The wife of two taels of silver

Lin Haitang asked the escort leader of the Sanshun Escort Agency, "Captain Zhang, please tell me, where is the safest restaurant in Yancheng? I'd like to stay there with my child for a few days."

Escort Captain Zhang said, "The security in Yancheng is relatively good, and it's basically all good. But the safest place is Babaolou. Those scholars and poets also love to recite poems and compose essays there. The Yancheng Temple Fair is just around the corner, and there have been poetry gatherings every day at Babaolou these past few days. Famous and not-so-famous people all come, hoping to make a splash at this poetry gathering, while the famous ones become even more famous. It's also a major annual event in Yancheng. If you're interested, Madam, you can go and see it."

Lin Haitang thanked them, asked for directions, and then took Gu Mo and Gu Zhilan towards Babao Tower.

The setting sun shone obliquely into the restaurant. Scholars, folding fans in hand and jade ornaments on their waists, occasionally turned their heads to chat with friends about a poem just written by an unknown gentleman. Two women, their faces veiled in white gauze, played the pipa. Other guests ate and drank, but most were watching the poetry gathering. It was lively but not chaotic. It was a grand event in Yancheng.

Lin Haitang was dressed in a vibrant ruqun, her hair casually tied up with a wooden hairpin from home. She looked both gentle and warm. Perhaps because she'd been eating well and wearing decent clothes these past few days, and perhaps because of the spiritual spring water within the space, Lin Haitang's skin and spirits were both in excellent condition. With two cute, soft, white children by her side, the family of three was quite eye-catching.

Lin Haitang didn't know that many people were looking at her. She was very hungry. The two children had only eaten a little at noon and were also very hungry. She wanted to quickly order a table of food so that the three of them could have a full meal.

Babaolou was really expensive, costing 450 wen a night. Lin Haitang's best restaurant in Hua'an County only cost 120 wen a bowl. Lin Haitang reluctantly paid for two nights' room, plus the food he ordered, for a total of one or two taels of silver.

Lin Haitang squatted down and asked the two children: "Momo, Lanlan, do you two want to eat in your room or in the hall?"

Gu Zhilan grabbed Lin Haitang's sleeve: "Mom, Lanlan wants to eat outside. Sister will make it nice." Gu Zhilan turned her head and looked at the two women playing the pipa on the stage with shining eyes.

Gu Zhilan had never played any musical instrument before, and had never even heard of one in the small village of Shang'anhe. She didn't say that the piano playing was very nice, she could only say that it sounded very nice.

"Lanlan likes it, so can we eat outside? If Lanlan wants to learn in the future, mother will find a teacher for you so that Lanlan can learn, okay?" Lin Haitang brushed the loose hair by Gu Zhilan's ears.

The light in Gu Zhilan's eyes became brighter: "Okay!"

The mother and her two children found a table in the hall and waited for the food to be served.

A man walked onto the stage and clapped his hands twice. He was the host of this year's poetry gathering, Liu Shujin, the third young master of the Liu family. "Ladies and gentlemen, next is the Flying Flowers. Anyone here can take it, no matter who you are. Just stand up and say it. The heavy snow has just melted today, so let's make 'snow' the theme. I'd like my eldest brother, Liu Shuyun, to start it."

Liu Shuyun, who was on the second floor, walked out of the private room. She was tall and graceful, with a face as beautiful as spring breeze. Her eyes were filled with smiles as she gazed at everyone. "Everyone, let me show you my skills. I'd like to start by throwing out some ideas - thousands of miles of yellow clouds, the sun is dim, the north wind blows, and the snow falls."

No one seemed to expect Liu Shuyun to actually attend the Yancheng Poetry Festival. They all assumed that since he was in the capital, even if he would come to Yancheng, he wouldn't come to a small poetry gathering in Yancheng. After all, Liu Shuyun was too famous. Many people came just to hope for a chance to meet Liu Shuyun. They all knew that the Liu family would return to their hometown of Yancheng every April to worship their ancestors. A few days ago, there was news that Liu Shuyun would attend this poetry gathering. Everyone was skeptical because Liu Shuyun hadn't attended a poetry gathering in Yancheng for six years.

