Chapter 84 Wildfire Rice "The armor straps are so tight that they hurt my waist."...

"Whose ship is this..."

Wei Jinyun was held firmly on Lu Lan's lap, the scent of oranges in the rain lingering around her nose, and the black-sailed boat swayed gently with the waves.

Lu Lan looked down at her and held her wrist. "It's my boat. If I'm busy and can't go home, I'll stay here to rest... I definitely don't use it for anyone else."

"There's not even a bed here, just this rattan chair. Aren't you afraid of hurting your waist while sleeping on it?"

The rattan chair they were sitting on was smaller than the one next to the Yunlaixiang counter. The Yunlaixiang chair was custom-made by Wei Jinyun through Carpenter Wang. It was large enough for her to fit completely inside, and it even came with a footstool.

This one is a bit small, so small that two people have to press their bodies tightly together.

"Well... I'll go to Carpenter Wang later and order a bed to put in. Ah Yun, do you prefer pearwood or cypress?"

Lu Lan chuckled softly and gently pinched her chin with his fingers. "Don't talk nonsense, Master Lu's waist is in good condition."

"Lu Lan, you are not a serious person at all."

Wei Jinyun seemed to have heard some misunderstandings and rolled her eyes at him.

"I am... right."

Lu Lan responded seriously, saying the last word very softly, and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, letting her lean completely against him.

Outside the black-sailed boat, the rain was falling heavily, hitting the awning, while inside the cabin, steam was rising from the hot tea.

He rested his chin on the top of her head and said drowsily, "Ayun, hug me."

"I hugged her."

"I'm the one holding it."

"You really are..."

Wei Jinyun hesitated for only a moment, then finally raised her arms to put them around his neck and looked into his green eyes.

Before she could even finish the next word, "Lu Lan," she was enveloped by his oncoming breath. He leaned over, his slightly cool lips covering hers without a word, shutting out any further words.

It was so sudden and intense that it caught everyone off guard. Wei Jinyun instinctively leaned back, but was caught by an arm. The poor rattan chair creaked under the sudden weight, swaying amidst the patter of raindrops hitting the awning.

He took her hand and guided it around his waist, bringing them closer.

After a long while, he separated slightly, his breath hot on her lips, and said in a deep voice, "The armor straps are so tight that it hurts my waist."

"You've used this excuse at least eight times."

Today the leather belt is too tight, tomorrow the jade belt is red, and the day after tomorrow the waist belt seems to be too small...

Wei Jinyun skillfully untied the armor straps for him and placed them on the small table beside him. "You just came back, can you take a good rest? There are so many waterways near the Yangtze River, you must be exhausted. Let me go first..."

It was really that this straddling posture and the shaking rattan chair were not very elegant and too inappropriate... But Lu Lan was so strong that she couldn't break free at all.

"Not tired. Ah Yun, give me a reward."

His eyes, like green pools, looked at her, with unfathomable tenderness and desire in them.

He touched her slightly swollen lower lip directly and continued to coax her as usual, "Be good, open your mouth."

"You're pushing your luck!"

He took advantage of the moment between words to pry open her teeth, causing the rattan chair to creak beneath them. In the moments they occasionally separated, a thin silver thread lingered between their lips, then was swallowed up by a deeper kiss.

"Shall we get engaged on the eighth day of the first lunar month?"

"Uh-huh?"

Wei Jinyun opened his eyes and frowned slightly, "You just came back, how did you know?"

"The people of Pingjiang Prefecture were so eager to tell me by beating drums and gongs."

Lu Lan kissed the corner of her lips, "I just got off the boat, and came towards me: Lao Deng, the vegetable seller, Lao Mo, the fish seller, and Wang Erlang..."

Everyone smiled at him, clapped their hands and cheered, saying - Sir Lu, great news!

"......Shut up."

"I can't close it."

His lips didn't stay in one place for long, but slowly moved down along her graceful neckline. He first kissed her softly, leaving behind a few ambiguous wet marks, like red plum blossoms falling in the snow.

Then, with a hint of evil interest, he bit down on the rapidly throbbing side of the neck, neither too hard nor too light.

"Don't learn from Yuanbao!"

Wei Jinyun took a deep breath and subconsciously wrapped her arms around his waist. The bite didn't hurt, just a slight tingling sensation mixed with a strange numbness that quickly spread throughout her limbs.

Lu Lan let go of her slightly, put his hands on her shoulders, and looked at her seriously.

"Ayun, I can't seem to stop."

