Special hobbies
The next morning, the morning sun shone into the courtyard, and the lingering mist filled the air, giving the entire world a filter called romance.
A few roosters crowed in this quaint farmyard, announcing the beginning of the day.
Sunlight also filtered through the simple curtains in the west room of the courtyard, falling on Bai Miaoke, who was still sleeping soundly with her eyes closed on the kang, but the man next to her did not sleep so well.
He only knew that some people did not sleep well, but this was the first time he saw someone so dishonest.
…
After the two of them tossed and turned last night, they lay side by side on the kang, and someone swore that he should go to sleep first so that she could protect herself.
Lying on the bed, Lu Yu's heart was still pounding from the passionate kiss just now. He focused his attention on the painful wound and gradually calmed down the other disobedient part.
Thinking that reputation is of vital importance to a woman, since he had kissed her and they had slept on the same bed, he should take responsibility.
He exhaled slowly, opened his eyes in the darkness, and promised solemnly: "When we return to Beijing, we will get married."
These words seemed to echo in the silent room for a long time, like thunder in a summer night, or like drizzle that quickly dissipated in the air, silently.
Lu Yu didn't know how long he had been holding his breath and waiting, but the room was still silent and there was no response.
Just as Lu Yu's burning heart sank to the bottom of the sea, about to be pierced by the cold sea water and suffocated by the bottomless deep sea, a woman's faint voice came from beside him.
"Don't even think about it."
Although the sound was small, it was still clearly heard by Lu Yu in the silent night. He felt extremely bitter in his heart, even more bitter than the previous medicine, so bitter that his eyes turned red.
He blinked hard, not knowing what to say for a moment to ease the sadness of being abandoned.
"Hurt him." The woman's voice was still as soft as a mosquito, but to Lu Yu it sounded like the sound of a chime, pulling him up from the brink of drowning and allowing him to see the light again.
She was actually talking in her sleep, and she was saying "Don't even think about hurting him."
Lu Yu felt as if ice and snow had melted in an instant, and she secretly wondered if she was talking about herself. She wanted to ask her, but she didn't want to disturb her sleep.
The Prime Minister, who was easily coaxed, curled the corners of his lips towards the sleeping woman beside him. Through the darkness, he carefully traced the woman's eyebrows with his eyes, as if he wanted to carve her into his bones.
In the quiet night, affectionate and tender.
Until a slap came over. Lu Yu, who was immersed in her marriage plan, was not paying attention and was slapped directly. The left half of her face suddenly felt hot and painful.
Could it be that she saw through my thoughts?
Lord Lu covered his face and looked at her carefully for a long time with a grievance, but the woman still had no reaction and her breathing was even and long.
She is so restless even when sleeping, she is so energetic and cute. Lu Yu's eyes are still gentle.
It was not until he was punched on the left arm and kicked in the calf that he finally realized the seriousness of the matter: this sleeping posture was too bad!
So when Prime Minister Lu woke up early in the morning, he not only had two dark circles under his eyes, but also a clear slap mark on his handsome face.
When Bai Miaoke woke up, she met the resentful eyes of the man beside her. She was startled and sat up and looked around the room vigilantly.
No abnormalities were found.
"Did someone hit you? Who hit you?" As if she realized something, her voice became smaller and smaller, almost like a mosquito's hum in the end.
As a result, Lu Yu still looked at him with that aggrieved and pitiful expression, and the slap mark on his face added a bit of resentment to him.
Bai Miaoke felt a little hopeless after her suspicions were confirmed. She had slept with a man for the first time, and he beat her up...
And she got slapped in the face! Oh my God, she wanted to find a hole in the ground to crawl into.
"Yes, I'm sorry, I seemed to have a dream last night."
"How about we sleep separately next time."
"Actually, you could have just woken me up." Bai Miaoke defended herself somewhat incoherently.
"What dream?" Lu Yu asked a question she didn't expect.
"Ah? What?" Bai Miaoke didn't react.
"I'm telling you what you dreamed about last night." Lu Yu explained patiently, his eyes lowered and looking away. It seemed like he was just asking casually, but the corners of his mouth were tense with nervousness.
"Oh, I dreamed that we were being chased again, so..." Bai Miaoke lowered her head embarrassedly and tidied her hair which was a little messy due to sleep.
But she inadvertently noticed that the man seemed to curl up the corners of his lips.
"Nothing." Lu Yu's tone was flat, and it seemed that he was not going to care about it.
Bai Miaoke was very confused: Why did he seem so happy? Did he have some special fetish and like being beaten?
I have long heard that many of the powerful people in the aristocratic circles in the capital have some strange habits. Could it be that this seemingly upright and old-fashioned Prime Minister also has another side that is unknown to the public?
Bai Miaoke thought a lot in her mind but didn't ask. Even though she considered herself to be open-minded, it was still difficult for her to speak out.
Let's observe him for a while. In case he really has that fetish, it's not impossible to satisfy him with a whip occasionally.
