Chapter 24 Chapter 24 My cousin is also a nice person
The new house is separated from the old house by only a Bitong Street. The courtyard is square and not very big, with only two entrances. There are several peach trees planted there, which are about to turn into a tender pink.
The front yard is Chenzhuo's study, which is also used for receiving guests. It is worth mentioning that this house is very close to the county government office and can be walked there in almost half a minute without taking a sedan chair. This is why Chenzhuo and Lin Yan chose it.
In the backyard, Lin Yan fenced off two open spaces, one for raising ducks and the other for raising chickens.
"Ah, Mom was also scared by the famine after the flood. After that, no matter where we lived, we got used to raising some living creatures that could eat meat and lay eggs. It made us feel at ease."
I thought I had suffered a lot living away from home, but I never expected that life was also so difficult at home.
Looking at the chickens and ducks quacking, Lu Suizhu was very happy and took the initiative to take on the task of feeding them.
She also picked up the little yellow dog that used to stick its butt out and wag its tail at the door. During the day, she let it run freely in the yard and watch over the chickens and ducks. At night, she tied it to the pillar in front of the door.
The chickens in the pen started clucking as soon as they saw Lu Suizhu.
"Girl, let me do it." Although she said this, Fangdian was actually a little afraid of these animals with pointed beaks.
"No, I'm happy to do this."
Lu Suizhu scattered the grains in his hand again, raised his lips slightly, and took a breath: "Do you feel that the days here are particularly relaxed and comfortable, very different from those in Beijing." His hands did not stop moving, and he was still skillful and confident.
There were voices coming from the study.
The yard was not big to begin with, and Lu Suizhu had good hearing, so she could hear it easily. She put down the grain in her hand, washed her hands, and then went to take a look.
In the study, Wu Lianjin was talking with Shen Zhuo. He was holding something in his hand. He came specially to congratulate them on their new home.
After entering and standing still, Wu Lianjin put the gift in his hand aside, with his usual smile on his face: "Congratulations to my uncle and aunt on moving into a new house."
"You are being so polite, kid. We've told you to live with us for a long time, but you keep making excuses. Why is that?" Lin Yan asked. She was also puzzled. She always felt that the older a child gets, the harder it is to guess his thoughts.
Seeing this matter was unavoidable, Wu Lianjin opened his mouth, a hint of shame filling his lips. "When I was young, I had to rely on my uncle and aunt for support, which caused you so much trouble. Now that I'm older, I can't keep bothering you... Besides, my cousin is home now, and as a man, I have to avoid suspicion."
"What are you talking about, cousin?"
Lu Suizhu changed into a light blue dress. When she entered the room, she brought a gust of fragrance with her sleeves fluttering like orchids. She began to speak the moment she stepped through the threshold: "We are a family, so why should we avoid suspicion? Besides, I am not the kind of person who sticks to conventional etiquette.
"Just think of it as my cousin, seeing how deserted and pitiful this yard is, and don't refuse any more."
With Lu Suizhu's persuasion, Wu Lianjin could not find a reason to refuse and finally nodded in agreement.
In fact, Lu Suizhu also had her own selfish motives. She was not familiar with her parents and often felt awkward when she was alone, especially with her serious father. Her cousin was a warm and lively person who could add some interest to the courtyard.
Wu Lianjin opened a silk shop in Fanxi. As the shopkeeper, he had to go to the shop during the day. He just took the time to come here and now said goodbye and was about to go back.
At his parents' orders, Lu Suizhu sent him out the door.
The street was deserted, with only a little yellow dog following Lu Suizhu, sticking out its tongue and wagging its tail.
Wu Lianjin slowly took out a long wooden box from his arms.
"Today is the day for our new housewarming. I've prepared gifts for my uncle and aunt. This one is for you."
When I opened it, I saw a gourd-shaped pearl hairpin carved from gold and silver, decorated with green leaves, which was very beautiful.
The intricate craftsmanship must have been quite valuable. Lu Suizhu wanted to refuse it, but she was afraid it would create a rift with Wu Lianjin and make him uncomfortable living in their home. So, after thanking him, she accepted it and deliberately joked, "In that case, shouldn't I also prepare a housewarming gift for my cousin?"
"If my cousin is interested, I would be disrespectful to refuse."
Although Wu Lianjin is not as handsome as Pei Zhiji, he also has the unique charm of Jiangnan men. When he lowers his head and smiles, he is like the occasional warm spring breeze in February, making people feel close to him.
Speaking of yesterday, Wu Lianjin took Lu Suizhu for a stroll, looking for the places where they played as children. They walked all the way to the old elm tree that was full of the marks of time.
Standing under the tree, Lu Suizhu was lost in thought for a long time.
A swing is hung on the dead branches and leaves. It has been exposed to wind and sun and has long lost its original bright appearance. In the deserted streets, one can hear the sound of children playing and see the blurred light and shadow flash by, which is a very familiar feeling.
"Back then, your brother and I often brought you here to play. Every time you sat on the swing, you were so happy." Wu Lianjin reached out and touched the worn rope, his eyes full of nostalgia for the past. "As soon as we stopped swinging, you would immediately burst into tears. No matter how we tried to comfort you, it wouldn't stop. We were afraid that you would lose your voice from crying, so we took turns swinging you, pushing you and swinging until dark and you fell asleep from exhaustion."
