"Good day, Miss Su." Just as You Jin came out of the silk and satin villa, she met Third Yu who was being pushed away by his guard in a wheelchair.
You Jin respected him as the elder and took a step forward to greet him with a blessing: "Good day, Third Elder Brother Yu. I thought Third Elder Brother Yu had gone south. Never thought I would see you here today."
While she was talking, Third Yu took a good look at You Jin. Seeing that she was wearing a moon-white gauze dress paired with a goose-yellow, floral satin, double-breasted round neck, narrow sleeved jacket embroidered with magnolia, a faint smile appeared on his lips. As always, this lass liked moon white. She was born fair. WIth the moon white and goose yellow as contrast, the young girl seemed to glow under the sunshine. If she was eight percent beautiful before, she was now ten percent more beautiful.
Seeing that her hair was only decorated with white jade fox hairpin, the smile in Third Yu's eyes grew even stronger: "Miss Su's hairpin is quite interesting."
You Jin awkwardly supported the hairpin in her hair. She always used this hairpin when there was no business affair to attend to. Never thought she would meet Third Yu on the street and cheerfully said: "It's just a jewelry of mine. Made Elder Brother Yu see a joke."
Third Yu seemed to notice her embarrassment. He coughed dryly and said: "I wonder if Miss Su is free today. I have been in Luohe Prefecture for half a month. It's rare a chance to be free today, but I don't know where to go to visit. I wonder if Miss Su could give some recommendation?"
"Third Elder Brother Yu is polite. It is my honor to." Seeing that the sun outside was high, she spoke: "Why don't you let me be your host today? How about inviting Third Elder Brother Yu to have a feast at Sujiayan? "
"I've heard about Sujiayan for a long time. It is my honor." Since Third Yu got her consent, he naturally went along. There was a distance of two steps between the man and the woman. Qiu Fen and Yan Wei who followed their masters with indescribable expressions on their faces. Though the group of four people had different thoughts, they didn't reveal anything. They slowly made their way toward Sujiayan.
Third Yu actually treated You Jin as a local tour guide. First, he had lunch at Sujiayan. Then he asked her to take him around with an 'I'll go along with whatever you choose' attitude. On the contrary, You Jin didn't know whether to be angry or laugh.
"Is Miss Su unwilling to take me around?" Third Yu seemed to see through her inner resistance. A faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. The eyes behind the mask stared directly at her: "Since this is the case, I can't force it. I have suffered from leg problems for many years and should have gotten used to being alone in the room by now."
The words were full of resentment. It made You Jin cough: "Kekeke, Third Elder Brother Yu put it too seriously. It's just that the sun is a bit fierce today. It is unsuitable to be outside. I'm just worried that Third Elder Brother Yu won't be able to bear it."
"So it's like that!" Third Yu said with a relieved expression, "Then when Miss Su will be free. This way I can arrange the time?"
You Jin felt that things were getting more and more strange, but she could only bite the bullet and agree: "Sure, how about three days later? Now Thousand Lotus Lake has some early-blooming lotus flowers. It's a good place for an outing."
"Then I will trouble Miss Su. See you at South Gate in three days?"
"It's a deal." You Jin didn't suspect anything. Now she just wanted to send away Third Yu who most likely wants to entangle with her the next step.
Standing behind Third Yu, Yan Wei looked constipated and drooped down his eyes. He pushed the wooden wheelchair out of the Sujiayan and carried him into the carriage. The coachman drove the horse away from Sujiayan with a lash of a whip.
Standing at the door with a smile on and watching Third Yu leave, You Jin's whole face collapsed in an instant. She turned and walked back while muttering to herself: "This Third Yu is a haunting spirit!"
"What did Miss say?" Qiu Fen, who was following her, thought that Master was talking to her, so she asked in a low voice.
"It's nothing. After the lunch market, remember to ask Supervisor Li to arrange for the staff to go to the tailor." You Jin went to the silk and satin villa today to choose materials for the summer clothes for Sujiayan's staff. Unexpectedly, she ran into Third Yu as soon as she went out.
All Su Family's businesses were the same. The staff got a set of clothes throughout the year for every season and new ones were made every year. It can be regarded as a little benefit for the staff. You Jin never saved this money. For summer, she chose sweat-absorbing soft clothes, fine cotton material. In winter, the well padded, soft, and warm cotton was chosen.
"Don't worry, Miss. I know." Qiu Fen had been with Eldest Miss for nearly four years. Her temperament was more calm now. Because Eldest Miss had a lot of matters to manage, she added two maidservants by her side last year. Still, Qiu Fen was the one she heavily relied on.
On the carriage that left Sujiayan, Yan Wei looked at Master whose face was clear after taking off the mask and his leg moved occasionally. His complexion changed again and again. Finally decided not to say anything. After all, he had a clumsy tongue and couldn't speak. Best to not say something, lest that Master become unhappy.
Back to Third Yu, after rubbing his own legs. He picked up the account book that he hadn't finished earlier and continued to look through it. It was as if he didn't see the wonderful facial micro-expression of his guard at all.
***
Three days later, outside the South City Gate.
"Miss Su." In the carriage with the word "Yu" hanging on it, Third Yu was sitting like a gentleman and nodded to You Jin outside the carriage through the opened door curtain. The corners of his mouth slightly curved upward and revealed that he was in a great mood at this moment.
You Jin politely replied: "Elder Brother Yu, there is still some distance to go to Thousand Lotus Lake. Take a rest. I will be in the carriage ahead. You can call me anytime you need something."
Although the customs of Dafeng were relatively open, it was inconvenient for unmarried females to ride with outside males. Although Third Yu was a little disappointed, he didn't say much. The two carriages set off to Thousand Lotus Lake one after the other.
