Chapter 73 I have a slight understanding of your lustful nature…
As dawn breaks and the sun rises on the horizon, morning dew clings to the fruits and vegetables in the yard and to the damp soil. The chicks cluck and cluck, playing their early morning symphony.
The man's figure moved back and forth between the two, feeding the vegetables and chickens, observing their growth and development.
The chicks are growing well; their feathers are much fuller and their bodies are quite plump. But the fruits and vegetables are not doing so well. For some reason, they are growing slower and slower and are even showing signs of wilting.
Shen Jizhao was somewhat puzzled, but he became even more enthusiastic in tinkering with it.
Jiang Shuifu hadn't gotten up this early in a long time. She dawdled as she dressed, and when she opened the door, she smelled the fresh air, mixed with the fragrance of earth after the rain.
I don't know why, but it feels like it drizzles every night, with a soft, gurgling sound that comes out faintly and regularly.
However, it's normal for it to rain a lot in summer; the weather is definitely different after the rain.
She stretched out a big yawn, and all her fatigue immediately disappeared. She had gone to bed early last night and hadn't read any storybooks.
Therefore, she came to find someone to fulfill her promise. She strode up to the man and bossed him around imperiously:
"Shen Jizhao, take me out of here quickly, I want to go to town for breakfast!"
After fiddling around for a while, Shen Jizhao received a command from the person beside him. He was already prepared, so he put a veil on her and led her out.
Jiang Shuifu objected: "It's not like I'm ashamed to be seen by others, why should I wear it?"
Shen Jizhao looked at her with an expression that left no room for negotiation, and answered her without any hesitation:
"I fear that someone might be audacious enough to covet you, and I fear even more that you will run away."
He wasn't so afraid of people coveting her; he could protect her himself. It was just that she was very distinctive in appearance, and it wouldn't be good if she were recognized.
He was so forceful that she had no choice but to give up.
Nearly half a month later, this was the first time she had stepped out of the farmhouse. She was stunned as soon as she went out. This was not a desolate place at all; it was absolutely beautiful, with pastoral scenery, natural landscapes, and flowers and plants swaying by the river and lake.
She could only see a small part of the mountain from the courtyard, which made her think that it was some kind of wilderness outside.
Shen Jizhao led over a horse, intending to help her onto it, but she waved him off.
She continued walking, and after a few steps she saw a large field planted with vegetables and rice.
Women and children are busy in the fields, and there is a small blue brick bridge over the fields.
It truly evokes the idyllic scene of a small bridge, flowing water, and a traditional family dwelling.
It turns out they have neighbors, quite a few neighbors.
Jiang Shuifu greeted them with a big smile, she was extremely enthusiastic.
When the neighbors saw a strange couple suddenly appear in this rural farmhouse, they were initially puzzled and curiously looked them over. Seeing that they were well-dressed, good-looking, and very polite, they immediately smiled warmly, greeted them, and offered to give them some vegetables they had grown themselves.
The children blinked their big eyes at them, seemingly very curious about the faces hidden beneath the veils.
Seeing this, Shen Jizhao stepped forward and took Jiang Shuifu's hand, their fingers intertwined, a proud smile playing on his lips.
"This is my wife. We are newly married and have only recently moved here. We don't know which breakfast stall at the morning market has the best food. My wife is a bit greedy."
"You're taking advantage of me again!" Jiang Shuifu yanked her hand away, rolling her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky: "Who's your wife!"
The old lady witnessed this scene, and he could only smile awkwardly. However, they didn't take the young couple's argument to heart.
Jiang Shuifu still mounted his horse. After all, it was still quite a distance from the village's morning market, and they couldn't really walk there. She pouted reluctantly.
"I want to ride by myself! I don't want to share a horse with you!"
Shen Jizhao tightened his grip on her hands as she reached for the reins, pulling her into his embrace. They were so close that he could smell her intoxicating fragrance without even looking down.
He didn't lower his head, nor did he deliberately move closer to her, but he subtly inhaled her scent, one breath not enough, then a large one, his expression becoming hazy:
"Shui Fu is so smart, how could she not know my intentions? Of course I want to hold you! To embrace you! I never hide my feelings."
Jiang Shuifu had never seen such a shameless person. She straightened up, keeping her distance from him, unwilling to touch him even slightly.
