Many servants gathered outside the door, laughing and talking. Some of them were driven out of the kitchen by Hua Fushu, and some came to watch the fun.
The kitchen has everything, including those flying in the sky, those on the ground, those swimming in the water, and those grown in the fields.
Hua Fushu squatted in front of the stove and added firewood, while Sanqiao washed, cut and plated the vegetables.
Finally, Sanqiao prepared everything except cooking. She said to Hua Fushu, "Miss, it's time for you to go."
Hua Fushu asked why, but Sanqiao said, "Young lady, you are adding too much firewood without any sense of propriety. The dishes I cook are very particular about the heat. Even the fire-cooking girl in our Hua family can't control the heat of these dishes."
Hua Fushu stuck out his tongue and rolled his eyes. Sanqiao smiled gently, and Hua Fushu got up and left the kitchen.
Half an hour later, Sanqiao's seven dishes and one soup were ready.
Sanqiao, holding a pot of wine, unexpectedly met Hua Fushu outside the Penglai courtyard. Hua Fushu said, "Give it to me."
Having said that, he took the wine and went to Penglai Residence.
When Hua Fushu entered, he saw Ye Zelin. He was wearing a moon-white gown, as if the moon in the sky was so close that he could touch it. His profile was handsome and extraordinary, with soft lines.
The blood stasis and swelling-removing ointment from Xinglin Medical Clinic was very effective, and the red marks on his face had disappeared.
Hua Fushu was stunned for a moment, then reacted instantly. At this moment, Ye Zelin also looked over. Hua Fushu walked over, his movements revealing a degree of elegance, slightly different from usual.
Ye Zelin obviously noticed the difference in Hua Fushu, and a slight ripple appeared in his eyes. However, Hua Fushu did not see the change in Ye Zelin.
Ye Zelin pointed to the opposite side and said, "Please sit down."
Hua Fushu put down the wine and sat down at the place Ye Zelin pointed. Ye Zelin's facial features were very handsome, to the point of being impeccable, and as gentle as jade. Hua Fushu only had three words to describe him: beautiful beyond measure.
Hua Fushu said, "We agreed that after this meal, everything that happened before will be written off."
Ye Zelin burst out laughing and said, "A gentleman's word is as good as gold. Since I promised you, I will not go back on my word."
Hua Fushu said, "I'm not just having dinner with you because of what happened yesterday. I also have something very important to discuss with you."
Ye Zelin was quite confused, and soon thought of something: could it be about breaking off the engagement?
In fact, what Hua Fushu wanted to talk about was the cancellation of the engagement.
But before Hua Fushu could speak, Ye Zelin spoke first, "It's about breaking off the engagement, right? You came all the way to Fengcheng just to break off the engagement. Could you tell me why you want to break off the engagement?"
Hua Fushu remained silent after hearing this, but his almond-shaped eyes suddenly became serious. He took out the white porcelain wine glasses, filled them with wine, one for himself and one for Ye Zelin.
"I, Hua Fushu, am not versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, nor do I possess stunning beauty. You, Ye Zelin, are as bright as the moon, a rare talent among men. How can a commoner like me ever be your match? The hierarchy of propriety is strict, with scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants being the four classes. Merchants have always been looked down upon. Of course, your Ye family wouldn't look down on my Hua family. If the Hua and Ye families were to marry, others would only say that the Hua family is marrying above their station. This isn't important, and I'm not afraid of people accusing me of coveting wealth and glory by occupying your position as the Major General's wife."
Ye Zelin looked at Hua Fushu's serious and handsome face. He never thought that Hua Fushu had such thoughts about the marriage between the Hua and Ye families.
Hua Fushu continued, "The person I want to marry must share the same heart and mind as me. I will only have one wife in my life. If not, I would rather remain single for the rest of my life. What I want is mutual affection, mutual commitment, and a lifelong love."
There was a strange ripple in Ye Zelin's eyes, reflecting Hua Fushu's pretty face and her sparkling almond eyes.
Hua Fushu picked up the glass of wine and drank it in one gulp. He said, "Life is short and time flies by, just like dewdrops on leaves. People shouldn't just follow arrangements and live according to the arranged life. People should pursue their own goals in life. Since ancient times, marriage has been a matter of parents' orders and matchmakers' words, but I, Hua Fushu, am not like that! I will not marry someone I don't like. It was like that two years ago, and it will be the same in the future."
Hua Fushu looked at Ye Zelin, a smile on his lips, "This is why I broke off the engagement. Do you understand?"
"I understand that everyone has the right to pursue happiness."
Ye Zelin quite agreed with Hua Fushu's idea. He also drank the glass of wine that Hua Fushu poured. His brows slightly frowned, and he continued, "Your body and hair are inherited from your parents. Filial piety is the most important virtue. What if your parents force you to marry?"
Ye Zelin asked very seriously, not as if he was joking. His heart was beating very fast. He wanted to know Hua Fushu's answer, but also didn't want to know it.
Hua Fushu smiled bitterly, a hint of annoyance in his eyes, but he still said, "Then I can only apologize to them."
Ye Zelin said calmly, "You are being disobedient and unfilial."
Hua Fushu said: "It's not that I'm unfilial, it's that my parents don't respect me."
Ye Zelin picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish and ate it with elegant and noble movements.
Hua Fushu said, "Ye Zelin, you come from a noble family, have read more books and have more knowledge than me, but why are you so pedantic?"
Ye Zelin corrected him, "It's not that I'm pedantic, but everything we have is a gift from our parents. Filial piety is the most important virtue, and children should be filial to their parents."
Hua Fushu held the chopsticks, supported his chin with one hand, and said, "Ye Zelin, you are not just pedantic, you are extremely pedantic."
Ye Zelin cupped his hands, his eyelids drooped, and said, "I, Ye, am grateful for the compliment from Sister Fushu."
Hua Fushu smiled and bowed to Ye Zelin, saying, "You're welcome, second brother. You're welcome."
Ye Zelin sighed for a long time before saying, "If you insist on canceling the engagement, then let's call it quits. I'll convince my parents."
Since Hua Fushu was unwilling to marry him, Ye Zelin felt that if he forced her to marry him, she might not be happy.
A marriage with parental blessing is a happy one, as both their parents agree to their tying the knot.
However, if the parties involved are unwilling, they will not be happy even if they are together.
He should let go.
Hua Fushu looked at Ye Zelin, feeling more guilty and apologetic as he remembered what Madam Ouyang had said.
Two years ago, on the eve of the engagement, she ran away from the marriage in a rather unkind way. She was destined to owe the Ye family a favor for the rest of her life.
She said, "Don't you blame me?"
"No, I don't blame you. This is your choice and I respect you."
Ye Zelin smiled faintly, his smile was like the beautiful April with peach blossoms in full bloom, once seen, it would never be forgotten.
But in Hua Fushu's opinion, Ye Zelin's smile made her happy but also made her feel guilty.
Ye Zelin glanced at Hua Fushu calmly and said, "You're right. Everyone should live a life of pursuit, so you don't have to feel guilty towards me and the Ye family. I also want to live a life of pursuit, to live it to the fullest. When I look back in my later years, I won't regret wasting my time, nor be ashamed of having achieved nothing."
After listening to Jun's words, Hua Fushu's apology and guilt suddenly disappeared. His clear eyes were shining, as if he had seen the bright sunshine after parting the clouds.
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