Chapter 323 – Youthful Days and Light Spring Clothes (Part Six)
“Alright, alright, don’t cry anymore, Wuniang. Matters of marriage are all about fate; if it’s not meant to be, there’s no need to force it.”
Mr. Yuanjing patted Qing Ning, allowing the tear-streaked face of the old lady general to wipe her tears on his clothes.
However, Qing Ning was a stubborn girl. Upon learning that Wei Ci didn’t like her because his heart belonged to someone else, she became indignant.
“Cousin Ci is already twenty-one! Those around his age are mostly married, and the younger ones can even read! Who on earth is this person who stole his heart…?” Qing Ning pouted, her eyes gleaming with tears, ready to cry any moment.
The young girl was quite naive, not really thinking about forcing Wei Ci to like her; she just assumed that if she liked someone, everyone else should too. Though it hurt, it was best if the person she liked was happy.
If Wei Ci really had someone in his heart, why weren’t they married yet?
Mr. Yuanjing found this question a bit difficult to address, saying, “It’s all about fate. When the time comes, everything will fall into place.”
“Could it be that person is younger than me?” Qing Ning wrung her napkin, pouting more.
“Older than you,” Mr. Yuanjing replied. “Stop crying, dry your tears. What if others see you like this?”
Older than her?
This only made Qing Ning feel even sadder.
If they were older, didn’t that mean they were already of marriageable age, and was Wei Ci just waiting for them to reach that point?
“Who on earth is that person?” Qing Ning insisted. “I want to take a look.”
It wasn’t out of jealousy; it was more curiosity and competitiveness.
Considering her status as the daughter of Wei Ci’s mentor, wasn’t her relationship with him somewhat close?
Even with this advantage, if he still didn’t like her but preferred someone else, it left the young girl feeling forlorn.
“I’m afraid if you see them, you might feel even worse,” Mr. Yuanjing sighed. “When the time is right, you’ll naturally know who that person is. I’ll find you a peer, someone of good appearance and talent, so Wuniang can live happily.”
Qing Ning nodded through her tears, though she felt a bit lethargic.
“The Flower Festival is coming up soon. If you see any handsome talent there, do let your father know.”
Though the customs in Dongqing had become strict, increasingly restricting young ladies to their homes, Mr. Yuanjing’s thoughts remained beyond societal norms.
Even though blind marriages were the trend, he couldn’t bear to see his daughter endure such limitations.
Choosing a husband was like picking a pair of shoes; only the daughter knew what fit. If she liked him, the father would be pleased—that’s what a good union looked like.
Qing Ning was still somewhat sad, but being a young girl, when it came to lifelong matters of the heart, she grew shy.
“Mm.” Biting her lip, she replied softly.
Wei Ci had dinner at Mr. Yuanjing’s residence before taking his leave.
Three Wu had a long-standing grievance against him for being away too long, and only reluctantly released their grip after tearing at both of his sleeves.
Wei Ci’s teacher’s wife stroked San Wu’s fur to calm it while sending Wei Ci to the door, chuckling lightly at his disheveled appearance.
“The Flower Festival is coming soon, Ci’er. You should go home and prepare a brighter outfit. A well-dressed three parts charming; if you wear what you have on now, which lady would take notice of you?” The teacher’s wife looked at Wei Ci with affection. Though older, her attitude kept her youthful.
Wei Ci’s cheeks flushed red; he was left speechless by her teasing.
Elders teasing the young, wouldn’t one feel embarrassed? Or would he really need to explode right here?
After leaving Mr. Yuanjing’s residence, the words “Flower Festival” echoed in Wei Ci’s mind like a spell.
After a while, he sensed something was off.
“Did I forget something?”
Wei Ci puzzled, retracing his thoughts about the Flower Festival…February 12th…Birthday of the Flowers…Birthday?
Wait a minute!
Isn’t the Flower Festival her birthday?
Wei Ci seemed to remember something, and his expression slightly changed.
The Flower Festival, the day flowers bloom, was also perfect for youth to experience their first feelings of love during spring outings.
Young girls would put aside their usual modesty, eagerly thinking about what color outfit to wear, what trendy makeup to apply. Young men, while not as fussy, would still feel a hint of anxiety, hoping to present their best side on this day.
In such a uniquely charged atmosphere, Jiang Pengji found herself feeling somewhat bored.
She had been pulled from her bed by Ta Xue, groggily rinsing her mouth and washing her face, before a bowl of plain noodle soup was placed in front of her.
“Another bowl of longevity noodles…”
Seeing the uniform noodles that looked like strands of hair, Jiang Pengji instantly perked up.
Ta Xue sighed, “The Young Master doesn’t want a big birthday celebration; I can understand, especially being away from home and all…but you still have to eat these longevity noodles! You must finish them all at once. It represents long life, and that’s what the Lady specifically instructed.”
Jiang Pengji didn’t even need to taste them; she knew that the bowl contained no seasoning, just plain boiled noodles—bland and unappetizing.
“Hurry up and eat; the noodles will stick together.” Ta Xue urged.
With a heavy heart, Jiang Pengji closed her eyes, picked up the bowl, and forced the longevity noodles into her mouth, finishing the broth too.
“That’s more like it! The Young Master will surely have a long and healthy life!”
Ta Xue smiled and collected the bowl and chopsticks, while Jiang Pengji grimaced, “Too bland.”
That taste was simply indescribable.
She could manage Mr. Yuanjing’s unique dark cuisine for afternoon tea, but this longevity noodle was beyond her acceptance.
After the meal, Jiang Pengji washed up again and changed into new clothes prepared by Ta Xue.
The new outfit was a bright color, instantly eye-catching from a distance.
Ta Xue appeared pleased but then sighed again.
“Why are you sighing on such a good day?”
Ta Xue helped her tidy her clothes, adding various accessories, things like charm pouches and pendants.
“The Young Master is fifteen now. If it weren’t for the old man insisting that you dress as a boy, you’d be of age to seek a good husband, preparing yourself beautifully. With your looks, which noble girl could compare? Why bother wearing male garments all day?”
Realizing she might have overstepped, she quickly knelt to apologize.
Jiang Pengji remained composed, saying, “I actually quite like it this way.”
She bent down, helping Ta Xue to her feet. “We’re like family; there’s no need for such formality.”
Jiang Pengji had grown to about one meter seventy, taller than Ta Xue by half a head, and no less handsome than other boys her age.
Though her appearance leaned more feminine, in this era of men adorned with flowers and makeup, she resembled a boy more than most.
“Speaking of coming of age, Sister Ta Xue, you aren’t exactly young anymore. If you have someone you fancy, Lan Ting will see to it.”
Xun Mei was hopelessly in love with Xu Ke, willing to wait for him, but as for Ta Xue’s age, she could no longer afford to wait.
Ta Xue paused for a moment, then lowered her head, wanting to change the subject.
“Lan Ting truly sees you as family; if you have any troubles, just speak to me.”
Jiang Pengji laughed, and Ta Xue chuckled back.
“My life is better than that of most merchant’s wives; what troubles could I possibly have?” She handed Jiang Pengji a sandalwood fan. “The Young Master should come back early after your outing tomorrow. Don’t let any foxes outside enchant you, or I won’t forgive you.”
“Mm.”
Lowering her eyelids, Jiang Pengji accepted the fan, then took the reins handed to her, swiftly mounting Big White’s back.
