Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Nanfei hummed a little tune, looked up at the intersection ahead, and said, "Ah Feng, I'll treat you to some snacks. I haven't been back for years, I wonder how Hefang Street is doing..."

I want to eat big wontons, Cao Po meat pies, Lu Jia steamed buns, Zheng Jia fried cakes, Daotang lychees, golden plums, Ge's herbal tea, iced cold dumplings, and chilled rice wine..."

Nan Fei talked on and on, while Yuan Feng pushed the wheelchair into Hefang Street.

The night market was bustling with people. The two of them were so conspicuous that a group of people followed them around, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.

Young Master Nan is notorious for his womanizing ways. He lost his leg and is now unable to perform sexually, forcing him to return home. He is to become the Grand Eunuch in the palace, while General Yuan Feng is destined to live a life of widowhood... The rumors started yesterday and have spread like wildfire today.

Now, witnessing with my own eyes, Young Master Nan is holding an exquisitely embroidered pumpkin pillow, completely covering his waist, seemingly trying to conceal something?

Wow, what a waste of talent!

A pedantic scholar reenacted the following: King Wen was imprisoned and then wrote the Book of Changes; Confucius was in distress and then wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals; Qu Yuan was exiled and then composed the Li Sao; Zichang was castrated and then wrote the Records of the Grand Historian; Nanfei lost his leg but wanted to become a general; Yuan Feng was widowed and then appointed as a general…

The gazes were scathing, the gossip increasingly unrestrained. Nan Fei seemed oblivious, strolling leisurely from one end of the street to the other with a grin.

Yuan Feng's cultivation was insufficient, and his inner clothes were soaked when he returned to the Yuan residence.

A dozen or so servants from the Yuan household craned their necks and stared intently at them.

Yuan Feng erupted instantly, his expression stern and imposing: "Steward Su, dismiss them all if they have nothing better to do. I'm not usually in the manor, so there's no need to keep a bunch of clueless good-for-nothings around."

The servants all lowered their heads, silent as if trembling in fear.

Yuan Feng sat down and tapped her hand lightly on the table.

A perceptive maidservant caught sight of this out of the corner of her eye and immediately served tea and snacks, saying tremblingly, "General, please have some, young master."

Nan Fei tried to ease the tension: "The little girl is quite clever. What's her name? How old are you?"

The maidservant respectfully replied, "My name is Ba Mei, and I am fifteen years old."

Butler Su added, "She is the eighth child of a farmer's family at the foot of Jingling Mountain. She came to the manor half a year ago."

Nanfei put down his cup, yawned, and said to Yuan Feng, "Should we have them fetch water to wash up and rest?"

Yuan Feng said, "From this day forward, the son-in-law is the master of this household. You all need to serve him carefully. Anyone who goesssips or spreads rumors will have their tongue cut out, be beaten to death, and thrown out. If the government comes knocking, I'll take responsibility. Do you understand?"

Everyone shuddered and replied, "We heard you."

Butler Su gestured with his chin. Yuan Feng turned around and saw Old Madam Nan carrying a food box, followed by a maid.

Yuan Feng stood up: "Mother, why are you here?"

Madam Nan opened the food box and took out a small bowl for Nan Fei: "You forgot to bring your medicine, so I brought it to you. Today's medicine has been decocted..."

Nan Fei took the medicine and glanced at Yuan Feng.

Madam Nan assumed he was unwilling again and advised, "Xiao Fei, we know all the gossip on the street. We can't stop people from talking, so don't take it to heart. Reason with others, get treatment if you're sick; it's only natural, so don't... oh..."

Before Madam Nan could finish her long-winded admonition, and before she could even prepare her tears, Nan Fei had already finished drinking the medicine.

Madam Nan took the medicine packet from Xiao Cui's hand: "Ah Feng, arrange for someone to be quick-witted and remember to brew the medicine and watch him drink it..."

Eighth Sister volunteered, "General, let me do it."

Seeing that Eighth Sister had dark skin and was diligent and clever, Madam Nan gave her the medicine packet, gave her some detailed instructions, and then left.

Nanfei didn't say a word.

The servants saw it all, knew what was going on, and dared not utter a word.