"You didn't drink the wine I brought, so you're talking nonsense."

Wei Jinyun tiptoed down quietly, and while Lu Lan's attention was on her neck, she gently pushed his knees and tried to stand up.

But Lu Lan pulled, and her center of gravity shifted, and her back slammed into the cushions of the rattan chair. Before she could sit up by the armrest, the figure in front of her was blocked.

Lu Lan quickly supported herself on the armrests of the rattan chair and chuckled, "Ayun, are you going to run?"

He leaned closer, his warm breath blowing past the tip of her ear, "Now, it seems that running will be difficult."

He licked the shallow teeth marks on her neck soothingly, then moved his kiss to the back of her neck, gently sucking and biting. The wicker chair creaked softly again, intertwining with the sound of rain and panting, and finally returned to her lips.

"I like you so much."

Lu Lan paused, but did not leave.

He rested his forehead against hers, nuzzling her blushing cheek affectionately, "I love Ayun so much."

The light in the black-sailed boat was dim. He raised his eyes and looked at her. His eyes, which were usually deep and sharp, were rippling with light, just like a catkin drenched by the spring rain.

"Ayun."

He called her, his breath hot against her cheek.

"We're not engaged yet, Lu Lan."

Wei Jinyun turned her head away to avoid his burning gaze, her voice as thin as a mosquito.

As soon as she finished speaking, the oppressive feeling on her seemed to ease a little.

"I know."

Lu Lan responded with a low "hmm" and gently stroked her hair with his palm.

The ship shook again, and the steam from the hot tea in the cabin filled the air. "Almost there."

"Ayun can marry me anytime she wants."

He chuckled softly, "I'm so happy, so, so happy. Before that, Ah Yun, just... let me hold you for a while longer, okay? Just consider it a reward for this long journey."

As their eyes met, she finally couldn't help herself and said "hmm" softly without pushing him away.

I’m so annoyed by this Lu Lan.

Wei Jinyun regretted it the moment she settled down. The rattan chair was already narrow, and Lu Lan was practically half-pressing her, his slightly cool nose rubbing against her neck, like a giant raccoon on a whim.

The orange scent on his body mixed with the smell of rain enveloped her completely in his arms, making even her breathing become sticky.

"The Yangtze River is very stable and peaceful this spring."

His fingertips hooked the hair on her cheek and twirled it around and around, like Yuanbao playing with a ball of string. "The reeds along the shore are taller than a person, almost reaching the clouds. You have to see it with your own eyes to understand how beautiful it is."

The hot and humid breath brushed past his ears, and he buried his head in the crook of her neck again. "The fish in the Yangtze River are also very fat. When you are done with your own affairs in the summer, I will take you and your grandmother and sisters to go there together. We will catch and grill the fish right after we catch them..."

He wanted to tell her about all the scenery he saw on the river.

Wei Jinyun felt an itch on her neck from being rubbed by him, and she reached out to push him away, but his wrist was grabbed and pressed against the armrest of the rattan chair.

The black-sailed boat swayed gently with the waves, and the sky outside the window flickered.

"Listen to me."

He pressed himself against her, his knee pressed against hers to prevent her from moving. "The summer breeze from the river is the most comfortable, even cooler than the ice cellar at Fengmen in Pingjiang Prefecture. We'll prepare some ice and make some fruit and drinks. We'll stay on the boat all day..."

"Lu Lan!"

Wei Jinyun found it funny, "You are drunk and keep talking nonsense."

Lu Lan suddenly stopped talking, thought for a moment, and then said, "Actually... I already wrote the engagement document a long time ago, and I signed it myself. I packed myself up and sold myself to Yunlaixiang."

He smiled to himself, "Anyway, I'm going to stick with you."

He tightened his arms and hugged her tighter, "From the Yangtze River to the Changmen Wharf, from day to night, I will cling to you."

The rain was still falling, the boat was swaying slowly, sticky whispers and the sound of rain continued, or lingered for a while, and then begged for a kiss.

After a long while, the rain had thinned out, and the boat was so quiet that only the shallow breathing of the two people could be heard. Wei Jinyun dozed off in Lu Lan's arms for nearly two hours. When she woke up, she saw that his hairband had come loose, and his long, dark hair was scattered over his shoulders.

Not knowing why Lu Lan liked to sleep next to her so much, nor knowing how the hairband got loose, Wei Jinyun felt itchy and reached out to pick up a strand of hair.

Lu Lan's eyelashes trembled, and when she opened her eyes, her green eyes were still hazy from just waking up. "Ayun, you really can't move..."

