Las viudas de la dinastía Song eran fáciles de casar

Capítulo 162

The soft sunlight climbed onto the flower tips, and warblers darted like swings among the willow branches. A little white fox darted through the woods, occasionally pausing to sniff the air. Suddenly, it moved closer with ease, elegance, and agility, and abruptly pounced into the flowerbed. But strangely, there was no expected tearing or fighting. It, the white fox, our fox king, opened its sharp snout wide, its golden eyes bulging, staring at a stunningly beautiful little woman lying in the flowerbed, drool dripping down its face…

Clusters of pink crabapple blossoms bloom, glistening with dewdrops, exquisitely beautiful. Verdant willows sway gently in the breeze, shrouded in mist and haze, a scene of dreamlike beauty. A little sparrow, accompanied by two maids carrying bathing utensils, walks across the Jade Curved Bridge. Below, the spring water is emerald green, fallen petals carpet the ground, and pairs of mandarin ducks stroll hand in hand.

After crossing the bridge, walking along the path paved with colorful stones, the enchanting camellias and fragrant lilies vie for attention. The most lively creatures are the bees and butterflies, buzzing and dancing about, while the newly arrived swallows under the eaves murmur softly. But why is it still so quiet inside the green gauze window?

The little sparrow was a little worried. This was unusual. Could he be sick? She pushed open the carved door and entered the room. She hurriedly walked around the misty screen, hung the gauze curtains with golden hooks, and then saw Jianyue. He was lazily getting up from the soft, fragrant quilt, stretching, yawning, looking so comfortable that he was just short of meowing.

The little sparrow felt relieved, but couldn't help wanting to laugh, "Why did you get up late today, young master?"

"He finally left, and he was so happy that he slept in late like a pig."

“Young master is really strange. The lord of the fortress has been gone for more than twenty days, and you not only do not feel sad, but you also eat and sleep well. If the lord of the fortress knew, he would definitely be angry with you again.”

Hong Wantong's collusion with the Sky Eagle Sect gave Lu Qingcheng leverage over him. Although Hong Wantong dared not mention the marriage again, Lu Qingcheng remained worried that he would once again collude with the Sky Eagle Sect to do something detrimental to the fortress. To resolve the matter once and for all, Bai Yiting submitted the collected charges against Hong Wantong to his political enemies. An investigation was launched, and in the process, the case of Hong Wantong's collusion with the Sky Eagle Sect was also implicated. This forced Lu Qingcheng to personally travel to the provincial capital, a trip that would take at least twenty days round trip.

The thought of having no one watching over her these past few days filled Qingjian Yue with a carefree, sheep-like joy. She ate her fill, slept, ate her fill, and when she got bored, she'd go find someone to play with. How blissful such a life was! Getting out of bed, Qingjian Yue washed and dressed, then left her room and entered the fragrant little hall. A little crow knelt before the lacquered table, and on an apricot-red brocade cushion lay a white fox with its limbs outstretched. The little crow was carefully wiping its white feathers with a large towel.

Kiyomi Tsuki walked over and sat down. "Fox went to take a jasmine bath again?"

The little crow complained, "It came back early this morning and kept pestering me to give it a jasmine bath. It used to refuse to take a bath no matter what, but now it wants to take one twice a day."

"It smells strange! It smells strange!" the white fox cried. "If it's not fragrant enough, the beauty won't hug me."

The little crow grumbled, "It's made me unable to do anything but wander around it all day."

"Of course, your job is to serve me, the Fox King." The white fox proudly raised its tail.

The little crow cawed, "Oh dear, I'm shedding feathers."

"Spring and summer are the seasons when it sheds its fur, so you need to pay attention and groom it more often. Collect the shed white fur, and you can make a few pairs of gloves. They'll be very warm to wear in winter." Qingjian Yue reached out and flicked the white fox's head. "Don't always give it jasmine baths. Next time, try magnolia or lilac. Magnolia and lilac smell very nice too."

"Is that so? I must try it tonight." The white fox blinked its golden eyes and said smugly, "Master, let me tell you, this morning I encountered..."

The little sparrow smiled and said, "Young master, breakfast has been prepared. Please see if it suits your taste."

Kiyomi Tsuki leaped up and pounced on the fragrant food like a cat pouncing on a fish.

The white fox jumped up in anger, yelling, "Master..."

The little crow angrily said, "Fox, lie down."

"Who dares to order this Fox King around? Who? Hmph, I won't lie down, I'll lie flat."

The white fox lay sprawled on the brocade cushion, kicking its hind legs as if being a spoiled child. Its prank amused the little crow, who poked its belly. The white fox, annoyed, rolled over and lay back down.

