Mira was taken to the West Garden by Assistant Shane. The young servants had already tidied up the courtyard for them.
The West Garden was the best among the Lu family estates, apart from the North and South Gardens. It was used to receive guests, complete with a small pond and artificial rock formations for viewing pleasure.
But Mira had no energy left to enjoy any of it. After traveling all day, she was completely exhausted. Thinking about how Lady Lian planned to assign someone to train her made her feel hopeless.
She had been hoping to settle in and then find a way to earn some money. But now, right after meeting them, everything was already arranged for her, and she wasn't sure if she'd get another chance to leave.
Riyo saw how tired she was and gently wiped her sweat, comforting her, "Mira, you've had a tough day. Let's wash up first, then go to sleep. Just a bit more, okay?"
"I know, Dad. But let's get something to eat first."
Mira responded weakly.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the room, a delicious smell hit them.
A middle-aged woman came over with a warm smile and bowed politely. "Miaoyi greets Master Riyo and the young miss. Our Madam knew you were tired from traveling, so she asked me to prepare some food and drinks for you. Please, follow me. I'll show you to the bath and changing room first."
Mira's stomach growled instantly. She felt like she could eat a whole cow right then.
The Lu family really knew how to treat their guests. Everything was properly arranged. Mira looked at her dusty, dirty clothes and hands and followed Assistant Shane to her room.
Riyo's room was in a different area. Since there were so many people around, Mira wasn't worried about his safety. After saying a quick word to her father, she eagerly followed Assistant Shane.
She politely refused help from the young servants and Assistant Shane, closed the door, and slipped comfortably into the bath.
She nearly fell asleep from the comfort. Startled awake, she quickly put on the clothes laid out beside her and stepped outside.
The servants had prepared a light blue summer robe with a white underskirt. The skirt fabric flowed like waves when she walked. It was a bit thin, but still within what she could accept.
She curiously kicked at the skirt hem. This was the first time she had worn such a pretty outfit. Before, she always wore practical short clothes, never caring about style.
When Assistant Shane saw Mira come out, her eyes lit up.
The girl's sun-kissed face was slightly flushed from the steam, her cat-like eyes sparkling with a smile, her mouth opened in a bright grin showing her white teeth. The waist sash hugged her small waist delicately. This young lady was really beautiful, looking kind and easy to like. Compared to her previous tomboyish look, she seemed like a completely different person.
Noticing Assistant Shane waiting outside, Mira felt a little embarrassed.
She had been so dirty and tired that she didn't know how long she spent bathing. So, she quickly greeted her.
"You're called Assistant Shane, right? Sorry I took so long in the bath. Let's go now."
Assistant Shane didn't dare say anything. Seeing Mira being so polite made her feel even more warmly toward her. She replied that it was no problem at all. As they walked together, Mira chatted with her on purpose. By the time they reached the hall, Mira had drawn out quite a bit of information, and the two of them were much more familiar with each other.
Riyo had already finished cleaning up and was waiting for Mira.
He was dressed in a beautiful brocade robe, which made him look more refined and full of spirit. When he saw Mira, his eyes lit up, and he happily praised her:
"My daughter is so beautiful. She looks good in anything! Once your skin gets fairer, all the young men outside will fall for you. Then we'll find a few good husbands, and you'll give me a grandchild to hold."
Maybe it was because he finally felt hopeful again, Riyo looked healthy and full of color, without a trace of exhaustion.
Mira didn't dare tell him her dream of spending her life with just one true partner. Instead, she shyly said,
"Dad, don't say that! Let's eat first. I'm so tired."
Seeing how tired she really was, Riyo stopped teasing and quickly told her to sit down.
After they finished eating, they both went to rest in their own rooms.
Mira woke up again after the sun had already set. She heard some young servants talking outside. Their voices came in bits and pieces, and she finally got up because she couldn't stand the noise anymore.
Lady Lian had assigned two maids and five young male attendants to the West Garden.
In this world, young male attendants were like male servants. There were three types: those who had been castrated, those who drank a special medicine to make them sterile, and those who were completely normal. The difference existed because they were used for different purposes.
During the previous dynasty, more of them were castrated. After a female emperor came into power, she started limiting this cruel practice, saying it was too inhumane. Instead, she made them take the special medicine. Still, many attendants were castrated.
These maids and attendants were only in their teens and usually quite lively. When they saw that Mira and the others were resting, several of the attendants who were familiar with each other came over to hang out and chat.
Today, their topic was about June's daughter, who had just returned—her name was mentioned: Nia.
After she came back, Lady Lian punished her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall. So, the attendants started talking and sharing their thoughts.
Attendant A said, "Our master is really harsh. She sent Miss Nia to the ancestral hall and didn't even give her anything to kneel on."
Attendant B added, "Yeah, I saw her eyes all red. I really felt bad for her."
Attendant C said, "But Miss Nia, she wanted to hear someone sing. She didn't need to go to that kind of place, right? Our Cotton here knows how to sing."
Attendant D joked, "Stop teasing me. There's no way she'd ever like someone like me."
Attendant E laughed, "If that's so, then why is your face turning red?"
The others joined in, "Yeah, yeah. If you really did become her companion, don't forget us!"
The attendants always ended up talking about their masters. Many young and good-looking ones dreamed that maybe one day, a lady or a young mistress would notice them. If that happened, they'd have a stable life.
They were laughing and joking, and soon, the topic turned to Mira.
"Hey, what do you think our new guest is really like? The way our master treats her shows she's not just anybody."
"Don't get any wild ideas. I heard she's actually engaged to someone from our household."
Everyone knew who "that person" was. They didn't dare say his name. June never talked to any of them. The last time a young attendant upset him, he almost beat him to death and threw him out. Since walls have ears, none of them wanted to end up like that poor guy.
Seeing them talk more and more recklessly, Assistant Shane quickly stepped in and scolded them.
"What nonsense are you all talking about? You have too much time on your hands? Want me to ask Manager Miao Yi to give you more work? Why are you all hanging around here? What if you wake the guest up? You want trouble?"
Right after she spoke, the door creaked open.
Mira stepped out.
The attendants turned pale from fright. Several immediately dropped to their knees, begging for mercy.
"We were wrong, we shouldn't have been gossiping here."
"Please punish us, Miss."
All the voices made Mira's head spin a little.
She didn't feel angry. They were just gossiping. As long as they didn't touch her bottom line, she wasn't the type to make a fuss. Honestly, she was just too lazy to bother.
She waved her hand, "Alright, alright. If you have nothing to do, go back. All your chattering is giving me a headache."
She smiled as she spoke, not showing any sign of being upset. A few of the attendants secretly looked up, staring at her in a daze.
"What are you still standing around for? Get lost!"
Assistant Shane noticed the way they were looking at Mira and quickly shouted at them to snap out of it.
After they left, she turned to Mira, puffing her cheeks, "Miss, you can't be like this. If you're too easy on them, they won't be afraid of you."
Mira had gotten friendly with her after chatting earlier. She pinched her cheek with a grin, "Isn't that what I have you for? With you around, they don't dare say a thing."