Chapter 439 The First Ferocious Beast of Dahe Village
The weather was sunny with a gentle breeze.
This was the day Cheng Wanwan was hosting a lotus-viewing banquet.
As soon as the sun rose, she told the two sisters, Wei Hongying and Wei Hongyan, to wait at the village entrance and bring them directly to the courtyard when someone arrived.
Several tables were set up in the courtyard, with many exotic snacks and fruits on them. Tea was being brewed in the kitchen behind the courtyard, and the rich aroma of tea filled the air.
These ladies, probably fearing they would have to face Lady Sui alone if they came, actually agreed to come together.
More than a dozen ladies disembarked from their carriages, half of them accompanied by their daughters and maids, making a large procession of thirty or forty people.
“This Dahe Village is really different from other villages. The roads are wide and flat,” Madam Qian exclaimed. “The farmland is neat and the farmers are busy. It’s a beautiful rural scene. No wonder Madam Sui doesn’t want to leave here.”
Madam Zheng nodded in agreement: "The Cao family has also bought property in Dahe Village. It is said that Lord Shen also wants to buy a piece of land in Dahe Village. It seems that this place is truly a treasure land."
The group chatted as they walked, and soon arrived at the entrance of the courtyard.
Cheng Wanwan stood at the door to greet them, smiling and saying, "You must all be tired from your journey. Please have some tea first, and then go admire the lotus flowers."
Everyone nodded and walked inside, looking around the small courtyard with great curiosity.
When they saw the mud-brick house, they all looked incredulous. It was said that the Emperor had bestowed many fine things upon Lady Sui, and Lady Sui herself was also in business, so she should be very wealthy. How could she still live in such a small and dilapidated house?
However, they dared not say these words aloud, and could only offer flattering words.
"There are so many flowers in this little courtyard. It's so pleasant to drink tea and admire the flowers at the same time."
"Mrs. Sui's family also keeps three dogs. They look so well-behaved. May I pet them?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Little Dot opened his mouth and let out a loud howl, looking quite fierce.
Mrs. Lin was startled: "Why does it look like a wolf?"
Cheng Wanwan coughed and said, "This is indeed a wild wolf from the mountains. It's quite friendly, so we keep it at home."
Everyone: "..."
Keeping wolves at home? This Lady Sui is incredibly audacious.
The ladies struggled to look away and gazed at the large white geese that emerged from the backyard.
"These geese have snow-white feathers; Madam Sui must have put in a lot of effort."
"Their walking is so funny and cute."
Some young ladies were completely unable to resist the sight of snow-white animals, their eyes sparkling as they gazed at the white goose.
The white geese seemed to know they had become the center of attention, and they all raised their necks and walked towards Cheng Wanwan. Cheng Wanwan reached out and casually touched them.
Ms. Zheng felt a little itchy to touch it, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to touch the goose's back.
Just then, the goose suddenly turned around, its feathers bristling, and pounced on Miss Zheng, its large beak open, its target Miss Zheng's wrist.
"Big White, shut up!"
Cheng Wanwan shouted, but the goose didn't stop moving. Miss Zheng was so frightened that her face turned pale.
"We have guests today, let's make a braised goose in an iron pot!"
Upon hearing this, the large white goose suddenly stopped, but couldn't stop its momentum and fell headfirst to the ground. Then, it got up as if nothing had happened, turned around and walked over, nuzzling against Cheng Wanwan.
Cheng Wanwan: "..."
She had been craving goose meat for a long time, but these five geese were practically sentient; every time she was about to make her move, they would come and fawn over her.
When she's too lazy to manage them, these five geese reign supreme in the yard, and even Xiaodian has to go around them.
Si Dan labeled these five geese as: the number one ferocious beast in Dahe Village.
Everyone was stunned.
If a goose is this fierce, there's a wolf over there too; it must be even more terrifying.
Some of them had previously held a slight sense of disdain, but now they have put that thought away.
For Lady Sui, a mere peasant woman, to receive such a reward from the Emperor must be extraordinary. Moreover, she holds the rank of seventh grade and is still willing to live in this farmhouse. It must be because every plant, tree, chicken, dog, and livestock in this courtyard is different from others.
Upon reflection, everyone noticed the difference.
For example, the teacup in my hand is exceptionally beautiful. It has blue and white porcelain decorations and feels very smooth to the touch. I don't know where it came from.
For example, the tea in the teacup had a very mellow flavor, and those of them who were used to drinking good tea felt that it had endless meaning.
For example, the flowers blooming in the corner of the wall. If they are wildflowers from the mountains, it would be too grand. If they are peonies or orchids, why have I never seen them before?
Seeing that everyone had rested enough, Cheng Wanwan said, "The temperature is just right now, perfect for enjoying the flowers and boating on the lake. Ladies and gentlemen, let's go."
So, a large group of people headed towards the lotus pond.
Leaving the small courtyard gate, walking across the main road in front of the main entrance, and then onto the side path, a carriage stopped at that moment.
Cheng Wanwan assumed that one of the ladies had arrived late.
Then Madam Zheng stepped forward with a smile: "Feng'er, you've come at the right time. Would you like to go admire the lotus flowers together?"
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Zheng Wangfeng's face. Upon seeing so many people, he quickly got out of the carriage and said, "This junior greets Madam Sui and all the ladies."
Madam Qian praised, "Young Master Zheng is indeed a handsome man. Since we've met, let's go admire the lotus flowers together."
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam Qian," Zheng Wangfeng said politely. "I have come to pay my respects to Master Yu. Please forgive me for not keeping you company."
The story of Master Yu in Dahe Village was actually known to everyone in the area. After all, he was very famous back then, but later he became infamous. Twenty years later, two of his students passed the imperial examination and became scholars, one of whom even topped the list.
Regardless of what happened back then, Master Yu was truly talented.
Young Master Zheng's visit to Master Yu is likely in preparation for the provincial examination in a few months; it seems he has a good chance of passing.
Even after Zheng Wangfeng left, people were still talking about him.
Madam Zheng wore a proud smile and kept praising her son.
Cheng Wanwan found it strange. Master Yu had been in Dahe Village for almost half a year. Back then, Zhao'er and Xiao Zheng were in Dahe Village every day, but they never saw their classmate Zheng Wangfeng come to visit. How come he came so suddenly?
However, she remembered that when Zheng Wangfeng came to the village to admire the lotus flowers last time, he seemed to have bought Yu Fuzi's paintings. Perhaps he came to discuss painting techniques with Yu Fuzi.
She stopped thinking about it and led everyone to the lotus pond.
The lotus leaves range from light green to dark green, and the round leaves stretch out to the side of the boardwalk, swaying in the wind.
Several lotus buds have appeared in the center of the lake, leaping out of the water and swaying gracefully in the wind.
“I have specially prepared a boat for you all,” Cheng Wanwan said with a smile. “If you want to admire the lotus flowers up close, you can take a boat trip on the lake. Enjoying the lotus flowers from the boat has a unique charm.”
Madam Zheng said cheerfully, "We older folks can sit in the pavilion and admire the lotus blossoms, while the young ladies can enjoy the boat ride."
The young ladies who stayed in their boudoirs every day were overjoyed. With the help of their maids, they boarded the boat. Cao Yingying also boarded the boat to accompany them. The female boatman gently swung the bamboo pole, and the boat glided smoothly out, weaving through the lotus leaves.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
