Chapter 3: I, a humble official, recommend myself. Lingnan is hot and humid,...
Lingnan was humid and hot, and it was already dusk when Song Youning's carriage slowly drove into the city gate.
She opened the car curtain, and the hot and humid wind, carrying the sweet fragrance of lychees, blew towards her.
In the distance, the mountains are dark blue and shrouded in clouds and mist, as if it will rain soon. However, the streets are bustling with people and the shouts of vendors can be heard one after another.
When Song Youning stepped into Lai Fu Inn, raindrops were already falling outside the eaves.
She shook the water droplets off her sleeves and glanced at the inn lobby, which was empty.
There was only a guest in white clothes and a conical hat standing by the counter, followed by several servants.
The man was tall and slender, with mud stains on the corners of his moon-white robe. He was lowering his head and whispering to the shopkeeper.
Seeing her come in, she leaned slightly to the side, pulling her bamboo hat even lower. This figure seemed a little familiar...
However, Song Youning has always been a person who doesn't like to meddle in other people's affairs: "I can't tolerate any grain of sand in my eyes, but I can accommodate melon seeds... I enjoy my own fragrance, and I don't mind meddling in other people's affairs... This is her motto. After thinking about it for a while, she didn't say anything else.
"Boss, I need a room upstairs."
"Okay!"
The shopkeeper attentively handed over the door number, "Room 3, Tianzi, hot water immediately."
“Ahem!”
The guest in the bamboo hat suddenly coughed twice.
The shopkeeper immediately changed his tone: "No, Room No. 1 is better! It faces the sun, has good ventilation, and the bed is new! The environment and scenery are great."
Chun Tao was unhappy: "Why are you such a weird shopkeeper..."
Song Youning raised an eyebrow, too lazy to argue: "Then number one."
As she turned to go upstairs, she vaguely heard the shopkeeper muttering, "Sir, do you really want to live next door to her?"
As if he was guarding against her...
(Unfortunately, she didn’t hear it clearly and didn’t bother to care.)
"Princess, Lingnan is much more lively than Bianjing!" Chuntao looked around excitedly like a puppy.
Song Youning was in a good mood and started writing in his travel notes:
First impression of Lingnan: The heat and humidity are unbearable, but the city is full of life. It's a great place to visit. Rating: A-level.
The pen paused, thought for a moment, and added:
[But the owner of the Fulai Inn smiles too attentively, like a dishonest businessman. He is suspicious, so don't come.]
After everyone had rested and recovered, early the next morning, Song Youning took all the staff of Zuixianzhai to the famous scenic spots in Lingnan.
Go to the famous Lingnan Lychee Garden to pick lychees.
As soon as everyone entered the entrance of the litchi orchard, they looked at the empty orchard and were speechless for a moment.
After a long time...
"Isn't it the peak season for lychees? Why is there no one here?" Xiao Liuzi was the first to express his doubts.
The scholar Mu Qi looked around and asked, "Did we come to the wrong place?"
Xiao Liuzi flipped open the map in his hand, looked at it for a long time, and pointed at the sign in front of him: "Yes, it's this!"
It is the lychee season in Lingnan. The lychee orchards should be bustling with tourists and busy with fruit farmers, but it is surprisingly quiet.
Only the bright red lychees hung heavy on the tree, and even the lowest branches were just within reach.
"Chun Tao,"
Song Youning lowered his voice: "Don't you think... this garden looks like it's been specially cleared? Why is it so quiet?"
Chun Tao looked around and thought, "Maybe it's because the weather is too hot today and there are not many tourists..."
Song Youning narrowed his eyes, raised his hand and picked a lychee from the tree. The skin was bright red and plump. With a gentle squeeze, the juice overflowed.
She took a bite and found it juicy, sweet but not greasy.
In the garden, the lychee trees have low-hanging branches that hang down just right, so you can reach out and pick the fullest fruits.
"……tasty."
She couldn't help but pick a few more.
(But isn’t this too convenient?)
She looked up and found that even the lychees on the top of the tree were hanging very low, as if they had been deliberately adjusted by someone.
Are the branches of lychee trees all very low? Song Youning fell into deep thought...
Deep in the litchi orchard, several "fruit farmers" were busy pressing tree branches.
"Hurry, hurry! The princess is coming this way!"
"This one! This one is the sweetest! Lower the tree so the princess can pick it."
"Where's the ladder? Hurry! Don't let her see it! Hurry up."
One of them wiped his sweat and complained quietly: "Master Li is really something. If the princess wants to eat, just let me pick it. Why make it so troublesome..."
"After all, we are palace guards. How can we come here and press down tree branches? How can we do that?"
Another person lowered his voice: "Shh! Are you tired of living? What do you know?"
The other person agreed and pressed the branch to the ground, as if he was sure that the princess would come to this tree.
They kept echoing: "That's right, that's right, you deserve to be single..."
"Sir... isn't there anything?" the guard complained.
