"Niangzi" was originally a folk name for newly married women, and later it mostly referred to married women, and sometimes also referred to young girls waiting to be married. For example, the Five Classics called Dugu Lanxi "Dugu Niangzi" and "Dugu Da Niangzi".
The same reason applies to Side calling Hua Fushu "Lady Flower".
However, Hua Fushu found the sound a bit unpleasant, and he felt that "Hua Niangzi" was referring to Hua Niang from Qinlou and Chuguan.
Sanqiao obviously knew that Hua Fushu was unhappy, so she walked down the stairs and went to Side and said, "My daughter doesn't like this name. Please don't call her that in the future."
Si De was a little dissatisfied, but when Ye Zelin looked over, Si De changed his tone and respectfully called her "Second Young Master's Madam".
Unexpectedly, Hua Fushu was still unhappy and glared at Si De angrily.
Ye Zelin walked down, and Side tactfully brought a square stool from the back of the car and placed it under the car.
Hua Fushu also came over. Ye Zelin got on the carriage first. He did not enter the carriage, but stood at the front. He stretched out his hand to pull Hua Fushu, "Sister Fushu."
Hua Fushu looked at Ye Zelin. Others might think that Ye Zelin was an elegant and modest gentleman, but she felt that Ye Zelin was very hypocritical and pretentious.
She pushed Ye Zelin's hand away with her hand, raised her chin, and looked a little provocative. Ye Zelin didn't mind at all. He smiled faintly and got into the car.
Hua Fushu originally wanted to annoy Ye Zelin, but Ye Zelin didn't care at all. He immediately frowned, stepped on the stool, and got on the carriage. However, when he stepped on the stool, his foot stepped on the hem of his skirt, and he fell forward.
Sanqiao was quick-witted and quick-handed, and grabbed Hua Fushu.
Side couldn't help but let a slight smile appear on his lips.
Sanqiao helped Hua Fushu calm down before getting into the carriage with her.
Si De put the square stool back at the back of the carriage, sat in the front, drove the horses, and the carriage slowly moved away.
Inside the car, Ye Zelin sat on the right side of the car, while Hua Fushu sat opposite him. On the left side of the car, Sanqiao was next to Hua Fushu.
The two of them sat in silence. Hua Fushu was annoyed with Ye Zelin again, but Ye Zelin just smiled. Hua Fushu didn't get the response he wanted, so he simply turned his head away, just like a young couple having a quarrel.
There was a partition in the carriage, just under the seat. Ye Zelin opened the partition, took out a book with a blue paper cover, unfolded a page and held it in his hands to read it, concentrating and seriously.
Hua Fushu turned around and couldn't help but glance at it. There were three big words written on the blue paper cover: Tao Te Ching.
The Tao Te Ching discusses self-cultivation, governing a country, employing military forces, and maintaining good health. Ye Zelin, born into a military family, found the book unsurprising. Her father had taught her when she was young, but she was naughty and only managed to grasp a limited understanding. While she could memorize the entire book, she couldn't quite articulate its meaning.
When her father was teaching her, he said his favorite piece was "The Highest Good is Like Water."
When she was learning from her master, he also taught her the Tao Te Ching and the chapter "The Highest Good is Like Water." His master once said, "A doctor's responsibility is to save the dying, heal the wounded, and eliminate disease. However, kindness is the foundation of being a human being, and it is also the foundation of being a doctor. A doctor's benevolence is like this. A doctor without benevolence is not worthy of being a doctor, let alone a human being."
Recalling the past, Hua Fushu silently recited: "The highest virtue is like water. Water benefits all things without contention, dwelling where others dislike it, and therefore close to the Tao. It dwells in a good place, has a deep heart, is kind to others, speaks truthfully, governs with justice, works with ability, and acts at the right time. Because it does not contend, it is free from blame."
After reciting it silently, Hua Fushu looked towards Ye Zelin and asked, "Which one?"
Ye Zelin raised his starry eyes, was slightly stunned for a moment, and then replied: "The chapter of "Supreme Goodness is Like Water", has Sister Fushu also read this book?"
Hua Fushu said, "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. How could I have read that book? Unlike you, my second brother, who is well-educated and talented, I have not only never read "Female Rules" or "Female Precepts", but I can't even write."
Ye Zelin was quite puzzled. He closed the Tao Te Ching and said, "Sister Fushu can't read? Then who wrote the letter of breaking off the engagement last time?"
Hua Fushu smiled and said, "No need to say, it's naturally the work of Sanqiao." But she just narrated it orally.
Ye Zelin thought for a moment and commented, "The handwriting is beautiful, the brushstrokes are powerful, Sanqiao." He looked at Sanqiao carefully and said, "It's a good name. A clever person with skillful hands."
Sanqiao blushed immediately. Apart from Hua Fushu and Senior Brother Qin, Ye Zelin was the first stranger to praise her.
Hua Fushu looked at her, and Sanqiao straightened her expression.
The Ye family has a villa, also in the south of the city, but it is a bit remote and located in a secluded place.
This villa is not big and consists of two or three courtyards.
The carriage slowly stopped, Si De got off from the front, and Ye Zelin followed, looking up at the tall gate in front of them.
Sanqiao comes first, and Hua Fushu is the last one.
Seeing Ye Zelin looking at the gate, Hua Fushu walked over and stood beside him, asking, "Ye Zelin, what are you looking at?"
Ye Zelin then withdrew his gaze and said lightly: "Nothing, let's go."
Hua Fushu was not interested in asking any more questions. She just wanted to quickly meet Ye Zelin's grandfather, pay her respects, and then have a good time.
The capital city is so big and prosperous, and there are so many fun places. She doesn't want to stay in the General's Mansion all day. More importantly, she doesn't want to live under the same roof with Ye Zelin.
Ye Zelin walked forward, and Hua Fushu followed him. Unexpectedly, they were stopped by the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper said, "Second Young Master, you know the old general won't allow you to enter this gate. Please don't embarrass me."
Ye Zelin said, "Then please tell grandfather that I'm here with my wife to pay my respects."
The servant looked at Hua Fushu with a look of surprise. He quickly bowed and apologized, but he still did not agree to let Ye Zelin enter the courtyard. Instead, he asked Ye Zelin to wait outside while he went in to report to the old general.
Seeing the servant enter, Hua Fushu became more curious. She knew that the old general had a quarrel with Ye Shiheng and that was why he moved to the other courtyard. As for why Ye Shiheng had a quarrel with his father, she had no idea.
She asked, "Ye Zelin, this isn't the first time you've been turned away. It seems like your relationship with your grandfather isn't very good."
Ye Zelin instructed Hua Fushu, "Don't worry about this. When you see Grandfather later, answer whatever he asks. Don't say too much, and don't be disrespectful to Grandfather."
He thought for a moment and then said, "If there's anything inappropriate in Grandfather's words, Sister Fushu, could you please bear with it for now?"
Hua Fushu's mouth pursed, and he looked truly pitiful. "It's just a visit to your grandfather. Is it really necessary to be so humble? Is he a cannibal?"
Seeing her appearance, Ye Zelin couldn't help laughing, but he didn't say much and waited quietly outside the door.
Hua Fushu waited for a while, but no one came out. She complained to Ye Zelin, and Ye Zelin had to ask her to wait a little longer.
Hua Fushu was very bored, so he walked to a nearby pillar and leaned against it, hugging his arms. Sanqiao was beside him.
About a quarter of an hour later, a few people finally came into the yard.
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