The sunlight streamed in through the window. Although it was summer, there were quite a few ice blocks in the room, and the maids were fanning, so it was rather cool.
Shen Baozhu woke up groggily. She tugged at her small quilt and unconsciously rolled around on the bed.
"Baozhu! The sun is already high up. Hurry up and get up!" Chen Miaochun gently lifted the quilt, helped Shen Baozhu change her clothes, assisted her in washing up, and then carried her to the dining table.
Chen Miaochun stuffed a shrimp dumpling into Shen Baozhu's mouth. The delicious dumpling completely woke Shen Baozhu up. She looked at Chen Miaochun in front of her, then looked down at herself, and said in disbelief, "Wasn't I in bed?"
"Yes. I've helped you get dressed and washed up. You can just have your meal now, Baozhu..." Chen Miaochun stuffed another shrimp dumpling into Shen Baozhu's mouth and continued, "But that's not important. Guess who I met yesterday, Baozhu?"
Shen Baozhu ate the shrimp dumpling slowly and shook her head.
"I not only met Wang Linchun but also an old acquaintance. Fortunately, you didn't go yesterday. You don't know, Yan Mingli is so good-looking. When I took him in, all the people there rushed towards him. It was really scary. Fortunately, I protected him in time."
Chen Miaochun was very relieved. If Yan Mingli had been taken advantage of by those people, she would have been furious.
She hadn't even touched him yet, so there was no way she'd let others take the lead.
Shen Baozhu was stuffed with another shrimp dumpling. She focused on eating and nodded from time to time to respond to Chen Miaochun.
The sun was shining brightly outside, just like Chen Miaochun's mood at the moment.
...
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.
Chen Miaochun was learning with the poetry club, while Yan Mingli took Shen Baozhu around.
"The brothel I reported some days ago has been shut down. I bought all the girls there and forced them to learn embroidery and read. This is a great deed... Today I'm taking Baozhu to celebrate. Come on, let's have a big meal on the first floor." Yan Mingli pulled Shen Baozhu and sat down in the first - floor hall.
He whispered, "Miaochun is studying. Let's keep our voices down. Don't let her find out we're sneaking a treat."
Under Yan Mingli's influence, Shen Baozhu gradually became nervous too.
She and Yan Mingli were very in sync. Every time a dish was served, Yan Mingli would separate the most delicious part for Shen Baozhu to eat, while he took care of the rest.
Shen Baozhu ate little, so she had the most delicious parts, and Yan Mingli, with a big appetite, was responsible for finishing the dishes.
The one big and one small ate quietly.
"Yuan Lang, my grandfather has already arranged my engagement. After we part today, don't look for me anymore." The sobbing of a young girl came from the next table.
The man choked with sobs and said, "Okay. May Tang'er have smooth sailing and a happy life from now on."
Perhaps because they were in public, the young girl wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "Okay. I also wish you to pass the imperial examination next year and meet a good woman."
Dragon King: [These are star - crossed lovers being separated! Little cutie, turn your head quickly and let this king take a look at how these star - crossed lovers look!]
After getting along for these days, Lin Yu knew the Dragon King very well. He warned in advance, [This is someone else's family matter. Don't encourage Baozhu to interfere.]
Dragon King: [This king is just asking.]
Shen Baozhu quietly put down the chicken leg in her hand and tried hard to listen to the commotion beside her. And Yan Mingli beside her did the exact same thing.
Whether it was because they were too sad or just naive, they didn't lower their voices. Their conversation clearly reached Shen Baozhu and Yan Mingli's ears.
The young girl's surname was Xu. Her grandfather was an assigned prefect who had completed his three - year term and was back in the capital to report on his duties.
The man was Miss Xu's sweetheart and also a candidate for the spring imperial examination next year. His surname was Yuan and his given name was Qingxi.
Miss Xu was gentle and charming, and Yuan Qingxi was elegant and extraordinary. Just from their appearance, one could tell they were a perfect match.
