Chapter 185 If the relationship lasts (21)
"Li'er is really amazing." Qiao Ruowei held her face and pinched it, "Next time, mother will accompany Li'er to go horseback riding."
"Okay, okay. Today, my sister Lin and I played Jiju. Next time, let's go too. Let Daddy treat us two alone."
"good."
Shi Jianan, who had already gotten used to being "isolated", poured tea for the mother and daughter and said, "Are you thirsty? Have a cup of tea first."
"Thank you, Daddy~"
After dinner, Shi saw Li opening the jewelry box in the compartment and picking and choosing.
Xianyue, who was following her, asked, "Why are you rummaging through the jewelry, young lady?"
"Give some to Sister Lin and Sister Yuan. The Duke of Anguo gave me a horse, so naturally I have to reciprocate. I remember I bought a lot of hairpins and step-shakes made of gold filigree and jade inlaid when I was in Duzhou. Which one looks good? You can help me find it." As for returning Mingzhao, we will talk about it later.
"Okay." Xianyue responded.
"Hasn't mother's ready-made clothing shop opened? Bring me the clothing catalog. I'll pick out two sets for sister Lin. You can take them to the embroiderer to change the size." Shi Jianli instructed Lanxing again.
"Yes, girl."
After finishing her work, Shi Jianli went to take a bath and wash up. She got up early the next morning and did not disturb her parents. She had breakfast in her own yard and went to the mansion gate when she estimated the time.
By then, several people from the Duke of Anguo's Mansion had arrived. Mingzhao was still wearing a white brocade riding uniform with gold thread edging, and he was looking inside the door with his hands behind his back.
Mingyuelin was talking to Yuan Wan, while Mingzhouhe was leaning against the door sleepily. Not knowing what Mingzhouqing said, she raised her leg and kicked him in the calf lightly.
Seeing this, Shi Jianli quickened her pace, "Have you been waiting for a long time? Why don't you come in, or ask someone to call me?"
"We just arrived and my second sister urged me to go out early in the morning. She was so excited that she couldn't wait any longer." Ming Zhouhe was the first to speak. He stood up straight.
Shi Jianli turned to look at him, "Cousin, why do you look so sleepy?"
"Your second cousin was addicted to chess last night and insisted on dragging me to play chess until midnight. It's okay, just go to bed early tonight."
Mingzhao even walked up to her and said, "Get in the carriage. Let's go to the farm and exchange it for the horse you chose yesterday. The bow I brought for you is in the carriage."
"Okay." Shi Jianli slightly arched her eyebrows.
Yuan Wan pointed at Yuan Qingchen and introduced him, "Sister Shi, this is my second brother. You can just call him Second Brother Yuan."
Shi Jianli bowed to Yuan Qingchen and said, "Second Brother Yuan, nice to meet you."
"Hello, Miss Shi." Yuan Qingchen smiled and nodded.
Shi Jianli and Mingyue were walking in front, and Mingzhao helped them into the carriage one by one.
When they reached Yuan Wan, he called out to Yuan Qingchen, who was standing nearby, "Second brother, help me up."
Yuan Qingchen helped her up.
Seeing that his sisters were all seated, Ming Zhouhe got on the carriage in front first, clasped his hands and leaned on the soft pillow behind him.
When Mingzhao came back in, he teased, "I heard that big brother has been visiting my cousin under the guise of picking up my second sister lately?"
I feel like the atmosphere between the two of them has become much more intimate.
Mingzhao was still sitting next to him and glanced at him, "Who told you that?"
"My mother."
Mingzhao was still speechless. He knew that his actions were obvious, and Aunt Qiao could naturally see through his thoughts at a glance. It was not surprising that Second Aunt knew about it during the sisters' casual conversation.
But... being able to let him in meant that they conceded that he could pursue his cousin Shi.
In another carriage, as soon as Ming Yuelin got on, he took the long box on the carriage and put it into Shi Jianli's arms, "Here, Sister Li, this is what my eldest brother asked me to give to you."
