)

  The old tea trees grow very slowly, and are not yet fully grown to the point where they can be harvested. Hua Ru Chun thinks this is also good, as it saves her some worry about having to harvest them in time before they wither away.

  "Qī yòu, let's leave this slow-growing one behind."

  Qī Yòu looked at the person with raised eyebrows and a smile, "And what's different about those?"

  "Well, I was thinking of making something else, but it would be a waste of a lot of practice, and I'm not confident that I can do it well. Even if I did manage to make it, there might not be much tea left over in the end. If there is a lot, we can take some out; if there's little, we'll just keep it for ourselves to drink."

  If I could make a purple sand pot and turn these tea leaves into Iron Goddess, then during leisure time, the two of us would sit facing each other, slowly savoring the tea, with the fragrance wafting gently, just thinking about it is quite beautiful.

  Hua Ru looked at Qi You with expectant eyes, hoping he would agree. She had a habit from her previous life - she wanted to hide away good tea and fine tea sets, not even letting others see them, let alone take them away. But this life was different; if the crown prince or any of the princes took a liking to something, with just one order, she would have to hand it over obediently, or else she wouldn't be able to escape punishment. If she wanted to hide it away, she needed this man's cooperation. At worst, they could secretly drink it together.

  Being stared at by those eager eyes, Qi You's heart softened, and for a long time, the calculating mind that had been thinking of benefits suddenly had an idea to let go, tightening the hands that were holding each other, with the other hand brushing aside a strand of hair that was hanging down beside her ear, "If not much, we'll just keep it."

  "Right, hide it, we'll secretly drink together."

  "Depend on you." Suppressing the urge to touch her eyes, Qi You led her down the mountain, the lush greenery making everyone's mood exceptionally good.

  The two walked very slowly, and Hua Ru would occasionally stop to look at the tea trees. Thinking that she could soon drink new tea, her mood was exceptionally good, and she naturally had more to say.

  "At this time, Yangzhou is extremely beautiful, with flowers blooming everywhere. The people of Yangzhou love willow trees, and when the season arrives, they go out to enjoy the willows, even if it means constantly sneezing. They love the feeling of walking among the willow catkins, and their appreciation for beauty has become second nature. However, watching them recite poetry while sneezing is quite amusing. My sister often teases me, saying that when others go out to enjoy the willows, I'm the one who's making a fool of myself."

  Recalling those days in Yangzhou, Hua Ruxue's smile was exceptionally soft and gentle. Those dozen or so years were the happiest time of her life, a happiness that added up to two lifetimes.

  It hurts to think about how much brother doted on me, and how mom and dad treasured me like a precious gem. Now that I think back, it all feels wonderful.

  Qī Yòu didn't turn around, he just quietly listened. Just by the sound of her voice, he could hear her nostalgia. He didn't want to see her disappointed look.

  Even if he has the heart to do something now, he cannot make a promise.

  "Qī Yòu, can you really get the prince's token without any mistakes?"

  Qī Yòu stopped in his tracks, turned around to look at her, Huā Rú had bitten her lip and continued: "As a married woman, I should follow the rules, going out of the mansion is not right, but...I haven't adapted yet, can you give me some leeway? I promise, at most I'll just go to the tea garden or other courtyards, nowhere else. I definitely won't embarrass you and won't show my face to cause trouble for you. Can you...help me?"

  This is the first time she has shown weakness in front of him since they got married. Qi You can see her efforts and struggles, and she is indeed trying her best to fit into the Qi Manor and become a qualified inner housewife. He doesn't need much tolerance to hold back to this extent, but the occasional loss and fatigue that she reveals makes his heart ache.

  If she had been more considerate of his feelings, she would have lived a peaceful life in the inner house, or at least not worried about him all the time, and he wouldn't be so heartbroken.

  "What I say always counts."

  Hua Ruru immediately became radiant and refreshed, as if she had taken a rejuvenating pill. "So from now on, when I go out of the mansion, no one will bully me again?"

  "No, I won't."

  Proper display of weakness is indeed useful, Hua Ru Chu didn't hide her excitement at all, her smile was as vibrant as the blooming flowers in spring, with a sudden movement, she quickly pecked Qiu Yong's face and swiftly retreated, running away while spinning around.

  Qī Yòu had just been able to dodge, thinking so in his heart, but his body seemed to have acknowledged the other person's aura and didn't move. When the soft lips brushed against his face, he even thought of grabbing the other person's head and moving it to a better position for a deep kiss.

  Although the people waiting at the foot of the tea garden couldn't hear what the two said, the hostess's cheerful laughter explained everything. The slowly opening distance was shortened in an instant by Qiyou's quick pace, and the two standing shoulder to shoulder made people feel infinitely beautiful. Yunshu suddenly had red eyes.

  She hopes that she can be happy, hopes that she can laugh as freely and recklessly as before. Since coming to Taiyuan in Shanxi Province, now is the happiest time.

  "Ah..."

  Qī yòu's subconscious pulled the person beside him, but his action was still slow, and the person who didn't look at the road out of habit had already stepped into the mud.

  "Are you sprained?" Qi You squatted down, grasped her foot and gently pressed a few places, ignoring the mud all over his head, "It hurts, say it."

