Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Wangyue's injuries healed quickly.
Once he felt better, he shared the complicated story of Xi Yu and Lin Lian with Yu Youwei.
After spending half a day listening to this lengthy and melodramatic tale, Yu Youwei could only think one thing: Xi Yu was truly a unique flower, standing apart from all else. Anyone who saw her couldn't help but exclaim, "What a shameless person!"
Yu Youwei bit down on her handkerchief in frustration. If she ever met Xi Yu, she would slap her back into the womb for a do-over!
When Xi Yu first rose to fame, she caught the attention of several talented poets.
These poets were merely seeking to gain a reputation for having a beautiful muse, showering her with affection. However, she set her sights on a well-read and wealthy middle-aged man—Lin Heng.
Yes, Lin Heng shared the same surname as Lin Lian; he was Lin Lian's father.
At that time, Xi Yu employed some enchanting tactics to captivate Lin Heng, who had devoted his entire life to scholarship and was oblivious to romance. He became utterly infatuated and willingly offered up his fortune.
Just when Lin Heng's wealth was nearly depleted by Xi Yu, she suddenly turned against him, casting him out in front of all the young ladies and guests.
Lin Heng lost nearly all his dignity; the pride of a scholar was trampled underfoot. With his fortune squandered and in despair, he committed suicide by drowning.
Upon hearing of Lin Heng's death, Lin Lian's mother fell gravely ill. The family was too poor to afford medicine, yet she worried about her son needing to travel to the capital for exams. She forced herself to appear healthy and even invited her distant aunt to help care for her.
However, after Lin Lian left, not only did her condition worsen, but it also spread to his aunt and younger brother, leading to their deaths as well. Thus, Lin Lian became utterly alone.
This incident caused quite a stir, but as time passed and Lin Lian grew closer to Xi Yu, people gradually stopped mentioning it. Perhaps everyone was simply curious to see how far Lin Lian could go with the person responsible for his family's tragedy.
After hearing the story, Yu Youwei pouted and asked Wangyue, "How can you still like such a vicious woman? You call out for Xi Yu every day and throw yourself in harm's way for her?"
Wangyue observed the jealousy etched on Yu Youwei's face and smiled slightly. "I don't love her or even particularly like her. I merely redeemed her out of chance so she could marry me. Despite her flaws—her infidelity and obsession with being the top Oiran —I still feel a sense of responsibility towards her... But I shield you from harm because of you. Calling out for Xi Yu is just because I didn't know your name at the time; I was still thinking of you... Besides, now I'm not sure if I can honestly say 'I don't love' when it comes to you."
Yu Youwei's expression shifted from gloomy to bright upon hearing his confession; by the end, her face was flushed red. She lowered her head and muttered "annoying," while secretly deciding that from now on, she would go by Xi Yu instead of Yu Youwei—a name too cowardly for Wangyue to ever know.
Due to Bi Qi's injury, she couldn't enter the palace for duty, let alone indulge Yu Youwei's appetite.
He felt a deep sense of guilt for not having prepared a proper meal for Yu Youwei, but she didn’t share the same sentiment.
After all, she was someone from the twenty-first century. Even if she couldn’t master the art of cooking, she could surely find some dishes that would surprise Wangyue!
Indeed, Yu Youwei was currently filled with thoughts about various bizarre dishes. There was nothing in Chinese cuisine that Wangyue hadn’t seen before; the only thing that might truly astonish him would probably be...
One time, while Wangyue was sound asleep, Yu Youwei sneaked into the kitchen and began experimenting, chuckling to herself as she did so...
Wangyue was awakened by the pungent smell of oil.
As he opened his eyes, he saw a dark figure of Yu Youwei rushing in with a wooden tray. He glanced curiously at what was on the tray and shifted over in bed to make space. Yu Youwei took a seat at the edge of the bed and placed the tray on her lap. It was then that Wangyue got a clear look at what was inside, and his mouth twitched.
“Wife... what is this?”
Yu Youwei was clearly excited as it was her first time presenting a finished product. She pointed proudly, “This is great Western fast food! KFC!”
“Oh? Flower chicken…” Wangyue didn’t know the name Yu Youwei had given it, so he could only respond vaguely, picturing a speckled hen in his mind.
Yu Youwei continued, “This is a hamburger, this is French fries, and this is Sundae!”
Under her expectant gaze, Wangyue picked up the hamburger and took a small bite.
Then he looked at her with disdain. “A steamed bun with sesame seeds stuffed with fried egg, lettuce, and a fried meat patty—this is what you’re proud of?”
Wangyue was usually gentle with her, but when it came to his area of expertise, his sharp tongue couldn’t help but emerge.
Yu Youwei stammered, “Well, why don’t you try this?”
Wangyue picked up a French fry and frowned. “This potato has absorbed so much oil; while it’s somewhat fragrant, it’s far too unhealthy!”
Internally, Yu Youwei thought: I know it’s unhealthy! It’s Western junk food! But don’t you think it tastes good?
Clearly, Bi Qi did not find French fries appealing… His hand reached for the last item: Sundae.
Yu Youwei waited for his sharp tongue, putting on a face devoid of hope.
Perhaps Wangyue noticed Yu Youwei's expression, or maybe he truly found something appealing in the Sundae. His demeanor softened a bit as he said, "Crush the ice finely, then pour on some syrup and fruit puree. It's fresh and very refreshing; I could take this into the palace."
Yu Youwei's eyes lit up. "Really?" If it could go to the palace, that meant her Sundae could enter the highest echelons of the food industry!
Wangyue glanced at her sideways, hesitating to speak.
After a moment of thought, Yu Youwei decided against it. "This is for you; only you can eat it. Others... it's better not to."
Only then did Wangyue seem to receive the answer he wanted. He kissed Yu Youwei's cheek and said, "Good, that's more like it." After a pause, he added, "To be honest, I was just joking earlier. Bringing this into the palace would probably get us in trouble."
"Hey..." Yu Youwei protested.
After some playful banter, she watched Wangyue fall asleep. From her sleeve, she pulled out a piece of paper and squeezed it in her hand.
She had stumbled upon this letter while cleaning out some leftover items at a brothel yesterday.
The letter was hidden at the very bottom of a makeup box; without a careful look, one would never notice it. The contents surprised Yu Youwei greatly.
For Xi Yu's sake, she had to find someone.
Comment 0 Comment Count