Chapter 61: Let's Start Embroidering!
The contract to become a lady chief embroiderer was gently placed into the book case. Sitting on a chair with an armrest, Su Shuilian sighed and thought.
Could it be fate? From the 'Su Embroidery House' to 'Yue Yun Embroidery Floor', her life was as if it was completely intertwined with embroidery.
Or perhaps, it should be because of Su Embroidery House's influence on her to be able to embroider so well and thus allowing her to become so successful even in a completely foreign place.
Lady chief embroider? Su Shuilian pursed her lips and withdrew her thoughts. Since A Yao allowed her to decide, she will follow through; once she completes <Drunken Beauty>, then she will think about her decision.
After opening up the supplies given for <Drunken Beauty>, it was just as Su Shuilian guessed, this piece was going to be used as a dividing screen.
Su Shuilian then studied the three sample templates given. All of them were of Yang Guifei*, but each had different expressions and backgrounds. In the first image, she was holding a cup to the moon. In the second image, she seemed to have drunk a few cups, seemingly tipsy as she held her head up, heavy with hair ornaments behind a field of chrysanthemums. The last one, she was being supported and led into a room, as if to rest.
**(Yang Yuhuan, often known as Yang Guifei was known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She was the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang during his later years.)
After reviewing the samples, Su Shulian's first thoughts were that this was going to be made into a six panel screen and not eight. Otherwise the art would be obstructed. Just, with the embroidery about 5 meters tall, with just six panels, each panel should be longer than the standard width.
Su Shuilian held up the samples trying to decide how to arrange the pieces if it were to be made into an eight panel screen.
Compared to this, the previous <Paired Phoenix> was much easier since it was only to be used as a mural.
Maybe the embroidery floor was trying to test her? Su Shuilian tilted her head as she thought of this possibility. Normally, when embroidering a screen, there would be a line on the samples indicating where the screen would divide at.
However, as a chief embroiderer, not only do they have to know the best suited stitches, but they also have to be able to coordinate proper composition.
In accordance with the standards of her previous Su Embroidery House.... Design, sketch, embroidery, and end product, each step of the process were to be judged, and the one with the highest totalled points would end up as the winner of the competition.
Therefore, Su Shuilian, as Su House's legitimate daughter and as the fifth consecutive winner, whether it was design, sketch, or any other aspects of embroidery, she was considered first class.
So how could she fail such a small test given by Yue Yun Embroidery Floor?
With a thin writing brush, Su Shuilian confidently made small, gentle marks on the sample that only she could understand. Not only did it not ruin the art on the template, it also reminded Su Shuilian of sections that should be left blank as those places would be covered by the wooden beams.
The three images were made into eight identical screen size pieces. Of course, Su Shuilian had done it without ruining the amorous feeling of the whole work. There were occasional breaks at her skirt-end, flower petals, leaves, and plant stems, which created a unique flow in the overall image.
With a light sigh, Su Shuilian put down the brush; she had finally divided the eight sections.
The next step was to start embroidering.
The background canvas for the <Drunken Beauty> was a light goose yellow. Hence, there were many colors that could be used in this work.
Su Shuilian looked at the threads given by the embroidery floor. There was every possible color sold in the market available. Even the silver and gold thread that she wasn't able to find was also provided. Was this due to the material benefit of Yue Yun Embroidery Floor?
Su Shuilian laughed and shook her head thinking this could be Yue Yun Embroidery Floor's implication that she was to make the most perfect <Drunken Beauty> possible. What kind of person in Fan Lou City would force them to act in such a desperate manner?
Whatever, as this is her love for embroidery, she will do her best. What's more, she could only rely on her embroidery skills to make a living.
Although Lin Si Yao stressed that she did not have to worry about their financial situation. She just needed to pass the time doing (harmless) things that she liked, such as reading, needlework, or even spending time with him...As for the last option, Su Shuilian shyly blocked her ears and pretended she did not hear it.
However, she did not want him burdening the responsibilities alone. She was also a member of the family, though she could not plow the fields, could not climb the mountains, or any other rough work, Su Shuilian could embroider. Since embroidery could earn a few taels, but also did not break Lin Si Yao's prerequisite, of course she would accept to do it. Then that way, she won't waste the lady chief embroiderer title given to her by 'Su House'.
And so, for a month and a half, Su Shuilian was completely focused on embroidering.
Of course, other than her fixed three meals, Su Shuilian took small breaks and drank plenty of water, anything that Lin Si Yao requested of her, she obediently complied. Not only because she wanted to look after her health, but also Su Shuilian wanted to continue to have her freedom to embroider.
That's right. While Su Shuilian was sewing the <Drunken Beauty> piece, she had already decided that she would accept Yue Yun Embroidery Floor's contract and become their lady chief embroiderer.
