novelMeeting the In-Laws
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Chapter 92 — Meeting the In-Laws
Edited by DancingDolphinsYo
After bidding farewell to Yan Wenxin, only then did Wu Xingzi learn that Mint and Osmanthus had been forced to remain in another room. The two girls were clever. They understood that the other party was a top official of the court, and if he truly had malicious intentions, he would not have sent such a blatant invitation.
As such, they remained in the room at ease, snacking and drinking tea. They even packed up some honey cakes and apricot cakes in their handkerchiefs to share with Wu Xingzi.
The three people met at the entrance of Tianxiang Restaurant. Wu Xingzi handed a box of "Spring's Frequent Visitor" to the girls before instructing them, "I'm going to meet Ping Yifan, so you two can head back first! There's no need to worry about me."
Just now, Yan Wenxin's intentions had been very clear. Although Wu Xingzi did not know why the man wanted to sow discord between Ping Yifan and him, since the "Spring's Frequent Visitors" were still piping hot, and as he had not seen Guan Shanjin for a number of days already, why not take this opportunity and go with the flow?
"It's too far to walk to the south of the city from here. Why don't we head back first and borrow a carriage from Manager Rancui?" Mint smothered a smile as she gave a suggestion. How could she not understand that Wu Xingzi was so eager because he missed the General greatly?
With this reminder, Wu Xingzi could not help but blush and rub his nose."That's true, it's always you girls who are more meticulous."
It took about half an hour to walk back to Rancui's place, and he easily managed to borrow a carriage. Mint and Osmanthus knew that Wu Xingzi did not wish for accompaniments when he met the General, and so they stood by the gates, sending him off.
During the journey, Wu Xingzi was in a joyful mood. Afraid that the pastries would cool and lose their flavour, he tucked the box into his chest. A hot "Spring's Frequent Visitor" was truly tasty, both fragrant and sweet. Guan Shanjin had been working hard the past few days, and having something sweet would be the best in such a situation.
After a while, Wu Xingzi suddenly realised that he was humming. His face flushed instantly, thinking, by now, he was of such an age already. If he had married and had children, he would've already had a number of grandchildren. How could he be acting like an emotional, unsteady, frivolous youth!
Sitting there for a bit, he could not help but lift up the curtain and take a look outside. The carriage naturally could not be hasty in the city, but why did the rumbling of the wheels sound so slow? The driver of the carriage noticed his action, and so turned around to ask if he had any instructions. Shyly, Wu Xingzi bit his lip and shook his head, before retreating back into the carriage and continuing to hatch his box of "Spring's Frequent Visitor". The box was now all warm and toasty.
Some more time passed, and the sound of the crowd outside grew louder. Soon, the carriage stopped.
"Mr. Wu, we're here." The driver lifted up the curtain, his expression a little odd.
His mind occupied with Guan Shanjin, Wu Xingzi completely did not notice the strangeness of the driver. Excitedly, he leapt off the carriage with his box of pastries. The moment he looked up, he saw Guan Shanjin wearing Ping Yifan's mask. Joyfully, he wanted to go up to him, only for his feet to freeze abruptly. The smile on his face stiffened, and with his wide eyes, he looked both peculiar and comical.
It turned out that Ping Yifan was not standing alone outside the shop. Next to him was a woman wearing a veiled hat. Although her face was concealed by the thin gauze, it could be seen that her tall and slender figure was very graceful. Just standing there, she seemed like a branch of flowers, covered in dew.
Ping Yifan was a lot taller than the woman, and to listen to what she was saying clearly, his body was inclined towards her slightly, and his head was bowed. His expression was very attentive and vigilant, keeping an awareness for any danger lurking around the woman. The lanes in the south of the city were narrow, and there were many passersby. Periodically, there would be people carrying goods or holding onto baskets walking past, and if anyone of them happened to come a little close to the woman, Ping Yifan would immediately hold his hand out to protect her. His actions were extremely intimate.
At that moment, Wu Xingzi did not know if he should go forward or not. Did the woman know Ping Yifan, or did she know Guan Shanjin? At this timing, should he present himself as a friend, or as a lover? Were there enough "Spring's Frequent Visitors" to be shared among three people?
