Chapter 41: Solo 22 He is still kneeling...
His hand couldn't reach in, and Chen Ying trembled all over through the thin undershirt.
He tried to get her permission by kneeling down, as if he was doing all this just to serve her better.
It's not for personal gain at all.
Chen Ying pinched his bare shoulders with her fingertips, "Who wants you to serve me like this?" Her voice was hoarse.
"When I was little, you taught me that if I wanted something, I had to fight for it. I listened to you and wanted you, so I took you in one step at a time. Is that wrong?"
In that moment of distraction, his hand suddenly slipped into the gap between her clothes, his palm pressed against the skin of her lower back and climbed up, his rough fingertips rolling over her spine.
She was speechless for a moment. At that time, she didn't know him very well, so she just said something that could be said to any child. She didn't expect that he was born to be a bully.
There is nothing wrong with saying that you should fight for what you want.
But he was too domineering in his fight, and if she wasn't paying attention, he would take further action.
"Let go..." Her words were quickly blocked in her throat by his sudden kiss.
He was still kneeling, he tilted his head back to kiss her, and used his long and powerful arms to hold her neck and lower her originally held high head.
"You see, Am isn't unwilling either." He hummed vaguely, his fingertips touching the straps on her chest and gently pulling them.
His kiss followed, Chen Ying screamed and pushed him away, pulling her clothes together, and he sat back on the ground.
It was noon and the sun shone through, making his back glow.
The good child had grown up, bared his sharp fangs, and was no longer satisfied with the small rewards she had given him in the past.
Chen Jinshi just looked at her and smiled, and really didn't go any further.
She threw his clothes over his head and said, "Put them on and get out."
Chen Jinshi slowly took off his clothes, with a bit of nonchalant mischief on his face, but he put the clothes on obediently.
Chen Ying turned her face away, her ears burning uncontrollably.
He had already fastened his belt and walked a few steps closer to her: "Amu, I'm going to study, you be good."
She looked up and glared at him, but met his smiling eyes.
This person never called her "Amu" in private before, but now he calls her that all the time.
"Get lost." She squeezed out a word from between her teeth, turned around and walked towards the dressing table, her steps still a little unsteady.
It snowed heavily on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and it had been about half a month since Grandma came home.
The family discussed and decided to move to the capital before the New Year.
Firstly, Chen Jinxing had accepted the job at the Imperial Hospital and would have to stay in Beijing to do his work; secondly, Chen Jinshi would also have to go to Beijing to take the exam next spring. Instead of going back and forth then, it would be better for the whole family to move there directly.
The Chen family's business affairs were temporarily assisted by several old shopkeepers, and Chen Ying's "Dulan Mongolian Medicine" was handed over to Su Lanzhou for care.
Chen Ying had previously planned to open a medicine shop in Jinling, hoping to have somewhere to go and something to do even if she left the Chen family. But now… not to mention that her two brothers' futures lay in the capital, she couldn't just pretend to leave the Chen family while still seeing Chen Jinshi constantly. She planned to return to Loufan after Chen Jinshi finished his exams, and had already written home to inform her father and brother.
Perhaps it was her destiny that she could not stay in Jinling.
The branches of the plum blossoms in Tinglan Garden were already dotted with buds. Chen Ying was sitting leisurely by the window, while Zhang Ruoling was checking the list of boxes and crates going to Beijing beside her, and chatting with her from time to time.
"Jinyun's fox fur coat and the jackets she often wore have all been folded and packed in the camphorwood box. Shi Ge'er has too many book boxes, so I asked the servants to pack them separately."
Chen Ying looked at the falling snow outside the window. The plum branches were slightly drooping due to the weight, and the snow flakes were falling down.
"Everything is in order," she replied softly. "His books must be sorted and labeled so he can find them when he gets them."
Zhang Ruoling pursed her lips and smiled. "Yes, that's what I did. Speaking of which, my second brother has been working very hard these days, getting up before dawn every day to review his lessons. He will definitely be able to pass the imperial examination and bring us home next spring. If he can do that, when we're talking about marriage in two years, his eyes will be able to grow even taller than before."