Who wouldn't be happy to have the backing of such a large embroidery floor? Not to mention, their conditions were so advantageous. To earn a tael every month? What more could she ask for!
After living in this house for about six months, Su Shuilian had already learned how large of an amount a single tael was.
For her, Lin Si Yao, and their (meat-addicted) wolf puppies, 300 bronze was the rough amount used every month. In other words, with a single tael, it could last them about 3 to 5 months. Moreover, this included the bills for wheat, millet, and other food necessities. Next year, the two acres of fertile land would be ready, the harvests would mean they would spend less on groceries, hence a single tael could do a lot!
Thinking thus far, Su Shuilian lightly patted her own cheeks. When did she become so frugal? Can't she remember that most of the meals that were made were all from Lin Si Yao risking his life to catch!
Thinking of how he would always give her the money that Lin Si Yao had earned from the animals he hunted, Su Shuilian could not help but lift the corners of her lips.
Lin Si Yao is really hardworking. No matter if it was trivial house matters or if it was working in the fields, he would always do his best. Even Tian Dabao, the disciple he had accepted had grown tremendously because of his dedication.
His past achievements were not mediocre. However he was willing to discard his previous identity and accompany her in a remote village as an ordinary and monotonous farmer. She was content.
And because of that, she wanted to, with her own hands, make their home more beautiful and rich. In this simple and quiet town, she wanted to have a child with him, and live with him until the very end.
Chapter 62: The Unexpected Visitor
Just as Su Shuilian was immersed in embroidering the <Drunken Beauty>, the gossip loving Aunt Lao and Aunt Tian appeared at their house with some news. It was neither big nor small news, however it was fresh gossip: Hua House's daughter, who married the richest man in the city, had come back to visit their maternal in-laws with their own daughter.
"Shifu, I'm telling the truth. The visiting Hua House's pretty daughter had asked me about you." Tian Dabao jumped and skipped along the river as he picked the wild mushrooms by the river bank. He continuously swore to Lin Si Yao that he was not lying.
"What's the point of asking about me?" Lin Si Yao said in a disapproving tone.
If Dabao hadn't emphasized that it was a woman, he would have suspected that the person was a spy sent by Feng Yao Court. If it was a woman...ha...unless Feng Qingya had changed the system, then from his knowledge, of the 500 or so people, there was not a single woman in Feng Yao Court.
"That, I don't know. Eh? Shifu, what if she had found you pleasing and wanted you to marry her, as an inverted door*? Ahahaha...Uh Shifu mercy...mercy ah! I don't dare anymore... Okokok...I'll go stand on the piles then..."
(倒插门 inverted door - to marry and live with the bride's family. If anyone's read Adorable Consort, it's mentioned quite often there haha)
Poor Dabao, just as he got the courage to repeat the things he had heard from the gossiping women to his handsome and stoic Shifu, he got hit by his Shifu's Xuan Feng palm and pushed onto the quincuncial piles that he had hated the most.
Plaintively standing on the piles, Tian Dabao secretly swept a glance at his expressionless Shifu who was flipping the mushrooms and quietly complained, "It was just a joke, I know Shifu already has Shi Niang... But that woman is pretty, just not as pretty as Shi Niang...."
"Concentrate! Unless you want to stand there all afternoon." Lin Si Yao had heard his mutter and coldly responded.
"I understand Shifu...." Dabao grunted. Going to Xuifeng was much more fun than practicing on the quincuncial piles. Tian Dabao immediately started to focus his mind and qi. He stood on his toes as he moved around the piles practicing the Xuan-yi footwork.
----
"Knock knock knock*" It was rare for people to come on a windy afternoon, so it took Su Shuilian a while before she was sure there was someone actually at her door.
During this time, Lin Si Yao was out with Tian Dabao practicing swordwork. As for Aunt Lao and Aunt Tian, although they enjoy coming over to gossip, they knew she had accepted a big project and only came when necessary. And if it was them, the sound of knocking would be louder and it would also be accompanied with them calling her name...Then who could it be?
"Miss?" Su Shuilian opened the gate with a smile. In front of her was a girl who had been slightly disoriented by the strong wind. Su Shuilian recognized this girl, she had met her three times before: it was Lu Wan'er. Both were surprised to see each other.
"Eh? Wasn't this Lin Si Yao, Lin gongzi's house?" When Lu Wan'er saw it was the delicate girl who had been by her desired man's side, she felt her heart freeze. However, she still asked.
Those two bastards just took my money without making it clear! Oh, well, I was also too eager to find his address and just rushed here without inquiring about this (married) woman's identity. Was she Lin Si Yao's wife or someone else?
