In the flickering candlelight, Long Yue lay quietly in Li Qingmu's arms. She gazed at his handsome profile, recalling how she used to think he was useless and weak, she wished she could give herself a slap.
This man was clearly very assertive!
Moreover, he actually shared these matters with her, so their relationship would only become more intimate!
"Aren't you scared, my dear?"
He was curious, and there was an indescribable emotion in his eyes.
"What should I be afraid of?"
Long Yue was delighted at the thought of their relationship taking a step further, and hearing him underestimate her, she shot him a disdainful look, "Do you perhaps not know about my family background?"
"I've heard some things. Your father seems to be an important official in the Capital City."
"Hmph! My father is Pang Wenzheng, the second rank Official and Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in the Capital City. My grandfather is Cao Yin, the Great General guarding the Southwest Border. My mother is his legitimate eldest daughter. I grew up witnessing the wielding of swords and great battles, those battlefields with severed limbs and the air thick with blood are what's truly terrifying. You think anything you do could scare me?"
Li Qingmu, "..."
Oh, it seems I've been despised…
There was a tinge of disappointment in Li Qingmu's heart, but a burst of joy followed. They had shared their thoughts, it was a moment of connection.
He lowered his eyes slightly, satisfaction flashing in his gaze: "My dear isn't scared, that's wonderful. Now that the night is deep, we should..."
Long Yue gently covered his mouth, raising her brows mischievously, she hooked his slender chin with a flip of her hand and said spiritedly, "Li Qingmu, I don't care how ruthless or decisive you are outside, how fearsome you may seem, or even how despicable you may act! But towards me, towards our future children, you must be kind. Otherwise... your wife's mastery of the eighteen martial arts of the Cao Family isn't just for show!"
"Hmm… what my dear says, won't I find out soon if I treat you well or not?"
Soon? Long Yue's face was a blank, but she quickly understood, and instantly burst out in anger: "Li Qingmu, you're at it again, you scoundrel!"
Whether he was a scoundrel or not, Long Yue didn't bother to care, extreme exhaustion led her to fall asleep swiftly. Upon waking the next morning, her body ached all over. As she supported her waist and exited the room, she saw her younger brother-in-law A qiu bouncing his way towards her room.
"Third sister-in-law, shall we go to the mountain?"
"No, too tired!"
She had no idea how long he had tormented her last night, she fell asleep eventually, everywhere ached today, she certainly had no mind to climb mountains.
"But the lotus roots are maturing soon, many people are going to pick the lotus pods and roots. I want to have glutinous rice lotus roots..." the little guy said with a worried expression.
Glutinous rice lotus roots? Long Yue indeed liked that dish, but she wasn't sure if it was the same as what she had in mind.
"Is it where you stuff glutinous rice into the lotus root and steam it with a sweet syrup to eat?"
"Yes, it's so delicious, so sweet, soft, and fragrant."
Long Yue squinted, ever since her sister had framed her and she had been chased out of the Capital City by her father, she hadn't eaten glutinous rice lotus roots. Recently, she had been eating so much coarse tea and simple meals at the Li family that she was nearly sick of it, it was time for a change of taste.
Her mother was a woman from Jiangnan and loved sweet foods; herself as well, sweet and soft glutinous rice lotus roots, sweet and sour fish, sticky candied tofu...
Sighing, Long Yue licked her slightly dry lips and patted A qiu on the head: "Now that you say it, third sister-in-law is also craving it a bit, alright, let's go to the mountain!"
Before leaving, she saw a certain someone emerge from inside and couldn't help but spit out, "Scoundrel!"
Long Yue and her younger brother-in-law headed back to the mountains with a basket and a bucket.
This time, they went to the back mountain which had a large lotus pond. It was the season for lotus pods and roots to mature, and there were fish in the pond, which if caught, could further improve their meal that day.
"A qiu, I remember we don't have glutinous rice at home. We'll have to go to the county tomorrow to buy some after bringing back these roots if we want to eat them."
Long Yue felt a bit down, only now realizing the serious issue, no glutinous rice!
"Third sister-in-law, we can borrow some from the Chen Family at the village entrance. They run a grain store in the county, they have loads of glutinous rice…"
"But we can't just take other people's things for nothing!"
Long Yue frowned, this boy's habit of borrowing money and food in the face of problems was inadvisable, it would cultivate a bad habit of not striving for advancements.
"Then... what should we do?"
The little guy felt he had done something wrong, hung his head and asked dispiritedly.
Long Yue realized she just spoke too harshly and softened her tone: "We have three egg-laying hens at home, right? Let's send the eggs over in exchange."
"But those chickens are raised by the second sister-in-law, she won't agree."
"Hmph, she doesn't have the say in this house yet!"
Long Yue's words exuded authority, A qiu was delighted beyond measure but his spirit soon wilted again, looking pitifully weak.
Long Yue got annoyed at his poor spirit and asked exasperatedly, "Now what's bothering you?"
"Third sister-in-law, I feel uncomfortable thinking that the food we painstakingly gather will be eaten by the second sister-in-law. Honestly, I really dislike my second sister-in-law. Before you came, she used to snatch my food; I've nearly starved..."
A qiu pouted, his small eyes filled with shrewdness, as if Long Yue didn't catch on to what this little prick was plotting?
But it was just what she was hoping for, if any family member was unhappy with Mrs. Zhang, tossing her out in the future would be much easier.
"Smack!"
She slapped A qiu so hard he nearly wanted to spit blood.
"Rest assured, third sister-in-law will look after you from now on!"
The little boy's mood instantly brightened and he cheered: "Third sister-in-law, really?"
"Nonsense, does your third sister-in-law seem like the person who'd lie to a little kid?"
"Hehe…" the little guy chuckled smugly, murmuring, "Second sister-in-law is too fierce, we'll find second brother a good wife soon, someone gentle and virtuous like the eldest sister-in-law, oh, and who can bear children…"
"..." Long Yue.
The two joked and laughed along the way, stopping occasionally to dig a hole for Mrs. Zhang. They soon arrived at the place for picking lotus pods and roots, though still early, there were already quite a few people around the lotus pond.
Long Yue knew time was pressing, it would be harder to pick once people crowded in, so she had A qiu stay at the side to hold the basket for her while she rolled up her pants and waded into the pond to pick.
Long Yue, being a privileged lady, wasn't supposed to be capable of such tasks, but her previous life had been so harsh, she had endured every kind of hardship, picking lotus pods and roots was a trivial matter.
In no time, their basket and bucket were filled with lotus pods and roots, along with a few carp.
"Wow, third sister-in-law, you're amazing, it hasn't been long and you've gotten so much!"
The little guy's eyes glowed with admiration, his gaze filled with awe, Long Yue only smiled faintly, his mischief was enjoyable at times.
"Hey, Li San Niang, what are you doing here? Tsk, longing for your brother, huh? Hahaha..."
Suddenly, a frivolous yet slightly mocking voice sounded from behind.
Long Yue turned around and saw a sleazy figure on the shore, staring at her with ill-intent.