In the rare blue sky and white clouds of a harsh winter, Xi Fuhong wandered along the riverbank, breathing in the gentle breeze carrying the scent of steamed buns.
It had been over ten days since the incident in Miaojiang, and Xi Fuhong hadn’t stayed in the small village.
Instead, she aimlessly traveled through beautiful landscapes, using the small silver pieces given by Fang Qi Er to buy food when hungry and finding places to rest when tired, truly becoming a little beggar.
She arrived at a bun shop, her stomach growling with hunger, but she had spent all her silver and had no money to buy anything.
Last night, she had only picked a few fruits by the roadside to stave off hunger.
Now, seeing the white, fragrant buns, she couldn’t help but drool, but the shopkeeper’s wife, seeing her dirty and disheveled appearance, quickly covered the bamboo basket, not allowing her to look any further.
“Move aside, don’t dirty our shop,” the shopkeeper’s wife waved her away, and Xi Fuhong had no choice but to leave.
Holding her stomach, she walked to the street corner, where she saw many young women running towards the south of the city, whispering and laughing.
At this moment, two women walked by her, dressed in fine fabrics, waving silk handkerchiefs as they chatted enthusiastically.
“Master Xu’s daughter is as beautiful as a flower, marrying General Luo’s son, truly a match made in heaven,” one young woman said, and the other quickly added, “Indeed! A perfect match, and the Luo family gave the Xu family plenty of face with their betrothal gifts!”
“The Luo family even prepared hundreds of buns to distribute, saying it’s to bring joy to the city!” Xi Fuhong wasn’t interested at first, but upon hearing about free buns, she perked up.
Without a second thought, she headed towards the Luo family, as mentioned by the women.
Sure enough, as she turned the corner, she was blocked by a crowd of onlookers.
Standing on tiptoe, she saw a large red bridal sedan chair in the distance, with firecrackers exploding loudly and drums beating in celebration.
An old matchmaker carried the bride, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, envied by many young women, including Xi Fuhong.
Seeing the splendid attire, the phoenix crown and red veil, Xi Fuhong couldn’t help but gaze for a long time.
She had never thought about marriage before, believing she could live peacefully with her grandmother.
But now that her grandmother was gone, she was alone.
Even if she roamed the world, how long could she, an ordinary woman, wander freely? She wasn’t a Jianghu heroine; eventually, she needed to find a place to settle down.
As Xi Fuhong was lost in thought, someone suddenly pushed her, causing her to fall to the ground.
In an instant, she heard people shouting loudly.
When she stood up in a panic, she realized all the buns had been snatched away, and the bamboo baskets in the hands of several young women were empty, leaving nothing for her.
Watching the steaming buns disappear, Xi Fuhong felt dejected, thinking she was useless, even losing out as a beggar.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, the bride had already been carried into the house by the matchmaker, and the Luo family’s servants, having entertained the guests, also went inside.
Xi Fuhong hesitated for a while, then turned away, feeling downcast.
“Wait!” Suddenly, a voice called out, but Xi Fuhong didn’t think much of it and continued walking.
But then she heard another call, “Xi Mei!” Instantly, she was startled.
Who else would call her Xi Mei but Shi Cuiyan? Now Xi Fuhong dared not stop.
She quickened her pace, pretending not to hear, unaware that Shi Cuiyan had already seen through her.
With a light step, Shi Cuiyan blocked Xi Fuhong’s path in the blink of an eye.
Dressed in a goose-yellow silk dress, she looked even more striking and clever, in stark contrast to Xi Fuhong’s shabby appearance.
“Xi Mei, it’s been a while.
Did you miss your sister?” Shi Cuiyan, with her usual playful demeanor, seemed like a spoiled young master.
Xi Fuhong glanced at her twice, refusing to speak.
“Sister missed you a lot,” Shi Cuiyan stepped forward to hold Xi Fuhong’s hand, but she shook it off.
“Please move aside,” Xi Fuhong said, puffing her cheeks and speaking in a muffled voice.
Seeing this, Shi Cuiyan’s smile stiffened.
She didn’t like being rejected, especially by Xi Fuhong.
That look of disdain made her heart ache unbearably.