"Is this lady looking for A Yao?" Su Shuilian asked. Her heart suddenly surged with an indescribable, weird feeling. This Lu Wan'er really did like A Yao; she had even chased him to their house. However, did she not know he was already married? Or maybe she didn't care, she didn't care what status, whether she was the main wife or a concubine....
Su Shuilian thought back to her mother. Her father had never paid any mind to her mother.... She herself, was she going to have a tough rival just like her mother? And Lin Si Yao, would he be just like her father? To choose a woman who could only wait in bed over the main wife?
Ha, that's right, mother had the backing of her large maternal family. So even if her father wanted to, he could not divorce her. But she... she was a helpless girl in this foreign world. How could she defeat such a glamorous girl from a large, wealthy family? Ah! What kind of nonsense was she thinking?! A Yao would never be like that! Su Shuilian shook her head and cleared the inexplicable speculation that had flashed through her mind.
It seems that her mother's experience had left a large influence on her. If A Yao found out that she had compared him with her unscrupulous father, he would definitely use this as an excuse to 'punish' her.
Once she thought about Lin Si Yao's punishment, Su Shuilian's ears reddened.
She recovered from her thoughts, tidied her clothes and looked up at Lu Wan'er. Smiling, Su Shuilian said, "Miss Lu, the wind is strong, if you don't mind, come inside and talk. "
"Cough* cough*..... You.... you recognize me?" Lu Wan'er snapped out of her daze, she cleared her throat and awkwardly asked.
"Yes, we have met a few times before, right?" Su Shuilian found it laughable as she looked at her. She remembered it clearly; the first time Lu Wan'er had confronted Lin Si Yao, she had revealed her full name.
The customs of Dahui Country were strange. Just like in the Republic of China, along with conservative traditions, there were also some bold actions that were also accepted. For example, women were allowed to attend poetry clubs. And if a woman were to meet a man that she favored, she could take the initiative to court them. Of course, there were prerequisites, the said women were misses from wealthy and influential families.
As for daughters of ordinary families, they were busy caring for their family and scraping enough for their dowry. They had no such time to go to poetry clubs, paint, or drink tea. They did not have the confidence or time to one-sidedly pursue a man they had only met once without knowing their family background.
"Oh yeah. I am Lu Wan'er from the Lu House in the city. You are..." In front of Su Shuilian, who looked to be of her age, but already a madam(married woman), Lu Wan'er did not know how to continue.
"I am A Yao's wife, Su Shuilian."
Su Shuilian took the initiative to finish her sentence. She admitted she had deliberately added extra information to dispel Lu Wan'er's motives.
"Come in and warm yourself up." Su Shuilian smiled as she politely invited Lu Wan'er, who was shivering in her single layer purple dress.
She herself could not stand in the bone chilling wind, however, the other person showed no intention of leaving, so Su Shuilian could only invite her in to talk. Thinking back to the <Drunken Beauty> project, it seemed she would have to delay it for a while.
When Lu Wan'er entered the main room, she could not help but be surprised.
From the outside, the house seemed nothing more than simple and neat, but once inside, it was...Uh... very grand and welcoming!
Although the house was smaller, it was refurbished with high quality items. The Jichi* wood furniture in this house, in Lu Wan'er opinion, was comparable to the mahogany furniture in her house.
*(First mentioned in chapter 31)
The embroidery pieces on the Kang, couches, and chairs were of superior quality. Besides the bright colored embroidery, the large '喜'* on top of the bedroom door was blinding; it left Lu Wan'er breathless.
(喜/happiness: Was mentioned many chapters ago, but as a quick recap: Su Shuilian learned to cut out a '喜' from a red paper. .)
How was she so sure before that, with just her beauty and Lu House's prestige, she would be able to bring Lin Si Yao home with her?
"Sorry Lady Lu, I only have some homemade wild flower tea to serve you with." Su Shuilian came back with a pot of tea. Although it was homemade, from the mellow smell, one could tell the tea was comparable to the tea served in the city's tea houses.
"Many thanks." Lu Wan'er took a small sip. It was indeed good tea. It was unexpected that she could have such pleasant and clean tea from a small village.
She then looked up at Su Shuilian. Her countenance was warm and beautiful; her every gesture noble and elegant.
"Inquiring which House Lady Su is from?" Lu Wan'er suddenly had a ridiculous illusion. This Su Shuilian, she couldn't be a young miss from a noble family, right? Though, immediately, with flatten lips, Lu Wan'er dismissed such an impossible possibility.
When Su Shuilian heard her question, she was shocked. Not because Lu Wan'er had asked for her background, but because she had called her 'Lady'. That title is used for unmarried women... Was she(LW) unwilling to admit that she was A Yao's wife? Or was Lu Wan'er sure that she was able to win Lin Si Yao's favor?
Ah! Su Shuilian internally reprimanded herself, how could she doubt Lin Si Yao again!?