After convincing herself, Bai Miaoke said to the man somewhat uncomfortably: "You are still injured, don't go too far."
Lu Yu was puzzled: "Huh?" He didn't know what he shouldn't do too much.
When I lowered my head, I saw the disobedient little brother standing upright. I forgot that he was quite excited this morning...
He calmly lifted the quilt that Bai Miaoke had opened and pulled it over to cover her, but his face turned red all the way to his neck.
"Um, sorry, it's hard to control in the morning. You should get out first." His voice was a little hoarse.
Bai Miaoke was a little confused. Would this habit be worse in the morning? But she still put on the clothes that Sister Zhang brought her yesterday and went out to wash up.
Her clothes were the most common coarse cloth worn by farmers. The gray color could not hide her bright and charming appearance, but instead added a bit of beauty like a lotus blooming in clear water.
Just as she was staring at the rooster walking in the yard, a clear child's voice was heard.
"Sister~" Erya trotted over holding a copper basin.
When Bai Miaoke got closer, she found that the tattered basin was half filled with water.
"For you to wash." Erya raised the basin as high as possible with both hands.
Bai Miaoke was somewhat flattered, and hurriedly took the copper basin, saying with a smile: "Erya is really capable."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "How about I read to you later?"
The little girl looked really surprised and happily ran back into the house to get the book.
Bai Miaoke washed her face with water before she felt completely sober.
At this time, Sister Zhang came out and greeted her, "I made some porridge for breakfast. I don't know when you got up. It's still warming on the stove."
Bai Miaoke wiped the water droplets off her face a little embarrassedly. She didn't expect that the villagers would get up so early.
"Sister, what are you doing? I'll help you." Bai Miaoke looked at the woman holding a basket in her hand, as if she was going out.
"The child's father has gone to the mountain to hunt again. I'm going to the vegetable garden to see how the vegetables are doing. You stay home and take good care of your husband." The woman said with a smile and gave Erya a few more instructions before going out.
Bai Miaoke brought a bowl of white porridge into the room. Lu Yu had already stood up and was leaning against the wall on the side of the earthen kang.
"How do you feel?"
"Better." Lu Yu's voice was a little hoarse from just waking up.
Looking at the dark circles under his eyes and the slap marks on his face, Bai Miaoke really couldn't tell that he was getting better.
So I tested the temperature of his forehead again, and it seemed like he still had a slight fever.
Bai Miaoke frowned and reached out for the man's collar, and instantly felt the man's visibly stiff body.
"Let me see your wound." Bai Miaoke said with some amusement.
"There's no bleeding." Lu Yu pursed his thin lips, his face showing no emotion.
"Then drink the porridge first. Erya is making medicine for you. Drink the medicine after you finish eating." Bai Miaoke felt that he was a little pitiful, so she gave up the idea of teasing him any further and said seriously.
"Have you eaten?" Lu Yu brought the porridge over and asked her.
Bai Miaoke nodded. She did drink, but only very little. She could not swallow the simple food of the farmer.
Lu Yu then picked up the porridge and slowly began to drink it. Her movements were dignified and elegant, and the plain white porridge seemed worth savoring.
Bai Miaoke didn't bother him again until the bowl of porridge was finished. Then she said, "Stay for two more days."
"It's time to go." Almost at the same time, Lu Yu also mentioned this matter.
They were both stunned at the same time.
Although the living and eating conditions here are very difficult, both of them are injured and need to recuperate for a while before they can continue on their journey, especially Lu Yu's wound, which had been bleeding with great difficulty. If he moved again, the bleeding would probably recur and get worse.
Bai Miaoke felt that her consideration was very thoughtful, but Lu Yu had other considerations.
On the one hand, this village was too close to where they landed, and there was no guarantee that someone would not come looking for them; on the other hand, Bai Miaoke was obviously not used to such a simple environment, and she hardly ate any of the two meals, and he didn't want her to suffer.
"How are you going to walk with your injury?" Bai Miaoke asked back.
"Just be careful. There's no need to go far. Let's go to the town to rest first." Lu Yu explained patiently, but his tone was firm.
It would be fine to go to a nearby town and ask the doctor to prescribe some better medicine. Bai Miaoke was immediately convinced.
So the two began to plan to set off in the afternoon.
Bai Miaoke also placed a few pieces of silver on the kang where she slept yesterday as a way of thanking the family for their care.
Then he read the Analects of Confucius to Erya for the whole morning. Lu Yu also added annotations for her in many places so that she could read it by herself later. The three of them sat in the yard in great harmony.
When the sun was shining brightly, Brother Zhang, who had gone hunting in the mountains, came back, holding a rabbit in one hand and smiling from ear to ear. He walked in and praised Lu Yu loudly: "Mr. Lu, that crossbow you told me about is so useful. I hit two rabbits with it!"
