Chapter 15 Feeling Irritable and Restless
On the day of Xiaohe's wedding banquet, the entire village of Lvluo was filled with joy and festivity. Drums and gongs resounded, music played, and red ribbons were tied high on the tops of the ancient elm trees on both sides of the village entrance, fluttering and dancing in the wind.
I heard that the village chief took the lead in providing wine and meat, and the villagers also contributed their strength to help Aunt Li complete the preliminary preparations for the banquet. Although it was a widowed mother and her daughter's family, they could not afford to be laughed at by people from other villages.
The small village of Green Ivy was united as one, and the feast was lively with ten tables set up, each filled with people.
Bai Hua accompanied Ning Jue to the banquet. Since she was not very familiar with the villagers and was not used to joining in the lively discussion about marriage, after giving her wedding gift, the two of them casually found an inconspicuous spot to sit down.
This table was mostly filled with children. After peeking through the window at the bride's red dress, they satisfied their curiosity, sat back down, picked up their chopsticks, and eagerly awaited the start of the meal to eat braised pork knuckle.
That's perfect. Sitting with the children will save a lot of gossip. If you sit at the table with the grandmothers and aunties, they might start gossiping about two unfamiliar young people if they get excited.
Bai Hua was not good at dealing with people, and Ning Jue was even less so.
She thought she had avoided trouble, but she didn't expect that there was a very outgoing little girl among the group of children. She looked about seven or eight years old, with her hair in two double buns. She blinked her eyes and looked at her. She recognized Bai Hua as the older sister who had given her the mask a few days ago. She suddenly realized and smiled at her.
Bai Hua likes children and patted her head in response.
What's your name?
"Er Ya".
Encouraged by Bai Hua's initiative, the little girl earnestly asked, "Pretty sister, when will you wear a beautiful red wedding dress like Sister Xiao He? My mother said that Sister Xiao He will be even more beautiful tomorrow, and when her groom comes to marry her, she will come out of her room with a red veil over her head to show everyone. Sister, will you wear a red wedding dress for your older brother to see when you grow up?"
Children speak without thinking. The little girl smiled sweetly and timidly pointed her soft finger at Ning Jue. But when he glanced at her indifferently, she was so frightened that she immediately withdrew her finger.
Ning Jue always carried a sword when he went out, and with his cold and stern face and taciturn nature, the little guys in Green Vine Village were always afraid of him.
Bai Hua's smile became unnatural. She wanted to explain, but then she remembered why the young master was angry yesterday, and hesitated to speak.
She glanced at Ning Jue out of the corner of her eye and saw him slowly peeling a peanut and putting it in his mouth, seemingly unaware of Er Ya's words, indifferent and quietly chewing.
Bai Hua looked away, then helplessly changed the subject: "Then Er Ya, take a look, do you think my dress looks good today?"
Before going out today, she wanted to dress simply, wearing a gray-blue cloth dress, not wanting to be too conspicuous in a crowded and lively place.
But Ningjue made the decision that she should change into new clothes and wear new clothes to celebrate the occasion; that was his explanation at the time.
So Bai Hua had no choice but to put on the outfit that Ning Jue liked the most when she tried it on at the clothing store that day—a light pink hibiscus silk bodice, an outer white silk robe with a hazy cloud pattern, and a light purple brocade ribbon tied around her waist. When she moved her fair wrists, the cherry blossoms embroidered on the cuffs would gradually and vividly appear.
Er Ya stared at her intently, nodding her chin excitedly, her eyes filled with curiosity and envy: "So beautiful, so beautiful! Sister looks like Chang'e!"
This description... The village children, who had previously all liked the Monkey King mask after listening to some storyteller, are now comparing her to Chang'e.
Bai Hua reached out and grabbed a handful of peanuts from the round plate on the table, peeling them for Er Ya to eat. With food to eat, she naturally talked less, and there was no need to worry about the little one saying something surprising.
Ning Jue peeled another peanut, just enough to fill a handful. He reached out and placed all the peanuts in Bai Hua's palm.
"Feed her with these. She's growing her nails, so don't peel off the hard shell."
Bai Hua stared blankly at him, surprised that even her little secret hadn't escaped his notice.
