Wine-scented Beauty

Wine-scented Beauty

Rong Tu Xin

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Chapter 1: Accidental Fall into the Water

As dawn broke, the thin mist overhead had not yet dissipated. The rising mist swirled among the clouds like a continuous ribbon, connecting the mountains on both sides of the river to the fishing village by the water, enveloping the entire village in tranquility.

The sun had just risen when a dog, perhaps hungry and afraid, barked a few times, disturbing a sleeping farmer. After the door creaked open, the man got up, throwing on his clothes. His face was full of weariness, but he couldn't hide his anger at being disturbed. He stomped his right foot and cursed, "You damn dog!" Only after the big yellow dog, startled, scurried into its kennel did he calm down and start feeding the chickens and ducks.

This place is called Yuxi Village, which is considered one of the poorest and most remote areas in Jiang County. Rich people don't come here, and villagers rarely go out. The people living here are all poor. They are honest and simple. Since their ancestors, they have been guarding their small plot of land. Their harvest depends on the weather, and they rely on their own hard work to make ends meet. Due to last year's heavy taxes, there is not enough food in the family. Men, women, the old and the young, even the yellow dog that guards the house is emaciated and has tired eyes.

But there is an exception now.

That person was none other than Mei Qing, the girl whom the younger brother of the Lu family had rescued half a month ago.

Mei Qing was eighteen or nineteen years old. She had fair skin and white teeth, and a clever appearance. She was naturally beautiful, far surpassing the peasant women of Yuxi Village. Because she was injured and recuperating in her house, few people had seen her true face. As a result, people from all around knew that Lu Yu, the son of the Lu family, was hiding a beautiful girl in his house, and even speculated that Lu Yu was keeping a mistress in a golden house.

As noon approached, several women were washing clothes in the water, chatting idly. The most frequent topic of conversation was the marriage between Mei Qing and Lu Yu, a perfect match. As they were talking, they suddenly noticed a beautiful new sight by the stream.

The woman had an extremely slender figure, with a waist so thin it could be grasped in one hand. She had an oval face, arched eyebrows, and naturally red lips. Her arched eyebrows were naturally dark and beautiful, and her almond-shaped eyes were also dark and bright. Although she wore very ordinary coarse cloth clothes, she still made people unable to look away.

It was Ji Meiqing, the person at the center of the storm.

At this moment, she was laboriously washing clothes, and the beads of sweat on her forehead glistened in her hair, giving her a unique appearance.

Seeing that she was bending over and scrubbing something, Zhang Fengfang couldn't help but take a closer look. She noticed that the gray long gown in her hand was not a woman's item in terms of color and size. She narrowed her eyes knowingly and teased with a smile, "Qing'er, are you washing clothes for Brother Lu?"

Ji Meiqing was engrossed in washing when she suddenly heard this voice and was somewhat surprised. She turned her head and saw a familiar face before nodding with a faint smile.

Seeing how hard she was working, Zhang Fengfang dropped the wooden basin she was holding and stepped over, frowning as she went. "Brother Lu is such a blockhead! How can you wash so many clothes by yourself? Come on, let your sister-in-law lend a hand!"

After saying that, she took the clothes from Ji Meiqing's hands and put them in the water to wash them. Ji Meiqing did not refuse and wrung out the extra-heavy long gown with Zhang Fengfang.

Zhang Fengfang struck up a conversation, "Qing'er has been in Yuxi Village for half a month now, hasn't she?"

Ji Meiqing wiped the sweat from her brow, said nothing, and simply nodded.

Seeing that she wasn't in a good mood, Zhang Fengfang couldn't help but lean closer and ask, "Tell your sister-in-law the truth, why haven't you thought about finding a home for so long? Besides recuperating from your injuries, is there some other reason?"

Ji Meiqing smiled helplessly, "What are you saying, sister-in-law? What reason could I possibly have?"

