She raised her little hand and pointed to the east and west corners of the yard.
Following Chu Wan's gesture, Wu Shuang looked over and indeed saw a grape trellis added to the courtyard, as well as a pomegranate tree that grew taller than the courtyard wall.
"Have you ever eaten the grapes and pomegranates that your brother sent to Fujian?" Chu Wan asked again. "Those are fruits that grow here, but they're not in season right now, so we can't eat them today."
"It doesn't matter, there will be plenty of opportunities to eat it in the future," Wushuang replied casually.
Her intention was that since she was staying in the capital and not leaving, she wasn't worried about not having the chance to eat fruit.
But Chu Wan chuckled mischievously, "Yes, that's right. After you marry into the family, you'll have plenty of opportunities to eat. When are you getting married? My brother is getting on in years. Most men his age already have children who are starting school."
He whispered mysteriously in Wushuang's ear, "Years ago, my uncle planned to bestow two concubines upon my brother during the imperial concubine selection, but my brother refused. He just waited for you to grow up. He was so good to you."
Even though Chu Yao never took a concubine in his previous life, before she existed, Wu Shuang understood perfectly. But for some reason, her heart was still pounding, and she became shy: "Then... maybe it's him... he just wants to focus on serving the Emperor."
Chu Wan replied, "I've never heard of a man who can't focus on serving his uncle after having someone in his backyard, hehehe."
Wushuang said angrily, "If you laugh at me again, I'm going back."
"Fine, I won't tell you then." Chu Wan pouted. "Anyway, you'll be marrying me sooner or later, so you can't escape it even if you don't tell me."
Wushuang stomped her foot in anger, quickened her pace, passed through the moon gate, and arrived at the large lake where the water pavilion was located.
Chu Wan followed, and the two held hands as they crossed the winding stone bridge and ascended to the second floor of the waterside pavilion.
The plum blossoms by the lake have faded, and the lotus flowers in the lake have not yet bloomed. However, in early spring, forsythia and peach blossoms are everywhere, a golden and pink expanse that is pleasing to the eye.
The two enjoyed the flowers and snacks. Before long, Chu Wan stood up, clutching her stomach, her face flushed, and said, "I... I ate too much, I need to go to the bathroom."
“Then I’ll go with you,” Wushuang said.
"No need," Chu Wan waved her hand and said, "I'm at home, why do I need someone to keep me company? You eat more, I'll be right back."
Anyway, it will be his territory sooner or later, so even if he is alone, Wushuang is very comfortable.
She leisurely ate her snacks and waited for about fifteen minutes when she heard footsteps approaching behind her.
Wushuang thought it was Chu Wan returning, but instead a male voice rang out: "Where did that little girl Wanwan run off to? How could I leave you here all alone? That's so inconsiderate of me."
Chapter 77 | Table of Contents
Chapter Seventy-Seven:
Before the words were even finished, an indigo figure had already arrived beside him.
Wushuang looked up and saw that Chu Yao had changed a lot over the years. He was taller and more upright, and his face was closer to the majestic appearance in her memories of his previous life than when he was a boy.
"Didn't you go to the palace?" Chu Yao appeared without warning, catching Wu Shuang completely off guard. For some reason, she was at a loss for words. She put down the half-eaten flower cake in her hand and asked him, "Why are you here?"
"It's my own home. Do you think I'd be restricted from going out and coming back?" Chu Yao raised his eyebrows and asked rhetorically.
Wushuang was both ashamed and annoyed by him, and she pouted and turned her head away, refusing to talk to him.
Chu Yao, as if he hadn't seen her, swaggered down to the drum stool closest to Wushuang and asked with a smile, "Your husband is so indifferent to you, it's really disheartening."
Wushuang pouted and said, "What husband? I don't have one yet..."
Before she could even utter the word "marry," it caught in her throat. Because as Wushuang spoke, Chu Yao raised his hand and bluntly touched her face.
He's going to take liberties with her the moment they meet?
Wushuang was so shocked that her eyes widened, and for a moment she didn't know how to react.
Chu Yao placed his finger on Wu Shuang's lips, gently wiped them, and then lifted it up.
Wushuang glanced at him in surprise and saw a pinkish-red stain on his fingertip, which was none other than a rose petal from the flower cake she had just eaten.
After not seeing each other for so long, not only did she speak in a rude and offensive way, but she also made a fool of herself. Wushuang's face turned bright red, and she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
"Hmm? Why is your face so red? Could it be that you have a fever?" Chu Yao asked earnestly, whether he was genuinely unaware or pretending to be confused. "During the change of seasons, the weather fluctuates between hot and cold, making it easy to catch a cold."
As he spoke, he reached out his hand again, which he had half withdrawn, and his large palm touched Wushuang's soft and smooth face from left to right and up to down without any politeness. Finally, he did not forget to cover her forehead and neck to check her body temperature.
Wushuang was completely devastated.
She was, after all, a lady from a prestigious family. Having lived two lifetimes, she had never had the chance to meet a scoundrel. Moreover, this scoundrel was her betrothed, bestowed upon her by the emperor. She truly didn't know whether to resist to the end or simply be shy and demure.
After hesitating for a moment, she suddenly had the idea of escaping quickly, and immediately said softly, "I... Wanwan doesn't seem to be feeling well, I'll go check on her."
After saying this, he got up to leave, but in his haste to turn around, he kicked the drum stool and, caught off guard, fell forward.
Fortunately, Chu Yao was quick-witted and nimble-fingered. He grabbed her slender waist, supported her, and pulled her into his arms.
Wu Shuang was still in shock, clutching her chest and panting for a long while before she realized that she was sitting on Chu Yao's lap.
Chapter 78 | Table of Contents
Chapter Seventy-Eight:
Wedding date?
Wushuang was startled, then naturally replied, "I'm only a few years old. Let's talk about such distant things in the future."
"You're not young anymore." Chu Yao played with a strand of her hair hanging down her chest and said, "The age for selecting concubines in the palace is between twelve and sixteen. You're already thirteen this year, so getting married isn't early at all."
What's not early?
Wushuang was indignant. She was still a budding flower, yet he couldn't wait to destroy her. He was truly heartless and cruel.