Chapter 236 Chapter 236 Bonfire Party
As dusk fell, a bonfire was lit in front of the pavilion by the lake.
The flames shot up high, matching the light of the lanterns lit by the lake.
There were several torches lit around, the flames dispelled the surrounding twilight, illuminating the pavilion by the lake, making it very bright, just like daytime.
There were quite a few people sitting in the pavilion. The servants brought out dishes of roasted and grilled meat for the guests to enjoy, accompanied by fine wine, the aroma of the wine was fragrant.
There were musicians playing nearby, and the sound of strings and bamboo instruments echoed slowly in the twilight.
It is a real pleasure to enjoy delicious food while admiring the lake view at dusk and listening to the sound of stringed instruments.
In the pavilion, Yu Li and Fu Wenxiao sat at a desk. Princess Fuhui, the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince were all here, as well as the Prince of England and others.
There are many guests today, so in addition to the pavilion, there are also many tables outside.
The air was filled with the scent of burning vanilla, which could drive away mosquitoes, but the smell was too strong and Yu Li couldn't help sneezing.
Fu Wenxiao quickly covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, knowing that the vanilla scent was choking her.
There was a faint scent of plum blossoms on the handkerchief, and Yu Li finally felt better.
"Li Niang, are you sick?" Princess Fuhui asked with concern.
Others looked over, remembering that she had gotten her clothes wet while saving someone, could she have caught a cold? A talented person's health shouldn't be that bad, right?
Miss Sun also felt a little guilty. She moved her fingers and stammered. Before she could open her mouth, Sister Sun spoke first.
"Madam Zhenguo, did you catch a cold and get sick because you saved my elder sister?" Sister Sun looked guilty and uneasy. "It's all my fault. My elder sister insisted on picking lotus flowers and I couldn't stop her. If I could have stopped her, she wouldn't have fallen into the water, and Madam Zhenguo wouldn't have gotten sick because of saving her..."
She bit her lip, looking annoyed and guilty, but at the same time she was very grateful to Yu Li for saving her elder sister.
Miss Sun was so angry that her face turned red.
When did she want to pick lotus flowers? She didn't want to! If her sister hadn't forced her to get on the boat, she wouldn't have dared to move at all and didn't want to go on the boat at all.
When the people around heard what Miss Sun said, they looked at her with reproachful eyes, thinking that she was really willful.
However, someone as clear-headed as Princess Fuhui could tell that Miss Sun was trying to flatter her sister in public in order to tarnish Miss Sun's image.
It was clearly she who pushed the person into the water, but people insisted that it was Miss Sun's own willfulness that caused it.
If a servant from the princess's mansion had not seen it and reported it to her, she would have thought that Miss Sun had accidentally fallen into the water.
Princess Fuhui was not interested in the disputes between sisters, but she would be very unhappy if Sister Sun was planning to drag Yu Li into the water.
Even she didn't dare to plot against Yu Li, so who did she think she was? How dare she plot against such a talented person?
At this time, Yu Li put down the handkerchief covering his nose and said, "I'm not sick. It's just that the smell of burning vanilla in the air is too strong and it's really choking. Don't you feel uncomfortable?"
She looked at these people in surprise and found that they were all used to it. Could it be that they were used to the smell?
Everyone: “…”
Fu Wenxiao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Mother Li, this herb is used to repel mosquitoes and flies."
There are a lot of mosquitoes by the lake this summer. If we don't burn the fragrant grass, I'm afraid that if we sit here for half an hour, we will be bitten all over. How can we continue to enjoy ourselves?
He poured her a glass of sherbet to moisten her throat.
Fu Wenxiao discovered very early on that not only were animals afraid of her, but insects also did not dare to approach her. Wherever she appeared, it was quiet and there was no sound of insects.
In the past few years, he has been inseparable from her, and in the summer, he is rarely bothered by mosquitoes, flies, and insects.
Yu Li said "Oh" and rubbed his nose again, "So that's how it is."
She was quite frank, but everyone present was a little embarrassed, especially those who had previously condemned Miss Sun, who felt a little ashamed.
Sister Sun's face turned even redder.