The driver had already left with the carriage. Secretly, Wu Xingzi remained by the corner of the wall, his heart filled with conflicts. Ping Yifan was still whispering with the woman, and they seemed to have no intentions of stepping into the shop. It looked like the woman should not be staying for too long, and all Wu Xingzi had to do was wait a little while longer.
However, very quickly, the woman speaking to Ping Yifan seemed to have noticed Wu Xingzi looking at them. She turned and glanced over, then tugged on Ping Yifan's sleeve.
Now, this was awkward. Distressed, Wu Xingzi retreated into his little corner. However, no matter how thin he was, he was still a full-grown adult. How could a corner hide him in this bright daylight? Ping Yifan too noticed him, and a lost expression momentarily seemed to appear on his face. Next, he strode over, and Wu Xingzi did not have any time to run away.
"Why did you come by yourself?" Guan Shanjin asked quietly as he surveyed the surroundings without revealing his vigilance.
"I-I... I came by to pass you some snacks."
Guan Shanjin stood very close, almost burying Wu Xingzi's face in his chest. That familiar scent intoxicated the older man, and he felt his body turning limp.
"Snacks?" Guan Shanjin saw a box of pastries in his chest. His heart melted, and his lips curved up in a smile.
"What snacks? Look at how you treasure them."
"Ah, this is truly a treasure! It's called 'Spring's Frequent Visitor', and it's fragrant, sweet and tasty! Quick, try it. It's only just been made, and it's still hot." As though presenting a treasure, Wu Xingzi opened the box. Picking out a piece of "Spring's Frequent Visitor", he held it to Guan Shanjin's mouth."Here, try it. You've been working hard these days, and you should eat something sweet as comfort."
Guan Shanjin naturally would not reject him. Not only did he just eat the pastry right from Wu Xingzi's fingers, he even sucked on them, his tongue wrapping and twining around the fingers that held the fragrance of the pastry. Wu Xingzi's shoulders hunched up, as Guan Shanjin's actions caused a shudder to run through him.
"What sort of good thing is this?" A pleasant, gentle voice abruptly intruded into their moment. Wu Xingzi jerked in shock, almost falling backwards. If not for Guan Shanjin nimbly wrapping an arm around him, he was bound to have ended up flat against the wall.
The one speaking was the woman with the hat. She had drawn closer at some unknown time. Through her veil, her features and red lips that were curved in a smile could vaguely be made out, and it was a beautiful woman whose appearance did not lose out to Guan Shanjin.
"I-it's a pastry, called 'Spring's Frequent Visitor'..." Despite the indistinct features, Wu Xingzi felt that this woman looked very friendly, and so he was no longer very shy.
"Aiyah, isn't this the legendary pastry from Xianlin Restaurant? There's twenty in a box, and it costs five taels, " the woman exclaimed upon looking into the box."I remember that this pastry is called 'Seeking Spring', but that name's not as interesting as 'Spring's Frequent Visitor'."
"One box costs five taels?" Whether it was called "Seeking Spring" or "Spring's Frequent Visitor", Wu Xingzi was completely chilled by that cruel, heartless price."Miss, would you like to try one? Maybe it's not the same thing. This is a snack from my hometown, and two would only cost eight coins."
"Miss? Aiyah! Look at how sweet your tongue is, calling me Miss." The eyes of the woman curved in a bright smile as she gave Guan Shanjin a look of glee."You still said that I'm past my prime. Such a poisonous mouth, I really wonder who you got that from."
With no courtesy, Guan Shanjin shot her a disdainful look, then picked up a piece of "Spring's Frequent Visitor" and shoved it at her."Mr. Wu is being polite. He's a gentle soul, don't scare him."
"How did I scare him? I didn't even reveal my face, " the woman with the hat mumbled. Lifting up her veil, she revealed a pair of petal-like lips."Good child, come, feed me."
"You're so lazy." Guan Shanjin clicked his tongue. Despite the complaint, his actions were very gentle as he carefully fed the pastry into her mouth."How is it?"
