A kiss on the water
The wedding of Shi Dayong and Jinniang was set for an auspicious day.
During this time, Pei Qingwu specially cleaned up that small courtyard to serve as their new home. The room was filled with red silk, creating a joyful atmosphere.
After all, they were her "family," so Pei Qingwu ordered hairpins and wedding attire, and prepared a complete and grand dowry according to her and Yinlan's previous plans.
"Come, Jinniang, try on your dress."
Pei Qingwu smiled and gestured for Jinniang to come over and change her clothes.
“This…” Jinniang looked at the hanging clothes, made of silk, shimmering and colorful, and hesitated, “This is my second marriage, why must the master be so ostentatious…”
"What's wrong with getting married a second time? Your employer is rich, so of course I'll make sure it looks beautiful for you." Pei Qingwu pulled her over without waiting for a reply: "Quickly, change into it and let me see. If there's anything that doesn't fit, I'll take it back and alter it."
Jinniang had no choice but to change into the complete jeweled wedding dress with the help of Yinlan and Qiantao.
According to custom, the best color for this formal dress is blue-green, symbolizing a woman's "virtue, nobility, and steadfastness." The layered garments are embroidered with intricate intertwined floral patterns using delicate gold and silver threads, shimmering beautifully in the light.
The wide sleeves and lapels are inlaid with tiny pearls and various gemstone fragments, which shimmer slightly with movement, like a galaxy scattered.
Her originally pale face, set against the backdrop of this gorgeous dress, revealed a rare, radiant glow.
Her hands, worn from years of labor, were awkwardly folded in front of her, but her slender waist was perfectly cinched by the sash of her dress, revealing a graceful figure that even she herself had never noticed.
Yin Lan then applied a light touch of powder to her face, lightly brushed her eyebrows, and dabbed a light pink lipstick on her lips, making her already gentle features even more clearly defined and captivating.
Qiantao styled her hair into a high bun, adorning it with a matching jeweled gold comb and delicate floral hairpins.
When the last gold hairpin was secured, Jinniang raised her head and looked at the beautiful figure in the mirror that was both strange and familiar. For a moment, she was stunned.
The person in the mirror had a look of disbelief in their eyes, but the corners of their lips involuntarily turned up slightly. A complex expression of shyness, joy, and a faint expectation for the future mixed together, making them radiate a new glow, completely different from the silent and docile woman they usually were.
"So beautiful!" Qiantao couldn't help but clap her hands in admiration.
Yinlan smiled and nodded, "This is how a bride should look."
Pei Qingwu stepped forward and tidied the stray hairs at her temples, his eyes full of gratified smiles: "I knew it suited her. Our Jinniang should look this radiant."
Jinniang smiled shyly, lowered her head and tugged at the hem of her clothes, and murmured, "Isn't it... too flashy?"
"Won't."
Pei Qingwu specifically called Nianci and Mingyi over as well: "Come, Nianci, Mingyi, look at your mother, isn't she beautiful?"
Nianci ran forward, circled her mother, and exclaimed in amazement, "Beautiful! Mother is the most beautiful!"
Mingyi, who could only utter a few indistinct words, clapped his little hands and said, "Good, good-looking..."
“See? The children all say it looks good.” Pei Qingwu turned to Jinniang with a smile: “You, just relax and wait to get married.”
Jinniang pursed her lips, nodded, and something glistened in her eyes.
News of the good news at Sushan Market spread like wildfire.
Pei Qingwu was determined to make the wedding a grand and solemn affair, so he sent invitations to many of his regular business associates.
She was well-liked, and those people were all willing to give her face, agreeing to come.
As for Zhao Wan, Li Yinzhu, and others, they were, after all, daughters of high-ranking families and it was not appropriate for them to show their faces in public on such an occasion. So they simply sent gifts to express their congratulations.
Pei Qingwu specially made several kinds of candies, including cherry fritters, candied fruit, candied plums, and rice dumpling candies, and scattered them for free at the entrance of the shop so that passersby could take them and share in the joy.
Passersby who received the candy would often clasp their hands in congratulations: "Congratulations on your marriage, Mr. Shi and Mrs. Cai! May you live a long and happy life together."
On the eve of the wedding, an unexpected person arrived. The kitchen was bustling with activity.
The rising steam carried a sweet fragrance, and the firelight from the stove cast a warm, golden glow on her fair cheeks.
She wore a short, narrow-sleeved blouse that allowed for easy movement, with a clean, plain-colored apron tied around her waist. Her black hair was neatly pulled back, with a few stray strands damp with sweat, clinging to her smooth forehead.
What lay out before her were three kinds of wedding snacks that she had carefully prepared.
The most eye-catching item is the red "Fu" character pastry.
