Chapter 48 Fifty Taels Yun Yang stood up and placed the flowers in the porcelain vase by the window...
Yun Yang stood up and put the flowers in a porcelain vase by the window. The flowers contrasted beautifully with the flowing clouds in the sky and the green bamboo in the courtyard, creating a unique sense of spring.
She had just cried and her eyes were still wet, but when she looked at him, she burst into laughter again.
He loved to see her smile, and whenever she laughed heartily, he would also feel happy.
A few days ago, she came to apply medicine on his back every day. At first, he just wanted to get close to her, but he didn't expect that she would cry almost every time. In the end, he felt a little regretful.
Especially when she cried so hard that she leaned low on his back, with the soft and full breasts pressing against him.
Xue Yu couldn't help but wonder, this little girl looked so thin, when did she become so...
He was clearly not hot, but he was sweating all over, and the wound was itchy and painful. Xue Yu didn't know whether he was torturing himself or her.
Yun Yang arranged the flowers and went to the courtyard to fetch a handful of clear spring water to sprinkle on the petals. Xue Yu watched her back as she came in and out. The wind blew up the silver-gray gauze, covering the young man's strange face. He slowly raised his hand. The mottled tear marks on the back of his hand had dried up, leaving only crooked pale white traces.
He lowered his eyes and looked at it intently, put the back of his hand close to his lips and teeth, and curled up his thin lips. Finally, he tasted her flavor, which was a bit salty and wet, and a hint of bitterness.
A large desk was placed under the horizontal window, with lush greenery filtering through. The rice paper on the desk was spotless white. Yun Yang pushed open the armchair, sat on it, and lowered her head to write. These days, when she came to visit her brother-in-law, he would ask her to practice calligraphy.
There is no difference between writing in my own room and writing here with him. Here, I am surrounded by the scenery of Qinghu Lake, which is quiet and cool. I can also get more guidance from my brother-in-law. Why not do it?
A breeze blew by, the bamboo shadows swayed, and the hairpins in Yunyang's black hair made crisp jingling sounds.
Xue Yu leaned on the soft pillow, with the faint fragrance of flowers in his nostrils. He seemed unable to take his eyes away from the silhouette of the person who was writing seriously.
Writing is something that can calm the mind.
As Yun Yang wrote, he felt his heart calmer than ever before. His brother-in-law's ideals and ambitions, his hopes for the world, were all hidden in the manuscript he casually wrote.
There is also the travelogue written by her brother-in-law when he was young while traveling in Dazhao. Yun Yang couldn't help but wonder what that young man with bright clothes and a gallant horse looked like, and how he became the cold and self-respecting Xue Yu today.
Yun Yang stared blankly at the manuscript on the table. His brother-in-law was such a good man. He had a kind heart to save the world, let alone his own wife?
She is very confident about her sister's future.
"What are you thinking about?" Xue Yu asked.
Yun Yang was stunned. She didn't know when her brother-in-law walked behind her and looked down at the words she had just written.
Yun Yang waved her sleeves in a panic, trying to cover it up, "I haven't finished writing it yet, don't read it..."
He leaned over, as if to teach her, "When I was young, I used to hold a sandbag down while writing, so that my pen would be steady and not shake."
On the rice paper pressed by Yun Yang, the two words "Lingjun" were written clearly.
Xue Yu raised the corners of his lips, leaned over and half-entered her into his arms, put his palm on the back of her hand, held her hand, and guided her to write the two words "Yun Yang" stroke by stroke.
There were thin calluses on his fingertips, which rubbed Yun Yang's knuckles lightly, as if rubbing her heart. Yun Yang's heartbeat was deafening. Her name was written so beautifully by him!
She glanced sideways and met his sharp and smooth jawline, which was aloof and arrogant.
He hugged her, and the faint cold fragrance was mixed with the hint of medicine. A strand of long black hair hung on her temples, making her feel itchy.
Lingjun, with Yunyang next to him.
If you don't look closely, you will find that the strokes of these four characters are very similar.
Xue Yu also smiled with satisfaction.
"Brother-in-law, how do you write so beautifully? It seems like you can do everything well. At first I thought you were a nerd." Yun Yang said.
"The Dazhao imperial examination is not just about testing your knowledge." Xue Yu smiled faintly, with pride hidden in his smile.
