Chapter 197 World Eight (Twenty)
Shen Yunshan asked someone to find a small courtyard in Luo County for Shen Liushi to use for her daily recuperation.
The yard here is clean and bright, and there is a small flower garden.
But perhaps due to neglect, all the flowers have wilted, leaving only a few broken branches and dead leaves.
Bao Shan opened the bundle, revealing several flower plants wrapped in oil paper that she had transplanted from home. Their roots still held fresh soil. She placed the plants in the garden, but they were all swaying, not standing straight.
Baoshan frowned, holding the small shovel covered in mud in her hand, not knowing what to do.
Shen Yunshan walked over to Baoshan, took the shovel from Baoshan's hand, and said, "Let me do it."
Bao Shan stepped aside and watched Shen Yunshan's slender fingers caressing the flowers, while his other hand gently fiddled with the soil.
When Shen Yunshan let go of his hand, the flower plant was firmly entrenched in the soil without any tilt.
Baoshan raised her face, her beautiful eyes filled with joy: "It's done!"
Shen Yunshan looked at Baoshan's relaxed brows and slowly averted his gaze. Baoshan exclaimed softly, took out a handkerchief she was carrying, and gently placed it on Shen Yunshan's palm.
Her watery eyes were fixed on Shen Yunshan's palm.
The soft, white buds brushed against Shen Yunshan's skin like delicate feathers. Baoshan leaned forward slightly, and the soft breath almost fell into Shen Yunshan's palm.
She wiped it gently with a handkerchief, brushing off the black dirt. Shen Yunshan opened his palm, letting the treasure fan do its thing. He lowered his eyelids and could see the treasure fan's long, thick eyelashes trembling slightly. The snow-white handkerchief pales in comparison to the dazzling skin.
The handkerchief was stained with dirt, but Baoshan didn't care.
When she saw Shen Yunshan's palm, which was as clean as before, her brows finally relaxed.
Baoshan put away her handkerchief, turned around and looked at the trembling flowers in the flowerbed, and said softly, "Calculate the time carefully. When these flowers bloom, it will be the day when cousin Yunshan will take the exam.
By then, the flower garden will be ablaze with vibrant colors, which will be a farewell to Cousin Yunshan."
Shen Yunshan moved his fingers slightly. In the past, many people had hoped that he would go to Beijing to take the imperial examination.
I imagined him riding a tall and strong horse, full of vigor and vitality, and felt so proud.
Shen Yunshan has long been accustomed to such words.
But when Shen Yunshan heard Bao Shan's words, he actually felt a little bit of anticipation.
These were the flowers he and Bao Shan had planted together. They would sprout, grow leaves, and eventually bloom.
With a trembling figure, she sent him to the capital. This scene made people feel warm in their hearts.
Shen Liushi used the herbs from Luojun, and although her vision was still blurry, she could finally see a glimmer of light.
Shen Yunshan gradually felt relieved and bought a few more herbal prescriptions and kept them at home.
Presumably, with this targeted approach, Shen Liushi will be able to recover sooner.
As his studies were his priority, Shen Yunshan did not live in the courtyard. As soon as he returned to Luo County and arranged for Shen Liushi and Baoshan to live, Shen Yunshan returned to Xiangjiang Academy.
Feng Wenjing immediately went to greet Shen Yunshan. Feng Wenjing had always thought Shen Yunshan was boring, as he couldn't play insect battles like his classmates and go to the market outside the academy for fun.
But after Shen Yunshan left, Feng Wenjing and other classmates played around for a few days, but felt bored.
Puzzled, the classmate asked, "You've been talking about coming to this gambling hall and winning a fortune."
Feng Wenjing showed little interest. "Yunshan is right. How can there be any joy in such a filthy place?"
After saying that, Feng Wenjing turned around and left.
Looking at the empty bed, Feng Wenjing missed the sound of Shen Yunshan reciting softly in the morning light.
Although Feng Wenjing was reluctant to leave his bed, he would get up and study with Shen Yunshan in his clear voice.