Rows of shortbread cakes, already taking shape, were neatly arranged on the cutting board. Pei Qingwu was carefully preparing a water-oil pastry with a special vermilion-red fruit and vegetable juice, wrapping a sweet and delicate red bean paste filling inside.
With nimble fingers, she gently flattened the wrapped dough into a round cake, picked up a small and exquisite "Fu" (福, meaning good fortune) character stamp with her right hand, dipped it in a little edible gold powder, and with a flick of her wrist, evenly stamped it onto the center of the cake.
Next to it are mung bean cakes shaped like concentric knots, which have already cooled and been unmolded.
She personally grinds and sieves the mung bean paste, steams it thoroughly, filters out the sand, adds sweet honey and mixes it well, then presses it into an exquisite concentric knot shape using a mold.
Each knot is clear and smooth, and a small goji berry is placed in the center, like a ruby inlaid in the heart of the knot, symbolizing that the newlyweds will be forever united and have a deep and lasting love.
On the other side, a steamer is steaming, containing persimmon-shaped pastries that symbolize good fortune.
These pastries, also made of flaky pastry wrapped around fillings, were skillfully shaped by Pei Qingwu into plump, round persimmons, with a small persimmon stem topped with tender green leaves.
At this moment, they slowly swell and take shape in the steam, their skin turning an enticing light golden-brown, like miniature versions of autumn persimmons, radiating the joy of ripeness.
Just as they were about to send a plate of freshly made "Fu" character pastries to be baked, Wu Niang lifted the curtain and came in—she and Yu Yi had come specifically to help out, as the branch had been closed for a few days.
"Master, Young Master Zhao is looking for you outside the door."
"Who?" Pei Qingwu was momentarily confused, wondering which Zhao Langjun it was.
"Oh, that's Lieutenant Zhao from the Longyou Army. But he's been promoted now, so he should be called General Zhao the Guerrilla."
It turned out to be Zhao Xu.
Pei Qingwu quickly wiped his hands, took off his apron, and came out to greet the guests.
Zhao Xu was sitting in the main hall, wearing a plain, round-necked robe of dark blue silk. Compared to the last time we met, he was a bit thinner and darker, and looked more capable.
He was talking to Shi Dayong, and as his former boss, he was congratulating Shi Dayong on his upcoming marriage.
He turned around when he heard Pei Qingwu's footsteps approaching.
"I heard that Young Master Zhao has been promoted and is now called General Zhao." Pei Qingwu joked with a smile, "Why would General Zhao deign to come to my little shop?"
Zhao Xu waved his hand and said, "Why be so formal? I just returned from the army and heard that there was a happy occasion in Sushan Village, so I came to see. It turns out that Shi Dayong is getting married. Congratulations!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Dayong smiled憨厚ly.
Seeing that Zhao Xu had finished his tea, Pei Qingwu stepped forward and refilled it for him.
"Speaking of which, I owe my safe return to Master Pei." Seeing her finish refilling his tea and sit down, Zhao Xu said softly, "If it weren't for Master Pei's righteous act of donating provisions to the Longyou army, I'm afraid I truly wouldn't have been able to withstand it..."
"It's nothing. General Zhao and other brave men are fighting on the front lines. This is all I can do."
"And I have also heard that during the flood, Master Pei and the princess set up tents and distributed porridge, which truly fills me with respect."
As he spoke, Zhao Xu took out a small sandalwood box and pushed it toward Pei Qingwu: "It's been a long time since we last met. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won't find it offensive, Master Pei."
"Why……"
Although he didn't know what was inside, Pei Qingwu had a gut feeling that it must be very valuable, so he tried to decline.
But Zhao Xu was adamant, so she had no choice but to accept it.
Zhao Xu gave Shi Dayong some more gifts, said a few more words, and then got up and left.
Pei Qingwu escorted him to the courtyard gate, where the Zhao family's carriage was quietly waiting for Zhao Xu.
Zhao Xu was in no hurry. He stood beside the carriage, turned to look at Pei Qingwu, and lingered on her beautiful face for a moment before carefully speaking: "Master Pei, I have finally established a foothold in the army, and I am getting on in years. My household is lacking someone who can manage the household affairs and be considerate. I wonder if Master Pei... would you be willing to consider this?"
His words were subtle, but his meaning was clear. Given his status and the gap between him and Pei Qingwu, the person "managing internal affairs" was naturally a concubine.
Pei Qingwu was slightly taken aback, then understood.
She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and open, a polite smile playing on her lips: "General Zhao's kindness is too much for me to bear. I am just a commoner, used to the lively atmosphere of this shop, and I am not comfortable with the rules of a high-class mansion. General, your future is bright, you should find a true lady from a noble family to accompany you."
She phrased it tactfully, but clearly expressed her refusal.
Looking at the unwavering clarity and determination in her eyes, Zhao Xu understood that this matter could not be forced, nor was it what she wanted.
