As the mist of the Taihang Mountains gradually dissipated like a dream, transforming into tiny fireflies that flickered and danced in the night, the bright mountain moon quietly climbed to the summit of East Peak. The moonlight, like water, gently sprinkled across the majestic mountain range, covering the earth with a layer of silver gauze.
Su Jinli leaned against the soft couch in the carriage, as if enveloped by the tranquil atmosphere. The ambergris in the gilded hollow incense bulb had burned to the end, and the curling green smoke slowly escaped from the pores of the lotus pattern. Under the moonlight, it seemed to weave a translucent dream web. She tilted her head slightly, looking through the window, quietly gazing at Jiang Yan's figure outside the car. He was squatting beside the wheel, with half a dead leaf on the hem of his blue shirt. He looked a little embarrassed but also casual. His fingertips tapped lightly on the spokes, his movements slow and rhythmic. The black jade ring on his thumb glowed faintly under the caress of the moonlight, like a mysterious star.
"What are you thinking about?" Jiang Yan gently lifted the carriage curtain. In an instant, the copper bells on the eaves emitted a series of small, crisp sounds, as if playing a gentle melody for the quiet night. In his hands, he held an oil-paper bag. The heat of the roasted sweet potatoes penetrated the paper and quickly condensed into a white mist in the cold air. The sweet aroma instantly filled the air. "Li Xiu just bought it at the post station. He specially picked the sweetest one." He said with a smile, his eyes full of concern for Su Jinli.
The tempting burnt aroma of the sweet potato, mixed with the faint smell of soil, slowly flowed into the carriage like a warm stream. Su Jinli reached out to take it, and the heat made her fingertips tremble slightly. She raised her eyes and looked at the grass debris that had not yet dispersed in Jiang Yan's hair. Her mind couldn't help but emerge the image of him lying in a pile of fallen leaves half an hour ago. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise slightly, and a smile spread across her face like ripples. "I was thinking," she gently cushioned it with a handkerchief and carefully broke open the sweet potato. The golden potato flesh immediately steamed hot and exuded an even richer sweetness. "Next time I go out, I have to prepare two pounds of chili powder for you and put it in a special silver gourd, so that I won't kick you into the mud again." There was a hint of playfulness and teasing in her words, as if they had returned to their usual relaxed and happy time together.
Jiang Yan couldn't help laughing, and he bent his fingers and flicked her forehead lightly. Su Jinli dodged lightly by turning her head. Her hair, like a waterfall, brushed Jiang Yan's wrist lightly, and accidentally touched the Qingfeng sword tassel hidden in his sleeve. "Why would your husband need chili powder?" He smiled, stretched out his hand and gently wiped the grass ash on the tip of her nose. His fingertips touched her slightly cool skin, and it was as if an electric current instantly spread throughout her body. "With my wife here, even if I meet a tiger, I'm afraid I'll be sprinkled with chili powder in my face." His voice was low and gentle, full of doting, as if in his eyes, Su Jinli was the omnipotent heroine.
The carriage slowly set off again. From the front, the off-key folk song of Young Marquis Su broke through, shattering the night's tranquility. A young man, carrying a toy broadsword, walked at the front with his head held high. The red silk tassel of the sword, casually wrapped around half a wild chrysanthemum, swayed gently with his steps. "My sister's powdering is like a fairy; Brother Jiang Yan wrestles in the muddy fields; three punches and two kicks send the bandits packing; a touch of rouge brings a smile to his face..." His voice, though off-key, was filled with energy and vigor, as if transforming the previous thrill into a joyous hymn.
"Little bastard!" Su Qingyao's voice of laughter and scolding came from the next carriage immediately, accompanied by the crisp sound of brocade boxes colliding with each other, "If you sing again, I will throw all the 'Zhuangyuanhong' rouge you have saved down the mountain!" Su Qingyao's voice was full of anger, but there was also a hint of smile, which made people feel the close affection between the sister and brother.
Jiang Yan gently grasped Su Jinli's hand, his fingertips gently caressing the thin calluses on her palm from weaving straw sandals. In the moonlight, the calluses glowed a faint pink, like the wild roses blooming on the Yangzhou riverbank, resilient and beautiful. "Madam," he suddenly leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear like a whisper on the night wind. "From now on, wherever you go, I will follow you." His voice carried a firm promise, as solemn as a vow.
"Hmm?" Su Jinli gently bit into the sweet potato. The honey-like flesh melted instantly on her tongue, and the sweet taste filled her mouth. She tilted her head slightly, a sly look in her eyes. "What are you doing? Keep being my meat cushion?" Her words danced like lively musical notes in the carriage.
"I'll watch you sprinkle the chili peppers," Jiang Yan's thumb gently rubbed her knuckles, his movements soft and delicate, "and by the way, I'll help you pick up the rouge that fell on the ground--" He paused slightly, looking at the smile flashing in her eyes gently, and added, "And I'll secretly put a piece of candy cake in your sleeve pocket, so that you don't forget to eat when you're busy." Every word he said was full of affection, as if he was painting a warm and beautiful picture.
The moonlight outside the car window suddenly seemed to become thicker, like an overturned honey pot, and the sweet scent filled the entire space. Su Jinli quietly looked at the corners of Jiang Yan's smiling eyes, where her shadow was clearly reflected, as well as the rolling Taihang Mountains behind her. Her thoughts involuntarily drifted back to her past life, thinking of the lonely days on the sickbed, thinking of the hypocritical smile of her stepmother Liu, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. Looking at the person in front of her, although there were still spots of mud on his blue shirt, he was full of warmth and strength. She suddenly felt that this thrilling journey of encountering bandits was actually a sweet gift carefully sent by God, like a candy wrapper.
"Jiang Yan," she suddenly whispered, her voice like petals drifting gently in the night breeze. She rested her head gently on his shoulder, as if she had found the warmest harbor. "Tell me, is there really a way to make hard times sweet?" Her tone was filled with a hint of confusion and expectation, as if she was seeking an answer from Jiang Yan.
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