The maid brought over crucian carp soup. Wei Li was talking when he smelled the aroma and his face turned pale. He picked up the spittoon and began to gag, looking just as uncomfortable as when he took the medicine last time.
Zhao Xiheng patted his back, frowned, and said with a slightly serious expression, "Who made us cook fish these days? Don't you know that our lord can't stand the smell of fish?"
Wei Li gagged and waved his hand, signaling them to put the fish soup down.
This was the first time the maid had been reprimanded so fiercely by Zhao Xiheng. She quickly explained, "It was ordered by the lord to be made for the lady to nourish her body."
"Take it too." Zhao Xiheng's eyes stung, and she felt warm tears welling up. She cursed herself inwardly for becoming more sentimental after getting pregnant. "Don't listen to your lord anymore. Don't listen to anything he says."
Wei Li pressed down on her arm, raised his head, and defended his dignity, "I am the head of the family, why can't you listen to me? Besides, I've vomited like this, how can you not drink a sip of my drink?"
Zhao Xiheng smacked him on the head. "Don't you know who controls the money in the house? Don't you have any idea who's the head of the household?"
The maid quickly ladled out a bowl of soup and handed it to Zhao Xiheng. "What the master said is right. Since you've already vomited, if you don't drink it, won't the master have vomited for nothing?"
Zhao Xiheng thought it made sense, so she quickly blew on the thick, white crucian carp soup and drank it down as if it were water. Then she hurriedly had someone take away the rest of the soup.
The cold wind blew into the room through the window, making it a bit chilly, but it also dispelled the smell of the fish soup. Wei Li wiped his mouth and rinsed it, acting as if nothing had happened.
Zhao Xiheng hadn't expected that even without her actively causing trouble, Wei Li would manage to exhaust himself. Look at that sharp little chin, it could poke someone to death, and his face was deathly pale. If she had a few more children, he estimated he'd lose half his life.
"I don't feel like I'm pregnant, you seem more like it." Zhao Xiheng affectionately touched his cheek, deciding to be nicer and gentler to him.
Wei Li turned his head away, preventing her from touching him, and fiercely tried to save face, "Zhao Xiheng, let me tell you, what kind of quack doctor is he? He's just bad at medicine and made up some excuse to fob you off. You actually believed him? I just have an upset stomach lately. You should eat what you want. Why are you bothering me?"
Zhao Xiheng nodded as if coaxing a child, "Okay, okay, that doctor is a quack, you just have a bad stomach."
Everyone in the household knew he was experiencing morning sickness, but he insisted on maintaining appearances and wouldn't let anyone say anything, which was both infuriating and endearing.
Hearing her say that, Wei Li finally managed to look less awkward.
Fortunately, apart from certain foods that might trigger vomiting, Wei Li's appetite wasn't significantly affected; in fact, he ate even more.
Wei Li had fed himself, and his complexion was no longer so pale. He was full of energy and even urged Zhao Xiheng to eat more, saying enthusiastically, "Why didn't you eat half a bowl of rice? If you don't eat your fill now, how will you have the energy to play later?"
If the situation hadn't prevented it, he would have rushed up and eaten it for Zhao Xiheng.
Zhao Xiheng gave him a long, thoughtful look. "You're not full, are you?"
Wei Li nodded, his eyes shining as he urged her to eat quickly so she would have the energy to go sightseeing.
Zhao Xiheng glanced at him and saw that he had eaten almost a whole bowl of rice, which was more than his usual appetite. He was indeed a young man who was still growing.
She hesitated, wanting to say something, but ultimately kept quiet out of consideration for Wei Li's fragile pride.
Wei Li is indeed the kind of person who doesn't go out to play often, and he has absolutely no experience.
Who would eat their fill before going to a night market to see the lanterns? If they eat their fill now, they won't be able to eat any of the delicious food on the street later.
Never mind, he'll be more experienced next time we go out.
Since it's a festival, we should dress up in a festive manner. Wei Li selected some of the best mink furs from the newly arrived mink farm in Linbei and had them made into cloaks, outer garments, and blankets for Zhao Xiheng. She looks good in white, so the white mink furs were all made into outer garments or vests, which, against the light-colored lining, looked particularly fresh and eye-catching.
In such a cold winter, most people wear dark-colored clothes, and light-colored clothes are rarely seen.
A white coat draped over her body, its fur puffed up, making her appear round and plump; it was rare for Zhao Xiheng to be associated with the word "prosperous." A matching mink fur scarf was wrapped around Zhao Xiheng's neck, providing warmth and covering half of her face, keeping her safe from the wind outside.
She sat on the stool waiting for Wei Li to come out after changing his clothes. She dared not move, for any movement would make her sweat. But she didn't want to take off her clothes to avoid the trouble of putting them back on later. She urged Wei Li, "Hurry up."
"Right away," Wei Li replied listlessly. "Don't rush me."
A short while later, he emerged from inside, carrying a black cloak with gold patterns in his arms. He was also wearing a black round-necked robe with gold cloud patterns, similar in style to the one he wore at the prefectural governor's mansion last time. It was luxurious without being dull, but rather bright and suited him well.
