Chapter 61: Let's Start Embroidering!
The contract to become a lady chief embroiderer was gently placed into the book case. Sitting on a chair with an armrest, Su Shuilian sighed and thought.
Could it be fate? From the 'Su Embroidery House' to 'Yue Yun Embroidery Floor', her life was as if it was completely intertwined with embroidery.
Or perhaps, it should be because of Su Embroidery House's influence on her to be able to embroider so well and thus allowing her to become so successful even in a completely foreign place.
Lady chief embroider? Su Shuilian pursed her lips and withdrew her thoughts. Since A Yao allowed her to decide, she will follow through; once she completes Drunken Beauty, then she will think about her decision.
After opening up the supplies given for Drunken Beauty, it was just as Su Shuilian guessed, this piece was going to be used as a dividing screen.
Su Shuilian then studied the three sample templates given. All of them were of Yang Guifei, but each had different expressions and backgrounds. In the first image, she was holding a cup to the moon. In the second image, she seemed to have drunk a few cups, seemingly tipsy as she held her head up, heavy with hair ornaments behind a field of chrysanthemums. The last one, she was being supported and led into a room, as if to rest.
(Yang Yuhuan, often known as Yang Guifei was known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She was the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang during his later years.)
After reviewing the samples, Su Shulian's first thoughts were that this was going to be made into a six panel screen and not eight. Otherwise the art would be obstructed. Just, with the embroidery about 5 meters tall, with just six panels, each panel should be longer than the standard width.
Su Shuilian held up the samples trying to decide how to arrange the pieces if it were to be made into an eight panel screen.
Compared to this, the previous Paired Phoenix was much easier since it was only to be used as a mural.
Maybe the embroidery floor was trying to test her? Su Shuilian tilted her head as she thought of this possibility. Normally, when embroidering a screen, there would be a line on the samples indicating where the screen would divide at.
However, as a chief embroiderer, not only do they have to know the best suited stitches, but they also have to be able to coordinate proper composition.
In accordance with the standards of her previous Su Embroidery House…. Design, sketch, embroidery, and end product, each step of the process were to be judged, and the one with the highest totalled points would end up as the winner of the competition.
Therefore, Su Shuilian, as Su House's legitimate daughter and as the fifth consecutive winner, whether it was design, sketch, or any other aspects of embroidery, she was considered first class.
So how could she fail such a small test given by Yue Yun Embroidery Floor?
With a thin writing brush, Su Shuilian confidently made small, gentle marks on the sample that only she could understand. Not only did it not ruin the art on the template, it also reminded Su Shuilian of sections that should be left blank as those places would be covered by the wooden beams.
The three images were made into eight identical screen size pieces. Of course, Su Shuilian had done it without ruining the amorous feeling of the whole work. There were occasional breaks at her skirt-end, flower petals, leaves, and plant stems, which created a unique flow in the overall image.
With a light sigh, Su Shuilian put down the brush; she had finally divided the eight sections.
The next step was to start embroidering.
The background canvas for the Drunken Beauty was a light goose yellow. Hence, there were many colors that could be used in this work.
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Su Shuilian looked at the threads given by the embroidery floor. There was every possible color sold in the market available. Even the silver and gold thread that she wasn't able to find was also provided. Was this due to the material benefit of Yue Yun Embroidery Floor?
Su Shuilian laughed and shook her head thinking this could be Yue Yun Embroidery Floor's implication that she was to make the most perfect Drunken Beauty possible. What kind of person in Fan Lou City would force them to act in such a desperate manner?
Whatever, as this is her love for embroidery, she will do her best. What's more, she could only rely on her embroidery skills to make a living.
Although Lin Si Yao stressed that she did not have to worry about their financial situation. She just needed to pass the time doing (harmless) things that she liked, such as reading, needlework, or even spending time with him…As for the last option, Su Shuilian shyly blocked her ears and pretended she did not hear it.
However, she did not want him burdening the responsibilities alone. She was also a member of the family, though she could not plow the fields, could not climb the mountains, or any other rough work, Su Shuilian could embroider. Since embroidery could earn a few taels, but also did not break Lin Si Yao's prerequisite, of course she would accept to do it. Then that way, she won't waste the lady chief embroiderer title given to her by 'Su House'.
And so, for a month and a half, Su Shuilian was completely focused on embroidering.
Of course, other than her fixed three meals, Su Shuilian took small breaks and drank plenty of water, anything that Lin Si Yao requested of her, she obediently complied. Not only because she wanted to look after her health, but also Su Shuilian wanted to continue to have her freedom to embroider.
That's right. While Su Shuilian was sewing the Drunken Beauty piece, she had already decided that she would accept Yue Yun Embroidery Floor's contract and become their lady chief embroiderer.
Who wouldn't be happy to have the backing of such a large embroidery floor? Not to mention, their conditions were so advantageous. To earn a tael every month? What more could she ask for!
After living in this house for about six months, Su Shuilian had already learned how large of an amount a single tael was.
For her, Lin Si Yao, and their (meat-addicted) wolf puppies, 300 bronze was the rough amount used every month. In other words, with a single tael, it could last them about 3 to 5 months. Moreover, this included the bills for wheat, millet, and other food necessities. Next year, the two acres of fertile land would be ready, the harvests would mean they would spend less on groceries, hence a single tael could do a lot!
Thinking thus far, Su Shuilian lightly patted her own cheeks. When did she become so frugal? Can't she remember that most of the meals that were made were all from Lin Si Yao risking his life to catch!
Thinking of how he would always give her the money that Lin Si Yao had earned from the animals he hunted, Su Shuilian could not help but lift the corners of her lips.
Lin Si Yao is really hardworking. No matter if it was trivial house matters or if it was working in the fields, he would always do his best. Even Tian Dabao, the disciple he had accepted had grown tremendously because of his dedication.
His past achievements were not mediocre. However he was willing to discard his previous identity and accompany her in a remote village as an ordinary and monotonous farmer. She was content.
And because of that, she wanted to, with her own hands, make their home more beautiful and rich. In this simple and quiet town, she wanted to have a child with him, and live with him until the very end.
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Chapter 62: The Unexpected Visitor
Just as Su Shuilian was immersed in embroidering the Drunken Beauty, the gossip loving Aunt Lao and Aunt Tian appeared at their house with some news. It was neither big nor small news, however it was fresh gossip: Hua House's daughter, who married the richest man in the city, had come back to visit their maternal in-laws with their own daughter.
"Shifu, I'm telling the truth. The visiting Hua House's pretty daughter had asked me about you." Tian Dabao jumped and skipped along the river as he picked the wild mushrooms by the river bank. He continuously swore to Lin Si Yao that he was not lying.
"What's the point of asking about me?" Lin Si Yao said in a disapproving tone.
If Dabao hadn't emphasized that it was a woman, he would have suspected that the person was a spy sent by Feng Yao Court. If it was a woman…ha…unless Feng Qingya had changed the system, then from his knowledge, of the 500 or so people, there was not a single woman in Feng Yao Court.
"That, I don't know. Eh? Shifu, what if she had found you pleasing and wanted you to marry her, as an inverted door*? Ahahaha…Uh Shifu mercy…mercy ah! I don't dare anymore… Okokok…I'll go stand on the piles then…"
(倒插门 inverted door - to marry and live with the bride's family. If anyone's read Adorable Consort, it's mentioned quite often there haha)
Poor Dabao, just as he got the courage to repeat the things he had heard from the gossiping women to his handsome and stoic Shifu, he got hit by his Shifu's Xuan Feng palm and pushed onto the quincuncial piles that he had hated the most.
Plaintively standing on the piles, Tian Dabao secretly swept a glance at his expressionless Shifu who was flipping the mushrooms and quietly complained, "It was just a joke, I know Shifu already has Shi Niang… But that woman is pretty, just not as pretty as Shi Niang…."
"Concentrate! Unless you want to stand there all afternoon." Lin Si Yao had heard his mutter and coldly responded.
"I understand Shifu…." Dabao grunted. Going to Xuifeng was much more fun than practicing on the quincuncial piles. Tian Dabao immediately started to focus his mind and qi. He stood on his toes as he moved around the piles practicing the Xuan-yi footwork.
--
"Knock knock knock*" It was rare for people to come on a windy afternoon, so it took Su Shuilian a while before she was sure there was someone actually at her door.
During this time, Lin Si Yao was out with Tian Dabao practicing swordwork. As for Aunt Lao and Aunt Tian, although they enjoy coming over to gossip, they knew she had accepted a big project and only came when necessary. And if it was them, the sound of knocking would be louder and it would also be accompanied with them calling her name…Then who could it be?
"Miss?" Su Shuilian opened the gate with a smile. In front of her was a girl who had been slightly disoriented by the strong wind. Su Shuilian recognized this girl, she had met her three times before: it was Lu Wan'er. Both were surprised to see each other.
"Eh? Wasn't this Lin Si Yao, Lin gongzi's house?" When Lu Wan'er saw it was the delicate girl who had been by her desired man's side, she felt her heart freeze. However, she still asked.
Those two bastards just took my money without making it clear! Oh, well, I was also too eager to find his address and just rushed here without inquiring about this (married) woman's identity. Was she Lin Si Yao's wife or someone else?
"Is this lady looking for A Yao?" Su Shuilian asked. Her heart suddenly surged with an indescribable, weird feeling. This Lu Wan'er really did like A Yao; she had even chased him to their house. However, did she not know he was already married? Or maybe she didn't care, she didn't care what status, whether she was the main wife or a concubine...
Su Shuilian thought back to her mother. Her father had never paid any mind to her mother…. She herself, was she going to have a tough rival just like her mother? And Lin Si Yao, would he be just like her father? To choose a woman who could only wait in bed over the main wife?
Ha, that's right, mother had the backing of her large maternal family. So even if her father wanted to, he could not divorce her. But she… she was a helpless girl in this foreign world. How could she defeat such a glamorous girl from a large, wealthy family? Ah! What kind of nonsense was she thinking?! A Yao would never be like that! Su Shuilian shook her head and cleared the inexplicable speculation that had flashed through her mind.