After careful tasting, the woman replied, "It's exactly the same. By the way, the last time I managed to eat 'Seeking Spring' was all thanks to the Grand Secretary's wife. To seek relations with your father, they sent a box of 'Seeking Spring' over. There was also a box of fried 'Meeting Spring'. The price of 'Meeting Spring' is a lot cheaper, one box for two taels."
A box for two taels?
Wu Xingzi's eyes widened, unable to believe what he was hearing.
Pardon him, did that mean that he had actually finished eating five taels today?
"This... this..." Wu Xingzi gasped, his hands trembling as he shoved the box at Guan Shanjin."Quick, eat it, you can't let five taels turn cold."
Guan Shanjin knew not to laugh or cry. He had yet to ask Wu Xingzi where the pastries came from, so how could he destroy the evidence just like this?
"You want me to eat standing by the road?" He pinched the old fellow's cheek, then accepted the box with one hand and caught Wu Xingzi's hand with the other."Let's go in first. You have to explain clearly, who gave you these pastries?"
"It was Zaizong-xiong." Wu Xingzi had no intention of hiding it, and so he gave his admission freely.
"Zaizong-xiong?" Before Guan Shanjin could respond, the woman in the hat who had automatically followed them exclaimed in shock."This name sounds so familiar, it seems to be Lord Yan, Yan Wenxin's given name... Ah, you know Minister Yan?"
"Shh! What can't be said inside the house?" Although there were no spies around, Ping Yifan's status was not suitable to discuss about the top officials of the court in public.
Realising that she had been careless, the woman hunched a little and apologised. Glumly, she followed behind the two men into the yard at the back of the shop.
When the few of them sat down in the yard of Ping Yifan's residence, the woman took off her veiled hat, and Wu Xingzi finally saw her features clearly.
With just one look, he was astounded. Wu Xingzi was born in a small, rural place, and had never seen such a beauty in his life before. She had an oval face, thin and shapely brows, and her almond-shaped eyes glimmered with emotions, as though they could speak thousands and thousands of words. Currently, she was looking at him with a bright smile, and he could not help but feel shy.
However, he kept feeling that this face had some familiarity to it... Wu Xingzi turned his head away, avoiding the woman's gaze. Yet, he could not resist tilting his head secretly and studying her. Accidentally meeting her eyes, the old fellow hunched abruptly, hurriedly lowering his head to avoid offending the beauty.
"Ah, this child is so amusing. Look at his ears turning red." The woman covered her laugh with her hand, reaching the other one out as she wanted to pinch Wu Xingzi's ear. Seeing this, Guan Shanjin immediately held his hand out to block her."You child, why are you always so possessive? Can't you even let your mother touch her future son-in-law?"
The woman... was the wife of the Lord Protector, Guan Shanjin's mother. Near the age of fifty, she still looked elegant and beautiful, and the noble lady was so lively that she seemed as though she was a young maiden.
"Mother?" Wu Xingzi jerked his head up, staring at the Lord Protector's wife in disbelief.
Yes! The woman's facial feature was about seventy to eighty percent similar to Guan Shanjin's. It was just that as a male, Guan Shanjin's features were a bit harsher. Perhaps because of the difference in gender, Guan Shanjin's handsome and seductive eyes, along with how the corners of his eyes quirked up, were like hooks when he looked at people, hooking into them and causing their hearts to tumble. Just like now, how Guan Shanjin looked at Wu Xingzi with a faint smile, making the old fellow's body and limbs turn limp and soft, and all he wanted to do was to lean on the younger man.
"Slow down, slow down. Although I'm not the untactful sort, these five taels are about to turn cold. Are we not eating them?" How could the Lord Protector's wife not see that this pair of lovers were about to fall into each other's embrace? They actually managed to completely ignore a beauty like her. Just look at how the pastries in the box were about to cry!
"Yes yes yes, Haiwang, M-madam, quick, have some. It'll be such a pity for them to turn cold." Wu Xingzi immediately regained his senses. With a look of disconcertion, he pulled back his hand from Guan Shanjin's shoulder, opening the box.
"Just call me niang. In any case, you will be becoming Haiwang's partner in the future. Calling me Madam sounds so standoffish." The Lord Protector's wife waved her hand warmly. She picked up a piece of "Spring's Frequent Visitor", then instructed Guan Shanjin, "Son, hurry up and take your treasured tea out to soothe your mother's throat. We've been standing outside for an hour, but you haven't even served a cup of tea."
