Xia Shang had planned to leave the young wife who was forced to come back home by his wife aside and wait and see what she would say. But he needed help now, and there was no one around, so he had to take the initiative to test the waters.
Xia Shang thought about it and felt that it was better this way. If he really left her at home and ignored her, he would definitely feel bad when he thought about it later.
Having made up his mind, Xia Shang went out.
When he went out, he realized that dusk had passed and night had fallen.
This day passed so quickly in a daze!
The West Wing is a group of six beautiful buildings scattered around the periphery of the back garden. This piece of land belongs to Aunt Liu's house next door, and it seems that it has also been bought. The West Wing is more beautiful than the one Qin Huairou lives in, with carved corridors and painted buildings, and all high-quality craftsmanship is used. The pink walls and green tiles are matched with the surrounding flowers and plants, like the fruits embellishing the cake.
The main room in the west wing, the door is closed, the window is lighted, and two small lanterns hang from the eaves in front of the door, illuminating the door red, simple but full of joy.
Xia Shang arrived at the door and pushed it open.
The people in the room sat on the bed and grabbed their knees nervously when they heard the noise outside.
Xia Shang locked the door, sat down at the small round table inlaid with white jade and pear wood in the room, and looked around the room.
Xia Shang came here yesterday. The decoration here is elegant and refined, but every object is a good product that can be put on the table, not simple at all. There is a screen between the room and the bed, on which is a lifelike picture of Su Nu, in which women of all colors undress and show their postures. The decadent state is somewhat inconsistent with the elegant style of the room. It was moved in temporarily.
Xia Shang was a normal person. Although he was repulsed in his heart, he couldn't help being curious. He was just trying to see what the woman behind the screen was doing through the dim light. But before he could see clearly, the woman got off the bed, walked around the screen, and stopped not far from Xia Shang.
"Master."
The faint and shy voice was accompanied by the woman's bow.
After the voice, the woman came a little closer, stood in front of Xia Shang with her head down, as if waiting for questions.
It can be seen that this woman is very cautious, very pretentious, and a little nervous.
The tea ceremony this morning was not perfect. Perhaps it was Xia Shang's attitude that made this woman feel a little uneasy.
Xia Shang looked at her and felt that this woman looked familiar. It seemed that he had seen her somewhere before.
After thinking about it, it became clear. There were so many girls in Liuzhuang at that time, and this woman was the daughter of Madam Liu. Compared with the poetry meeting, they should have met once.
In terms of appearance, this girl is really impeccable, especially the curved eyebrows that look more sad than sad. Even the best painter in the world can't describe her sorrow. Her natural softness is very attractive. Even if she is not strict, she looks pitiful.
In addition to her face, she is wearing a red gauze dress that covers her skin like a carved flower, revealing a small bellyband with white background and pink flowers inside, and a slight bulge on her chest that makes people imagine.
It's a pity...
She is still a little small.
In ancient times, women were about to get married, which was the time when women were at their most beautiful.
But in Xia Shang's mind, a sixteen-year-old girl is not yet an adult! You have to eat it if you want to, right?
Xia Shang himself couldn't figure out whether he was pursuing spiritual love or because the other party was young, so he had to face the other party with a stereotyped attitude.
"Your name is Liu Ruyan?"
"Yes."
"Did you know that I was seriously injured and recuperating in Liuzhuang?"
"I know. I sent medicine to the young master the other day, but the young master is still in a coma."
Xia Shang nodded and turned the topic to business: "I want to ask you for help with something."
Liu Ruyan was terrified: "I will follow the young master's instructions."
"Do you know Yazhi at home?"
"I have never heard of her."
Xia Shang paused, then briefly recounted Yazhi and what happened today: "I just want you to comfort her."
Liu Ruyan was still cautious, and replied: "I will try my best."
Xia Shang nodded, looked at Liu Ruyan, and stood up to leave.
Seeing Xia Shang was leaving, Liu Ruyan's face changed, and she hurriedly asked: "Where are you going, young master?"
"It's getting late, I need to rest."
"Is the young master not here... not in my humble concubine's room..."
Xia Shang didn't know how to answer, so she simply kept silent and opened the door.
But she heard the door closing and closing, and Liu Ruyan was stunned in the room, not knowing what to do for a while.
Liu Ruyan is a meticulous person, and she comes from a wealthy family, so she can't help but hide a bit of arrogance. Liu Ruyan still has some rejection in her heart about this marriage. Maybe it's because she saw Xia Shang's talent in Liuzhuang, this marriage will definitely not be so smooth. Let alone marrying as a concubine, there is a difference between the appearance of the Xia family and the Liu family.
The tea of the Liu family is well-known in Dahua.
The wine of the Xia family encountered a major change. Although it has eased today, it cannot be compared with the foundation of Liuzhuang. With Liu Ruyan's status, it would not be too much to marry into the Xia family as a co-wife.
Liu Ruyan thought that she would get some pity and love from her husband for making so many sacrifices, but she didn't want to suffer such cold treatment on the first day of marriage. Now it is a great shame for a woman not to sleep in the same room on the day of the wedding!
Guarding this empty room with red candles, Liu Ruyan burst into tears, and she will definitely not be able to sleep tonight.
Xia Shang went back to the room and thought about it all night, and decided to go to the Guanyin Temple the next day.
To be precise, Xia Shang wanted to escape from the woman in the family. He always felt that without his wife at home, he would definitely not be able to handle the girl's thoughts.
There are many Guanyin temples around Yangzhou City, but the one with the best incense is the one on Daqing Mountain next to Xiaoqing Mountain. It is said that the Guanyin Temple on Daqing Mountain is the most effective, and the people's wishes can be fulfilled, so the temple is very popular and there are endless pilgrims coming and going.
Originally a small Guanyin Temple, after the donations of pilgrims, it has now become a large temple fair built around the mountain.
Xia Shang took Xiaoyue with him, and drove a carriage to the foot of Daqing Mountain, and then walked up the mountain.
It was not because the mountain road was difficult to walk, but to express respect for the Bodhisattva and his sincerity.
No matter what the status of people, they would walk up to the foot of the mountain.
On the mountain road where five or six people can walk side by side, the people going up and down formed a long dragon, from the foot of the mountain to the top, countless people connected their heads and hands, extending all the way to the mountainside covered by dense forests.
Today the weather is good, and there are more pilgrims than usual.
Xiaoyue walked in front, jumping and skipping, looking back from time to time, and told the young master to hurry up.
Xia Shang walked up the stairs slowly, but heard a voice behind him: "Mr. Xia."
The voice was familiar, Xia Shang turned around instinctively and saw Mrs. Sai walking over with the help of her maid Xiaoqing.
"Mr. Xia also asks for the Buddha's blessing?" Mrs. Sai said softly, her eyes flickering, looking at Xia Shang with earnestness.