Chapter 26 Chapter 26 “Sanlang never celebrates his birthday…
There was a swing in the yard of the second house. Nuan Jie'er was very happy. Every day when she opened her eyes, she would ask someone to help her push it. She didn't mind the hot sun and could stay on the swing all day long.
Chen Qiutang returned the favor by inviting Yun Wu out to play.
She is a person who loves to join in the fun, and she is indispensable at every party. This time, Yun Wu was invited to a party as well.
"Madam Zheng is my elder sister. She invited people I know well. I specifically asked her for the guest list, and it doesn't contain any annoying chatter." Chen Qiutang said cheerfully, "I'm sure you'll have a great time this time!"
Ever since the gossip at the Marquis of Cheng'an's mansion, Yun Wu hadn't attended any more banquets, fearing the risk of hearing those hurtful words. Although Xie Yi was now willing to take his medicine, and their relationship was becoming more harmonious than before, she still found it hard to be happy when people teased her.
This time when Chen Qiutang mentioned it to her, she subconsciously refused: "No need, Second Sister-in-law, you go by yourself."
Chen Qiutang pulled her aside, "What's the point of staying indoors all day? Why don't you come out and have some fun with me? The Zheng family's villa is just outside Beijing. I'll take you to enjoy the flowers and the mountains and rivers. I guarantee you'll have a great time and forget all your worries."
She praised the Zheng family's villa, talking about how beautiful the scenery was, how unique the view was, and even how the fish there were fatter than those elsewhere. Yun Wu was also moved by her words and yearned for it.
Seeing that she was interested, Chen Qiutang continued his efforts and pulled her out of the door in one go.
They originally wanted to find Meng Qingtong, but Meng Qingtong was busy taking care of household affairs and had no time. When they went there, the account books in front of Meng Qingtong were spread out on the table.
Chen Qiutang patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry, I will definitely bring Ah Wu back safely."
When Yun Wu was led out by her, she covered her lips and chuckled, "Is the Zheng family's villa a place where people are eaten? Could it be that I will be missing arms and legs?"
"I'm not missing any limbs, but if I made you unhappy and shed tears, that's my fault." Chen Qiutang deliberately joked, "Sanlang isn't home. If he knew, he might blame me."
Yun Wu blushed at what she said.
She lowered her head, twisted the corner of her clothes with her fingers, and whispered, "He is not that kind of person."
Chen Qiutang sneered.
She had not forgotten the last time Xie Yi mocked her for letting Yun Wu be her purse. Although she got rid of her anger later and received a large thank-you gift for no reason, it did not prevent the third son of the Xie family from being petty.
However, she would not say bad things about Xie Yi in front of Yun Wu.
The servants harnessed the carriage at the door, and as soon as the two men sat down, they drove towards the outside of the city.
Driving through the bustling main street, through the hawking sounds on both sides of the street, out of the city, the human voices faded away, leaving only the sound of horse hooves and wheels.
In midsummer, the flowers and plants in the wild bloom brilliantly. There are large areas of wild peach trees in the suburbs of Beijing. In the distance, you can see clusters of pink clouds and colorful fallen petals, with the blue sky and green mountains as the background, and the scenery is beautiful.
Yun Wu looked out of the car window, admiring the scenery along the way for a while, and suddenly heard Chen Qiutang beside him sigh.
She lowered the curtain and looked over in confusion: "Second sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
Aren’t you still very happy when you come out?
"I do feel sorry about it." Chen Qiutang said.
Yun Wu was puzzled: "What's a pity?"
"It's a pity that the direction out of the city is not towards Jinyun Temple." Chen Qiutang said with a smile: "If we happen to pass by Jinyun Temple, our Awu will be very happy."
Yun Wu was stunned for a moment, and the next moment, her face turned red.
She felt ashamed and annoyed, "...I didn't think so at all." Her complaints were also soft.
Chen Qiutang succeeded in amusing the man, and was so happy that he laughed out loud. The smile on his face did not fade until the carriage arrived at the gate of Zheng's villa.
Her sister-in-law is very shy and blushes after just a few words. Her reaction is really funny, making people want to tease her more.
Several carriages were parked at the entrance to the villa. Chen Qiutang had been there several times before, so she led Yun Wu inside with ease. The maids followed, carrying gifts.
Mrs. Zheng is Chen Qiutang's elder sister, ten years older than Chen Qiutang. The two look alike, but Chen Qiutang is extroverted and straightforward, while Mrs. Zheng is more stable and dignified. In terms of personality, Meng Qingtong is more similar to Mrs. Wang.