It seems that her mother's experience had left a large influence on her. If A Yao found out that she had compared him with her unscrupulous father, he would definitely use this as an excuse to 'punish' her.
Once she thought about Lin Si Yao's punishment, Su Shuilian's ears reddened.
She recovered from her thoughts, tidied her clothes and looked up at Lu Wan'er. Smiling, Su Shuilian said, "Miss Lu, the wind is strong, if you don't mind, come inside and talk. "
"Cough* cough*... You…. you recognize me?" Lu Wan'er snapped out of her daze, she cleared her throat and awkwardly asked.
"Yes, we have met a few times before, right?" Su Shuilian found it laughable as she looked at her. She remembered it clearly; the first time Lu Wan'er had confronted Lin Si Yao, she had revealed her full name.
The customs of Dahui Country were strange. Just like in the Republic of China, along with conservative traditions, there were also some bold actions that were also accepted. For example, women were allowed to attend poetry clubs. And if a woman were to meet a man that she favored, she could take the initiative to court them. Of course, there were prerequisites, the said women were misses from wealthy and influential families.
As for daughters of ordinary families, they were busy caring for their family and scraping enough for their dowry. They had no such time to go to poetry clubs, paint, or drink tea. They did not have the confidence or time to one-sidedly pursue a man they had only met once without knowing their family background.
"Oh yeah. I am Lu Wan'er from the Lu House in the city. You are..." In front of Su Shuilian, who looked to be of her age, but already a madam(married woman), Lu Wan'er did not know how to continue.
"I am A Yao's wife, Su Shuilian."
Su Shuilian took the initiative to finish her sentence. She admitted she had deliberately added extra information to dispel Lu Wan'er's motives.
"Come in and warm yourself up." Su Shuilian smiled as she politely invited Lu Wan'er, who was shivering in her single layer purple dress.
She herself could not stand in the bone chilling wind, however, the other person showed no intention of leaving, so Su Shuilian could only invite her in to talk. Thinking back to the Drunken Beauty project, it seemed she would have to delay it for a while.
When Lu Wan'er entered the main room, she could not help but be surprised.
From the outside, the house seemed nothing more than simple and neat, but once inside, it was…Uh… very grand and welcoming!
Although the house was smaller, it was refurbished with high quality items. The Jichi* wood furniture in this house, in Lu Wan'er opinion, was comparable to the mahogany furniture in her house.
(First mentioned in chapter 31)
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The embroidery pieces on the Kang, couches, and chairs were of superior quality. Besides the bright colored embroidery, the large '喜'* on top of the bedroom door was blinding; it left Lu Wan'er breathless.
(喜/happiness: Was mentioned many chapters ago, but as a quick recap: Su Shuilian learned to cut out a '喜' from a red paper. Here's what it looks like.)
How was she so sure before that, with just her beauty and Lu House's prestige, she would be able to bring Lin Si Yao home with her?
"Sorry Lady Lu, I only have some homemade wild flower tea to serve you with." Su Shuilian came back with a pot of tea. Although it was homemade, from the mellow smell, one could tell the tea was comparable to the tea served in the city's tea houses.
"Many thanks." Lu Wan'er took a small sip. It was indeed good tea. It was unexpected that she could have such pleasant and clean tea from a small village.
She then looked up at Su Shuilian. Her countenance was warm and beautiful; her every gesture noble and elegant.
"Inquiring which House Lady Su is from?" Lu Wan'er suddenly had a ridiculous illusion. This Su Shuilian, she couldn't be a young miss from a noble family, right? Though, immediately, with flatten lips, Lu Wan'er dismissed such an impossible possibility.
When Su Shuilian heard her question, she was shocked. Not because Lu Wan'er had asked for her background, but because she had called her 'Lady'. That title is used for unmarried women… Was she(LW) unwilling to admit that she was A Yao's wife? Or was Lu Wan'er sure that she was able to win Lin Si Yao's favor?
Ah! Su Shuilian internally reprimanded herself, how could she doubt Lin Si Yao again!?
Just as Su Shuilian was thinking of how to answer her question, Xiao Chun's bark sounded from outside. This meant that Lin Si Yao and Dabao are also back!
Su Shuilian smiled at Lu Wan'er and said, "It seems my husband is back." She once again subtly reminded Lu Wan'er that Lin Si Yao was her husband.
Lu Wan'er did not take the hint. Her mind and heart became chaotic from excitement due to the single 'he's back'.
She looked down at her thin winter clothing and tried to tidy her hair that had become somewhat messy from the wind. She put on an enchanting smile that had never failed to impress other men; she was ready to meet the man that she had longed for six months.
Su Shuilian coldly watched as Lu Wan'er ran out to open the gates. At Lin Si Yao who had put down the goat grass and was washing his face in the river wash, she called out "Lin dàgē*!"
(大哥, big brother - big brother is a intimate way of addressing an older male. Kinda like how koreans would use the word 'oppa')
Very good! She previously called him Lin gongzi, now it was Lin dà gē, soon after, was she going to replace her and call him husband? Su Shuilian thought as she massaged her temple. Following Lu Wan'er, she walked out from the main house.
She internally sighed and thought: she had wasted a lot of time today and now she had to do a lot of catching up on her work tomorrow.
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Chapter 63: Wolf Cubs, Shoo that Person Away!
Lin Si Yao's body stiffened at the unfamiliar female voice. He secretly questioned if his senses had deteriorated? Or was it from living in this peaceful town for too long that he had lost his vigilance. He wasn't even able to realize that there was a strange woman in their house. If someone had taken Shuilian as hostage, wouldn't he have been too late now? With cold eyes, he glanced at Xiao Xue. The wolf cub was sleeping in the doghouse with no sense of awareness. It seems he has to up the intensity of their training from tomorrow on… For a stranger to appear by their own owner, yet it still dares to sleep!
When Xiao Chun saw Lin Si Yao's cold gaze, he quickly ran up to his sister and cried out to her. It was as if he was saying 'Get up already! If anything happens to our owner, he's gonna bury the both of us!'
Xiao Xue sluggishly opened her eyes. She whimpered back: I want to, but I'm so tired! The owner is fine, that woman does not know martial arts, so she is fine. Aiyah, big brother, I'm so sleepy… Could I be sick?
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The two wolves exchanged cries in their own wolf language. And as for Dabao, he had already realized that the 'strange woman' was the same pretty jiejie that had questioned him about his shifu. So, with great interest, he squatted down by the kitchen door, under the warm sun, ready to watch a good show.
Lin Si Yao looked over to the snickering Dabao. Seeing that he had not noticed his cold gaze, Lin Si Yao reluctantly looked back. When he saw Su Shuilian following behind the strange woman, he was relieved. Other than the fact that she had a weird expression, she seemed to be unharmed. With a few steps, he made his way in front of Su Shuilian. Taking a hold of her slightly cool hands, he used his inner force to disperse the surrounding cold air.
"Didn't I say before not to open the gates to strangers when I am away?" He said in obvious displeasure.
Su Shuilian blinked her eyes, before she turned and pointed at the annoyed Lu Wan'er, "A Yao, she…."
"Lin dàgē, do you remember me? I'm Lu Wan'er, the daughter of Lu House from the city. Oh, I'm here with dad to visit my uncle. Oh, my uncle's name is Hua An, does Lin dàgē know him? Uncle says you live here, so I…. conveniently passed by to see you." When Lu Wan'er saw Lin Si Yao finally looking her way, she quickly adjusted her annoyed expression into a more lovable one. She quickly thought of an excuse to arouse his interest. She had not gotten his information from Hua An, but bought the information from someone for several silver.
(I don't know if you guys remember, but Hua An is the first son of Hua Xiangyin. He's married to Liu-shi and has three sons. From C16 and C21)
"Conveniently passed by?" Lin Si Yao looked at her in ridicule. How very 'convenient'. From Hua House, their house was about 5000 meters away. Who would call a 5000 meter walk, just 'conveniently passing by'?
"Nm, actually… I wasn't just passing by, I…I'm here to meet you, Lin dà gē." When Lu Wan'er met gazes with Lin Si Yao's mesmerizing expression, her heart started to beat. With her mind in a jumble, she spoke the truth.
"Meet me? I am not familiar with you. Lady, you must be confusing me with someone else." Lin Si Yao retracted his mocking smile and coldly replied. He really wanted to kick her out, but this was not jianghu, a place where one could do whatever they wanted. If he were to injure her here, then it would cause even more trouble. Lin Si Yao sighed.
"No, you are him. Lin Si Yao, I've been looking for you for a long time. I...I...I don't care if you are already married. Please give me a chance…That… my dad had also agreed, if you were to marry me, then you can inherit all of Lu House." Lu Wan'er stuttered out the purpose of her visit.
That's right, she had wanted only him. It was alright that he was already married, he could just divorce his current wife. Lu Wan'er believed her conditions were much better when compared to his current situation.
"HAHAHA." When Lu Wan'er had finished her speech, the atmosphere was oppressing and no one was talking. There was only the sound of Tian Dabao laughing as he continuously slapped his own thigh, "HAHAHA! Shifu…SHIFU, HEY. HAHAHA! Aiyo, oh my mom, my stomach hurts so much from laughing. HAHAHA…See Shifu, didn't I say so before? HAHAH-oww! Shifu..." With a Xuan Feng palm, Lin Si Yao sent Tian Dabao flying across the roof and onto the south garden.
There, he finally could not hear his exaggerated and obnoxious laughter. "Dabao..." Su Shuilian was worried and wanted to rush to the backyard to check on him. However, she was unexpectedly stopped by Lin Si Yao. He held her tightly in his embrace.
"You are not allowed to go anywhere," he whispered. He knew that she was worried for Tian Dabao. But he knew from his strength that he would come out uninjured. Lin Si Yao just wanted Dabao to scram a bit further away and not play around here. However, once this woman were to leave, she wouldn't come back so fast. Did she not realize that her husband was being preyed upon by some rapacious woman?
