Chapter 56: Still Pitying the Green Grass (19) “Bug Hunting”

Chapter 56: Still Pitying the Green Grass (19) "Bug Hunting"

The next day, He Chun finished another box of peach blossom powder, only to immediately wash his feet upon returning.

"It's so sticky!"

On the first day in the palace, he hadn't noticed anything since he hadn't done much. But after running around all day today, the paste-like powder stuck to his socks, causing great discomfort.

He complained, "This stuff doesn't work."

Zhe Wan stood at a distance, gently fanning with a handkerchief, "That's for your face! I already told you."

He Chun: "Isn't there something for feet?"

Zhe Wan: "Shouldn't you be seeking out the imperial physician?"

He Chun felt embarrassed. Who would go to an imperial physician just because of stinky, sweaty feet?

After washing his feet, he finally felt relief, "I told you, this isn't suitable for men—how do you women manage to use so much without feeling uncomfortable?"

Observing Zhe Wan apply layer upon layer of cosmetics, followed by her rouge, he wondered how her face could possibly endure such excess.

Didn't he know that one box would last her over a month, while he'd go through one a day just for his feet?

Taking advantage and pretending ignorance, he was truly a cunning fellow with a loose tongue.

She called for Chan Yue, "Go ask Sister Ying if she's still coming today. She said yesterday she wanted to learn calligraphy from me."

He Chun put on his shoes and stood up, "You've become quite like a real mother to her."

Then, out of the blue, he added, "Third Brother might be reassigned back after the New Year."

Zhe Wan wasn't surprised by his remark. He'd say something similar every year. Yet, Lai He Min hadn't returned in over a decade.

The Marquis of England often sighed, "Why doesn't he want to serve as an official in the capital?"

Refusing to leave that Jiangnan region, he stubbornly clung to it.

He Chun Li actually didn't comprehend his younger brother's thoughts either, but given the strained relationship between them, he didn't bother to delve deeper. He simply stated, "I am in the Capital City, while he is in Jiangnan, one in the south and the other in the north—it is quite fitting."

He also said to Zhe Wan, "From what I can tell, he's quite an solitary individual."

In her previous life, when he said this, it was a concise yet profound statement, leaving Zhe Wan to ponder the meaning on her own. In this life, however, those same words were followed by an endless barrage of grievances.

He Chun Lian remarked, "Father desires his return, for Third Sister-in-law and the children are still in Capital City. He has no children there and refrains from intimacy with women – how is he any different from a widower? It's difficult for him to be alone in Province Hu; should any mishap befall him, we might never see each other again."

"I feel that Father is overly concerned. His nature is very solitary, and he's never been fond of staying at home since he was young. Not to mention with me, he isn't particularly close to Second, Third, or Fifth Brother either. He doesn't even like to have lengthy conversations with Father and Mother—I really can't fathom why Mother favors him so much."

Zhe Wan felt that no matter what Lihuo Chun said, Lihuo Min's future accomplishments would surpass his. She remembered that by the time she passed away, Lihuo Min had already taken the top seat in Jiangnan. Back then, Song Yueniang would mention Lihuo Min to anyone and everyone, from a sparrow under the eaves to birds, then cranes, always finding a way to relate it back to how much the Emperor favored him, and how grateful the people were. It was irritating to many, yet they had no choice but to agree.

She responded, "He has grand aspirations."

Lihuo Chun scoffed, "Him?"

Zhe Wan lost her desire to continue the conversation and turned to retreat to her study to attend to her own affairs.

Whether Lihuo Min returned in this life or not, it mattered little to her.

Chan Yue returned promptly with Yingjie in tow, softly whispering to Zhe Wan, "When I went, Third Young Madam was weeping."

Without lifting her eyebrows, Zhe Wan asked, "Why is she crying again?"

Chan Yue replied, "It seems they've finally investigated it thoroughly. There are about seven or eight concubines in Third Young Master's courtyard. Some were sent by Lady, others were passed on by colleagues – the works."

Zhe Wan was surprised and asked, "Who told you this?"

Smiling, Chan Yue said, "No one had to. Third Young Madam broke many things and cursed fiercely. Many people overheard it."

Zhe Wan instructed, "Make sure the people in our courtyard don't go around spreading this outside."

Chan Yue assured, "I understand. I'm only telling you about it."

Naturally, Yingjie had heard as well and was quite distressed. She asked Zhe Wan, "How should I comfort Mother?"