On the day she bought the dress, the shopkeeper gave her a jar of balsam nail polish as a gift. Unfortunately, she had broken her nail while chopping wood, and the nail surface was not very nice. Not wanting to waste the polish, she planned to repair it before applying it. However, she did not expect that Ning Jue would notice her desire to look beautiful, and she was slightly embarrassed.
Then she recalled that after going up the mountain last night, the young master originally wanted to eat chestnut cake, but suddenly changed his mind and said he wouldn't eat it, perhaps because he was concerned about her nails.
A subtle feeling stirred in Bai Hua's heart. She withdrew her hand, accepted the kindness, and replied softly, "Thank you, young master."
Er Ya couldn't understand the exchange of glances between the two, she only knew that she was eating peanuts that her older brother had peeled, so she sweetly replied, "Thank you, brother."
Ning Jue lowered his eyes, withdrew his hand, and inexplicably said, "The little guy has a better way of speaking."
Bai Hua's ears felt slightly hot. She couldn't tell if the young master was just saying it casually or if he was intentionally pointing it out to her. Er Ya and she used different terms of address, but how could she also use the word "brother" to address him in an ambiguous way?
In Bai Hua's mind, unless there is a real kinship, one would only call their lover "brother" when they are intimate in bed and whisper sweet nothings...
Her thoughts drifted away, and when she came to her senses, she felt embarrassed and annoyed. She quickly lowered her head to hide the unusual blush that had risen on her face.
A short while later, Aunt Li came over, bent down and patted Bai Hua's shoulder, saying apologetically, "Young Master Ning, Miss A Peng, I have no choice but to separate you. Except for the children's table, men and women cannot sit at the same table. This is the village rule, please don't take offense."
In fact, Jingqi also has such rules, but Baihua thought that people in the countryside and villages didn't pay much attention to them. In the end, it turned out that she was the one who was not thoughtful.
Ning Jue didn't understand these things, and looked at Bai Hua upon hearing this.
Bai Hua, facing Aunt Li, was the first to reply, "It's alright, it's nothing, we'll change seats now."
Aunt Li had already found new seats for the two of them. She pointed and said, "Miss Apeng, you can sit here. My family members are next to you. I've told them to take care of you. Young Master Ning, you can sit at the same table with the men from the village. But since we live in the countryside, we may be a bit rough around the edges. You'll have to make do for now."
Bai Hua: "Don't mention it. We're neighbors. Let's go now. Aunt Li, you go ahead and do your work."
Aunt Li: "Alright, alright, you two must eat more later. The village chief's black-spotted pig is so delicious when it's made into braised pork hock. Look at these little guys, they're all drooling with envy."
Upon hearing this, the children at the table grinned and chuckled, looking as if they were about to drool.
Aunt Li chuckled and scolded, then turned to greet the guests at the other tables.
After bowing her head to say goodbye to Er Ya, Bai Hua prepared to get up and change seats. Seeing that Ning Jue had no intention of moving, she nudged him with her elbow to remind him: "Young Master, shall we go?"
Ning Jue didn't move, and said expressionlessly, "I can't sit next to you."
Helpless, Bai Hua leaned closer to him and whispered, "Young Master, you can't be too clingy to me."
Ning Jue looked up at the men's table in front of her and saw them making a ruckus, playing drinking games and having a great time. She couldn't help but frown slightly.
Bai Hua was afraid that he was unaware of social etiquette and would refuse to give her face by storming off, so she quickly tried to persuade him gently: "We are here today to show our support. Aunt Li is the hostess, and we should listen to her arrangements and not do things our own way. If we don't care about these rules, I would naturally be willing to sit next to you, young master. But since this is a special situation, please listen to me this once and get up to go over there, okay?"
Unconsciously, she used the same tactics she used on Er Ya on Ning Jue, treating him like a child without even realizing it.
Her tone was soft and gentle, her face warm and gentle, and she drew closer and closer, her eyes so bright and clear that it was hard to look directly at her.
Ning Jue turned his eyes away, avoiding the faint fragrance emanating from the depths of her neck as she leaned closer. He couldn't see that she had used any perfume, so what was that scent he could smell?
