Chapter 37 Body as smooth as jade: Ah, so cool.

When Yao Ruyi transmigrated into the world depicted in the book, it was already a bleak autumn day, which made everything she saw in this world appear mostly gray and gloomy. Leaving aside the grand mansions of the powerful and wealthy, the houses in the city were mostly low, and the streets were muddy. On gloomy days without snow, there were no vivid landmarks. Both people and things seemed to have been drained of their vitality by the increasingly intense cold.

People no longer wear bright clothes; everywhere you look, there are gray, brown, and black clothes. Everyone hopes to wear one cotton coat all winter and not have to do any more laundry.

The Lin family's persimmon tree had just been struck by frost, losing all its leaves. A few withered persimmons clung to its iron-like branches, trembling in the wind. The scarlet sage no longer bloomed, and the mimosa tree withered. The sunlight was a pale, bluish hue all day. Even the magpie nesting under the Yao family's eaves was shivering, shrinking into a ball of black and white fluff, no longer daring to poke its head out and chatter.

The whole world was like a faded old silk painting, its tones heavy, cold, and dull. But after looking at it for a long time, one gets used to it and doesn't pay much attention to it anymore. Yao Ruyi sometimes even forgot what spring should be like.

Even today, a touch of crimson emerges from under the eaves connected to the corner gate.

As Lin Wen'an strode around the corner of the house, she was carrying half a bag of horse feed beans in her hand. When she looked up, she saw him just like the first time she saw him in the heavy snow.

He was stunned for a moment.

Yao Ruyi had never been to a brothel to watch a play, but she had heard Uncle Yu teach her birds to sing songs. The singing was extremely awful, and every time it would be stopped by Aunt Yu slapping her. But there was a line from the play that she never forgot: "The young master treads through the snow and passes through the vermilion gate, half in red and half in frost."

It was as if a stroke of bright red had been splashed onto a gray silk cloth, and a hole had been cleaved in the remnants of winter, allowing the faded world to shine brightly again before Yao Ruyi's eyes.

Black sand wings, scarlet robe woven with gold satin.

Her sleeves fluttered in the wind, her body as smooth as jade.

The clothesline was still up in the yard, with several ropes strung up and strings of persimmon cakes drying. Lin Wen'an was too tall; he had to reach out and brush them aside, bending down to get closer. When he looked up again, he was only two steps away from where Yao Ruyi was standing. She could clearly see the red collar of his white robe pressing down on his pale neck, making it appear even whiter, except for the particularly deep shadow around his Adam's apple.

As he lifted the rope, a section of his wrist bone slipped out from his wide sleeve. The weather was so cold that the back of his hand was frozen white, while the protruding knuckles and fingertips were slightly red. Looking further down, the jade-embroidered leather belt around his waist tucked inwards, highlighting his long, straight legs. His shoulders and back appeared even more like a bowstring, stretched outwards with tension.

Lin Wen'an naturally caught a glimpse of Ruyi, who had become a wooden stake. Thinking that she had sent San Cun Ding to ask when she would return, he stopped in the winter breeze, turned his head to look at her, and wanted to answer her question.

His features were cold and aloof, yet he managed to wear the crimson official robes with both dignity and vibrancy. It was only when his gaze suddenly turned to Yao Ruyi that a sense of absurdity arose within her. It was as if the withered branches and leaves, the gray tiles and cold walls of the courtyard hadn't faded from the freezing winter sun.

Cold and warm, simple and vibrant.

It's as if they were waiting for someone to come and add color to this world.

He walked towards her, his eyebrows sharp and his eyes bright beneath his gold-trimmed hat. Yao Ruyi's ears suddenly burned, as if the chill in the wind had melted away with his approaching steps. The closer his crimson robes got, the warmer and brighter the light in front of her became.

"No need to wait for me." Lin Wen'an lowered his head slightly as he spoke to her. Given the Emperor's temperament, whether it was official business or old matters, he would definitely keep her for a long talk until late today, and dinner would probably be at the palace. After thinking for a moment, he added, "There's no need to leave the door open either, I might not be back tonight."

After a long pause, Yao Ruyi nodded blankly.