"Ah? Then what's the exam for?" Yun Yang was a little surprised, looking at him expectantly. "I only heard from Daddy that during the imperial examination, people are locked up for several days and have to write non-stop. They can't leave until they finish."
The purple bamboo curtain was half-drawn, and the breeze brought the moisture from the Qinghu Lake. The horizontal window grilles cast a vague halo of light on the bright red flowers blooming on the branches.
Xue Yu stopped what he was doing and stared at her with his eyes lowered.
He knew that what she asked would be of no use to her even if he answered her. But her eyes were so expectant, full of a desire to explore the unknown things in this world, so he just wanted to answer seriously.
"It's true that the imperial examination tests one's knowledge, but those who ultimately succeed are all masters of the six arts," Xue Yu finally said. "Rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—basically, all children from aristocratic families never slack off in any of these areas from the time they are old enough to understand..."
"Oh, so my brother-in-law can also play the piano?" Yun Yang said in surprise.
Xue Yu's face was calm, he nodded slightly, and only the corners of his lips were slightly raised.
"My brother-in-law is an expert in both calligraphy and painting. Is he also good at riding and shooting?" Yun Yang asked suspiciously.
I glanced up at him and saw the outline of his strong chest vaguely visible through his slightly loose collar. I remembered that I applied medicine to him a few days ago. His back felt firm, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.
Xue Yu nodded.
"Ah, I really can't tell." Yun Yang sighed, "If that's the case, then military officers are also good at learning? Then why does our dynasty have civil and military officers? Why is it said that military officers are superior to civil officers? If civil officers need to be proficient in so many things, wouldn't they be at a disadvantage?"
"I've read what my brother-in-law wrote, and it makes perfect sense. If a scholar like my brother-in-law can write about how to organize the army and enforce military discipline, why do we still need to distinguish between civilian and military officials?"
In fact, in such a prosperous era, both civil and military officials are given equal importance above the third rank. To enter the official career, there can be no pure military generals, nor can there be civil officials who are unable to carry anything.
Her eyes were bright and her eyebrows were lively. When she bent down to pick up the unfinished manuscript of "The Strategy of Controlling the Army" on the table, he took the opportunity to stare at her delicate and beautiful eyebrows and lips.
It doesn't matter what she says.
Si Qing came in and watched the young man lean over from behind the armchair and completely embrace the second girl in his arms. Reflecting the spring spirit, the two of them had a kind of harmonious and equal affection flowing between them.
He remembered that when Miss Yun came to Fushan Pavilion to learn calligraphy, she always sat opposite the young master at the table.
"Brother-in-law, please say something." Yun Yang urged.
"What Yangyang said is right." He smiled faintly.
Si Qing turned her face away.
*
Chu Qin was a regular customer of Tianfu Tower. He had been assigned to Shuzhou for a public office for more than two months. When he finally returned, the girls in Tianfu Tower came up to greet him when they saw him. The scene was lively, with people hugging him left and right, and cheeks touching each other. It was very lively.
He eagerly hugged one of the girls into the room. When he came out half a minute later, the dusty young man's face was full of laziness after being satisfied.
The girl sang a few tunes on her zither. Chu Qin's narrow eyes sparkled and he poured a pot of wine. "Stop singing and come and chat with me. What's new in the time I've been away from the capital?"
The young girl's face showed two dimples. "There are so many new things. I wonder which one you want to hear first? I guess you want to hear this one..."
"A few days ago, the new top scholar was parading through the streets with flowers in his hair. We sisters were singing the Deer Singing Poem and dancing the Kuixing Dance at the railing, but people didn't even glance at us. This new top scholar is so boring."
Chu Qin chuckled. "What's the point of a new third place winner? Is that considered a new thing? What, am I yesterday's news?"
The young girl giggled and said, "Master Chu, are you jealous? That Lu Tanhua is not even half as charming and dashing as you, Master Chu! I think each one is worse than the last."
"Come here, let me take a good look at how much honey is on your little mouth!" Chu Qin waved his hand and took the girl into his arms.
The girl leaned against his chest shyly, "During the days when you were away from Beijing, Ying'er never received any other guests. She was waiting for you wholeheartedly..."
