Yongjin Temple began its renovations, and Fu Yueli finally found time to return to the palace. He'd only stayed there until noon, then hurried off to Yongjin Temple or the palace to report on the situation. In short, he never returned. Upon learning of his return, Shi Mingyue personally cooked a few simple dishes for the two of them to dine alone that evening.
The table was filled with home-cooked dishes. Although they didn't look as good as those made by the chef at home, Fu Yueli felt that they tasted the best he had ever tasted in his life. Therefore, he finished all the dishes without wasting a single bit.
Seeing this, Shi Mingyue said helplessly: "If you can't eat, then don't eat. Eating too much will make you uncomfortable."
Fu Yueli smiled and said, "I can eat it. Otherwise, if it's wasted, I'll feel even more uncomfortable."
"Then I will definitely make less next time." Shi Mingyue could only move her chopsticks more.
Strangely enough, she was incredibly confident in her own cooking. She felt that while the presentation might not be as good as a chef's, the taste was just as good. When she cooked for herself, she was meticulous about every detail. First, her hair was always tied up and wrapped in a headscarf; otherwise, a single hair in the dish would be unappetizing. Secondly, the vegetables and rice were washed thoroughly, and the chopping board and knife, of course, also had to be scrubbed clean. The stove and floor also had to be spotless; otherwise, she wouldn't be in the mood to cook.
So she rarely cooked, because it was too much trouble. But for Fu Yueli, she was willing to spend an entire afternoon in the kitchen. Thinking of him made her feel sweet, and she hoped he could enjoy the food she had carefully prepared. Therefore, no matter how troublesome and tedious the cooking process was, she felt it was worth it.
After dinner, the two strolled through the courtyard. The garden had been designed by painters from the palace's painting academy. After the palace's renovation, some newly transplanted flowers hadn't adapted to the local soil, and many had withered. Shi Mingyue suggested they go to the flower market tomorrow, and Fu Yueli readily agreed.
The next morning, they went to the flower market to choose flowers themselves. Funny thing is, after spending a long time picking flowers, they didn't buy any flowers, but kumquat seedlings.
The vendor, noticing their extraordinary demeanor, assumed they must have seen all sorts of rare flowers, so he creatively recommended kumquats. He explained that they were evergreen, produced small, fragrant white flowers, and, in autumn, each tree bore abundant fruit. Shi Mingyue was captivated by his words, and Fu Yueli, who had complete control over the matter, placed an order.
The two continued to stroll around the flower market. It was called a flower market, but more accurately it should be called a flower and bird market. It not only sold flowers and plants, but also birds, turtles, goldfish and other small animals.
"Hello! Hello!" This greeting was not said by a human, but by a snow-white cockatoo.
Shi Mingyue and Fu Yueli stopped and looked at the parrot curiously. The parrot was locked in a cage and was also looking at them, saying hello and jumping up and down in the cage.
The parrot seller was very clever. Seeing this, he immediately came to the door and said, "This parrot is destined to be with you and likes you too. Buy it!"
Shi Mingyue looked at Fu Yueli inquiringly. Fu Yueli nodded slightly and then asked his followers to pay for the parrot.
"This parrot is very smart and can speak a lot of words. You can continue to teach it. But don't let it out when you take it home. Keep it locked up for a few days before letting it out for a walk, otherwise it will run away." The boss instructed carefully.
Shi Mingyue listened carefully and asked the boss to write down detailed feeding methods before she and Fu Yueli took the parrot back home.
Passing by the master's residence on the way, Fu Yueli took the initiative to say: "It's been a long time since I went back to see my parents-in-law. Do you want to go there today?"
Shi Mingyue naturally agreed and asked the servants to take the parrot back to take good care of it. She and Fu Yueli got off the car at the entrance of the master's house. When the master's wife saw them, she was very happy and busied herself with serving tea and water.
At this time, Shi Yuanshan and Shi Mingji were in Jingzhao Prefecture and Hanlin Academy respectively, and Mrs. Shi was bored at home alone. Shi Mingyue talked about buying kumquats and cockatoos just now, just as a small talk. As they chatted, they inevitably mentioned Shi Mingji's marriage. Jin Xiaowan was not in good spirits and health after falling into the water last time, so the marriage was postponed again and again, and it has not happened yet. Mrs. Shi sighed when she talked about it, "Your brother has changed a lot recently. He always goes out drinking with friends and comes home drunk at night."
Shi Mingyue thought her brother must be blaming himself, unable to express himself, and could only drink to drown his sorrows, so she could only offer a few words of comfort to her mother. Fu Yueli listened in on the entire situation, not saying a word, but listening intently.
As the sun was setting, the two men were about to leave, but Madam Shi urged them to stay, so they decided to stay the night. As expected, Shi Mingji didn't return that evening, so the family had a simple meal together. As the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, Shi Yuanshan couldn't discuss government affairs with Fu Yueli, so they soon went to rest.
Back in her room, she lay on the bed, only hearing the chirping of insects outside. Shi Mingyue grabbed Fu Yueli's hand and suddenly smiled: "You know, I woke up in this bed on the day of my rebirth."
"……Yeah."
"Well, I was really happy at that time, and I felt that God was so good to me. So that time in the tent in Zichuan Valley, my cousin asked me what the happiest thing in my life was, and I didn't answer, because at that time I felt that the happiest thing was being reborn. But now, if you ask me what the happiest thing is, I would answer that the greatest blessing in my life is that I met you." Shi Mingyue was not embarrassed at all, and said these words from her heart very sincerely and naturally.
She felt Fu Yueli suddenly tighten his grip on her hand, and said with emotion, "It's an honor, and so am I."
In the middle of the night, the two who were already fast asleep were awakened by a knock on the door. "Mingyue, Yueli?"
It was her mother. Shi Mingyue immediately got out of bed and opened the door. "What happened?"
Mrs. Shi said worriedly, "Your brother hasn't come back yet. I wanted to ask Xiang Tan to go check on him, but Xiang Tan went home to visit his relatives."
"Then I'll go. Mother-in-law doesn't have to worry. Where is my brother?" Fu Yueli had already started getting dressed behind the screen.
"...Let's go to Yicui Tower," Mrs. Shi said, finding it difficult to speak. After all, it wasn't a proper place. So as long as Shi Mingji didn't stay the night there, she and Shi Yuanshan would turn a blind eye and not bother to intervene. But if she did, and the Jin family found out, it would be difficult to explain.
Fu Yueli and Shi Mingyue finally understood why Madam Shi was so worried. Shi Mingyue said, "Don't worry, mother. Yueli will go and see her. You can go back and rest."
Madam Shi left with a lot on her mind. Fu Yueli also put on her clothes and told Shi Mingyue to go back to sleep: "You rest. I'll go get my brother back."
Shi Mingyue felt that his brother would not do anything reckless given his personality, so he didn't worry too much. He nodded, watched Fu Yueli leave, and went back to rest.
When Fu Yueli rushed to Yicui Tower, he heard the madam say that Shi Mingji was in Zanxing's room. He hurried upstairs, but saw an incredible scene: the girl Zanxing was standing in front of the door of her room, wiping her tears silently.
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