These days I study hard, but now I am much happier playing with cats and dogs all day long.
As soon as he saw Shen Yunshan, Feng Wenjing's face was filled with joy. He chattered non-stop, "You're finally back. These days, without you speaking out loud when the Confucian master was teaching us, we were all trembling with fear.
The Confucian master was also very dissatisfied with the students, and his long beard trembled with anger every time... Why did you return home in such a hurry?
Shen Yunshan said calmly, "My mother at home injured her eyes."
Feng Wenjing frowned immediately: "How is Auntie now?"
"I have gradually recovered."
As for bringing Shen Liushi and Baoshan to live in Luo County, Shen Yunshan did not tell Feng Wenjing.
It's just because it's a private family matter and he doesn't want everyone to know.
Feng Wenjing let out a long sigh and pulled Shen Yunshan to talk. These days, he followed his classmates in the academy to the gaming hall, but he felt it was just so-so. The place was so crowded and noisy that it hurt his ears.
When they went to the dining hall, Shen Yunshan told Feng Wenjing to go first as he had other important matters to attend to.
At first, Feng Wenjing wasn't puzzled, but every time it was time for meals, Shen Yunshan would still hold onto his books, showing no intention of going to the dining hall. This struck Feng Wenjing as odd. Normally, Shen Yunshan studied diligently, but he wouldn't neglect his meals.
After all, when going to Beijing to take the exam, one has to stay in the examination hall for three full days without being able to drink a single drop of water.
If someone is in poor health, they will probably faint before the time comes.
Shen Yunshan was weak and frail by nature, so the Confucian master was not worried about his knowledge, but was only concerned about his health.
Therefore, according to the teachings of the Confucian master, Shen Yunshan has been taking care of his body these days and will definitely not skip meals.
Feng Wenjing became suspicious and said that he was going to the dining hall.
As soon as he walked out of the house, Feng Wenjing hid aside and watched what Shen Yunshan was doing.
Shen Yunshan read for another quarter of an hour before walking out of the room.
Feng Wenjing followed him and saw that Shen Yunshan did not go to the dining hall to eat, but left Xiangjiang Academy.
Feng Wenjing followed Shen Yunshan's footsteps and came to a small courtyard.
As soon as the smoke from the cooking stove died down, Shen Yunshan raised his hand and clapped it three times, and someone in the yard came to open the door.
"Cousin Yunshan, I made steamed eggs with minced meat today."
Feng Wenjing, who was originally bored, immediately widened his eyes when he saw the slender and delicate beauty.
Because they were far away, Feng Wenjing couldn't hear all the words clearly. He could only hear the soft voice, which made him feel numb all over.
Feng Wenjing saw again that the beauty raised her arm, revealing her wrist as white as snow. She was holding a pink handkerchief, which must have smelled very fragrant.
The beauty frowned slightly and wiped the sweat from Shen Yunshan's cheeks.
What surprised Feng Wenjing was that Shen Yunshan, who usually treated women as nothing, didn't even try to move away. He just stood there blankly, enjoying the beauty's caress.
Shen Yunshan followed the beauty into the courtyard. The door closed, blocking all of Feng Wenjing's sight.
Seeing this situation, Feng Wenjing couldn't help feeling sad.
——Shen Yunshan, who acts uprightly and is praised many times by Confucian masters, would actually do such a thing as keeping a mistress in a golden house!
It is true that the gentlemanly demeanor no longer exists.
Thinking of the woman with a frail figure and a waist as slender as a willow branch, Feng Wenjing's eyes became hot.
No wonder Shen Yunshan didn't even eat in the dining hall, but came here to eat.
Thinking of Shen Yunshan's deliberate concealment from him, Feng Wenjing's expression became gloomy. Although the woman was extremely beautiful, she was already Shen Yunshan's woman.
Even if Feng Wenjing was a scoundrel, he wouldn't do something like stealing his friend's wife. Why would Shen Yunshan keep it a secret? They were classmates for three years.
