Chapter 38
Chapter 38
There are two major restaurants in Fengcheng, Zuixianglou and Bailou. They are not only prosperous at night, but also busy during the day. Zuixianglou is frequented by many outsiders, while Bailou is mostly populated by locals.
In terms of dishes, each has its merits, but the wine at Zui Xiang Lou is still better, so most of the people who go there are young men who love wine. It is different at Bai Lou, where the crowd is mixed, from old women in their sixties and seventies to children of a few years old, and there are also many young ladies among them. For example, today, when I looked up, I saw two young ladies sitting in a row of mullion windows in the attic.
The half-open window blocked the faces of the two people, and only half of the girl's shoulder could be seen. The young lady on the right was wearing a lotus-colored gauze short-sleeved shirt with narrow sleeves and an apricot-yellow half-sleeve. The snow-white shawl on her arm seemed to hinder her. She raised her hand to circle it and then reached out to hold her hair, her manners were graceful and elegant.
The inside and outside of the building were too far away, so it was impossible to smell anything. It would have been better if I hadn't looked. The more I looked, the more uncomfortable and itchy I felt. Zhou Kuang sighed, "Forget it. Looking at plums won't quench my thirst. Brother Xie, let's go."
When I turned around, I didn't see the person next to me. When I looked again, I saw that he was walking towards the door of the white building.
Zhou Kuang was stunned and quickly caught up with him, "Brother Xie, please tell me first, I don't have any money left."
The person in front didn't say anything, but kept walking forward.
It was lunch time and the building was packed with guests. A row of carriages were parked in front of the White Building. The coachman was guarding the carriages with sharp eyes. He turned around and went into the building.
Seeing that he was still rushing forward, as if he was about to enter the building, Zhou Kuang wondered if this man had been driven crazy. He chased him while persuading him, "Brother Xie, calm down. It's not that I look down on you, but with the little salary you have now, you'd better not squander it. Your sister-in-law is still waiting for you to support her at home..."
The people in front turned a deaf ear.
Several waves of guests blocked their way. The two of them squeezed through the crowd one after the other and stretched out their hands to lift the curtain. The runners immediately came forward to greet them, "Hey, Mr. Xie, Master, I haven't seen you two for a long time." They bowed and apologized, "I'm really sorry, there are too many people at the moment, and there are no seats left. How about you two wait a moment, I'll go and make room for you..."
"No need, let's find someone." Xie Shao interrupted and went upstairs directly.
Zhou Kuang was completely confused and could only follow him up to the second floor. The private room lobby was already full and the crowd was so noisy that it was deafening and dizzying.
Xie Shao walked straight towards the row of seats by the window and took a quick look. There were a few young ladies there, but they were not the ones he had just seen.
Pursing lips and frowning brows, are you dazzled?
Zhou Kuang heard the words "looking for someone" he just said, and asked in confusion, "Who are you looking for, Brother Xie?"
Xie Shao did not answer. He rubbed his eyes and looked around again. After confirming that there was no sign of the young lady, he laughed at himself, thinking that he must have been blinded by hunger.
She had already pawned all the pearl hairpins she was wearing, so how could she have the money to come here?
He was suspicious.
"Let's go, you must have seen it wrong." Xie Shao turned and went downstairs. Zhou Kuang followed him for no apparent reason. He was full of curiosity and was about to ask him who he saw when someone suddenly came over and called out in surprise, "Third Young Master?"
Xie Shao looked up and recognized him. It was the Xie family's groom. His brows tightened and the doubts that had just disappeared resurfaced. "Why are you here?"
The groom raised the food box in his hand and said, "The old lady has no appetite these days and hasn't eaten much. Third Madam was worried about her. Today, when she came back from the Wen family and passed by the White House, she asked me to come in and buy a few pieces of alkaline tofu for the old lady to whet her appetite."
A few pieces of tofu only cost a few dozen coins, so it doesn't cost much money.
Xie Shao asked, "Where is she?"
The groom said, "Third Madam just went downstairs to the pharmacy to pick out Gastrodia elata for the old lady."
It seems that I am not seeing things, I have really been here before.
Following the coachman out of the white building, there was nothing else to do anyway, so she asked her which pharmacy she was in. The coachman raised his hand and pointed to a row of shops across the street. "Third Madam didn't say anything in detail, but it should be there."
Zhou Kuang finally knew who he was looking for. Thinking of the wound on his butt, he was still a little scared and didn't follow him. "Thank you, brother and sister-in-law, for a good stroll. I'll go back first."
There are only two pharmacies diagonally opposite, so it is not difficult to find.
Xie Shao walked in and heard the young lady's voice, "I think this stuff is not as good as you say. The guy next door is still short of twenty cents..."
