Chapter 126: Dwarf and Maiden (Basic + Powder 500)

  Jiang Changyang was also looking at Peony, he wore a cyan-colored round-necked and narrow-sleeved robe today, the jade pendant was still on his waist, without wearing a hood, his black hair was fixed with a top-quality jade hairpin, and he didn't wear his usual boots, but instead wore a pair of ordinary cyan cloth shoes. He stood under the tree shade, the mottled sunlight was like scattered gold, moving back and forth on his head, face, and shoulders with the gentle breeze, sometimes shining into his eyes, he would slightly narrow his eyes, but he kept smiling at Peony, his gaze never leaving her. Peony felt that he looked very approachable and pleasant to look at.

  After walking down the narrow cobblestone path, Peony and Jiang Changyang were separated by a distance of two feet, one in front of the other, along the clear small river, passing by a gray Taihu stone fake mountain over one zhang high, a pool with rippling waves brought a cool breeze to greet them. The pool was surrounded by weeping willows and flowering trees, a winding stone board bridge started from under their feet, crossing the water, extending all the way to a high platform, turning into steps. Around the high platform were streams, the stream water flowed down from above, flowing into the pool. Along the stream up to the top of the high platform, it was planted with spotted bamboo and purple bamboo, in the midst of the bamboo forest, there was a large pavilion surrounded by stone pillars and wooden railings, the stone pillars were not finely carved, the wooden railings were also natural color, the colors were harmonious and elegant.

  How beautiful! How comfortable! Peony sighed: "Cheng Feng, is this the new water pavilion you built?"

  Jiang Changyang's dark eyes sparkled: "This is what I learned from being friends with Master Fuyuan, how do you think my water pavilion compares to his garden design?"

  "Is it designed by yourself?"

  Jiang Changyang smiled happily: "Yes, although some methods were stolen from him, but after all, it's my own idea."

  "I think if it were Master Fuyuan, he would probably only design a small and delicate pavilion on top, rather than such a large one." Although Peony felt that his own work couldn't compare to Master Fuyuan's in terms of elegance, this one was also very beautiful, most importantly, practical and suitable for home use. It must be a very pleasant thing to move the bamboo screen into this pavilion on a hot summer night and rest there.

  Jiang Changyang smiled and said, "That's right, this is the biggest difference between me and that monk. He pays more attention to appearance, while I pay more attention to practicality. I'll only send you here, you go up yourself." He pointed upwards, where a woman in red clothes, White Madame, was holding hands with a chubby little girl with a powdered face, standing at the top of the stairs and smiling gently at Peony.

  Peony and he waved his hand, leading Duan Daniang and Xu Er to climb up easily and happily, all the way to the end, squatting in front of Xiao Pangwa, eyes locked with him, smiling: "You must be Ah Jing, right?"

  Pan Lian opened a pair of apricot-shaped eyes, similar to those of Madame Bai, and curiously looked at the peony. Suddenly, she stuffed one small, plump, white hand into her mouth and gazed at the peony with a shy smile.

  "Don't suck your hand." Madam Bai squatted down, pulled his hand out of his mouth, and wiped the saliva off with a handkerchief. She said gently, "Ajue calls Dan Niang."

  Pan Ling looked at Peony with a shy glance, then turned around and tightly hugged Madame Bai's neck, rubbing his forehead against her chin. Madame Bai picked him up and followed Peony as they walked forward: "This child can actually call people and say some simple words, it's just that he doesn't often see strangers, so he's a bit shy."

  The peony moved to the front of Pan Lian, and with a magical gesture, she pulled out a small doll wearing colorful silk clothes from her sleeve. She made a face at Pan Lian, shook the doll in her hand, then pulled the string behind the doll's back, and the doll waved its two hands.

  Pan Ling's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the doll, her eyes fixed on Peony with a look of longing. Mrs. Bai smiled and said, "If you want it, call out to Aunt Peony."

  Pan Liang was embarrassed for a moment, then softly called out: "Aunt Dan."

  The peony leaned his ear over to a place not far from him and exaggeratedly laughed: "What? I didn't hear it, speak louder."

