Chapter 41 Delicious Fruits of Qingyupu
Even the slowest carriage will eventually arrive.
Through his hard work, Bai Yan successfully secured the opportunity to spend the night at Jiang's residence.
The main house of Tongjiang Yuzhi is separated from the main house by only one wall.
The only thing Jiang Yuzhi was unhappy about was that she wanted to relax—sitting outside under the moonlight—and refused Bai Yan's offer to accompany her.
The reason given was that the illness had not yet subsided, and the night was chilly, making one susceptible to catching a cold.
Bai Yan could only return to the inner room feeling frustrated and resentful, and sit on the small couch by the window to watch her.
The rocking chair is the same one from the funeral shop.
A crescent moon hangs high in the sky.
Bai Yan was wide awake.
After returning from Zuo Huai, he always felt like he had forgotten something, but he couldn't find the gap in his memory.
Seeing Jiang Yuzhi lying there, a sense of déjà vu washed over me again.
Two or three strands of golden silk, accompanied by the night, swam unknowingly toward Jiang Yuzhi.
A thin, lingering force, initially hesitantly and tentatively advanced, arching forward one step at a time.
He stealthily approached Jiang Yuzhi's hand, which was covering her abdomen.
Her slender, delicate fingertips twitched unconsciously, startling a strand of golden thread that snapped backward.
There were also one or two strands brushing against my cheeks.
Jiang Yuzhi felt a slight itch and knew what was coming. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
The Soul-Soothing Bell emitted a soft glow; too much residual energy would not elicit a reaction. However, Bai Yan was always by her side, and Jiang Yuzhi had grown accustomed to the incessant, crisp sound in her ears.
Seeing that she didn't reject him, Canli jumped up and crawled into Jiang Yuzhi's body.
Bai Yan seemed to hear a joyful cheer, and an inexplicable joy welled up in his heart as well.
Zhao Pingfeng, who lived in the back courtyard, looked out at the same bright moon. He hadn't had a house for a long time.
In recent days, I've felt like something is being pulled out of my body, but I'm also restrained by some force and can't move.
He didn't take it to heart. These were stolen days anyway. If he died, Miss Jiang and the others wouldn't be in trouble.
...
There's a village on the outskirts of Beijing called Qingyupu, where watermelons and cantaloupes are grown.
Watermelons were an imported product from the other side of the sea. Xiao Yao cultivated them for several generations, improving both their taste and yield, and they became very popular among the people of the Xia Dynasty.
Melons are a seasonal fruit in summer, with white skin and white flesh, sweet and juicy, and can be crisp or soft.
The cucumber nursery was Xiao Yao's cultivation field, only thirty acres in size. The head of the farm, surnamed Luo, had received news of his master's impending arrival a couple of days earlier and had prepared the main house.
When a female guest arrived, Luo Zhuangtou specially brought his wife and daughter to greet her.
Di Ting never misses an opportunity to have fun. He jumped off the carriage and burrowed into the ground. Sui Gu and Fang Xiang Shi came with him. The three of them were always inseparable.
When Luo Zhuangtou's daughter saw a dog rush out, she immediately went to help, but her father stopped her.
"This humble subject greets Your Highness Prince Xiao." The entire Luo family knelt down and bowed deeply.
Bai Yan had just been granted the title of king when the head of the village changed his title.
"No need for further explanation, just use the usual form of address."
"Yes, young master. This is my wife, Madam Luo. Just tell her what you'd like to eat. This is my daughter, Luo Yundou, who is in charge of serving the female guests." Headman Luo introduced his family members one by one.
There weren't many tenants in the village; they all had their own residences around the village. Qingyupu wasn't large either, with only the Luo family living there, who managed the village's affairs on a daily basis.
Bai Yan briefly mentioned Jiang Yuzhi's surname, and instructed the Luo family's white dog and the two behind it that they were distinguished guests and should not be neglected. Then he led Jiang Yuzhi into the manor to rest.
Luo Zhuangtou patted his daughter on the back and said, "What are you standing there for? Go and lead the way for the young master."
Luo Yundou, who had been staring blankly at Bai Yan's back, snapped out of her daze and said, "Okay, Dad."