Shen Jizhao rode very slowly, almost as if he were walking, because this moment was precious and he wanted to keep walking with her like this until the end of time.
The woman he was taking advantage of, who was holding him in his arms, saw through his little scheme. While he was still dazed and enjoying her fragrance, she snatched the reins, squeezed her legs together, and spurred the horse into a gallop. Due to the sudden increase in speed, his body involuntarily arched back.
She then seized the opportunity to strike him in the stomach with her elbow, throwing him off his horse.
Her sly voice drifted to his ears on the wind:
"I'm not good at chasing people, but I do know a little about your lustful nature, which is perfect for dealing with you! I'm using this horse; if you don't stop me before we reach the morning market, I'm really going to run away!"
Shen Jizhao's brow twitched. He hadn't expected that because of his momentary carelessness and infatuation with her beauty, she would take advantage of him. It was clear that once a person has a weakness, he will inevitably fall sooner or later.
He fell for her, but he still smiled. The outcome was still uncertain.
.
The morning market was bustling with activity, with all sorts of wooden stalls lined up one after another, and shouts filling the air, making it a dazzling sight.
There were vegetable stalls selling freshly dug radishes, green vegetables still covered in dew, and even lively, jumping fish—all incredibly fresh.
There are beverage stalls selling mung bean and plum juice, a summer staple, with honey paste available for adding. A bowl of this can quench your thirst after a day of shopping at the morning market. The bamboo spoons and bowls clink together, making a tinkling sound.
There was also a lotus flower stall. The stall owner carried a large basket of freshly picked lotus flowers to his stall, skillfully placed them on the ground, and arranged his sweet-smelling lotus flowers, which were plump and abundant.
As Jiang Shuifu watched the lively scenes unfold, she felt a long-lost sense of vitality. However, what attracted her most was the wonton shop.
"Boss, a bowl of savory wontons, please."
She lifted her veil and sat down in the makeshift wonton stall.
"Another bowl, please! The last one without chili!"
Suddenly, someone appeared beside her. Shen Jizhao had caught up right on time, giving her no chance to escape.
It was something she had expected, and she wasn't discouraged.
Shen Jizhao used his lightness skill to run for more than half an hour early in the morning. He did not feel tired. On the contrary, his eyes were even brighter, and he was even more certain that he could not let her go.
He took out a veil and put it on her head:
"Put it on, it won't affect your eating. The veil can't cover your face, I'm a little uneasy, I'm worried. Please understand me, okay?"
He now treats her like a lost treasure that he has found again. This treasure is noisy and fussy, and he has no way to deal with it. What's more, the treasure has grown legs, so he has to keep an eye on her at all times. If he weren't afraid that she would ignore him for the rest of her life, he would really like to hide her away and only let him see her.
What else could Jiang Shuifu say? Although she could now breathe fresh air outside, she was still essentially living under his thumb and at his mercy.
The wontons arrived, and she ate them in one gulp. The hot soup, the thin wrappers and generous fillings, slid down her throat in one bite, soothing her weary soul.
She also ordered a pie, which was crispy and filled with flavorful meat, dipped in the broth.
Shen Jizhao was not used to this way of eating. To be precise, he was not used to eating at this open-air stall where people just casually wiped the table with a tattered cloth. He was extremely restless and even felt that his bottom was burning hot, let alone being able to put his mouth down.
Jiang Shuifu took a big bite of the pancake and sneered:
"Can't the pampered prince eat? It's such a disservice to you to sit in a shop like this! How about we make a bet? I bet we'll go our separate ways soon."
Shen Jizhao frowned in confusion. Impossible! He won't let go!
At this moment, the wonton stall owner also cast a curious glance. How embarrassing for a grown man to not be able to finish a small bowl of wontons!
"Girl, when you're looking for a husband, you need to find one who can eat a lot and knows how to eat well, otherwise, he won't have the strength to do any work!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Jizhao immediately sat up straight, his face darkening. He was strong enough to do any kind of work.
He sensed the teasing from the woman beside him, immediately picked up his spoon and started eating. He finished the meal in a few bites, even drinking the soup.