  Pan Liang smiled with pursed lips and shouted loudly while holding two small chubby hands: "Aunt Dan!"

  Peony burst out laughing and handed the doll in his hand to him, touching his tender cheeks: "Ah Jue is so cute"

  Madam Bai gazed at Pan Lin with a doting expression, as he attracted everyone's attention with the puppet. She smiled and said, "Is this a puppet for playing puppet shows? It's hard on you to still remember to bring him gifts, thank you. He has never seen such a puppet before."

  The peony was somewhat surprised that the puppet show was so popular, yet the eldest grandson of the Hou Mansion had never seen it.

  Mrs. Bai said faintly, "His grandmother thinks he's too young, and the sounds of these things are too loud, they'll scare him."

  Is this also why Pan Xiang rarely sees living people? Peony suddenly felt sympathetic towards Madame Bai, but didn't dare to show it.

  Mrs. Bai spoke with a hint of disdain and sarcasm, "I knew it. The young master of the Hou household, what's there to be afraid of? Just like his father..." She paused, looking at Peony with an apologetic smile: "I hope he can be happier than me."

  Peony looked at Pan Xiang who was carefree and said in a low voice: "It will definitely be."

  Wearing a jade-colored cloak and pink eight-brocade skirt, Wu Xilian held an ivory silk fan and walked over with elegance, looking up and down at the peony before smiling reservedly: "Dan Niang, you're even more spirited than before. Your outfit today is very nice."

  "Seventeen, you're in high spirits too." Peony noticed the ivory silk fan in Wu Xilian's hand was exactly the same as the one Wu Shijiu had carried when attending Li Maniang's housewarming party. The fan reminded Peony of Wu Shijiu, and also of Cui Furen, and some very unpleasant things that had happened not long ago.

  Wu Xilian noticed that Mudan was looking at the fan and said, "Looks familiar, doesn't it? This fan is a pair. The first Ning Wangfei gave me one, and then she gave another to my nineteenth sister. I heard my nineteenth sister say that on the day Li Furen moved house, she saw you and had a pleasant conversation with you."

  "By the way, we were discussing incense the other day."

  Wu Xilian fanned herself slowly and said, "Next month she's going to be engaged to your cousin, you know? The one who fought with Liu Chong at the Liu family flower banquet and gave him a black eye. Nineteenth Sister once asked me about your cousin, and I told her he was quite good, that a man who dares to fight with that kind of person can't be bad, so she agreed. I said, you should thank me for speaking well of your cousin."

  How come the pot that doesn't open is mentioned? Is this intentional showing off? Or an indirect warning? Duan Daniang and Xu'er frowned in displeasure, while Madame Bai looked at Peony with concern, trying to change the subject, but Wu Xilian didn't want to listen, only waiting for Peony's response.

  This is really ironic. Peony secretly told herself that Wu Xilian was not intentional, in fact this has nothing to do with Wu Xilian's affairs, nor does it have anything to do with Wu Shi Jiu Niang's affairs, the Wu family may not even know about this matter. So she agreed: "I've already congratulated my cousin. Nineteen Niang is very good. As for you asking me to thank you on behalf of my cousin, I'm afraid it won't work, why don't we wait until their wedding day and ask him to thank you properly?" Wu Shi Jiu Niang was the kind of daughter-in-law that the Li family needed most, she was born into a noble family, elegant, dignified, beautiful, and most importantly, she could greatly enhance Li Huai's status. For Wu Xilian's matchmaking, the Li family should really thank her properly, especially Cui Fu Ren, who should give her two loud head knocks.

  Wu Xilian didn't notice that the people around her didn't like this topic, and continued to say: "Of course, when it's time for the wedding, just watch me tease him. You'll definitely have to go then, right?"

  Peony didn't want to answer Wu Xilian's question, she would send the gift over but definitely wouldn't go in person, no need to make everyone uncomfortable. But if she answered that she wasn't going, Wu Xilian would inevitably ask for a reason, and although Peony detested Mrs. Cui, she didn't want to ruin this marriage because of it. What better marriage could Li Yi find anyway?