Shi Jianli took it and stroked the Taotie pattern on the silver bow with her fingers. "It's a very smooth pattern."
Ming Yuelin leaned over to take a look, "How exquisite and domineering, but this pattern looks a little familiar."
Yuan Wan also examined it and said with a smile, "This Taotie pattern looks like it was carved by my eldest cousin. He's very good at seal carving. When I was a child, I saw him carving this pattern on stone. It left a deep impression on me. Looking closely, it does have his style."
"It was indeed carved by my eldest brother. He is the best at carving the Taotie pattern, the auspicious cloud pattern, and the white tiger pattern."
Shi Jianli lowered her eyes slightly, poked the engraving on the bow, and said with a smile: "I will thank him later."
When they arrived at the farm, Shi Jianli climbed onto the chestnut horse that was led over, slung the bow and arrow on his back, and rode to the North Mountain with the others.
After shooting several wild animals in succession, it was around noon. Shi Jianli found a shady place to sit down and looked at the person next to him who was collecting arrows.
Mingzhao walked towards her and half-knelt in front of her, "Are you thirsty?"
"Some." Shi Jianli handed him the water bag hanging around her waist.
Mingzhao smiled and unscrewed the button for her, "Your archery skills are not inferior to those of my second and third brothers."
"Of course, this isn't the first time you've seen me shoot an arrow." She raised her chin, took the water bag, and her eyes fell on his fingers. She noticed a shallow scar on the tip of his left index finger. She grabbed the bow and held it in front of him. "Did you carve the pattern on it?"
Seeing her arrogant look, Mingzhao's eyebrows softened even more. "Well, I have some talent in seal carving. I carved it for fun. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course I don't mind, thank you." It was obvious that he put his heart into it.
"You're welcome." Mingzhao even broke off a large leaf and fanned her with it. "Can I invite you to Taiyuan Lake on any of our next days off? The Shili Fengguang Pavilion by the lake serves a delicious fish feast."
Shi Jianli looked at him and said, "This holiday isn't even over yet, and you're already thinking about making an appointment for the next one?"
"I can't help it. Cousin Shi is so popular. I'm afraid someone else will make an appointment with you first, so I won't be able to make it. I'll still bring my third brother and second sister with me."
"You haven't asked your cousin and sister Lin if they agree."
"They will agree." Mingzhao leaned in closer, letting her feel as much of the wind as possible. "Cousin Shi, do you mean you agree?"
"all right."
Mingzhao's lips curved wider, and he looked at her for a moment before slightly averting his gaze. "Are you hungry? Ask them to prepare lunch. We're having a picnic today."
"Some." After climbing mountains and shooting arrows, he was already hungry.
He stood up and held out his hand to her, "Pull you up."
Shi Jianli blinked and gave him her hand.
Mingzhao still held her wrist through the sleeve and pulled her up, then let go and went to find Tianfeng and Tianyu.
Seeing that Mingzhao had left, Mingyue, who was squatting on the ground and whispering to Yuan Wan, waved to Li Linchao and said, "Sister Li, come to our side."
Shi Jianli walked towards them.
"Shall we go pick some mushrooms later? When the sun isn't so high, we can go to the foot of the mountain and dig up some bamboo shoots."
"Okay." Shi Jianli agreed happily. "The next day off is a big day off. How about we go to Taiyuan Lake to pick lotus pods the next day? There should be lotus pods by now."
"Okay." Ming Yuelin glanced at Ming Zhaohuan, who was instructing Tian Feng and Tian Yu, raised an eyebrow, and asked softly, "But, it was my eldest brother who brought it up, right?"
"He suggested it." Shi Jianli responded calmly.
"I knew it. Big Brother used to hang out with Ji Gudong and Big Brother Yu on his days off, but now Ji Gudong and Big Brother Yu have fallen out of favor."
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