Yanran called for someone to cut fresh mutton to feed Xiao Ye.
She loved small animals, and patted Xiao Ye's head, saying, "You've worked hard, young master."
She really treated it like a prince!
"Wait a minute, I'll have my father search around and find you a wife so you can lay more eggs and hatch more chicks, then you won't have to work so hard yourself."
If Xiao Ye were a human, he would be moved to tears.
After all this time, finally someone has realized this problem.
It could have gone to find it itself, but with 007 delivering messages every day, how could it have time to go back to Liaodong to flirt with the little female eagle?
Now we finally have a reliable and conscientious person.
As expected, Yanran is still the most reliable.
"Mu Ziyu might be able to help with this, but he's back in Liaodong now," Yanran said while unraveling the letter. "I'll definitely bring it up with him next time he comes. Go on, go eat some meat and rest!"
It's been about half a year since Mu Ziyu left.
Why haven't we heard anything from him lately?
I don't know if things have truly stabilized in Liaodong.
Yanran actually had a pretty good impression of "Fatty Mu" mentioned by Qu Hua and didn't want to fight him.
But if that day ever comes, she won't be merciful.
Two old women struggled to carry over a large basin of fresh mutton chunks.
Xiao Ye flew over to eat meat, temporarily forgetting the pain of not having a wife.
"Oh my, Mother and Brother have arrived in Linzhou!" Yanran unfolded the letter and read it quickly, her voice filled with excitement.
"Then you'd better hurry up and have some fun, otherwise you won't be as carefree later."
Qu Hua's voice rang out.
Yanran looked up. "Why are you here? Weren't you going to run away from home?"
A few days ago, Qu Hua received a letter from her parents saying they wanted to arrange her marriage with Mu Ziyu, which made her so angry that she said she would run away from home.
Qu Hua flicked her golden whip, "I've thought it through. I'm not leaving. It's my home, why should I hide away? If Fatty Mu dares to marry me, I dare to marry him!"
We are not responsible for anything that happens afterward.
She refused to believe that she couldn't handle a fatso.
Castrate him! Let him get what he deserves!
Yanran said, "You'd better think this through. You won't be as carefree as you are now after you get married."
Even at a young age, she knew that marriage was not a game.
"What freedom do I have now? My brother is particularly annoying; even though he lives so far away, he keeps my guards under tight control."
Now, who can she have a good time with? They all look like they've lost their mothers—what bad luck!
She's been a vegetarian for a long time now, she's practically a nun.
If I had known, I would have preferred to have kept him unconscious!
"Let's talk about something happy," Qu Hua said. "I've arranged something fun for today. Wear a thick coat when you go inside. I've also made plans with Jiang Ruo; she should be here soon."
Where should we go for fun?
Yanran was not entirely at ease; this person was far too unreliable.
She feared she would be led astray to a place she shouldn't go, and that her father would break her legs in the process.
Let's go to Houhai!
"Ugh, what's so fun about that?" Yanran said listlessly. "It's all frozen over. Are we going to break open an ice hole to fish?"
Fishing, a activity that requires patience, is clearly not suitable for her.
"What's the point? We're here to watch ice skating." Qu Hua's eyes Jingjing.
Although she had lived in the capital, she had spent most of the past ten years or so in the south, and rarely had the opportunity to see ice and snow.
My previous trip to Liaodong was eye-opening, but with Fatty Mu around, it wasn't quite as enjoyable as I'd hoped.
I heard that a group of street performers from Liaodong who enjoy ice skating have come to the capital, so Qu Hua specially arranged for them to perform today.
"Let me show you something amazing!"
Yanran was indeed very interested; she had never seen ice skating before!
Having heard that Ren Yingying's skiing had been a great help, she was quite interested in these winter sports.
She has a natural talent for sports and learns everything quickly.
"Let's go, let's go!" Yanran urged impatiently. "Someone, go next door and bring Sister Yuan over. Let's take her to broaden her horizons."
However, soon after, a servant returned with news that Meng Yulan had taken Sister Yuan back to the Duke Meng's Residence, so Yanran had no choice but to give up.
Jiang Ruo arrived quickly, and the group squeezed into a carriage Houhai.
Jiang Ruo had clearly dressed up carefully today, with her hair piled high, her eyebrows delicate and lips red, and she was wearing a bright Shu brocade dress.