  "Hey, you're all excited now, but by the time it happens, you'll already be married off to Taiyuan Prefecture. Whether or not you're here is a whole different story." Madame Bai couldn't bear to listen anymore and had to interrupt Wu Xilian. Wu Xilian was always like this, never considering others' feelings when speaking, saying whatever came to mind without caring if it made others happy or not. Madame Bai regretted bringing her along, but without her, it would have just been the couple and Jiang Changyang together, and Peony wouldn't have had such an easy time coming and going. Hopefully, Peony won't hold a grudge against her."

  Wu Xilian became unhappy: "Ah Yan, how many times have I told you? I'm not satisfied with this marriage. I came out to relax with you, why do you always spoil my mood?"

  It's because you ruined someone else's fun. Madam Bai said calmly, "You were the one who brought up 19th Lady's marriage first, otherwise I wouldn't have thought of your matter. What if you're still not satisfied? Can't possibly call off the engagement, can it?"

  Because she was dissatisfied with her own marriage, she kept talking about what she thought was a good match. Why couldn't Ah-xin understand her thoughts? Wu Xilian slammed the ivory silk fan in her hand onto the stone table and stood up from the grass stool, gritting her teeth: "Then I'll get married and divorce, just like Dan Niang did. If Dan Niang can do it, so can I."

  "We both know it very well. You'd better face reality early on, others are not as bad as you think." Mrs. Bai looked at Wu Xilian with pity, Peony lowered her head and remained silent, they all knew that Wu Xilian was no match for her in this aspect. Marriages between noble families were not so easy to divorce, even if possible, it would take at least several years.

  Wu Xilian's noble and elegant mask suddenly collapsed, and she looked at Peony with a pitiful expression: "Dan Niang, you don't know, that guy is a rogue, just like Pan Rong and Liu Liang... such a man isn't even worthy of holding my shoes." This scolding included Madame Bai as well, but Madame Bai remained calm and didn't react.

  Duan Danni coughed softly, and Mudan looked up to see three men standing not far away. One was Jiang Changyang with a calm expression, one was Pan Rong with a smiling face, and the other was Liu Chuan with a dark iron-like complexion. It was clear that they had all heard Wu Xilian's words just now.

  How did he end up here? It's really unlucky. I haven't seen this unpleasant person for a long time, but he appeared in such a joyful occasion and ruined the atmosphere. Mudan looked at Jiang Changyang, Jiang Changyang gave her an apologetic look, using his eyes to indicate that Pan Rong had followed him uninvited.

  Pan Xiang's face was as calm as if nothing had happened, whether it was Wu Xianlian's contempt and disdain for him and his friends, or because he brought Liu Chang without warning, making the host Jiang Changyang embarrassed. He didn't care at all, at least Peony couldn't see any concern on his face. He first winked at Mrs. Bai, then exaggeratedly shouted at Pan Xuan, who was holding a doll and biting it: "Ah, son, come quickly, Dad will let you ride the big horse!"

  "Dad" Pan Xuan held the wooden puppet high in his hand and rushed towards Pan Rong, who also rushed over and caught Pan Xuan halfway, lifting his small body high above his head, riding on his neck, and running around the pavilion like a madman, shouting loudly: "Charge! Brother Xuan is riding a big horse!" Pan Xuan let out a string of joyful laughter.

  It has to be said that Pan Rong's seemingly careless actions effectively eased the awkward atmosphere, giving everyone time to adjust their expressions. Wu Xilian instantly regained her noble and elegant demeanor, picked up a fan to cover half of her face, and gave Liu Cheng a disdainful glance before smiling slightly at Jiang Changyang: "Mr. Jiang, this place is quite elegant and comfortable."

  Jiang Changyang slightly nodded: "Wu Niangzi's excessive praise."

  Mrs. Bai quietly watched Pan Rong and his son, with no extra expression on her face. Peony, however, was slightly less disgusted by him because of Pan Rong's reckless behavior. Because if he didn't usually like to accompany Pan Xuan to play, Pan Xuan wouldn't be so close to him. Maybe he wasn't a good husband, and not even a very good father, but at least, he could still play with his child.