A fleeting hint of disappointment crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: “I was being presumptuous. I admire Master Pei’s lofty aspirations. Please consider my words today as if I never mentioned them.”
After saying that, he turned around, got into his car, and left.
After seeing Zhao Xu off, Pei Qingwu returned to the room, looked at the sandalwood box on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then opened it.
Inside, on a red brocade lining, was an exquisitely crafted gold filigree crown.
The crown is woven with intricate floral patterns of intertwined branches from extremely fine gold wire, and inlaid with various gemstones and pearls. It shimmers and sparkles under the light, making it extremely luxurious and obviously very valuable.
Pei Qingwu gasped and quickly closed the box.
This gift is too valuable and has too much significance for her to handle.
But Zhao Xu had already left, and returning it would seem deliberate. For a moment, he was caught between taking it and not taking it, so he had no choice but to put it away for the time being and decide to deal with it at a more suitable time in the future.
She didn't notice that her conversation with Zhao Xu at the courtyard gate, and the shock she felt when she opened the box, had been seen by Gu Heng, who happened to be carrying things over from the backyard.
Gu Heng looked at the gold-embroidered crown, whose brilliance could not be concealed even when it was in its box, and then thought of Zhao Xu's tall and upright figure, his extraordinary background, and his current status as a guerrilla general, and then compared himself to it...
Born into a brothel, she had nothing of value, except for her somewhat attractive face...
An indescribable bitterness and inferiority complex clung tightly to his heart like vines, almost suffocating him.
With such a good employer, even someone like General Zhao looks up to him with favor, what am I... anyway?
For the rest of the day, Gu Heng remained unusually silent, simply focusing on his work.
Moving things, setting up the venue, washing utensils... she seemed to have inexhaustible strength, yet she kept her eyes down, not daring to look at Pei Qingwu.
Pei Qingwu was busy with the final preparations for the wedding. Although she noticed that Gu Heng was in low spirits, she just assumed he was tired and didn't think much of it.
It wasn't until late at night that all the preparations were finally completed.
Pei Qingwu rubbed her aching neck as she walked out of the room, intending to fetch water to wash up. But she saw Gu Heng sitting alone on a stone bench in the courtyard, hugging his knees, under the cold moonlight. His shadow stretched long in the moonlight, exuding an indescribable loneliness and grievance.
She paused, understanding dawning on her, and quietly walked over to sit beside him: "What's wrong? Sitting here all alone, are you sulking with someone?"
Gu Heng stiffened, but didn't turn around. His voice was muffled: "No."
"Still saying no?" Pei Qingwu chuckled, deliberately moving closer to examine his tense profile in the moonlight. "Is it because of General Zhao?"
Gu Heng turned his head sharply, his lips moved as if he wanted to deny it, but when he saw her smiling eyes, all the words of bravado stuck in his throat.
He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously digging into the edge of the stone bench, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "General Zhao, he's very good... He gave the master such an expensive gift, he... he can give the master something even better..."
“What’s better?” Pei Qingwu asked deliberately.
“A better life…a higher status…” Gu Heng’s voice was tinged with bitterness: “Unlike me…I have nothing…”
Pei Qingwu looked at him quietly for a long time until Gu Heng felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, then she slowly asked, "Aheng, do you think I'm the kind of person who craves wealth and fame?"
Gu Heng immediately shook his head: "Of course not!"
“That’s it.” Pei Qingwu said lightly, “General Zhao is a good man, but his goodness is none of my business. Even if he came in a grand sedan chair to marry me as his principal wife, let alone be a concubine, I would not want to.”
She paused, looking at the boy's eyes, which suddenly lit up with confusion, and continued, "I don't need anyone to give me a better life; I can earn it myself. I don't think there's anything wrong with how things are now."
"Then... what kind of person does the master want to marry?" Gu Heng mustered his courage and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time, his heart pounding with nervousness.
Pei Qingwu did not answer immediately. She looked up at the bright crescent moon in the sky, a gentle smile curving her lips. Her voice was as soft as a breeze, yet it clearly reached Gu Heng's ears.
"I... I'm not thinking about getting married yet. But..."
She suddenly turned her head, her gaze falling on Gu Heng's face with a hint of slyness and tenderness: "If I had to ask what kind of person I like... I think I've already met someone who makes my heart flutter."
While Gu Heng was completely stunned by these sudden words and his mind went blank, Pei Qingwu suddenly leaned forward and her soft lips, like a feather, lightly touched his cheek with a fleeting kiss.
"It's late, don't overthink it, go back and get some rest."
After saying that, without waiting for Gu Heng to react, Pei Qingwu stood up and walked briskly towards her room.
The boy was left sitting alone on the stone bench, his cheeks burning as if branded with a hot iron, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