"It's not even the New Year yet, why are you making such a big deal out of it?" Qu Hua couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Jiang Ruo smiled shyly, "Wen Heng is also on his way back to the capital."
"Look at your pathetic self." Qu Hua couldn't stand her like this. "Do you even know what 'a good horse doesn't eat the grass it's already grazed' means?"
"Then I won't be a good horse," Jiang Ruo said confidently.
Do you understand what divorce means?
Jiang Ruo blushed with anger, twisting her handkerchief as she said, "Can't you say something nice? How annoying!"
"I find it annoying that you're so clueless!"
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Yanran quickly said, "Different strokes for different folks. Don't let a man ruin your relationship; it's not worth it."
What do you know?!
The two spoke in unison.
Yanran: "..."
She knew nothing, and having offended me, she shut up.
The carriage quickly arrived near Houhai, and from afar, the lively chatter of a group of children could be heard.
Qu Hua frowned. "How annoying."
She dislikes children; they're so noisy.
Yanran replied, "It's more lively with more people. These Zidu to help out at home, and it's finally the end of the year, so they can relax a bit. Don't keep that cold face. I also brought some candy; I'll have someone distribute it to them later."
Jiang Ruo said, "That's right, the child is so wonderful."
She used to dislike children, but now she feels that she should have one herself.
Actually, she wasn't so indecisive before, insisting on waiting until her relationship with Wen Heng improved before having children. Now their Zidu can already call her "Mama."
Now look what's happened—she's lost both her husband and her child.
If it were a boy like Wen Heng, she wouldn't ask for anything more in this life.
Sigh, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.
However, this sadness did not last long.
The pavilion in Houhai had already been cordoned off with brocade, and the entire area had been cleared out.
Inside the pavilion, tea simmered on a small stove, its aroma filling the air; a group of maids stood silently by, hands at their sides.
Qu Hua and Jiang Ruo, draped in fox fur coats, enjoyed tea while holding an exquisitely crafted, openwork gold-threaded hand warmer.
Yanran, being short, had already stood up and was looking outside, urging, "Why haven't we started yet?"
Today she is dressed as a boy, wearing a golden crown, and looks like a spirited young boy.
The dragon pearl at the very center of the golden crown reflects a dazzling light.
This is not the one that Prince of Jin gave to Tang Zhuyun; that one has already been made into a ring.
She mentioned liking it, and Cui Xiaoqiu somehow got it and gave it to her.
"They're here, they're here."
The other two also stood up.
Six pretty women in red stood on the ice, each carrying a flower basket filled with plum blossoms.
In the center of the six women stood a tall, imposing man, dressed in a deep blue robe with wide sleeves resembling crab shells, holding a sword in his hand, looking spirited and with bright eyes.
Qu Hua was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but exclaim, "Is this man selling his art or his looks?"
"How dare you buy me if I'm selling myself!" Jiang Ruo rolled her eyes.
"What do I have to be afraid of? Do you think I'm like you, willing to remain chaste for that heartless man!"
"You--"
"Alright, alright," Yanran said, "Can't we just enjoy watching the ice skating? That man is amazing!"
On the ice, a man holds a long sword, his wide sleeves fluttering, perfectly blending ice skating and sword dancing into one.
The women around him were all relegated to supporting roles, or rather, superfluous ones.
The group watched with Jinjin, unwilling to look away.
Jiang Ruo said, "This is so beautiful. When Wen Heng comes back, I'll have to find a way to get him to see a show."
Yanran: "I also brought my mother to see it."
Hmm, I hope Father won't be jealous.
Qu Hua replied with an air of domineering confidence, "No problem. I'll take this man!"
Take it away today! We can't wait until tomorrow!
Yanran: "... Actually, I'd like to become his apprentice. I'm fine with sword dancing, but ice skating is out of the question. If I figure it out, I'll perform for my father and mother myself!"
Her idea is absolutely brilliant.
Who knows, I might be able to show off my skills with it someday.
As long as it's winter, she'll be fine!
Compared to that, those arts like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting are utterly insignificant.
Yanran: It's decided then and there, I want to become your apprentice.
Qu Hua: "Becoming an apprentice is no problem, let's do it another day. I need to take him back today."
"Don't give me that, are you trying to abduct a man?" Jiang Ruo said, hands on her hips. "What if you ruin him?"
Qu Hua: "If you want me to give it to you, don't give me that nonsense."
Jiang Ruo is weak.
(Bonus chapter for today!)