Jiang Shuifu continued walking, browsing through many stalls, and ate two more crab roe buns and a milk-flavored scallion roll. She also had some sweet soup in her hand, and she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
Shen Jizhao followed behind her, diligently buying her all sorts of jewelry:
"Don't eat too much. Aren't you complaining of a stomachache? Look at the hairpin in my hand, do you like it?"
She ignored him, and he continued picking up earrings: "What about this one? Don't you like red?"
Jiang Shuifu continued to ignore him, as if she didn't know him, avoiding him again and again. He could only shamelessly follow her closely, like a piece of candy he couldn't shake off.
The people on the roadside looked at him with disdain and contempt, and he could only call out "wife".
He suddenly realized that she was somewhat like him in the past. It turned out that she could also be unpredictable and unable to express her emotions.
They came to the front of a shop that sold Sichuan peppercorns.
"Don't miss out! Everyone come and see! Sichuan peppercorns have so many uses. Not only can they be used for medicine and food, but they also symbolize many children and blessings, good fortune and prosperity. Lovers who buy them will be united in marriage and live happily ever after. Young couples who buy them will have a long and happy life together and have many children. Our shop has specially launched Sichuan peppercorn sachets, Sichuan peppercorn pouches, and Sichuan peppercorn soapberries. We guarantee that they will keep your beloved close at all times! The more you buy, the more effective they will be!"
Jiang Shuifu watched the stall owner's exaggerated claims with a sense of boredom. It was just selling Sichuan peppercorns, why was he making such a fuss?
Only those naive and ignorant people who think that buying something with auspicious meanings will bring them good fortune would believe his nonsense, just like how she superstitiously went to Hongshan Temple to burn incense and pray for a happy marriage.
Unfortunately, Shen Jizhao was one of them.
"I want them! Wrap them all up for me!"
His resounding words attracted the attention of those around him. Almost everyone turned their gaze to him at the same time, not to admire his outstanding appearance, figure, and demeanor, but to look at him as if he were a fool.
How could anyone actually believe the vendor's self-promotion and boasting?
The stall owner looked at the sucker, or rather, the big customer.
These days, Sichuan peppercorns aren't cheap. Many families can't even afford a single bag all year round, but this guy actually bought them all! It seems like I can't let him off easy.
He then turned his gaze to Jiang Shuifu. The fool kept staring at the girl. The two looked quite well-matched. Could they be a couple?
His mouth was incredibly smooth; he would say sweet things with a grin to easily fooled women:
"You know him? He must be your husband! What a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a perfect couple. You'll surely have two children in three years, three in five, and a house full of grandchildren. However, the second half of the year is a clash between the Heavenly Stars, which might be unfavorable. So, I have some more goods, specially reserved for you. Not ninety-nine taels, just..."
Jiang Shuifu was too lazy to listen to his rapid-fire fortune-telling. She shook her head and blinked, her big, innocent eyes wide with wonder.
"I don't know him! He's been following me and calling me 'wife,' which I find very strange! I'm not married yet!"
These few words instantly caused a huge uproar, and the people around started whispering among themselves.
"Yes, I just saw this man following the girl. She ignored him, but he kept pestering her!"
Another woman looked her over and nodded, saying:
"This girl looks like a respectable woman. She's even wearing a veil, which clearly means her family is very strict and she wasn't allowed to see anyone before she got married, just to avoid this kind of scoundrel!"
As soon as the woman spoke, all the men present stretched out their arms in defense, puffing out their chests to protect the vulnerable Jiang Shuifu:
"I see. You must have been followed and harassed. Don't be afraid, young lady! There are so many of us here to protect you! You go first!"
Shen Jizhao had no idea how he had become a shameless illegitimate son and a stalker. He was still confused about the situation. However, he instinctively did not want Jiang Shuifu to become the target of public criticism, so he took her hand and prepared to leave.
But then, countless strong hands grabbed his arms, pinching him hard, their voices fierce:
"In broad daylight, how dare he forcibly abduct a woman, grope her, and offend a respectable woman! Everyone, beat him up!"
Jiang Shuifu slipped out of his hand in a flash, her steps retreating slowly and deliberately under his gaze, appearing leisurely and unhurried.
Before she completely disappeared from his sight, she mouthed: I won, I ran away!
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Author's Note: My daughter is so amazing! So smart! *claps* [fireworks][fireworks]
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