"Welcome to Abat — Sea Wind City."
In the salty and cold sea breeze,
The waves gently patted the ships scattered all over the harbor.
The people coming and going at the harbor were complicated.
There were gentlemen and noblewomen who had returned from a long trip, stepping into gorgeous private carriages. There were also brown-haired people,
The red-haired sailor was busy carrying large and small bags. There were also barefoot, tied together by ropes,
Shivering in the cold wind, wrapped in rags,
Groups of black slaves were pulled away by Lala.
The young woman stumbled down from the deck, imitating the other women who got off the ship, using a long shawl to cover her head and face. Seeing this scene,
It was as if she had caught a cold,
She tightened her shawl and hugged the package tightly. She hid to the side.
Even so, she still attracted the attention of a large group of people.
After all, the other women were accompanied by men,
This noble young lady was alone.
No matter how low-key she was, a woman traveling alone, at this time in Luster,
Was already eye-catching enough.
And this young lady..,
She even had the appearance of an Oriental outsider.
The captain glanced at the woman's exposed hand,
It was a pair of slender and gentle hands, even compared to the noblewomen the captain had seen before. And in the cold wind..,
The black hair that flowed by the side of her face.
Oriental women..,
Were really rare.
They were even more popular than black slaves.
"Miss..,
Isn't anyone coming to pick you up? For example..,
Family? It's a mess here. A young lady from a good family can't stay here for long, "the captain reminded her.
"Pick me up? Family? " She muttered and seemed to smile bitterly under the shawl. She replied in some stiff Luster language, "Thank you for the reminder."
"Then, Miss, do you need me to introduce you to some temporary hotels? It's not too expensive. "The captain pointed to the nearby buildings.
Miss Dongfang, who had just experienced the disaster of pirates, remembered that her friends on the ship had reminded her that many captains of long voyages were also involved in the black slave trade, human trafficking, and other "businesses" in addition to their own businesses. She replied, "Thank you for your kindness. I have a few friends here who can help me stay."
The captain was very sorry, and was about to say something more, when a very respectable couple, surrounded by several servants, came up on the rail.
The husband wore a large feather-trimmed hat, under which his black curly hair was carefully permed, and his moustaches were carefully groomed, and he wore a white shirt, with a blue lace-fastened collar, and a splendid coat of red and gold, with many buttons, and silk trousers, boot-stockings, and high-heeled shoes. There was a hollow golden ball at the head of the cane. He was holding the pocket watch and waiting impatiently for his wife to take light steps forward.
His wife, on the other hand, had her blonde hair coiled into a high bun. Her hair was powdered and decorated with ribbons and flowers. She had snow-white skin, cherry red lips, and a garland made of gauze around her neck, making her look even more gentle and beautiful. Her voluptuous breasts were squeezed into a low neckline, and her slender waist was so slim that it could be held in one hand. Layers of lace were layered on top of her voluptuous skirt.
She was holding a fan and putting it on her husband's wrist. She said sweetly to the woman from the East, "Dear Lin, you are walking too fast. I am still intoxicated by your story. "
It was obvious that they were a noble couple.
The gentleman knocked his cane and glanced at the captain, "This young lady is our friend. Sorry to trouble you."
The captain did not dare to do it again and hurriedly smiled, "Sir, madam, you are too kind. It is my honor to be able to offer such a beautiful young lady. "
He still politely said to Miss Dongfang, "Miss, if you are willing to make do, you can stay in Abat 8. There is always a decent place to stay."
The young oriental woman nodded. He took off his hat and bowed to the gentleman as much as possible. Then, he walked away twice as fast.
When the captain walked away, the oriental woman sincerely thanked the gentleman couple, "Honorable Viscount Karl, beautiful Baisha, I don't know how to thank you for taking care of me along the way."
Viscount Karl nodded reservedly and said slowly, "It's nothing."
Baisha put down her folding fan, "Lin, you really should have agreed to our invitation. Sigh. " She sighed and pouted her cherry-like lips. "Your oriental stories are so wonderful, and you're so beautiful. If you go to the City of July with us, I dare say, oh, in the whole of Bona, no salon hostess can overshadow you! Even if it's the lily of the palace … "
"Bossa!" Viscount Kars shouted.