Just as Song Youning was puzzled, an old farmer "happened" to come out from the depths of the garden and said with a smile:
"Sir..." His tone changed.
"Miss...you're so lucky! The garden just opened for picking today, and you're the first customer!"
Song Youning's cheeks twitched, and she murmured softly, "Miss Gong?"
She raised her eyebrows and replied in disbelief: "Really"
The old farmer laughed dryly: "Well...it's hot today, no one has come yet..."
She accidentally glanced at the old farmer's hands. They were very rough, with obvious marks on the base of the thumb, clearly left by years of drawing the bow.
She smiled, but she understood instantly: "Old man, your hands... don't look like those of someone who has been doing farm work all year round?"
The old farmer froze and immediately put his hands behind his back: "Well... I was a soldier when I was young, haha..."
A breeze blew by, and the branches and leaves of the litchi tree rustled, revealing a few hiding figures.
Some people were busy removing the ladders, while others were still holding freshly picked green lychees in their hands, apparently to replace the unripe fruits.
Deep in the woods, there was a strangely familiar figure, wearing a bamboo hat and drinking tea...
She looked down at the heavy lychees in her hand, then looked at the people running around and the white shadow, and suddenly chuckled.
"Chun Tao,"
She said slowly, "You say... these lychees from Lingnan are particularly sensible?"
Chun Tao smiled and said, "Yes, yes, he's ridiculously sensible..."
"The people in Lingnan are simple and honest, and the lychees are sweet. Write a letter back and tell them that this princess will stay here for a long time and will not return to Bianliang." Song Youning deliberately spoke loudly.
Li Funing's hand holding the cup trembled suddenly, and the green tea splashed onto his white robe, leaving a large tea stain.
And the girl's clear voice came through the trees again:
"It would be even better if you could find a handsome man."
The porcelain cup was crushed by Li Funing.
The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and she continued to add fuel to the fire:
"I heard there's a house for sale in the south of the city. Let's go take a look tomorrow."
Then Jingwen's panicked voice came over: "Master! Why did you crack the teacup?!"
Song Youning smiled when he heard Jingwen's voice, then sat down under the lychee tree, slowly peeling the lychees and stuffing them into his mouth, muttering:
"Actually, it doesn't matter where you live, the key is..."
She deliberately dragged out the tone, and caught a glimpse of the corner of Yue Bai's clothes flashing behind the tree in her peripheral vision.
"I need to find a man who can climb trees and pick lychees, who can make me happy. As long as he's not like Li Funing, who forces me to recite and write every day, it's fine."
Seeing the white figure motionless, Song Youning deliberately raised his voice to Chuntao:
"I think the men from Lingnan are good, with straightforward personalities. Just... that guy selling sugar paintings just now, he's handsome. Why not take him back and make him my son-in-law? He can even make sugar paintings to cheer me up."
"Crack..."
There was a sound of branches breaking behind me.
"Princess, have you asked for my opinion on finding a son-in-law?" A familiar voice came from behind.
She turned around and saw a man in white clothes and a conical hat standing under the tree, with the branch in his hand broken in two.
(Tsk, you can’t hold your temper anymore?)
She pretended not to recognize him and walked over with a smile:
"Hey, big brother, do you know the marriage customs in Lingnan? I'm thinking of settling down here."
Li Funing clenched his knuckles tightly and squeezed out a few words from between his teeth:
"Men from Lingnan...are so vulgar and unworthy, I'm afraid they are not worthy of girls."
"Although Lingnan houses are beautiful, they are damp and prone to rashes."
When she looked up, she found that Li Funing had taken off his hat at some point, revealing a handsome face.
As if he had thought of something, his furrowed brows relaxed, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he analyzed seriously:
"Also, Lingnan is full of mosquitoes, hot and humid in the summer, and cold and damp in the winter. Living there for a long time can cause joint pain."
She raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled: "Master Li, are you... trying to persuade me not to stay here?"
He raised his eyes, thought for a moment, and suddenly a cunning glint flashed in his eyes:
"No, I am recommending myself."
"?"
"Although the men in Bianjing are not as good as the men in Lingnan in making the princess happy..."
"But the men in Bianjing are thoughtful and considerate! For example, I can drive away insects, make soup, write an outline, govern the country, and most importantly, please my father-in-law and even bring my own high-ranking official salary."
"The most important thing is... I am warm, unlike the men of Lingnan who are cold. I can do it at night..."
"Princess, it's a sure win!"
Li Funing moved closer and closer, almost wanting to hit her in the face.
“…”
Song Youning was stunned. She didn't expect him to be so proactive. Her face flushed red. "Li Funing, do you have any shame?!"
He smiled slightly, turned around and walked towards the desk, slowly writing:
Petition from the Prince Consort
Specialties: Suppressing bandits, picking lychees, governing the country, coaxing father-in-law, and warming the bed.
Advantages: Hardworking and available at any time.
Bonus: If your family is well-off, all the money will be used as a betrothal gift, without leaving a single cent.