"Lin dàgē..." Lu Wan'er interrupted Lin Si Yao's confession in a timely manner. She had gotten some hints from Tian Dabao's outburst. Could it be that he already knew she was here? Could he have been looking forward to her visit? With that thought, Lu Wan'er happily stepped forward, ignoring Su Shuilian in his arms, as she continued, "Lin dà gē, what I said before was completely true. As long as you are willing to marry me, the future Lu House is all yours."
"The exit is right there, don't bother us to see you out." Lin Si Yao gave her a cold look and passed by her in disgust. Without looking back he said to the wolves, "If you don't watch the house, next time, don't expect any meaty meals." And with a 'bam' he shut the door of their house, leaving the lone figure freezing in the winter wind.
After being threatened, Xiao Chun quickly got up and tugged at the ends of Lu Wan'er's dress; pulling her to the gates of their house.
As for Xiao Xue, she watched with amused eyes as she continued to lay in the doghouse. She took in the interesting scene of Lu Wan'er fighting her brother as she cried, refusing to leave. Little cretin! If it weren't for you suddenly appearing to bother our owner, our male owner wouldn't be angry at us. If we don't kick you out, we won't be able to eat meat tomorrow!
"Don't bother." Lin Si Yao pulled Su Shuilian away from the door. She had wanted to see the situation outside. "But A Yao…she is a maiden girl. If she were to be injured by Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue..."
Ok fine, Su Shuilian was actually worried about the wolf cubs. If Lu Wan'er were to be injured by them… Wouldn't the wolves be reported to the government by the Lu House? Even if she has Lin Si Yao to protect her. If an incident were to occur, there was no guarantee that a villager would not point them out. Once they recognized they were wolves instead of dogs, wouldn't they be driven out?
Su Shuilian immediately thought of the worst possible outcome. She wasn't a good person was she. All she thought about was the wolf pups and not the safety Lu Wan'er. However, after Su Shuilian had heard Lu Wan'er confession and marriage proposal, she had completely lost all sympathy for Lu Wan'er.
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Chapter 64: Kneel on a Washboard as Punishment
The girl's shrilling shouts gradually faded and it became peaceful again. Lin Si Yao walked to the kitchen to boil another pot of tea. As for Tian Dabao who was 'obediently reflecting' on the quincuncial piles, Lin Si Yao had thrown him towards the exit of the courtyard with a single sentence, "Early dismissal," and closed the gates.
"Shifu, Shi Niang wouldn't punish you and make you kneel on a washboard, would she?" Tian Dabao's entire body was affixed onto the courtyard gate. Through the bars of the gate, he curiously yelled at Lin Si Yao who was walking back into the main house.
Lin Si Yao almost misstepped and tripped at his question. "Go home now!" He said through gritted teeth. He secretly vowed to himself: If this unruly runt continues to act so brazenly, one day, he'll make sure to throw him into the river. Best if he drifted away from here, never to come back!
--
"Ok fine! I'll see you tomorrow then, Shifu! Hopefully Shi Niang won't make you kneel on a washboard or else I will be doomed tomorrow too!" Tian Dabao waved and said these last words before turning around to make his way home. As he was walking home, he continued to mutter 'Amitabha, amitabha…' He hoped that Shifu would not be like his father and suffer the wrath of his wife. Otherwise, he will also suffer tomorrow…..
"Want to light a lamp or will you continue tomorrow?" Lin Si Yao entered the west wing of the house. Although the curtains had been rolled to the top, it didn't help as the sun was starting to set.
"No, it's fine. After this last part, I won't be working anymore. Lighting a lamp is too costly." Su Shuilian did not look up to answer as the needle in her hand continued to move at a rapid speed.
"What do you want to eat tonight?" Lin Si Yao pulled a chair from the desk across from Su Shuilian. Though this was not his first time watching her embroider, it still gives him a sense of security every time.
"You can make the decision." With the last stitch complete, Su Shuilian looked up with a bright smile, surprising Lin Si Yao as she continued, "Rest assured, I won't make you kneel on a washboard." Because there are no washboards here to be used. Su Shuilian laughed to herself.
"You heard him?" Lin Si Yao raised his brow. Fortunately, the room was dark, or else she would have noticed him blush. He secretly vowed - Very good! Tian Dabao, I will grant your wish tomorrow and train you extra hard!
"Pfft!" Su Shuilian could not help but laugh out loud. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..." It was just that his previous expression was too cute, and from what she can tell, he had definitely cursed Tian Dabao just now!
"Yes, you did mean it." Lin Si Yao said in a low voice. In a blink of an eye, he made his way to her as he pulled her into his embrace. Locking Su Shuilian in a tight grasp, neither allowing her to escape nor move.
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"A Yao." Just from his imposing manner, Su Shuilian knew that she would be 'punished'. And that was indeed true as her lips and tongue were soon enveloped by his, rendering her unable to make a single sound. Only when she was exhausted of her strength did he finally release her.
"Unfair…" Out of breath, it was the only word Su Shuilian managed to mutter out. She hit him several times in the chest and continued, "The one who should be punished is you, how come it became me?"
"Ok, you can punish me now." Lin Si Yao looked at her with a teasing expression. With his index finger, he lightly poked her warm, flushed lips indicating she should quickly 'punish' him.
"Lin Si Yao!" Su Shuilian angrily called out his full name.
"I'm here." Lin Si Yao answered as he leaned over to kiss the space between her brow. "Su Shuilian, all I need is you." As for those insignificant women, if he was allowed, even before they spoke their first words, he would have already thrown them far away. They should never be allowed to act so unruly in front of him.
His comforting words instantly dispelled Su Shuilian's feeling of unease. It seemed he had already figured out her complex feelings. "A Yao, I believe you..." Su Shuilian replied in a small voice. She was ashamed of herself for not trusting him.
"Next time, I won't let you off this easily." Lin Si Yao caressed her tender red lips and warned in a low voice. Su Shuilian could naturally hear his true intentions, which caused her ears to flush red.
"Do you plan to punish me by making me kneel on a washboard?" She could not help but chuckle when she thought back to the words of Tian Dabao.
"That little runt has gotten more and more mischievous." Lin Si Yao reluctantly sighed.
It could be said that Tian Dabao had never feared Lin Si Yao from the start. He was only obedient during the beginning of his apprenticeship; when he had just accepted him as his disciple. If Shifu was to say west, then Tian Dabao would never go east. If Shifu were to say stand, he would not dare to sit. However, this obedience only lasted for less than half a month. After that, he had returned to his previous self, an unruly and unmannered child.
Of course, he would never cross the final line as Tian Dabao had already figured out how to read Lin Si Yao. He knew when it was okay to act like a fool and when it was time to listen; Tian Dabao had gotten abnormally good at it too. And because of this, Lin Si Yao was left with no choice. He could only throw him out of sight like what he just did before.
"That just means you are a good teacher; cold on the outside, but warm inside!" Su Shuilian's eyes blinked with playfulness. She did not miss the opportunity to tease him. And sure enough, Lin Si Yao's face showed faint signs of blush.
Very good, Su Shuilian gave herself an internal thumbs-up. She had gradually started to understand his personality as well. He was actually very shy and easy to please. As long as she was brave enough to say a few things, he would blush. How come she never figured this out earlier?
"Cough*... Enough, you are also as naughty as Dabao." Lin Si Yao gave her a quick look before looking away. However, the arms trapping Su Shuilian showed no signs of loosening.
"How about having sweet and sour carp tonight?" Lin Si Yao walked out of the west room with her. Holding her soft hands, he consulted her about their dinner tonight.
"Ok." For Su Shuilian, who took no part in the cooking process, she was fine with anything as long as it was not too spicy or too pungent.
"Ah yes, A Yao, do you think Lu Wan'er will come back again?" Su Shuilian quietly asked.
Although they only had three encounters, it was clear to see that she was a woman who would not easily give up on her set goals. He had even publicly insulted her today, would she take revenge and come back next time with more people to ruin their house?
"Rest assured, even if she comes back, I have my ways to deal with her." Lin Si Yao replied.
Worst comes to worst, he could just throw that lovestruck idiot back to Lu residence. Bring her to the head of Lu House and threaten them: If they continue to allow her to disturb them, then he will make the whole Lu house bear the responsibilities. He did not believe that the head of Lu house would be a small minded person with an unclear mind!
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Chapter 65: Xiao Xue is Pregnant?!
"Xiao Chun? What's the matter?" Su Shuilian was surprised by the wolf pup, who ran into the embroidery room, tugged at her clothes, and whimpered. It seemed he wanted her to go outside.
Su Shuilian was scared that he may stain the work, but also worried for Xiao Chun who was usually very calm. Could something have happened outside?
She followed Xiao Chun out and walked to the wolf house. There, she saw Xiao Xue laying on the ground in the same position as yesterday, seemingly unable to move.
"Xiao Xue, are you okay? Are you sick?" She touched her head, it was not a fever because Xiao Xue was not burning up. She then lifted her eyelids as she had seen her brother previously done. But they were neither muddy nor bloodshot. Carefully looking over Xiao Xue, she could not find any other symptoms. Xiao Xue was just lethargic and lacked her usual energy.
"Then what exactly is going on?" Su Shuilian was stunned and completely clueless to Xiao Xue's current predicament.
Looking at the sky, she could tell it would soon be noon, Lin Si Yao should be coming back with Dabao soon.
Su Shuilian got up and gave Xiao Xue some water. She thought, like humans, drinking some clear water should do no harm.
She then went to the kitchen and washed the vegetables that Lin Si Yao had freshly picked earlier this morning. After that, she walked out of the kitchen into the warm winter sun and thought back to Xiao Xue's condition.
Just as she finished straining the vegetables, Lin Si Yao and Tian Dabao arrived back.
"Didn't I already tell you that I would do it, how are your hands?" Lin Si Yao's brows furrowed seeing the basket of washed greens. He took her somewhat cold hands into his.
"A Yao, I do not know what happened to Xiao Xue, she has been sleeping continuously for two days now. Do you think she is ill?" Su Shuilian asked as she led him to the wolf hut.