Because of Liu Shuyun's arrival, these literati were even more excited. Each of them stood up actively to answer the next line of the poem, wanting to leave a good impression in front of Liu Shuyun.

Not only these big men were excited, but many women were also excited. Liu Shuyun was talented, had a good family background, a good reputation, and good looks. Many women had a secret crush on him and wanted to attract Liu Shuyun's attention through this poetry meeting, or at least make him familiar to them.

Lin Haitang was enjoying the show. These men and women were extremely excited after Liu Shuyun came out. Lin Haitang was observing happily. She didn't expect that she had anything to do with the Feihua Order. Then she saw a woman in purple, holding a small heater in her hands. She said to her, "Miss Xi, I didn't expect you to really come. I just saw you on the second floor and I thought I was seeing things. Miss Xi, will you come up with me, or are you in the hall?"

Liu Shuyun is a woman of equal fame, Xi Shuyun, daughter of the great literary figure Xi Bin. Xi Shuyun, known for her love of white clothing and aloofness, is known for her "pure and independent" demeanor. Her involvement with the Yancheng Poetry Festival is due to Liu Shuyun, whose affection for him is well known. However, Liu Shuyun has always evaded her.

This Yancheng Poetry Festival was quite lively. Not only did people from Yancheng come, but also because Liu Shuyun and Xi Shuyun were coming, many people came to watch the show, many people came to write poetry, and even people from the capital came.

By the way, it was a miracle that Lin Haitang was able to book a room in Babaolou.

Hearing the purple-dressed girl's question, the people around them became even more excited and started discussing: "Is it really Miss Xi? But why are there two babies beside her?" "Is it really Miss Xi? She's wearing red?" "Really? Miss Xi has really come?"

When Lin Haitang heard these voices, she was just picking up some food with her head down. She was stunned for two seconds, then immediately put down her chopsticks and stood up and said, "Miss, you've got the wrong person. I'm not Miss Xi, my last name is Lin."

The purple-dressed girl obviously hadn't anticipated this mistake and smiled awkwardly, "Sorry, girl. Your profile looks very similar to my friend's. I was mistaken just now. Now that I see her face, they don't look alike anymore. I'm so sorry, it was my mistake."

The purple-dressed girl was Lu Yuhan, the daughter of the prefect of Yancheng. She hadn't expected to make a mistake, so she asked why Xi Shuyun had started wearing red. Lin Haitang and Xi Shuyun did look alike from the side, but the difference was clear from the front. Furthermore, their auras were distinct. If Lu Yuhan hadn't been dazzled on the second floor, she wouldn't have made a mistake.

Seeing Lin Haitang's denial, the people around also started to talk. "I said it wasn't Xi Shuyun." "I was wondering why Xi Shuyun was wearing red." "Even Miss Lu could make a mistake. It seems that Miss Xi's profile looks a lot like Miss Lin." "Hey, do you think Xi Shuyun is coming?" "I think she's probably coming. Didn't you see Liu Shuyun is here?"

Liu Shuyun had obviously noticed the misunderstanding, and walked over to Lin Haitang, clasping his fists towards her and saying, "Miss, I'm Liu Shuyun..."

Before Liu Shuyun could finish, when everyone's eyes were focused on Lin Haitang, someone shouted, "Look! Xi Shuyun is here!"

At the door, Xi Shuyun, dressed in plain clothes and followed by two servants, was walking slowly towards Lin Haitang, Liu Shuyun, and Lu Yuhan. Her face was fair, her steps were gentle, and her temperament was cool and aloof, detached and independent, worthy of the praise she received from the world.

"Shuyun, what is this?" Xi Shuyun smiled at Liu Shuyun.

"Ms. Xi, I'm sorry, I just mistook this Miss Lin for you." Lu Yuhan laughed awkwardly.

Xi Shuyun looked at Lin Haitang and said, "This girl's features are somewhat similar to mine. It seems we are destined to meet. Miss Lin, I am Xi Shuyun, your humble servant."

Lin Haitang also returned the greeting and said, "Miss Xi, my last name is Lin and my name is Haitang. Nice to meet you."

