Chapter 36, Shang Xu: Peace and Prosperity for Yan Yi Ze Year After Year...
When Yan Yize left, it was already raining heavily. She held the blue oil-paper umbrella that Shang Xu had given her and strolled in the rain. Fine raindrops fell on the umbrella surface, dripping and pattering.
Having probably resolved his long-standing worries, Yan Yize was in a good mood. The corners of his lips were slightly raised, and his eyes were filled with a smile. He even ignored the annoying sound of the rain.
Upon reaching the long corridor, Yan Yize folded his umbrella.
The corridor is winding, and lanterns hang under it, shining brightly in the night, so there's no need to worry about not being able to see them.
Suddenly a wind picked up, and a cool breeze carrying raindrops slanted in. A few drops landed on Yan Yize, the damp coolness causing her to subconsciously frown, but she quickly relaxed her brow, not caring much.
My good mood wasn't ruined by this little incident.
It was windy and rainy outside. The lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed in the wind, and the candles inside flickered and trembled. The other end of the long corridor was shrouded in darkness. Combined with the scene at the moment, it was quite frightening.
If a timid person were to walk here, they would probably be terrified long ago. Coupled with the endless darkness, they might even think they were in the underworld.
Yan Yize walked steadily, without even losing his breath, but he suddenly stopped when he passed a lantern.
The red lanterns were no different from the others, except that they had a "double happiness" character pasted on them. The character was slightly faded, indicating that it had been there for some time.
Yan Yize was stunned for a few seconds. The "double happiness" character was put up when she married Shang Xu. Later, she had it taken down. This "double happiness" character must have been missed when it was taken down.
They got married at the beginning of winter, and the New Year was over before winter ended. Before they knew it, three months had passed. It felt like a long time had gone by, but it was also very short. Yan Yize couldn't help but sigh that time really flies.
She stared at the faded "double happiness" character and couldn't help but think of tonight. Although it was New Year's Eve, the mansion was really quiet and deserted, completely different from the liveliness outside. It didn't look like New Year's at all.
Yan Yize suddenly remembered that the steward seemed to have asked her opinion a few days ago. At that time, she was troubled by some things, so she hastily replied, "The same as in previous years."
In previous years, Yan Yize never celebrated, after all, she was all alone, what was there to celebrate? She would only feel sad when the scenery reminded her of the past.
But upon seeing this character for "happiness," Yan Yize suddenly felt a different emotion welling up inside her; it seemed she was no longer alone.
The lantern wasn't hung very high. Yan Yize stood on tiptoe, raised her hand, and touched the faded "double happiness" character. She tilted her head back, her fingertips gently caressing it, as if a small sprout was breaking through the soil in her heart.
Under her gentle and delicate touch, the little sprout grew strong and healthy.
Yan Yize felt guilty; this was their first New Year's Eve together, and it shouldn't have been so quiet.
She seemed to remember something and quickly walked towards the other end of the corridor, her slender figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.
——
After a good night's sleep, Shang Xu had a smile on his face. He got out of bed and couldn't wait to go to the Cymbidium goeringii. He gently stroked the Cymbidium goeringii's leaves with his fingers, and his smile deepened.
"Jianlan, she said she doesn't want a divorce."
Mentioning Yan Yize, Shang Xu's ears turned a subtle red, as bright as a red plum blossom blooming in the snow. He casually fiddled with the leaves, unable to hide the light in his eyes when he mentioned her. "She even apologized to me."
"Gladiolus, Gladiolus, what do you think she means?"
The Cymbidium goeringii naturally couldn't answer him, and Shang Xu didn't care. He continued to confide in it his own thoughts, and the occasional swaying of its leaves seemed to be responding to him.
Shang Xu finished speaking, touched its leaves with satisfaction, then got up, walked to the door, pushed it open, and was stunned.
In a field of white snow, a wintersweet tree blooms in the snow, adorned with red ribbons. The crimson plum blossoms and red ribbons complement each other beautifully in the snow, making it both eye-catching and stunning.
He strode forward, staring blankly, completely bewildered. There were no red ribbons when he fell asleep. He looked around with a probing gaze.
Then he saw the "Fu" character and couplets on the door, and then he saw the beautiful paper-cut window decorations. Shang Xu was shocked, clearly unaware of how such a big change had happened overnight.
Just then, Yan Yize walked in unhurriedly from the courtyard gate. Upon seeing Shang Xu, he naturally revealed a smile, "Awake?"
Hearing the sound, Shang Xu turned to look at her, his shock not yet fully subsided. Looking at her, then at the changes in his courtyard, he had a guess in his mind, but he still couldn't quite believe it. He glanced around and tentatively asked, "Your Highness, what's going on?"
Shang Xu held his breath nervously. Could the truth be what he thought?
Yan Yize made no attempt to hide his identity and nodded frankly, "I did it."
Shang Xu swallowed hard, and it took him a long time to find his voice, which he had lost in shock. He heard himself ask incoherently, "Your Highness...can...can you tell me the reason?"
Yan Yize nodded readily once again, "Of course."
She walked up to him, her eyes smiling, and stared straight at him. Shang Xu felt embarrassed by her gaze and was about to turn his head away when he heard her pleasant voice, so he had to stop himself.
She said, "It's the first time we've spent Chinese New Year together, so we should naturally have everything we need."
Then, she grabbed his hand, placed a red purse in it, and smiled so brightly it seemed to drown him. "New Year's money."
"I should have given it to you last night," Yan Yize said, his voice tinged with regret. "But it's not too late now."
"May the business order bring peace and prosperity year after year."
Shang Xu felt a lump in his throat, tears welling up in his eyes. He subconsciously clenched the purse in his hand. This was the first time he had received New Year's money, and the first time someone had wished him peace and safety every year.
Before, he could only stand in the shadows and silently spy on other people's happiness, but now he has it too.
A surge of bittersweet emotions welled up, and her already moist eyes became even redder.
The purse in his hand felt a little uncomfortable, but Shang Xu couldn't bear to let go. He lowered his head, trying to hide the tears welling up in his eyes, and said rather awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I... forgot to prepare."
Shang Xu was filled with anxiety, afraid that she would be unhappy, and even more afraid that she would take it back because she was unhappy. It was the first time he had received New Year's money, and it was special to him. He wanted to keep it.
Last night and now, it has been such a pleasant surprise, so sudden, that he feels as if he is in a dream, and he can't believe it's all real. He is afraid that it's all just a dream.
Fortunately, his worries were completely unnecessary.
Yan Yize looked at him, recalling what she knew, and a pang of heartache appeared in her eyes. She smiled and shook her head, indicating that she didn't care, "It's not too late to prepare now."
Shang Xu nodded vigorously, trying his best not to let the tears in his eyes fall, but he still couldn't help but choke up, "Okay."
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Author's Note: Pre-order "The Son-in-Law"
A fleeting glimpse at the temple fair ignited a passionate infatuation in Wei Zhuo with a woman. He frantically searched for her, finally learning her name—Ling Shuang.
However, he also learned that she had a childhood sweetheart, and the two would soon be discussing marriage.
Wei Zhuo considered giving up, but couldn't resist the feelings of love in her heart.
He approached Ling Shuang and used coercion and enticement to make her become his live-in wife.
After their marriage, Ling Shuang treated him extremely well, almost making him believe that she also had feelings for him.
But Wei Zhuo knew better than anyone that he was the one who broke her up with her sweetheart. He knew he was wrong, but he couldn't bear to let go. He loved her so much.
Ling Shuang has a little secret: she really likes her husband, and has liked him for many years.
What he perceived as coercion and enticement was nothing more than her willing consent.
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