If these words were said in a brothel, then they would be fine. But Chu Qin did not doubt what the girl said. He understood the tightness and accommodating feeling of her body just now.
Not long after, Tianfulou's mother came down from the attic and looked at Ying'er lying in Chu Qin's arms.
He took the girl's hand and pulled her up. "Ying'er was a courtesan when she was with you. In the two months since you left, she refused to take any customers and was just waiting for you to come back. If you really like Ying'er, why not give her some money for her makeup and let her go with you?"
After saying that, he smiled and stretched out five fingers.
Fifty taels.
Ying'er looked at the playboy eagerly, the blush on her face had not faded yet. She looked pretty and timid, and I felt pity for her when I saw her.
Chu Qin drank quite a bit of wine. After completing his task and relaxing, he felt happy and said with a faint smile, "Ying'er? Ying'er is a good girl."
He casually pulled out a silver note from his sleeve and placed it on the table, then said to the smiling mother, "Take good care of her and don't force her to entertain guests."
Ying'er curled the corners of her lips habitually, the color faded from her face, and she moved her lips to speak but was held down by her mother.
"Master Chu is so generous. Don't worry, Ying'er is at home in Tianfu Tower. I will take good care of her and wait for the day when Master Chu thinks of her." Mom smiled and pinched the girl's waist. "Serve her carefully, Master!"
This silver note is worth more than fifty taels.
There are many wealthy young men in the capital who would rather spend a lot of money to keep their lovers in brothels, but only a few are willing to take them home.
It seems that Ying'er doesn't have this blessing.
Chu Qin was also tired. He had returned to Shangjing but hadn't yet returned home. He stood up to leave, smiled, hugged Ying'er and kissed her on the cheek, "I'll come see you again when I have time."
Ying'er's face was pale as she tugged at his sleeve, "Why, why doesn't the young master want me...but Ying'er's service is not as good as the young master's."
He was stunned for a moment, sighed softly, pinched the girl's plump cheek, and whispered: "Silly girl, what's the point of marrying me? It's not as comfortable as living in Tianfu Tower. If my last name wasn't Chu, I would also want to live a life of drunkenness and dreams in this building!"
Ying'er refused to give in and held him tightly, her eyes red.
Chu Qin smiled faintly, his eyes full of charm, and picked her up horizontally: "Can't bear to leave me?"
The girl was suddenly picked up by him, her long black hair cascading down, covering half of her pale face, and her pair of eyes with distinct black and white were clear and vivid.
Chu Qin couldn't help but think of Yun Yang, his heart trembling slightly, and he carried her back to the room.
After a few breaths, the storm subsided and the sounds of joy gradually subsided. The young man closed his eyes slightly, and his breathing became smooth from disordered.
There was a woman crying softly in the tent. She had been hoping that Chu Qin could take her out of this cage. She also gave all the money she had saved over the years to her mother, hoping that her mother would ask Chu Qin for less money and redeem her because she didn't have much money.
But when she woke up one day, she realized that it was all her wishful thinking. What was the tenderness and affection between them on the bed?
The young man was annoyed by her crying, so he stood up, brushed his clothes to the ground, and went to the bathroom to take a shower barefoot.
Ying'er stopped crying, calmed down, and followed to help him bathe.
She bent down and washed him carefully. Her young body had firm muscles and the hasty struggles in bed could be considered fierce. He hadn't had sex for several months, so how could... how could he not want her!
Ying'er became more and more confused. The bathroom was filled with steam and her tears mixed with water fell down.
"I don't have a wife yet, so I can't take a concubine." He finally relented and explained, "Perhaps you understand me?"
"When will the young master get married?" Ying'er stopped and asked.
Chu Qin smiled faintly, "That depends on when she is willing to marry me."
Ying'er closed her eyes, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, "Sir, you really have someone you like. Could you tell me, Ying'er, whose daughter is she?"
"It's okay to tell you. Do you know the Xue family? Xue Yu's sister-in-law." Chu Qin said, "You bear some resemblance to her."
Ying'er was stunned for a moment, then blurted out, "The Xue family, the sister-in-law of Master Xue? Master, you just asked me what's new in the capital, and I haven't finished telling you yet. There's one thing that's related to Master Xue's sister-in-law..."
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