Wei Jinyun immediately jumped up from his arms, causing the rattan chair to shake slightly.

Lu Lan chuckled softly and sat up straight, casually gathering the stray hair behind his head. He ran his fingers through his long hair, quickly tying it into a neat high ponytail, then tied a red headband in a simple knot at the end.

"Then let's go back."

Wei Jinyun looked at the dim sky and said, "Grandma should be worried."

"I'm going to wash my face."

"Go back to Yunlaixiang and take a bath."

She turned around and looked around. "It seems inconvenient here. There is no water or basin."

Lu Lan stood still and said softly, "Ayun...if I don't wash, I will die."

Wei Jinyun saw that his neck was red and could clearly see him swallowing slowly several times, his throat rolling.

He continued, "And there are buckets and towels at the stern, which is very convenient. I'm here often."

Lu Lan pulled her to the stern of the boat, and he lowered his head and scooped up several handfuls of cold water to wash his face.

As soon as Wei Jinyun and Lu Lan stepped into Yunlaixiang, all the waiters in the lobby looked up at them.

Ning Wuya was slowly chewing a piece of honey bread. When he saw the two men come in, he immediately said, "Good boy, Zhan Wenxing said that the official ship had already docked. Your people are here eating two baskets of watermelon seeds. Where have you been?"

Lu Lan shook the raindrops off the oil-paper umbrella and put it on the corner of the porch. "It's been a long journey. I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."

"you......"

Ning Wuya pointed at Lu Lan, his fingers trembling, "Master hasn't even had your engagement wine yet, you little brat are really bad..."

"You're getting old and confused."

Lu Lan interrupted him, "She went to help me with the memorial service for He Ru today, and I came back with her on the way."

Ning Wuya paused, his hand hanging in the air, and the amusement in his eyes was replaced by disappointment.

"I went to offer sacrifices to Heru."

He looked at the drizzling rain outside the window, his tone full of sighs, "Another Cold Food Festival... I hope Heru is doing well over there."

When Lu Lan was ten years old, she went up the mountain with Shen Heru. The two half-grown children fell on the mountain martial arts training ground, covered in mud, but they still laughed and competed to see who could throw the hardest punch. Those vivid images surged in Ning Wuya's mind, as if they were right in front of him. But as a master, he didn't even see Shen Heru for the last time.

There is a cenotaph at the Changmen Wharf. Chen Heru died with a boatload of pirates while holding gunpowder. The boat burned down, and he burned down with it.

Lu Lan went on a mad quest to capture pirates, destroying countless of their lairs. Later, the imperial court transferred him to Bianjing, but he refused. He chose a promising future and chose to guard Pingjiang Prefecture.

"What are you doing down the mountain?"

Lu Lan withdrew his thoughts and reached out to pour Ning Wuya a bowl of hot tea.

Ning Wuya took the tea bowl, blew away the floating leaves, and glanced at him sideways, "Unfilial disciple, you are about to get engaged, and I don't come to see you? Are you going to wait until you marry someone before you remember to send the invitation to Master?"

He curled his lips again. "Besides, every year at this time, a bunch of people on Piaomiao Peak are crying and wailing, and the paper money burned is all over the mountain. When the wind blows, all the ashes stick to my clothes, making it hard to breathe. I might as well come down the mountain and get some warm air from you."

Lu Lan lowered her eyes and replied calmly, "Oh."

"You just 'oh'?"

Ning Wuya was so angry that he put the tea bowl on the table and said, "You haven't seen me for more than two years, and now that you see me, all you say is 'Oh'?"

Wei Jinyun listened from the side and reached out to tug at his sleeve.

Lu Lan glanced at her sideways, then raised his eyes to look at Ning Wuya, "Hello, Master."

Ning Wuya immediately smiled and patted his shoulder. His anger vanished. "Hey, this is a good disciple."

He turned to Wei Jinyun again, smiling until his eyes narrowed. "Shopkeeper Wei, you don't know, this kid has always been tough on the outside, but he's actually very caring. If he dares to bully you in the future, just tell Master and I'll beat him to a pulp."

"I won't bully her."

Lu Lan looked at him helplessly and asked, "How much did you eat? Put it on my account."

"Not much, not much, just a ten-yuan worth of dim sum. The dim sum at Shopkeeper Wei's is really good."

Lu Lan glanced at him sideways, "Aren't you afraid of indigestion?"

"Won't."