  Liu Chuan didn't expect to run into Peony here either. He had only come because he was feeling extremely bored and annoyed with his daily life, and had heard that Pan Rong was going to stay at Jiang Dalang's estate in Huangqu for a few days. He thought it would be a good opportunity to avoid Qi Furen, who had been constantly quarreling and crying since she discovered that Liu Chengcai had taken a concubine, as well as Qinghua, who had become increasingly eccentric and irritable due to her jealousy. With the chance to get away, he followed Pan Rong here, bringing with him his son, Biyu, whose face still bore scars from crying.

  Of course, he also fantasized that he might meet Peony in the vicinity, after all, he had heard that her villa was nearby, and it was entirely possible to meet. On the way, he looked around, disappointed because he couldn't meet Peony, but when he really saw Peony as he wished, he suddenly resented her.

  She was dressed so beautifully, sitting leisurely in such a quiet and beautiful place, chatting with her female companions, drinking the best tea soup, and having men fawn over her (don't ask him why he thought this way, anyway, he just knew that if Jiang Changyang hadn't been flattering Peony, how would she be sitting here?)... She should have had a harder time than him, why was she so carefree? While he was toiling away like an exhausted dog?

  She was able to live a good life, carefree and at ease here, all because of him; and he ended up like this also because of her. He hated her. Liu Chuan thought about this and originally wanted to glare fiercely at Peony, but seeing Peony's indifferent expression towards him, he suddenly became furious. Did she look down on him? He looked down on her even more! So he pretended not to see Peony and coldly gazed at the pond below the high platform. But the sunlight reflecting off the water surface was a vast expanse of white, piercing his eyes painfully. His mood became increasingly irritable.

  Madam Bai swept a glance at Liu Chong, who was gloomily brooding over some wicked scheme, and secretly grasped Peony's hand, whispering: "With me here, don't be afraid."

  Wu Xilian came over and said: "I'm also in."

  The peony smiled slightly: "I'm not afraid."

  "This is his territory, whoever dares to make trouble should see if he will spare them. Jiang Changyang overheard the conversation between several women in the pavilion and smiled slightly: "After all, it's already deep autumn, and the weather will cool down soon. Since everyone has arrived, why don't I have someone bring up wine and dishes? We can eat and chat at the same time, how about that?"

  Peony looked up at Jiang Changyang, coincidentally meeting his gaze. For some reason, after making contact with his eyes, the discomfort and unease she had felt when encountering Liu Chong dissipated a lot, and she couldn't help but nod slightly.

  Jiang Changyang smiled at the peony, and lightly plucked a few copper bells hanging above the pavilion. The copper bells emitted a clear and pleasant sound, drawing everyone's attention. Wu Xilian asked in surprise: "What is this? I just thought it was a wind chime."

  Jiang Changyang smiled and said, "This place is far from the main kitchen. If we let them send dishes from there, many of them will be cold and not very tasty. Therefore, I built a small kitchen behind the Water Pavilion, deep in the bamboo forest. As soon as the bell rings, they will bring wine and dishes up."

  Wu Xilian saw that the pavilion did not have a plaque, so she thought of giving it a name. With a smile, she said: "Good! This is even more time-saving than letting people call out. Listening to the wind and water, listening to the bell and bamboo, if you play a tune here, it's even better. Mr. Jiang, does this pavilion have a name? I think we might as well just call it Tingyin Pavilion."

  Jiang Changyang had not yet responded, when Liu Chuan walked over and sat down in front of Mudan, gazing at her without restraint. He said lightly, "What's this about a Listening to the Sound Pavilion? I think this water is suitable for growing lotus flowers. When summer breezes bring the fragrance of the lotus, it will be lovely for the people here. Why not just call it Lotus Platform?"

  Wu Xilian was born with a beautiful appearance and had a strong sense of self-identity. Although she was proud and arrogant, she was always popular among the young men in the upper class of the capital. She had never met anyone who dared to call her common. At this moment, her face turned slightly red as she glared at Liu Chuan with a mixture of anger and shame: "Liu Zishu, you are so rude! What's your name? How dare you arrange me like that?"