Just as Su Shuilian was thinking of how to answer her question, Xiao Chun's bark sounded from outside. This meant that Lin Si Yao and Dabao are also back!
Su Shuilian smiled at Lu Wan'er and said, "It seems my husband is back." She once again subtly reminded Lu Wan'er that Lin Si Yao was her husband.
Lu Wan'er did not take the hint. Her mind and heart became chaotic from excitement due to the single 'he's back'.
She looked down at her thin winter clothing and tried to tidy her hair that had become somewhat messy from the wind. She put on an enchanting smile that had never failed to impress other men; she was ready to meet the man that she had longed for six months.
Su Shuilian coldly watched as Lu Wan'er ran out to open the gates. At Lin Si Yao who had put down the goat grass and was washing his face in the river wash, she called out "Lin dàgē*!"
*(大哥, big brother - big brother is a intimate way of addressing an older male. Kinda like how koreans would use the word 'oppa')
Very good! She previously called him Lin gongzi, now it was Lin dà gē, soon after, was she going to replace her and call him husband? Su Shuilian thought as she massaged her temple. Following Lu Wan'er, she walked out from the main house.
She internally sighed and thought: she had wasted a lot of time today and now she had to do a lot of catching up on her work tomorrow.
Chapter 63: Wolf Cubs, Shoo that Person Away!
Lin Si Yao's body stiffened at the unfamiliar female voice. He secretly questioned if his senses had deteriorated? Or was it from living in this peaceful town for too long that he had lost his vigilance. He wasn't even able to realize that there was a strange woman in their house. If someone had taken Shuilian as hostage, wouldn't he have been too late now? With cold eyes, he glanced at Xiao Xue. The wolf cub was sleeping in the doghouse with no sense of awareness. It seems he has to up the intensity of their training from tomorrow on... For a stranger to appear by their own owner, yet it still dares to sleep!
When Xiao Chun saw Lin Si Yao's cold gaze, he quickly ran up to his sister and cried out to her. It was as if he was saying 'Get up already! If anything happens to our owner, he's gonna bury the both of us!'
Xiao Xue sluggishly opened her eyes. She whimpered back: I want to, but I'm so tired! The owner is fine, that woman does not know martial arts, so she is fine. Aiyah, big brother, I'm so sleepy... Could I be sick?
The two wolves exchanged cries in their own wolf language. And as for Dabao, he had already realized that the 'strange woman' was the same pretty jiejie that had questioned him about his shifu. So, with great interest, he squatted down by the kitchen door, under the warm sun, ready to watch a good show.
Lin Si Yao looked over to the snickering Dabao. Seeing that he had not noticed his cold gaze, Lin Si Yao reluctantly looked back. When he saw Su Shuilian following behind the strange woman, he was relieved. Other than the fact that she had a weird expression, she seemed to be unharmed. With a few steps, he made his way in front of Su Shuilian. Taking a hold of her slightly cool hands, he used his inner force to disperse the surrounding cold air.
"Didn't I say before not to open the gates to strangers when I am away?" He said in obvious displeasure.
Su Shuilian blinked her eyes, before she turned and pointed at the annoyed Lu Wan'er, "A Yao, she...."
"Lin dàgē, do you remember me? I'm Lu Wan'er, the daughter of Lu House from the city. Oh, I'm here with dad to visit my uncle. Oh, my uncle's name is Hua An*, does Lin dàgē know him? Uncle says you live here, so I.... conveniently passed by to see you." When Lu Wan'er saw Lin Si Yao finally looking her way, she quickly adjusted her annoyed expression into a more lovable one. She quickly thought of an excuse to arouse his interest. She had not gotten his information from Hua An, but bought the information from someone for several silver.
(I don't know if you guys remember, but Hua An is the first son of Hua Xiangyin. He's married to Liu-shi and has three sons. From C16 and C21)
"Conveniently passed by?" Lin Si Yao looked at her in ridicule. How very 'convenient'. From Hua House, their house was about 5000 meters away. Who would call a 5000 meter walk, just 'conveniently passing by'?
"Nm, actually... I wasn't just passing by, I...I'm here to meet you, Lin dà gē." When Lu Wan'er met gazes with Lin Si Yao's mesmerizing expression, her heart started to beat. With her mind in a jumble, she spoke the truth.
"Meet me? I am not familiar with you. Lady, you must be confusing me with someone else." Lin Si Yao retracted his mocking smile and coldly replied. He really wanted to kick her out, but this was not jianghu, a place where one could do whatever they wanted. If he were to injure her here, then it would cause even more trouble. Lin Si Yao sighed.
