Chapter 33

This lively?!

Shen Yunyao really was a bit startled.

According to reason, Zheng Si Que had a conflict with the Shen Family; even if the county magistrate had to pick a side, he should have chosen Zheng Si Que, after all Zheng Si Que is a top scholar laureate who entered the Hanlin Academy; if his luck were better, he could possibly enter the cabinet and become a premier.

But now this posture, the county magistrate's move clearly intends to put this top scholar laureate on the pillar of shame.

Compared to that, we are actually somewhat merciful.

Even more, if this operation continues to ferment, Zheng Si Que might become a historical figure like Chen Shimei, the kind whose name stinks for ten thousand years.

This liveliness, we must go take a look!

After all, if Zheng Si Que truly becomes a figure remembered in history, she also counts as having given a push, and needs to bear witness.

"Go tell the madam, just say I want to go out to the street to buy some small things!"

"All right, Miss!"

As clever as Cuiyu, she immediately understood her young lady's meaning.

She ran like the wind.

In a puff of smoke she arrived outside the Lu family's residence, then tidied her appearance before entering the Lu family's residence and carefully stating her purpose.

"Go!"

Madam Lu also knew what was happening outside; upon hearing Cuiyu's report that Shen Yunyao wanted to go out to buy some small things, she naturally would not refuse.

In fact, if it weren't truly impossible to leave and her status unsuitable, Madam Lu would have wanted to go herself to see the liveliness.

Having obtained Madam Lu's permission, Cuiyu almost jumped up.

In the end, Cuiyu still controlled herself, without any improper behavior, and withdrew from the Lu family's residence steadily.

Once she was out of the residence, she could not help but jump up, happily returning to Shen Yunyao's small courtyard.

"Depart!"

Shen Yunyao brought no one else, only Cuiyu, and exited the Shen Family through the side gate.

"It's her!"

Xie Zian, who had been watching from a teahouse not far outside the Shen Family, saw Shen Yunyao and Cuiyu go out and immediately stood up.

Shen Yunyao still wore a felt hat with a light veil to cover her face, while Cuiyu went bare-faced, hopping and skipping beside Shen Yunyao.

Having left the Shen Family, Cuiyu was like a bird released from its cage, chattering nonstop.

As Shen Yunyao listened to her introduce each shop on the street, when she spoke of food, that salivating sound was practically the very incarnation of a foodie.

"Go, buy something to eat!"

Shen Yunyao generously gave Cuiyu a moment of freedom.

"Thank you, Miss!"

Having obtained Shen Yunyao's permission, Cuiyu immediately rushed to the nearby pastry shop, bought her favorite snacks, and then promptly returned to Shen Yunyao's side.

……

Xie Zian came down from the teahouse, thinking it would be easy to find Shen Yunyao, but facts proved that good things are hard to come by.

The number of people on the street suddenly increased considerably.

The figures of Shen Yunyao and her maid Cuiyu were quickly obscured by the crowd, disappearing from Xie Zian's sight.

"Uncle Lu, walk faster!"

Xie Zian was very displeased.

Clearly he had seen the person, but a tiny difference led to a mistake of a thousand miles.

Xie Lu kept up with the hurried Xie Zian; both of them moved quickly.

But they did not notice that, right beside the pastry shop not far away, Shen Yunyao and her maid Cuiyu were, like little hamsters, quickly devouring the snacks in their hands.

By the time the two finished their snacks, Xie Zian and Xie Lu had already arrived ahead of them.

Xie Zian merely thought Shen Yunyao was ahead, so he kept chasing forward, not realizing he was going the opposite direction.

And after Shen Yunyao tasted the pastries recommended by Cuiyu, she too became a carefree little bird.

The two walked leisurely, occasionally eating delicious food.

They didn't buy much of each, just a few bites, but along the way there were plenty of tasty things.

"Miss, I didn't get it wrong, did I?!"

"Hehe, there are plenty of delicious things on this street!"

"Indeed, there are quite a few."

Shen Yunyao smiled, "Next time we come out, we'll come again!"

"Mm!"

Eating while walking, the two foodies finally arrived at the site of the Ou Feng Stele.

At this moment, the scene was already filled with the sound of gongs and drums.

The acrobatic show had started at some point.

Many people were gathered to watch.

The surrounding teahouses and wine shops, every two-story building with street-facing windows, were full of people.

To prevent any accidents, Ou Feng even specially dispatched all three shifts of the county yamen's bailiffs to maintain public order.

This was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but it must not be marred by any accident.

"Miss, we're late!"

Cuiyu looked pitifully at Shen Yunyao; because they had been snacking on the way, when they arrived the scene was packed three layers deep inside and three outside, and as two frail girls they could hardly hope to squeeze into the inner circle.

As for the surrounding high ground, it had long been occupied by people.

"The important thing is to participate!"

Shen Yunyao gave a faint smile, "All we need is a sense of ceremony!"

"But, I want to watch the acrobatics!"

"That's easy!"

Shen Yunyao lightly rubbed her hands together, "When I get married, we'll just have the manor hire an acrobatic troupe to liven things up!"

"Miss, you're just teasing me!"

"When you get married, I don't know if others will be busy, but I will definitely have to stay by your side at all times, not leaving even a step!"

"Right, how did I forget that!"

Shen Yunyao suddenly realized.

So, how can we fulfill this little girl's wish to watch the acrobatics?

Shen Yunyao glanced at the second-floor windows of the surrounding wine and tea houses, thinking if she could find a spot to squeeze in.

Then, Shen Yunyao saw a somewhat familiar face.

Is it him?

The graceful young man I met outside the city when I went out to the Three Pure Observance Temple to make a vow that day!

Who is he?

Does Liu Cheng have someone just like him?

Shen Yunyao shook her head, feeling that the person probably wasn't from Liu Cheng; otherwise, with that appearance and demeanor, they could hardly be an unknown nobody.

Just as Shen Yunyao saw Xie Zian, Xie Zian also saw her!

At the same time, he also heard different words.

It's her!

Xie Zian could now confirm that he had truly heard his little wife's inner thoughts!

"Oh dear, truly worthy of being my wife—she can indeed see my peerless charm!"

Xie Zian was feeling pleased with himself, while Shen Yunyao also noticed his gaze landing on her.

Shen Yunyao couldn't help but wonder, who exactly is this person? Why is he looking at me like that?

"Cuiyu, let's leave it at that for today!"

Shen Yunyao felt a little panicked.

Being stared at by that graceful young man, she always felt a bit uneasy.

Cuiyu heard that Shen Yunyao's voice was off, and promptly and obediently shielded Shen Yunyao, withdrawing from the crowd of onlookers.

"Did I scare them?"

Xie Zian felt a bit regretful.

He recalled his earlier glance at Shen Yunyao; it seemed he had gotten a little excited.

But, there's plenty of time ahead.

Since he had confirmed that this little wife was that person, he then had no regrets.

"Uncle Lu, pack up; we'll head back to the capital shortly!"

Xie Zian was already somewhat impatient to rush back to the capital; he was going to marry a wife, which certainly required a lot of preparations.

Some things, some items, are better done personally to show sincerity.

(End of chapter)