"This is normal, because Xiao is going to be a mother." Lin Si Yao smiled. He actually found out this morning when he felt her pulse. And that was what assured him; she was pregnant. It had been the reason why he had left Xiao Chun home. Because the current Xiao Xue would have no way of guarding Su Shuilian and their house.
What he actually looked forward to the most, would be when his own little woman gave him the second dearest person of his life. But for now, looking at her, she still needs time adjusting her body before that happens. That's alright though, they still have the rest of their lifetime together.
"Xiao…...Xiao Xue…. is… going to be a…. mother?" Su Shuilian said somewhat in a daze as she gaped. "But… but she should only be about two years old?" Forgive her, her mind could not process such information.
"To be more exact, Xiao Xue is one and a half years old." Lin Si Yao nodded his head. A wolf's mating season is during the early spring. With a successful copulation and carry to term, Xiao Xue should have been born last summer. And that was a year and a half ago. Of course, there were also wolves that mate later in late fall. A good living example would be the one right in front of them!
"Oh my goodness!" Su Shuilian covered her mouth and gasped in disbelief. Then, she stooped down, and poked at Xiao Xue's head, "You're not even of age, yet you want to become a mother already! Idiot Xiao Xue!"
"There's nothing wrong with her. Wolves' health and body compositions are the same as dogs, perfectly able to mate at just a mere age of one and a half years old. Raising the cub to a wolf is another matter, it'll need a lot of love and care since we're in the middle of winter."
Lin Si Yao pulled her up, amused. "Aren't you curious to know who's the father?" His words seemed to conceal a hint of hilarity. "Do you know?" Su Shuilian looked at him quizzically.
"No, just a hunch." He led her to the kitchen, sat her down by the table, and started to make dinner. "Do you remember the last time we went to Dashi Mountain?" He worked the bellows by the fireplace. He was talking about half a month ago, when they went to Dashi Mountain to hunt winter prey.
"Oh, that time?" Su Shuilian was a little embarrassed talking about how Xiao Xue became a mother.
"Yep, it was probably then. If I'm not wrong, it's the Wolf King." As he spoke, the fire had grown to a considerable size. He stood up, walked around the fireplace, and brought out a big cooking pan. He spread a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and prepared to make sautéed mushrooms with cabbage.
"The Wolf King?" Su Shuilian's eyes widened. It couldn't be, does Dashi Mountain hold such a large wolf pack? "A Yao, don't go inside the mountain again." She urged worriedly, thinking about how lucky she was to live in Dashi Mountain peacefully for two months before meeting Lin Si Yao.
"Don't worry, I know my limits." Lin Si Yao chuckled.
It goes without saying that wolves exist on Dashi Mountain. Since wolves are pack animals, Xiao Xue's family couldn't have been the only one. Bumping into wolf packs has only been a recent occasion, anyways. But even so, the pack led by the Wolf King didn't show any aggression towards them because of Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue's presence. In the last trip, Xiao Xue had only seen the Wolf King twice or so; had she managed to become pregnant with his cub in such a short time? Lin Si Yao could only shake his head and laugh, Su Shuilian didn't have anything to say.
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She never would have thought this would happen. Even since coming to Dahui, she was the one who's watched Xiao Xue grow up little by little. But in just one night, she's leaped from a small cub to a pregnant mother. In about three months, she'll be laden with a litter of cute wolf puppies. By then, Su Shuilian wouldn't be able to call her 'little wolf pup' anymore. This nickname only lasted for about half a year or so. "Yao, since Xiao Xue is pregnant, give her an extra bowl of goat's milk…" Su Shuilian quickly gathered her feelings, and entered the role of Xiao Xue's midwife in order to lessen her troubles as much as possible.
After pairing up with a mate for fertilization, the female goat that the village chief gifted them was just in season for producing milk. Furthermore, the chief's other doe (female goat) just gave birth merely five days ago, so they had more than enough milk. Of course, the chief had taken his share of the three baby goats to raise at home.
Su Shuilian's little goat had quite a lot of milk in her. Even after each baby goat was full, she still managed to squeeze out two full bowls. Tian Dabao had long since developed the habit of running away with his nose pinched together tightly from the strange odor of goat milk. So they split it equally, Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao would share a bowl and the two wolves would also do the same.
"Alright…" Lin Si Yao didn't have any objections. Normally, a wolf cub born in winter would have extremely slim chances of survival, but Xiao Xue was staying at home instead of Dashi Mountain. If they really have to, they can set up a makeshift shelter for them. With a storage full of jerky and goat milk, they can even roast some fresh fish for them to eat. They will never go hungry, and Xiao Xue won't give a premature delivery, either…. Lin Si Yao knew that Su Shuilian treated Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue like family. He sighed at himself for even getting envious at the two beasts, and laughed heartily.
The next day, Lin Si Yao moved the wolves' bed to a corner of the bedroom. If there was enough sunlight, Li Si Yao would have Xiao Xue lay down outside the house. Xiao Chun's daily training was paused, and was ordered to keep watch of the lodging and not go anywhere else. With two "females" in the house and one of them pregnant, Xiao Chun's responsibility was quite hefty. Thankfully, Lu Wan'er didn't come back after that day. It was unclear whether she had given up or taken a break because of the awful weather. After worrying for a few days, Su Shuilian quickly forgot about her.
She invested her time on the Drunken Beauty embroidery piece that was due in half a month. In the meantime, Xicui had once again visited the Yueyun Embroidery Floor. Jiang Yangyun had sent word that she didn't need to rush it, and it would be fine if she gave notice of it being up to four days late. Su Shuilian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Back then, who was the one who proudly promised that it'll be done by the New Years? Thankfully, the date Su Shuilian had set for herself was the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month. Since Jiang Yangyun allowed four days, that means she can turn it in by the 25th. She had five more days to work her magic, so Su Shuilian didn't force herself to finish as soon as possible.
Lin Si Yao took a stroll around after training his disciple. He chatted and argued for a bit with Tian Dabao, brushed Xiao Xue's fur, bathed in the sunlight, and jogged with the bored Xiao Chun to warm himself up. The simple days passed with little trouble. After dinner, Su Shuilian kept to her routine; played with Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue, tidied the bedroom, and folded the sheets. Lin Si Yao cleaned the kitchen. But just when he was about to lock the courtyard gate, he saw a large white wolf waiting in front of the door. Two glowing green eyes studied the approaching Lin Si Yao. The Wolf King? Lin Si Yao's heart jumped slightly.
"Go back! This isn't a place you can come to…." Lin Si Yao urged in a hushed voice. If one of the patrolling villagers were to find him, not only would the Wolf King be in danger, his own household would also be suspected. That was also why he would lock the gate doors during the evening, to prevent Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue from roaming outside during the night. However, because Dabao had stayed for dinner, locking the gates had been delayed for an hour.
"Ahh-ooo…." The wolf whimpered, as if begging to let him see Xiao Xue.
"Go back. She's fine. If you don't want more trouble, don't come back from the mountain…." Lin Si Yao stood his ground in front of the Wolf King, and ordered weightily. Better to talk nonsense than to let the Wolf King enter the cabin. If he were to let him go in once, there will be a second time, and a third time…. Someone would be bound to notice by then.
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Chapter 66: The Wolf King's Love
The Wolf King laid stubbornly on the ground, refusing to budge an inch. He whimpered, seemingly to beg Lin Si Yao to let him in.
Lin Si Yao kept his stare for a long time. Finally, he sighed, and turned around. "Don't break anything, and don't howl." He allowed him in the cabin.
The wolf happily swayed his tail as he leaped to the door, and obediently sat down to wait for Lin Si Yao.
Lin Si Yao looked up to the sky in exasperation, and sighed again to the pale crescent above.
It wasn't that he was soft-hearted, but more so the fear of the Wolf King's capabilities. The courtyard walls barely counted as an obstacle to the wolf if he really wanted to get in.
The wolf probably did this in consideration of Xiao Xue. To become the alpha of a region, it didn't solely rely on a pelt of royal, shining silver fur, a compelling atmosphere, or a powerful frame. The king possessed intelligence close enough to be compared to humans.
If he were to become anxious, who knows what harm he could cause to his household and woman, Su Shuilian?
With this first visit, surely there would be a second time, so Lin Si Yao decided to have Xiao Xue and Xiao Chun urge him to not come down the mountain again. There was enough fear towards wolves by the villagers for it to ruin their peaceful home.
Lin Si Yao walked to the expectant Wolf King, opened the door, and let him in.
"Awooo…"
"Awooo…"
"Awooo…"
The three wolves touched snouts, leapt around and exchanged greetings.
Lin Si Yao left a small crack open in the door on purpose.
He turned around to meet the Wolf King's luminescent eyes, and dryly reminded: "Leave before midnight, and avoid the villagers. If you can't do that, then you won't see Xiao Xue ever again." Although, he was sure that no villagers would be out at night with this bitter cold, he wasn't ready to take any chances.
He didn't care to confirm whether the Wolf King understood him or not, and walked away into the bedroom while closing the door behind him.
The three wolves looked at each other, laid down in their previous positions, and resumed discussing.
"I heard your voice, and was just about to come out. Is it about Xiao Xue?" Lin Si Yao met Su Shuilian's inquiring gaze as he walked in.
"No, there's nothing wrong. I just informed her about some things." Lin Si Yao didn't tell her about the Wolf King so she wouldn't have another thing to worry about.
He rubbed her small, chilly hands, and pulled her into the warm, thick blankets. He stripped to his sweatshirt, and held her while leaning against the head of the bed.
His hand slipped around her neck, and the other squeezed at her shoulders, they were sore and stiff from embroidering all day.
Of course, unless there was some circumstance like if she was on her period, his massages would eventually turn into irresistible teases. In less than half an hour, he was on top of her….
The morning arrived, but the sky remained as dark as night. The dim moonlight shone through the sparse curtains, so there was no need to light a lamp.
Lin Si Yao woke up by habit, and wondered whether the Wolf King really abided by his orders, and returned to Dashi Mountain.