Zhang Fengfang clearly didn't believe it. She frowned and said, "Don't think that just because I'm uneducated, I don't know the stories in plays very well. When Brother Lu Yu saved you, didn't you ever think of repaying him with your body?"

Ji Meiqing was startled and almost dropped the long robe she was holding. Fortunately, Zhang Fengfang caught it just in time, thus preventing the embarrassing situation of the clothes being washed away by the water.

Seeing her expression, Zhang Fengfang laughed even harder, "Qing'er, what are you shy about? Your sister-in-law has been through this!"

She paused, then continued, "Qing'er, don't blame your sister-in-law for meddling. I've practically watched Lu Yu grow up, and I'm just worried about him! Everyone in the village his age has children and grandchildren, but he's still a bachelor! He's been waiting and hoping for you to come along, and since he won't make a move himself, I have to find him a match! Although his family isn't wealthy, he's one of the best hunters in the village, capable and hardworking. Everyone praises him. He'll definitely be a loving husband!"

Ji Meiqing had heard most of what was said, and her frustration deepened.

Since she recovered from her serious injury, people have been coming to propose marriage for Lu Yu in droves, and many of them are even more direct than Zhang Fengfang. But if the person in question really had such intentions, she wouldn't be in such an awkward situation. In the two weeks she's spent with Lu Yu, she's tried to find out more about him, but he clearly doesn't have those kinds of feelings...

Just as he was thinking about how to tactfully refuse Zhang's sister-in-law's kindness, he heard footsteps coming from behind, followed by a spoiled female voice.

"You freeloader! What are you slacking off for? Have you finished washing the clothes?!"

Ji Meiqing was startled and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw a woman standing by the stream. The woman was wearing an old, light green silk robe and was standing with her hands on her hips. Although she was pretty, her attitude was extremely arrogant and domineering, which made her unlikable.

Zhang Fengfang naturally recognized her; she was Lu Yu's sworn sister, Lu Cuiwei, who was the most disliked person in the surrounding villages. Zhang Fengfang already disliked her, and now seeing her speaking ill of her favored sister-in-law, she immediately frowned and scolded, "You really have no respect for elders! From now on, Meiqing will be your sister-in-law, and you, my sister-in-law, are as domineering as your mother!"

The word "sister-in-law" greatly angered Lu Cuiwei. Her eyes flashed with fire, and she suddenly bent down, snatched the clothes from Zhang Fengfang's hands, and threw them hard into Ji Meiqing's arms. "You eat and live in my house, and now you need help to do laundry?"

She then looked at Zhang Fengfang beside her, her tone contemptuous, "Why did you have to go to her of all people? Don't you know she's a widow?"

He paused, then spat on the ground, "Bad luck!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fengfang's face turned pale. Ji Meiqing was furious at her rudeness and frowned, scolding, "How dare you talk like that! Apologize to Sister-in-law Zhang right now!"

Lu Cuiwei raised her eyebrows. "Who do you think you are? How dare you boss me around!"

After saying that, she looked down resentfully at the stone at Ji Meiqing's feet, a venomous glint in her eyes. Then, she reached out and shoved Ji Meiqing!

Ji Meiqing was caught off guard by the sudden attack and had no time to dodge. The slippery rocks beneath her feet were already unstable, and now she couldn't withstand the force. She couldn't help but cry out as she immediately lost her balance and fell backward into the stream.

The stream was bottomless, and a bone-chilling coldness swept over her. Ji Meiqing couldn't help but want to cry for help, but as soon as she opened her mouth, the foamy stream water kept pouring into her mouth.

Her survival instinct made her frantically thrash her arms, the sunlight shimmering in the water reflecting a cold and terrifying hue.

After an unknown amount of time, Ji Meiqing's strength gradually waned. In the nick of time, through her blurred vision, a tall and handsome man suddenly rushed out from the shore, jumped into the water with a splash, and swam towards her with all his might.