"Young lady, you are lying with your eyes open. I have worse ones, but it's a pity that you don't like them."
"Can it be any cheaper? I come here not just once or twice a day, I need it all year round. If the price is right, I will come to you to buy it in the future."
The shopkeeper looked embarrassed, "I have already given you the lowest price, you have to leave some food for us, right..." Seeing someone coming in, he looked up and was stunned, "Thank you, Mr.
Wen Shuse turned around when she heard the voice, and then lifted the white veil on her hat. Seeing the young master coming in, she was also surprised, "Why are you here, young master?"
“Just passing by.”
The shopkeeper took a look at the two of them and suddenly realized, "It turned out to be the Third Grandma, teasing the little one."
Everyone in Fengcheng knew that the Xie family went bankrupt, but a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Who knows how much money they actually have left? In other words, who would be stupid enough to donate all their property?
Wen Shuse turned around and said, "I really want to buy it, this is not a joke."
The shopkeeper glanced at Xie Shao behind her and said with embarrassment, "This... Third Madam, this is indeed the lowest price."
"Okay, I'll go check out the other shops." After saying that, he turned around and walked out, and Xie Shao's toes followed him out.
The Xie family is a wealthy family in Fengcheng. Now that Xie Shao is an official, they have to show some favor. The shopkeeper said, "How about this, I will give Third Madam ten cents less. If Third Madam still thinks it's too expensive, I can't do anything about it."
The price was about the same, so Wen Shuse didn't bother to argue anymore and let Xiangyun pay.
Xie Shao stood aside and watched her take out copper coins from her purse and count them one by one. She looked serious and focused. No matter how you looked at her, she looked like a virtuous woman who knew how to manage the household frugally.
Even after losing everything, one can still change. It is a good thing that the young lady has tasted the sufferings of the world and learned how to live.
The shopkeeper packed the Gastrodia elata after handing over the money. Xie Shao stepped forward to take it and walked in front. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly heard a very loud "burp" behind him.
Xie Shao was stunned and turned his head.
The young lady behind him looked stunned. After a moment, she slowly turned around and asked the shopkeeper in front of her, "How about shopkeeper, take my pulse? I always feel bloated recently."
The shopkeeper was just a medicine seller, so how could he take a pulse? He said vaguely, "Is Third Madam suffering from indigestion?"
Wen Shuse buried his head in thought, "I ate a few buckwheat buns today."
Xie Shao: ...
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Coarse grains are good, but you can't eat too much. Third grandma, go back and walk more and drink some warm water, and you'll be fine soon."
"Thank you, shopkeeper." After he thanked him, he burped one after another and couldn't stop for a while.
Xie Shao turned his head several times and looked at the young lady twitching beside him. She looked really pitiful. Although he had already taken up the position, his salary had not yet been paid. Now the only things they could eat at home were white porridge and steamed buns.
He didn't care. The delicate young lady might not be able to bear it, so he turned around and handed her the medicine bag, "Wait for a while in the carriage."
As soon as the person left, Wen Shuse covered her chest and took a few long breaths. God knew how panicked she was just now. She was already full and ran down in a hurry. It would be strange if she didn't burp.
"My lady, let me go buy you a drink." She felt uncomfortable just watching the boy hiccuping.
Wen Shuse shook his head, "No...hiccup~ Don't act rashly."
Xiangyun looked distressed and worried, and supported her, "There is water in the carriage, let's get in first."
Wen Shuse nodded, and while burping, he rushed to the carriage. He sat in the carriage holding the water bag and drank almost half of the bag of water. Only then did his burping slow down a little.
He was really frightened too much. He is still in shock, with his eyes wide open and hasn't recovered yet.
Xiangyun was still frightened and leaned against the carriage window, "Madam, this was too dangerous." He added, "Isn't the son-in-law on duty in the palace? How did he come to the street? Madam, you should be careful next time you go out." He sighed, "It's really not easy for Madam to have a bite to eat."
It’s not easy indeed.
She hasn't bought any new clothes in half a month, and she can't wear any jewelry or hairpins. She has to eat secretly, like a thief. Her life is so difficult.
There is still one old official missing, and the road ahead is long and arduous. She cannot give up all her previous efforts.
The hiccups finally stopped, but Xie Shao had not returned yet. Wen Shuse lifted the carriage curtain and was about to ask where he had gone when she saw a handsome man coming out of the white building.
Wen Shu was stunned and asked Xiangyun outside, "Has your son-in-law become rich?"
Xiangyun also saw it and shook his head, saying it was not like that. "My wife at least ate a few buckwheat buns in the morning, but my son-in-law seemed to have only drunk a bowl of white porridge."
