https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-554-A-Grand-Feast-at-the-Shen-Family-Estate/12536865/
Chapter 555: Shen Bijun by the Daming Lake
Chapter 555: Shen Bijun by the Daming Lake
On the banks of Daming Lake, the breeze was gentle, and the willows swayed gracefully. As people strolled along, they spotted a couple walking towards them from a distance and involuntarily made way, giving the pair their space.
It wasn't that they recognized the couple; they simply felt inferior and were reluctant to meet such a striking pair.
The man wore a graceful blue shirt, and the woman, a white silk dress adorned with a phoenix pattern. They were a handsome and elegant pair, and as they walked hand in hand, anyone who saw them would undoubtedly agree that they were a perfect match.
And indeed, they were a match made in heaven, for he was Lian Chengbi, and she, Shen Bijun.
"I used to play here by Daming Lake often when I was little," Shen Bijun said as she let Lian Chengbi hold her hand. She had grown accustomed to this by now. "Back then, I knew every tree and every stone here."
"Back then?" Lian Chengbi asked.
"As I grew up, I ventured out less and less," Shen Bijun said softly. "Especially after my parents passed away three years ago, and my grandmother became busy with family matters, I rarely left the house."
"Every morning, as soon as I woke up, I would quietly wait for daybreak," Shen Bijun continued. "Then I would go and greet my grandmother, watching her busy herself with various tasks, unable to lend a helping hand."
Shen Bijun sighed softly. "My mornings were spent studying—martial arts, needlework, playing the zither, and painting. It wasn't until noon that I would eat with my grandmother.
Only in the evenings could I spend a little more time with her. She would chat with me, but I didn't like to talk too much because I could see how tired she was."
"Her fatigue was for the sake of the Shen family and for you," Lian Chengbi said. "When the news of your parents' passing reached her, she had to ensure the stability of the Shen family, and moreover, she needed to distract herself from her grief over your father."
Shen Bijun gently leaned her head on Lian Chengbi's shoulder, and he continued, "Now, three years have passed. You've married me, and I've noticed that your grandmother seems to be in much better spirits these days."
Shen Bijun nodded with a smile.
A gentle breeze rustled the willow branches, brushing against Shen Bijun's skirt and accentuating the hint of a blush on her face.
On the lake, early-blooming lotuses were already in full splendor, their white and pink petals adorning the green pads like jewels.
Boats glided across the lake, carrying men and women out to appreciate the scenery, rather than fishermen casting their nets.
Noticing the hint of anticipation in Shen Bijun's eyes, Lian Chengbi waved his hand, and a small boat drifted towards them. "Sir, madam, would you like to take a boat ride on Daming Lake?"
"A cup of wine on Daming Lake, yesterday's embroidery by the Xiu River," Lian Chengbi quoted with a smile. "Do you have any wine on board, boatman?"
The boatman rowing the boat smiled and said, "We have some ordinary rice wine, but I fear it may not suit your refined taste, sir."
Lian Chengbi patted the long sword hanging at his waist. "Do I look like the kind of pampered young master who only knows fine food and luxury?"
A larger passenger boat sailed past their small boat. On its deck stood a young man in white, with a jade-like countenance and a sword at his waist. He spat out a mouthful of wine, scowling, "The wine prepared by the boatman is slightly sour. I'll stick to my own Lanling Spring!"
Lian Chengbi was speechless.
Shen Bijun couldn't help but laugh. Taking Lian Chengbi's hand, she boarded the small boat and asked the boatman, "Please row the boat, I remember there's a place called Guanhe Tower on the opposite shore of the lake that sells good wine.
"There's no need to stop." The boatman tapped the long pole in his hand, and the small boat glided away from the shore, smoothly making its way into the lake. "The Guanhe Tower has boats on the lake, so you can buy wine and some side dishes right from the water."
Shen Bijun blinked, "I didn't know that. Has it been there long?"
The boatman laughed, "Several decades already."
Shen Bijun, "... "
Lian Chengbi teased, "Are you sure you grew up here by Daming Lake?"
Shen Bijun instinctively shrunk her neck, pouting, "I didn't drink alcohol back then..."
Even the boatman felt compelled to comfort her, "Some young masters and young ladies bring their own wine, while others prefer tea. Daming Lake is vast, and the boats from Guanhe Tower are no different from the others. Many people don't know about it."
Lian Chengbi chuckled softly and sat with Shen Bijun at the bow of the boat.
After a short while, the small boat turned and glided into a patch of lotuses, surrounded by lush green leaves.
The boatman fell silent, allowing the young couple at the bow to quietly enjoy the scenery and each other's company.
Technically, it wasn't the season for lotuses yet, but the warm winds had come early this year, and a few rebellious lotuses had bloomed ahead of time, their vibrant skirts of petals on full display.
From a distance, they looked like pearls of pink and white set against the emerald green leaves, enhancing their beauty.
As the small boat navigated through the lotuses, the fresh fragrance of the flowers filled the air, invigorating the senses. Shen Bijun, in a playful mood, reached out and dipped her hand into the cool lake water.
Perhaps it was because they had never encountered such a delicate, pale hand, but a few small fish swam out from under the leaves, wiggling their tails as they chased after Shen Bijun's fingers, only to swim away disappointed when they gained nothing.
Through the gaps in the leaves, Lian Chengbi could occasionally spot dark shadows swimming by and asked, "I see quite a few big fish in the lake. Why aren't there any fishermen?"
The boatman replied, "There are too many boats on Daming Lake, and fishing would obstruct the view. The fishermen cast their nets in more secluded spots along the shore."
Lian Chengbi nodded and fell silent.
The small boat emerged from one patch of lotuses and entered another, with larger and smaller boats occasionally passing by. Some passengers recited poems or played guessing games, while others painted, wrote, or sang aloud. Of course, there were also those who silently took in the scenery.
Yet, everyone tacitly agreed not to interfere with one another.
The small boat eventually reached a large boat anchored in the middle of the lake, surrounded by other small boats whose passengers were tossing coins to purchase drinks.
Lian Chengbi stood up, sniffing the air to catch the scent of the wine. "Unexpectedly, the wine sold by the Guanhe Tower is quite decent. Lanling Spring and Zhu Ye Qing are both top-notch, and there are two other sweet-smelling varieties, which should be Taishan Qing and Ganquan Brew, right?"
Shen Bijun exclaimed in surprise, "You can tell just by the smell?"
Lian Chengbi stroked his chin, "I happen to know quite a few wine connoisseurs..."
Just then, a voice called out from a passing boat, "Brother Lian!"
Lian Chengbi turned to see a square-faced young man waving at him.
"Yang Kaitai?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