Some people also laughed in their hearts, saying that the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo was a country girl. Could it be that the countryside was unrefined and they didn't even burn herbs to repel mosquitoes in the summer? Otherwise, why would there be such a big reaction?
Upon hearing this, Princess Fuhui ordered someone to place the burning incense farther away so that the smell would not make her uncomfortable.
"No need." Yu Li said. She had recovered. "Keep it to prevent mosquitoes from biting you." Look at the delicate skin of these young men and women. The mosquitoes in summer are particularly poisonous. It would be better if they don't get bitten and get into trouble.
Everyone: “…” It seems so.
At this moment, everyone felt choked and their emotions were very complicated.
I always felt like she was looking down on them. The expression on her face was really easy to understand and she didn't hide it at all.
Is this what the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo looks like?
Princess Fuhui smiled and said, "Li Niang is still considerate." Thinking of something, she asked excitedly, "Li Niang, are even insects afraid of you and won't bite you?"
Although I knew that wild animals were afraid of her, I never expected that even tiny insects would avoid her.
That makes sense. Insects can never compare to ferocious beasts.
Yu Li said: "Indeed, no bug will bite me!"
It’s actually true!
Princess Fuhui was excited and rolled her eyes. "If I sit with you, can I avoid mosquito bites?"
You know, every summer, mosquitoes and other things are unavoidable, which is really annoying.
Even if you are a noble, you can't let mosquitoes wait to bite you, right?
Yu Li glanced at Fu Wenxiao and hummed.
Anyway, mosquitoes and other things didn't dare to get close to her, and the room was quite quiet, and I never heard any insects chirping.
When everyone saw her admit it, they were suddenly very envious.
Of course, they envied the Duke of Zhenguo even more. With such a wife, they didn't have to worry about being bitten by mosquitoes even in the summer.
No wonder she couldn't stand the smell of vanilla, it turned out she never needed it before.
As the sky darkened, the air was filled with the unique aroma of barbecue.
The servants brought out various roasted foods, including meat and vegetables, sprinkled with spices, and the aroma was fragrant.
The meat comes in large slices with bones. After it is served, servants will help slice the meat into very thin slices, dip it in the prepared sauce and eat it with shredded crispy and tender vegetable leaves. It is delicious and refreshing.
Everyone enjoyed the food while chatting with people around them.
There are also performances such as fire pots and fire dragons on the opposite side of the lake, which light up a field of sparks in the darkness and fall all over the sky, which is particularly spectacular.
Yu Li stared intently, with sparks reflected in her eyes.
Fu Wenxiao took a dagger, cut the meat into pieces, put them in her bowl, and said, "Li Niang, don't keep staring at it. Be careful not to choke."
His attention was all on her, and he didn't really enjoy the food on the table. He didn't have a big appetite, and he would never eat too much barbecue with a strong flavor like this.
One of them ate while the other picked up some meat for her.
Many people looked at them secretly, and the girls blushed slightly, thinking that it was just as the rumors said, the Duke of Zhenguo and his wife had a very good relationship, the Duke of Zhenguo was handsome, and he was gentle and considerate to his wife. If they wanted to find a husband, they would also look for a man who was gentle and caring to his wife.
However, those men just felt their teeth ache and couldn't help but wonder, is Fu Xiao such a person?
Or do men change drastically after getting married?
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they started playing drinking games.
When it was Yu Li's turn to get the wine token, she was busy eating and said directly, "I don't know how."
Someone said, "The wife of the Duke of Zhenguo wouldn't know how to do it, but the Duke of Zhenguo would definitely know how to do it. You can ask him to help you."
Others also started to make a noise, and it was obvious that they were drunk.
Fu Wenxiao raised his eyes to look at them, his half-smile on his face made the people who were originally making a fuss stiffen instantly, not knowing whether to laugh or not. Their awkward look made people feel sorry for them.
"Are you drunk?" He picked up the handkerchief and wiped his hands slowly. "Do you want me to help you sober up?"
"No, there is no need to trouble you, Master Fu."
The person who started the commotion stammered, retreated dejectedly, and disappeared into the crowd, never daring to provoke Fu Wenxiao under the influence of alcohol again.
