Union

Chapter 102 Evening Chat
It was very, very late when I got back to the county government office.

Yunying originally intended to go straight back to the backyard and talk to the Second Master about today's events tomorrow.

Before she could even reach the Second Master's courtyard, he turned to her and asked, "Didn't you eat anything tonight either?"

Yunying looked at the Second Master curiously, "You didn't eat either, did you?"

Second Master grunted in agreement, without telling Yunying that when he returned from Houtang Village, he heard from the guards at the gate that Yunying had not yet returned, so he rode his horse directly with Suiyun and Leiting to pick her up.

The second master looked at Yunying, seemingly waiting for her decision.

Yunying turned to Sui'er and said, "You should go back first. I'll have my meal here with Second Master before I go back."

"Alright. Then I'll come back to fetch you after I've had my meal."

Yunying shook her head. "Never mind, it's not far. I can go back by myself. You've been running around with me all day. Have some food and rest."

"But, but..."

"There are no 'buts,' go back now."

After sending Sui'er away, Yunying and the Second Master went to the flower hall together.

Several lanterns hung in the courtyard, swaying gently in the night breeze, their yellowish glow seeming to drift aimlessly.

Yunying noticed that the Second Master's gaze was on her, so she mustered up her courage and looked at him, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

The second master laughed, "What happened to your face? Did you get bitten by mosquitoes?"

Upon hearing this, Yunying reflexively raised her hand to touch the red envelope on her face, revealing large and small red envelopes on her fair hand.

The smile on Second Master's face froze instantly, and he frowned. "You were bitten on the hand too? How could it be so severe?"

Speaking of this, Yunying was still shaken. "The mosquitoes here are really vicious. They bit me so much that it was both itchy and painful. Not only were my hands and face bitten, but I also have several welts on my neck. Luckily, I've already applied some ointment, otherwise the itching would have been incredibly frustrating."

As Yunying finished speaking, she noticed that the Second Master's gaze seemed to be fixed on her neck.

Her swan-like neck was long and fair, and because it was summer and hot, she was wearing a light blue silk blouse with a cross-collar embroidered with lotus flowers. Her fair and slender neck was completely exposed, and even her chest area was slightly exposed with a gap.

Yunying coughed lightly and touched her neck as if to cover up her embarrassment.

This sound reminded the Second Master, who turned his head away somewhat awkwardly.

Even so, he couldn't help but think of that undulating curve and that soft, delicate fullness in his mind.

Second Master's voice was slightly hoarse as he reminded Yunying, "Remember to bring a mosquito repellent sachet next time you go out. Never mind, it's hot today, so you should just go out less often in the future."

“That won’t do. The terraced fields aren’t finished yet, and I need to go out and check on the progress every now and then. Besides, I also want to buy a tea plantation…”

The words "Tea Mountain" slipped out of her mouth, and Yunying couldn't help but glance at the Second Master, who asked, "What about Tea Mountain?"

"Second Master, you don't object to me pawning my jewelry to buy a tea plantation?"

"What good would my objections do? If I object again, you'd probably burst into tears right in front of me."

"Who's crying? I'm a grown man, why would I cry? Second Master, don't slander me."

"Oh, you weren't the one crying. Then who was it that went back to their room yesterday and kicked the maid out, then sat inside sobbing?"

Yunying: "..."

Yunying was utterly shocked.

She didn't cry.

She was just feeling a bit guilty and couldn't control her restlessness, so she let out a few sobs. Could it be that those sobs led outsiders to misunderstand and think she was crying? And that this even reached the Second Master's ears?

Yunying was dumbfounded.

Yunying didn't know whether it was better to explain clearly at this moment, or to leave it ambiguous and let the Second Master think that she had really cried because of his rejection yesterday.

If she explains it clearly, will the Second Master rescind his decision to let her pawn her jewelry to buy the tea plantation?

Yunying's mind was in turmoil.

She didn't notice when she stopped walking, and because she stopped, the Second Master also stopped. As a result, the Second Master noticed her ever-changing expression.

Second Master was an extremely perceptive person; he saw through her thoughts almost instantly. "So, you didn't cry yesterday?"

The second master narrowed his eyes and leaned down slightly to examine her.

Yunying felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy, her scalp tingling with fear.

She wanted to say she had cried, but she didn't want to lie to the Second Master. After all, one lie requires a thousand more to cover it up, and every lie will eventually be exposed.

Yunying stammered, "I really didn't cry. I don't know who spread the rumor. Second Master, please don't be angry."

Second Master said, "Why would I be angry?" He was not only not angry, but even felt relieved.

He would rather it be a false alarm than have her cry because of his words.

The Second Master's expression was calm and composed, but Yun Ying was not quite convinced. "Are you really not angry?"

"What? You're still regretting that I'm not angry? In that case, I'll do as you say..."

"No, no, no, Second Master is a man of great stature. He has a heart as big as a prime minister. How could you get angry over such a small matter? Besides, people who get angry often age quickly. Second Master will not get angry."

"Ah."

The two talked until they reached the flower hall.

This was the first time the two had eaten together since Yunying had refused her request.

Sitting at this round table, Yunying couldn't help but recall the scenes of her dining with the Second Master in the past.

That seems like it happened a very, very long time ago.

When the servants served the meal, Yunying explained why she had returned home late that day.

Speaking of the suggestions made by the two old men, Yunying sighed sincerely, "People say that there are hidden talents among the common people, and that's really true." She also said that three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang, and that's very true as well.

