Enjoying the scenery at Shuimeng Lake
"Yueyou, why are your eyes so red?"
"Sister Xue Rong?" Sun Yueyou put down the rouge box. When a person is in a bad mood, everything goes wrong. A heavy rain started, so she had to take shelter in the powder shop.
"It must be the poor quality of the paint that made my sister's eyes red. We won't come here again."
The shopkeeper rushed over in a panic, pleading, "Grandma, please have mercy on me! How am I supposed to do business if word gets out?"
Sun Yueyou apologized, took her arm with one hand, and forced a smile, "Sister, please don't make fun of me."
"Alright, I'll help you all the way. I'll take you back and tell you about the scholar. It's better if you don't marry him."
When Wen Ruo returned home, Mr. Yi said that Shi Liu Niang had woken up, but she always looked uneasy. She was absent-minded when taking medicine and getting acupuncture, and seemed to have something on her mind that she found difficult to say.
Wen Ruo folded her umbrella and stood at the door. The damp chill made her shiver when she entered the house. "Does it hurt? I went out to do some things for Cao Xi. Our house is almost covered in dust. I went to check and will find someone to clean it another day."
Shiliu's mother seemed to feel bad and didn't dare to look up at her. She picked up the quilt and covered her legs, pretending to be busy. "It doesn't hurt. Go change your clothes first, so you don't catch a cold."
Wen Ruo responded and went back into the house. She placed the booklets that Qi Guanlan had collected under her pillow, and sat in front of the heater for a while, warming her knees before sitting down in front of Shiliu Niang.
The mother and daughter looked at each other, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Perhaps her words had frightened Shiliu's mother, because Wen Ruo smiled first and said, "Once your leg is healed, I won't stop you from going out to find Miss Yue, but you have to promise me one thing."
Pomegranate Mother nodded hurriedly, "I will never be a burden to you."
Wen Ruo shook her head and sighed, "This is the last time."
"We must keep our eyes open and recognize the right person, otherwise we'll just be paying back for nothing, which is such a bad deal."
Pomegranate Girl burst into laughter through her tears, wiped her eyes, and said, "Okay, just this once."
"I'll cook tonight, how about we have fish noodles? It's raining today."
Shiliu Niang struggled to get up, but Wen Ruo gave Mr. Yi a look, and Mr. Yi quickly said, "You can't move. We've known each other for so long and you've never tasted the little girl's cooking. You won't find it hard to swallow, will you?"
Wen Ruo pretended to be angry and said reproachfully, "I call this showing off my skills."
The kitchen hadn't been lit for a long time; rows of chopped wood sat beside the stove, and white bowls and plates were arranged in the cupboard. Mr. Yi started a fire, and steam rose from two iron pots, instantly warming the kitchen.
Wen Ruo scalded the bowls and chopsticks, and placed the flour and cold water in the basin on the table. She stirred the water little by little with bamboo chopsticks.
Mr. Yi listlessly stirred the stove, the firelight making his cheeks flush. "You really want her to pay off her debts?"
Wen Ruo: "What, can I possibly stop them?"
"It looks like it."
After using up about half a bag of flour, Wen Ruo's hands were getting tired from stirring. She shook the bowl, and the bamboo chopsticks stuck in the center of the dough stood firm. She wiped her hands on her apron and said, "I'll leave it to fate."
We will meet at the pavilion by the Water Dream Lake at noon! Only two days later, Wen Ruo received another letter from Miss Sun, and her heart was heavy.
The night view of Shuimeng Lake is considered one of the best in Beijing. However, during the day, the western side of Shuimeng Lake lacks artificial hills and railings, and most of the pleasure boats are moored along the shore. Idle boatmen gather to rest and play cards, creating a noisy atmosphere, along with some vendors carrying goods on shoulder poles. Over time, apart from children, ordinary people generally don't like to go there.
The opposite side was different. The lake surface was sparkling, and there were viewing platforms along the lakeside, surrounded by pine trees and artificial hills. Wen Ru walked across the long wooden bridge, and the fish under the bridge seemed to sense the arrival of a person and scattered in all directions.