After giving his instructions, Lin Wen'an said nothing more. His expression was somber as he turned and walked towards Grandpa Yao, who was sitting on the veranda petting his dog. Only after his face turned away did Yao Ruyi finally come to her senses. Remembering the two sentences Lin Wen'an had just said, she hurriedly lifted her skirt and ran into the shop.

Also stunned were Meng Chenglin and his two companions, who were sitting in a row in the shop, holding bowls and drinking mixed vegetable soup. They were not bewitched by the male beauty like Yao Ruyi, but were surprised by Lin Wen'an's official robes—a red robe, webbed feet, and a gold plaque and silver fish pouch hanging on his leather belt.

Only officials of the fifth rank or above could wear red robes and carry silver fish-shaped pouches.

Although they had all heard that Lin Wen'an had been summoned back to the capital, even the most trivial matters in a back alley could travel far and wide. How come there hadn't been any prior rumors? He... he had already been appointed to an official position? The three of them exchanged astonished glances. Suddenly, Meng Boyuan slapped his thigh: "That day! It was that day! The Yao family sent constables, do you remember? It must have been that day!"

Lin Weiming also remembered that the three of them had eavesdropped on the other side of the wall that day.

No wonder that day, when Lin's younger brother heard them say that Liu, the registrar, and Feng, the chief priest, didn't take their so-called conspiracies and tricks to heart at all. It turned out that Lin's younger brother had already been granted an official position at that time.

He just didn't know why he had been holding back all this time. He used to often watch the shop for Yao Xiaoniangzi, and Lu Fang had complained bitterly several times. How come every time he went to the grocery store to buy things, he would run into "dead fish face" watching the shop?

He seemed to only want to live a secluded life in the city and had no intention of becoming an official.

What has caused you to change your mind now?

Cheng Shujun stared blankly at Lin Wen'an, unable to look away. He was holding Wangwang, and at this moment, he even forgot that he was still heartbroken, and the person in front of him was the "most handsome".

Meng Boyuan, still holding his face in his hands, said as if in a dream, "So this is how handsome an official in a red robe looks."

Lin Weiming, with his pointed, monkey-like face, replied dreamily, "What are you thinking? My uncle is a third-place scholar! You should think about how ugly Feng Jijiu and Liu Zhubu looked in their official robes. That's what you should look like in an official robe."

Meng Boyuan glared at Lin Wen'an and angrily shouted, "Shut up! You think you're the only one with a mouth!"

They looked at Lin Wen'an as if gazing upon the figure standing at the end of countless days and nights of arduous study. He was the future that millions of scholars dreamed of reaching. It wasn't just envy, but also profound respect and awe; seeing him rekindled the fighting spirit that had once threatened to give up.

When Yao Ruyi suddenly rushed in, a fragrant breeze swept past the three of them, and they finally snapped out of their fervent impulse to immediately write thirty articles, and all turned to look at her.

"That young lady Yao is really something. Uncle Lin is already a high-ranking official, but she seems to care little about it, treating him the same as always." No, not exactly the same as always. Meng Boyuan thought to himself, "Just now, I watched her stare blankly, almost spilling the beans in her hand."

At this moment, she went straight to the shelves inside, picked out the most expensive mother-of-pearl inlaid food box, wiped it clean with a clean cloth, and then carried it to the window. She carefully lifted the cover of the rice boat and used bamboo tongs to carefully pick out the rice.

He selected about seven or eight kinds of rice balls and sashimi that he had made the best of, filled the food box to the brim, then covered it back with the lid and whirled out with the food box in his arms.

The three of them turned their heads back to her in unison.

Lin Weiming was sitting closest to the courtyard. Peeking out, he saw that Yao Xiaoniangzi's steps suddenly faltered, and she didn't dare to move forward. Beyond her figure, he could see Lin Wen'an standing tall and elegant in front of Dr. Yao, bowing deeply to him with extremely solemn hands.

Dr. Yao is playing with his dog in the sheltered area under the eaves.

Dr. Yao, covered in dogs, was taken aback by his appearance and became even more confused. He scrutinized the man from head to toe, and after a long while, he hesitated and asked, "Mingzhi, you passed the imperial examination?" He then looked up at the gray and gloomy sky and muttered, "Isn't it winter now? The spring examination has been brought forward?"

Although it was completely irrelevant, Lin Wen'an slowly stood up without explaining. He simply gazed at his mentor's deeply lined and aged face, just as he had done many years ago, and said softly, "Sir, I'll be going now."