Madam Zheng was elderly, her face showing the marks of time. Her eldest daughter was already in her teens, not much younger than Yun Wu. Seeing Yun Wu, she was kind and said, "Don't be shy. Come have fun with Qiu Tang. She knows this place best."
Chen Qiutang looked around and saw that almost all the guests had arrived, scattered in groups of three or two. "Why are there only so few people?"
Madam Zheng glared at her. "Do you think everyone is like you, never missing out on any excitement? If it weren't Feifei's birthday, I wouldn't have dared to organize such a big event. I would have just invited some acquaintances over for a few drinks and had some fun myself. But nowadays, it's not the time to go all out."
Feifei is Mrs. Zheng's daughter.
Yun Wu looked at her second sister-in-law in surprise and panic.
I didn't tell her it was someone else's daughter's birthday before I came, so she didn't prepare anything!
Chen Qiutang was well prepared. She presented a gift in a brocade box, said a few words to her sister, and then took Yun Wu out to play.
After they walked away, Yun Wu said, "Second sister-in-law, why didn't you tell me that today is Miss Zheng's birthday?"
"Didn't I say that?"
"No." Yun Wu shook her head and said, "It would be rude of me to come here empty-handed today."
Chen Qiutang waved his hand: "Don't worry, I've already paid for you."
"But……"
"Don't say but!" Chen Qiutang put his arm around her and said, "Since I'm taking you out to play, just have fun!"
As Madam Zheng's younger sister, she had visited the villa several times and knew exactly where to find the fun and which chefs cooked delicious meals. Today was to celebrate Miss Zheng's birthday, and the villa had been specially decorated, with delicious snacks and plenty of entertainment.
Although there were not many guests, the place was bustling with activity. Madam Zheng had invited a troupe of opera performers to perform on stage, with string instruments, gongs and drums playing, and musicians playing the guqin, creating a delightful atmosphere. Some were also enjoying poetry and wine, writing poems and painting with their brushes.
Yun Wu followed behind Chen Qiutang and was dragged by her for a happy round of fun. Just after watching people reciting poems and composing couplets, before she could recover from the shock, she was dragged by her to watch people playing pitch pots.
There were already quite a few people gathered around the game of throwing arrows into a pot. It turned out that two people were competing. There was a copper pot with a thin neck and a big belly placed in the middle of the field, and the two men were throwing arrows into it.
The two contestants were still little girls, only about eleven or twelve years old. One of them looked very familiar, as she was Zheng Feifei, the protagonist of today's birthday party.
Every time someone made a hit, the onlookers would cheer. However, both players were so skilled that the pottery jar was filled with arrow shafts, making it difficult to tell who was the winner.
Chen Qiutang brought a plate of snacks from somewhere, and the two of them each took a piece and stood outside the crowd to watch the fun.
The situation on the field was stalemate, with scores chasing each other, and the spectators were also very excited. It was not until Zheng Feifei won the pot-throwing competition that the onlookers dispersed.
Chen Qiutang was still unsatisfied: "What a shame, it would be better if it were more lively."
"Isn't this enough?" Yun Wu couldn't help but look around. Everywhere he looked, there was joy and excitement, and everyone's face was filled with happiness.
She had attended few banquets, and even fewer that were just for fun like this one. In her eyes, this was the most lively scene.
"Of course it's not enough." Chen Qiutang said, "My eldest sister has always loved her daughter and holds a grand birthday party for her every year at this villa. There are only so few people, not even half of the flower banquet at the Cheng'an Marquis's mansion last time. How can it be called lively? It's a pity that the timing is also unfortunate. We just happened to run into..."
She didn't say the rest of the words and swallowed them back.
Yun Wu knew it very well.
Just as Madam Zheng said just now, it is not a good time to hold a grand ceremony now, probably because the people in the capital are still in a panic over the case of the former crown prince.
Even Yun Wu, who lived in the back house of the company, heard that many officials were convicted and their homes were searched. The prison was full of criminals and their families involved in this case. Those with serious crimes would be executed soon.
For example, the Cheng'an Earl's Mansion, which Yun Wu had visited last time, is now in prison.
At this moment of peril, even if one is completely innocent, throwing a lavish banquet would be too much of a show. Everyone kept their heads down and lived cautiously. Even for Miss Zheng's birthday party today, the number of guests was reduced significantly, with only a few close friends and relatives invited.
When some people fall, new people will rise.
Many officials were dismissed in this case, leaving many positions vacant. When this storm is over and new officials take office, I wonder which family in the capital will be prosperous and famous.
No matter how the wind and rain outside change, it has nothing to do with Yun Wu at the moment.