"Why are you so good at ordering people?" Frowning, Guan Shanjin complained, but he still stood up and walked into the house to prepare the tea.
Seeing her son leave, the Lord Protector's wife smiled even more warmly at Wu Xingzi. This made the shy adviser feel completely at a loss, and he was almost about to fall off his chair.
"How old are you this year?" This first question was already a grave injury.
Wu Xingzi's face paled a little, but he still gave an honest answer, "I'm forty already."
"Forty..." The Lord Protector's wife nodded, then picked up another pastry and asked, "Where are you from?"
"I was born and raised in Qingcheng County."
"Qingcheng County? Hmm... I've heard of this place before. It was probably around forty odd years ago, there was a top scholar who had yet to reach twenty years of age, and he seemed to have come from Qingcheng County. It was a pity that he had only remained in the capital for two years, as it seemed as though he would be joining the cabinet. The emperor did appreciate him greatly, and my father too had effusive praise for that top scholar. He said that not only was he very learned, his character was of a rare excellence as well. If not for him resigning and heading back to his hometown, Yan Wenxin would probably not be able to reach his current status today."
"Ah... That top scholar... w-was my father..." Wu Xingzi did not expect that he would actually be able to hear about his father from others, and his eyes stung a little.
The father in his memories was very stern, and could pretty much be described as reticent. Only when he saw Wu Xingzi's mother would he then reveal a somewhat bashful smile, and his eyes, directed at her, would shine. Wu Xingzi knew that his father loved him, and the man did his very best in teaching him how to be a good person, as well as the philosophies written down in books. However, his father never forced him to seek titles in examinations, and the college exam had been something Wu Xingzi had wanted to participate in for himself.
The principles that his father taught him, Wu Xingzi dared not forget a single one of them. For his entire life, he had been following them carefully, and he dared not violate them. Unfortunately, his understanding of his father was not deep enough, and even his father having received top honours in the imperial exam had been something his mother had told him.
Perhaps, to his father, the days spent hand in hand with his mother were more practical and happier than those praises and merits from others.
"Yes, that's right. Jin'er called you Mr. Wu just now." The Lord Protector's wife had a look of nostalgia on her face, carefully studying Wu Xingzi from head to toe."That year, I was only around five or six years old, and I was a little girl. However, I can still remember that gege's appearance. Your eyes are very much like his."
"Ah, is that so?" Wu Xingzi lifted his hand to touch his eye. He did not know who he followed in appearance. His father was clearly so refined and handsome, while his mother was pretty and delicate. However, his looks were so plain.
"Mr. Wu, as a mother, I have to ask. What do you like about Jin'er? This son of mine, ever since he was a child, he had been heartless. He does respect his father and me, but that's only due to the required filial duty that a son has towards his parents, and nothing more than that. I spent many, many years, trying bit by bit to help him open his heart. Hai, the amount of effort I spent was more than enough to birth another Sun Wukong from the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit." The Lord Protector's wife uttered a sigh, then her face turned serious."Mr. Wu, Jin'er treats you differently. I know that you drugged him before, and not only did he understand it, but he did not even get angry in the slightest. Instead, he felt that it was him who owed it to you. If you truly were in cahoots with others to harm Jin'er, and even if Jin'er saw that there was something not right, he would still jump into the trap with no hesitation, willingly shattering himself into bits and pieces."
Wu Xingzi trembled slightly. He understood why the Lord Protector's wife wanted to say such words to him, but he was unable to suppress the sweetness and joy welling up inside him.
Guan Shanjin truly held such deep affections for himself? Ai, it was fortunate that he had sought the drug from Rancui. If the two of them did not bare their feelings and thoughts to each other, would they not have wasted so much time?
"Mr. Wu, what exactly do you like about Jin'er?" The Lord Protector's wife no longer carried her previous warmth and friendliness. On her face was an awe-inspiring dignity that only the nobility had.
Wu Xingzi's mouth opened in a gape. After a moment of hesitation, he finally mumbled, "It's mainly his pengornis."
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