Chapter 23 Master
After the start of spring, Shen Qingmeng and Chu Wangshu set off and left the capital.
Chu Wangshu had never seen this world before, and everything was new and exciting to him. When they first arrived in Chang'an, the two of them just strolled around the streets for one night, bought some snacks, and watched some acrobatics, which he enjoyed immensely.
On the way back to the inn, they came across a stall where people could win prizes by shooting arrows, and Shen Qingmeng encouraged Chu Wangshu to give it a try.
In fact, Chu Wangshu had a lingering shoulder ailment that prevented him from exerting much strength, making things like drawing a bow naturally difficult. But when Shen Qingmeng held his hand and shot an arrow that hit the bullseye, he was still extremely excited.
The prize is a jar of fine peach blossom wine.
Chu Wangshu's alcohol tolerance hadn't improved at all. After barely managing three cups, he started grinning foolishly at Shen Qingmeng, and then hugged her tightly, refusing to let go.
"I shouldn't have let you drink," Shen Qingmeng pinched Chu Wangshu's cheek, both amused and exasperated. "Come on, take off your coat and go to sleep."
Shen Qingmeng felt that Chu Wangshu must have been a very well-behaved child when he was young, since he was really obedient now. Even when he was so drunk, he still did whatever Shen Qingmeng asked him to do.
Oh no, not very obedient.
After Shen Qingmeng crawled into bed, Chu Wangshu hugged her again, and hugged her very tightly. Shen Qingmeng told him to loosen his grip, but he just shook his head and said, "No."
But he kept smiling, a somewhat silly smile.
"So happy?" Shen Qingmeng gently pecked Chu Wangshu's lips.
Shen Qingmeng had always been the one taking the initiative, showering Chu Wangshu with affection, kisses, and hugs. Chu Wangshu, however, didn't know how to express his love. The books he read about self-discipline and propriety, respect for hierarchy, were far removed from Shen Qingmeng's actions. So, he tried to emulate Shen Qingmeng, treating her well in every way he could.
But aside from occasionally resorting to cheating, he's still a bit thin-skinned.
Things are different when you're drunk. Right now, Young Master Chu is holding Shen Qingmeng and rubbing against her neck.
"Qingmeng, I like you so much..."
"What a coincidence, me too."
Chang'an, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Jiangnan... the two traveled south, visiting many places, enjoying lantern festivals, eating delicious food, and experiencing local customs and culture, having a wonderful time.
Shen Qingmeng also took Chu Wangshu to visit various music and entertainment venues, saying she wanted to broaden his horizons. However, Chu Wangshu wasn't very interested in them, only feeling that the pastries in Luoyang were tastier.
It wasn't until Chu Wangshu witnessed a torrential downpour with lightning and thunder in Hangzhou that he realized just how loud the thunder Shen Qingmeng had described was.
It was truly like gunpowder exploding; it was quite frightening. Although Chu Wangshu had never seen gunpowder explode before, the thunder was at least much louder than firecrackers for the New Year.
"You lied to me too," Chu Wangshu said, seeing Shen Qingmeng leisurely enjoying the pastries she had just bought, realizing that she wasn't afraid of thunder at all.
“Sigh, that was because I was thinking of seducing you back then,” Shen Qingmeng broke off a small piece of jujube paste pastry to taste, and immediately felt that it was still too sweet, so she quickly stuffed the rest into Chu Wangshu’s mouth: “Now you are my husband, and I don’t have to pretend to be scared to let you hug me.”
Chu Wangshu, being quite shrewd, pulled Shen Qingmeng into his arms: "Oh, so sweet."
“It’s rare to find something you dislike that’s too sweet,” Shen Qingmeng said, picking up another piece of rice cake and taking a bite. “This is delicious! It’s red bean paste, I like it.”
The days of eating, drinking, and having fun passed naturally and quickly. Before the south became hot and rainy, the two set off on a different route back to the capital.
After much deliberation, the two decided to stay in the capital, where they had friends, family, and everything familiar. Besides, no one would restrict Chu Wangshu's activities anymore, and he didn't dislike the capital.
Before leaving, Shen Qingmeng left Wang Wanwan a lot of money, saying that she would fully support Wanwan in ruining Baiweizhai!
Today, Wang Family Restaurant has acquired Baiweizhai and renamed it Wanyunlou.
Wang Wanwan said that she still only wants to open a restaurant that ordinary people can afford. Therefore, she has not raised prices after the store expanded. Even though it is the largest restaurant in Beijing, it is still open to everyone from high-ranking officials to ordinary people.
Nearly a year has passed, and the capital city is even more prosperous than before.
The current emperor is truly a wise ruler.