So, right after he tucked the sleeping Su Shuilian in the covers and snuck in a light kiss, he put on the light coat she had laid down for him on the low cabinet. And snuck into the living room without a sound.
In the corner of the room, Xiao Xue was the only one dozing pleasantly on the warm and comfortable white tiger pelt hunted from Dashi Mountain.
Lin Si Yao raised his brow. Where had Xiao Chun gone at this hour? He couldn't have followed the Wolf King back to the mountain, right?
But if that was the case, Xiao Chun wouldn't have a problem venturing into Dashi Mountain with the skills he possessed right now, and even more so with the mighty Wolf King accompanying him.
So, Lin Si Yao didn't worry. He started to estimate the workload that needed to be done today.
He walked out the front door into the north courtyard, and cleaned the few water jugs they had left. Next, he carried two buckets to the south yard's creek. With six trips, he managed to fill the jugs to a little more than three quarters.
Lin Si Yao swept the north and south yards' brick floor with a broom, then cleaned the south yard's chicken and rabbit coop. He shoveled their manure into a pile, and pushed it all into a ditch behind the goat pen. They'll need it for fertilizer.
After replacing the livestock's supply of clean water and feeding them, he brought an armful of lumber over from the chicken coop to the creek. He chopped them all into sizable firewood, and laid them out to dry in the sun. Later, he would move them all into the bamboo basket by the fireplace.
By the time he finished, the sky was starting to brighten.
In the distance, faint sounds of cow moos and chicken clucks could be heard.
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On the way back to the kitchen, he passed the garden, picking some fresh cabbage and daikon to prepare for lunch: Fried sausage with cabbage, and carp carrot soup. Then, he'll make steamed meat with the potatoes that were dug out just two days ago for Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue. Lin Si Yao walked into the kitchen, washed his hands, and washed a pot of rice for porridge. There were still three corn cobs and buns leftover from last night.
His eyes wandered to the rice wine in the cupboard, which had been fermenting for quite a while now. It was made with the several pounds of sticky rice gifted by Aunt Tian. So as the porridge simmered in the pot, Lin Si Yao brought out rice and sticky rice flour to make some of the rice buns Aunt Lao once brought over. Once the rice wine was evenly kneaded into the two lumps of dough, it was left on the side to rise. It will be checked later.
Then, he carried two big soup bowls over to the goat pen, and did his daily routine of milking the nanny goat. At first, he was clumsy and wasted quite a bit of milk, but he had become much more consistent and steady over time. Lin Si Yao had mastered the art of goat-milking without spilling a single drop.
The milk was boiled over a huge flame, and he sprinkled in a few crushed almonds and a piece of rock sugar. This was to reduce most of the goat's intestinal stink in the milk to acceptable levels. It was only Tian Dabao who refused to touch goat's milk no matter what. Lin Si Yao split the milk into five servings; Xiao Xue received two because of her condition.
He poured the milk into two dog dishes (or wolf dishes?) and two floral-printed china bowls. Using plates as a lid, he set them all onto the table. Wolves can't consume hot fluids, just the same as dogs, so he typically waited for the milk to cool a bit before serving it to them. The sun rises late in the winter, so Dabao's morning school was pushed three hours forward.
As always, Lin Si Yao would return to the bedroom after finishing his routine to wake her up in his own special Lin way; kissing the blushing Su Shuilian awake. It was only after eating breakfast and cleaning up the kitchen that he started to practice and teach Dabao swordplay. He didn't forget to feed the goat, too. This was pretty much Lin Si Yao's typical morning, and he had already grown familiar with the routine. If he were to live the rest of his life like this, there wouldn't be any regrets.
Just as he finished up and was about to wake Su Shuilian, Xiao Chun returned. Of course, he hadn't gone out through the front door, but rather leapt out the courtyard walls. A bloody goat kid hung from his jaws, and Lin Si Yao raised his eyebrows at Xiao Chun's otherwise gleaming clean fur. This was most likely the Wolf King's way of caring for Xiao Xue during her pregnancy.
Xiao Chun dropped the goat to the ground, and chased his tail around twice. Lin Si Yao said, "Don't follow him next time, and don't let him come again…." He paused, and added, "You should understand, this is the village, there will definitely be trouble if the Wolf King comes and goes often." Xiao Chun gazed at him, seemingly to understand. He whimpered in reply. If Lin Si Yao were to understand him, he would probably be surprised.
Xiao Chun said: "The Wolf King came yesterday just to see how Xiao Xue was doing. He won't come back again, unless you invite him. And he promised, from this day on, he would hunt food for her every five days and send it to the foot of the mountain until she gave birth…" This was the love of the wolf clan, to express affection through caught prey. To hunt down food every five days was an incredibly difficult task in the bitter winter! Lin Si Yao lifted the pitiable goat's carcass to the creek, where he decided to clean after he came back from Xiu Peak. Of course, with the freezing temperatures, any raw meat wouldn't go bad even if laid outside for three or five days. Even though Xiao Xue and Xiao Chun have become used to cooking meals, they still can't touch spicy or boiling food. Of course, they loved everything else. Barbecue was their favorite.
In the next few days, Lin Si Yao cut up the goat into five large chunks, slicing off bit by bit to feed Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue. He dipped them in sauce after barbecuing, braised them in soy sauce, cooked stew with all kinds of vegetables, even just simply sprinkling salt after boiling in plain water. With a new dish every day, they ate a full five days' worth of goat, greatly satisfying Xiao Xue and Xiao Chun, who belched generously after every meal. Afterwards, they laid down under the cold sun, and lazily counted the clouds… Su Shuilian looked upon them in amusement. She was nearly finished with her embroidery, and thought of learning Xiao Chun's ways after turning the fabric in. She'll pull Lin Si Yao to bathe in the sunlight after a full meal….
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Chapter 67: Contract
On the twenty-second day of the twelfth lunar month, Su Shuilian brought the newly-finished "Drunken Beauty" to the Yueyun Embroidery Floor with Lin Si Yao. The Floor's first shopkeeper, Jiang Yangrui, greeted them. The second shopkeeper, Jiang Yangyun, had left for Jin City before the twentieth to purchase goods, and she hadn't returned since.
Jiang Yangrui smiled as she sized up the two of them, and thought to herself: What a fashionable and dashing couple! The lady was soft and elegant, and the gentleman was chiseled and handsome. Even though she knew they were from the countryside Fanhua Town, she still admitted that they seemed like the gods and fairies from the legends itself.
It was no wonder that Sister Yangyun shut herself in her room after coming back from Fanhua Town.
She must have received quite a shock seeing the two of them together. Jiang Yangrui shook her head, chuckling.
If her parents were still alive, she and her sister would've long since found spouses and married. Who thought that their awkward situation would be like today, where she was in no place to make decisions.
She was getting close to thirty years old this year, and had already given up on any idea of marriage.
But Yangyun was different.
Though she was turning twenty-one and had passed the common wedding age, it really wouldn't be that much of a hassle if she did marry.
However, after much gossiping and searching, there still wasn't a man who was suitable for her age.
Ah! Jiang Yangrui lowered her head, and sighed. She tidied up her emotions, tilted the edges of her mouth upward, and spoke to the couple sitting across: "Madame Lin, may I call you Sister?"
"First shopkeeper, it's fine. You can just call me Shuilian." Su Shuilian smiled gently. She held a great sense of respect for the independent, compelling woman across from her.
"Sure, that'll be great. Shuilian, for the 'Drunken Beauty' piece, I already have a craftsman verifying it. It won't be long before he comes back. Are you two going to stay for a while?" Jiang Yangrui smiled as she talked to Su Shuilian.
Jiang Yangrui had no choice but to learn how to be independent by the age of thirteen, and try to act both the roles of father and mother to care for her little sister, Jiang Yangyun. Her personality had long since lost the traditional ladies' tenderness and docility.
To Su Shuilian, a gentle girl who seemed to be made of water, she didn't try to get close to her out of respect. At the same time, she didn't let Su Shuilian escape her gaze, either.
Of course, with Su Shuilian's embroidery touching her heart with every glance, she felt a mighty sense of favoritism towards her never felt before.
"The first shopkeeper can take her time; we didn't come to do anything else than deliver the embroidery." Su Shuilian set down her teacup, and nodded towards Jiang Yangrui.
Judging from the sun, it wasn't even noon yet. Before leaving, she had already talked with Lin Si Yao about feeding Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue, who stayed at home to guard the cottage. They already anticipated that they might not come home for lunch, and would have to find a restaurant in the city. Afterwards, they can even buy some goods in the nearby market.
As the twentieth had already passed, small booths and shops were popping up left and right around the streets. It was getting harder to differentiate between the large and small bazaars.
"Then that's perfect." Jiang Yangrui nodded back, and spoke: "So what does Shuilian think of our proposal for becoming our chief seamstress?" She had been thinking about this for a while, and started to pay special attention to Shuilian ever since receiving her "Paired Phoenixes".
Although Xi Cui had reported that Su Shuilian only sewed one pair of phoenixes, she could clearly see her delicate and careful dedication to the work.
Of course, when she heard from Xi Cui that Su Shuilian hadn't shown any sign of taking up projects this year, she didn't bother her. If the city lord himself hadn't ordered for the exact seamstress of "Paired Phoenixes" to make "Drunken Beauty", she would have never thought of signing Su Shuilian into a contract.
After all, contracts are dead, and people are alive.
There was no lack of contract seamstresses in the Yueyun Embroidery Floor, but the talented ones were often reluctant to sign themselves to a specific guild, since it often hindered their flexibility. They would hop from floor to floor, always flocking to the one who provided the most benefits. The ones who did sign contracts normally weren't skilled enough to take upon works by themselves, partnering up with others to work on a tapestry or gallery, and splitting the salary.
But Jiang Yangrui went out of her way to make a contract with Su Shuilian as soon as possible. Even before the exceptional "Paired Phoenixes" and "Drunken Beauty", Jiang Yangrui greatly admired the blossoms embroidered on the couple's robes. As such, she kept the proposal even closer to heart.