"As long as it's useful, my wife and I have bothered you enough. We will leave in the afternoon." Lu Yu showed the polite attitude of a scholar.
"Don't bother me, don't bother me. Aren't you injured? Come and stay for two more days with your wife. It won't be a problem." Zhang Dazhuang wanted to keep you.
Seeing that Lu Yu was really determined to leave, he gave up.
But when she was about to leave, Erya leaned on the door and was reluctant to leave: "Sister, where do you live? Can I come to visit you?"
Bai Miao didn't want to lie to the child, so she didn't know how to answer this question. When she was in a dilemma, the man next to her said, "It's in town. There will be a chance."
Bai Miaoke also nodded, "You must study hard. I will test you next time we meet."
The two of them didn't have much luggage, so they just sat in the ox cart that Zhang Dazhuang had specially borrowed and went to the town.
"Hello, which is the best restaurant in town?" Bai Miaoke asked a passerby while Lu Yu stood aside with an expressionless face.
The man looked up and down at the two ordinary-dressed but extraordinary-looking people, pointed in a direction, and said, "There is only one restaurant in town, and it's not cheap."
The last sentence was said while looking at Lu Yu, with a hint of doubt.
Bai Miaoke thanked him and helped Lu Yu walk towards the restaurant. Due to the wounds on his body, he could not move vigorously, so it took them a quarter of an hour to reach the door of the restaurant.
It is called a restaurant, but in fact it is just a two-story building. The wooden plaque on the door reads "Yingchun Tower". There are two stone lions on the left and right, which make it look quite decent.
It can't be compared with Lanyue Tower, but it's okay. Bai Miaoke hasn't eaten much for several meals.
It was past lunchtime and there were only a few customers in the building. As soon as the two entered the door, they caught the waiter's attention.
"Please come this way, gentlemen." He then extended his hand and led them to an empty table in the lobby.
Bai Miaoke asked persistently, "Are there no private rooms? How much is a private room?"
"Sir, there are private rooms upstairs, ten taels per room." The waiter said and looked at them expectantly.
Bai Miaoke turned her face away, pretending nothing had happened, and helped Lu Yu sit at an empty table in the lobby.
This place is next to the window and it is past dinner time, so it is quite quiet.
Staring at the dishes on the restaurant menu that cost seven or eight taels each, and touching the only five taels of silver left in her pocket, Bai Miaoke looked at Lu Yu for help.
Lu Yu was amused by her dilemma and pitiful expression, and took out a gold medal from his arms and handed it to Bai Miaoke.
Bai Miaoke took it curiously. The heavy golden plate was exquisitely crafted, with layers of fish scales on one side, which were delicately carved and looked lifelike.
There are only two big words on the other side - Prime Minister.
Bai Miaoke could see that this was the goldfish talisman representing the prime minister's status, and he actually took this thing out!
Bai Miaoke quickly hid the thing in her sleeves and looked around nervously. Seeing that no one was paying attention to this side, she approached Lu Yu and said, "Why did you take out the fish talisman? Are you going to pawn this?"
"It's not impossible." Lu Yu answered calmly, as if it was just an insignificant object.
"This is the symbol of the prime minister's status, and you just gave it to me like that?" Bai Miaoke was still very surprised.
Lu Yu sneered: "Who said that the status of the prime minister has to be symbolized by this fish symbol?" This question left Bai Miaoke speechless.
Indeed, he has always relied on tough measures to sit in this position, which is enough to convince the government and the public.
After realizing this, Bai Miaoke took out the fish talisman again and touched it again and again. It was a heavy piece of gold.
"You can cut off a little bit, too much will be exposed." Lu Yu felt that if he didn't remind her, he would give the whole piece away.
"Ah! Okay." Bai Miaoke also noticed the imperial seal on the fish token and touched it regretfully, then glanced at the waiter who was dozing off in the distance.
"Or let's just go." Bai Miaoke said in a low voice.
Lu Yu: “Hmm?” Didn’t he say that he could cut off a little bit of it?
"Let's go." Bai Miaoke took Lu Yu's arm and left the restaurant in a flash, looking like a guilty thief.
She was used to spending lavishly, but this was the first time she had to run away because she couldn't afford a meal. She looked up at Lu Yu, and he was still calm and composed.
Bai Miaoke recalled that except for the occasional time when she teased him, the Prime Minister was always so elegant and graceful, as if he had everything under control.
"It's no problem to cut some gold from the fish symbol. I can find someone to replace it later." Seeing her rare embarrassed look, Lu Yu smiled and comforted her.
"Forget it. It costs money to hire a doctor to treat your injury. We have to stay here for a while before you recover, which also costs money. It would be okay to eat something else." Bai Miaoke said confidently.
Lu Yu still smiled and nodded, but he was very happy in his heart: I didn't expect that she knew how to be thrifty and manage the household. With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for!
It seemed as if they had completely forgotten that they were just pretending to be husband and wife and would eventually part ways.
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