"Lily porridge, peach blossom mandarin fish egg custard, peach blossom winter melon beauty powder, apricot blossom tofu, apricot blossom braised three delicacies..." Qing Jianyue happily ordered the dishes on the table, a glistening drop of saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. Suddenly, he shouted, "Fox, there's your favorite braised chicken."

Usually, whenever Kiyomi Tsuki calls out like that, the white fox will jump up suddenly, its eyes crinkling with laughter, and drool dripping from its mouth—its cunning and greedy appearance is a carbon copy of its owner. But this time was different. The white fox stretched lazily, looking sleepy and drowsy.

Kiyomi blinked her bright, dark crystal eyes, looking both aggrieved and sad, and said, "Why isn't this kid responding to Master?"

The little sparrow, unable to contain her laughter, took a towel and gently wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth. The little crow snorted, "Judging from its appearance, it must have been out hunting for food." Voices came from outside, and a maidservant came in to report, "Young master, Second Master Cai has arrived."

Kiyomi Tsuki rushed out of the room like a gust of wind, laughing, "Handsome brother."

The garden was a riot of colors, each vying for attention. Cai Zhonghe, dressed in a snow-white robe, stood gracefully under the eaves. His brows furrowed with worry as he calmly admired the vibrant spring scenery. Qing Jianyue's laughter, like celestial music, made his eyes sparkle with an unusual light.

"Why did you come but not go in?" Qing Jianyue grabbed Cai Zhonghe's hand. "Have you had breakfast yet? Come and try Little Sparrow's cooking."

Cai Zhonghe gently freed himself from Qing Jianyue's hand, moved back slightly, and said respectfully, "Young Master Jianyue."

Kiyomi Tsuki's smile vanished. "Handsome brother, what's wrong? What made you so distant? You weren't like this to me before."

Cai Zhonghe suppressed his turbulent emotions and smiled, "Young master, please don't overthink things. My handsome brother's care and affection for you will never change. It's just that our statuses are different now, so I can't be as casual with you as before. I still need to observe proper etiquette."

Kiyomizuki was a smart man, and of course he understood the meaning behind his words. He hurriedly said, "I'm not, I'm not..."

Cai Zhonghe remained silent.

Kiyoshi said dejectedly, "I still prefer the old days, when I was carefree and unrestrained. Now it's like being wrapped up like a rice dumpling; I'm trapped in this ice garden and can't move an inch."

Cai Zhonghe recited in a rhythmic and melodious tone: "If the water is not deep enough, it will not be able to support a large boat. If the wind is not strong enough, it will not be able to support large wings. Therefore, at a distance of 90,000 li, the wind is below."

Kiyomi Tsuki asked blankly, "What do you mean?"

“These are the words of a sage,” Cai Zhonghe said with a smile. “He said that if the water is not deep enough, it will not be able to float a large ship; if the wind does not have enough power, it will not be able to support huge wings. Therefore, the roc can spread its wings and fly at a height of 90,000 miles because there is wind beneath it.”

Qing Jian Yue pondered his words several times, then suddenly burst into laughter. Cai Zhong He laughed along. The little sparrow and the little crow curiously poked their heads out. After laughing for a while, Qing Jian Yue said, "Alright, come in and try the little sparrow's cooking." They moved into the flower hall and sat down. Qing Jian Yue picked up the lily porridge and ate it in big mouthfuls, urging Cai Zhong He to eat quickly as well.

Cai Zhonghe smiled at him, his smile full of affection. "Young Master, please eat slowly. Are you in such a hurry because something's wrong?"

"I'm fine, it's my handsome brother who's in trouble." Qing Jianyue shoveled another mouthful of rice into her mouth, completely disregarding her image.

Cai Zhonghe smiled and said, "Yes, I have three things to report to you today."

Kiyoshi put down the bowl and took the hot towel from the little sparrow to wipe her mouth and hands.

"The first thing is that Old Master Lin has arrived."

As we introduced earlier, Old Master Lin was Qingfeng's maternal grandfather and a retired Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After Qingfeng's mother, Madam Yan, passed away, Old Master Lin took Qingfeng back to the Lin Family Manor. Qingfeng spent two years carefully managing the family, making it the richest family in Hangzhou.

Kiyomi Tsuki was taken aback. "Why did the old man suddenly come?"

“Grandpa has always doted on Qingfeng. Before Qingfeng was brought to the Lin Family Manor, he would come twice a year.” Cai Zhonghe said with a smile, “So we can’t neglect him.”

Kiyomi Tsuki scrunched up her face like a bitter gourd. "What I fear most is socializing. And the second thing?"

“A messenger from Master Kang of Fengyue Manor has arrived; they will be at our fort today,” Cai Zhonghe said. “I have already given instructions to prepare for our distinguished guests. I’m afraid we will need your help in many matters, young master.”