A family that has produced a Jinshi (imperial scholar) is naturally different. As the eldest sister-in-law, Zhang Ruoling is willing to take care of Chen Jinshi and hopes that he will pass the exam.
Chen Ying looked at her with a smile and teased, "Sister, aren't you afraid that the new sister-in-law is from a better family and will surpass you?"
Zhang Ruoling blushed slightly as she pinched the cards in her hand and stammered, "There's an order of seniority. No matter what, I'm not inferior to anyone in terms of status. Naturally, I hope for the best for my second brother."
Chen Ying gently avoided Zhang Ruoling's gaze and looked at the ripples caused by the teacup in her hand, slightly stunned.
Yes, if Chen Jinshi wanted to marry her and she became the second wife in the mansion, what would that look like?
It's totally upside down and out of order.
It’s not that she is unwilling to be humble. By then, Zhang Ruoling will become her elder sister-in-law and sit above her.
This is just... really weird.
In such a family, in such a house, it seems like it is against the will of heaven.
Chen Ying shook her head gently. Besides, how long could the enthusiasm of young people last? She was just thinking about it.
"It's still too early to talk about this. Besides, it's up to you as the eldest sister-in-law to decide what kind of wife he gets. Just pick one that suits your taste. It doesn't have to be from a wealthy family. A family that gets along well with each other is the best." Chen Ying said.
Zhang Ruoling heard this and asked tentatively, "From what Am said, could it be that in the mansion, you no longer know..."
"Yes. Next spring, after my brother finishes his exams, it will be about time for me to leave. But you must not tell him this."
Zhang Ruoling nodded: "I know."
On the early morning of the twelfth lunar month, when the weather was still warm, the two brothers only sent a message to the old man and the old lady in advance. Before they could react, we were about to set off.
The two brothers lost their mother and father, and it seemed that they would never amount to anything. But in the blink of an eye, one of them got a job in the Imperial Hospital, and the other was going to Beijing to take the imperial examinations. They had a bright future ahead of them.
Maids and servants were walking back and forth on the thin snow, carrying boxes, and servants were carrying book boxes. Chen Ying was wearing a dark blue cloak with a gray squirrel fur edge. It was dark, and she cheered up to help Zhang direct the work.
"Handle the boxes of books carefully."
As she was speaking, a hand came up to support her lower back. The scent of Chen Jinshi was too familiar. She didn't need to turn around to know who was standing next to her.
He naturally took her hand and shook it.
"Amu, your hands are a little cold, let me warm them for you."
He held both of her hands in his palms in public.
But he said this loudly, so no one in the room thought that his action was inappropriate.
Even Zhang, who was standing beside her, smiled and said, "It was said that my brother was very filial. Now that I have seen it, I know it is true."
Chen Ying felt the warmth and roughness of his fingertips and was speechless.
Chen Jinshi glanced at his eldest sister-in-law indifferently and thought to himself: This woman is so slow and not as smart as his brother.
Chen Ying held his hand for a while, then gently pulled it back. It was not good to hold her hand like this all the time.
Seeing that her hand had warmed up, Chen Jinshi did not resist. He just let go of her and casually rubbed his hand against her neck.
"Amu, the straps of your cloak are loose. Let me tie them for you."
He stood facing her, lacing the clothes very slowly, deliberately making it take an infinite amount of time.
Their breaths mingled, and the fluffy fox fur at the collar of the cloak trembled slightly. Zhang Ruoling smiled kindly beside them.
After a while, Chen Jinxing also came, and Chen Jinshi happened to step aside and stand side by side with Shen Ying.
"The carriage is ready and the snow is a little lighter. If we don't leave now, we'll be delayed again." Chen Jinxing said.
Chen Ying nodded, turned around and told the maid to move the last basket of charcoal to the cart. Chen Jinshi followed her closely, and Chen Jinxing felt that he was like a dog that couldn't leave its master.
Chen Jinyun followed Zhang with sleepy eyes. Although she was not used to it, she knew that she should not rely on her mother anymore. In the future, it would be her eldest sister-in-law who should take care of her at home.
Five people, two large carriages.
Chen Jinxing and Chen Jinshi were in front, and Chen Ying, Zhang Ruoling and Chen Jinyun were behind.
