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Such thoughts were not common among ordinary people.

Who would spend an hour or two painting just to give fallen petals a resting place?

Ladies from grand households, when they collected the blossoms, would usually bury them and compose elegant poems mourning their passing.

Yet she insisted on incorporating these fallen flowers into her art, openly displaying them for all to see.

It was as if she was declaring to the world: "Why must withered branches and spent blooms be buried underground? I refuse to follow that rule."

Gu Changjin lowered his gaze upon her.

Initially, he had merely intended to finish his tea, exchange a few words, and then return to his work. But for some reason, when he looked into her eyes, the world around him seemed to fall silent.

The tea in his cup had long since grown cold, yet he watched silently as she affixed each petal onto the branch.

At a certain moment, perhaps when the basket of petals emptied or when she realized he wasn't engrossed in his work, she lifted her head, smiling as she asked, "Do you find it pleasing, my lord?"

The candle flame flickered gently, casting a handful of light across her brows and eyes.

"Plunk... Plunk..."

Gu Changjin seemed to hear the sound of shattered ice hitting the wall once again ringing in his ears.

His Adam's apple moved slightly as he gazed into her eyes and said softly, "Beautiful."

Chapter 33

Gu Changjin only stayed at Minglu Yard for two days before returning to the capital city.

Previously, due to the case involving Li'er, he had been injured, and Left Vice Minister Tan Siyuan granted him a half-month vacation so that he could accompany his new bride properly.

But Gu Changjin was someone who couldn't sit still. Moreover, the longer he stayed at Minglu Yard, the more Shen would urge Rong Shu to return to the west wing to sleep.

Therefore, on the fourth day of the month, he returned to Wutong Lane and soon went back to work at the office.

Rong Shu, however, was unwilling to leave with him. She remained at Minglu Yard until the seventeenth day of the month, when Shen finally insisted she return to Wutong Lane, only then did she reluctantly leave.

The carriage jolted for nearly two hours. As they turned into Wutong Lane, they suddenly heard the rhythmic tapping of a bamboo clapper echoing through the alley.

Lifting the curtain, Rong Shu discovered that it was a family living in the Phoenix Branch Lane who were selling plum blossom soup dumplings beneath an old phoenix tree with a bamboo shoulder pole.

The family's surname was Zhuang, and the couple were masters at making these soup dumplings. Shaped like plum blossoms, they had thin skins and ample fillings, making them famous for their taste within the Phoenix Branch Lane.

Both husband and wife were diligent. Barely had the Lantern Festival passed when they began to sell their wares.

Inside the simple cloth pavilion, there was a round stove on the ground with a copper brazier on top, billowing with white steam that warmed the early spring chill of the alley.

Busy with their work, the little girl next to them, dressed in a red coat and skirt, tapped rhythmically with a wooden stick wrapped in red cloth, creating a lively beat.

Rong Shu was famished, and the aroma of sesame, green onion, and shrimp paste tantalized her taste buds to the point of blooming.

She glanced at Mama Zhang, her face a clear expression of craving.

How could Mama Zhang not know? She shook her head and said, "Street food might not be clean, and getting an upset stomach wouldn't be pleasant. If the young miss truly desires it, this old servant will have someone prepare it for you back home."

Could anything made by others compare to the flavor of the Zhuang's soup dumplings?

Rong Shu had long desired to taste the renowned Zhuangji Soup Noodles in her previous life, but she was held back by the so-called noble upbringing of a prestigious family's daughter.

Now, she cared much less.

A person who has died once could not afford to neglect their appetite.

She would soon leave Phoenix Avenue and likely never return; thus, she should seize every opportunity to indulge, eating when she could.

"I've eaten plenty of street snacks with Uncle Shi Yi back in Yangzhou, and I never got an upset stomach," Rong Shu said softly. "Besides, Zhuangji is unique to Phoenix Avenue. Mom, just let me have it this one time, please?"

How could Mother Zhang withstand such gentle persistence?

Her heart softened, and she relented. "The wind is strong outside. I'll have Ying Que fetch it for you, and you can eat in the carriage."

It was a scorching day, and there was no significant wind at all.

Mother Zhang must have been mindful of Rong Shu's status, allowing her to dine in the carriage.

As long as Rong Shu could savor the noodles, it mattered little where she ate. Turning to Ying Que, she said, "Ask for more shrimp."

The proprietress of Zhuangji Tonic Noodle House recognized Rong Shu's carriage, aware that this Madam Gu, not only was as beautiful as a celestial maiden, but also had an exceptionally amiable temperament and was very close to the folks in Wutong Lane.

Upon hearing Ying Que's suggestion to add more shrimp, she promptly scooped a generous handful and scattered them into the pot.

Finally, Rong Shu savored the noodles she had yearned for since her previous life. Indeed, their flavor surpassed even the signature noodles of Huaiyang Tower.

Lost in the delicious meal, the young girl didn't notice the dusty gray carriage belonging to the Gu family approaching from the lane's entrance.

Today, Chang Ji was driving. Known for his love of food, he had detected the aroma of Zhuangji Tonic Noodles from afar. His eyes kept wandering towards the stall, and upon catching sight of Rong Shu's magnificent carriage, he let out an astonished "eh," promptly pulling on the reins.

The carriage abruptly halted.

Gu Changjin furrowed his brows, lifting the carriage curtain, about to inquire, but when his gaze met with the figure sitting opposite him, his question died in his throat.

Zhuangji's soup dumplings were as small as thumbs, perfect for a single bite. The carriage was scented with incense, and Rong Shu's face flushed a rosy hue as she held her bowl, contentedly savoring the last sip of soup.

Still relishing the delectable broth in her mouth, her eyes unintentionally glanced up, locking onto a pair of deep, dark eyes.

"Cough—"

The lovely maiden sputtered and coughed violently.

Mama Zhang hurriedly went forward to pat her back, saying, "Miss choked. This window shouldn't be open. The wind outside is chilly and loves to creep into the throat." With that, she slapped down the carriage curtain.

Ying Que went down to return the bowl. From her silver pouch, she took out a small piece of silver, ready to give it to the stall owner. But the woman waved her hand and said, "Lord Gu has already paid for Lady Gu's meal."

Ying Que was startled and looked around. Only then did she notice the carriage in front swaying gently towards the Gu residence.

Inside the carriage, Chang Ji, who was driving, felt deeply wronged. Earlier, when his master had asked him to go to the soup noodle stall, he thought it was because his master was sympathetic to his early morning hustle and wanted to indulge his cravings.