Jiangnan Gaiden - Capítulo 53
Tell me you're not angry.
Huan'er laughed mischievously.
"Why should I be angry? I wasn't the one who got kicked out."
"You're such a peculiar little woman," he chuckled. Then he kissed her very gently...
This is where Huan'er's wisdom lies—she doesn't accuse or dwell on past grievances. After all, she's the one who truly possesses Wuji now! Holding grudges only highlights one's immaturity; why bother? How can a lifelong partner continue if unpleasant grudges remain? It's better to be more generous. This way, the man will feel guilty and become loyal from then on, repaying her with true affection.
Д绣芙蓉 updated July 8, 2003
Three large chests of clothes, hastily made from the finest fabrics, were delivered by the Jinzhifang workshop. Yu Niang, Wuxia, and Huan'er all gathered in the Plum Garden to try on the clothes; as expected of the top workshop in the North, the clothes felt different—fitting, comfortable, and elegant, with refined and luxurious colors that didn't appear ostentatious or gaudy. Huan'er's clothes were all pure white, except for one set of pearl red. Wearing it, the red contrasted beautifully with her snow-white skin, making her appear radiant and translucent. She was reluctant to take them off.
It was late afternoon, and the women were gathered together for a reason. The men were all locked up in the "Wind and Cloud Tower." They'd been like this ever since they returned from hunting two days ago. They'd gone in before dawn, locked the doors tightly, and the guards outside were ordered not to disturb them until late at night when they finally went back to their rooms to rest. Who knows what busy things they'll have with winter approaching? The revenue reports from all over the country have all been sent over; now it should be the accountants calculating the year-end bonuses. Strictly speaking, the top leaders shouldn't have anything to do. Even Leng Gang, who knows absolutely nothing about business, has been forced into seclusion—it makes no sense! It's made these women resentful and idle.
"Let's do some embroidery. Let's make a pair of shoes for the baby who's about to be born," Wuxia suggested.
Yu Niang smiled and pointed to the needlework basket on the stone table.
"I've already made a set of clothes, hats and shoes for a boy, and now I'm working on another set for a girl, so I won't have to worry about whether I have a boy or a girl."
Huan'er rolled her eyes; she never touched those things. She often saw Leng Gang wearing shoes and clothes made by Wuxia. She once asked Wuji if he envied her, and Wuji only said he couldn't bear to see her work so hard. He knew she didn't have the patience to make those little things, and besides, he knew she wasn't skilled in the craft. If he actually made a pair for him, they would probably be one too big and one too small, completely different on the left and right. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to show them off in public, but not wearing them would be disrespectful to his wife's love. Therefore, he hoped Huan'er wouldn't do it at all.
"Isn't there anything else to do? Can't we stop with embroidery?" she cried out.
"Reading books? Appreciating chrysanthemums? We've already done those," Wuxia suggested other activities.
Huan'er looked up at the sky, where the clouds were light and the breeze was gentle, and she called out.
"Fly a kite!"
"A kite?" Even Wuxia Yu Niang didn't understand.
"The kites you're talking about!" Huan'er said, then instructed the servants to fetch three kites, as she had seen the servants' children playing with them a few days earlier.
“Huan’er…that’s for boys…” Yu Niang was startled.
"Yes, sister-in-law, it's really wild!"
Huan'er pulled one of them by the hand and they walked out of the Plum Courtyard, heading towards the vast plain behind Aolong Fortress. "You won't say that once you're hooked on the fun!"
The news that the mistress, the eldest daughter, and the mistress's mother wanted to play with kites spread throughout the servants' quarters. Children flocked to the Great Plains, and many who had finished their work came to watch. They adored the lively, easygoing, and kind young mistress, and her conversations after meals often revolved around her. Her quick wit and cheerful humor brought a joyful hue to the somber Aurora Castle.
Having been a leader among children for nearly twenty years, Huan'er was quite skilled at some games, and she had put a lot of effort into flying kites. After checking the wind direction and having the maid hold the kite, a tailwind came, and she ran a few steps, and the kite steadily flew into the blue sky. All the children cheered loudly in admiration.
"Come play together! Wuxia, Mother!" Huan'er kept letting out the string, watching the kite soar into the sky, her heart leaping with joy!
Yu Niang just smiled, not daring to touch it. Wu Xia, however, had been brainwashed by Huan'er's ideas for days and was less restrained than before. She picked up the kite and tried to make it fly, but flying a kite wasn't so simple. After several attempts, it still wouldn't fly! Two or three servant children, around ten years old, ran over and authoritatively instructed this young lady, who was usually only dared to admire from afar and was as beautiful as a fairy.