Song Youning stared at the contract line: "Lifetime", and the tips of his ears turned even redder: "You..."
“…Shame on you!”
In the distant bushes, Jingwen covered his eyes and said to the officers and soldiers, "Those without wives, take note! This tactic of our master is called 'retreat to advance!' Everyone, learn from this..."
Another soldier murmured quietly: "Why do I feel that it is shameless..."
Before he finished speaking, a lychee hit Li Funing on the head with precision.
He touched his head and said to Song Youning in a wronged tone, "If the princess thinks I am not considerate enough..."
The possessed person also wrote: "Revised version of the petition to the Prince Consort."
"I have also prepared a revised version. Princess, please feel free to ask for anything..."
Jingwen: ...Master, you are really promising
Song Youning laughed out loud in anger. She had never seen him like this before. "Li Funing, have you changed all the official documents from the Prime Minister's Mansion into love poems?"
"I dare not."
He said seriously, "Official documents are official documents, and love letters are love letters. I distinguish them clearly. If the princess wants a love poem, I can write it..."
......
"What's this?"
She pointed to the last page of the booklet.
Li Funing's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly held her hand: "This is my indenture, please take a look, Princess."
Song Youning: ...
Song Youning looked at Lord Li, who usually had a cold and solemn expression, and was now promoting himself like a street vendor. He didn't know whether to be angry or laugh.
"Lord Li."
She narrowed her eyes, "Where did you learn all these moves?"
Li Funing said calmly, "I learned this from the princess. I found the 'Da Gan Fengwu Zhi: A Merchant's Guide to Bargaining' written by the princess quite inspiring."
"So I studied all of the princess's works and came to a conclusion..."
"Hmm?" Song Youning asked suspiciously.
"The princess likes this one... the one that's been pursued..."
“…”
She finally couldn't stand it anymore and grabbed his collar: "What nonsense are you talking about..."
Li Funing took advantage of the situation and pulled her closer, whispering in her ear, "Princess, since you are so proactive... then I... would rather obey your command."
“…”
In the distant bushes, the guards all turned around, their faces flushed. Jing Wen was heartbroken: "It's over, it's over. Master has brought shame upon the Li family and all eighteen generations of our ancestors..."
The guard holding down the branch whispered, "Lord Li appears to be a gentleman on the surface, but I didn't expect him to be so... wild behind the scenes..."
"After all, the lord is already 24 years old, at the age of full vigor and vitality. Now the princess still doesn't want him. If he doesn't use some tricks..." another person echoed.
"Ouch"
Before he could finish his words, Jing Wen gave everyone a slap on the head: "How dare you talk behind my back, Master Cricket? Do you think your life is too long?"
Under the litchi tree, Song Youning's hand that was grabbing Li Funing's collar was suddenly held back.
The temperature of his palm was so hot that she subconsciously wanted to step back, but he grabbed her waist.
"Since the princess is so proactive?"
Li Funing opened the "Petition to Become a Prince Consort" like a magician: "Which one should I start with?"
She glanced at the side of the paper and saw the words written on it:
1. Insect Repellent Service (with back patting and sleep-inducing service)
2. Decoction for removing dampness (with hand-feeding)
3. Bed Warming Service (with designated clothing)
"you..."
Her ears flushed red as she pointed at the third rule, "What kind of rule is this?!"
Li Funing said righteously: "Didn't the princess always say that she felt cold sleeping alone when she was little?" Then he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"I have a warm constitution, so I can personally...warm the princess's quilt..."
"Shut up!"
She hastily pulled her hand away, but knocked the jade pendant off his waist, revealing the newly engraved small words on the inside: Youning
"bite……"
The jade pendant collided with the ground, and the crisp sound broke the silence.
Song Youning looked at his jade pendant engraved with "Youning".
This jade pendant originally came in pairs. It was given to her by her father when she was born. She and Li Funing each had one, and the pendants were named after each other. (This means they were engaged from childhood.)
"you……"
She looked up at him, "You've been carrying it with you?"
Li Funing touched the jade pendant, rubbing his fingertips over the name in the middle: "Yes, I'm waiting for the princess to fulfill her promise..."
Song Youning was startled, and suddenly remembered many years ago...
The seven-year-old girl held up the jade pendant and vowed to him, "Brother Funing, when we grow up, if you return the jade pendant, I will marry you!"
Li Funing was only seven years old at the time, but he had already learned to scold her with a stern face: "Princess, be careful with your words."
"That was just a childhood joke!"
Her ears felt hot and she forced herself to glare at him.
Li Funing suddenly took a step forward, hooked his fingertips, and picked out a red rope from her waist.
Hanging on the rope was another jade pendant, with the words "Funing" clearly visible on the inside.
"Since the princess is wearing it..."
He smiled, his dimples hinting at a teasing tone. "Why bother being so stubborn?"
"Now that the princess has remembered, can you please fulfill your promise..."
"Princess, choose one, or do you want to clear my name or give me a proper status?"
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