Zhe Wan held her hand and wrote, "Your father will console your mother. You don't have to worry."

Yingjie immediately brightened up, "Oh right. Whenever Mother writes a letter in anger, she smiles when she receives Father's reply."

Zhe Wan: "That's precisely the case."

Ying Jie quickly picked up reading and even played with Zhe Wan's makeup. Zhe Wan didn't stop her but made sure to clean her up before sending her back.

She said, "Tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival. By then, you and Yan Yan can climb the mountain together."

All of Ying Jie's worries vanished. "I miss Sister Yan Yan so much!"

Just as she finished speaking, Chuan Ge returned. Ying Jie went over to make a pinky promise with him. "When the time comes, you have to run with Ah Shun brother and beat Sheng Ge. He actually looks down on me."

Sheng Ge had said that women were foolish because of their long hair, which made her so angry that she refused to speak to him all day.

Chuan Ge hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "I can outrun him."

Although his memory wasn't as good as Sheng Ge's, he was quite fast.

Ying Jie left contentedly. Lihua Chun was also pleased. "Since I was young, I've been better at martial arts than my third brother."

Encouraging Chuan Ge, he said, "You must run well tomorrow. You can definitely beat Sheng Ge, just like how I outran your third uncle."

Chuan-ge became nervous; he was afraid that he might not be able to outrun the others. He couldn't help but look towards his mother, hoping she would intercede on his behalf, only to realize that she had unknowingly moved away from them.

She couldn't hear their conversation. He lowered his head, unsure of what to do.

In the evening, Zhe Wan noticed that something was off with Chuan-ge again – he seemed downcast. Pausing in her actions, she turned to He Chun, "What did you say to him?"

He Chun was surprised, "What are you talking about?"

Zhe Wan glanced at Chuan-ge, who still had his head bowed. After a moment, he nervously lifted his gaze.

"Father,"

With trepidation, he said, "I... I might not be able to run fast enough."

He Chun was sipping a cup of wine when he heard this and frowned, "Why wouldn't you be able to win?"

Chuan-ge replied, "I mean, I might lose."

He Chun: "Wait until you've actually lost before you talk about it."

"A true man never admits defeat beforehand."

He had never been like that since he was young. Who did Chuan-ge resemble then?

Zhe Wan remained silent the whole time, focusing on her meal to digest it properly. On the other hand, He Chun went on to teach his son how to steady his mind and secure victory in battles, talking until his throat ran dry. Finally, he shook his head repeatedly, "Who do you take after? In my opinion, the problem lies with the nanny by your side. When you're older, I'll send her away. By then, neither your grandmother nor your mother would have anything to say about it."

Chuan-ge didn't dare to respond but didn't ask Nanny Yu to help him wash his feet when he returned. He took off his shoes himself, revealing a foot drenched in sweat.

When He Chun finished his bath at night, he found Zhe Wan soaking her feet nearby. He soon noticed that her nails were dyed too.

He clicked his tongue in admiration, "You... You change quite quickly."

She hadn't worn any makeup when she first married into the family.

But on Chongyang Festival, when she managed to socialize with all the ladies, engaging in conversation with each of them, he was convinced that her transformation was for the better.

"You seem much more intelligent now," he commented.

Zhe Wan spoke calmly, "Is that so? You seem to be regressing."

He Chun replied, "You're taking my compliment the wrong way."

As he turned, he spotted Duke Qing, whom he approached to greet. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the flower cakes brought by Duke Qing's family were similar to ones he had seen in Zhe Wan's study.

He mused inwardly that her business seemed to be thriving.

Duke Qing's wife asked him, "Where has Ah Wan gone? I still need her help with something."

He Chun couldn't recall any particular friendship between Zhe Wan and Duke Qing's wife, nor could he imagine what assistance Zhe Wan might provide. Nonetheless, he smiled and replied, "She's resting on the left side, seeking some shade. It's still quite warm today."

Duke Qing's wife immediately spotted her. Amidst the crowd, Zhe Wan stood out. She was dressed simply, with an unassuming hairdo and a plain, narrow-sleeved robe devoid of vibrant colors. Yet, she accentuated her attire with a red thread wrapped around her waist and the ends of her hair, making her unforgettable to anyone who saw her.

Zhe Wan always managed to dress in a way that delighted others.

Duke Qing's wife praised He Chun with a smile, "You are truly blessed. Ah Wan is such a remarkable person, one in a million. Just look at her sitting over there, radiating like a star."