Because of Su Shuilian's exquisite embroidery skill, it wouldn't matter which floor she goes to; she'll be treated kindly by every single embroidery floor shopkeeper in the area. Soon, there will be countless customers who come for Su Shuilian's name, especially the wealthy who bring gifts and never haggle prices… "We greatly respect the Floor Shopkeeper, but the two ounces of silver per month is…"
"Is it too less? Then I can bring it up to four…" Jiang Yangrui spoke quickly. As long as she accepts, what difference does four ounces make? The city lord had offered eighty-eight for the "Drunken Beauty" piece alone. Besides Su Shuilian's salary, the rest was profit for the Yueyun Floor. At this rate, if she would take on three or five pieces per year, Su Shuilian's profits to the Floor would be at the top even if the other seamstresses' were combined.
"… Apologies, that's not what I meant…." Su Shuilian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I was thinking if the salary is a little too much? After all, there won't be a lot of people who custom-select seamstresses like the 'Drunken Beauty'."
"You're far too humble…" Jiang Yangrui almost cracked up at Su Shuilian's inquiry.
"Shuilian, you don't even know how valuable your work is. Paired Phoenixes was only displayed for so long before a customer came to ask specifically for you. If the floor starts to advertise your skills, why should you worry about large-scale projects? Don't worry! In the future, there probably won't even be a day where you can rest from all the work you'll be doing." Jiang Yangrui laughed as she comforted Su Shuilian. To Jiang Yangrui, she was a vital source of income, and Su Shuilian definitely wasn't someone who would betray the Floor and her contract.
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Su Shuilian never dreamed of such a thing. The ways of business went over her head, and she worried. What if nobody wanted to give her a job? Then wouldn't she be losing the Floor money? With profit as the first priority, would the distance between her and the Yueyun Embroidery Floor start to grow?
Su Shuilian wasn't someone who liked to improvise. She would consider the worst possibility at the first step.
Of course, after hearing Jiang Yangrui's words, a large part of her anxiety disappeared. Oh well, if she put it off any longer, it would just be hindering herself.
Su Shuilian nodded, "Since the Floor Shopkeeper trusts Shuilian so much, then we won't leave anytime soon. First, I want to thank the shopkeeper beforehand. However, Shuilian has a request; I won't be able to take up any work that has a close deadline…." She couldn't just sign the contract before giving a notice about her limits.
"Well, you can take a look at the contract. If you don't want to take up a request, you may decline. If a customer orders for you specifically, the Floor would naturally pick a date that both parties would be satisfied with. It wouldn't be like this time…." Jiang Yangrui nodded in agreement. She didn't trust in rushed work either. They ruined the quality.
If the city lord himself hadn't ordered "Drunken Beauty", she wouldn't have accepted it so fast. Thankfully, Su Shuilian had delivered it on time. Or else, the entire Embroidery Floor would have to endure the city lord's anger.
However, she had already contacted the city lord. From now on, he will have to make reservations before ordering, so the time frame wouldn't be so short. Normal customers all followed the rules obediently, and even the higher-ups very rarely used their status to impose power. And now, even the city lord agreed to follow guidelines; how would the others dare not to?
"Then, that's perfect." Su Shuilian nodded. As long as there was enough time given, she didn't really care whether she could take up any projects or not. Lin Si Yao had already taken up all the housework anyways; she worried more of boredom than having embroidery to do.
So, Su Shuilian signed a new contract with the Yueyun Embroidery Floor. The contents hadn't changed since the last time she'd seen it. Even though Jiang Yangrui wanted to increase her salary by two ounces, Su Shuilian had denied the promotion.
What a joke, with two ounces every month, that's twenty-four per year. If she didn't have much work to do, then what right would she have to take the silver?
Say that she's stubborn if you will, but Su Shuilian was more at ease if she earned less.
The contract expired in a year, and both parties could extend it if they wished.
After signing, both sides each took a copy, and the contract became valid.
Jiang Yangrui's hanging heart finally steadied, she was worried that Su Shuilian would refuse her offer. After all, there were other Embroidery Floors that pushed out higher-quality pieces. With a more complex design, the floor would naturally draft a seamstress with higher skill. Just so, she had the chance to meet Su Shuilian through Xi Cui. Isn't this fate?
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Chapter 68: First Class Goods
Lin Si Yao enjoyed his tea in silence, occasionally taking a glance at Su Shuilian, who was merrily chatting just right by. She met his gaze, and they slipped smiles at each other. She must've been worried that she was ignoring him. Lin Si Yao's mouth curved upward, and sipped his tea.
What Jiang Yangrui started as a polite business deal became a full-fledged conversation and gossip. She was secretly impressed by Su Shuilian's extensive knowledge, and assumed that she was definitely not someone who was raised in a common household.
Judging from the natural atmosphere she created, Jiang Yangrui couldn't help but suspect her real identity.
Of course, she didn't dare ask with a mere shopkeeper-seamstress relationship. After all, she had the right to her own privacy.
If her hunches were right, Su Shuilian must be a daughter from an aristocrat family running off with Lin Si Yao. But her flawless embroidery skills dissipated Jiang Yangrui's doubts.
"First Shopkeeper, the verification is finished. Here's the verdict." The craftsman returned from the back, and passed up an envelope for her to read.
Jiang Yangrui skimmed through the content in a flash, a smile slowly formed on her lips, as she looked up from the envelope and met Su Shuilian's curious stare. And spoke: "Shuilian, congratulations, Drunken Beauty has been determined as First Class Goods."
The country of Dahui had a uniform system of measuring quality. Each embroidery floor had a validating craftsman, in order to determine the value and legitimacy.
Embroidery is judged through size, difficulty, art, and materials, and divided into three quality levels- first, second, and third classes, then split into upper, mid, and lower subcategories. Any goods below Third Lower Class was considered crude, something that even a normal housewife could embroider and unsuitable for the market. So even if a business were to take those in stock, the goods would be repressed and unsellable.
The Paired Phoenixes that Su Shuilian completed along with Xi Cui was determined as "First Lower" Class, mostly because Xi Cui was too reserved about her part of the embroidery.
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However, having Drunken Beauty validated as the highest grade was quite a leap from Jiang Yangrui's expectations.
She had considered the possibility of Su Shuilian's work being graded as First Upper before, but it never ventured beyond the corner of her mind. It was a shock to see it with her own eyes and listen with her ears.
In the eleven years of managing the embroidery floor, they had never once received an First Upper Class work. They've only had three pieces of First Mid Class works before, with one of them still under the hands of Su Shuilian.
Across the entire Fanluo City, how many embroidery floors have produced a First Upper Class embroidery? None! But with just one of these talents, any embroidery floor would have long since risen as a top floor in the metropolis.
The woman in front of her, who didn't even remotely resemble a seamstress, had broken Yueyun's eleven-year standing record in merely half a month, rewriting Fanluo City's history of embroidery.
Jiang Yangrui felt incredible joy that she had signed her into a contract. With Su Shuilian's morals and personality, there was no worry at all about her being poached by the other floors in a year. In a year, she'll still be able to say that Su Shuilian was under her Yueyun Floor. As for salary, Jiang Yangrui was willing to pay any price as long as it was reasonable.
"A'Yao, let's go eat something good at the Wu Qin Restaurant." Su Shuilian happily took Lin Si Yao's hand, and led him to the Wu Qin Restaurant on the west side of main street.
The validation of Drunken Beauty had earned her twenty fat pieces of silver. This was her first paycheck upon entering Dahui's Fanluo City. How could she not be happy?
"Sure." Lin Si Yao grinned as he touched her joyful face. He felt a little surprised: She can be satisfied with just these twenty pieces of silver?
He thought about the glittering treasure and jewelry stored under the dresser. Any of them was well worth ten silver, and there was one piece that was worth well over a hundred. Even when they first met, he was carrying close to fifty silver. Back then, she didn't care too much about money anyway. They spent only what they needed, and sometimes he had to suspect, did she even know their true market value?
Though those twenty silver were the result of half a month of labor, so it naturally wasn't the same.
When the two arrived at Wu Qin Restaurant at noon, it was a long wait since it was full of customers. They managed to find a table at the very corner.
They ordered some house and regional specialties: Beggar's Chicken, Pinenut Fish, Sautéed Wormwood, and Five Color Stew. The dishes quickly filled up the tabletop.
"Waiter, please prepare two crispy-skin ducks to go, we'll pick it up after the bill." Su Shuilian beckoned. She wanted Dabao, Xiao Chun, and Xiao Xue to have a taste at home.
"Sure thing! Don't worry, madam, I'll take the order to the chef now. You just need to tell them your table number when you come pick up." He smiled kindly at them. The waiter was the same one back then, when the pair came to eat here for the first time. It was a rare sight to see such a handsome young man and elegant lady coupled together in Fanluo City. They were quite hard to forget.
The other customers occasionally glanced at Su Shuilian's table, too. Their eyes were filled with amusement, with a hint of envy.
—
Lin Si Yao furrowed his brows unhappily, and gave a quick exhale. His iciness and pressure immediately negated the entertained gazes of the nearby.
"A'Yao? What's wrong?" Su Shuilian heard his grunt, and stopped eating. Seeing his darkened expression, she worriedly asked: "Are you feeling alright?"
"It's fine. Just a little stuffy in here." Lin Si Yao looked away, and threw an excuse.
"Stuffy?" Su Shuilian looked around in confusion. With the howling winter outside, the warmth of the indoors should be comforting. Though maybe he was the same as her, and was not used to large dining halls.
"Then let's finish quickly, and go shopping for some New Year's goods." Su Shuilian beamed, and pinched a piece of fried fish to his bowl.
"Sure, you should eat more yourself." Lin Si Yao's unhappiness disappeared in an instant with Su Shuilian's act. He filled her a bowl with the mixed stew of chicken, mackerel, soy beans, bamboo shoots, and carrots, and started eating. She was already his wife, and that was enough. What did others' envy involve him for?