Zhang wanted to help Chen Ying get on the carriage first, but Chen Jinshi took over. He lifted the heavy curtain for her, bowed slightly in front of outsiders, and placed his palms lightly on her head.
Chen Ying took a last look at the house. She might not come back here again. If she wanted to leave next year, she would probably leave directly.
This house is filled with memories of her and the general. It was because the general brought her here that she established connections with the people in the house and with Chen Jinshi...
Chen Jinshi reluctantly let go of her elbow. Chen Ying had already taken a seat in the carriage. Then Chen Jinshi helped his wife up. As newlyweds, their actions showed affection and tenderness.
Chen Ying leaned against the car wall, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the fox fur on the collar of her cloak.
"Mom, this is for you." Jinyun held a pile of hazelnut kernels wrapped in a handkerchief in her hand.
Chen Ying was stunned for a moment. This handkerchief was the one that Chen Jinshi had found in her closet that day.
"My second brother asked me to give it to you."
Zhang Ruoling smiled and said, "Brother Shi may look rough, but he's actually more considerate than anyone else."
Chen Ying took the handful of peeled hazelnut kernels and put one in her mouth. The fresh fragrance of the nuts spread on her tongue, and her heart felt sour and soft.
Others cannot see through it and just think those things are called "filial piety" and "consideration", but they don't know the unbearable emotions mixed underneath.
Trapped in such a dark and gloomy mood, Chen Ying almost couldn't forgive herself again. Even the hazelnut kernel on the tip of her tongue gradually turned bitter.
A corner of their car curtain was suddenly lifted, and then Chen Jinshi's face was hanging there, his eyes fixed on her, and he smiled brightly: "Mom, ask me for more after you finish eating."
It turned out that he did not get on the carriage, but rode a horse and followed closely beside their carriage.
Chen Ying looked up at him in surprise and met his clear eyes.
Before she could open her mouth, Zhang said, "Ah! Shi'er, it's so cold, why are you riding a horse outside?"
Chen Jinshi didn't lower the curtain immediately. He just looked at Chen Ying and said, "By the way, Mom, have you seen the flowers in your garden bloom? I broke off some branches and put them on the top shelf of your box, wrapped them in cotton wool. They should still be able to survive when we get to Beijing."
That was a flower that she had tried so hard to grow but couldn't. A while ago, she listened to Chen Jinshi and buried fish intestine fertilizer in it, and it actually bloomed this winter.
Chen Jinshi then smiled and waved to his sister-in-law: "I'm in good health, not as weak as my brother, don't worry."
He finally lowered the car curtain, and those clear and sincere eyes were completely blocked out.
Chen Ying pinched the hazelnut kernel in her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly.
He left her sight, and even though she knew he was following her closely, she still... couldn't get out.
His smile was imprinted on her heart, burning it and making her feel uneasy.
"This kid really took your preferences to heart." Zhang Ruoling straightened Chen Jinyun's cloak, her tone full of emotion. "You should have stayed in the mansion. If you wanted to leave, I really don't know what kind of trouble he would cause."
Chen Ying hummed and stuffed another hazelnut into her mouth.
If she stayed in the mansion, she didn't know what would happen in the end.
Bite it gently with the tip of your teeth, then chew it slowly and savor the flavor.
The sound of horse hooves outside the car coincided with the rhythm of the wheels, neither fast nor slow, stepping on her heart.
Chen Ying quietly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain. Chen Jinshi was on horseback, wearing a black cloak. He turned around as if sensing something, and his gaze met hers. She was about to retreat, but she saw the smile on his lips.
She was stunned for a moment, staring at him blankly.
He pulled the reins closer to her: "Am, what's wrong?"
Chen Ying suddenly lowered the car curtain, her ears burning: "Nothing."
She heard a voice from outside again: "Am, if you want anything, just call me, I'm always here."
Chen Ying didn't say anything. Chen Jinyun came over and asked, "Amu, don't believe that Second Brother is so good. He is really bad."
Chen Ying's heart skipped a beat, but she smiled and said, "Did he bully you? I think he's been doing pretty well these days."
"No, Second Brother is not like that. Don't be fooled by him, Am. He is just pretending."
