07. Her expressions are fun to look at

It was already a month later. Lan Lian was really happy. Seriously, truly happy. But her face never showed any change of emotions. She had just a few months to stay here and then she will be gone.

A couple of days after arriving at this palace she realized how old she was. She never actually consider her age as she could see that he was shorter than other people. But after she woke up one morning with cramps and clear evidence that she became the woman she sighed deeply and looked at the copper mirror that she was right now trying to make clean as much as possible.

Plain. That was a perfect explanation about how she looked. Not cute like leads in some novels or even beautiful. No. Completely plain. Almost ugly, but only almost. The only good thing she had was a good complexion. Even if she was the whole day under the sun and would go around the garden to tend this flower and that flower she never became dark.

She would wake up in the early morning to collect dew water for Guifei's morning tea. Then she would bring flowers that were about to bloom to her and she always made arrangements for different rooms. Guifei liked making flower pots and arrangements so whenever Lan Lian would bring her new bloomed flowers, she would get these or those ideas.

But when Lan Lian saw hat many flowers would be thrown away after being used only once her heart hurt badly. She knew how to make simply scented oils so she used the dying flowers to give them the last task.

And today was about to be seen if her memory still was good. She looked at the few pots that were standing in half shade and sighed. She slowly opened the first pot and smelled completely rotten. Of course, she never did this before. She just read an article about it. And remembered just its and pieces. So she tried different ways.

Second pot, fail. Third, fourth, fifth, sixth... fail. She sighed. The seventh pot was a neutral smell so she set it aside but the last pot was a full perfect hit. A flowery smell hit her as soon she opened the lid. With a big smile, she was able to happily jump around, but saw two servants looking at her weirdly, so her smile disappeared and changed again into indifference.

With calmness, she closed the lid, picked up the pot and as it was something made of gold and protectively held in her arms while rushing towards the two yahuan that were standing at Guifei's entrance.

She pointed out that she wanted to speak to Guifei and they understood. One of them rolled the eyes while the other went in to let Wen Guifei report about her arrival.

''Let her in.''

Wen Guife was sitting on her chair while two yahuan were waving with beautifully done fans while reading as it seems interesting book. She rose her eyes from the book to see the calm girl kneeling in front of her and bowing to the ground.

''It's too hot. Stand up. What is it? Something good?''

Lan Lian rose her body without looking at her face and slowly pushed the small pot towards one of the nearby yahuan. She motioned to open the pot and when the young woman did that everyone stopped in movement.

The heavy smell of flowers surrounded the whole room and filled it completely. Lan Lian motioned to close it quickly and the young woman did it fast.

''What is this?''

''Fragrant Oil.'' Lan Lian lately pretended to get her voice slowly back and would occasionally speak but still with heavy problems.

''Fragrant Oil. how to use it?'' Wen Guifei was quite interested now.

Lan Lian took out her purse and took the small spoon out the side bag that hung on the pot. She dipped the spoon inside the fragrant oil and dropped just two drops of oil inside her pouch and show it to the young women.

She lowered her head and her eyes became bright as she smelled the fragrance. ''Nice, but not too heavy.''

Of course, Wen Guifei suddenly had a wish to use it on her own pouch and let the two yahuan put inside a few drops.

Lan Lian stopped her yahuan when she wanted to put the whole spoon filled with the oily liquid.

''Too much... big bad smell.''

Wen Guifei nodded. ''Too much of anything is bad. Just put inside like her couple of drops. First one, then one more, until I like the strength.''

Lan Lian rose her eyebrows. Indeed not simple at all. On end, she liked a bit stronger fragrance so five drops were what she was wearing.

Wen Guifei pointed at the pot. ''How much?''

Lan Lian just shook her head. ''Free.''

''Free?''

''Your flowers.''

Wen Guifei shook her head. ''I saw you gathering old flowers. It's your work. I will bestow you a few things if you don't sell me.''

Lan Lian sighed deeply. Please no. The bestowed thing has to be carefully taken care off.

''Five silver.''

''Good.''

She winked at her personal yahuan and all the girls smiled brightly. They knew by now Lan Lian's aversion towards bestowed items. But she never refused the money.

A young woman came back with a big box and put the box inside hands of flabergasted Lan Lian.

''Open it.''

If someone could take a picture of Lan Lian's face it would be the funniest thing ever. From one side ave and then flat expression. Five huge silver ingots were placed inside the box making it extremely heavy.

''Lan Lian, go back to work. You are paid, or should I add more of those ingots?''

Wen Guofei found this girls expression an amazing feat. She would sit by the window and look only at her face. And changes in her expressions. She would usually relax when she is completely alone but as soon someone comes by she would turn her expression completely cold or wooden.

With time she found this young woman quite interesting and thinking about sending her back to simple lifestyle was making her feel a bit apprehensive. Looking at her confused expression as she was pushed out by her yahuan made her day. This child had not even one ounce of greed.

Lan Lian hated all kind of cute things and adornments so whenever she would gift such trinkets to others she left some for her as well. By now one box was almost half full of bangles, rings and all kind of small accessories. But that child never wanted to take them.

''Yin er, come here. Let me see her box.'' She would sometimes just rearrange the box and then think about it. ''She will leave soon. I am already old. What should we give her when he leaves?''

Yin Yue came closer and sighed. They all had the same things. Actually, she already had enough to have two dowry boxes and the third big box is about to half full as well. So none of the servants was jealous about the trinket box Wen Guifei started gathering for the quiet girl.

''Mistress, I do not know how to say this, I think all these trinkets, she will put aside or even gift to others. Maybe few gold or silver nuggets? She loves money, I think?'' Everyone by now gave up trying to gift her anything. And she didn't speak to outsiders or even to them. So what she really wanted, none really knew.

''Money...'' Wen Guifei rose her head to look outside at the girl that stood there and stared at one butterfly that landed straight on her nose. Her expression was so hilarious that she had to laugh... ''This girl, I will miss so much.''

Rest of the servants looked ta the young girl and sighed deeply. Somehow they will miss her as well...