Wen Shuse:......
This girl's words are becoming more and more profound.
The person soon arrived and both the master and the servant shut up.
Xie Shao got into the carriage and glanced at the young lady sitting inside. She seemed to have calmed down. "Are you okay?"
Wen Shuse nodded, staring at the food box in his hand, "What did you buy, my dear?"
Xie Shao didn't answer. He sat down next to her and asked, "Didn't the Wen family give you food?"
Wen Shuse pouted, "Don't mention it. It's true that a married girl is like spilled water. Mr. Wen said he couldn't afford to support me and asked me to go home and eat my husband's salary." She looked at the food box next to him, "My husband didn't eat either?"
Xie Shao could understand that it was indeed difficult to please her, especially for Wen Huai who could barely protect himself now. He handed her the food box and said, "Eat."
Wen Shuse was stunned.
Xie Shao explained, "I copied books two days ago and earned more than one or two taels of silver. I can't afford expensive things. You should be patient for now. When you get your salary at the end of the month, your life will be better."
Wen Shuse opened the food box, and inside was a plate of sweet and sour pork, which was delicious and still steaming.
The smell quickly spread in the small space. Even though she felt like vomiting because of the grease, she felt that this dish was more precious than the table full of fish and meat she had just eaten.
Because it is not just a plate of fat meat, but also the love of the man next to her. He buys meat for her while he drinks plain porridge. How can such a feeling not move people?
It's not an exaggeration to say that she was moved to tears. What else could she be dissatisfied with? She couldn't help but utter a heartfelt word, "My dear, I suddenly feel that I don't regret marrying you at all."
A man's true character is revealed in times of adversity. How bad can a man like this be? I even think it's not a bad idea to follow him for the rest of my life.
The young man beside her had no idea that he suddenly had such a high status in the young lady's heart. He just thought that the young lady's words were too redundant.
Is it too late to regret?
He snorted and glanced at her casually, "What can I do? I can't divorce you after we've been married. Since I can't divorce you, I can't starve you to death." He added at the end, "Although a spendthrift like you is easy to be divorced."
This guy really has a big mouth. He doesn't want a favor and makes people feel ungrateful to him.
I couldn't eat any more, so I asked him, "My dear, you haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Xie Shao turned his head away and said, "I'm not hungry." But his throat couldn't help but swallow.
Wen Shuse:......
Whatever, it's just a mouth, just pretend it doesn't have ears. You can judge a person by his heart. Then I asked, "Sir, can you use hand gestures?"
If you are a man who knows how to drink, you must use hand gestures to command.
Xie Shao looked at her suspiciously, wondering if she wanted to play with him.
As expected, his guess was correct. The young lady looked very interested. "It's lunch time now. My dear, you shouldn't be busy. Let's play a round. The winner gets to eat meat."
How childish.
How miserable must he be to have to use hand gestures to order a plate of meat? Not wanting to make his plight worse, he refused outright, "I've already eaten."
The young lady did not give up. "I heard from the second son of the Ming family that in Fengcheng, you are the best at hand signals and have never lost. I have always admired you but never had the chance to see you. Now you are far away but close to me, and we have become a family. I won't be polite. Let me see you, will you?"
The second son of Ming?
He only listened to half of what she said, "Is that the second young master of the Ming family who went on a hunger strike for you for a day?"
Wen Shuse:......
Suddenly bringing up the past, or hearing it from the wall, is very boring, "It's all about the past. I'm already married to you, so don't take advantage of me."
Xie Shao was surprised.
How did he gain any advantage? Was he letting her ruin her own family?
Seeing that this approach was not working, the young lady resorted to provocation, "My dear, do you not want to play, or can you not afford to play?"
Going to a restaurant to drink and hang out with a bunch of buddies is fun, but sitting here and hanging out with a young lady is not fun. But seeing that the young lady was determined not to give up, he could only cooperate, "Best of three games."
"make a deal."
"Three, five..."
As expected, the young lady lost, but she was not as depressed as she should be. She handed the sweet and sour pork to her husband and said, "Eat it."
Xie Shao: ...
Seeing that he had eaten half of the sweet and sour pork, he couldn't help but look up with contempt in his eyes, "Why are you so stupid?"
Wen Shuse took a breath and glared at him. He was ungrateful, so don't blame her. "Come again."
A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated. The young lady began to pull his movements, "My dear, you are too slow."
"What's slow?"
The young lady suddenly became unreasonable and started to attack him personally, "I see, it turns out that the fame you have earned is all based on such petty tricks."
Xie Shao didn't want to hear this anymore, so he brushed the curtain and said to Min Zhang outside: "Come over here and keep an eye on it."