Zhang Ruoling laughed at the side: "Silly girl, your second brother is grown up now, and he is no longer as bad as before. Besides, your second brother respects you, your mother. This is the foundation of being a human being. How can you say he is pretending?"
Chen Jinyun said "Oh", and Chen Ying pressed her face against the slightly cool car wall to relieve the uncontrollable heat on her face.
When he came closer just now, the wind blew the breath from his body, and the refreshing and cold breath blew in his face.
She looked into his eyes, and he blatantly engraved his delusion in his eyes with the most frank attitude.
Her heart was beating like a drum.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage slowed down.
"There's a teahouse up ahead. Do you want to get off and have a rest?" Chen Jinshi's voice came through the car curtain.
The family is small and weak, so there is no need to rush all the time.
Chen Ying got off the carriage. The sun after the snow was a little dazzling.
There was a charcoal fire burning in the teahouse, and it was warm.
Chen Jinshi stepped forward to support her, frowned, and without saying anything, he wrapped her hand in his palm: "Why are your hands so cold?"
Zhang Ruoling took Chen Jinyun in first, leaving the two of them standing at the door.
The wind blew Xue Mozi over. He turned slightly to the side, blocked the wind with his shoulder, held her hands in his, and breathed gently.
"Are you feeling better? Are you still cold?"
Chen Jinxing walked over. When Chen Ying saw him, she withdrew her hand and turned to walk into the teahouse.
Chen Jinshi turned around and glanced at his brother. Chen Jinxing's eyes were deep, but he was not afraid. He said provocatively: "Come sooner or later."
Chen Jinxing immediately exposed him coldly: "It's much warmer in the teahouse than outside. You were worried that she would be cold, so why did you drag her to stand at the door?"
Chen Jinshi's eyes flashed with a smile, and he said: "Amu is annoying, she is afraid of the cold? Brother, you don't understand me at all."
Her hands were hot as fire from beginning to end.
"I don't understand your tricks." Chen Jinxing said with contempt.
As he spoke, Chen Jinxing walked around him and entered the teahouse.
Chen Jinshi followed in immediately.
The owner of the teahouse greeted the guests with a smile. The two gentlemen looked more imposing than the other.
Several people sat around a table.
"Bring me a pot of hot tea and some light snacks." Chen Jinxing, now the head of the family, had his own authority when he went out. "What would Jinyun like to eat?"
Chen Jinyun said, "I want sugar cakes and shortbread."
Chen Jinxing was about to ask Chen Ying again, but the shopkeeper had already brought the hot tea over. Seeing the table of distinguished guests, two by two, with a little girl by their side, he said, "It's cold outside. Please have some hot tea and relax."
Seeing Chen Jinshi taking Chen Ying's hand and putting it in his pocket again, he joked: "This gentleman really cares about his wife."
After hearing this, Chen Jinxing remained calm, but Zhang Ruoling opened her mouth to explain for him.
Chen Jinshi spoke first: "This is my mother, so of course I have to pay more attention to her."
The shopkeeper was stunned. He had just misjudged the customer, which was a serious sin in front of the guests. He apologized profusely: "Then you are really filial."
Chen Ying pulled her hand back in shock. Chen Jinshi, you...
Chen Jinshi was still frank. He pulled her hand over again and rubbed it: "Amu just got out of the car. Are you cold?"
The tone was intimate and natural, and Chen Ying had no idea what to do with him.
"The shortbread is here." Zhang Ruoling finally sensed a hint of secretiveness. She took a shortbread and handed it to Chen Jinyun, "Take it and eat it."
Chen Jinshi couldn't stay still, so he peeled another chestnut and handed it to her lips.
Chen Ying turned her head to avoid it, but his hand followed again. If she dodged again, the action would be too obvious.
He opened his mouth, bit it gently, and put it in his mouth.
Chen Jinshi became more and more aggressive, constantly putting a lot of things into her mouth, and she swallowed them one by one.
After resting for about half an hour, the wind and snow gradually subsided, and Chen Jinxing said, "We must hurry on. We need to stay in the town ahead tonight."
Chen Ying breathed a sigh of relief. In this place, everyone was judging her as Chen Jinshi's mother.
But she had to swallow his feeding mouthful by mouthful and accept his fingertips rubbing against her lips.