"No, you are him. Lin Si Yao, I've been looking for you for a long time. I...I...I don't care if you are already married. Please give me a chance...That... my dad had also agreed, if you were to marry me, then you can inherit all of Lu House." Lu Wan'er stuttered out the purpose of her visit.
That's right, she had wanted only him. It was alright that he was already married, he could just divorce his current wife. Lu Wan'er believed her conditions were much better when compared to his current situation.
"HAHAHA." When Lu Wan'er had finished her speech, the atmosphere was oppressing and no one was talking. There was only the sound of Tian Dabao laughing as he continuously slapped his own thigh, "HAHAHA! Shifu...SHIFU, HEY. HAHAHA! Aiyo, oh my mom, my stomach hurts so much from laughing. HAHAHA...See Shifu, didn't I say so before? HAHAH-oww! Shifu..." With a Xuan Feng palm, Lin Si Yao sent Tian Dabao flying across the roof and onto the south garden.
There, he finally could not hear his exaggerated and obnoxious laughter. "Dabao..." Su Shuilian was worried and wanted to rush to the backyard to check on him. However, she was unexpectedly stopped by Lin Si Yao. He held her tightly in his embrace.
"You are not allowed to go anywhere," he whispered. He knew that she was worried for Tian Dabao. But he knew from his strength that he would come out uninjured. Lin Si Yao just wanted Dabao to scram a bit further away and not play around here. However, once this woman were to leave, she wouldn't come back so fast. Did she not realize that her husband was being preyed upon by some rapacious woman?
"Lin dàgē..." Lu Wan'er interrupted Lin Si Yao's confession in a timely manner. She had gotten some hints from Tian Dabao's outburst. Could it be that he already knew she was here? Could he have been looking forward to her visit? With that thought, Lu Wan'er happily stepped forward, ignoring Su Shuilian in his arms, as she continued, "Lin dà gē, what I said before was completely true. As long as you are willing to marry me, the future Lu House is all yours."
"The exit is right there, don't bother us to see you out." Lin Si Yao gave her a cold look and passed by her in disgust. Without looking back he said to the wolves, "If you don't watch the house, next time, don't expect any meaty meals." And with a 'bam' he shut the door of their house, leaving the lone figure freezing in the winter wind.
After being threatened, Xiao Chun quickly got up and tugged at the ends of Lu Wan'er's dress; pulling her to the gates of their house.
As for Xiao Xue, she watched with amused eyes as she continued to lay in the doghouse. She took in the interesting scene of Lu Wan'er fighting her brother as she cried, refusing to leave. Little cretin! If it weren't for you suddenly appearing to bother our owner, our male owner wouldn't be angry at us. If we don't kick you out, we won't be able to eat meat tomorrow!
"Don't bother." Lin Si Yao pulled Su Shuilian away from the door. She had wanted to see the situation outside. "But A Yao...she is a maiden girl. If she were to be injured by Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue..."
Ok fine, Su Shuilian was actually worried about the wolf cubs. If Lu Wan'er were to be injured by them... Wouldn't the wolves be reported to the government by the Lu House? Even if she has Lin Si Yao to protect her. If an incident were to occur, there was no guarantee that a villager would not point them out. Once they recognized they were wolves instead of dogs, wouldn't they be driven out?
Su Shuilian immediately thought of the worst possible outcome. She wasn't a good person was she. All she thought about was the wolf pups and not the safety Lu Wan'er. However, after Su Shuilian had heard Lu Wan'er confession and marriage proposal, she had completely lost all sympathy for Lu Wan'er.
Chapter 64: Kneel on a Washboard as Punishment
The girl's shrilling shouts gradually faded and it became peaceful again. Lin Si Yao walked to the kitchen to boil another pot of tea. As for Tian Dabao who was 'obediently reflecting' on the quincuncial piles, Lin Si Yao had thrown him towards the exit of the courtyard with a single sentence, "Early dismissal," and closed the gates.
"Shifu, Shi Niang wouldn't punish you and make you kneel on a washboard, would she?" Tian Dabao's entire body was affixed onto the courtyard gate. Through the bars of the gate, he curiously yelled at Lin Si Yao who was walking back into the main house.
Lin Si Yao almost misstepped and tripped at his question. "Go home now!" He said through gritted teeth. He secretly vowed to himself: If this unruly runt continues to act so brazenly, one day, he'll make sure to throw him into the river. Best if he drifted away from here, never to come back!
---
"Ok fine! I'll see you tomorrow then, Shifu! Hopefully Shi Niang won't make you kneel on a washboard or else I will be doomed tomorrow too!" Tian Dabao waved and said these last words before turning around to make his way home. As he was walking home, he continued to mutter 'Amitabha, amitabha...' He hoped that Shifu would not be like his father and suffer the wrath of his wife. Otherwise, he will also suffer tomorrow.....