Seeing that there was an empty space at the touhu game, Chen Qiutang quickly pulled her up, and they each took up one of the empty spaces on each side.
She picked up a bare arrow shaft and said maliciously, "Awu, do you want to compete with me?"
"Competition?" Yun Wu was curious: "Competition of what?"
"Let's compete in this pitching pot game. As for the prize..." Chen Qiutang thought for a moment: "Whoever loses has to agree to one of the other's requests. How about that?"
Yun Wu had no objection and nodded in agreement.
Chen Qiutang held the arrow shaft, and before throwing it, he pursed his lips and smiled: "Awu, don't say I'm bullying you, it's just that I happen to be a little good at pitching pots. Don't worry, I won't make it difficult for you..."
As she spoke, she exerted force on her wrist and threw the arrow in her hand straight towards the copper pot.
With a clang, the arrow shaft sank into the copper pot and lay diagonally at the mouth of the pot, with the feathers on the arrow shaft vibrating.
Yun Wu also picked up an arrow shaft.
She aimed at the mouth of the pot again and threw it over there. There was another clang sound, and the arrow shaft shook and stood upright.
Chen Qiutang was originally feeling proud of his own shot, but then he saw that she had also hit the target, and he was stunned. He looked again and saw that her arrow was even straighter than his own, and he was immediately shocked.
"Awu, you can do this too?!"
Yun Wu said embarrassedly, "A little bit."
A little bit?
Just a little bit is fine.
Chen Qiutang breathed a sigh of relief.
It must just be luck.
It was she who proposed the competition. She is older than Yun Wu. If she loses to Yun Wu, wouldn't it be embarrassing?
Then, she gathered her courage and carefully threw a few more arrows at the copper pot. Some of them hit the target, while others missed.
There was only a clanging sound, and Yun Wu, who was standing beside her, threw one after another and never missed.
Looking at the bare arrow shafts on the ground, Chen Qiutang knew he had lost without even looking at the score.
She was both disappointed and shocked: "A Wu, how come you are so powerful?!"
Yun Wu held the arrow shaft, pursed her lips and said sheepishly, "I played a few times when I was bored at home. I was lucky today, but I don't usually hit the target."
Chen Qiutang didn't believe her.
If you hit it once or twice it’s considered luck, but if you hit it every time, that’s real strength!
Look at the arrow in the pot again. She threw it crookedly, but Yun Wu's was able to stand firmly. The higher the pot stands, the higher the score. Isn't this strength?
She quickly forgot her disappointment at losing and came over excitedly: "It's a pity that sister-in-law didn't come with us today! She really should have seen your pot-throwing skills. She would definitely be amazed!"
Yun Wu blushed at her praise: "I'm not as good as you say, sister-in-law. My skills are just ordinary..."
"How did you become so skilled? Do you have any tricks? Good Ah Wu, please teach me."
"no problem."
Yun Wu held the arrow and talked to her about the technique of exerting force.
Someone among the onlookers noticed the two sisters-in-law's pitching pot competition. Seeing that Yun Wu had won, they took the initiative to come over and invite her: "Lady, would you like to compete with me?"
Yun Wu had no objection and agreed generously.
Chen Qiutang retreated into the crowd of onlookers and saw that she was holding the arrow calmly and composedly. Thinking about how he had just been beaten to a pulp, he felt quite proud of her superior demeanor.
As soon as the competition started, whenever Yun Wu made a shot, she would immediately applaud and congratulate her excitedly.
Some people were attracted by the competition and saw that the people in the arena were unfamiliar. They watched the excitement and were curious: "Who is that lady? She looks unfamiliar. I don't think I've seen her before."
When Chen Qiutang heard this, he immediately turned around and introduced: "She came with me. She is the wife of our Sanlangjun."
Others recognized her as Madam Zheng's younger sister, the one who married the second son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
The third son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? Isn't that the notoriously sickly Xie Yi?
Everyone looked at the woman in the field and saw her beautiful face with delicate eyebrows. As she threw arrows into the pot one by one, no one ridiculed her and everyone cheered for her.
…
At dusk, the two returned home happily.
They rushed back before the city gates closed, and when the carriage stopped at the gate of the Duke's Mansion, both of them were still a little reluctant to leave.
The chef of the Duke's Mansion had already prepared a table full of delicious dishes. As night fell, cups, plates, and bowls were brought up like flowing water and placed in front of everyone.
There were a few empty seats at the dinner table tonight. Lord Xie and the eldest son Xie Chong were busy with official business and had not returned home yet. Only the women in the family and the second son Xie Fei were present.
After Zhao Ge'er from the eldest room was led over by his wet nurse and sat down last, Madam Xie said calmly, "No need to wait for them, everyone, start eating."
