Chang Feng went to stand in line. About two quarters of an hour later, he returned, placing a bunch of pastries on the carriage. Wei Luo then instructed the coachman to head to the Liao family’s buns store.
Upon arrival, Chang Feng wryly smiled, “Master, the line is even longer here.” Wei Luo, opening the curtain and looking, confirmed the long queue. Just as he was about to lower the curtain, a robust man in the line looked their way. Their eyes met, and the man’s face lit up as he waved happily.
Wei Luo pretended not to notice, instructing Chang Feng to purchase ten buns. Chang Feng sought guidance, “Shall I tell Ms. Liao? Given we’re buying buns, she likely wouldn’t require us to wait in line.”
Wei Luo replied, “No need. What would people in the queue think if we jumped in?”
Chang Feng had no choice but to dismount and ask the coachman to watch the horse. He obediently joined the line and watched Feng Teng emerge from the middle of the queue, heading toward the carriage to find the third master.
“Third master, I greeted you. Why are you ignoring me?” Feng Teng, who saw Wei Luo almost every day, hopped into the carriage and opened the curtain to come in.
Wei Luo, noticing his sunburned face, frowned and said, “Go out.”
At that moment, Feng Teng noticed a small mirror inlaid with precious stones on the sitting table next to Wei Luo. Feng Teng had only seen Wei Luo from a distance and thought the third lady looked like a fairy. He couldn’t muster the audacity to sit in her place.
Jumping out of the carriage, Feng Teng stood by the window, raised the curtain, and spoke to Wei Luo, “Does the third master also enjoy Qiuniang’s buns?”
When Wei Luo glanced at him, Feng Teng touched his nose and chuckled, saying, “I didn’t come just for the buns.”
Wei Luo interjected, “It has nothing to do with me.”
Feng Teng persisted, “It may have nothing to do with you, but Qiuniang’s store was opened with the third lady’s help. When you go back, can you say something nice for me in front of her? Qiuniang will listen.”
Wei Luo, thinking of the rumors about Feng Teng, thought of the Yin family inexplicably. Feng Teng, still under the impression that Wei Luo was contemplating a kind response, expressed gratitude and said with a smile, “Then thank you. I’ll continue to queue!”
After speaking, Feng Teng released the curtain and walked briskly behind Chang Feng.
Chang Feng questioned, “Why don’t you go back in line?”
Feng Teng smiled and said, “You don’t understand. I didn’t come here for the bun at all.”
Initially perplexed, Chang Feng grasped the situation as the line slowly moved. He noticed Liao Qiuniang glaring fiercely behind him. Turning his head, Chang Feng saw Feng Teng with a silly smile on his face, gazing at Liao Qiuniang. Understanding dawned upon Chang Feng.
When it was his turn, before Chang Feng could speak, Feng Teng patted him heavily on the shoulder, stood beside him, and addressed Liao Qiuniang, “Qiuniang, do you know him?”
Unfamiliar with Chang Feng, Liao Qiuniang assumed they were together, so her expression turned unfriendly. Feng Teng chuckled and explained, “He is the guard next to the third master!”
Initially startled, Liao Qiuniang’s attitude transformed drastically. She smiled warmly, “Did the third lady send you here? How many buns does she want to buy?” After casting Feng Teng aside, Liao Qiuniang and her two female assistants quickly baked Chang Feng’s ten buns and arranged them in two large bags for easy carrying.
As Chang Feng reached to pay, Liao Qiuniang insisted, “No need, consider it my treat to madam.”
Feng Teng said, “It’s not the third lady who wants to eat it, but the third master.”
Liao Qiuniang responded, “It’s the same! Next!”
Feng Teng teased, “Hey, why don’t you ask me how many buns I want?”
Liao Qiuniang retorted, “I don’t like you.”
Chang Feng, catching a few words, silently left silver and hurriedly departed.
—-
In Ye’s house, as Yin Hui conversed with her brother Yin Lang, it didn’t take long before someone reported that the third master had arrived to escort her. Yin Hui exchanged a helpless look with Yin Lang.
Passing through a cluster of peonies, Yin Hui felt a flutter in her heart. She plucked a pink peony, the size of a bowl, and tucked it delicately into her hair. Originally, her cloud-like bun revealed only a golden hairpin on the right side, appearing a bit plain. With the addition of the pink peony, she looked more delicate than a flower.
Yin Lang stole a quick glance but hesitated to look any further. Being pregnant, Yin Hui walked out slowly. Upon reaching the entrance of Yin’s house, she saw Chang Feng standing near the horse, holding two bags of meat buns in one hand.
Considering he still had to ride a horse, Yin Hui suggested, “Put it in the carriage.”
Chang Feng glanced at the carriage. Familiar with Wei Luo’s preferences, Yin Hui understood. The aroma of the meat buns, rich with smoke, wasn’t suitable for someone as noble as Wei Luo.
Yin Hui smiled and entered the carriage. As she settled in, Wei Luo first noticed the pink peony adorning her temple, its petals vibrant and delicate, much like her face.
“Does it look good?” Yin Hui sat down, turned her head, and smiled at him. “It blooms in our home. I used to love picking peonies when I was young. My grandfather said I was wasting flowers.”
Wei Luo commented, “It’s truly a waste.”
Yin Hui snorted, picked up the mirror left on the seat before exiting the carriage, and examined herself. While doing so, she noticed that Wei Luo seemed to be looking at her, prompting her to adjust the mirror unexpectedly. Their eyes met in the reflection.
Wei Luo frowned slightly, saying, “There may be a bug hidden in the flower; be careful; it may startle you and cause distress for the baby.”
Yin Hui put down the mirror, turned to face him, and with lowered eyes, suggested, “Then you can check for me, so that the bug doesn’t get into my collar.”
Wei Luo pursed his lips, his attention drawn to the large peony. Its petals were layered perfectly, blooming with an inner layer of deeper red and an outer layer of light pink.
Looking down, he admired her snow-white neck. Wei Luo gently held her shoulders, bowed his head, and kissed her.
He had actually thought about it the night before.