That night, Lin Si Yao hugged Su Shuilian as they sat on the side of the bed. Smiling, he continued to whisper close to her ear, âBut you promised before, that when the osthamus flowers are abundantly abloom, we would have another formal toast. Now that you are ignoring me, how are we going to have the toast?â His breath tickled her sensitive skin, though she had completely flushed red, Su Shuilian remained stubborn.
âThatâs going to be in another 3 to 5 years thoughâŚ.â Su Shuilian quickly found an excuse. During the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, she had gotten herself completely intoxicated and had said many incoherent things. Although she does not remember most of it, he still insisted that she had said this then.
Fine, once there are a plentiful amount of blooming osthamus flowers, they will try the osthamus wine that she made. The wine jar that is currently buried by the cherry tree (being aged) in their backyard.
As for the (unaged) osthamus and glutinous rice wine that she had said to revoke for dinner, it was still given to the Shifu and disciple pair. The three enjoyed the wine along with the large river crabs. As for the wolf puppies who could not eat the crabs, they could only gnaw on mantou dipped in the crab dish sauce.
âSo you plan to ignore me until then? Shuilian, you said so yourself, couples should be caring and intimate with each other. However, how are we supposed to do that if you continue to ignore me for three years?â Lin Si Yao did not yield and continued. After knowing her for more than six months, he had figured out her temper/personality.
Suddenly, Su Shuilian turned around; her face completely red. One cup of unaged wine was already very strong for her.
âI didnât mean it that wayâŚ. Truthfully, Iâm not angry⌠itâs justâŚ.â She just felt that she had lost face. In front of his twelve year old disciple, she had behaved like an ignorant fool.
âI know. Dabao needs a scoldingâŚ.â He had long decided how to deal with that naughty, disrespectful disciple of his.
However, it wasnât the right situation to say this. Lying on top of the soft bearskin mattress topper that was made several days ago, heâs gotta do something to maintain its softness and warmthâŚ
â
The next morning, seeing that it was a good sunny day, Lin Si Yao took Tian Dabao to the foot of Xiufeng to practice swordwork. And following right behind was the excited-to-be free Xiao Xiu.
Su Shuilian woke up shortly after their departure. After she washed her hands, Su Shuilian sat down on a chair in the kitchen. She was preparing to make Lin Si Yao a pair of warm cotton shoes. Occasionally, she would glance at the millet porridge cooking on the stove, afraid it might overcook.
âShuilian jie! Shuilian jie, are you home?â Sounds of knocking and Xicuiâs voice sounded from outside the gates.
Su Shuilian puzzled at her sudden appearance, but she still quickly got up to open the gates for her.
âXicui, why are you in a rush so early in the morning?â Su Shuilian smiled as she pulled Xicui in.
Just as she was about to close the gate, Su Shuilian noticed a lady in her twenties standing behind Xicui. There was even a luxurious carriage parked by the road.
âThis is?â Su Shuilian turned to Xicui in question.
âShuilian jieâŚ. IâŚ.â Xicui held Su Shuilianâs hands, her face conflicted as she hesitated to continue.
âDonât blame Xicui. It was I who insisted for her to allow me to meet Madam Lin*. I am the co-lady boss of âYue Yun Embroidered Floorâ, Jiang Yingyun.â Jiang Yingyun greeted Su Shuilian with a nod as she introduced herself. At the same time she unobtrusively sized up the so called âperfect embroiderâ that Xicui had spoke about.
âThis is a typical embroider from a noble family.â -was Jiang Yingyunâs first impression of Su Shuilian.
Her pulled up hairdo was an obvious sign that she was a married woman. And from what she had hear from Xicui earlier, her husbandâs family name was âLinâ.
It was just that from her delicate facial features and her outward display, it made it seem as if she was a young miss from a noble family.
However which family would produce such a excellent embroider? Which nobleâs daughter would marry a farmer and live by selling her embroidery?
Jiang Yingyun could not figure it out.
Once Su Shuilian heard âYue Yun Embroider Floorâ, she had a rough idea of what this matter was about.
Presumably, when Xicui went to reject the offer, the people did not want to give up and decided to come, meet, and persuade her.
âShopkeeper Jiang, just as Xicui had told you before, this embroidery work, I can not help with. The time given is just too little. Iâm sorry to have you travel all the way hereâŚâ Su Shuilian nodded back as she lightly smiled and replied.
âWondering how many days does Madam Lin needs to be willing to take in <drunken beauty="">?â Jiang Yingyun asked in a mild manner.</drunken>
She was also in a helpless situation. Ever since the city lord had seen the
âHeavens!â Xicui who had been quietly sitting by the side listening to their conversation could not help but exclaim. Covering her mouth with her hand, Xicui could not help but call out âShuilian jieâ to tell her to quickly accept this offer. She anxiously looked towards Su Shuilian. Eighteen taels! Oh my god! This was ten taels more than what she had originally been offered with! Where could they find any better offer!? If she had the skills, she would have cried and plead to have this offer given to her! This was simply a gift bestowed from the God of Wealth!