However, He Chun stood apart from Duke Qing's wife. Looking up, Zhe Wan appeared blurred by the light, swaying gently, making it difficult for him to see her clearly.

Against the Light.

He chuckled in agreement, "Yes, she is excellent. She often mentions how kind Madam is to her when she's at home."

Madam Qining Gong laughed heartily and approached Zhe Wan, saying, "Your family's child is quite articulate, even more so than when they were young."

Back then, she had praised Zhe Yan similarly, remarking, "Her cheeks are so rosy."

Li He Chun added, "Indeed, she must be tired from climbing the mountain, that's why her face is flushed red."

However, her original intention was to compliment Zhe Yan's healthy complexion. But Li He Chun hadn't answered incorrectly.

Madam Qining Gong found the situation both amusing and frustrating. From then on, she wouldn't praise in such an indirect manner but would directly comment on someone's appearance.

Zhe Wan, unaware of these past events, and with Madam Qining Gong unlikely to mention Zhe Yan in front of her, swiftly changed the subject, "I actually have a matter to discuss with you."

Zhe Wan asked, "What is it?"

Madam Qining Gong replied, "I know you have a florist shop. I'd like to ask your staff to deliver some flowers to my residence today. We're celebrating a birthday tonight."

Zhe Wan made no inquiries about who suddenly needed to celebrate a birthday. She simply said, "Tell me how much you need. Even if we don't have it, I'll make sure to gather it all for you."

Prince Qinggan patted her hand gratefully, "I adore dependable people like you. I can't stand talking to those unreliable folks!"

It was clear that he had encountered something incredibly unreliable.

After she left, Zhe Wan instructed Chan Yue to descend the mountain. "Go down to the shop and find Su Rui personally. See to this matter and return when it's done."

She asked gently, "Can you manage it?"

Chan Yue's hands trembled with excitement. "Of course, I can."

She immediately set off down the mountain.

Zhe Wan continued up the mountain with the others, while Lihua He Chun approached and inquired, "What's going on?"

Zhe Wan replied, "Just a small matter."

Lihua He Chun responded, "I naturally understand it's not a major issue."

Zhe Wan: "—Why should a true man bother with trivial matters?"

She had arranged to meet Yuxiu at a pavilion in the mountains. Yuxiu had brought along three children for the hike, but Sun Sanniang was still absent. However, she did send her kids over.

Yan Yan and Yingjie were engaged in conversation, while Ah Shun was racing with Chuan Ge and Xing Ge.

Zhe Wan observed that Ah Shun could easily have won the race, but deliberately fell behind. His single step back caused Chuan Ge to lag several steps behind. As a result, Xing Ge triumphed and laughed heartily, hands on his hips.

Song Yueniang and Lady Song sat chatting on one side. Upon hearing their son's laughter, Lady Song poked her head out and immediately boasted, "I told you Xing Ge would be great at martial arts. Ah Shun is already seven years old, oh my, and he still managed to win."

Lady Song rolled her eyes and pulled her back. "Don't meddle in the children's affairs!"

Then she asked, "Is your mother-in-law really sick?"

Song Yueniang: "Yes, very much so. Hmph, serves her right."

Lady Song slapped her hand down. "She's still your mother-in-law, after all."

Song Yueniang, having vented her anger, calmed down under the slap and sighed. "I've heard that she's been having nightmares lately. Her health is weak, and she doesn't want to leave the house."

Madam Song furrowed her brows. "A nightmare?"

Song Yueniang surveyed the surroundings and whispered, "Yes—this is just my assumption, but I think she might have dreamt about Zhe Yan."

Madam Song replied, "...How could that be considered a nightmare?"

Song Yueniang concurred, "But he is, after all, a deceased person. Recently, Eldest Brother has been arguing with Mother over the matter of Zhe Yan. The whole household has been in chaos, and Father-in-law pretends not to see it all."

She then sighed. "Well, it's not really surprising that Zhe Yan doesn't treat her mother-in-law well. I've treated her so kindly, yet she still treats me this way. She even secretly sent a concubine to He Min."

Complaining again, Madam Song, however, turned her attention to Zhe Wan.

Gently stroking the head of the child named Ah Shun, she softly placed a flower pastry in his hand with grace.

Madam Song couldn't hear what Zhe Wan said, but Ah Shun looked up and laughed, nodding repeatedly.

Turning to her foolish daughter, Madam Song advised, "Then keep your distance from your mother-in-law. At least, don't join her in bullying your sister-in-law."