Shi Cuiyan refused to give way, shamelessly holding Xi Fuhong’s hand.
When she felt Xi Fuhong trying to shake her off again, she simply linked arms with her.
“What a coincidence, meeting Xi Mei here.
Could it be fate? I just came to share in the joy of an old friend’s daughter’s wedding, and as soon as I stepped out the door, I encountered a good thing,” Shi Cuiyan laughed coquettishly, pulling Xi Fuhong closer.
But Xi Fuhong struggled to break free, unable to match Shi Cuiyan’s strength.
After a while of tugging, she still couldn’t shake her off, and her stomach growled, making her blush with embarrassment.
“Are you hungry, sister? Don’t worry, I booked a room at the inn.
If you don’t mind, how about having a meal together?” Shi Cuiyan smiled at Xi Fuhong, seeing her hesitation, and quickly added, “I heard the inn’s braised lion’s head is quite famous, and the bamboo shoot soup is also delicious.
The sweet flower cake is a delicacy.
If you don’t try it, it’s a wasted trip.”
Xi Fuhong had been hungry all day, and hearing about such delicious food, how could she not be tempted? Seeing her stop struggling, Shi Cuiyan assumed she agreed.
Happily, she led Xi Fuhong to the inn.
Not wanting to dine with the crowd, she took Xi Fuhong to a private room and had the waiter bring all the dishes to the room.
As soon as Xi Fuhong sat down, the waiter immediately served two hot dishes, and the tea was ready.
“Eat, don’t be shy,” Shi Cuiyan handed over the chopsticks, and Xi Fuhong hesitated again.
“Come on, eating is the most important thing.
Just eat, don’t worry about me.”
Hearing this, Xi Fuhong finally took the chopsticks.
She picked up a fried meatball, savoring it slowly.
The tender texture and perfectly seasoned sauce made her already hungry stomach growl even louder.
Without thinking, Xi Fuhong grabbed a few more dishes and stuffed them into her mouth, making her whole mouth greasy.
“Eat slowly, no one’s going to take it from you,” Shi Cuiyan turned Xi Fuhong’s face and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
Seeing her satisfied expression, Shi Cuiyan couldn’t help but smile.
On a whim, she leaned down and kissed Xi Fuhong’s puffed cheek, startling Xi Fuhong into stiffness, and she pushed Shi Cuiyan away with all her might.
Suddenly pushed away, Shi Cuiyan almost fell off her chair, one hand supporting the table, the other holding the handkerchief, looking a bit dazed.
Seeing Xi Fuhong’s hurt expression, Shi Cuiyan felt as if she had been punched in the chest, struggling to breathe.
“It’s nothing, just saw some food crumbs on your face and helped you clean it off,” Shi Cuiyan laughed awkwardly.
She knew Xi Fuhong wouldn’t believe her, but what else could she do? If she said it was because Xi Mei was too cute and she couldn’t help but want to kiss her, it would surely scare her away.
That day’s events were not just a spring dream.
Under the table, Shi Cuiyan clenched her hands tightly.
She was truly afraid Xi Fuhong would say she never wanted to see her again, and even if she did, she wouldn’t listen.
That night, she left in a sorry state, but it didn’t diminish her desire to see Xi Fuhong, to see her smile, to hold her, to kiss her, to undress her, and to possess her fiercely.
Thinking of this, Shi Cuiyan laughed wearily.
This time, she was deeply poisoned, completely falling for Xi Fuhong.
Unexpectedly, Xi Fuhong put down her chopsticks and stood up, only to be pulled back by Shi Cuiyan.
“Where are you going? There’s still plenty of food.
Aren’t you going to eat?” Shi Cuiyan poured Xi Fuhong a cup of hot tea.
“I’m leaving,” Xi Fuhong said, pulling her hand away from Shi Cuiyan.
“Don’t be mad, sister promises not to mess around again.
Just stay with me a little longer, I really missed you,” Shi Cuiyan said directly, no longer beating around the bush.
Xi Fuhong trembled at her words, unsure of how to respond to Shi Cuiyan’s honesty.
Seeing her hopeful expression, Xi Fuhong, not knowing what she felt, slowly sat back down.
Shi Cuiyan, seeing her seemingly…
