Chapter 77

Yunkai privately commented on Lan Yingde, saying that my future father-in-law never shows his emotions on his face. Even when encountering unpleasant things, he shows no resentment on his face, talks and laughs freely, and is happy and composed. This is also the attitude of a treacherous hero.

Yin Tai's forehead bulged with veins when he heard this, and he almost wanted to pass on the family tradition again. He sarcastically said, "If you can learn this treacherous behavior from me, I will go to the monastery and make a golden statue for the Buddha to thank him for his blessing."

Yun Kai shook his head inscrutablely. "No, no, I've learned even 50% or 60% of his ways, and that already makes me seem cultured and affable. As the son of a prominent chieftain, I'd be looked down upon if I were too weak-kneed. If I lose my composure, I'll be like a sick leopard caught in a pack of wolves, letting those beasts tear at my flesh and eat it all."

Chief Han slapped his thigh until it turned red and agreed with him: "That's right. Who are we? We must never lose our dignity. The way to control our subordinates is to use both kindness and severity. Only then will those Mengquan dare not cause trouble."

Yunkai only dared to vent his anger in front of Han Tusi and Yintai. Lan Yingde, who showed no resentment when he encountered something unpleasant, showed up at the door directly after the engagement and demanded that Yunkai be strictly disciplined.

"I know we're living in a civilized age now, and we don't need to follow the pedantic ways of those noble families of old. But how could someone of Yunkai's status assault an official's son in the street? That's simply too much. Since he's engaged to Yueming, he's my son-in-law. I'd like to ask my husband and wife if I can intervene and discipline him for his erratic and unkind behavior."

Yin Tai and the chieftain laughed awkwardly. How could we dare to say no when you ask so openly?

Lan Yingde pointed to the servants beside him and said, "The silence and solemnity of these servants show that the rules of the mansion are very strict. They all stick to their duties and know what to do and what not to do. Yunkai should have the arrogance that a young master of the Tusi Mansion should have, but he lacks the master's magnanimity to respect others. Let me say something that will hit the heart of my father-in-law and his wife. Yunkai's intelligence and wisdom far surpass that of the eldest young master of your mansion. But as the saying goes, there are always people who are better than you. He deals with people who are either rich or noble. Can you watch him encounter someone even more arrogant and rude than himself and cause a tragedy because of his momentary anger?"

Tusi Han was very pleased with Lan Yingde's words, "He lacks the master's courtesy and magnanimity." He immediately forgot how he had flattered Yun Kai at that time, as if he had lost his memory. He echoed, "You are right, my dear. Don't ask me whether you can discipline him or not. Just go ahead and discipline him."

Yin Tai watched Han Tusi's defection with cold eyes, curling his lips without saying a word.

Lan Yingde's expression softened as he said, "I couldn't be more satisfied with Yunkai as my son-in-law. For the first two or three years, I only wanted to teach him some economics and current affairs, but now I realize that just learning that isn't enough. He needs to learn to be fearful. Only when he's fearful will he think twice before doing anything and not act rashly."

Yin Tai nodded slowly and said, "My dear in-laws, what you said couldn't be more right. Yun Kai has always been the eldest child. He's spoiled by his sisters, and his elder brother gives in to him. Even the master's beatings can't change his rebellious nature. It's time to teach him how to write."

Lan Yingde was very satisfied with the fruitful conversation. He reached a consensus with Han Tusi and Yintai and left.

Tusi Han and Yin Tai personally escorted him to the gate. Only when he saw him board the carriage did Tusi Han slump his shoulders and let out a long sigh of relief. He put his hands on his hips and said, "This relative is really full of books. Can't you explain it in a more simple and understandable way?"

Yin Tai glanced at him coldly and said, "How much more can you make it clear? Tell him directly that your son is too arrogant and that if he continues to act like this, someone will deal with him sooner or later. Is that clear enough?"

Chief Han said angrily, "Nonsense! Yunkai is just angry that Lao Ben has feelings for Yueming. How can he be arrogant? What's the big deal about men fighting over women? Isn't that quite manly?"

Yin Tai gave up trying to reason with Han Tusi, smiled and said, "I am short-sighted. The master has great powers and can protect him for his entire life." After that, he took Tonglin's hand and turned back to the yard.

Lan Yingde thought it would be easy to teach Yunkai a lesson, so he asked Yunkai and Changsheng to go together on this trip. He took Yueming back to Kunming. The fifth master of the Zhaotong Gang was getting married, so he had to go in person to congratulate him.

When Yunkai returned happily and wanted to find Yueming but found nothing, he would understand that even a cooked duck can still fly away. Not to mention just an engagement, even if the two of them got married, if he wanted to take Yueming away, no one could stop him.

He told Changsheng not to let any secret leak out. As soon as they left Yunxiang with the goods, Lan Yingde asked Xiao Lahu to look after the house. He took Yueming and two maids, hired a carriage to Mianlin, and then took a military vehicle back to Kunming.