He was calm and composed, but she could never be.
She stood up, and he immediately grasped the cloak's straps in his hands. His fingertips gently stroked the piece of brocade and whispered, "Am, I'll gather your cloak for you."
This action seemed normal to others. After all, he was such a filial child.
Only Chen Ying knew the warmth his thumb felt when it brushed against the side of her neck.
She stood stiffly, letting him play with her until Chen Jinxing coughed impatiently, and then he slowly let go of her hand.
When getting on the bus, he still held her arm, and Chen Ying lowered her head and got into the car.
The car curtain fell, blocking his sight, but it couldn't block the touch that followed him like a shadow.
Chen Ying leaned against the corner, her fingertips touching the belt he had just tied. She recalled countless times how he had stretched that action to such a long time.
Zhang Ruoling asked Chen Jinyun to go to sleep. Seeing her staring out the car window in a daze, she whispered, "Shi Ge'er really cares about you."
Chen Ying pulled the corner of her mouth: "He has been clingy since he was a child."
Zhang looked at her quietly for a while, and had a guess in her mind, but she didn't know whether she should ask it out loud.
Chen Ying couldn't stand it anymore. She began to be glad that Jin Xing knew about this first. At least she wouldn't feel like she was being scrutinized in front of him.
However, in this carriage, she could not stand Zhang Ruoling's temptation. She didn't know whether to tell the truth or continue to pretend to be ignorant.
This problem shouldn't have fallen on her.
She lifted the car curtain: "Chen Jinshi."
Chen Jinshi rode his horse in front of her, and the horse's hooves moved forward in rhythm with the wheels.
"Are there any extra horses? I want to come down and ride, too."
Chen Jinshi immediately smiled: "Yes, Mom, I'll help you down."
The carriage stopped, and Zhang Ruoling was a little surprised. She knew that Miss Shen was annoying, but she didn't know that she was a woman who could ride a horse in such a snowy mountain.
Chen Ying didn't need his help, she got out of the car with a single step of her long legs.
Chen Jinshi felt a little regretful. He withdrew his hand awkwardly, got off the horse, and led a horse from the back of the team forward.
Chen Jinxing advised: "Mom, the roads are slippery in the snow, it's not safe to ride a horse..."
"That's fine."
Chen Ying took the horsewhip handed to her by Chen Jinshi. When her fingertips touched the cold leather, she felt a long-lost sense of familiarity.
Chen Jinshi gathered her cloak and put the hood over her head: "If you feel uncomfortable, stop."
Chen Ying didn't respond, and didn't even step into the stirrups. She pushed herself up with her hands and flew up. She opened her cloak and sat astride the horse.
The horse was not very docile. As soon as she got on, it exhaled from its nose.
Once she sat on a high place, overlooking the mountains, and the cool breeze blew on her face, Chen Ying felt much more comfortable.
She shook her wrist slightly and lightly raised the whip on the horse's buttocks. The horse seemed to know the hint from the person on its back and immediately calmed down and took small steps forward.
Chen Ying was not satisfied with this. She whipped the horse's hooves, and the snow was crushed by the horse's hooves, splashing up a cloud of snow mist.
Chen Jinshi smiled but didn't rush to catch up. His horse trotted to Chen Jinxing and said, "Brother, did you see that? You guys walk slowly. I'm going to catch up with Am. We're walking very fast. Not only can your carriage not keep up, but those rumors and worldly rules will also have no chance of catching up. I'm leaving now."
Before Chen Jinxing could react, Chen Jinshi had already whipped him.
Chen Jinxing called out to him, "Chen Jinshi!"
Chen Jinshi impatiently reined in his horse, turned around, and looked down at him with contempt: "What else?"
"Take good care of her, you are not a child anymore." Chen Jinxing lowered the car curtain and spoke in a low voice.
Chen Ying heard the sound of horse hooves getting closer behind her, but she didn't look back, she just urged the horse to run faster.
The wind blew snowflakes against her face, stinging slightly, but it also brought some clarity to her troubled mind. She loved this pace, loved the absence of prying eyes in the wind, the pure freedom that belonged only to her.
She is free in person, in soul, and naturally in feelings.
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