The wind blew his wide sleeves and the hem of his clothes, but Dr. Yao remained silent, still lost in thought. He then lowered his eyes, turned to the side, and lifted his foot to leave.

Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly came from behind: "Mingzhi, remember this, be a good official."

Lin Wen'an paused in his tracks.

When the late emperor appointed him as Secretary and concurrently Tutor to the Crown Prince, his teacher said nothing more. He didn't boast about his early favor with the emperor, nor did he admonish him to be humble and modest after achieving early success. He simply looked up casually between grading assignments and changing his brush, and casually gave him a single instruction:

"Mingzhi, remember this: be loyal to the emperor and serve the country; be a good official."

Seven years had passed, leaving him with a chronic illness, but seemingly unchanged in his state of mind. The gentleman's words finally unearthed the old emotions that had surged within him when he watched doctors rushing to the docks.

His youthful innocence, like a freshly cut liver and gallbladder, was laid bare on his chest, dripping with blood.

When he was young, his teacher asked him, "Why do you study? Why do you want to become an official? Is it for high office and wealth, to be ennobled and appointed as prime minister? Is it to become a superior person?"

He was young at the time and pondered all night. When he got up the next day, he proudly replied to his teacher: "High office and rich salary are not what I desire, nor are being ennobled or appointed as prime minister. Being an official is for climbing high. Only by standing high can I establish the life of the people, lay the foundation for peace, and serve the people's affairs."

Upon hearing this, the master laughed heartily, pressed his shoulder, looked into his eyes solemnly, and said, "Good! Very good! You must promise me that no matter what high position you hold or how much power you wield in the future, you must never forget what I said today."

"I haven't forgotten." Lin Wen'an stood ramrod straight, as if answering his teacher's words today, and also as if answering his former self, "I dare not forget."

"It's good that you haven't forgotten, it's good that you haven't forgotten." Upon hearing the reply, Dr. Yao murmured a couple of times, then continued to play with the puppy using the lamb bone in his hand, waving his hand and saying, "Go on, go on."

Lin Wen'an then stepped outside.

Yao Ruyi stood by the courtyard gate, holding the food box. She watched him say goodbye to Grandpa Yao quietly. She clearly didn't hear anything, but for some reason, her nose tingled with tears. She didn't know why.

Seeing him approach, she quickly handed him the food box tied with a moon-white cloth with a diamond pattern: "Second Uncle, here's some freshly made fish sashimi. Take it to the palace."

Lin Wen'an answered instinctively, and then understood what she was saying.

His eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the girl before him, but she was completely oblivious to the strange thing that he was worried about not having enough to eat while he was in the palace. She smiled and winked at him, and thoughtfully pointed to the food box, adding an explanation for him: "The rice is made with vinegared rice, so it won't get hard even when it's cold. If you're busy late, Second Uncle, you can have it as a midnight snack."

For Yao Ruyi, getting ashore was something others could be happy about and boast about, but for those who were truly going to become officials, it meant going to work every day. What was there to envy? Though it was respectable, weren't they still just employees of the emperor's family? In later generations, when they were tired, they could anonymously curse their corrupt leaders online to relieve their stress, but here, who would dare to do that?

She thought to herself, "Sigh, my second uncle has been rehired, and he has to work overtime on his first day, not even coming home until late at night. What hope is there for him in the future? He's really pitiful." She figured there was nowhere to buy food while working overtime in the palace, so she'd better pack some snacks and take them with her.

Yao Ruyi was thinking about all this, and she had to tilt her head slightly to see him.

Her eyes were brighter than the sky, clearly reflecting his figure. Lin Wen'an, who had instructed her to look at him like this, couldn't help but slightly avert his gaze. He paused for a moment, only to notice that she was wearing a rabbit fur scarf today. Her fair and rosy face was surrounded by fluffy fur, making her look as soft and fluffy as a rabbit.

He also remembered that she had a long, ugly rabbit doll, which she would take out to air on sunny days. She seemed to really like rabbits; perhaps she was born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Lin Wen'an's thoughts wandered, and inexplicably, they drifted towards the rabbit.

Just as his head was filled with images of rabbits hopping around, Yao Ruyi suddenly seemed to remember something, clapped her hands, and exclaimed, "Beans! I forgot to bring beans!" Then, just like a joyful rabbit, she took off running.