The viscount's wife rolled her eyes and reluctantly stopped talking. Instead, she said, "In short, I hope you will change your mind."
Lin Daiyu was a little shy. She was not used to being praised so enthusiastically and exaggeratedly. After listening to Baisha's invitation, she only smiled and shook her head.
"Then, pray, let us repay you a trifle for your spiritual hospitality on the way--I will take you to the Eighth. Also, let me finish listening to the story on the way. "Baisha asked coquettishly.
At this moment, a gorgeous carriage pulled by four horses arrived. The coachman respectfully asked the viscount and his wife to get on the carriage. The coachman sat in front of the carriage, and there was a dress for servants to stand at the back. The carriage was spacious and had two rows of benches. It was more than enough for three people to lie down, let alone sit down.
Under the signal of his wife, Viscount Karl also joined in the persuasion, "It is better to take our carriage than to take the public carriage. As for walking, madam, it is even more not worth it. "
Unable to refuse his enthusiasm, Lin Daiyu had no choice but to get on the carriage.
It was rare for Baisha to meet such a pleasant person in a "rural place" outside of Bona. Along the way, she talked non-stop, "Hmph, these bastards who do all kinds of evil and part-time kidnappers sometimes have a few words of truth. Indeed, in Abat, District 8 is a place where food and accommodation are always provided. However, it's a place where all kinds of people mingle. If you want to settle down, you have to study it carefully. You're not familiar with the place, so it's better to ask Cornell and me to give you some advice before we return to the July Capital. We know of a reliable middleman … "
This young lady was always more energetic than her husband who was more than ten years older than her.
In the blink of an eye, without waiting for Lin Daiyu to answer, she changed the topic, "Lin, are you a noble? When I saw you on the ship, I felt that your speech and behavior were different … "
.....
District 8 of Abat was located in the west of the city. It was the most low-lying place in the city. When there was a rainstorm, it was inevitable that dirty water would flow.
Occasionally, when the sky was clear and the sun was shining, it showed a bit of delicacy that coexisted with poverty. There was no lack of luxurious baroque architecture here. But it was always old and dilapidated.
The door made of oak was always rotten and deformed. Half of the wall was always left with yellow stains.
The paint of the cross on the pointed red roof had long peeled off. The painted angels on the stained glass windows were washed by the rain with only half of their wings left. The flowerpots on the windowsill were either missing one corner or the other.
At the corner of the street, a naked statue of an angel holding a bow and arrow stood there. Her face was blurred.
Although there were still bushes of untended flowers on the side of the street, wind chimes on the top of the door, exquisite hellhounds carved on the fence outside the garden, and the gold-rimmed neighborhood clock that kept ringing. Under the sun, it occasionally showed the delicacy of the precipitation of time. But everything had a sense of desolation that was no longer glorious.
From time to time, there was a large or small wooden sign on the house – "Room and board included – price to be discussed."
The intermediary took a handkerchief, took off his hat, wiped the sweat on his forehead, stuck out his fat belly, and said to the young lady, "This is the most desirable apartment in District 8. God knows, if it wasn't for the viscount's introduction, Mrs. Langer would never accept a guest's residence. "
He motioned for the foreign guests to look at the house around the corner, which faced the statue of Angel.
It was a typical baroque old house, which complemented the street scene of District 8.
But it was more imposing.
The largest garden on the street was around the house. It was surrounded by a snow-white fence. The two doors at the entrance were painted with gold powder. They were almost peeling off, but the doors were still solid. At least, they had not started to rot.
It was also one of the few houses that didn't have a sign that said "Room and board included – price to be discussed."
The intermediary whispered, "Ahem, Mrs. Langer, her dead husband, was the son of Governor Abat, appointed by the old king before the Dinner Revolution – no, before the 'Dinner Countercurrent' – and was indeed the descendant of a noble. Even if a single woman lived with her, no one would dare to make trouble. "
The intermediary's red nose became even redder when he mentioned the Dinner Revolution. His eyes narrowed, his back hunched, and he seemed to be saying an incredible word.