Knowing that he could return to Kunming, Yueming was overjoyed and told Yehu and Ai Ye to just pack their luggage, as Kunming had everything anyway.

The two maids had long been yearning for Kunming, this magical place, because they had often heard Yueming talk about it. Now they were overjoyed to be able to see it with their own eyes.

The two maids had a rough ride, and after experiencing the effects of a gasoline-guzzling vehicle, they vomited profusely in the military jeep, leaving Yueming and Lan Yingde to take care of them.

Lying on the bed in the hotel for the night, I still felt dizzy and swaying. Ai Ye held his forehead and said breathlessly, "Miss, this car is fast, but the shaking is too uncomfortable. I shiver every day before getting on the car."

Lan Yingde took their pulses and instructed the storekeeper to prepare two cups of sugar and salt water to prevent them from vomiting too much and becoming dehydrated. He smiled and said, "You're just not used to it. You'll be fine once you get used to it. I didn't know you'd get carsick when we got here. Tomorrow, have the storekeeper cut up some sour papayas. Eating something sour will help. I'll have the driver drive slower."

Ye Hu's face turned pale and he said in panic, "It's a sin to let the master and the young lady worry about us. Master, don't worry about us. We just need to be patient. Don't delay your journey because of us."

Lan Yingde said sternly, "Although you and Yueming are nominally master and servant, our family's rule is that once you enter this house, you are family. How can we let family members suffer?"

Ye Hu didn't dare to talk about family with them. He was about to open his mouth when Yue Ming said first, "Alright, take good care of yourself. If you don't get enough rest, you will feel worse tomorrow. If you don't want to cause trouble for me, eat well and rest well, okay?"

Ai Ye immediately closed her eyes: "Miss, I listen to you. I can't eat, but I will sleep well."

Yueming tugged at her eyelids and said, "Don't come on, you have to eat even if you can't. Drink some salt and sugar water and you'll have an appetite. You can't skip eating or sleeping."

Ai Ye endured the sourness rising to her chest and said pitifully, "Miss, I feel like vomiting when I hear the word 'eat'."

Ye Hu suppressed his nausea and said through gritted teeth, "Miss, don't worry. I will eat well and rest well." After that, he turned his head and said to Ai Ye, "Sister, no matter how uncomfortable it is, you have to endure it. Do you have the nerve to let the master and the young lady serve us all the way?"

Yueming nodded in satisfaction, took Lan Yingde's arm and went downstairs to eat.

After seven or eight days of relatively easy travel, the car approached the city from the Great East Gate. Ye Hu and Ai Ye leaned out the window to watch the people coming and going. A flute vendor at the foot of the wall played cheerful tunes to attract customers, and a cart selling lotus root starch and brown sugar cakes was surrounded by greedy children. A white wall was covered with colorful posters. A woman with thin eyebrows and phoenix eyes rested her chin on one hand, holding a bottle of vanishing cream in the other.

Yueming couldn't take her eyes off the sight either. She hadn't been back for a few years, and the streets before her felt both familiar and strange. Passing by Miss Wei's pastry shop next to Huikang Department Store, she could no longer bear the aroma of cream in the air. She stopped the car and ran into the pastry shop to buy a cake. Ai Ye and Ye Hu wanted to follow, but Lan Yingde stopped them: "You two are so exhausted from vomiting, so don't go. There are people inside who will help her."

Looking at the various cakes in the glass counter, she couldn't help swallowing her saliva. She waved her little hand and asked for the one with yellow peach on the edge, the one with a layer of chocolate, and the one with only a circle of salted cream. This cheesecake seemed to be a new product that she had never eaten before, so she took one of those too.

When she left, two or three shop assistants followed her, respectfully helping her put the cake and orange soda into the car. They handed her a business card with both hands and said, "This is our business card. If you want to eat it in the future, just call us and we will send someone to your house."

Ai Ye placed a cake box on her lap. She desperately sniffed the fragrance she had never experienced before and asked Yue Ming: "Miss, what is this?"

Yueming handed her a bottle of soda that the store clerk had opened in advance. "It's delicious. I'll let you have it when we get home. Drink this first. You'll feel better after that."

Ai Ye took it and took a sip. It tasted sweet, but there was a gas that irritated her mouth and went straight to her stomach through her throat. She couldn't help but burp loudly and was surprised to find that the nausea that had troubled her for several days disappeared without a trace.

She covered her mouth sheepishly and handed the soda to Ye Hu, whispering, "This is very effective. Take a sip and see if you burp. It will be fine."

It was still cold in Kunming in the early morning after the Lunar New Year holiday. Lan Yingde didn't want to drink something so cold, so he shook his head when Yueming offered him a soda. Yueming then handed the soda to the driver.

The driver was embarrassed to drink and declined, saying, "Thank you, Miss, I'm driving and it's inconvenient!"

Yueming said considerately, "Then you can take the unopened ones back and enjoy them slowly. You can also take one of the cakes back. I bought a lot!"