Lin Wen'an was left standing there, holding a neatly wrapped food box. After a long while, he curled his lips into a fleeting smile—fleeting because he caught a glimpse of the three young boys' heads in the shop.

He suppressed his smile, reverting to his usual cold expression, and glanced at the three people from afar. The three heads trembled in fear and immediately shrank under the windowsill, never daring to raise their heads again.

Meanwhile, Cong Bo, having been stuffed half a bag of beans by Yao Ruyi, laughed as he came out with her. He then jumped onto the carriage shaft, turned the carriage around, and lifted the blue curtain to invite Lin Wen'an into the carriage.

"Erlang, it's time to go."

As he bent down to get into the car, he caught a glimpse of Ruyi still standing there, standing on tiptoe and waving excitedly at him, as if encouraging him to return to his official career. For some inexplicable reason, he turned back, his fingers curling and relaxing, ultimately unable to resist.

He looked up, raised his hand, and gently rubbed her head.

Her hair was styled in a bun to one side today, with the hair on top of her head close to her scalp. Therefore, the strands of hair that he touched with his palm were still warm, soft, and dense, similar to the feel he had just imagined.

It really does look like rabbit fur.

Yao Ruyi, who was as springy as a spring, was suddenly brought to a standstill by this unexpected hand.

Her eyes widened slightly, and before she could react, the large, slender, and icy hand had already moved away from her head. If it weren't for the large, smooth sleeve brushing against her forehead and carrying a faint, bitter medicinal scent, she would have thought it was just her imagination.

The crimson figure turned and got into the carriage without a word, her tall frame disappearing into the slightly swaying curtains. Cong Bo nodded slightly to Yao Ruyi, the whip cracked, and the carriage drove away.

Yao Ruyi stood blankly at the door for a long time, not even noticing when Meng Chenglin and the other two left.

She stared intently as the carriage drove out of the alley and disappeared from sight, until even the fading sound of hooves could no longer be heard. Only then did she become somewhat dazed and reach out to touch the top of her head where Lin Wen'an's hand had just touched her.

He pressed his hand against his still pounding heart.

Her mind was dull and blank, and she inexplicably thought, "Ah, it's so cold."

My second uncle's hands are so cold.

He should have been offered a bowl of hot soup before leaving.

***

When Liu, the registrar, and Feng, the chief minister, got wind of the situation and hurriedly went to Yao's general store to inquire, Lin Wen'an had already been in the palace for quite some time.

Yao Ruyi knew nothing when asked, and mimicking Lin Wen'an's usual behavior, she waved a coarse cloth used for swatting flies around the shop, acting as if she didn't care. They had no choice but to leave again, trembling with fear. Seeing Liu, the registrar, and Feng, the chief priest, sweating profusely in the cold weather, Yao Ruyi felt a sense of satisfaction.

Tell you to keep scurrying behind your backs!

After seeing off the waves of customers, Yao Ruyi was finally able to settle down and sit at the counter selling sushi while keeping accounts. Before she knew it, it was afternoon, and the boatload of sushi for retail was almost sold out. Just as she was considering whether to sell the other boatload as well, a commotion suddenly arose at the alley entrance, and a group of people swaggered in, making quite a racket.

The young man with the three-white eyes who was leading the group was no longer the sinister-looking man he used to be. He was wearing a fox fur cloak and a gray squirrel hat, and underneath he was wearing a maroon satin brocade robe with a lapel embroidered with lotus flowers. A bunch of jade pendants, silver knives and pouches were hanging around his waist. He looked like a spirited and arrogant playboy.

Among the servants behind them, Geng Niu and Geng Ma, who were in the lead, had probably been enjoying a lot of good food and drink at the Geng residence these days. They had both gained weight, their faces were fuller, and even their moles had become more prominent.

Yao Ruyi's eyes flashed. A fat sheep... no, a distinguished guest has arrived!

As they approached, she greeted them with a smile, "Young Master Geng is back! It's been so long! What brings you back to the school at this hour?" Geng Hao has probably been skipping school for almost a month now. It's quite remarkable that he's back on vacation.

Geng Hao condescended to stop in his tracks and first glanced at Yao Ruyi.