Zhao Xiheng's gaze was drawn to the few finger-thick gold chains on the collar of the cloak. They served both as decoration and for securing the garment. She swallowed hard, realizing she had inevitably become vulgar herself, finding the gold and white ornaments quite attractive. Perhaps it was because she was used to seeing Wei Li and found him handsome, that she had come to find such things pleasing to the eye.
Xiao Tao leaned against the door frame and watched the two of them go. Even from a distance, she kept reminding them not to eat this or that, not to go to crowded places, and not to linger alone in secluded places. If it weren't for the fact that the young couple was going on a date, she would have followed Zhao Xiheng every step of the way.
Zhao Xiheng was so tired of hearing it that she quickly grabbed Wei Li's hand and ran outside, which startled Xiao Tao so much that her eyes almost popped out of her head.
Few people among the common folk had ever seen Wei Li's true appearance. In addition, everyone was busy celebrating the festival. At most, they would glance at the two pretty young lovers a few more times, but they would not pay them any extra attention. The two of them were quite content, hiding in the crowd.
Strings of red lanterns hung from the pavilions on both sides of the street, and the entire main street of Buxian City was enveloped in a warm red light and bustling noise, like a piece of honey-glazed pastry, sweet on the outside and, once cut open, oozing out a thick, sweet honey syrup.
The enthusiastic atmosphere was contagious, and Wei Li and Zhao Xiheng's moods improved unconsciously as well.
In the open space in the center of Xuanwu Street, there was a ten-foot-high arena. On the arena, lanterns, hexagonal glass palace lanterns, and bamboo lanterns were neatly arranged, and people were gathered around, waiting to guess the lantern riddles.
Prizes include bamboo salt, bath beans, handkerchiefs, rice, and soybean oil. Those who guess fifty or more correctly can enter a draw to win a lantern. Although the prizes may seem meager, the focus is on participation and creating a lively atmosphere.
These major festival events are all organized by the government, and the person speaking on the stage now is an official from Buxiancheng.
As the fireworks exploded in clusters, he couldn't help but shout at the top of his lungs, his face turning red with embarrassment.
Zhao Xiheng had not participated in such a lively festival for many years. In the past, when her parents were alive, the three of them would go to play outside the palace every Lantern Festival. At that time, she was too young and could only remember her parents' smiling faces, the bright red lanterns, and the crowded people. Now, when she thinks back, it feels like a lifetime ago, but it also seems so close.
"Are you going?" Wei Li asked, shaking her hand as she looked on in a daze. "If you're going, I'll wait for you downstairs."
Zhao Xiheng is well-read and should enjoy this kind of occasion.
He lacked experience in handling such lively scenes, so he appeared somewhat ignorant of everything and could only feign composure. When this ignorance was displayed to Zhao Xiheng, he always tried to conceal it, but he still seemed somewhat unsure of himself.
Zhao Xiheng had long since figured out how much knowledge Wei Li possessed. How could she possibly abandon her semi-literate husband, who was still suffering from morning sickness, and heartlessly try to solve riddles? Thinking about it that way, she was really not a human being.
Moreover, she wasn't really interested in these kinds of activities; she just liked joining in the fun.
She hugged Wei Li's waist, "I'm not going, there are too many people, what if I get squeezed, can you bear to do that?"
Wei Li thought about it and agreed, "Then I'll take you up."
He's usually quick-witted when he's arguing with her, his mind works fast, and he's always chattering away. But now he's completely wooden. Zhao Xiheng secretly pinched his waist. "Then I won't go either. I'm hungry. Let's go find something to eat."
As soon as she said she was hungry, Wei Li started to scold her, "Didn't I tell you to eat more before I left? How can you not be hungry with just that little bit of cat food? Zhao Xiheng, you're so troublesome, only I can put up with you. If it were anyone else, they would have kicked you out of the house long ago."
He scolded her while protecting her, preventing her from being pushed by the crowd, and headed towards the East Market.
Before entering the city, everyone on the street was given a map with the location of the food street marked on it.
Zhao Xiheng grinned as she listened to his grumbling. Wasn't it all for his sake? He was being ungrateful for his kindness.
The snack street in Dongshi stretches for six or seven hundred meters. Standing on the street, you can see the sweltering heat rising up. It is the most bustling place besides the center of Xuanwu Street.
Zhao Xiheng swallowed hard. She wasn't hungry at first, but now her mouth was watering.
She tugged at Wei Li's collar, "How are you? Are you alright? Do you feel like throwing up?"
Wei Li shook his head. "It's alright."
"What can you eat?"
"..."
He made sure he ate his fill before coming, but seeing such a long stretch of food stalls, he began to have some regrets.
"Would you like a candied hawthorn, madam?" a street vendor greeted her warmly.
Zhao Xiheng looked at the round, red little thing and her mouth watered uncontrollably. She said to Wei Li, "I want to eat it."
"Oranges, hawthorns, strawberries, grapes, yellow peaches, bananas—round, flat, square, you name it, we have it all. Madam, which one would you like?"
"I'll have the hawthorn one."
Wei Li took the candied hawthorn, then reached into his pocket—no money…
He turned his head to look at Zhao Xiheng and held out his hand, "Give me the money."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com