Chapter 293: Festive Season, Growing Chill
Lanterns blazed, creating a vibrant and captivating scene.
Inside the brightly lit and luxurious restaurant, patrons gathered, enjoying drinks and conversation, the atmosphere lively and bustling.
Outside, the streets were even more crowded, a scene of bustling activity, lanterns adorning every corner, a warm and festive atmosphere.
“Why is this town so lively and bustling today?”
Mao Ruoyu, her mature figure wrapped in a turquoise and white aoqun—a traditional Chinese jacket and skirt ensemble—walked gracefully to the entrance of the inn, looking curiously at the surrounding streets.
As far as the eye could see, there were many food stalls, steam rising in the winter air.
After several days of travel, the group had arrived at Wuchang Province and entered this county called Boyang. But just as they found an inn and put down their luggage, as night approached, the streets became even more crowded and noisy.
“You’ve lost track of the days during this long journey, Ruoyu, tomorrow is New Year’s Day.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and brought over a few sticks of candied hawthorns, handing one to her: “It’s normal for there to be celebrations here, it’s just that Changling County isn’t this lively.”
“It’s already New Year’s Day? Time flies.”
Mao Ruoyu exclaimed in surprise, taking the candied hawthorn and licking it lightly.
“Mmm… It’s a bit sour.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “The sugar coating is a bit thin.”
In these times, small businesses naturally couldn’t afford to use a thick layer of sugar syrup.
“Since it’s New Year’s Day, let’s stroll around Boyang County tonight.” Cheng Yishi walked out of the inn, gracefully brushing her hair, and naturally took Lin Tianlu’s arm.
“You…” Mao Ruoyu looked at her in surprise: “Yishi, why are you wearing jewelry?”
Two jade hairpins adorned her silver hair, with sparkling beads and silk ribbons hanging down. A beautiful necklace rested on her chest, shimmering faintly in the moonlight, complementing her captivating beauty, dazzling and eye-catching.
Cheng Yishi tilted her head slightly and smiled faintly: “I just changed in the inn. It’s New Year’s Day, so naturally, I have to dress up and stroll through the market with my husband.”
Mao Ruoyu couldn’t help but chuckle: “You’re quite clever, girl.”
Lin Tianlu exchanged glances with Yishi and took a beautiful hairpin from her, placing it in Mao Ruoyu’s hair.
“…Thank you, my husband.”
Mao Ruoyu paused slightly, touching the swaying pendant, her face slightly flushed, and smiled faintly.
“Although you’re naturally beautiful, Madam, it’s good to dress up occasionally.” Cheng Yishi looked her up and down, teasing playfully: “At least now you match the festive atmosphere.”
“Is that a compliment or a dig, Yishi?”
“A compliment, of course.”
She glanced pointedly at Mao Ruoyu’s ample bosom: “Fortunately, it’s cold now, and the clothes are thick, so your figure isn’t too noticeable. Otherwise, I would be unhappy.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled gently and took Lin Tianlu’s other hand: “But, what about Miss Yang and Miss Youluo in the inn…?”
“Miss Yang said she doesn’t like crowds and will be resting in her room. As for Miss Youluo, I don’t know where she went, perhaps she’s exploring the county on her own.”
Lin Tianlu glanced back at the inn: “Let’s bring a small gift for Miss Yang when we return.”
“I can choose one. But Sister Yun, she—”
“She’s sleeping soundly inside my husband’s clothes.”
Cheng Yishi poked Lin Tianlu’s slightly bulging clothes as if complaining. Yun Yue, curled up inside, wriggled slightly, seemingly sleeping soundly.
…
The moonlight brightened, and the streetlights became even more dazzling.
Lin Tianlu and the two women strolled casually through the streets, browsing the various stalls and shops, looking at the local specialties of Wuchang Province, occasionally choosing cosmetics to enhance the women’s beautiful and refined appearances.
Their gazes met, their affection evident, like a celestial couple, their loving interactions envied by others. Walking hand in hand, they attracted the attention of many passersby, who marveled at their beauty.
“Elder Sister, how about buying this jade bracelet?”
Mao Ruoyu suddenly felt a tug on her sleeve and looked down to see a little girl, about ten years old, holding up a jade bracelet with a pitiful expression, whispering timidly: “Look, Elder Sister, this jade bracelet is really beautiful, and it suits… uh!”
As soon as the little girl looked up and saw the beautiful woman’s face, she was stunned, blinking repeatedly, as if mesmerized: “You’re so beautiful, Elder Sister…”
“You’re quite sweet-tongued, little girl.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled gently, bending down slightly and patting her head: “Why are you selling jewelry alone on New Year’s Day?”
“Ah… I-I just want to sell some unnecessary things and buy some delicious food for my parents.”
The little girl instinctively told the truth.
But she quickly reacted and hurriedly explained: “Please don’t misunderstand, Elder Sister, this jade bracelet isn’t fake, it’s genuine—”
“I understand, of course.” Mao Ruoyu smiled: “No wonder your clothes aren’t shabby, why would you come out to sell things? So you’re a wealthy young lady trying to be filial.”
“Y-You’re joking, Elder Sister.”
