Shen Cangfeng returned to Jintong Courtyard earlier than Wei Changying. After changing red summer clothes which were not new, he leaned on the soft bed beside the window to read a poetry book written by an ancient poet. As the door creaked open, he beamed, “Welcome back home.”
Wei Changying, in the blue, replied to him. Shen Cangfeng noticed that she was unhappy, so he asked in astonishment, “What has happened to you? Why are you so gloomy?”
In the past two weeks, Wei Changying and her sisters-in-law were busy with the marriage of their cousin. However, his wife was so ungrateful that sisters-in-law were anxious to revenge her. Finally, they were scolded by their mother-in-law. As Wei Changying came to the Shen Family, she lived a peaceful life. However, now she was criticized by her mother-in-law for the first time. Moreover, her words were severe, so Wei Changying was upset. On her way to her room, she retorted Mrs. Huang, but she still felt annoyed. Afte
Granny Tao was called in by Shen Cangfeng. Madam Su was still so angry that she roughly retold the story and she repeatedly scolded the unfilial son—If it was before last time when she had been reprimanded, Granny Tao might have taken advantage of the situation to help Mrs. Liu. However, since last time, Granny Tao had always remembered to clarify her position to Madam Su again—Granny Tao was not stupid. Her high status in the Shen Family was attributed to Madam Su. Mrs. Liu treated Granny Tao well on account that the latter was Madam Su's confidant and she had accompanied Madam Su since they entered the Shen Family.Therefore, although Granny Tao had a good impression of Mrs. Liu, she would say no if her position in the mind of Madam Su was about to be shaken. After listening to Madam Su’s words, Granny Tao felt that it was time to show her fairness, so she persuaded Madam Su, “Why should you be angry, Madam? In my eyes, third young madam might have said something in f
Out of the east gate, they went along the highway all the way. A few miles later, they passed a fork road which was slanted to the south. Although they had left the highway, this path was also neatly repaired because there were many tourists who were going to Spring Grass Lake, and many among them were high officials and noble lords.The roadside was planted with mulberries and elms. Signs of pruning were seen between the branches.It was midsummer at this time and the green shade was everywhere. Looking out through a corner of the carriage curtain, they could see that it was green all around, either dark green or light green. Sometimes the sound of orioles came from the top of the head, and there were also grunts like turtledoves under the tree, giving a sense of tranquility.Wei Changying looked out curiously, then she turned to her husband and said, "This road is quiet.""At present, only those who go to see the lotus flowers wi
Shen Cangfeng and Wei Changying did not know what Cao Yingmei thought. Although they had not yet reached reedy Tingzhou and had not attained their trip's goal of seeing lotus flowers, they felt incredibly relaxed when they felt the boat ride the waves and the lake breeze blowing in their faces.The two of them finished a pot of agarwood drink, as the boat finally approached the first stand of reeds. The green reeds waved in the lake breeze, from which came the sound of water birds cooing, occasionally some flew in or out. Wei Changying thought they were egrets. They were very brave and not afraid of people. Even when the boats passing by, they were still focused on their fishing, not hiding away.Wei Changying suddenly saw a water snake swimming swiftly across the water, rippling the surface of the lake. A brave egret also saw it, streaking towards it just above the water, moving very fast to take the water snake that couldn't dodge away, and then flew away
Wei Changying's face turned blue, but Shen Cangfeng didn't know whether he should laugh or not. He patted his wife's hand to comfort her, shook his head to the lotus-picking girl, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but I have already been married. You can take back your lotus seedpod." He then took the seedpod from Wei Changying's hand and threw it back to the basin.The girl wasn't angry when Shen Cangfeng threw the seedpod back into her basin. She smiled as she said, "I can see how much you love your wife, and I dare not think of seducing you since your wife's appearance is drop-dead gorgeous, but I'm just an ordinary girl. However, you intended to pick this seedpod for your wife, but I picked it before you. If you are not happy about this, why not just take your seedpod back?"She then said mischievously, "I have almost picked all the seedpods near here. If you want to eat lotus seedpod, this one's the last one. Or else, you'll have to go to the Fur
When the boat almost arrived at Furong Islet, Shen Cangfeng could not stand Wei Changying's increasingly strange gaze. He laughed, reached out his hand to pinched her cheek, and said, "What's the matter?""You actually hit them." Wei Changying pushed aside his hand and sighed, "Sister Mei was so presumptuous, and I would not let her go easily if it wasn't because of my identity! You are also polite to her. And I also know that you are a man so that it’s too embarrassing for to hit women. The youngest ones in those lotus-picking girls were at a very young age. I didn't expect that you not only hit them but also paddled their faces. I increasingly feel that I don't understand you anymore."At first, she had never met Shen Cangfeng. When she only knew that she had such a fiancé, she listened to the news that was spread to Fengzhou from the capital and knew that Shen Cangfeng was a very outstanding man who was highly valued by the family. At that time, she imag
Shen Cangfeng and Wei Changying were both stunned, saying unanimously, “For us?”Wei Changying’s expression changed and immediately thought of the lotus-picking girls.However, Gu Naizheng smiled and said nothing, looking unpredictable. His attitude made Wei Changying, who didn't know his temperament, felt so hurried that she almost couldn't help asking him. Fortunately, Huo Zhaoyu was considerate. He smiled gently and explained, “Brother Yaoye and the sister-in-law, Brother Zilie is talking nonsense. In fact, I happened to live by the lake to escape the heat these days. Seeing the tavern of Xie Family catching fish and shrimp by the lake this morning, I thought that the tavern had now changed its rules and opened in summer as well. I came here on purpose because I have admired the excellent cooking skill of Uncle Xie, but I didn’t expect that Uncle Xie had prepared the dishes for you and that he didn't intend to do business today.”Gu Naizheng
Wei Changying originally went to Furong Islet for a relaxation. However, after meeting a group of rude and cunning lotus-picking girls, she encountered Gu Naizheng, an impolite man of a great family. Therefore, her pleasure was totally spoiled. Now, she was eager to have a rest in the court after lunch.Except Gu Naizheng, it was a hard lunchtime for people. After they finished the meal and then put their chopsticks on the table in a cold sweat, they felt a little relieved.As they left, they said goodbye to Uncle Xie and his family who were cleaning the table. During this period, Uncle Xie specially greeted his guests. When Wei Changying watched this man over sixty years old, she thought that he was not as old as he looked, because his son and daughter-in-law were still rather young. It was likely that the person on the lake worked so hard that he looked older than he actually was. He was a merciful old man with a slight trace of fishy smell,
In the end, Gu Naizheng and his pals' boats couldn't be found, which was natural. In the midsummer of Furong Islet, the lotus flowers and leaves surged to the sky, and the dense reeds could almost seal off the vast Furong Islet.It was easy enough to hide three small boats in a place like this. Unless someone accidentally met them, the boats wouldn't be found out until the dry season between the autumn and winter months. After hearing the news, Brother Xie and his wife, each poling a small boat, looked around for a long time and didn't find any clues. Shen Cangfeng had agreed with the three that they should return after having meals at the tavern of the Xie Family in Furong Islet. However, the three hadn't come back yet as time passed. Therefore, the Shen Family Courtyard sent another boat here to inquire about the situation.So it happened that the three including Gu Naizheng could be sent away by the boat...Of course, their menservants couldn't get aboard