Fu Wenxiao didn't keep dwelling on this matter. Seeing that no one came to disturb him, he continued to cut meat for Yu Li so that she could enjoy her meal.
Those people were full, but his mother was not yet full, so how could she be interested in playing drinking games with them?
At this time, the Sixth Prince said, "Cousin Fu, you are so majestic."
He couldn't stand Fu Wenxiao's appearance, and those cowardly guys. What was so scary about Fu Xiao? Since he had provoked him, he would provoke him to the end!
It's really useless!
Fu Wenxiao raised his eyes to look at him, "Sixth Prince, are you drunk too?"
This was really rude, and the people who were playing drinking games gradually stopped, and the air became quiet.
The Sixth Prince stared at Fu Wenxiao grimly, veins bulging on his forehead.
Fu Wenxiao stood still and just looked at him calmly.
Even Yu Li, who was eating, stopped and looked at the Sixth Prince. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He was eating peacefully but here he came to provoke others.
Princess Fuhui said unhappily, "Sixth brother, what are you doing? If you are drunk, go and rest."
The Sixth Prince glared at her angrily, but unfortunately Princess Fuhui was not afraid. If anyone dared to make trouble at the banquet, he would not be given any face by her.
The Sixth Prince was so angry that he stormed out.
Seeing this, Prince Zhao Chang, the Duke of Ying, bowed helplessly to Princess Fuhui and hurriedly chased after her.
Princess Fuhui ignored them and said to those present: "Let's continue."
Everyone looked at her, then at Fu Wenxiao who was sitting there. No matter what they were thinking, they continued to play drinking games out of respect.
Only after Yu Li had eaten and drunk his fill did the two say goodbye and leave.
Princess Fuhui tried to persuade her to stay, saying, "It's still early. I have other things to prepare for tonight. Li Niang, please stay a little longer."
Yu Li shook his head, thanked her for the hospitality, and said he wanted to go back and rest.
In fact, today's bonfire party was quite good. The meat roasted by the royal chef was delicious. It was just that there were a few spoilers, so it was inevitable that we didn't enjoy the meal.
Princess Fuhui had no choice but to see them off reluctantly.
She looked at Yu Li eagerly and said, "Mother Li, next time I won't look for those people who spoil the fun. I will only look for you. You must come over to show your kindness."
Yu Li hummed lightly.
After saying goodbye to Princess Fuhui, the two got on the carriage and left.
Not long after the carriage left Princess Fuhui's farm, the sound of horse hooves was heard from behind, followed by the voice of the Seventh Prince outside.
"Duke of the State."
Fu Wenxiao lifted the curtain and saw the Seventh Prince standing outside the carriage, riding a horse. He was alone with no one around him.
Yu Li also looked at it curiously, feeling a little puzzled.
Her impression of the Seventh Prince was very superficial, or even no impression at all, because every time he appeared, he spoke very little and his presence was very low, making it easy for people to ignore him.
When the Seventh Prince saw Yu Li looking at him, he nodded slightly to her.
He said to Fu Wenxiao, "Duke Zhenguo, can you please spare me a moment to talk?"
Fu Wenxiao looked at him, said nothing, and got out of the car.
The two men walked to a nearby place and talked. Yu Li had sensitive ears and happened to overhear what was going on. The more he listened, the more puzzled he found it.
After Fu Wenxiao came back, the carriage continued to move forward, and the Seventh Prince also left.
Yu Li lifted the curtain and watched the Seventh Prince leave in the night. He asked curiously, "Why did he come to you about the flood in Chongzhou?"
"Did you hear it?" Fu Wenxiao was surprised.
She hummed and said frankly, "My hearing has always been very good." So if you want to whisper something, it's best to run away.
Fu Wenxiao laughed, not caring that she heard it, and said softly, "He has someone in Chongzhou. Yesterday he learned that there was a flood in Chongzhou, and he wanted me to tell the saint to send a reliable official to provide disaster relief."
Yu Li was a little stunned and blinked, "He actually cares about this?"
Because of what happened to the Kang family back then, she had no good feelings towards those princes. She always felt that they enjoyed the support of the people but did nothing for them. Instead, they oppressed the people and collected wealth everywhere.
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