"Want to light a lamp or will you continue tomorrow?" Lin Si Yao entered the west wing of the house. Although the curtains had been rolled to the top, it didn't help as the sun was starting to set.
"No, it's fine. After this last part, I won't be working anymore. Lighting a lamp is too costly." Su Shuilian did not look up to answer as the needle in her hand continued to move at a rapid speed.
"What do you want to eat tonight?" Lin Si Yao pulled a chair from the desk across from Su Shuilian. Though this was not his first time watching her embroider, it still gives him a sense of security every time.
"You can make the decision." With the last stitch complete, Su Shuilian looked up with a bright smile, surprising Lin Si Yao as she continued, "Rest assured, I won't make you kneel on a washboard." Because there are no washboards here to be used. Su Shuilian laughed to herself.
"You heard him?" Lin Si Yao raised his brow. Fortunately, the room was dark, or else she would have noticed him blush. He secretly vowed - Very good! Tian Dabao, I will grant your wish tomorrow and train you extra hard!
"Pfft!" Su Shuilian could not help but laugh out loud. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..." It was just that his previous expression was too cute, and from what she can tell, he had definitely cursed Tian Dabao just now!
"Yes, you did mean it." Lin Si Yao said in a low voice. In a blink of an eye, he made his way to her as he pulled her into his embrace. Locking Su Shuilian in a tight grasp, neither allowing her to escape nor move.
"A Yao." Just from his imposing manner, Su Shuilian knew that she would be 'punished'. And that was indeed true as her lips and tongue were soon enveloped by his, rendering her unable to make a single sound. Only when she was exhausted of her strength did he finally release her.
"Unfair..." Out of breath, it was the only word Su Shuilian managed to mutter out. She hit him several times in the chest and continued, "The one who should be punished is you, how come it became me?"
"Ok, you can punish me now." Lin Si Yao looked at her with a teasing expression. With his index finger, he lightly poked her warm, flushed lips indicating she should quickly 'punish' him.
"Lin Si Yao!" Su Shuilian angrily called out his full name.
"I'm here." Lin Si Yao answered as he leaned over to kiss the space between her brow. "Su Shuilian, all I need is you." As for those insignificant women, if he was allowed, even before they spoke their first words, he would have already thrown them far away. They should never be allowed to act so unruly in front of him.
His comforting words instantly dispelled Su Shuilian's feeling of unease. It seemed he had already figured out her complex feelings. "A Yao, I believe you..." Su Shuilian replied in a small voice. She was ashamed of herself for not trusting him.
"Next time, I won't let you off this easily." Lin Si Yao caressed her tender red lips and warned in a low voice. Su Shuilian could naturally hear his true intentions, which caused her ears to flush red.
"Do you plan to punish me by making me kneel on a washboard?" She could not help but chuckle when she thought back to the words of Tian Dabao.
"That little runt has gotten more and more mischievous." Lin Si Yao reluctantly sighed.
It could be said that Tian Dabao had never feared Lin Si Yao from the start. He was only obedient during the beginning of his apprenticeship; when he had just accepted him as his disciple. If Shifu was to say west, then Tian Dabao would never go east. If Shifu were to say stand, he would not dare to sit. However, this obedience only lasted for less than half a month. After that, he had returned to his previous self, an unruly and unmannered child.
Of course, he would never cross the final line as Tian Dabao had already figured out how to read Lin Si Yao. He knew when it was okay to act like a fool and when it was time to listen; Tian Dabao had gotten abnormally good at it too. And because of this, Lin Si Yao was left with no choice. He could only throw him out of sight like what he just did before.
"That just means you are a good teacher; cold on the outside, but warm inside!" Su Shuilian's eyes blinked with playfulness. She did not miss the opportunity to tease him. And sure enough, Lin Si Yao's face showed faint signs of blush.
Very good, Su Shuilian gave herself an internal thumbs-up. She had gradually started to understand his personality as well. He was actually very shy and easy to please. As long as she was brave enough to say a few things, he would blush. How come she never figured this out earlier?
"Cough*.... Enough, you are also as naughty as Dabao." Lin Si Yao gave her a quick look before looking away. However, the arms trapping Su Shuilian showed no signs of loosening.
"How about having sweet and sour carp tonight?" Lin Si Yao walked out of the west room with her. Holding her soft hands, he consulted her about their dinner tonight.
"Ok." For Su Shuilian, who took no part in the cooking process, she was fine with anything as long as it was not too spicy or too pungent.
"Ah yes, A Yao, do you think Lu Wan'er will come back again?" Su Shuilian quietly asked.
Although they only had three encounters, it was clear to see that she was a woman who would not easily give up on her set goals. He had even publicly insulted her today, would she take revenge and come back next time with more people to ruin their house?