The little girl blushed slightly, her voice much weaker: “I’ve been trying to sell it for a long time, and I finally understand how hard my parents work, traveling to different places to do business.”
“With such a smart and sensible daughter, your parents must be very proud.”
Mao Ruoyu looked up and vaguely saw two young maids hiding in the corner of the street, clearly secretly protecting and watching over their young mistress.
“How much are you selling this jade bracelet for?”
“About… two taels of silver?”
Mao Ruoyu chuckled softly and gently tapped the little girl’s nose: “It’s so expensive, no wonder you can’t sell it.”
“B-But this jade bracelet cost three taels of silver when it was bought, and it hasn’t been worn or damaged, why—”
“Most of the people strolling on the streets are ordinary citizens, they don’t carry that much money with them.” Mao Ruoyu softened her tone and said gently: “Little sister, you can try selling something more affordable.”
“wu…”
Seeing the little girl’s disappointed expression, Mao Ruoyu was about to continue speaking when a jade-like hand suddenly reached out and picked up the bracelet: “If it’s just two taels of silver, I’ll buy it.”
“Yishi?”
“This child is so sweet and well-behaved, she’s worth two taels of silver.” Cheng Yishi smiled and handed the silver to the little girl: “Take this money and buy some sweets, go home and spend time with your parents, they will be very happy.”
“Th-Thank you, Elder Sister!”
The little girl bowed repeatedly with gratitude: “You two are truly celestial beings, kind and beautiful!”
“Go back now, remember to keep the money safe and don’t let anyone steal it.”
“Mm!”
The little girl was overjoyed and quickly turned around, seemingly wanting to meet with the maids not far away and celebrate.
But at this moment, someone suddenly grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.
“Wah?!”
The girl screamed in surprise, stumbling and almost losing her balance, until she bumped into a warm and broad embrace.
Before she could react, a carriage sped past right in front of her, bringing a chilling gust of wind. The pebbles kicked up by the wheels hit her face, making her realize what had just happened, and she froze in fear.
“This—”
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi’s expressions turned to shock as they looked at the rapidly departing carriage, momentarily speechless.
On this crowded and lively street, there was actually a carriage speeding by so recklessly?
“Truly reckless!”
“So barbaric and unreasonable, what if someone got hurt!”
“To encounter such people on New Year’s Day, how unlucky!”
Complaints and murmurs came from the surrounding crowd, pointing and gesticulating in the direction where the carriage had disappeared.
Clearly, many people had almost been hit by the carriage.
“Little girl, you have to be careful of carriages and horses when crossing the street. If you get hit, you’ll have to spend some time in the medical clinic.” A warm and gentle, magnetic voice sounded beside her ear, making the dazed little girl tremble. She quickly turned around and realized that she was being held by a strange man.
“I-I…”
“Young Miss!”
Just then, the two maids not far away quickly rushed over.
Lin Tianlu smiled and released his hands, letting the maids take the little girl: “As her maids, you have to take good care of this child in the future, you can’t be so careless and negligent like today.”
After confirming that the little girl wasn’t injured, the two maids breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you for saving her, sir!”
“It was just a small effort, but that carriage was so reckless, is there no one to control them in this county?” Lin Tianlu stood up again and pointed towards the distance with a subtle expression: “If they continue like this, they will eventually hurt some innocent pedestrian.”
“This…”
One of the young maids said helplessly: “You don’t know, sir, the owner of that carriage is quite powerful in this county, even the county magistrate doesn’t dare to question him. Although he hasn’t done anything truly outrageous these years, he’s committed many such reckless acts, and the officials usually turn a blind eye.”
“There’s such collusion between officials?”
Mao Ruoyu frowned, feeling disgusted.
“We commoners can only endure it. It’s best for you benefactors to avoid provoking them, it might cause a lot of trouble.”
Lin Tianlu smiled again and cupped his hands: “Thank you for your warning, ladies.”
As they were about to part ways, the little girl poked her head out, her face red, and waved: “Thank you, sir.”
“Farewell.”
…
Lin Tianlu watched them leave and then looked at Cheng Yishi beside him.
“Yishi, why is your gaze so sharp?”
“I just feel… that my husband is becoming more and more handsome and attractive to young girls.”
Cheng Yishi’s gaze was distant as she sighed softly: “That little girl just now was almost mesmerized.”
“Uh, am I really that handsome?”
Lin Tianlu touched his face with a strange expression.
Mao Ruoyu chuckled: “Although you have extraordinary cultivation, my husband, your body hasn’t fully matured yet. Especially at your age, less than twenty, you can still grow for a few more years. Now, half a year later, you’ve naturally become more mature and handsome.”
“This… I haven’t really noticed.”
Lin Tianlu scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly.
Seeing his own face in the mirror every day, he didn’t really feel it.
Cheng Yishi covered her mouth with her sleeve, a glint in her eyes, and clicked her tongue in displeasure: “Should I make my husband wear a veiled hat when we go out in the future?”
Lin Tianlu: “…”
Had the situation reversed?
…
By the riverbank, the lights continued to stretch endlessly.