  She wouldn't get hurt that easily, thinking so in her heart, Hua Ruchu still obediently spoke out her feelings when he pressed down, this feeling of being taken care of was probably something no one disliked, and she was no exception, Hua Ruchu happily found a reason.

  "It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt there either, yeah, it doesn't hurt."

  Only after making sure everything was alright did Qi You heave a sigh of relief and stand up, while Hua Ru Chu hastily used her handkerchief to wipe his hands clean. "Let's head down."

  Qiu You looked at her for a moment, his eyes flashing, and then squatted down in front of her. "Don't exert yourself with your feet for now, I'll carry you down."

  Is this the treatment? Since she was ten years old, even her big brother hadn't carried her on his back. Looking at the man's broad shoulders in front of her, Hua Ru quickly climbed up, her hands clasped around his neck, and the places where they touched were close to their hearts, beating rapidly, neither of them knowing whose heart was racing faster or whose heart was more chaotic.

  The man walked very steadily and at a moderate pace, and when they reached the foot of the mountain, both of them thought almost simultaneously that the mountain was quite short.

  Yun Shu's face was slightly red, and Qi Jun led the servants to retreat far away, his head lowered and not daring to look at the two masters.

  "Go get a pair of clean shoes."

  Everyone's eyes quickly swept over the two men's feet, and soon found the problem. Yun Shu hurriedly stepped forward to support his uncle from behind, repeatedly asking, "Are you hurt?"

  "There isn't, just stepped on mud, is Chunyu here? Ask her if she has shoes."

  "Ah, the maid is here." Chunyu stepped forward and greeted her, saying "The maid has new shoes here. Your skirt also got muddy, do you want to go inside and clean up a bit?"

  Hua Ru Chu didn't know how to face Qi You, and was thinking of avoiding him for a while. But when she heard what he said, she went along with it. The two of them had been too intimate earlier, too intimate, not good.

  Qī Yòu saw her reaction, feeling anxious but not knowing what to do. The problem was where, but this problem couldn't be solved. Lǜ Liǔ, Duàn Shì and Wú Shì had all followed him for several years, and it would be too ruthless to abandon them without reason. He couldn't bring himself to do that, and besides, he wouldn't be able to explain it to his grandmother and mother. If he really did that, his mother would definitely be put in a difficult position.

  What can be gained from being in the mother-in-law's hands? If he interferes too much with household affairs, it will not go well with his father's side either, every path leads to a dead end.

  "Master, I have something to ask for your instruction."

  Qī Jūn glanced at him, Qī Yòu turned his back and said, "Speak."

  Qijun's body bent even lower, "Yes, Master, you see, this row of houses is too small. The few servant girls who were sent over are already complaining about the crowding. I took a look at the tools that were brought and also asked Cloud Book young lady for guidance. Making tea requires a lot of space, and according to Cloud Book young lady's meaning, there are many steps in the process. In this case, just these few rooms are really too small. Do you think we should build a few more?"

  "About to make tea, is it still on time?"

  "Return to the master, ask for a few more craftsmen, it won't take a few days. Yun Shu's daughter also said that the house doesn't need to be exquisite and fancy, as long as it is built spacious, then the speed can be faster."

  Qī Yòu Huán looked around at the surroundings and pointed to the open space outside the tea garden, saying "Building it there would be fine."

  Following the master's pointing, Qi Jun took a look and was puzzled. Why build the house outside when it would be more troublesome? When the time comes to harvest tea, they will have to send all of it outside, but the empty space inside can clearly accommodate it.

  Qī Yòu seemed to have seen his doubts, and without explanation, simply said "Here I am useful."

  "Yes, it's settled then. Gather all the craftsmen today and start work as soon as possible."

  Qī Yòu was no longer there, staring into the distance with a thoughtful expression. If one were to take a closer look, they would find that his eyes had lost their focus, in other words, he was dazed. If someone familiar with him, Qī Dà, were to see him like this, they might be shocked enough to drop their jaw.

  Inside the house, Hua Ru was also in a daze, propping up her chin. The maids took off her shoes and even poured water to wash her feet, but she still didn't come back to herself.

  For seventeen years, the heart has sounded an emotional alarm for the first time. In modern times, Qi You should be a good man, although he is silent, but makes people feel reliable. If he didn't have a concubine, falling in love with such a man wouldn't be embarrassing at all.

  Suddenly, Hua Ru felt a little sad in her heart. If she could find a man to entrust her emotions with here, then she would truly be integrated into this world. She had tried so hard for so many years, but it was all just pretending to be like the people of this world. In her heart, she was still incomplete because her heart had not landed yet. She always felt that half of her heart was still floating in that other world.

  In a male-dominated society where having three wives and four concubines is the norm, how can she dare to easily give away her heart? It's better to guard it well. Losing one's body is just losing a transparent membrane, but if she loses her heart, that would be irreparable.

  Qī Yòu is very good, unfortunately they are destined to meet in vain, he is destined to be unable to become the only one, destined not to become her good man.

  And she would never have a chance at happiness again, perhaps this was already the greatest happiness she could get.

  P: I really poured my heart into the emotional scenes! Although my hands are crippled and my speed is extremely slow. (If you like this work, welcome to subscribe, reward, your support is my greatest motivation.)

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