Liu Shuyun said to Lin Haitang, "I see that you are very noble and dignified. Could you please write a poem for me to admire?"

Lin Haitang almost cursed. "Just because I'm extraordinary, I have to write poetry? What's the logic behind this? Wouldn't it be very embarrassing if I couldn't do it?"

Lin Haitang smiled faintly, "Master Liu, I come from a humble background and can't write poetry. You think too highly of me." Lin Haitang paused, then added, "Since Master Yun has invited me, it would be unreasonable for me not to compose a poem. So, I'll offer one for everyone to laugh at."

"The sound of falling snow is most elegant among the bamboos. On cold nights, I listen to the sound of snow falling on the bamboo forest, its rustling sound, its rhythmic rhythm, and its tranquility.

"I'm just a half-baked person and can only do this much. Please forgive me, Mr. Yun." Lin Haitang bowed again.

This poem is elegant.

Liu Shuyun was very surprised and said to Lin Haitang, "Young lady, you are very talented."

Liu Shuyun's attention was always on Lin Haitang, and Xi Shuyun clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

She knew that Liu Shuyun had been deliberately distancing himself from her, but no woman had ever caught Liu Shuyun's eye before, so she wasn't worried. However, Lin Haitang attracted Liu Shuyun's attention as soon as she appeared.

Lin Haitang did not stay here any longer because of the storm. She made an excuse that the child was tired and went back to the room.

After this incident, Lin Haitang finally made a name for herself in front of the scholars in Yancheng. Lin Haitang didn't know that because of this incident, other people's first impression of her was that she was like Xi Shuyun.

Xi Shuyun was worried at first, but now that she found out that Lin Haitang already had two children, there was nothing to worry about anymore, and she let go of the slight hostility she had towards Lin Haitang.

Lin Haitang arrived at the room and was planning how to go to the Xiannong Bookstore to discuss business tomorrow.

When she met Liu Shuyun today, she saw that he was talented and famous, but he seemed too old-fashioned. His smile made her uncomfortable. She didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt that Liu Shuyun must have met his original self, Lin Haitang.

It was not Lin Haitang's illusion. Liu Shuyun had really seen the original Lin Haitang when the original body and Gu An got married.

Gu An's talent was renowned throughout Yancheng, and this was no exaggeration. Gu An's fame was truly immense at the time. His essay for the academy exam astounded the invigilators, and even the Yancheng prefect, Lord Lu, heard about it. He read Gu An's essay and declared, "This boy is truly exceptional; he will surely make a difference in the court someday." Because of Lord Lu's words, who didn't know about Gu An, the young master of Hua'an County? Liu Shuyun, even then, was eager to become his friend. Despite their eight-year age difference, they struck a chord, often chatting late into the night. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the provincial examination, three years later, hoping this boy would win the title of Jieyuan in the autumn exam. However, in early August, Gu An arrived in Yancheng early to prepare for the exam. Unexpectedly, on August 6th, a fire broke out in the inn where he was staying, injuring all the inngoers. Gu An suffered burns to his face, right hand, and arm, and missed the exam. From that moment on, Gu An was devastated.

Later, Gu An, a man as beautiful as jade, would only make anyone sigh when they mentioned him. Liu Shuyun went to look for his friend Gu An, but Gu An refused to see him and locked him out. Liu Shuyun said he could prepare for the next Autumn Examination, but he was met with silence. The next time Liu Shuyun saw Gu An, it was his wedding day, and Gu An handed him an invitation.

The poetry reading was over, and Liu Shuyun was wondering if this Lin Haitang was really Gu An's wife, Lin Haitang. She was completely different from the person he had met a few years ago.

What did Lin Haitang look like when Liu Shuyun saw her then? Hunched shoulders, afraid to raise her head, a silly, average-looking girl, at best delicate and pretty. What did Lin Haitang look like now? She was tall and straight, with a striking appearance, gentle and warm, a delight to the eyes.

This is really true.

This Lin Haitang has two children. If she is really Gu An’s wife, then these two children are of course Heng’an’s children.

Gu An, whose courtesy name is Heng'an.