Wen Shu didn't show any weakness. He pushed open the mullioned window on the other side and called Xiangyun over. "You also keep an eye on the son-in-law."
Winning or losing is a small matter. You should not look down on others. The two start over.
Their servants and maids were lying on the windows, one on each side, and Nawei shouted, "Madam, five."
"Sir, please give me a..."
They didn't know when it started, but they had already deviated from their original intention. They used a pair of chopsticks, and the winner picked up the meat and put it into his mouth.
By the time the tray was empty, they both realized what was happening, but it was too late.
The hunger in his stomach was gone. The man, who was just like a victorious rooster, suddenly realized something from this childish game that seemed to be trying to defeat his wits.
I glanced at the young lady, and saw that she was staring at the empty plate in a daze.
Seeing what he had done, Xie Shao pinched his brows, regretting that he had snatched food from a young lady, which was a loss of virtue. He stood up and got off the carriage, "I'll go on duty first, and I'll buy it for you next time."
Wen Shuse never expected it to turn out like this. He didn't know how many pieces of greasy food he had eaten, and his stomach felt uncomfortable.
What mattered was that she had wasted a plate of meat earned by copying books with great effort. Feeling guilty and self-blaming, the young lady leaned out of the window and said to the hurried figure in front of her: "My dear, don't leave in a hurry tomorrow morning. I'll make you some rice cakes."
Her posture is like that of a good wife and mother.
Xie Shao turned around and showed his husband's attitude, "Come back soon."
As a result, the next morning, Xie Shao sat in the house waiting for her rice cakes. After waiting for an incense stick, he heard the young lady ask for permission, "My dear, I'm going to the Ming family and will be back later."
Looking at her empty hands, one could guess that what she said yesterday had been eaten by dogs.
He was not in a good mood and was not in a good mood. "You are busy every day, even busier than me when I am on duty."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young lady suddenly came forward, grabbed his arm and pulled him into the house. Xie Shao's face changed. What did she want to do? Could she be tempting him with her beauty in broad daylight?
When the thunder in his heart was raging, the young lady leaned over to his ear and uttered another thunder, "Prince Zhou has a hidden illness, and Madam Ming wants to cancel the engagement."
Xie Shao was stunned, "What?"
"My dear, don't you know that Master Zhou and Madam Ming had an appointment yesterday afternoon? Master Zhou said in person that he had something to hide at night. If Madam Ming minds, you can cancel the engagement."
Xie Shao frowned, becoming more and more confused.
"You said the same about Madam Zhou. Since the prince has a hidden illness, why did he come out to discuss marriage? Isn't this harming the girl?" She said distressedly, "Poor Ayuan cried all night last night. The wedding date is in two months, and I don't know if it can be postponed. If it can't be postponed, then Ayuan will be a widow for the rest of her life."
Xie Shao stared at the young lady with a sad face and thought to himself, she really doesn't treat him as an outsider and tells him anything.
The girl suddenly stared at him.
With that kind of look, it's hard not to misunderstand.
Xie Shao was choked. What did she mean? He was fine! Just as he was about to clarify, he heard her say, "Everyone knows that you and the Crown Prince Zhou have a good relationship, as if they were wearing the same pants. You must know the inside story, why didn't you tell me in advance? You know that this kind of behavior is deception, which cannot be tolerated by etiquette and law."
He and Zhou Kuang did have a good relationship, but it wasn't as close as wearing the same pants. It was inconvenient to say more. He cleared his throat and said tactfully, "As far as I know, there is no such thing. Did Madam Ming misunderstand?"
Wen Shuse didn't think so. "He said it himself, how could it be wrong?" Seeing that he seemed to be unaware, he didn't waste any more time. "I'll go to the Ming family and ask Ayuan again."
So, his rice cakes were completely gone.
"Oh, right." The young lady suddenly turned around again. I thought she finally remembered it, but she said, "My dear, please help me find out too. Is Prince Zhou..."
Xie Shao didn't want to look at her, so he turned his head away. "It's personal privacy, I can't ask about it."
Wen Shuse leaned forward again, "My dear, aren't you curious and don't want to know?"
What's there to be curious about? There's nothing wrong with that. "I don't want to."
She continued, "My dear, do you still remember the last time when the dog bit you? Prince Zhou's buttocks were injured..."
Xie Shao paused.
"I am just suspicious. If this really happened to Prince Zhou... let alone A Yuan, I will be blamed for the rest of my life. My dear, just consider it as a favor to me and ask about the date. Don't let him blackmail your wife."
My dears, these two chapters will be a transition of emotions, and the plot will be interspersed. The main plot will start to progress after two chapters. (One hundred red envelopes~)
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