Thinking of this, Wu Lianjin couldn't help but laugh. He lowered his head and smiled brightly, then continued leisurely: "As a result, the next day, your brother and I couldn't even lift our arms. My uncle asked us what was wrong, and we said that the teacher gave us too much homework. Later, my aunt was worried that we couldn't handle it, so she asked the teacher to give us less homework."
"What's the result?" Lu Suizhu's eyes moved, a little curious.
"The result was that the teacher ruthlessly exposed us. Your brother and I were beaten up by our uncle when we got home. We couldn't get out of bed for two days."
My eyes were already moist just now, and when I heard him describe his childhood as so unreasonable, two emotions coexisted and I didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
"Then why don't you tell the truth?"
"Because you're afraid that your uncle will scold you for playing too much, he has always been strict with children." Wu Lian suppressed his smile, his eyes were deep, and his voice was not as lively as before.
"After you disappeared, your brother never came here again. He even deliberately avoided you every time he saw you. He couldn't even bear to hear the word 'swing'."
"My uncle isn't as stubborn anymore. When he sees a girl your age from another family, he practically turns around and walks away. My aunt is the same."
Her eyes slowly turned red as Wu Lianjin spoke. Lu Suizhu felt a lump in her throat and tried hard to hold back her tears, but they still fell uncontrollably.
Although she recognized her parents these days, she had no special feelings for them and no desire to be close to them. Wu Lianjin's words today made her sad but also a little happy. It turned out that her family had never given up on her.
Looking at his cousin who was in tears and hesitant to speak, Wu Lianjin wanted to pat her delicate shoulders, but when he got in front of her, his hand stopped in mid-air and he handed her an embroidered handkerchief instead.
"Cousin." Lu Suizhu called softly with her eyelashes wet with water.
The word "cousin" seemed to bring him back to the past and gave Wu Lianjin courage. He gently stroked Lu Suizhu's back through a layer of clothes that was neither thin nor thick.
"Cousin, welcome home."
After yesterday's heart-to-heart talk, Lu Suizhu now treated Wu Lianjin as an older brother, and accepted the pearl hairpin without any psychological burden.
"By the way, cousin, I'd like to find a quiet and elegant place suitable for playing the piano. Do you know where it is?"
Lu Suizhu was not satisfied with any of the shops he had been looking for for a long time, so he thought it would be better to broaden his horizons and find a more elegant place to resume his old job and teach girls to play the piano.
Wu Lianjin pondered for a moment, his eyes gleaming with a gleam. "There really is such a place, but it's a bit remote and difficult to get to. Few people go there on weekdays. What are you going to do, cousin?"
"Don't worry about it, cousin. Just tell me the location."
The weather was fine in the afternoon, so Lu Suizhu went with Fang Dian to look for the elegant residence. She didn't need to hide her going out now. After paying homage to her grandmother in the mourning hall, everyone in the county knew that County Magistrate Shen had found his daughter.
Even when she meets a kind auntie outside, she will take the initiative to greet her and call her Miss Shen.
Mist was swirling around Xiaofeng Mountain, and halfway up the mountain, a pavilion was faintly emerging from the blue-white smoke.
After finally climbing up, Lu Suizhu's forehead was covered with sweat. He and Fang Dian supported each other as they walked.
"Girl, do we really want to choose a place like this as a piano room?"
The two stopped to rest for a moment and drink some water. Lu Suizhu rubbed her sore legs and felt a little regretful: "Since we are here, we must go in and take a look."
There is a plaque hanging on the hexagonal pavilion with the name written in regular script: Jielu Pavilion.
I built my house in a human world, but there is no noise of carriages and horses. I ask you how you can do that, because your heart is far away and the place is secluded... I wonder if there will be chrysanthemums all over the mountains and orange fields in autumn, and whether the people living here can abandon the glitz and glamour.
The name is very nice, but the writing is just average.
After passing through the Jielu Pavilion, there is a small courtyard connected to the house. It is quiet and peaceful, with clear water and trees. It is a good place to enjoy flowers and wine while listening to the sound of the zither. There is also a gurgling stream connected to it, which is clear and sweet.
Walking inside, the room is empty and white, and outside the carved wooden window is a small bamboo forest, lush and green, full of vitality.
There are many tables, chairs and benches in the corridor, but there is only a low bed in the inner room, which shows that it is not a place for sleeping.
"That's great! We can move the tables, chairs, and benches out into the courtyard and teach people how to play the piano."
Fang Dian also thought this place was nice, so she nodded: "Apart from the fact that it's a bit tiring to go up the mountain, it's really beautiful."
Facing the brilliant sunset, Lu Suizhu went down the mountain and found the owner of Jielu Pavilion. The owner was very generous and seemed to be in a hurry to sell the house. The price was low and he only made a few requirements.
"The initial lease period is three months, and it can be renewed after the lease period. If anything is damaged, the girl must compensate according to the original price."
"It's natural."
This matter was settled very smoothly. On the way back, Lu Suizhu was very happy. She had a place in the capital where many talented people gathered, and was appreciated by the current empress dowager.
It should be even easier here.
"But how are we going to attract customers?" Fangdian asked.
"Don't you know my piano skills?"
"Miss, you still think you are the famous Lu Qinshi in Shangjing City. Who knows you here?" Fang Dian said the truth calmly.
Lu Suizhu: “…”
Just when Lu Suizhu was thinking about how to become famous, her parents hurriedly called her back, saying that her brother had sent someone from the capital to deliver an urgent letter at full speed, and they were afraid that something had happened, so she should go home quickly.
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