Sui Gu saw everything and sneered.
Luo Zhuangtou, not forgetting Bai Yan's instructions, bowed respectfully and asked, "Would you two honored guests like to rest first or take a stroll in the fields?"
“Don’t worry about us, we’ll just walk around by ourselves,” Sui Gu replied casually.
"OK."
After saying this, the two immortals went to the field to find Di Ting.
Luo Yundou jogged to catch up with her master, trying to suppress her panting, and spoke softly, "Young Master, my mother and I cleaned up the main house ourselves. I, I'll take you there."
After speaking, she stole a glance at Bai Yan's profile, her cheeks slightly flushed, "Where does Miss Jiang live? Should we prepare another room?"
Bai Yan shifted his gaze from Jiang Yuzhi and looked at Luo Yundou with a puzzled expression, finding the young woman's words rather strange. "Naturally, you will live in the main room with me."
Luo Yundou was getting anxious, "But, but the young master is not married yet..."
Bai Yan was even more puzzled, "What does this have to do with you?"
Luo Yundou's face turned pale instantly, and she looked like she was about to collapse. "Yes, yes, I did too much."
She said no more, focused on leading the way, and when they arrived at the main house, she gave a perfunctory, non-standard bow and ran away.
Jiang Yuzhi burst out laughing as she watched her leave.
Bai Yan wiped the stone bench outside the house with a handkerchief. Hearing the laughter, he first laughed along, "Sit down, Yu Zhi. What are you laughing at?"
Jiang Yuzhi sat down as instructed. "The head of the manor has taken a liking to you." Previously, a maid in the family had also liked her brother, and after being rejected, she looked just as heartbroken as Luo Yundou.
Bai Yan: "What makes you say that?"
Jiang Yuzhi casually revealed a mysterious expression, "I won't tell you."
Bai Yan sighed, feigning helplessness, "Yu Zhi always has many secrets, so what do you think I should do?"
Jiang Yuzhi was stunned. What should she do? Her brother had mostly refused; he was engaged, and his future sister-in-law should have married into the family long ago, but unfortunately, their father had passed away, and they had to observe three years of mourning. It was fortunate she hadn't married into the family, otherwise…
Bai Yan had just been enfeoffed as a prince, his health had improved, and he was even more handsome. Countless young ladies in the capital must have been eager to pursue him. Although Luo Yundou was just a farmer's daughter, the princess had never been one to be arrogant or bound by social status.
If Bai Yan truly likes her, he should agree.
Would Bai Yan like Luo Yun Dou?
Jiang Yuzhi's face froze.
Impossible, his attitude just now...
Lady Luo interrupted Jiang Yuzhi's thoughts. Unlike Luo Yundou, who wore her emotions on her sleeve, Lady Luo was a relatively calm person. She respectfully brought a plate of sliced fruits to serve her masters.
The young master and Miss Jiang looked normal, but Madam Luo felt a chill run down her spine. The young master was glaring at her, and she didn't dare to look closely before hastily retreating.
"Your Highness is amazing! This melon is sweeter and crisper than any I've ever eaten." Jiang Yuzhi forked a piece of the cold melon, and as she chewed, the sweet juice filled her mouth. The seeds of the cold melon had been removed to save for planting, making it very convenient to eat.
Bai Yan concealed his disappointment and ate a piece, but it tasted bland.
...
When Luo Niangzi returned to the kitchen, Luo Zhuangtou was also there.
The tenants, to show their respect, will come to pay their respects to their young master tomorrow.
Their estate is considered a royal estate, so there can be no mistakes in the accounts. Manager Luo is currently sorting them out one by one.
The masters' meals in the evening must also be perfect.
Madam Luo hurriedly plopped down on a stool in the kitchen and drank a large bowl of water.
Luo Zhuangtou stopped checking the inventory. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Madam Luo took a breath and calmed down. "Have we offended the master?"
Luo Zhuangtou's expression changed. "Impossible. If I had really offended His Highness, would he still be in charge of the estate?"
Madam Luo was puzzled. "That's what I thought too, but just now I felt like the young master was glaring at me."
Luo Zhuangtou: "Staring at you? That shouldn't be the case. The eldest princess is the kindest. The young master's family is a bit cold, but they treat the servants very well."