But, Lin Si Yao hadn't realized that a gaze from nearby wasn't for Su Shuilian, but specifically for him…. Lu Wan'er, sitting under the window on the west side.
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Chapter 69: The Small Holiday*
TL Note: So '小年' literally translates to small day, but it's less confusing to call it a small holiday instead. It's the day, a week before the 'big holiday', aka Chinese New Years (CNY).
"Cousin?" Yang Keyi called to his younger cousin, Lu Wan'er, who suddenly became immersed in melancholy.
"Oh, older cousin, I'm fine." Lu Wan'er woke from her daze and suppressed the hate in her eyes before biting her bottom lip and turning to her older male cousin. "I'm fine, I just thought I saw someone."
Humph, as one of the richest ladies in this city, to humbly lower her head for a man of inferior status and still receive the same rejection… Not only that, but to bear such insults from him, how could she live with such humiliation?!
With such a thought, hate flashed quickly through the eyes of Lu Wan'er. If she couldn't get with him, how can she allow other women to? Lin Si Yao is hers! How could Su Shuilian be his match?
She continued to watch the couple who were displaying their affection in the corner of the restaurant. Her fury grew as every second passed; she was about to explode in anger.
Her poor chopsticks suffered as she snapped it in two.
"Younger cousin?" Yang Keyi heard the sound and looked up in astonishment. "Is there something bothering younger cousin?" He looked in the direction where Lu Wan'er was glaring at. With her younger cousin's serious gaze, there must be something bothering her.
"Shut your mouth! Focus on eating!" Yang Keyi's sudden question soured Lu Wan'er's mood even more. She was bitter and angry as she glared at him.
Yang Keyi was puzzled by her action, but judging from her current mood he knew it was not a good time to inquire.
This glamorous cousin of his, according to his mother, was his bride-to-be. This low-key trip taken from his home city was done with the sole purpose of their families to discuss their marriage. If all goes well, then next year on the first day of spring he will be welcoming this cousin into their household as his bride.
However, had he been misled? Where was the former grace and elegance? All he could see now was her fierce glare.
Currently, Lu Wan'er was also very annoyed.
Yang Keyi was decent, but he is kinda inflexible. However, marrying him would be a win. The Yang Family was famous in Fengtai City. The city was a bit far from home; with a carriage, it would take seven to eight days. However, if she were to marry him then her life would be inexhaustible in wealth and glory.
After calming her mood, Lu Wan'er once again reverted back to her graceful self. With a charming smile, she said, "Cousin, I'm sorry, I was not myself just now. I was just... ai nevermind, it's hard to explain… If elder cousin does not mind, after we finish the meal, I will slowly explain, ok?"
After all, Lu Wan'er had mingled in the poetry club for a while. With three points (3/10) truth and seven points (7/10) falsehood, she was able to end the subject without a problem.
Of course she did not dare tell Yang Keyi the truth of her liking another man.
Unfortunately for Su Shuilian, she (LW) spent no effort in pushing the blame on her.
She had even thought about hiring the Thundering Winds (风雷帮) Gang to take care of Su Shuilian. Just because Lu Wan'er did not want to take her life didn't mean she would not spare any effort into making her life miserable.
As for Lin Si Yao, Lu Wan'er was no idiot. With his skills in martial arts, how could the Wind Thunder Organization be his opponent?
For the embarrassment and indignation she had suffered for the first time in her life from Lin Si Yao, she would never forgive him.
That day, after she was dragged away by the large dog of Lin Si Yao's, she told no one of the matter after returning home, not even to her own father.
For one reason: because Lin Si Yao will realize sooner or later what he is missing out on. He will apologize and beg for her forgiveness.
With that thought, she had managed to convince Hua An to allow her to stay for a few more days at their house in Fan Hua Town. She stayed until Lu House's madam - Lu Wan'er's mother, Lu Qiaoying - had sent someone to come pick her up. The people that were sent by her mother had informed Lu Wan'er that a distant aunt and an older cousin of three years were visiting from Fengtai City. Only then did she leave Hua House, albeit reluctantly.
It was just that she did not expect to meet him again so soon! However, this 'meeting' at Wu Qin Restaurant after half a month, and to witness such a scene… How could she swallow such grievance?!
Seeing Lu Wan'er (and co.) walk out of Wu Qin restaurant right ahead of them, Lin Si Yao's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.
He had long felt her hate-filled gaze from time to time while he and Shuilian were eating.
From his previous occupation, it was easy to pick up hostility from others. He would not allow Lu Wan'er to hurt Su Shuilian in any way. Otherwise, humph! She was just a rich young miss. If a rich person were to suddenly become missing from the city, there would be many happier people!
"Wheat flour, glutinous rice flour, red bean, sesame, sugar, cooking wine, and salt... Is there anything missing from that?" Su Shuilian counted the items she had just gotten. These ingredients were going to be used to make steamed and soup dumplings.
"This should be all of it." Lin Si Yao looked at the cotton bag before looking up at Su Shuilian who seemed a bit tired from walking. "Tired? Let's go home. If you remember anything we forgot, we can come back later." With his method of travel, it only takes an hour to go back into the city anyways.
"That works." Su Shuilian nodded her head. She currently did not think there was anything that urgently needed to be bought.
"Oh, we need to go back to Wu Qin Restaurant to purchase a roasted duck to go." She remembered the gluttonous Dabao and wolves.
"Ok." Lin Si Yao lightly glanced at Su Shuilain. He was slightly sour seeing how well she treated the wolves and Tian Dabao.
The 24th day of the twelfth lunar month was the day everyone of Fan Hua Town was sending their thanks to Zaoshen (the god of the kitchen).
Tian Dabao's long awaited break had finally begun.
Although it was a break, he still had to run to Xiufeng and back. Afterwards, he had to complete one hour of Xuantian sword practice before he was able to play. He would then go to the yard by the temple and show off to the other kids. Fortunately, although he was mentally handicapped, when playing with the other children, Tian Dabao knew not to go overboard. Maybe it was thanks to being trained by Lin Si Yao for half a year that his personality calmed down.
It was no wonder Aunt Tian had started to suspect that the clot in his brain had dissipated. From what she had noticed, his recent actions were the same as a normal twelve year old. Well, other than those times where it seemed like he had no face nor shame.
Therefore, Tian House started to treat Lin Si Yao with even more respect. Whenever they got good food, they would always send Dabao or Aunt Tian herself would bring it over to share with Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao.
Even the other households started to look at Lin Si Yao with twinkles in their eyes. How could they not? What the doctors could not figure out, Lin Si Yao was able to, and in just half a year! Not only that, Dabao has become so much healthier! He was no longer the sick boy, and in winter all he needed to wear was two light layers, maybe a small jacket, and he could go out with no problem!
As a result, some of the other farmers were thinking of sending their sons to be taught by Lin Si Yao. Although they may not become experts, at least in the future they will remain healthy and physically strong, that was definitely worth it!
Lin Si Yao naturally refused. Who were they kidding, do they think he was opening a dojo? Tian Dabao alone was a lot of trouble. He was not going to give himself more trouble by taking in even more children disciples.
If not for ensuring Su Shuilain and their future children's safety, he would have not considered taking in a disciple.
He had no such weird hobbies. To take in a new disciple every time a suitable child was encountered...with more than 20 children calling him master at the age of twenty three, just the thought of that gave him goosebumps. Lin Si Yao shook away the thought as he headed towards the south yard.
Aftering chasing out Tian Dabao who had finished his daily exercise, but refused to leave, sticking to Su Shuilian, Lin Si Yao started to clean the house: every floor and corner.
Su Shuilian filled a bucket with clean water, as she started to wipe the furniture and ornaments in the house.
After two months of use, the blanket covers, pillowcase and bed sheets as well as all of the cushions and cushion covers in the main hall, west wing, and kitchen were placed with newly made ones. On the bed, the pillow and blanket covers had peonies embroidered with a single purple thread along with doubled threaded gold and silver thread. The bed sheet was plain white. As for the cushions and cushion covers, they were lined with a baby blue base satin and silver embroidery.
Looking at the newly decorated house and the clean yard, Su Shuilian curved her lips in satisfaction.
"A Yao, take a rest before continuing..." Su Shuilian brewed some of the Black Tartary Buckwheat tea (Soba Cha) that Aunt Tian had gifted them a few days ago. She poured him and herself a cup before calling out to Lin Si Yao who was able to continue work in the kitchen.
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"Ok..." Lin Si Yao came into the room and took a sip of the Black Tartary Buckwheat tea, "good tea!" He praised it sincerely.
"Mhm, Aunt Tian had told me her family had planted a few Black Tartary Buckwheat last year. They harvested about twenty five kilograms so they gave some to the neighbors."
"A Yao, can we plant some too, next year?" Su Shuilian squatted down, occasionally taking small sips of the Black Tartary Buckwheat tea. The tea warmed her spleen and stomach, it made her feel very comfortable and content.
"Ok..." Lin Si Yao smiled and nodded. If she liked it, there was nothing he wouldn't do.
After taking the small tea break, the two went into the kitchen to prepare the snacks and fruits as tribute for Zaoshen.
The dough used to make the dumplings and thefive-treasure biscuits was ready.
Lin Si Yao started to form the dough of the 99 mini dumplings one by one. And eager to help Su Shuilian, who had stuffing in her hands, he gave her nose a light squeeze. Seeing that white flour on her nose, his smile turned into a hearty laugh.
Su Shuilian was puzzled at his reactions. She turned back to look at her reflection in the clear water, only then did she find out about his mischief. At his rare laugh, she dipped her hands into the flour, hoping to smear his face with it too.
The pair laughed for a while when suddenly Lin Si Yao pulled her in for a kiss. Su Shuilian shied away as soon as he loosened his grip on her waist.
Su Shuilian started to make the dumplings from the shaped dough that she had grabbed from Lin Si Yao. They had made three different fillings: minced meat, minced cabbage with minced meat, and mixed vegetables with mushroom stuffing.
She had made dumplings with Lin Si Yao twice before. Although they were still not aesthetically pleasing, there were no longer cracks in the dough.