Ning Wuya patted his chest, his movements not like those of an elderly man, "Master is a martial artist, how could he have food stagnation with just this little food? Back in the mountains, I could eat sixty dimes in one meal."

"How long will it take to get down the mountain?"

Lu Lan didn't respond, but asked instead.

Ning Wuya sat back down in his seat and said slowly, "I'll go back to Piaomiao Peak after you get engaged."

"Oh, where do you live?"

Lu Lan pressed on, "Lu Mansion, or should I open an inn for you?"

“No, no.”

Ning Wuya refused, "Just live in front of Tianqing Temple. I opened it myself. I don't need you to pay for it. It seems like I am taking advantage of my disciple."

Wei Jinyun sat behind the counter, gently folding and turning the paper a few times, and a paper ingot landed in the bamboo basket. The basket was already half full, with some to be taken to worship the modern grandparents, some for the original body's parents and grandfather, and some for the original body, all neatly stacked.

Ning Wuya held Lu Lan's hand and kept chattering, saying that his hair tie was loose, and then complaining that the collar of his robe was not straightened. He looked exactly like Lu Lan who had just pestered her and talked about the scenery of the Yangtze River on the black-sailed boat.

Lu Lan sat aside and listened, but did not break free. He just nodded occasionally and muttered a few words to show that he understood.

At the long table next to the counter, Zhan Wenxing and Jing Liulang were enjoying a good rest after their tour. Several people were playing a game of "seeking the past" together, each one engrossed in the game, occasionally arguing.

Chaojiu and Wanwu came out from the backyard, carrying freshly steamed qingtuan (green rice dumplings). Seeing how happy everyone was, they smiled and put the plates on the table. "The winner gets to eat the qingtuan, and the loser has to help knead the dough!"

The rain was drizzling outside the window, and the swallows under the corridor were flying busily, their wings cutting through the sky, flying into the nest with insects to feed the hungry little swallows, and when they flew back, it was Qingming Festival in a blink of an eye.

During the Qingming Festival, the weather is bright and the warm sun is rising.

The river in front of Yunlaixiang's door was filled with spring water, and the water was flowing gently.

Lu Lan stood on the riverbank, dressed in a plain white suit. He broke off some biscuit crumbs and slowly scattered them onto the water.

Several small fish jumped out of the water to grab food. Pink and white peach petals floated to the side of the fish and were swallowed by fat little fish in groups of three or two.

Wei Jinyun stepped out of Yunlaixiang, carrying a bamboo basket. She looked up at Lu Lan, who was feeding the fish by the river, and said in a cheerful voice, "Okay, let's go. Grandma and sister have already left early this morning. I've already arranged everything at the shop."

Lu Lan turned and walked towards her. "Going on horseback?"

"OK."

Wei Jinyun smiled and nodded, rolling up his sleeves skillfully.

Ever since Lu Lan taught her how to ride a horse, she has become very good at it and has fallen in love with it. Now she wants to go to Jingfan who is tied nearby.

Lu Lan shook her head slightly and reached out to stop her, "You don't ride Jingfan."

Wei Jinyun asked doubtfully, "Then..."

"Wait me a moment."

Lu Lan rubbed her hair, turned and walked towards the narrow alley next to Zhao Ji Delicatessen.

After a moment, Lu Lan was seen walking out slowly leading a horse.

This horse was slightly smaller than Jingfan, but possessed a sturdy build. Its coat was the color of black jade, with a unique tuft of snow-white hair on its forehead. Its lines were smooth and tight, its limbs were strong and sturdy, and its tail drooped gently.

When it saw Wei Jinyun, it snorted meekly.

Lu Lan walked up to her, leading the horse. "From now on, it will belong to Ayun."

Wei Jinyun's eyes lit up, and she stepped forward in surprise. She carefully reached out her hand and gently touched the horse's mane. The mane felt soft and smooth, and the horse tilted its head obediently and rubbed her palm.

She almost jumped up and said excitedly, "My horse?"

Lu Lan whispered, "Yes, your horse. From now on, when you go to the cowshed in the east of the city, you won't have to call a carriage or ride poor Huihui."

"I don't ride Gray."

Wei Jinyun refuted, but his heart was still filled with joy. "What's the ranking of that horse in my family? Let me count."

She took advantage of the moment when Lu Lan leaned over to hand over the reins, stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Lu Lan is so nice."

She quickly stuffed the bamboo basket into his arms and said, "Hold it for me. I'm going to ride a horse."

She turned quickly, gripping the reins with her left hand, supporting the horse's back with her right, and leaped lightly. Her skirt rose as she moved, and she sat firmly on the saddle, then gently clamped her legs around the horse's belly. "Let's go!"

