I must say the scenery here is quite nice, though it does feel a bit like a retirement home.
Thinking about it, it makes sense; most of the people living here are from the political and military circles.
If he remembers correctly, the Xinbu Xianting area was originally built under the arrangement of the national government, so the environment is naturally excellent.
Shen Beian strolled leisurely in the garden, enjoying the fresh air and the fragrance of flowers and birdsong.
A figure in green bamboo suddenly appeared in front of him; the person seemed to be picking something.
Shen Bei'an was unwilling to engage in further conversation. Anyone who could get into this place was definitely not a simple person, but unfortunately, he didn't recognize any of them.
He was about to go straight over when the man turned around and spoke.
"May I ask if you are the fifth master of the Shen family?" The clear and gentle voice made Shen Bei'an stop in his tracks and look at him.
A handsome young man with a refined demeanor and long hair. His smooth, long hair seemed to be only loosely gathered by the band, while his temples were gray.
Shen Bei'an felt that this person looked somewhat familiar, and nodded stiffly, "Um, and who are you?"
Master Shen didn't think it was a big deal that he didn't recognize him. There are so many people in this world, how could he possibly know them all?
"A mere idle hermit is not worthy of Fifth Master's attention." The long-haired young man did not introduce himself.
Shen Bei'an wasn't one to force things. "Then, what's the matter?" Shen Bei'an always had a bit of a soft spot for good-looking people.
"I have long heard of Fifth Master's reputation, and seeing it today confirms it."
Shen Bei'an's expression was somewhat strange. He had heard of his reputation for a long time.
His reputation is not a good one.
Look at the tree that the long-haired young man was picking from.
The branches are grayish-green and contain sap; the upper surface of the leaves is dark green and hairless, while the lower surface is light green with numerous pitted spots; the central flower opens first, bearing several flowers, with short stamens at the base covered in long soft hairs; the seeds are oblong, narrower at the base, and blunt at the tip, and are brown.
Oleander!
Isn't this poisonous?
Are you picking oleanders?
What is this guy trying to do?
The long-haired young man, with a small bamboo basket slung over his arm, smiled slightly. “Indeed, although oleander is poisonous, it is also a good medicinal herb. Its tablets have the ability to resist smoke, dust, and toxins. Oleander has functions such as treating heart failure, epilepsy, diuresis, pain relief, and disinfection.”
His voice was clear and pleasant, and his introduction was as captivating as a story.
"I understand." Shen Bei'an really didn't know; he only learned that oleander was poisonous from watching a certain TV series called "The Legend of Zhen Huan."
"Then take your time picking them." Shen Bei'an raised his chin. It was just a chance encounter, and he didn't feel there was any special connection between them.
The long-haired young man merely nodded slightly to Shen Beian, then continued picking without looking at him again.
After leaving the long-haired young man, Shen Beian frowned and rubbed his chin.
The long-haired young man was handsome, with a full head of smooth black hair, but his temples were gray.
That's really strange.
However, Master Shen didn't pay much attention to it.
In his eyes, it's perfectly normal to bump into someone who knows him while strolling around.
Besides, didn't he himself say that he was just a recluse?
Such people are not uncommon in empires.
If he's not mistaken, he also has Buddhist prayer beads or something similar on his left wrist, right?
After wandering around for a while, Master Shen felt it was about time and went back.
Upon entering, he saw his wife playing chess with Yun Hanzhou, the two sides locked in a fierce battle.
To be more precise, it was his wife who completely overwhelmed him, and Yun Hanzhou was sweating profusely.
"Young Master's chess skills are superb, I admire them greatly." Having no other choice, Yun Hanzhou clasped his hands and bowed his head.
"So, Young Master Yun is giving up already?" Gu Nanyan waved to Shen Bei'an as he saw him return and asked.
Yun Hanzhou lowered his head and said, "Young Master, my chess skills are poor, and I really don't know how to solve this game or how to make a move." He spoke the truth.
When Shen Beian saw Gu Nanyan greeting him, he walked over and sat down next to Gu Nanyan very quickly.
"An'an, if it were you, where would you go?" Gu Nanyan handed a glass of warm water to Shen Bei'an.
Shen Beian took the water glass, frowned, and looked at it for a while. "Is it a dead end?" He felt that Yun Hanzhou's side was surrounded on all sides, and there was no way they could win.
Anyway, with his chess skills, that's about all he can see.
Gu Nanyan didn't speak, but took a black piece. She took the white piece, and Yun Hanzhou took the black piece.
"Deadly situations are rare, but there are always those who rise from the ashes." He placed a piece between two fingers.
In an instant, the game was turned upside down!
Yun Hanzhou was shocked. He had considered this move, but thought it was a waste of time.
But now it seems that this is not the case!
"Would Young Master Yun like to continue?" Gu Nanyan looked at Yun Hanzhou. This disciple of his father was not bad, but he was a bit indecisive and lacked decisiveness.
Yun Hanzhou swallowed hard, straightened up respectfully, and bowed, saying, "I thank you for your guidance, Young Master."
Shen Beian blinked and sat down to the side.
Is this his wife instructing the third male lead?
Gu Nanyan said, "Put it away. I reckon Mr. and Mrs. Ji will be back soon. Don't say I'm bullying a child." His tone was somewhat teasing.
Yun Hanzhou blushed at these words.
He is seventeen years old this year, while the eldest son is only twenty-two years old, five years apart, and they are of the same generation.
Where did this claim of bullying children with fewer children come from?
But if you think about it carefully, no one has ever compared the eldest son with other people his age.
Everyone regards the leader of this generation as the eldest grandson of the Shen family, one of the Nine Great Masters of the Capital.
As for Xihua City, it was mostly five officials advancing at the same time, with no clear winner.
This person is far ahead of their peers and contemporaries.
Yun Hanzhou bowed slightly. "Yes."
"An'an, how was your outing?" Gu Nanyan didn't look at Yun Hanzhou anymore, but turned to look at Shen Bei'an.
"Let's stroll around here. It's not bad. Compared to Yue Ting Nan She, it has a more natural feel. But I still think it's not as good as our place. If I had to say, it's a bit quieter than Luo Xia Yuan."
The area around Luoxia Garden is quite lively.
But no matter how you compare, your own hometown is always the best.
“Our home was built many years ago, so these places are naturally incomparable. If An’an wants to stay here for a while, that’s not impossible.”
"No, no." Shen Bei'an waved his hands repeatedly, not wanting to deal with anyone here.
It's fine at home.
There isn't another one for miles around, it's perfect for a lazy bum like him!
"We haven't asked where Young Master Yun has been staying since he arrived in the capital?" Shen Bei'an suddenly thought of something. In the original book, he didn't seem to have arrived in the capital at this time, did he?
Yun Hanzhou quickly put away the chess pieces. "I live in Luoxia Garden." Neither Xinbu Xianting nor Yueting Nanshe are places one can easily move into.
Compared to these two places, Luoxia Garden is a better destination.
——
Oleander is not only poisonous, but it's also a medicinal herb. We just don't know much about it, so it's best to stay away and treat it as an ornamental plant.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