Yuan Feng pushed Nan Fei into the room: "Aren't you getting up? Are you addicted to being waited on? You don't need someone to wait on you even when you're taking a bath, do you?"

Nanfei said, "It is impolite not to reciprocate. You serve me when I travel, and I will serve you when you bathe."

Yuan Feng raised her foot to kick him, but Nan Fei neither dodged nor flinched. Yuan Feng stopped and lowered her foot when her toes touched his clothes.

Nanfei laughed: "We're an old married couple... You'll be going to the army in a few days, and I don't know when we'll see each other again... If you miss me, you can only recite the Great Compassion Mantra..."

Shameless!

The palace banquet was even more harmonious than Nianyao had imagined. There was none of the royal solemnity and restraint she had envisioned; they ate and drank, sat formally and chatted, listened to songs and appreciated music…

The Emperor, the Empress, Second Grandfather, Aunt, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Sister… Luo An introduced her to his relatives. Their faces were all smiles, but their eyes held a mixture of curiosity and curiosity: “What abilities does this little girl possess?”

Nianyao accepted their scrutiny without flinching.

The emperor praised, "Young in age, but with great magnanimity, not bad."

Nianyao, pleased with the praise, winked at Luo An, only to see her aunt still watching her.

Dongyang's song and dance are quite famous, and seeing them in person is truly breathtaking. The sounds of various musical instruments—chime, zither, xiao, flute, konghou, bili, sheng—resonate like pearls and jade, while the dancers, their dresses billowing to the music, twirl and soar like fairies…

As Nianyao listened to the music and watched the dance, she felt as if she had entered a dreamlike fairyland with the dancers, ascending to the moon palace... When the singers changed scenes, Nianyao touched Luo An next to her and said, "So beautiful, so wonderful..."

She touched nothing? Nianyao turned around, but Luo An wasn't there. She looked around; everyone was watching the dance, except for her aunt, who caught her gaze and turned to look at the performance.

Uncle isn't here? The Crown Prince isn't here either? Didn't he even tell her beforehand? Humph!

Nianyao continued to watch the dance, but she couldn't concentrate as much as before. She naturally noticed that her aunt spent more time looking at her than at the dancers.

Nianyao moved to Luo An's seat, tilted her head and asked, "Auntie, is something the matter?"

Meng Dong, not yet thirty, was young and gentle: "Nian Yao is beautiful and capable, take a few more glances at her."

Nianyao said shyly, "Auntie, you flatter me."

Meng Dong looked towards the door, and Nian Yao turned around and saw Luo An and the other two coming over, so she quickly moved aside.

Luo An sat down: "It doesn't matter where I sit."

Nianyao said, "One must be mindful of the bigger picture."

Luo An said, "Don't worry about the formalities."

Nianyao solemnly refused: "No, if their husbands are in the main seat, my husband must also be in the main seat."

When it comes to understanding the bigger picture, she's absolutely decisive. Luo An couldn't help but pat her head: "Great job."

They didn't take a carriage back that evening. Nianyao walked slowly with Luo An by her arm. The evening breeze blew through their hair, and the time was peaceful and serene.

Nianyao looked up in surprise and exclaimed, "There are still sky lanterns this late!"

Luo An said, "It's not surprising that Bianjing is prosperous; let's go set off one too."

There are many painted boats on the Lover's River, and vendors gather along the riverbank, making it a lively place with people coming and going.

Nianyao exclaimed, "Bianjing is worlds apart from Chongming Island. How did you manage to get used to living here?"

Luo An naturally replied, "Because you are here."

He had clearly been so disgusted with her before. Nianyao wanted to laugh at him for lying, but then she touched her arm and thought, "Ugh, this is too cheesy."

Nianyao took a sky lantern, and the shopkeeper handed her a pen: "Young lady, you can write your wishes on it."

Nianyao picked up her pen to think, and her boss offered some suggestions: "If you're seeking love, write 'May you last forever'; if you're seeking offspring, write 'May you have a son soon'; if you're seeking fame and fortune, write 'May you become rich and powerful'..."

Nianyao said disdainfully, "Too tacky."