Everyone picked up their chopsticks and started eating.
There is no rule of not talking while eating in the Duke's Mansion, and they often chat about family matters at the dinner table, discussing the recent trends in the capital.
The most talked about thing in the capital these days is the old case of the former crown prince. However, the incident happened many days ago, and the case is too heavy and unpalatable to talk about, so no one mentioned it.
Meng Qingtong glanced at the two sisters-in-law and saw that Chen Qiutang's face was still full of interest and she was even making eye contact with Yun Wu. So she smiled and said, "What interesting things did you two encounter today?"
This immediately opened up Chen Qiutang's mouth. He no longer cared about eating and started talking non-stop, praising Yun Wu's performance today.
"...You didn't see it with your own eyes! Ah Wu's skill in pitching pots attracted many challengers, all of whom wanted to compete with her. She accepted several challenges, but no one could beat her. It was really glorious!" Chen Qiutang said repeatedly, "It was my arrogance. I used to think that although my mediocre skills could not compare to others, they were more than enough to beat Ah Wu. I didn't expect that she was usually quiet and gentle, but she was actually very talented. I lost miserably!"
"real?"
Everyone else at the table looked at Yun Wu. Aunt Cui was surprised and asked, "Third Young Madam is actually good at this?"
Several eyes were focused on him, especially with the Second Young Mistress bragging beside him. Yun Wu had never seen such a scene before. He clutched his chopsticks, his ears red, and grumbled for a long time before he finally managed to say, "I was just playing around at home."
Meng Qingtong was also very interested: "Is it really that amazing? I want to see it with my own eyes. Ah Wu, when are you free?"
Zhao Ge'er's eyes sparkled: "Aunt San, who is better, you or Uncle San?"
Chen Qiutang: "Of course Ah Wu is the best!"
Yun Wu's head was almost buried in the rice bowl, and she felt that today's dinner was particularly delicious for some reason.
She had never received such straightforward compliments before, especially from Chen Qiutang, who was enthusiastic and outgoing. Once she started praising her, she would not stop. Once she received a response, she would become even more excited, and she wanted to praise her to the sky.
"...Later, even my niece Feifei heard about it. She loves tossing pots, and her skills are so impressive that none of her brothers can match her." Chen Qiutang said, "It's her birthday today, and she's determined to win first place, so she dragged Ah Wu into the competition."
Meng Qingtong quickly asked, "Did Awu win?"
Chen Qiutang shook his head: "A Wu lost to her."
Meng Qingtong breathed a sigh of relief.
Since you are attending someone else's birthday party, it is enough to be in the spotlight. You should stop in time and not really steal the limelight from the protagonist of the birthday party.
Whether it is a real loss or a fake loss, it’s okay to lose.
"birthday?"
Mrs. Xie was originally listening to Chen Qiutang quietly, but suddenly she remembered something.
"Come to think of it, isn't Sanlang's birthday coming soon?" Mrs. Xie looked back at the maid behind her uncertainly.
Yun Wu raised her head and looked at her.
The old woman thought about it and said uncertainly, "It should be here soon."
Yun Wu sat up straight and listened attentively to their conversation.
But Madam Xie and the old woman just mentioned it casually, and then they stopped talking about it and continued to listen to the younger generation talk. Yun Wu stared at them for a long time, but didn't wait for the two of them to say another word.
She had no choice but to take the initiative and ask, "Is Xie Yi celebrating his birthday in the temple this year?"
Everyone was stunned and looked at each other in confusion.
Yun Wu looked at everyone nervously, not knowing what she had said wrong.
It was Erlang Jun Xie Fei who raised his head from his bowl, swallowed the food in his mouth, and explained to her: "Sanlang never celebrates his birthday."
Yun Wu: "It's just a birthday?"
Meng Qingtong reminded: "Sanlang was born on a special day, and there is no custom of celebrating his birthday." Yun Wu then vaguely remembered Xie Yi's life experience.
He was born to Duke Xie's concubine. His mother died during childbirth, so his birthday was also his mother's death anniversary.
As time went by, even his family members couldn't remember the exact date. They only remembered that he was brought to him by Mr. Xie one day in midsummer.
Xie Yi went to Jinyun Temple every year at this season, and spent every birthday alone in the lonely Jinyun Temple, accompanied by the Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist chants.
The same is true this year.
I think he will spend his birthday this year in Jinyun Temple. The monks in the temple are pure and have no worldly concerns, and they will not celebrate for him.
There was a table full of delicacies in front of her, but Yun Wu looked at it absent-mindedly and suddenly lost her appetite.
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