In the past, he would have disdained to talk much with women like Yao Ruyi who peddled their wares, but these days he was truly enjoying himself at home. Without that woman and her silly son, the house felt much cleaner and brighter; he had a great appetite and was in excellent health.

Moreover, once you get to the bottom of it, the fact that his stepmother and stepson were so humiliated and kicked out of the Geng residence was also related to this Miss Yao, so he reluctantly hummed in agreement.

Geng Niu then poked his head out from behind and explained to Yao Ruyi, "I heard that today is the annual examination, so our Hao-ge'er came back specifically to take it!"

Geng Ma also flattered him, saying, "Our Hao-ge is the most diligent and studious."

Yao Ruyi looked at Geng Hao with a complicated expression. Seeing his self-satisfied demeanor, she pursed her lips and still kindly reminded him, "But...didn't the annual examination start two days ago? The last subject was already finished this morning, right? We're going to have a holiday the day after tomorrow..."

Geng Hao's proud, rooster-like head froze instantly.

What? The exams are over? He immediately turned around and glared at Geng Niu and Geng Ma: "What happened...?"

Geng Niu and Geng Ma quickly turned around and glared at Geng Ji: "I asked you to come over a few days ago to inquire about the date of the annual examination. How did you find out? And who did you ask?"

Gengji cried out urgently, "No, no, no, no..."

It has nothing to do with him! It was the kid riding a bamboo horse in the alley who told him!

As soon as Geng Ji opened his mouth, the veins on Geng Hao's forehead throbbed. Before Geng Ji could explain, he couldn't hold back and kicked him hard in the buttocks. Then he roared at Geng Niu and Geng Ma, "Since you know his faults, why did you send him out to question us? Did a donkey kick your brains?"

Both Geng Niu and Geng Ma lowered their heads in feigned shame. After all, it was too cold, and no one wanted to brave the cold wind to run errands. The other zodiac brothers were too shrewd, so they could only bully Geng Ji.

Yao Ruyi asked with a smile at the right moment, "Although the annual examination is over, since we're already here, would you like to have some of the best sashimi before going back, Mr. Geng?"

Geng Hao was so angry with Geng Ji that he almost had an asthma attack. Hearing Yao Ruyi's words, he was still somewhat disdainful, only turning his head slightly to make a sizing gesture.

Although Yao Xiaoniangzi's general store was cleaner than those outside, and the snacks such as roasted sausages and egg burgers were quite novel and good, Geng Hao didn't think that there was anything here that could be called "top-notch" food.

His critical gaze fell upon her, and he saw her slowly lift a gauze cover from the windowsill.

A magnificent cypress wood boat-shaped box was revealed.

The boat was quite well-made. Although it was made of cypress wood, its shape was smooth, with upturned prows and sterns, making it rather pleasing to the eye. Inside, it was filled with small rice balls that he had never eaten before, arranged in a colorful and elaborate manner, wrapped in various shapes and sizes, as if there were more than a dozen flavors mixed together, each one exquisite and adorable.

He was genuinely astonished. Regardless of whether the ingredients used were rare or not, the preparation was exquisite and the presentation was thoughtful, making it quite refined.

"This is……"

"The sour rice dish was just made for the Kitchen God Festival; you can't find it anywhere else!" Yao Ruyi also opened the cover of another boat. "This boat is almost sold out! Everyone who bought one to try it has said no one has had a bad experience."

Geng Hao disgustedly pulled his head back from the other retail food boat, which had been bought up piece by piece by those poor bastards—what a waste!

He gave Geng Niu a reserved wink. Geng Niu quickly stepped forward and asked, "Young lady, how much is this rice boat? We'll take the whole one."

Yao Ruyi had already guessed what they were waiting for, and she smiled and stretched out her hand: "If you don't want the boat, just wrap it in oiled paper and it will cost 260 coins. If you want the boat as well, it will cost 666 coins. It originally sold for 700 coins. Gentleman Geng is a regular customer, so I'll ask for a lucky amount."

How could we not have a boat? Wrapping it in oiled paper would be beneath us! This is exactly how it looks, inside the boat! We'll buy the cover too, and take it home for his father to try. He's recently been reprimanded by the officials, had his salary docked, and was forced to divorce his wife. He's lost all face, haha!

I'm currently holed up in my study every day reflecting on my mistakes, and it's getting really annoying.