The more Feng Wenjing thought about it, the angrier he became. In a fit of rage, he walked over to the door and, imitating Shen Yunshan's example, knocked on it three times.
Shen Yunshan was having dinner in the inner room. Baoshan brought the brown sugar rice cakes made this morning and wanted to give them to Shen Yunshan to taste.
Shen Liu's eyesight gradually improved and she could see clearly again. She only felt pain occasionally, but she continued to take the herbal medicine.
Bao Shan looked at Shen Liu's eyes and found that they were much better than in the dream.
Ever since Shen Liushi regained her sight, she spent the whole day at home thinking about how to make some good food for Shen Yunshan.
Seeing Shen Yunshan chewing slowly, Shen Liushi sighed softly: “What I make is definitely not as good as the master in the academy, who makes it with good color, fragrance and taste.”
Shen Yunshan's palm holding the bamboo chopsticks paused slightly. Shen Liushi didn't know that Shen Yunshan had always eaten the simplest food in Xiangjiang Academy.
How can pancakes and porridge compare with the food in front of us?
But Shen Yunshan never told about his days at Xiangjiang Academy.
Hearing Shen Liu’s depressed words at this time, Shen Yunshan’s voice was light: “The food cooked by mother is naturally good.”
Shen Liu smiled and said, "There is also a portion of brown sugar rice cakes, which Bao Shan and I made. They are small and can be eaten in one bite.
Try it later, and if it tastes good, take some and share it with your classmates."
Shen Yunshan nodded in agreement.
Bao Shan held up a bowl of brown sugar rice cake and opened the door. Standing outside was a young man wearing a blue-bottomed, white-collared disciple's uniform.
But the jade pendant and sachet hanging from his waist were a testament to his elegance. This meant he must be from a wealthy family. Baoshan looked at Feng Wenjing, who was wearing the same disciple uniform as Shen Yunshan. His brows relaxed slightly, and his voice was gentle: "Are you also a student at Xiangjiang Academy?"
Feng Wenjing was filled with rage when he saw the delicate treasure fan.
It was immediately doused clean, and the voice became hesitant.
"Yes. I... I'm here to look for Yunshan... Is he here?"
Hearing that Feng Wenjing and Shen Yunshan were familiar with each other, Baoshan pushed open the door and whispered, "Cousin Yunshan is having dinner, you——"
Baoshan didn't know how to address Feng Wenjing.
Feng Wenjing hurriedly said, "Just call me Feng Wenjing."
Bao Shan naturally wouldn't call him by his name, but simply said, "Mr. Feng."
“Hey, hey.”
Baoshan held up the tray in her hand. The brown sugar rice cakes were small in shape, with a sweet red color showing through the white glutinous rice.
"Have you had your meal, Mr. Feng? Why don't you have some brown sugar rice cakes first?"
Feng Wenjing shook his head: "No."
Baoshan walked into the inner room, followed by Feng Wenjing.
Feng Wenjing was holding a piece of bitten brown sugar rice cake in his hand. When he saw Shen Yunshan, he felt quite guilty.
"Yunshan."
After a moment's thought, Shen Yunshan realized that Feng Wenjing had followed him secretly.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, but he didn't look very angry. After all, Feng Wenjing was not a bad person.
If he had reminded her more, Feng Wenjing would not have told anyone about this.
Shen Yunshan raised his eyes, glanced at Feng Wenjing, and said calmly: "Sit down and have dinner together."
Feng Wenjing sat down obediently, and the anger he felt towards Shen Yunshan had long since disappeared.
When Feng Wenjing saw the colorful pickles on the table, he immediately recognized Shen Liushi's identity. He was used to being a pleasant person and called out, "Aunt Shen."
As for the treasured fan, Feng Wenjing thought to himself, Shen Yunshan wasn't just keeping a beautiful woman in his golden house; he actually brought her to his own mother...
Feng Wenjing was older than Shen Yunshan and could barely be considered his elder brother. Facing the treasured fan, Feng Wenjing casually called out, "Sister-in-law."
"Yunshan is truly blessed to have such a brother and sister-in-law."
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