The horse received the order and ran briskly.

There were not many people in the streets during the Qingming Festival. The horse's tail swayed gently with the ups and downs of the horse's back. In just a moment, her figure passed by the Tianqing Temple lightly and gradually disappeared at the street corner.

Lu Lan stood where he was, reached out and slowly touched the cheek she had kissed. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, and he actually laughed out loud.

Since she likes riding horses so much, he will buy her a horse farm, raise a bunch of horses, and let her ride them all.

Xiangxiang chose a good horse, so he had to find a good bow for her.

There was already a crowd of people gathered at the entrance of Yunlaixiang.

Chang Siyan was leaning against the door frame, winking at Jiu and Wan Wu. Gu Xiang was leaning forward, with a bunch of other guys crowded behind him.

Lu Lan heard the noise, turned around and glanced at them. Without saying much, he just hung the bamboo basket firmly on Jingfan's saddle and jumped on the horse.

He lightly stepped on the horse's belly, Jingfan neighed, and followed steadily. Soon he disappeared in front of Tianqing Temple, leaving only the people at the Yunlaixiang gate looking around.

"I really love working at Yunlaixiang. Even the air here is sweet."

"Sister Si Yan, hurry up, write this down as a joke, I want to hear it!"

"Let Sister Lan Tang draw this scene later."

The idle young man scratched his head and asked, "Are the two Qingtuan dumplings from Shopkeeper Chen ready?"

“Here it comes!”

Jing Fan was a very fast rider, and soon he caught up with Wei Jinyun. Lu Lan slowed down his horse and rode side by side with Wei Jinyun. The Qingming wind was very warm.

"Ayun, are you going to take me to worship someone?"

Lu Lan turned his head to look at her and asked softly.

Wei Jinyun held the reins and nodded gently, "Yes, he is a very important person to me."

Lu Lan didn't ask any more questions and walked slowly beside her.

Leaving the streets in front of Tianqing Temple, the road ahead suddenly opens up. The riverbank winds along, but without the arch bridge and the crowds of the bustling city.

Wei Jinyun gripped the reins, turned around and waved the whip at Lu Lan.

"What do you mean, you want to compete with me?"

He shouted.

"Of course, Your Excellency the Inspector."

The hem of Wei Jinyun's goose yellow skirt was lifted by the wind, the horse neighed, and the crabapple petals on the ground were blown all over the sky by the wind brought by the horse's hooves.

He saw her in the rising sun, her whole body bathed in the faint light.

She is the rising sun.

"no problem."

Lu Lan chuckled, then lightly pinched Jingfan's belly and chased after him steadily.

Wei Jinyun laughed heartily, her usual measured demeanor, managing the shop, completely gone, leaving only a lively and enthusiastic expression on her face. Lu Lan, watching her hair flying, also laughed heartily.

The two horses gradually walked to the east of the city, and saw a temple in the distance on a low hill. On both sides of the temple were stalls selling incense, candles, and paper horses.

"Fine incense sticks—for peace and prosperity."

The hawker would shout whenever he saw people.

This temple is small, but it is said to be very effective, so the incense is very strong and the smoke is curling.

The pilgrims in the courtyard either kneel on the cushions holding incense and candles, kowtow devoutly to the Buddha statue, or hold the fortune stick box and shake it gently.

Wei Fuling held the incense stick in her hand and waved vigorously at the two of them, "Sister and Lord Lu are here!"

Wang Qiulan stepped forward, holding the list of incense money she had just added. "I just talked to the master in the temple and added some extra incense money for your grandfather, parents, and..."

She paused and continued, "Recite more mantras for them."

Wei Jinyun asked, "Is it really effective?"

"It's very clever."

Wang Qiulan smiled and nodded, saying firmly, "If my heart is in my heart, they can hear it."

Wei Jinyun informed her grandmother and sister a few times, then took Lu Lan's hand and quickly walked around to a monk on the side of the hall.

The monk put his hands together and the Buddhist beads on his wrist slowly turned.

Wei Jinyun bowed slightly and asked, "Master, if...if we are not in the same world, can those far away still hear my thoughts?"

"Donor, sincerity is the key to success. As long as you care about them and pray sincerely, no matter how far away they are, they will be able to sense and hear them."

The monk clasped his hands together and replied with a few words.

Wei Jinyun understood and added some money for incense.

Some things require belief, and she is willing to believe.