Walking hand in hand along the river, laughter and conversation occasionally echoing.
As midnight approached, the pedestrians on the streets became even sparser, and the riverbank was almost deserted.
But Lin Tianlu and the two women were still in high spirits, chatting about family matters, their arms around each other, not feeling the slightest bit of the winter chill, warm and comfortable.
“After ten years of hardship, to have such a happy life now, I feel like I’m in a dream.”
Gazing at the river surface reflecting the lights, Cheng Yishi’s gaze was slightly distant.
Leisurely, comfortable, tranquil…
She, who had been caught up in a family feud, now felt like she had been reborn, leaving all her past worries and troubles behind.
When had she unknowingly changed?
“Yishi, your past experiences are somewhat similar to mine.” Mao Ruoyu smiled gently and took her hand: “Both of us had difficult and lonely childhoods.”
“I truly admire you for being able to go through it all alone.”
Cheng Yishi didn’t resist, her voice softening: “After my wish was fulfilled and my revenge completed, I only wanted to die. If it weren’t for my husband’s guidance, I might have already been in the underworld.”
The two of them held hands, their expressions hazy, as if recalling their past experiences, those scenes still vivid in their minds.
They couldn’t help but think…
If they hadn’t met Tianlu in this life, what would their future have been like?
“The past is already in the past, there’s no need to dwell on it anymore.”
Lin Tianlu draped his thick cloak over their shoulders and smiled gently: “Why don’t you think about what we should eat tomorrow morning? Do you have any suggestions, my dear wives?”
“Just a steamed bun is enough for me.”
Mao Ruoyu turned around with a charming smile: “I should be the one preparing breakfast, but now that we’re traveling, it’s my husband who’s working hard.”
“Husband and wife should be considerate of each other, you’re just too caring, Ruoyu.”
Lin Tianlu gently caressed her face and kissed her forehead.
“Mm!”
Mao Ruoyu blushed as if still shy, as innocent as a young girl.
Cheng Yishi, watching their sweet interaction, didn’t feel any jealousy, but rather a warmth spreading through her heart, her eyes slightly moist.
The life she longed for deep down…
Perhaps it was this scene before her.
“Husband.”
“Hmm?”
Lin Tianlu turned his head gently: “What do you want for breakfast tomorrow morning, Yishi… hmm?”
Before he could finish speaking, the young woman stood on tiptoe and leaned closer, kissing him deeply.
“…”
Feeling the touch and entanglement of their lips and teeth, Lin Tianlu was slightly stunned, but he quickly wrapped his arms around her slender waist, returning a passionate yet gentle kiss.
“Mmm…” Cheng Yishi’s cheeks became even redder as she responded clumsily.
But her slender waist weakened, her body trembling and heating up, her toes twitching as she leaned against Lin Tianlu, moaning softly, her eyes gradually becoming hazy, seemingly lost in the passionate embrace of her lover.
After a long while, they finally parted, a string of silver saliva connecting their lips.
Cheng Yishi gasped, her cheeks burning hot, as she leaned against him, glancing provocatively at Mao Ruoyu, who was watching tenderly, and smiled mischievously.
The beautiful woman’s eye twitched: “You cheeky girl!”
She still wanted to tease and bully her!
Lin Tianlu chuckled and embraced both his wives’ shoulders: “The scenery here is quite nice, and it’s New Year’s Day, why don’t we play some music?”
“That’s a good idea, my husband. I happen to have my flute with me. But Yishi, she—”
“You truly know some Yin techniques, Madam, but you don’t know how to control this Yin energy.”
Cheng Yishi chuckled and extended her right hand towards Mao Ruoyu’s chest.
As strands of Yin energy quickly gathered and coiled, they soon formed a beautiful black pipa.
“I almost forgot you had such skills, Yishi.”
Mao Ruoyu wasn’t discouraged, taking the pipa with a smile and holding it in her arms.
Cheng Yishi waved her hand, and a guqin appeared in her palm, which she held with one hand.
“Husband, what about you…”
“I’ll play the jade flute.” Lin Tianlu took out the jade flute from his embrace and chuckled: “It would be wonderful for the three of us, husband and wife, to play together.”
The three of them exchanged glances, bright smiles on their faces, as they gently touched their instruments. Melodious music echoed along the banks of the Jiangan River.
Lost in the music, the melodies of the pipa, guqin, and flute seemed to contain a thousand emotions. They closed their eyes and smiled, silent yet communicating the myriad thoughts and feelings in their hearts.
A snow-white silver fox nimbly emerged from behind Lin Tianlu’s collar, yawned slightly, and then leaned its head lazily against his shoulder, enjoying their music with half-closed eyes, a look of comfort and emotion in them.
It secretly licked Lin Tianlu’s ear and then curled up like a scarf.
…
“This family of three, plus a fox, looks so warm and harmonious, it makes one feel reluctant to disturb them.”
On the roof of a restaurant in the distance, Youluo, still in her seductive and alluring attire, sat with her long legs crossed, looking down at the three figures by the riverbank with a charming smile.
She glanced sideways at the other side of Boyang County and couldn’t help but snort coldly: “Finally, some trouble has arrived in this town.”