Yuan Qingxi had planned to propose marriage to the Xu family after the spring imperial examination. Unexpectedly, a grandson of an old acquaintance of Prefect Xu suddenly appeared. Prefect Xu liked this grandson of his old acquaintance very much and directly betrothed Miss Xu to him.
Prefect Xu was the head of the entire Xu family. Miss Xu didn't dare to go against her grandfather's order and could only reluctantly draw a clear line from her sweetheart.
Yuan Qingxi knew clearly that if there were no accidents, this would be his last meeting with Xu Yutang. He summoned up his courage and said, "Let's not talk about these things. Weren't you always curious about the food in Zuiyin Tower? It's rare to come here. Order a few more dishes. Let's eat more."
"Two dishes are enough for us. Although the Yuan family is wealthy, they only gave you the money for the exam. A dish in Zuiyin Tower costs more than ten taels of silver. If you spend all your travel expenses, how will you manage until next year's spring imperial examination?" Xu Yutang had already adjusted her mood. She clenched her handkerchief and stopped Yuan Qingxi.
But Yuan Qingxi suddenly became stubborn. He called the waiter and ordered five dishes in a row, which cost a hundred taels of silver.
After the waiter left, Xu Yutang was very angry. "You're usually so steady. Why are you being so confused today? This is a hundred taels of silver! How much money do you have in total? What will you do in the future after spending this money!"
"Yutang, these are all your favorite dishes. Eat more. I've also thought it over. I'll go to the bookstore to copy books tomorrow. I can not only earn money but also review my lessons. It's killing two birds with one stone." Yuan Qingxi's gaze fell on Xu Yutang and he didn't want to move it away.
Xu Yutang looked at Yuan Qingxi and couldn't help but shed tears again.
They had no idea that there were people at the next table eavesdropping.
Yan Mingli couldn't help but feel sorry for Yuan Qingxi. Being in love with his sweetheart but being separated by the elders was really tragic. Fortunately, the elders of him and Miaochun both doted on the younger generation. They were not like Miss Xu's grandfather who randomly arranged marriages.
And Shen Baozhu whispered with a sigh, "Yuan Qingxi is so nice. He'd rather be short of money himself but still wants to treat Miss Xu to eat."
Yan Mingli nodded in agreement. Yes, Yuan Qingxi was good in this regard. He could barely be considered a good man. But soon, he heard Shen Baozhu's next words, "I hope I can also meet such a kind person in the future who can give me free food."
"Baozhu, why do you always think about food? But it's also right. You're still young and don't understand this is love." Yan Mingli sighed.
Dragon King: [The little cutie and the fool are at two extremes. One only thinks about food, and the other is deeply immersed in love and can't extricate himself.]
Although it was Xu Yutang and Yuan Qingxi who were talking about this in public, Yan Mingli still felt a bit guilty. After all, when he heard the voices, he didn't remind them but quietly eavesdropped. If one really delved into it, this behavior was not very proper.
Yan Mingli quickly finished the roast chicken on the table and then took Shen Baozhu to Su Ming's shop to play.
Su Ming had transformed the original grocery store into a flower shop. There were colorful flowers inserted in delicate and elegant porcelain vases. The prices were also reasonable, so the business was good.
But Su Ming was busy with the business and had no time to take care of Yan Mingli and Shen Baozhu.
Looking at the crowded people in the shop, Yan Mingli subconsciously tightened his grip on Shen Baozhu's hand. He instructed, "Baozhu, you must hold my hand tightly. If you get lost, Miaochun will make sure my grave won't even grow grass!"
After thinking for a while, Yan Mingli still thought it was not safe with so many people. He pulled Shen Baozhu to Yong'an Marquis Mansion to play with Qiuqiu.
Just as they arrived at the gate of Yong'an Marquis Mansion, he saw a familiar figure.
The person introduced himself to the gatekeeper. "My surname is Xu. I'm the niece of the Yong'an Marquis's wife. Please announce my arrival."
With her photographic memory, Shen Baozhu recognized her at a glance. "It's Miss Xu!"