  Liu Chang feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow and withdrawing his gaze from the peony face, looking at Wu Xilian: "Seventeenth lady, where did I wrong you? Even if you want to say that I am rude, you should at least make some sense. Brother Jiang, isn't this place for planting lotus flowers? I clearly heard Pan Er Lang say that white lotus and heavy lotus have been planted here, and building such a high platform here is not for summer cooling and viewing the lotus? Xilian Tai, pity her, where did she go wrong?"

  Wu Xilian detested him and coldly sneered, "Liu Shangshu's good son indeed, casually using a woman's maiden name to make this kind of joke, truly making me not want to sit with someone like you, get out!"

  Liu Chang made a shocked expression, stood up and bowed deeply to Wu Xilian, saying sincerely: "Seventeenth Lady, please forgive me, I only knew you were called Seventeenth Lady, but didn't know your real name. If I have offended you, please pardon me." These few words made those so-called noble ladies lose their composure, which was a very delightful thing to see, and it dissipated some of the gloominess in his heart.

  The peony slightly curled up the corner of its mouth. Liu Chong was getting more and more impressive, using Wu Xilian's name to name Jiang Changyang's water pavilion in his home, he really knew how to arrange things.

  Liu Chuan's gaze had never left Peony, and he sensitively caught the ridicule and disdain at the corner of Peony's lips. He couldn't help but feel a surge of old and new hatred in his heart, secretly resenting, "He Peony, let you suffer more later, make you laugh, make you laugh, soon you won't be able to laugh."

  Wu Xilian saw that he was teasing her and didn't admit it, she got so angry that the veins on her forehead burst out, Mrs. Bai gently pulled her and said slowly: "Let's not say a few words, the host hasn't spoken yet, and the guest has already quarreled."

  Jiang Changyang had been pouring tea, and now he handed a cup to Wu Xilian and Liu Chuan in front of him, laughing loudly: "They are all good names, but the name of this water tower has already been decided, it's called Xianghe."

  Pan Xiang held Pan Jing and hit the copper bell, playing with it. At the same time, she carelessly joked: "What harmony? Jiang Dalang, who do you want to harmonize with?"

  Jiang Changyang smiled slightly: "Want to be with whoever you want to be with."

  Pan Shuang let out a strange laugh: "Ah, it's rare for you to be so straightforward. I'm actually curious now, who is this?"

  Jiang Changyang said calmly: "I've always been straightforward like this, didn't you know?"

  Pan Xiang hurried over, hugging Pan Xuan and sitting down next to Jiang Changyang, her eyes darting around: "Is that person here?"

  Jiang Changyang completely ignored him.

  Liu Changan's eyes sensitively swept back and forth between Jiang Changyang and Peony's faces, hoping to discern some clues. Jiang Changyang lowered his head to play with the tea, while Peony and Madame Bai consoled Wu Xilian, who was still fuming with anger, holding a fan and waving it non-stop. On the surface, there didn't seem to be anything particularly different about them, but he just felt that something wasn't right. He cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, gazed at Peony with a faint smile, and deliberately spoke in a gentle tone: "Peony, long time no see, are you doing well?"

  What's gotten into him now? Peony looked at him in surprise, then smiled: "Thanks for your concern, Councilor Liu. I'm fine."

  Wu Xilian said quietly beside her: "Dan Niang, you're wrong. It's Liu Si Cheng now."

  "Ah, I didn't know you'd been promoted, forgive me, Liu Temple Administrator."

  "Fourth Young Mistress, why would Liu Zong take it out on you? You have so many proper things to attend to every day, where do you have the time to bother with these trivial matters. Liu Zong is also very busy, I wonder if the young mistress of Qinghua might be able to get out of bed and move around? I heard that you go over there every day to visit and take care of her, how filial, no, how thoughtful. Liu Zong, my mistake, please don't lump me in with this little girl." Wu Xilian poked at Liu Chan's weak spot and then smiled smugly. A petty person, daring to provoke her, she would make him know the severity.

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