Wang Wanwan set aside a separate space in the restaurant for Shen Qingmeng as her dessert shop. However, Shen Qingmeng only contributed money and rarely put in any effort, as she had other things to do.
Even in the most bustling streets, there are homeless children. Shen Qingmeng said she wants more children to have the opportunity to grow up and become adults, just like her, instead of becoming lonely ghosts in mass graves.
She opened a bookstore where ordinary people could study, learn martial arts, or learn medicine, in addition to the homeless children. Chu Wangshu taught literature, Shen Qingmeng taught martial arts, and Uncle Li moved to the bookstore to live and also looked after the homeless children. He also picked a few bright children to read medical books with.
One day, a child, having overheard something, circled around Chu Wangshu after school and asked him, "Teacher, teacher, can you divine?"
The word "divination" seemed to have been absent from Chu Wangshu's life for a long time. He smiled gently and replied, "The teacher only knows how to teach, not how to divine. Besides, there are no more astrologers in the world."
"But you share the same name as the former dynasty's imperial advisor!"
“My family’s security escort agency also has a guy named Li Tiezhu, who has the same surname and given name as you. He can break a boulder with his chest. Can you do that?” Shen Qingmeng led the group of kids in practicing basic skills at noon. After washing off the sweat, she took a nap. Just then, she came to pick up Chu Wangshu to go home.
With one hand carrying the donkey rolls and poria cocos cakes she had just gotten from Wanyun Tower, and the other hand on her hip, she teased the little iron pillar in front of her: "Yesterday you only did the horse stance... half an incense stick's time? It seems you didn't even last that long before sitting on the ground complaining of being tired, right?"
Li Tiezhu immediately made his escape: "Master...Master, I...I'm leaving now, my mother is waiting for me to come home and chop wood! Master, see you tomorrow, Master!"
“Let’s go too, Master Chu, it’s time to go home for dinner,” Shen Qingmeng stepped forward and linked arms with Chu Wangshu. “I want to eat sweet and sour pork ribs today.”
“Okay,” Chu Wangshu took the pastries and held them in her hands. “I asked Uncle Zhang to save some spare ribs for me. Let’s go get them.”
"Master! My kite is stuck in a tree, and neither my master nor my grandmother can get it down. Can you please help me?"
She was the little apprentice that Uncle Li picked up in the refugee alley a few days ago, and he gave her a new name, Chaoyan. She was originally a rather thin little girl, but after taking care of her these days, she has become much fairer and plumper.
The little girl and an old woman depended on each other for survival. Shen Qingmeng saw that the old woman had a kind face, so she brought her to the bookstore. Anyway, Uncle Li was tired of being alone with those children, so it wouldn't hurt to have someone else to take care of them.
"Okay, let's go pick some kites first." Chu Wangshu patted Chaoyan's head and took Shen Qingmeng's arm to accompany her to the backyard.
The tree wasn't too tall; Shen Qingmeng could have easily climbed up and retrieved the kite with a little help. But... she rode on Master Chu's shoulders and more leisurely took the kite down the tree.
Ever since Chu Wangshu saw a young man carrying a young woman off a sedan chair in Luoyang, it seemed as if he had learned something new. That very night, he tried to carry Shen Qingmeng on his back at the inn.
With those two shoulders, he probably wouldn't have the chance to carry anyone, not even a child like Asagao, but carrying someone on his back or being used as a mount like this wouldn't be a problem.
Since he was happy to carry it, Shen Qingmeng had no reason to refuse. A man should always be given a chance to show his prowess, especially one she liked so much.
However, Shen Qingmeng never expected that after so many years, she would still be able to ride a horse after growing up.
After dinner, Shen Qingmeng brought over a lot of bamboo strips and Xuan paper.
What kind of kites do you like?
"Hmm?" Chu Wangshu had only glanced at the kite a few more times today, but she didn't expect Shen Qingmeng to bring the tools that very evening: "Can you make one?"
"Of course I will. I used to play with it all the time when I was a kid. I was planning to make one for you tonight and set it off tomorrow," Shen Qingmeng spread out the Xuan paper and handed it to Chu Wangshu: "Draw the pattern first, and then I'll teach you how to stick the bamboo strips on."
The days that followed were peaceful and serene.
Shen Qingmeng and Chu Wangshu spent their days teaching, eating, and sleeping, living a carefree and happy life.
The Imperial Advisor, Lady Chu, and Changning, the woman from a fallen kingdom.
Princess Murong Qingyu and her husband.
Master Shen and Master Chu.
Regardless of their identities, whether good or evil, they will always be together.
very nice.
Author's Note:
Their married life was peaceful and happy. They had friends and family, and could do what they loved. In that world, Qingmeng and Chu Wangshu truly had a wonderful life together. [starry-eyed emoji]
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