Inside the hexagonal pavilion, a figure could be faintly seen pacing back and forth. Her graceful figure was Sun Xuerong, who was twisting a silk handkerchief in her hands. She sat in the pavilion with her slender eyebrows slightly furrowed and her nose red. Her sullen appearance was just like Xi Shi clutching her heart.
"What brings Miss Xue Rong to see me?"
She said, "Could you help me see him?"
One-sided love? Wen Ruo wrapped her cloak tighter, revealing only half of her face. The snow-white brim of her hat concealed the coldness in her eyes. The pavilion was drafty, and her voice sounded somewhat chilly, "There are plenty of fish in the sea."
"You like him too?" The soft voice held a hint of probing, and Wen Ruo was taken aback. "Why would you think that?"
"I'm sorry, I was too hasty." Sun Xuerong lowered her eyes, and Wen Ruo couldn't see her expression, but she heard her drawn-out voice with a hint of coquetry, "Please, just think of it as a chance encounter."
"It's nothing else, just help me invite him here. I want to try again."
"The last time."
When Wen Ruo returned home, snowflakes began to fall on the road, and the first snow of the year landed on her head. After the snow, the weather became even colder. Fu Jingjiang came to pick up A Chu again, but he stopped at the door, unwilling to take another step forward. His shoulders were covered in a layer of snow, and white breath was coming out of his mouth.
Wen Ruo had just swept a path when another layer of snow covered the clean surface, and the snow was falling even more heavily. She put down her broom, casually picked up a handful of tea leaves, brewed herself a cup of tea, and sat in the shop waiting for Mr. Yi to finish his needlework. "It's snowing. If you get sick, wouldn't it be a waste of money? Want some tea? A big bowl costs one coin."
Fu Jingjiang: "Thank you for your trouble."
"Does Miss Wen like snow scenes?"
The doorway was wide open, and the cold wind swirled snowflakes that fell into the shop, only to be instantly melted by the heat. The withered branches outside gradually transformed into an old man with white hair, his back slowly bending down.
The wind and snow swirled, snowflakes fluttering down from the sky. After another night, the earth would be a single color. She used to dislike it; people were freezing to death, so how could she like it? A trip there would leave her shoes soaked through, and she'd occasionally slip and fall, ending up with bruises all over her body.
What does a snow scene look like through the eyes of a scholar? Fishing alone on a snowy river? Have you ever tried it?
Fu Jingjiang smiled and said, "I've heard that the snow scenery at Shuimeng Lake is absolutely stunning. If Miss Wen has the time, you can go and see it."
Wen Ruo gazed at the tea in her cup, then a thought suddenly struck her. "I heard you're quite skilled?"
Fu Jingjiang's heart tightened, and he composed himself. "Who told you that?"
"Of course, some people have witnessed Master Fu's skills. I wonder if I have the honor of asking Master Fu to fetch some first snow from the top of the hexagonal pavilion at Water Dream Lake?"
Fu Jingjiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "You want to try cooking snow around the stove?"
"The snow by the lake has a unique charm."
The snow fell heavier and heavier. When I woke up the next day, there was a thick layer of snow in front of the door. It crunched underfoot. Wen Ruo was panting as she swept a path in front of the house. The water tank was covered with a layer of ice.
There was a rustling sound outside the shop. Wen Ruo opened the door and saw Xiao Shun holding a broom, waving it vigorously, and two huge snowballs stood at the door.
Suddenly, a snowball flew over. Wen Ruo dodged it, and the snowball landed on the door. Qi Guanlan was holding a new snowball tightly in his hand. "Why did it take you so long to open the door?"
He enthusiastically held up a snowball, "Want to build a snowman?"
"Young Master Chang Dui?"
Wen Ruo stepped aside, "There are still clean ones in the yard."
Qi Guanlan pushed Xue Tuan in, and Mr. Yi sat at the door with a cup of tea. "Childish!"