"Rest assured, even if she comes back, I have my ways to deal with her." Lin Si Yao replied.
Worst comes to worst, he could just throw that lovestruck idiot back to Lu residence. Bring her to the head of Lu House and threaten them: If they continue to allow her to disturb them, then he will make the whole Lu house bear the responsibilities. He did not believe that the head of Lu house would be a small minded person with an unclear mind!
Chapter 65: Xiao Xue is Pregnant?!
"Xiao Chun? What's the matter?" Su Shuilian was surprised by the wolf pup, who ran into the embroidery room, tugged at her clothes, and whimpered. It seemed he wanted her to go outside.
Su Shuilian was scared that he may stain the work, but also worried for Xiao Chun who was usually very calm. Could something have happened outside?
She followed Xiao Chun out and walked to the wolf house. There, she saw Xiao Xue laying on the ground in the same position as yesterday, seemingly unable to move.
"Xiao Xue, are you okay? Are you sick?" She touched her head, it was not a fever because Xiao Xue was not burning up. She then lifted her eyelids as she had seen her brother previously done. But they were neither muddy nor bloodshot. Carefully looking over Xiao Xue, she could not find any other symptoms. Xiao Xue was just lethargic and lacked her usual energy.
"Then what exactly is going on?" Su Shuilian was stunned and completely clueless to Xiao Xue's current predicament.
Looking at the sky, she could tell it would soon be noon, Lin Si Yao should be coming back with Dabao soon.
Su Shuilian got up and gave Xiao Xue some water. She thought, like humans, drinking some clear water should do no harm.
She then went to the kitchen and washed the vegetables that Lin Si Yao had freshly picked earlier this morning. After that, she walked out of the kitchen into the warm winter sun and thought back to Xiao Xue's condition.
Just as she finished straining the vegetables, Lin Si Yao and Tian Dabao arrived back.
"Didn't I already tell you that I would do it, how are your hands?" Lin Si Yao's brows furrowed seeing the basket of washed greens. He took her somewhat cold hands into his.
"A Yao, I do not know what happened to Xiao Xue, she has been sleeping continuously for two days now. Do you think she is ill?" Su Shuilian asked as she led him to the wolf hut.
"This is normal, because Xiao is going to be a mother." Lin Si Yao smiled. He actually found out this morning when he felt her pulse. And that was what assured him; she was pregnant. It had been the reason why he had left Xiao Chun home. Because the current Xiao Xue would have no way of guarding Su Shuilian and their house.
What he actually looked forward to the most, would be when his own little woman gave him the second dearest person of his life. But for now, looking at her, she still needs time adjusting her body before that happens. That's alright though, they still have the rest of their lifetime together.
"Xiao......Xiao Xue.... is... going to be a.... mother?" Su Shuilian said somewhat in a daze as she gaped. "But... but she should only be about two years old?" Forgive her, her mind could not process such information.
"To be more exact, Xiao Xue is one and a half years old." Lin Si Yao nodded his head. A wolf's mating season is during the early spring. With a successful copulation and carry to term, Xiao Xue should have been born last summer. And that was a year and a half ago. Of course, there were also wolves that mate later in late fall. A good living example would be the one right in front of them!
"Oh my goodness!" Su Shuilian covered her mouth and gasped in disbelief. Then, she stooped down, and poked at Xiao Xue's head, "You're not even of age, yet you want to become a mother already! Idiot Xiao Xue!"
"There's nothing wrong with her. Wolves' health and body compositions are the same as dogs, perfectly able to mate at just a mere age of one and a half years old. Raising the cub to a wolf is another matter, it'll need a lot of love and care since we're in the middle of winter."
Lin Si Yao pulled her up, amused. "Aren't you curious to know who's the father?" His words seemed to conceal a hint of hilarity. "Do you know?" Su Shuilian looked at him quizzically.
"No, just a hunch." He led her to the kitchen, sat her down by the table, and started to make dinner. "Do you remember the last time we went to Dashi Mountain?" He worked the bellows by the fireplace. He was talking about half a month ago, when they went to Dashi Mountain to hunt winter prey.
"Oh, that time?" Su Shuilian was a little embarrassed talking about how Xiao Xue became a mother.
"Yep, it was probably then. If I'm not wrong, it's the Wolf King." As he spoke, the fire had grown to a considerable size. He stood up, walked around the fireplace, and brought out a big cooking pan. He spread a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and prepared to make sautéed mushrooms with cabbage.
"The Wolf King?" Su Shuilian's eyes widened. It couldn't be, does Dashi Mountain hold such a large wolf pack? "A Yao, don't go inside the mountain again." She urged worriedly, thinking about how lucky she was to live in Dashi Mountain peacefully for two months before meeting Lin Si Yao.
"Don't worry, I know my limits." Lin Si Yao chuckled.
