“That’s easy. In a few days, you and I will go to Chongyi Peak together for the wedding banquet. You can give her a surprise in person.”
"Yes, thank you, Sister Yu."
"No need to thank me." Qiaoyu looked her over and noticed that her clothes were torn in several places, her shoes were covered in mud, and she had a faint fishy smell.
He pulled a ten-tael silver note from his sleeve and handed it to Xiaocao, saying, "Take this. If you can't find any relatives, come to Chen's Silk Shop on Juyue Street to find me."
Looking at the silver note, Xiao Cao hesitated for a moment before taking it. "I will repay Sister Yu double in the future."
"No need, no need," Qiaoyu waved her hand. "Everyone has their low points."
...
As night fell, Mu Run finished washing up and coaxed the two little ones to sleep.
After they fell asleep, she sat under the candlelight and took an embroidery needle from the embroidery basket.
First, I heated the needle tip over the candle flame, and only pulled it back after I felt the part of my hand starting to get hot.
Then pick at a small black dot on your fingertip.
She got a small splinter stuck in her skin while making tea during the day, but she was too busy to deal with it later. She only had time to do these things after she had put the child to sleep.
A bright, clear moon hangs in the sky, casting a serene, silvery glow.
Suddenly, a melodious melody rang out, breaking the stillness of the night. The sound was like a mountain stream, a babbling brook, rising and falling, directly touching the heart.
Mu Run paused, listening to the music, and slowly drifted into a daze.
Suddenly, the room door was pushed open.
Fu Yunchen appeared at the door. He was dressed in a black brocade robe, his dark hair was unkempt and loose down his back, and his handsome face looked like a god in the moonlight.
For a moment, Mu Run was mesmerized.
Fu Yunchen walked up to her and saw that she was holding an embroidery needle blackened by candlelight in her hand. "What are you doing?"
Mu Run replied, "I have a thorn stuck in my hand, and I'm about to remove it."
Fu Yunchen took the needle from her hand and looked at the spot where she had been pricked. "Shall I help you?"
"That would be best, I really can't bring myself to do it," Mu Run said with a sheepish smile.
Fu Yunchen's hands were incredibly fast and light; he removed the thorn before she could even feel the pain.
"You're so skillful." Mu Run pinched the spot where she had been pricked; the stinging sensation was gone.
Fu Yunchen put the needle back in the basket. "Then next time, you'll know who to ask for help."
Mu Run nodded, "Of course."
The music playing outside had not yet stopped.
Mu Run asked curiously, "Who's playing the piano?"
Fu Yunchen said, "It should be Xue Niang. There was also Bao Chan before, who was also good at playing the zither."
“Baochan? Who is she?” Mu Run asked.
“Baochan is a member of the Imperial Secretariat and is currently serving as a precious concubine in the Northern Jin Dynasty’s palace.”
Fu Yunchen walked to the bedside and first looked at the children. They were all sleeping well, especially Huanhuan, who had already kicked off the blankets and was sprawled out on her back.
I straightened Huanhuan's body again, covered her with the blanket, and then touched the headboard.
A barrier slowly rose up, safely enclosing the two children inside.
"Hey? When did you install this mechanism?"
"Today, we won't need a chair."
“It’s definitely much more convenient. Where’s the mechanism? Let me see.” Mu Run walked over and stroked the spot where he had just pressed. There was a raised area that looked like a button.
She pressed it down, and the barrier retracted.
Mu Runchong gave Fu Yunchen a thumbs up, "You're amazing."
Fu Yunchen chuckled, "Go to the study and make me a cup of tea."
"Aren't you afraid you won't be able to sleep if you drink tea so late at night?" Mu Run didn't refuse.
"No," Fu Yunchen said.
“Okay, I happen to have a tea. I’m going to taste it and see how it’s cooked. You should try some too.” Mu Run took out a small silver box from his sleeve, inside which was a tea wrapped in paper.
Fu Yunchen immediately took her hand and walked outside, saying, "To the study."
The music continued unabated, and Mu Run heard it even more clearly as he went outside. "I don't understand these refined things, my husband, do you know what Xue Niang means by this?"
"The child's father?" Fu Yunchen's thin lips curled slightly upward upon hearing this address.
Mu Run nodded. "Isn't that right?"
Fu Yunchen said, "Yes, there is no better sound than this."
The music stopped.
Mu Run paused again, "Should I go see her?"
Fu Yunchen replied, "No need, there's no need."
Mu Run remembered that she was going to find husbands for the women in the inner courtyard, but she hadn't told Fu Yunchen about it yet.
In the study, Fu Yunchen had already prepared hot water and tea set, with steam rising from the small charcoal stove.
"Let me wash my hands first." Mu Run walked to the washbasin and washed her hands.
Fu Yunchen sat down and arranged the tea set.
"You should know by now that I'm going to tell them about my husband's family remarrying."
"Yes, I know. Was it your idea?"
"I just feel that they are wasting their youth in a small courtyard, and that will be the case for the next few decades. It's such a pity."
“They are McKeown’s women, not mine.”
"Yes, yes. They're not yours, but you won't object to marrying them off, will you?"
"I don't object. Do with it however you like. Whether you sell it or marry it off, it's up to you."
“Sell…” Mu Run was speechless, and at the same time felt sad for women in this world.
Mu Run carried the kettle to the table, preparing to make tea.
Fu Yunchen looked at her expectantly.
Mu Run glanced at his gaze, "...I'm not a tea master, just a tea connoisseur."
"A connoisseur?" Fu Yunchen looked at her.
"It's about judging the quality of tea and knowing how to make it." Mu Run didn't hide anything. Since they were getting married, there was no need to conceal anything, nor did she want to. If he could accept this side of herself, then the wedding would proceed. If he couldn't, that was fine too; if the feelings weren't deep enough, the love wasn't ingrained, and she could take it back.
Fu Yunchen's eyes shone brightly.
Mu Run met his shining eyes, her heart pounding with unease. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
“Run’er, you are my Run’er,” he said.
"Tch~" Mu Run rolled her eyes. "I am my own person, not yours."
"Hehe, you're about to marry me, if you're not mine, then whose are you?"
"I want to talk to you about this. Even if I marry you, I will still do what I want to do. For example, making tea, or participating in tea-related activities. I can't stay at home all the time. As for being a good wife and mother, it depends on what I do specifically."
"So you're saying you don't want to be supported by me and be a stay-at-home wife?"
"Well, you could say that. I'm not a static person."
“I agree,” Fu Yunchen said.
Mu Run was quite surprised. "Do you know what I'm talking about? It's the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, the husband being the head of the wife, and the rules and doctrines in Nüshu (women's script). I probably can't even follow them."
"If you're that kind of person, I won't be so desperate for you."
"...You really are a freak!" Mu Run finally smiled, a smile of relief and ease.
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