After finishing her work, Wen Ruo put on her cloak and prepared to go out. Qi Guanlan threw a snowball at her side. She brushed the snow off her body, the snowflakes melting on her fingertips and chilling her to the bone. "How childish!"
Qi Guanlan raised an eyebrow, looked at Mr. Yi, and casually asked, "Old man, where is she going?"
Mr. Jiu: "Shuimeng Lake."
Qi Guanlan clapped his hands in dissatisfaction, his tone somewhat harsh, "What are you going to do in this cold weather?"
The scholar invited her to admire the scenery.
Qi Guanlan was stunned. Wen Ruo picked up a snowball and smacked it against his chest. Snowflakes splashed on his neck. A cold snort was muffled in her throat, and a barely perceptible tremor escaped from the corner of her mouth.
Wen Ruo immediately put her hands behind her back, her palms, which had just touched the snow, began to feel hot. She complained, "Why didn't you dodge? This is no fun."
Qi Guanlan snapped out of his daze, bent down and shook off the snow. "Perfect timing, I'm done playing too, it's time to go back."
Mr. Yi shook his head. "No fun. I'll go back to sleep."
From afar, the vast expanse of Shuimeng Lake ripples with green waves, occasionally dotted with boats, a unique sight amidst the icy landscape.
Wen Ruo held the hot water bottle and quietly admired it for a while.
Fu Jingjiang went to the hexagonal pavilion first. There was another woman in the pavilion, presumably Sun Xuerong. Wen Ruo quickly glanced around and quietly came to the bamboo grove. This place suited her best. She could see everything that was happening in the pavilion. Miss Sun was bold enough to block Fu Jingjiang's way.
"Young Master Fu, in what way am I inferior to Miss Wen?"
It's not that you're not good enough, it's just that there's no room for anyone else in my heart.
"You two are in love?"
Fu Jingjiang immediately fell silent. "I need to collect snow. Please make way, young lady."
Fu Jingjiang retreated, and Miss Sun walked in a hurry, clearly indicating that the meeting had ended unhappily. Would Miss Sun come to bother her again?
The thought of seeing Miss Sun again made Wen Ruo frown slightly, feeling somewhat annoyed. Cao Xi had really given her a lot of trouble. She had said she didn't want to play matchmaker; people who fall in love are irrational and blind.
She turned her face and tapped the bamboo pole lightly. Snowflakes fell softly onto her cloak, covering her face. It wouldn't be bad to be a snowman, and no one would bother her.
"Wen Ruo, I want to compete with you fairly."
It turns out it wasn't Miss Sun.
Wen Ruo glanced at her curiously; it was the girl she had seen on the roadside, her eyes as red as a rabbit's.
She couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile, and asked in surprise, "What are you arguing about? It's not about Fu Jingjiang, is it?"
The girl immediately became angry, "Are you showing off?"
She really is Sun Xuerong's love rival, but now it seems like he sees her as one.
As Wen Ruo considered whether to clear up the misunderstanding, Fu Jingjiang rushed over, his face full of anger, "Miss Sun, I told you, this has nothing to do with Miss Wen, please don't be impulsive."
Another Miss Sun. I wonder if she's from the Sun family of Linlong or the Sun family of Nanyang. If she really is from the Sun family of Nanyang, she might switch sides.
“Sister Yueyou, you should give up now.” Sun Xuerong suddenly appeared, her tone full of helplessness. “Let me introduce you, she’s my friend. I asked Cao Xi for help, but she might have some misunderstandings.”
What a small world! It really is the Sun family from Nanyang.
Wen Ruo's mind went blank for a moment. "Isn't it what you like?"
Thank you.
Sun Xuerong hurriedly pulled Sun Yueyou away without offering any explanation, and the farce ended absurdly. Sun Yueyou occasionally looked back, her eyes filled with resentment; this matter was not over.
Wen Ruo looked at the two of them, and after a moment's thought, "My mother is injured and is feeling depressed. Could A Chu stay and keep her company? She'll receive one guan a month."
Fu Jingjiang hesitated for a moment, "Will this disturb you?"
"No, my mother is in a better mood when she's around."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com