Chapter 60 Giving Gifts
But there was nothing wrong with his behavior. He had said before doing anything that it was "a small favor" and "a friendly gesture". How could she say that he was doing something wrong?
After such a journey, she was a little tired and didn't want to think too much, so she leaned aside and fell asleep alone.
Seeing that she was sleeping restlessly and the carriage was shaking all the way, causing her to hit her head from time to time, Zhao Yan stood up and sat over to her, gently supporting her in his arms.
He moved gently, afraid of waking her up, and held her in his arms, not daring to do anything, just looking down at her.
The car was silent except for her shallow breathing. He lowered his head and moved closer, feeling the soothing breath coming from her.
Her lips are lighter in color, like cherry blossoms blooming in winter, pink and white, with a fascinating magic.
He looked at her carefully, and finally couldn't help but press his lips against hers. Her lips were just as soft and delicate as he imagined.
Afraid that she would wake up, he only dared to kiss her once. After that, he quietly rested his head on her forehead, breathing very lightly and shallowly.
At this moment, he felt as if the world had ended forever, and he only wished that time would stop at this moment.
The carriage drove for a while and then stopped.
Zhao Yan knew he was home.
The driver jumped down and just as he reached in, Zhao Yan stopped him and said softly, "Wait here for a moment."
Not long after, Anfu's voice was heard from the courtyard again, "Master, you are finally back."
Even if he wanted her to sleep peacefully at this moment, there was no way. Seeing that she wanted to wake up, he immediately sat up straight and leaned her against the side of the car.
When Yu Huatang woke up, she felt that she had slept very soundly. When she saw the carriage stopped, she knew that she had arrived home.
She stood up and got out of the car to say goodbye to Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan did not insist and nodded calmly.
A few days later, when Zhao Yan was on official business in the government office, he saw many people preparing dumplings, rice cakes and other things, so he asked Wang Zhubu.
This Wang Zhubu was originally from a poor family. He passed the imperial examination when he was in his thirties. After that, he worked as an ordinary clerk in the government office. Because he was rigorous and upright in his work, he was promoted to Zhubu.
When Zhao Yan first arrived, he had worked with several subordinates, but he was the only one who still had some compassion for the poor people, and his fairness in doing things also made Zhao Yan quite fond of him.
After a while, Zhao Yan only took him out on business trips and would ask him a few more questions if there was anything.
Wang Zhubu thought that the customs in the north were different from those in the south, so he explained, "Your Excellency, tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. Here, we have a saying that 'the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year.'" In addition to offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, people also prepare and eat glutinous rice balls and rice cakes, symbolizing a sweet life and continued success.
Seeing that Zhao Yan was listening attentively, he continued to explain, "But this is what adults do. For young men and women, the most favorite thing is to give each other gifts."
Zhao Yan asked, "What are they?"
Wang Zhubu continued, "Women might give gifts of homemade sachets, handkerchiefs, or insoles. Some people also fill sachets with spices like mugwort and mint, which are both practical and a token of affection. Men who receive gifts often reciprocate with writing brushes, jade pendants, or small ornaments."
"It's all about having a good statement, and also expressing the hope for a smooth year ahead."
After that, Wang Zhubu asked, "Does your Excellency have a crush on someone? If so, why not go to the streets tonight? Although tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, the activities will begin tonight."
Zhao Yan listened and said, "Nothing, just asking, to get to know more."
Wang Zhubu didn't think it was a simple question, but he knew that Zhao Yan disliked being asked too much, especially about his personal matters. He simply agreed with a few words and then returned to the task Zhao Yan had assigned him.
At night, after everyone was off duty, Zhao Yan returned to the rest room of the government office, changed into ordinary clothes, and went to Heyuan Street alone.
Just as Wang Zhubu said, the street was crowded tonight, full of young men and women, walking affectionately on the road, which made him feel a little lonely.
He walked around the street a few times and saw some small vendors selling exquisite items, but he felt they were not suitable.
In a blink of an eye, I saw a large jewelry store, which was filled with a wide variety of items, from precious jewelry to handkerchiefs and purses.
He was about to go in, but found that the owner here seemed to be a servant of the Baili family. Sure enough, when he looked closely, he found that this was the jewelry store invested by Baili.
He stopped in his tracks instantly. He had a certain dislike for Baili that only men could have for each other. The reason for this dislike was that they were love rivals.
He walked forward a few steps and found a smaller shop called Treasure Pavilion. Although the items inside were not very valuable, they were carefully crafted.
He picked up some jade and red hairpins, and thought of Huatang, who seemed particularly simple and elegant. Logically, she brought back a thousand taels from the capital, so she shouldn't live so frugally. Apart from some common clothes, he hadn't seen her buy any extra clothes. The silk he gave her last time, she returned it intact. Thinking of this, he put down the originally precious jade.
She definitely wouldn't accept any of these, so she carefully selected some more and finally picked up a magnolia hairpin embellished with gold. This hairpin wasn't expensive, it was made entirely of ordinary white jade, with only a few gold dots dotted around the center of the flower, which looked quite ingenious.
Seeing that the noble young man was very satisfied with the hairpin, the shopkeeper flattered him, saying, "Sir, don't be fooled by the ordinary jade used in this hairpin. The craftsman has put a lot of effort into carving it. When the girl receives it, she will definitely know that you put a lot of thought into it."
Zhao Yan was also satisfied with this one. Just as he was about to ask the price, a familiar voice came from behind him, "Boss, have the pearl earrings I ordered last time arrived?"
When the shopkeeper saw Baili Yunzhou, he immediately said attentively, "Here we are, here we are." He turned and took out a box from a compartment on the shelf. When he opened it, he found a pair of earrings with a pearly luster. "Mr. Baili, please take a look."
Baili Yunzhou hadn't noticed who was standing there at first. When he entered the room, he realized it was Zhao Yan. He asked in surprise, "Why is Lord Zhao here?"
At this time, the shopkeeper handed over the pair of earrings. Baili's eyes turned to them again. He took a look at them and said, "The quality is good, and the pearl luster is also good. It took some effort to make them."
The shopkeeper immediately responded, "Of course, it was custom-made by Master Baili, so how could I not pay attention to it?"
After finishing the balance with a smile, Baili took out a piece of silver from his bag and said, "You don't need to change the rest. Just consider it a reward. If Miss Yu likes anything in the future, you can give it to her at a discount, and I will make up for it later."
After saying that, he turned to Zhao Yan and said, "Are you here to buy something, sir?"
"No, I'm just taking a look." Zhao Yan asked again, "Did Master Baili buy this as a gift for Miss Yu..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