After saying this, he breathed a sigh of relief. As if he was asking for credit, he smiled half-flatteringly and half-tentatively. "By the way? Do you have a surname? "
Lin Daiyu said, "Of course. My surname is Lin … "
As she spoke, the door slowly opened, and an old maid wearing an old-fashioned headscarf came out and asked, "Madam asked me to come out and ask if the guest who wants to rent here has arrived."
The middleman immediately welcomed them with a big smile. "We're here, we're here. Miss Volgue, you're always so spirited. "
"Mr. Wells, you're always so talkative." The old maid greeted him indifferently. Then, she walked past him and saw the foreign woman standing behind him.
The intermediary introduced, "This is Miss Anna Lin, the guarantor of Viscount Karl and his wife."
The language of China was too difficult for Luster. After the intermediary mispronounced her name three times on the way, Daiyu had to tell him the name that Bai Sha had given her, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" — Anna — the name most girls at this time.
After hearing the guests' surnames, the old maid stepped aside and said politely, "Please come in, both of you."
.....
The room gave off an indescribable smell — closed, stale, and mixed with spices. The light in the room was extremely dim, as if the door had not been opened for a long time.
After entering the room, Miss Volgue became more talkative. "This is the dining room. You can come down and enjoy breakfast and lunch. But at dinner, Madam will come here to pray. She doesn't want anyone to disturb her, so I'll send your dinner to your room. "
The dining room was spotless. It was all equipped with protective walls. There was a row of long tables, smooth and reflective, and a few chairs wrapped in four corner gold ornaments were placed neatly. There was a large kitchen cabinet with all kinds of exquisite porcelain tableware, which was also very clean.
Everywhere was carefully cleaned. But everything was old. The protective walls were slightly yellow, and the porcelain tableware was not soft and bright. The gold-wrapped chair was even dimmer in its golden color.
The living room was the same.
Whether it was the meticulously carved fireplace, the old brass clock, the silver candlesticks carved into rose shapes on both sides of the fireplace, or the wide, soft, and colorless carpet, they all showed the same long history.
"This is the living room. You are free to use it every morning and evening. You can't use it in the afternoon because Madam wants to use it."
Miss Volgue continued to introduce. Suddenly, she hurriedly and impolitely left Daiyu and the intermediary behind. "Madam, why are you downstairs at this time?"
At the end of the living room, a lady came down the stairs. She was about forty years old and wore a simple long dress. She was far less luxurious than the Luster noblewomen Daiyu had seen. Her long chestnut-colored hair was tied up in a simple bun. Her face was pale and serene, and her pair of lake-green eyes were completely peaceful.
Her voice was also soft, but she kept coughing softly. "I heard that a young female guest who is going to stay for a long time has come. I can't be rude. "
She stared at Daiyu with gentle and uncompetitive green eyes. "Beautiful foreign guest. You have brightened up my old living room. "
Daiyu walked up and saluted Luster somewhat awkwardly. "Hello, Madam Langé."
Miss Volgue had recovered from the previous shock and quickly introduced her to the host. "Madam, this is Miss Anna Lin."
Madam Langé hurriedly pulled Daiyu up and smiled. "Just call her Madam Langé. It's strange to call her Madam. "
"Madam Langé." Daiyu followed the good advice.
Madam Langé looked at Daiyu a few times. The more she looked, the more she liked her. "Such a polite and beautiful young lady. I haven't seen her for many years … Cough, "Madam Langé coughed again.
"Madam, you should go to rest." Miss Volgue advised.
The gentle lady was very apologetic. "I'm sorry, I can't entertain …" Before she finished speaking, she coughed softly again.
Miss Volgue helped her back upstairs.
The intermediary then whispered to Daiyu, "Madam Langé's body has been weak since her husband died. She hasn't seen guests for a long time. Now the main affairs in the house are handled by Miss Volgue. "
Lin Daiyu nodded. She had been ill for a long time and could see at a glance that the lady who came downstairs must also have a serious illness. It was just that her temperament made Daiyu feel very warm. She always thought of Yingchun when she was young.
After a while, Miss Volgue came down. "Miss Lin, please follow me to your room."