Wei Jinyun knelt on the futon in the hall, muttering in his heart -

Grandma, please stop worrying about Jinyun, and Grandpa, please stop nagging me about where Little Yunduo is. I'm doing well here. I have a new family, a grandmother who loves me, and two younger sisters. Hopefully, you'll be well in heaven, too.

She quietly turned her head to glance at Lu Lan beside her and gently introduced, "I definitely haven't forgotten you. By the way, besides grandma and sister, I also want to show you this person..."

She took Lu Lan's hand and held their interlocked hands in front of her. "This is the person I like. Look, isn't he handsome?"

Seeing the lingering moisture in her eyes, Lu Lan suddenly chuckled and knelt neatly on the other side of the futon. "Are you talking about your family?"

Wei Jinyun hummed softly.

"Is that the very important person you just mentioned?"

"right."

Lu Lan bowed devoutly a few times, then quickly stood up and turned around. His dark ponytail swayed slightly with his movements. He raised his hand to straighten his clothes and subconsciously tightened his hairband. Then he turned around and said, "My name is Lu Lan, and my courtesy name is Changce. Jinyun's family, would you like to see me? Would you like to check me out from head to toe?"

Wei Jinyun pushed him and said, "In front of the Buddha..."

"It's precisely because we're in front of the Buddha that we need to reassure Ayun's important people." Lu Lan said seriously, "Let them see if the person you like is worthy of you and can protect you well."

As he spoke, he straightened his back in front of the Buddha, like a young man waiting to be scrutinized by his elders.

"They will like it. Grandma likes handsome guys."

Lu Lan smiled back, "That's good, thanks to Lu Lan, it's pretty handsome."

Wei Jinyun recited them one by one in his heart, his modern grandparents, his original self, his original self's parents and grandfather, and prayed silently.

By the time she and Lu Lan walked out of the temple, the foot of the low hill outside the temple had already become bustling with people in groups of three or four scattered in the woods, some carrying bamboo baskets heading to the cemetery, and some surrounding the makeshift stove.

Pingjiang Prefecture has a tradition of burning wildfire rice during the Qingming Festival. Children cook rice on stoves built in front of nests, and eating the rice is believed to bless the children with intelligence.

Wei Fuling and Wei Fuqiu were squatting under a tree, busy with their work.

There was a bird's nest among the branches. Who knew how long they had been searching for it, or how long they had been fighting with others for it? The two sisters were now using a few stones to build a stove and were busy lighting a fire.

Wei Fuling was in charge of lighting the fire, Wei Fuqiu was peeling bamboo shoots, and Wang Qiulan was cutting the bacon.

Wei Jinyun left the temple, feeling at peace. She washed her hands and joined them.

She took the diced bacon from Wang Qiulan and poured it into the pot. The fire was burning brightly, and the bacon soon began to sizzle with oil, and the aroma spread instantly.

When the bacon is almost done, add the diced spring bamboo shoots and stir-fry. Then pour in the soaked glutinous rice, making sure each grain of rice is coated with oil. Then add peas and broad beans, sprinkle with a little salt, and finally add water.

"Then it's up to the fire."

Wei Jinyun put on the wooden lid and added a few dry branches to the stove. He told his two sisters, "Use low heat to simmer slowly. Don't rush, otherwise the bottom will be burnt and the top will still be raw."

Wei Fuling immediately volunteered, "I'll watch the fire. I promise it won't burn too strong!"

She quickly sat down on the stone and stared at the flames without blinking.

The flames in the stove gradually died down. Wei Jinyun lifted the wooden lid and the aroma filled the air.

The glutinous rice has absorbed the fat from the bacon, the spring bamboo shoots are crispy and tender, and the peas and broad beans are steamed until soft and melt in the rice with just one bite.

Lu Lan took the bowls and distributed the rice to everyone. She handed the first bowl to Wang Qiulan, then divided it among the three sisters, and finally it was her turn.

Wei Fuqiu ate her rice in small bites, "Sister's cooking is the best."

Wei Fuling, her mouth full, nodded vaguely as Wang Qiulan poured milk for them. Wei Jinyun, holding a bowl, sat with Lu Lan, enjoying the spring scenery.

As spring arrived, she said goodbye to her old family and started a new one.

After the eighth day of the first lunar month, it’s time to go to the provincial school and buy a small house.

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Author's words: Jinyun: Madman [holding chin] [rolling eyes]

Lord Lu: The armor is so tight, Jinyun hug me, Jinyun kiss me, Jinyun beg you [pitiful]