It goes without saying that wolves exist on Dashi Mountain. Since wolves are pack animals, Xiao Xue's family couldn't have been the only one. Bumping into wolf packs has only been a recent occasion, anyways. But even so, the pack led by the Wolf King didn't show any aggression towards them because of Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue's presence. In the last trip, Xiao Xue had only seen the Wolf King twice or so; had she managed to become pregnant with his cub in such a short time? Lin Si Yao could only shake his head and laugh, Su Shuilian didn't have anything to say.
She never would have thought this would happen. Even since coming to Dahui, she was the one who's watched Xiao Xue grow up little by little. But in just one night, she's leaped from a small cub to a pregnant mother. In about three months, she'll be laden with a litter of cute wolf puppies. By then, Su Shuilian wouldn't be able to call her 'little wolf pup' anymore. This nickname only lasted for about half a year or so. "Yao, since Xiao Xue is pregnant, give her an extra bowl of goat's milk..." Su Shuilian quickly gathered her feelings, and entered the role of Xiao Xue's midwife in order to lessen her troubles as much as possible.
After pairing up with a mate for fertilization, the female goat that the village chief gifted them was just in season for producing milk. Furthermore, the chief's other doe (female goat) just gave birth merely five days ago, so they had more than enough milk. Of course, the chief had taken his share of the three baby goats to raise at home.
Su Shuilian's little goat had quite a lot of milk in her. Even after each baby goat was full, she still managed to squeeze out two full bowls. Tian Dabao had long since developed the habit of running away with his nose pinched together tightly from the strange odor of goat milk. So they split it equally, Su Shuilian and Lin Si Yao would share a bowl and the two wolves would also do the same.
"Alright..." Lin Si Yao didn't have any objections. Normally, a wolf cub born in winter would have extremely slim chances of survival, but Xiao Xue was staying at home instead of Dashi Mountain. If they really have to, they can set up a makeshift shelter for them. With a storage full of jerky and goat milk, they can even roast some fresh fish for them to eat. They will never go hungry, and Xiao Xue won't give a premature delivery, either.... Lin Si Yao knew that Su Shuilian treated Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue like family. He sighed at himself for even getting envious at the two beasts, and laughed heartily.
The next day, Lin Si Yao moved the wolves' bed to a corner of the bedroom. If there was enough sunlight, Li Si Yao would have Xiao Xue lay down outside the house. Xiao Chun's daily training was paused, and was ordered to keep watch of the lodging and not go anywhere else. With two "females" in the house and one of them pregnant, Xiao Chun's responsibility was quite hefty. Thankfully, Lu Wan'er didn't come back after that day. It was unclear whether she had given up or taken a break because of the awful weather. After worrying for a few days, Su Shuilian quickly forgot about her.
She invested her time on the <Drunken Beauty> embroidery piece that was due in half a month. In the meantime, Xicui had once again visited the Yueyun Embroidery Floor. Jiang Yangyun had sent word that she didn't need to rush it, and it would be fine if she gave notice of it being up to four days late. Su Shuilian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Back then, who was the one who proudly promised that it'll be done by the New Years? Thankfully, the date Su Shuilian had set for herself was the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month. Since Jiang Yangyun allowed four days, that means she can turn it in by the 25th. She had five more days to work her magic, so Su Shuilian didn't force herself to finish as soon as possible.
Lin Si Yao took a stroll around after training his disciple. He chatted and argued for a bit with Tian Dabao, brushed Xiao Xue's fur, bathed in the sunlight, and jogged with the bored Xiao Chun to warm himself up. The simple days passed with little trouble. After dinner, Su Shuilian kept to her routine; played with Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue, tidied the bedroom, and folded the sheets. Lin Si Yao cleaned the kitchen. But just when he was about to lock the courtyard gate, he saw a large white wolf waiting in front of the door. Two glowing green eyes studied the approaching Lin Si Yao. The Wolf King? Lin Si Yao's heart jumped slightly.
"Go back! This isn't a place you can come to...." Lin Si Yao urged in a hushed voice. If one of the patrolling villagers were to find him, not only would the Wolf King be in danger, his own household would also be suspected. That was also why he would lock the gate doors during the evening, to prevent Xiao Chun and Xiao Xue from roaming outside during the night. However, because Dabao had stayed for dinner, locking the gates had been delayed for an hour.
"Ahh-ooo...." The wolf whimpered, as if begging to let him see Xiao Xue.
"Go back. She's fine. If you don't want more trouble, don't come back from the mountain...." Lin Si Yao stood his ground in front of the Wolf King, and ordered weightily. Better to talk nonsense than to let the Wolf King enter the cabin. If he were to let him go in once, there will be a second time, and a third time.... Someone would be bound to notice by then.