The couple couldn't figure it out, so they could only be more careful in the following days.
Their daughter, Luo Yundou, is currently engaged. If they serve their masters well, they can receive some gifts as a reward, which will make their daughter's dowry more presentable.
The couple gets a headache just thinking about it.
Luo Yundou was spoiled by them. She was quite clever, but she was arrogant.
She had no worries about food and clothing, and was even the manager of the imperial estate. She looked down on ordinary farming families.
Luo Niangzi approached several kind-hearted families, but Luo Yundou was unwilling to do so.
How could Lady Luo not know what she was thinking? Did she not think the other person was not good enough for her?
But ultimately, they are also farmers.
Even learned families would look down on them.
Alas, I wonder when my daughter will wake up.
If all else fails, we'll have to give more dowry.
After running away on her own, Luo Yundou realized that her behavior was inappropriate. She didn't dare to go to her parents for the time being, so she squatted under a tree by the field, angrily pulling weeds and keeping an eye on the so-called distinguished guests to prevent them from damaging her family's melon field.
Di Ting, with its long fur, found the heat unbearable, while the cold melon was cool. It was dozing in the sun, holding a melon.
Sui Gu was tapping on this melon and that melon, trying to choose the best one without relying on magic. Fang Xiangshi silently held an umbrella to shield her from the sun.
Luo Yundou had almost pulled all the grass around her. She considered herself to be somewhat pretty, literate, and quite good at embroidery, but what kind of people did her mother find for her?
She didn't want to marry any of them: a farmer destined to till the land for life, a carpenter who made furniture for others, or a rough and brute hunter.
No matter how eloquently the matchmaker spoke, Luo Yundou always felt that she could have a better choice.
At the very least, he should be a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations.
Her family owns thirty acres of land and such a large estate, and she even knows the Eldest Princess... and His Highness Prince Xiao.
His Highness Prince Xiao was more handsome than any man she had ever seen; this was what a true noble young master should be like.
Since His Highness Prince Xiao is going to live with Miss Jiang before he's even married, I should also have a chance.
Thinking of this, Luo Yundou's face flushed red.
Your Highness treated me coldly earlier, it must be because you don't know me yet. Once we get to know each other, being a concubine to the prince is better than marrying off to a farmer.
Luo Yundou felt that wealth and glory were right before her eyes, within reach.
It was very quiet around, with only the sound of the wind, the intermittent chirping of cicadas, and the sound of the maiden patting a melon.
Listening too closely without vigilance leads to a loss of ear protection.
Suddenly, I heard that someone was trying to steal Bai Yan from Zhi Zhi! Bai Yan hasn't even been accepted yet, and he's already attracting unwanted attention? How outrageous!
It suddenly opened its eyes, and Sui Gu was just patting a melon next to it. Their eyes met.
Sui Gu smiled and asked, "Why is Lord Di Ting awake?"
Di Ting said, "Go to the tree and give that mortal a good talking-to."
As Sui Gu spoke, she turned her head and said, "What do you mean, mortals need adults to worry about them?"
It's the one who was staring at Young Master Bai just now.
Sui Gu: "Heh, let's go, A Fang, there's a young lady who doesn't know herself."
Fang Xiangshi: "Hmm."
The two immortals leisurely walked towards Luo Yundou.
...
Bai Yan, sitting in the courtyard, wanted to return to the previous topic but couldn't find an opportunity. Even if it were just a little longer, like the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, his wife would be able to face the issue of their relationship.
Frustrated, he quickly ate most of the melon on the plate.
Jiang Yuzhi had never seen Bai Yan eat so quickly. Was he really that fond of it?
"How about we go pick some ourselves? I really like the kind you're eating."
Bai Yan's amber eyes slowly met Jiang Yuzhi's red eyes, "You...like?"
I didn't notice it before, but now it seems like Bai Yan's eye color has become lighter.
"Hmm, shall we go pick this melon together?"
"...Oh, okay."
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Author's Note: [Let me see]
The only person Yu Zhi would call you "Your Highness" is the Eldest Princess, Xiao Yao. When those two words appear in her mouth, it refers to Xiao Yao.
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