The room was on the third floor.
The bright windows made the room light, and the walls were hung with colorful paintings. The floor was covered with Persian carpet.
There was a brass mirror on the magnificent dressing table.
The wide bed, the four pillars decorated with pearls, the hanging pink velvet curtain, and the heart-shaped red carved gold chair.
Except for the Li family, Daiyu hadn't seen many Western indoors before. However, as a third-generation noble family, she had lived in a noble family for a long time. Even when she traveled with her uncle, she had always been pampered. Naturally, she could see that although the furniture in this room was not new, it was arranged very carefully.
Miss Volgue was a little proud. "This was arranged by Madam herself. To be honest, we have had a lot of guests living in this room. It's the first time that Madam has brought someone to live in this room! Miss, when Madam saw you, she liked you, like her daughter who died young … Alas, in short, Madam has an indescribable love for you. However, I also have something to say to you behind Madam's back. "
"Please speak."
"First, don't damage this room. During the stay, if there is damage to anything, other things will be fine, but anything in this room will have to be compensated double. "
Daiyu had expected that this room was probably where Madam Lange's daughter used to live, so she naturally agreed to it one by one.
Miss Volgue said seriously, "Second, Madam is kind. In the past, I taught the tenants to successfully delay the cost of food and accommodation, but our economy is not rich. As you can see, this is the best house nearby, and I don't need to say anything about this room. Therefore, the monthly cost of food and accommodation is about two king's gold coins. Please don't default. I will collect it for Madam. "
Daiyu said, "That's right."
After hesitating for a moment, Miss Volgue said slowly, "There is one more thing that Madam will never say. I will say it for Madam. That is the lesson of the olden day--Mademoiselle, you are a strange, solitary woman. In this world, the industry that a lonely woman can engage in is really unpredictable. We don't know what you do for a living. It's just that Viscount Karl and our family have a good relationship, and Madam believed the person he introduced, so she agreed. We don't take in people with no surname. "
Daiyu had long been prepared to listen to all the unpleasant words. Although she was a little embarrassed by the first half of Miss Volgue's words, she didn't understand anything. When she heard the last half, she said, "I have just come to Abat, and I really don't know what a person with no surname is."
"You don't need to know. In short, when you see people with no surname and wearing trousers, just be careful, and don't get close to them. It's perfect. "After Miss Volgue finished speaking, she drew a cross on her chest and murmured as she walked out.
The room was quiet. Lin Daiyu put down her bag, walked to the window, and opened it.
The light shone in and shone on her tired face.
It was an unfamiliar scenery.
At this moment, she finally had a real feeling of landing — she was far away from her homeland.
After looking at it for a while, she withdrew her slightly sour gaze. She opened the bundle, counted the money, and frowned. Looking at the remaining money in the bundle, she calculated that the remaining money could be exchanged for Luster's money according to the exchange rate she heard people mention on the ship.
Three taels of silver could be exchanged for one of Luster's king's gold coins of the largest denomination.
Unfortunately, she encountered pirates at sea and was separated from Luster's informant of the Freedom Army. It was lucky that she survived unscathed. When she jumped into the sea to escape, she was rescued and only took some of the most convenient money with her.
The scattered money in the bag added up to no more than thirty taels of silver.
According to Miss Volgue, one month's food and accommodation cost two king's gold coins, which was six taels of silver. So, even if she didn't spend anything except for food and accommodation, she could support herself for about five months.
Along the way, the food and accommodation here should be more expensive in the vicinity. If they moved to the second level, which was even more old and rotten, with wooden signs hanging on it, and where people came and went, they would probably be able to save even more.
However, she would rather pay the six taels of silver to live in a house where men and women mixed together.
Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but smile bitterly. In her childhood and youth, she lived a luxurious life and only disliked the "smell of money."
Even when she followed her uncle to travel the sea for nearly ten years, she didn't have much to worry about making a living.
Now that she came to a foreign country, the first thing she faced was the problem of money.
It was true that "a penny stumped a hero."
While she was worrying, a carriage came downstairs. Miss Volgue came up and knocked on the door, "Miss Lin, Viscountess Karl invites you to the theater."
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