Thinking of something, Ning Jue's Adam's apple bobbed heavily. Then, he stood up decisively, ignoring Bai Hua, and walked to his assigned seat.
After taking his seat, he remained silent and did not greet the people around him. However, due to his great reputation, everyone in Green Vine Village respected him and treated him warmly, pouring him drinks enthusiastically.
Fortunately, Ning Jue eventually gave in and drank the bowl; otherwise, who would be willing to keep trying to please someone who doesn't respond?
Bai Hua sat at a table with the women, constantly worrying about Ning Jue, occasionally turning her neck to look back at what was happening over there.
The villagers were generous and enthusiastic. Even though they had no prior dealings with Ning Jue, they all rushed forward to offer him warm toasts, determined not to let the atmosphere become awkward.
Seeing that the young master was trying to blend in, Bai Hua was relieved, but because she didn't know the young master's alcohol tolerance, she had other worries in her heart.
Just then, someone patted her on the shoulder. Bai Hua turned around and was surprised to find that a cup of wine had been placed in front of her without her noticing.
The women at the table invited her to get up and have a drink together. Unable to refuse, Bai Hua didn't want to seem out of place, so she got up and drank the cup while covering her face with her sleeve.
Seeing her graceful movements, the village women beside her bowed respectfully to imitate her, their faces showing a simple and shy smile.
Bai Hua showed no aversion to them, smiled demurely, and didn't mind their imitation.
Her easygoing and friendly attitude... earned her a glass of wine.
Back in Jingqi, Bai Hua had drunk fine wines at palace banquets and family feasts. She could often drink three cups without feeling drunk, so she always had a little confidence in her alcohol tolerance.
But to my surprise, the Daughter's Red wine brewed by the villagers of Green Ivy Village was so strong. After just two cups, my stomach felt hot and burning, and then the strong flavor went straight to my head.
It wasn't so obvious just now, but after eating a couple of hot dishes, that feeling of weakness started to spread throughout my body, my head felt dizzy, and my vision began to blur.
She probably realized she was drunk, drunk beyond her control.
The women of Green Ivy Village are just as capable as the men, with many having a drinking capacity that rivals that of the men. In particular, at Bai Hua's table, several of the bold and unconventional women were encouraging the male guests to drink with them.
Ning Jue was drawn by the noise and turned her head to look. Her gaze shifted, and she no longer paid attention to the others. She saw that most provocative shadow swaying from side to side, as if it were about to fall over at any moment.
She tilted her head slightly to ask, revealing her rosy, peach-like cheeks and a dreamy smile.
Ning Jue narrowed his eyes, watching her still reach for the wine jar in her current state to refill his cup, and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
Before she could finish her drink, Ning Jue got up, grabbed her arms, and pulled her into his embrace.
The guests in the courtyard were all gathered around the central table watching the men and women drink together, and no one paid any attention to them. Ning Jue felt that he had participated enough, so without going inside to greet Aunt Li, he put his arm around Bai Hua's shoulder and led her away quietly through a side path.
Once outside the courtyard gate, completely out of the villagers' sight, Ning Jue, too lazy to continue supporting her shoulders, simply reached out and picked her up horizontally.
"Young Master..."
Bai Hua was half-drunk and half-awake, and subconsciously reached out to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Oh, you still recognize me." Ning Jue said with a hint of ambiguity.
Bai Hua was stunned for a moment, blinked, and glanced down. She realized that she was far from the ground. As if afraid of falling, she immediately tensed up and quickly tightened her arms to burrow into Ning Jue's arms.
"Young master, please don't drop me, A-Peng will be good..."
Ning Jue was rendered speechless by her rubbing against him, his eyes filled with deep emotion. Instead of kindly agreeing, he deliberately loosened his grip and said to her, "I can't control myself, so it's the same if you hold me tighter."
Bai Hua was simple-minded and didn't suspect anything. Upon hearing this, she leaned in and pressed herself against him, their hearts completely touching, leaving no gaps between them.
Ning Jue's Adam's apple bobbed, his body stiffened slightly, and he took a deep breath.
He hadn't expected it to be this bad. It wasn't something he was consciously trying to feel, but the trembling he felt just now was particularly noticeable, making him feel irritable and restless.
At this moment, he probably feels guilty even for breathing.
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