t be neglected!

This young lady in purple had skin fair and rosy. Though she was only a short distance from the pavilion, she moved lively yet gracefully.

Two faint dimples adorned her face, thus even before she smiled, you could already feel the smile from her face.

Upon seeing the subtle smile, Duan Rong’s heart couldn’t help but sway slightly, but soon calmed back down.

This young lady in purple had been born into a wealthy family, her every gesture exuding opulence, yet it lacked a certain simplicity Duan Rong always found endearing.

This woman, in terms of charm, probably surpasses Xiao Baijiao, yet upon first sight, Duan Rong sensed a sort of distance, unlike the uncontrollable excitement he felt with Xiao Baijiao.

Perhaps, this is the pressure of affluence...

Xia Shuangshuang had always been close with Shen Mizi, their temperaments quite congenial!

A few days ago, Shen Mizi kept sulking, and upon asking her, she remained reticent.

Xia Shuangshuang later found an opportunity and privately asked Qiu Hen, discovering it was because of an accidental near-death incident while painting on the street.

Since then, she’s been quite curious about this painter named Duan Rong!

One day when Shen Mizi visited, Xia Shuangshuang took the chance to mention wanting to invite Duan Rong to the mansion to paint for them.

Unexpectedly, Shen Mizi turned hostile right away, twisting her head, and left! When Xia Shuangshuang went to look for her the next day, she was coldly refused entry!

The more Shen Mizi behaved this way, the more curious Xia Shuangshuang became!

Thus, today, taking advantage of Shen Mizi’s absence, she asked Xueqing to invite Duan Rong over!

Upon seeing Duan Rong, Xia Shuangshuang noticed that although he was robust and modest, he had a broad, dark face that wasn’t at all handsome, except for his eyes, which shone with a tranquil light, and seemed to be the most distinctive thing about him.

Xia Shuangshuang was somewhat disappointed, wondering why such a person could anger Sister Shen so much?

Despite her inner disappointment, Xia Shuangshuang kept a faint smile on her face due to her strict upbringing, saying, ”Mr. Duan’s reputation has been rising lately! I’ve long wanted to invite you for a chat at the mansion, but events delayed it until today!”

Hearing this, Duan Rong chuckled warmly, ”I am but a humble street craftsman, fear I may disappoint Miss.”

Duan Rong was not being humble. Xia Shuangshuang, raised in wealth, certainly has discerning taste and knowledge. Raising expectations would be perilous for him.

”No need for such modesty, sir,” Xia Shuangshuang spoke as Xueqing began to set up the painting tools on the stone table within the pavilion.

Xia Shuangshuang stepped aside, saying, ”Sir, please enter the pavilion to paint.”

Duan Rong walked slowly into the pavilion and sat at the stone table, with Xueqing and two other girls standing beside him, washing brushes and grinding ink.

Sitting at the stone table, Duan Rong looked at Xia Shuangshuang and asked, ”May I ask, Miss, what you wish to have painted?”

Xia Shuangshuang stood outside the pavilion, saying, ”A dance with a spear!”