With a wave of his hand, Geng Hao told Geng Ma to give Yao Ruyi a string of cash, without asking for change. He then told her to buy some apricot milk, soy sauce, and mustard, along with the dust cover, and to buy the boat as well.

Yao Ruyi's wish came true, and she smiled so broadly that her eyes disappeared. She then saw Geng Hao and his group off with great courtesy.

Standing at the courtyard gate, she watched Geng Hao and his servants come and go in a grand procession. She thought to herself, "What great customers! They buy things readily, don't haggle, and don't ask for change! What wonderful people!"

The shop easily made a profit, and then sold a lot more food. Perhaps because the annual exams were over, the students who came and went were relaxed and came out to buy food. Today, the shop was bustling with people, and it was even a bit crowded.

Business was good, but Yao Ruyi wasn't too busy. She just sat at the counter collecting money and doing accounting, smiling as she greeted and saw off customers. But a crimson figure always seemed to linger in her mind, and those calm and clear eyes seemed to always be there, making her heart tremble as if it were suspended in the wind.

But it was a fine day, and she was in a good mood. By late afternoon, she had already made five or six strings of cash, and the money jar in the counter was full. She carried the heavy jar back to the woodshed to hide it, and when she returned to the shop, she found that there were only three pieces of sushi left. She then prepared to put away the cypress boat, put the remaining sushi on a separate plate, and put the toy candy jar back.

While she was tidying up by the window, a middle-aged scholar who looked to be in his forties suddenly appeared, accompanied by a matchmaker who was carrying a poorly carved wooden goose. As soon as he arrived, he confidently opened his mouth and asked to take her as his second wife.

Yao Ruyi: ?

She doubted she had misheard, but the middle-aged scholar became even more animated, talking incessantly about how Yao Ruyi usually smiled and fawned over him, and how she told him to be a good wife and mother and treat his two children as her own...

Hearing this, Yao Ruyi's veins bulged and her fingertips trembled. She grabbed a fly swatter from the table and angrily cursed, "Young master, I'm in business. You come to buy things, so I should answer you. I'm only talking to you to make money! According to you, I have to marry customers just because I say a few words to them? You're just a dog lifting the curtain with nothing but your mouth! Your brain is so convoluted and bizarre, is this your first time being human? Did you sit in the coal stove too long and burn your head? Please look in the mirror! You look like a wronged convict. How could I be attracted to you? What were you thinking, talking nonsense?"

"Don't make me slap you, get lost!"

After returning home, Cheng Shujun stayed in his study in a daze. Just then, he heard a noise coming from the Yao family's door in the alley. He hurriedly picked up the broom by the door to help, only to see that the young lady of the Yao family had already chased the lecher away with her hands in her hands in a few words. She whistled and even let out the big yellow dog.

His steps slowly came to a stop.

The image of Yao Xiaoniangzi, hands on hips, shouting and cursing, her brows furrowed in anger, leaped vividly into his eyes.

Cheng Shujun took a deep breath, dragged the broom, and staggered back into the house. He bolted the door, collapsed onto the bed, and buried his face in the blankets. It was over; his head was probably burned by the coal stove smoke.

He actually found her... even when she was angry and swearing, to be beautiful.

***

Inside the palace, in the Funing Hall.

The current emperor, Zhao Boyun, was also looking at Lin Wen'an, who had brought a food box into the palace, with a complicated expression. He spoke with familiarity and disdain: "...Do you think I would let you go hungry?"

He was several sizes bigger than before Lin Wen'an left Beijing. Compared to his younger days, he now had a thick beard on his three-layered, dark, and fat chin. Even just sitting there, he was as imposing as a mountain.

Lin Wen'an sat down below him, with a table between them. On the table was a sliced ​​crispy roasted duck, along with several plates of scallion strips, hawthorn strips, cucumber strips, and lotus leaf pancakes, all laid out to the brim.

Zhao Boyun was already happily wrapping the roasted duck, and was busy serving him:

"This is Shen Ji's duck. Don't be shy with me, eat!"

————————

[Three-colored cat head] Don't worry about Xiao Cheng. Young people's thoughts are always poetic. This is just a beautiful memory in his life.

Just like the person you once had a clumsy crush on during your school days, they will forever be imprinted in your youthful memories.