The lotus in Thousand Lotus Lake had only just bloomed a little. It wasn't yet the best time to appreciate the lotus. Still, it was a rare period of quietness. There were only the servants of Su Family who had prepared tea, melons, and fruits long ago in accordance with Eldest Miss's request to entertain the guests.
"The ten mu of lotus pond. If it's a bit later, it will be a beautiful sight when all the lotuses are in full bloom." Sitting in a wheelchair, Third Yu felt the breeze blowing on his face and smelled the faint fragrance of lotus in the wind. It felt very comfortable physically and mentally.
You Jin walked beside him and said with a smile: "Last year, there was a talented person from Luohe Prefecture who drew this scene and called it Ten Thousand Lotus Picture. The original painting was kept by Su Family. If Third Elder Brother Yu likes it, I can gave this painting to Third Elder Brother Yu."
It was precisely because of Ten Thousand Lotus Picture last year that Su Family's Thousand Lotus Lake became more and more famous. Now it had become one of the top ten beautiful sceneries in Luohe Prefecture. Su Family's reputation had also increased day by day. This can be regarded as a pleasant surprise.
"Although Ten Thousand Lotus Picture is good, it can't compare to the beautiful scenery in front of the eye." Third Yu picked up the celadon cup on the stone table and sipped the tea carefully: "The plum fragrance is leisurely, while the tea flavor is clear and meaningful. No wonder it is Su Family's tea."
Seeing that he can discern the goods, You Jin smiled again: "This water used to brew this tea is a few jars of plum pistil snow water that I collected in winter when I was idle. Then I buried it under the plum tree for more than a year. To get Third Elder Brother Yu to say such words today, it is worthwhile to do."
Although the two hadn't been in contact for long, they chatted non stop.
After nearly two quarters of an hour, Third Yu uttered: "The beautiful scenery is rare. May Miss Su take me for a walk?"
You Jin put down the teacup and led Yu master and servant around the perfectly flat lotus pond.
"Ah, my painting!" A group of young girls' laughter came from a distance and faintly drifted with the wind. It broke the silence between the two.
"Elder Brother Third Yu, please pardon. Today is Erya Female Academy's students' outing day to collect scenery. I have already told the servants, but someone has come here to disturb your peace." Standing beside him, You Jin explained: "Because the female academy's teaching schedule is already arranged, it isn't easy to adjust so suddenly."
"It's no problem. I came here on a whim." Third Yu was reasonable. Hearing her mention Erya Female Academy, he was full of praise: "I had heard a lot of news about Erya Female Academy during the time in Luohe Prefecture. Su Family is quite righteous. Come to think of it, the female in Luohe Prefecture will be grateful for Su Family's charity of setting up a school."
You Jin was a little embarrassed by his praise and responded: "The two aunties in the family single handedly set it up. I just happen to bask in its benefits."
Seeing that she didn't intend to go into details, Third Yu didn't ask any further questions. The two walked along the shore for a quarter of an hour before turning back.
"Be careful!" For a moment of inattentiveness, You Jin stepped on a low bluestone slab and was about to fall, but a man's strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her hard toward himself.
"Oh!" You Jin, who was still in shock, had already sat on Third Yu who was sitting in a wheelchair. Third Yu was also unprepared. It still hurt a little when being sat on. So he couldn't help groaning in pain.
When You Jin came back to her senses, Qiu Fen had rushed over: "Miss!"
Qiu Fen hurriedly helped her off Third Yu on the wheelchair. Then she blocked Third Yu's sight and roughly touched Miss to check for any injuries.
"I'm fine." Don't know whether it was due to fright or shame, a red cloud appeared on You Jin's face. She motioned for Qiu Fen to get out of the way before giving a bow to Third Yu: "Thank you, Third Elder Brother Yu, for your help."
Just now, she was walking on the side near the lotus pond. It would be no fun if she fell in. Although it was awkward to sit on Third Yu, it was better than falling into the water.
Under Third Yu's wide sleeves, the hand that held her just now was tightly clenched into a fist. He breathed a sigh of relief: "It was no trouble at all. Not worth mentioning. Today, it was me who asked for this arrangement. If Miss gets hurt because of it, I will be guilty."
The face under the mask was slightly hot. Third Yu felt so thankful that he still had a mask covering his face, otherwise he would really be revealing himself.
Although the atmosphere was a bit awkward, You Jin forcibly changed the subject: "This lotus pond can produce lotus seeds every year..."
Third Yu didn't listen to what You Jin was saying though. He just felt that he was embrace by You Jin's faint magnolia scent mixed with the girl's unique fragrance. It was unknown where his thoughts had flown to. Knowing that she was speaking, he only vaguely responded a few times.
Although You Jin didn't mention it, she felt a little embarrassed. The two of them tacitly agreed that this meeting that happened out of nowhere ended like this.
After seeing off Third Yu, You Jin sat in the pavilion and breathed a sigh of relief. Then she warned Qiu Fen who was standing at one side: "Don't talk nonsense about what happened just now. Especially Madam, don't tell her."
"I know." Qiu Fen nodded a few times. She was rejoicing in her heart that she and Third Master Yu's guard were the only ones around. If not, Miss's reputation would have been ruined if the matter of Miss sitting on Third Master Yu had spread!
It wasn't that she disdained Third Master or something, but her family Eldest Miss was first-class in her temperament and ability, no? It would be too aggrieved to be with a person who can only spend his whole life in a wheelchair!
In Yu Family's carriage that was returning to the city, Yan Wei looked at the master who held his sleeves under the tip of his nose and smelled it over and over again. A thought flashed in his mind- his master must have taken a fancy to Su Family's Eldest Miss, right?
Third Yu didn't know how much turmoil his actions had caused in his subordinate's heart. He focused on smelling this reassuring and comfortable smell over and over again. The smile on his lips never left.