Chapter 444 Visiting Yun Ting
Erya went to Yongji County without telling Yunting in advance, thinking of giving him a surprise.
She had imagined countless scenes of their reunion: perhaps he was sitting in his study, reviewing documents with a frown on his face, looking worried about the country and the people; perhaps he was sitting upright in the simple flower hall, showing off his authority as a county magistrate to a few gentry... But she never expected that what attracted her here was a strange noise.
"Jiang Quan! Net! Pull the net open a little! Ouch! I hit my head!"
"Sir! Be gentle! Pick at the branches with fruit! Don't just pull out the leaves!"
"Pillar! Quick! There are a lot of big ones rolling over there! Pick them up!"
The shouts of men, the clatter of bamboo poles poking on branches and leaves, and the crackling of hard objects falling to the ground mixed together, making it as lively as a market.
Yun Ting was clumsily but strenuously holding a thin bamboo pole that was much longer than his height, poking the branches and leaves of the jujube tree above his head in a disorderly manner.
Sweat soaked his back, and a few strands of messy hair stuck to his sweaty forehead and red neck.
His face, which had once been pampered and fair as jade, was now covered with dust and reddened by the scorching autumn sun.
Is this really Yun Ting?
Jiang Quan was helping to set up the net and grinning foolishly, while many children were standing by, eagerly waiting.
Erya and Lu Huan stood in the shadow of the Moon Gate Cave and watched for half a cup of tea. Finally, they couldn't help laughing out loud.
"Zhuozhuo?" Yun Ting looked in the direction of the voice, his eyes full of surprise, "Why are you here?"
He threw the bamboo pole to the people around him and reminded them: "Go ahead, knock them down and share them with the children."
He rubbed his hands on his chest, ran over, with a happy look on his face, and couldn't help looking behind Erya.
"There aren't many people here. It's just me and Sister Lu." Erya said with a smile, "What are you doing?"
"Let me use the handkerchief." Yun Ting said.
Erya pulled out her handkerchief and handed it to him. "Why do you have to pick dates yourself? You must be so poor that you have to sell them."
This county magistrate is really a shabby person.
"No, yesterday a kid came to steal dates and accidentally fell down while climbing a tree. Luckily, it wasn't broken, just a little scratched. I see they're staring at it every day, so I thought I'd just pick it down and give it to them to avoid any more danger if they're not careful."
"Your county government office allows people to come and go as they please."
"Why not?" Yun Ting said, "This isn't the imperial palace. If this door is difficult to enter, then what's the difference between me, a county magistrate, and other county magistrates?"
"I told you you were fat, and you're out of breath." Erya laughed, "Didn't you see Sister Lu? Are you sorry?"
Yun Ting thought to himself, how could I not see such a big person?
I'm so depressed.
It’s fine if others try to bring them together, but why are you causing trouble?
On the other hand, Lu Huan bowed gracefully and said, "Greetings, Prince."
Yun Ting returned the greeting politely, "Thank you for accompanying Zhuo Zhuo here. Thank you for your hard work."
Lu Huan was touched.
She glanced at Erya, whose eyes had drifted to the jujube tree, and then glanced at Yunting, who was slowly wiping the sweat off Erya's face with a handkerchief, his eyes almost glued to her. She had a rough idea in her mind.
Unexpectedly, the man still has feelings for me, but I am not interested.
Erya must not know Yun Ting’s thoughts, otherwise she would not have invited her so warmly, let alone match her up.
Along the way here, Erya said a lot of good things about Yun Ting.
Alas, there are so many foolish men and resentful women in this world.
Fortunately, she is not interested in this.
Yun Ting wiped his face clean, his embarrassment fading somewhat. But the embarrassment of being caught picking dates by Erya lingered, and he urgently needed to change the subject. "Well, since we're here, it's a good time to try some Yongji specialties! I'll have Jiang Quan prepare them!" He tried to sound like a normal, hospitable county magistrate.
"Special features? Besides picking dates, your poor county has any special features?" Erya raised her eyebrows and teased without any hesitation.
Yun Ting stiffened his neck and said, "Who are you looking down on? Do you understand wild delicacies? Freshly picked mushrooms paired with the pheasant here are so delicious! I guarantee you won't be able to eat this in the capital!"
Lu Huan looked at Yun Ting's eagerness to "save face" in front of Erya, and understood what was going on. He just smiled and said nothing more.
At dinner time in the evening, in the simple back hall of the county government office, a square table was filled with dishes, and in the middle was a large steaming pot of pheasant stewed with mushrooms.
The aroma is rich and refreshing, and it looks quite wild.
Erya and Lu Huan sat on one side, Yun Ting and Jiang Quan sat opposite.
But it was basically Yun Ting who was in charge, and Jiang Quan didn't say a word.
Lu Huan thought this big guy was a little silly, which was quite interesting.
Erya picked up her chopsticks and looked at the various mushrooms swirling in the soup, hesitant. "These mushrooms... they're all so colorful. Are you sure you recognize them all? We didn't come all this way here, only to be sent away by a pot of poisonous mushrooms."
"Tsk, what a crow's mouth!" Yun Ting glared at her and patted his chest to assure her, "Don't worry! Jiang Quan led the locals to pick them themselves. Those local elders have been picking mushrooms in the mountains their entire lives, and they can't be wrong even with their eyes closed. The locals eat them all the time, and they're delicious! Come on, come on, don't be shy!"
He was the first to pick up a piece of the most colorful red mushroom, put it in his mouth, and chewed it with a look of satisfaction, indicating that it was really not poisonous.
Erya and Lu Huan looked at each other, smiled and picked up their chopsticks.
The taste is indeed delicious, with the fragrance of mountain soil, which makes people's mouths water.
While eating, Erya talked about tomorrow's arrangements: "We will climb the mountain and worship early in the morning, and then go back directly. We can't waste too much time. I am worried about the shop."
Fortunately, it is close, and although it is indeed a bit rushed, two days of round trip are enough if you tighten your belt.
Yun Ting's face was obviously a little disappointed. "It's not easy for you to come here. Why don't you stay for a few more days? I can show you around."
"Come back later, there will be plenty of opportunities. Sister Lu, you can stay a few more days."
"No," Lu Huan found Yun Ting's face full of resistance amusing. "I still have to go to school. I promised those kids that I would teach them the day after tomorrow."
"That's right, once you've promised someone something, you have to do it. Come, try this."
Yun Ting pointed to a plate of mushrooms.
"Raw?" Erya hesitated.
"Yes, raw. This is the best."
Both Erya and Lu Huan expressed their inability to accept life.
Yun Ting lamented that they didn't have the good fortune to eat, while he himself ate heartily.
After a while, Erya was talking to Lu Huan about interesting things in the capital when she suddenly heard a "clang" sound beside her.
Yun Ting's chopsticks fell on the table. He was a little dazed, staring at the wall opposite with a silly smile on his face.
"Yun Ting?" Erya called him.
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