Fourth Master didn't have anyone summon him; he simply waved his hand and went straight into the courtyard.
The small courtyard where Li Chenjiao lived was arranged by the matron of this house; it was quite a large courtyard.
The owner of this house was indeed a man of leisure and refined taste, as various flowers and trees were planted throughout the house and even the courtyard.
It's springtime, and the flowers and trees in the yard are growing exceptionally well right now.
The further Fourth Master walked into the courtyard, the closer the aroma of roasted meat became.
Su Peisheng, who was following behind, also noticed that Fourth Master's pace gradually quickened, so he quickly followed.
To be honest, every time Master Li ordered food, it always smelled the best.
However, Li Chenjiao did not have her dinner in the inner room of the flower hall, but had the servants set up a table in the courtyard for her dinner.
There were grilled lamb skewers and stewed beef. Li Chenjiao only ordered two kinds of pickled vegetables to go with her rice.
Then he ordered two more dishes that were usually to the Fourth Prince's liking, and the dinner became quite delicious.
When Fourth Master arrived, Li Chenjiao was holding a skewer of mutton in her left hand and a silver spoon in her right, drinking vegetarian soup.
They made the most of both the spicy and the cooling dishes.
Upon seeing the Fourth Master, Li Chenjiao stood up, put down the mutton skewers in her hand, and slowly curtsied: "Your Highness has arrived. I apologize for my rudeness."
She knew that the Fourth Master would return to the manor, but it was still early, not even 7 PM yet, and it was still light out. The Fourth Master was returning earlier than Li Chenjiao had expected.
She also said that after she had tried them herself, she would pick two more that suited the Fourth Prince's taste for him to try.
Li Chenjiao loved lamb skewers, but the Fourth Master never liked muttony or gamey foods. From her observation, the Fourth Master didn't seem to like lamb very much.
Whether it's lamb skewers or lamb soup, Fourth Master can't say he likes either of them.
Li Chenjiao had previously guessed that it was probably because she had gotten used to eating mutton while in the palace with the Fourth Prince or while accompanying the Emperor on his campaigns.
After Fourth Master sat down, Li Chenjiao gave a brief explanation.
Fourth Master didn't say anything, but simply took the chopsticks.
Fourth Master certainly didn't eat lamb skewers like Li Chenjiao, at least not in the manor.
Su Peisheng was ready to step forward and take the lamb skewers to prepare them, but Fourth Master waved his hand first.
Su Peisheng suppressed his surprise and silently took a few steps back.
Lamb skewers taste best when eaten straight from the skewers.
Li Chenjiao naturally noticed Su Peisheng's little actions. She blinked, pretending not to see, and still smiled as she used serving chopsticks to put a piece of stewed beef, which was tender and soft, on Fourth Master's plate.
"Master has worked hard these past few days, so today is a good day to have something nourishing."
In early May, which happens to be the Dragon Boat Festival, the most indispensable food is naturally zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
However, eating zongzi before having a proper meal might make you feel full easily. Don't rush to eat zongzi, but you can try the calamus wine.
A cool spring breeze was blowing, and Li Chenjiao was able to have dinner in the courtyard, enjoying the breeze. She raised her wine glass, and the fragrance of calamus filled the air.
"Let's raise a toast to you, sir."
Calamus wine doesn't make people drunk, but Li Chenjiao can indulge in a drink right now.
Fourth Master picked up his wine glass and drank, his expression seemingly somewhat intoxicated.
Such a leisurely atmosphere is definitely a rare treat for Fourth Master.
Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. In previous years, we would naturally go to the palace.
This year, the Emperor is on a southern tour, which is quite unusual.
The Emperor was considerate and wanted to be frugal during his southern tour, so he did not hold a grand celebration for the Dragon Boat Festival this year.
He simply held a homecoming banquet at the residence of the local prefect, with the imperial kitchen in charge of cooking.
The Fourth Prince had just recovered somewhat, and His Majesty did not detain him, but instead had someone personally escort him back.
That's why Fourth Master returned to the mansion so early today.
The meal lasted quite a while. Although the calamus wine wasn't supposed to make one drunk, Li Chenjiao was a heavy drinker and eventually got a little tipsy.
Li Chenjiao was drunk, but Fourth Master was not.
Fourth Master had been holding back these past few days, so he really wore Li Chenjiao out that night.
Li Chenjiao was originally drunk and drowsy, but she gradually sobered up after the Fourth Master started messing with her.
Her palms were smooth and white, illuminated by the dim light of the night lamp. Her green hair was loose. After all this commotion, Li Chenjiao had become a little more awake.
“Just now, I remembered a line of poetry—” She tilted her head back, her watery eyes looking at the Fourth Prince.
The rain stopped briefly, and Fourth Master held Li Chenjiao's wrist, their fingers barely clenching.
"What?" Fourth Master seemed drunk at this moment, with sweat even glistening on his brow.
Li Chenjiao waited for the Fourth Master to lean closer, her laughter like silver bells, her teary eyes reflected in the candlelight, alluring yet with a touch of pitifulness.
"I forgot."
With her voice trailing off, anyone could hear the teasing in Li Chenjiao's tone.
She's deliberately teasing Fourth Master.
Fourth Master had originally intended to go easy on Li Shi, considering she had been drinking, but seeing her like this, he swallowed hard and finally managed a smile.
He had been holding Li's hand and was now reaching down to her waist, panting heavily.
Clearly, they were determined not to let Li off even if she begged for mercy.
Outside the courtyard where Li lived, there were peach and apricot trees, their branches a vibrant red. When they swayed in the wind and rain, their shadows flickered and rustled, their branches swaying and trembling, seemingly unable to withstand the wind and rain.
This tree, once shaken, can last all night.
Li Chenjiao almost couldn't get out of bed the next day.
She was truly innocent. Now that she was sober, she naturally remembered what happened last night. However, she was drunk at the time, but she did remember a poem.
But what could you expect a drunk person to remember back then? Fourth Master was being too petty.
However, Li Chenjiao naturally dared not say these things to the Fourth Master openly; she only dared to complain in her heart.
That's why they say drinking leads to trouble.
Li Chenjiao patted her head, looking at the beautiful spring day outside, but she had no energy at all.
Spring is slowly arriving, and I long for sleep.
Li Chenjiao yawned, deciding to sleep a little longer to recharge.
The maids all knew that their mistress had been exhausted last night, so they sensibly didn't come in to disturb her, giving Li Chenjiao time to rest quietly.
The Fourth Master stayed in Hexiwu for three days, and Li Chenjiao lay in the courtyard for two of those days.
However, she didn't have time to go out for a stroll on the last day, as she still had to tidy up her things.
Li Chenjiao didn't go out for the past three days, but she still sent Xiao Luzi and the others out to buy a lot of things.
In the end, all that was put together was a rather large burden.
For the past three days, Bai Jiashi has stayed in her courtyard, and the Fourth Prince has not visited her either. He has been staying in Li Chenjiao's courtyard for all three days, but except for the first day, he has not asked for water.
After all, Li Chenjiao was really struggling to keep up.
Fourth Master has plenty of energy, but she can't keep up.
Li Chenjiao finally regained some energy before setting off again.
The next stop was Yangliuqing, where they stayed for a shorter time. Li Chenjiao and the others spent about half a day in the carriage before setting off again.
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