Sipping a cold soda and listening to the familiar hawking of the street vendors, Yueming finally felt like she was back in Kunming. Just as she was lamenting that she hadn't been back for a few years and was worried she'd fallen behind the curves, she heard Ai Ye and Ye Hu whispering to each other.

"That rice noodle vendor is charging five cents for a bamboo tube. This beautiful bottle must be even more expensive. Keep it safe after you finish drinking it and see if you can get a refund."

Yueming...is really good at living!

As the car approached the alley of Zhuji Street, Yueming saw the mulberry branches sticking out from the east wall and the small stone lions standing at the west door. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was finally home!

When she saw the old woman who had raised her since she was a child, sitting on the threshold of her house, shelling beans and talking to the neighbor across the street, she couldn't hold back her tears. She stuck her head out of the car window and waved desperately at the old woman: "Auntie Liu, Auntie Liu!"

The old woman looked up at the sound and saw Yueming getting out of the car. She stood up suddenly, dropped the bean basket in her hand, ran over on her bound feet, hugged Yueming and hugged her in her arms, crying out at the top of her voice: "My dear lady, my dear daughter! You are back! My husband said you had to come back, so I have been waiting at the door every day before dawn!"

Seeing Yueming, who was a yellow-haired girl when she left, and had grown into a graceful young lady when she returned, Aunt Liu was both delighted and sad. She said, "Children grow up with the wind. I missed you for such a long time, and you've grown up!"

Yueming sniffed and said with tears in her eyes, "I miss you so much. I dream about you making eight-treasure rice pudding for me every day."

I remember Yueming wanted to eat eight-treasure rice when she was little. Seeing that she didn't want to make it because it was too troublesome, I coaxed her: "Make eight-treasure rice for me, and I will take care of you when you are old."

Liu Ma burst into laughter and said quickly, "I'll soak the glutinous rice and make it for you right now. I'll put in lots of red bean paste." Remembering that there seemed to be no red and green silk threads for making eight-treasure rice at home, Liu Ma called out to the door across the street, "Xiao Fusheng's mother, you don't have any red and green silk threads. My sister wants to eat eight-treasure rice."

Xiao Fusheng's mother agreed, "No, wait a minute while I go to Xiao Hai's house and ask. I saw her buying glutinous rice a few days ago, and I'm afraid she's going to use it to make eight-treasure rice!"

Liu Ma's loud voice attracted the neighbors next door, and when they saw the master of the Lan family returning with his daughter, they all came over to greet him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lan Yingde bowed to the crowd and said, "Thank you all for your concern. My daughter Yueming is engaged back home, but I didn't inform you because the journey was long. I'll treat you all to a drink at Changmeiju the day after tomorrow to make amends. I hope you will honor me by coming."

Speaking of Yueming's engagement, Liu Ma curled her lips in disdain. She truly didn't know what the master was thinking. How could he be willing to marry such a delicate, dainty girl to the mountains? Her daughter had grown up drinking milk and eating bread, and now she was going to the mountains to eat corn grits. The thought of her heart ached.

When I looked up, I saw two girls about the same age as the young lady standing next to the car. They were wearing identical blue-gray cotton robes and their hair was combed like Taoist nuns. I asked curiously, "Which Taoist temple are these two immortal nuns from?"

Moonlight.......

When Liu Ma introduced these two to Yun Xiang, she immediately frowned: "It's true that you can't do without anyone to serve you in Shangla, but why do you bring them back now that you're back? I can still serve you."

Yueming's eyes widened as she spoke sternly, "Of course I brought them back so you can teach them how to serve me properly. If you don't teach them, how can I, Miss Kunming, show my elegance to Yunxiang in the future?"

Aunt Liu calmed down and said to Ye Hu and Ai Ye in a haughty and reserved tone, "The rules of this family are not big, but they are not small either. You must learn them carefully and serve the young lady and the master well."

Ye Hu and Ai Ye nodded in agreement.

Seeing that the neighbors had helped to move most of the luggage, Liu Ma remembered that she had not soaked the glutinous rice yet because she was still busy talking. It seemed that she would not be able to eat the eight-treasure rice for lunch, so she slung her vegetable basket over her shoulder and started to go buy vegetables.

Yueming stopped her and said, "We just got back and haven't had time to clean up yet, how can we cook? Let's order a table outside. Come with me to check on my flowers first. Have you watered them properly while I'm away?"

Seeing that her coat looked new but outdated, Aunt Liu pouted and said, "Why are you packing all that luggage? You're hosting a party the day after tomorrow, so why don't you go to Huikang Department Store and buy some presentable clothes? I'm telling you, these baggy coats aren't in fashion anymore. They're all about waists, and you have to tie a belt around them to make them look like rolling pins. And the skirts you wear underneath are straight, like shrimp nets. And you even have to tie a belt around your forehead and stick a Huaqiuqiu chicken feather in it... What are you laughing at? Do you think I'm talking nonsense? If you don't believe me, look in the magazines!"