Lin Si Yao watched her finish a few dumplings and couldn't help but pinch her nose again. Seeing her pout and turn away from him in protest, he smiled. He went back into molding the dough for the five-treasure biscuits.
With that, the small holiday slowly passed as the two continued to prepare the snacks for the kitchen god.
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Chapter 70: Passion in the Winter
NSFW warning~
After paying respect to the kitchen god on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao began to prepare for their first New Year together in Fan Hua Town.
The year's first heavy snowfall had also begun. In just a span of two hours, Fan Hua Town had been covered in a thick blanket of snow. However, there was no sign of the snow stopping.
Fortunately, Lin Si Yao was taught by Tian Dafu and the other villagers to place a snow-proof canopy on top of the vegetables growing in the garden. Though it was called a canopy, it was just an oil-lined cloth held up by a few wooden poles. But at least it was able to prevent too much damage from the snow to the plants.
Of course, for the budding Cymbidium kanran (a cold-growing species of orchid), Lin Si Yao had carefully separated each plant and placed some into the clay pots in each room of the house, to celebrate the winter season.
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There was no cover placed for the golden wintersweet tree that was brought from Dashi Mountain and planted in the most northern part of the yard. The more it snowed, the more flowers bloomed. Su Shuilian had carefully cut a few twigs that had bloomed and placed them into the white and blue imitation-porcelain vases of the bedroom and study room table. The fragrance of the flower filled the rooms, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
As for the wolves' house, to avoid it being covered and frozen in snow, Lin Si Yao had moved it next to the south hall entrance. This way, if the weather was good, Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue could still lay on their house and bask in the sun. And once it turns too cold or dark, they can then enter the south hall and enjoy the warmth as they have already started to grow attached to the warmth of the white tiger mat.
Xiao Xue's companion, the wolf king, had not appeared since visiting that last time.
As for Xiao Chun, he had left from time to time to return with all sorts of game: there were frozen hares, fainted pheasant, and there was even a time where he brought home a bleeding deer.
Although Lin Si Yao had already learned the reason, he turned a blind eye to the matter, and gave Xiao Chun credit for all of it. And with the game, he would cook it into a tonic and give it to the pregnant Xiao Xue.
After the small holiday, Dabao left with Aunt Tian to visit her side of the family to pay respects to their ancestors. It was just that the snowfall had gotten much heavier and it was expected that he would not make it home until right before the beginning of the big holiday (Chinese New Year).
As for Aunt Lao, she had taken a trip to visit them right before the start of the heavy snow. She had brought Lao Yongqiang who had carried a basket of nian gao (New Year cake) as a New Year's gift.
And so, the afternoon after they had paid their tribute to the kitchen god, Su Shuilian and Li Si Yao went to visit Aunt Lao and Aunt Tian's house to give them New Year gifts.
They gave each house a bag of shiitake mushrooms, a variety of edible tree fungus, a pheasant, and six carps.
The Tian House gave their gift to them that same day: a big bag of soybeans, 5 kilograms of wheat flour, and a plate of butter sesame biscuit that was meant for the kitchen god.
The Lao House all enjoy eating water milled nian gao. So for the past few days, they had been waiting in line to use the mill in Wen House's mill house. This year, they had milled a total of 90 kilograms. They had notified Su Shuilian earlier to not go to make water milled nian gao this year. So as soon as they had finished, the Lao family had brought a large basket of the nian gao to their house, a total of 25 kilograms of it. It was enough for the two to enjoy until the end of spring.
As soon as the snow had started to fall, Su Shuilian sat, and began sewing a pair of moccasins for Lin Si Yao while sitting on the warm Kang. That's right, it was the deer skin taken from the deer brought back home by Xiao Chun. It was skinned, cleaned, dried, and sewed tightly on top of a plain pair of cotton shoes.
It wasn't until today, the 27th, that it was completely finished.
Though it was not that aesthetically pleasing, as it was hard to wrap the skin around the shoe, it was impossible to hide the rough edges of the skin into the inner side.
However, it was a comfortable fit. After Lin Si Yao put it on, he went to the north yard and netted two fish out of the water tank to make smoked fish. After bringing the fish into the kitchen, he headed towards the southern garden and lifted the canopy up to pick some cabbage and sweet potato. Then he walked towards the hen and rabbit hutch that was near the garden to pad more straw on top of the roof. Lin Si Yao fed the animals before taking the freshly laid eggs from the nest.
Once he was by the main hall entrance, Lin Si Yao shook the snow stuck on his shoes, took the bamboo hat and coat off. Only then did he make his way into the main hall.
"How is it? Did it get damp?" Su Shuilian grabbed a dry cotton cloth and helped him wipe off the snow that was stuck on his outer shirt.
"No." Lin Si Yao smiled as he watched her frett around him. Seeing that she did not quite believe him, Lin Si Yao sat on the Kang and took off his shoes, gesturing for her to take a closer look. "Not wet right?" He said smugly.
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"Maybe it was not long enough?" Su Shuilian said, not convinced the deer skin wrapped around the cotton boots would be this effective.
When Lin Si Yao heard, he couldn't help but laugh, "On this cold and snowy day, you still want me to wear this and trek, to where exactly?"
"This… this isn't my intention" When she heard his reply, Su Shuilian instantly blushed and frantically waved her hands.
Her shy face that contrasted against her green button-up dress provoked a moment of emotion in Lin Si Yao.
"Hey… A Yao" Su Shuilian's words of protest which had yet to come out was suddenly swallowed by his lips.
"A.. A… Yao…. it's still early now..." In other words, it was still daytime. She was engulfed in his fiery embrace. It took a long time before they broke their kiss and only then did she manage to express her reason in between catching her breath.
"Doesn't matter." Lin Si Yao replied in a rough mutter. At the same time, with one hand, he pushed the table on the Kang to the side. With the other hand, he lifted Su Shuilian onto the Kang and teased her.
Su Shuilian's shocked face turned white when she realized he wanted to 'eat' her in the main hall.
"A Yao..." She initially wanted to stop him from acting so bold and daring, however, Su Shuilian realised the words that formed from her mouth sounded like a delicate cry.
"It's fine, be obedient." Lin Si Yao knew the reason why she was nervous. Without turning his head, with a wave of his hand, both the North and South gates were closed with a 'clank' sound.
"Are you okay now?" Lin Si Yao smiled as he looked down at Su Shuilian who was trembling from nervousness. A burst of endearment arose from the bottom of his heart, "Shuilian, I am your husband. There was no need for 'honor and honesty' between a husband and wife." He was ready to enlighten her.
"But..." Su Shuilian shyly blinked. She knew deep inside that he was right. But the way she was brought up since young, made it hard for her to easily let go.
"Does that mean you don't truly accept me as your husband?" Lin Si Yao acted pitiful as he sorrowfully muttered. He was prepared to move her with affection.
He kissed his way down; from her smooth forehead, to her exquisitely curved eyebrows, to her small, yet straight nose, then to her white and tender ears, and finally to her small, plump red lips. He lingered there, without any intention of withdrawing as he waited for her reply.
"Of course not, how can you say that about me?" Su Shuilian anxiously refuted his accusation, completely oblivious to his small movements.
"Then what is your reason?" Lin Si Yao parted from her lips and asked.
"Nm." Su Shuilian could not help but let out a moan. It was only then did she realize that Lin Si Yao had somehow taken off both their outerwear without her realizing. He had pushed her innershirt up to her chest and moved his hand up her skirt. Oh heavens. Su Shuilian was embarrassed to death.
"Shuilian…. My wife…." Lin Si Yao said in a husky voice. He lowered his head towards her plump white *. And in the midst of her blind calls, he entered her tight and seductive body.
Outside the house, it was a cold snow storm, but in the house, it was a flowering spring.
Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue were outside on top of their wooden house by the south hall. From time to time, their ears would perk up as they listened to the strange * sounds and movements coming out from the inner room. At other times, they would just wag their tails as they watched the cold, white flowers flutter down from the sky.
In their minds, they thought: Owner, don't forget to make dinner. Xiao Xue is pregnant and it would not be good to skip meals.
--
The year's first heavy snow started during the small holiday, and didn't stop until the third day, on the morning of the 28th.
The winter sun was bright after the heavy snow.
Lin Si Yao came out of the house that morning to sweep the snow out of both the north and south yard.
As for the road outside their courtyard gate, because of the thick layer of snow, no villagers would make their way to the most west side of the village. And so, the town and the surrounding fields were all connected by a thick blanket of snow.
With the items for welcoming back the gods ready and food enough to last until the start of the next year, Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao collectively decided there was also no need for them to go out of their house.
As for Xiao Chun, who would usually leave towards the entrance of Dashi Mountain to meet up with the wolf king. Because of the heavy snow, Xiao Chun thought the wolf king may not have enough rations to eat, so taking a few pheasant drumsticks in his mouth, Xiao Chun made his way to the entrance of Dashi Mountain.
When he came back, the poultry meat in his mouth was replaced with a cherry-red round fruit.
Lin Si Yao took the orange sized fruit from Xiao Chun. He lifted his sword-like brow, internally surprised. This couldn't be the legendary Sacred Pearl Fruit, right?!
According to the legend, the Sacred Pearl Fruit takes ten years to bud, ten years to bloom, and another ten years to mature. And it could only be found during the cold winter season.
There were many things that the Sacred Pearl Fruit could be used for.
It was sought after because people who practice martial arts could boost their inner force by thirty years!
And if ordinary people were to eat it, well there were definite benefits: they would gain a prolonged and illness free life. Men will double their strength and women will double their charms. Of course this was only from what he had heard from the legend.
Lin Si Yao smiled and shook his head as he threw the fruit into Xiao Xue's food bowl. Since it was a gift from the wolf king to his companion, then he would not reap the benefits. What's more, he was almost at the pinnacle, this fruit was of little use to him. As for Su Shuilian, he would like to try it on her, but not now. Since there was a baby in Xiao Xue's stomach, she needed the nutrients to nurture it.
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