"With more suggestions from others, the terraced fields can be gradually improved. Perhaps we won't even have to wait ten or eight years. In just two or three years, the crops on the terraced fields will be plentiful, and the terraced fields can be promoted in Yungui County."

Second Master poured her a glass of water, and Yunying quickly said, "Second Master, please rest a bit, I can do it myself. How was your trip to Houtang Village to check on the pearl implantation? Is everything progressing smoothly?"

"It went pretty well."

But it was only relatively smooth sailing.

Actually, there are still many problems.

Because implantation requires sharp tools, and iron is now strictly controlled by the government.

Tools made of copper and aluminum are not very handy, so I have to go to a craftsman to make new ones.

Furthermore, implantation is a delicate task that only skillful women can perform; men are generally not capable of it. As for the material implanted into the mother-of-pearl, there are no precedents to follow—whether it can be made solely from pearl shells or from other materials.

It can be said that every move we make now is like feeling our way across a river by touching the stones; we can only take it one step at a time.

Second Master briefly explained the matter of implantation to Yunying, and Yunying couldn't help but sigh as well.

Ultimately, she didn't understand any of this. Even building the terraced fields was a matter of gritting her teeth and solving problems one by one. As for pearl farming... well, a person's energy is limited. She's enough with just one terraced field. Let the second master handle the pearl farming.

The meal was served quickly.

Since it was already late, the Kitchen Goddess, considering that the two of them would need to rest soon after the meal, had someone bring out a lot of easily digestible food.

Second Master was a little better off; he had a bowl of cold jelly and a bowl of cold noodles. In contrast, Yunying's meal consisted of chicken porridge and a bowl of shrimp wontons. It was too hot, and Yunying didn't want to eat anything hot; she only wanted something cold.

She just stared longingly at the Second Master, while her chopsticks, seemingly bored, picked up a small slice of cold lotus root from the plate and slowly chewed it.

The second master noticed her movement and a smile appeared on his face. "You want to eat that?"

Yunying looked at the cold noodles and jelly noodles, wanting to eat both, but could only say, against her will, "I don't want to eat either of them."

"It's too late today, and the Kitchen Goddess is worried you can't handle this. If you really like it, we'll have the Kitchen God make it for you tomorrow."

Yunying said listlessly, "That's all we can do."

The Second Master broke the rule of not speaking while eating and exchanged a few words with Yunying during the meal.

The two were talking about lunch.

Second Master once again ate lunch at the village head's house, while Yunying only ate two pieces of pastry.

"I only learned later that during the off-season, people don't eat lunch. They just get up early for one meal, and then they don't eat their next meal until mid-afternoon."

Some families are so poor that they only eat one meal a day.

However, there are plenty of things to eat in the wild this season, such as wild fruits, fish and shrimp from the river, or wild vegetables at the foot of the mountain.

Even if many people managed to get their hands on these things, they were reluctant to eat them.

We need to save up more money to exchange for cash at the market, and also to store more money to prepare for winter.

Yunying swallowed the last bite of wonton and sighed, "We're still too poor. We need to think of more ways to make the people rich."

"Aren't we already doing it? Including terraced fields, artificial pearl farming, and even the tea plantations you mentioned... Let's take it slow. Poverty and weakness don't happen overnight, and it won't be easy to lift Yungui County out of poverty and make it prosperous in a day or two."

"That's all it can do."

Yunying suddenly realized what the Second Master had just said and immediately looked at him. "So, Second Master, you agree to let me pawn some of my jewelry to buy a tea plantation?"

Second Master looked at her, "Otherwise what? Should I really let you cry under the covers?"

Yunying said awkwardly, "I already said it was all a misunderstanding."

"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, if we really didn't let you buy that tea plantation, you'd probably cry your way through the county government office."

Yunying waved her hand, "It's not that bad, it really isn't."

Second Master: "Buy whatever you want. As for pawning jewelry, bring out the pieces you don't really like, and I'll have Suiyu make a trip to Lingnan Prefecture. They're relatively wealthier there, and you can get a higher price for those pieces."

"Really, Second Master? You want someone to help me pawn something?"

Second Master nodded, "Do you want to risk your life or take the risk?"

"Is it okay to die for it?" Yunying asked tentatively.

"can."

The second master spoke concisely, and his expression remained calm.

After saying that, he picked up his teacup and drank it. As for what he was thinking at that moment, Yunying couldn't guess, nor dared to guess.

The first watch gong sounded, and Yunying couldn't help but yawn, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She quickly wiped away her tears, stood up and said, "I'm going back to rest, Second Master. It's really too late."

"it is good."

"Second Master, please don't stay up too late. There's no end to official business. You need to take care of your health so you'll have the energy to do other things."

"Ok, I know."

Despite saying that, the Second Master stood up and went out with Yunying.

Yunying reached the door before realizing that someone was following her.

She looked up at the Second Master and said, "Your bedroom is on the other side. Why are you following me this way? Second Master, you haven't been drinking, so how did you get drunk?"

Second Master chuckled, "You probably don't know, your Second Master can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk."

"Are you bragging?"

"If you don't believe me, ask Suiyun and the others."

The two bickered as they walked to the center of the courtyard and then to the gate.

Second Master continued to accompany Yunying, putting Yunying under immense pressure.

No matter what, she's just a maid; there's no reason for the Second Master to send her back.

Yunying was too embarrassed to say this, but the Second Master seemed to see her hesitation and said, "I'm going back to the backyard to rest today."

Yunying: "..."

She forgot that the Second Master also had a courtyard in the backyard.

It was simply because he found it troublesome, or perhaps he was too lazy to deal with women who would climb into his bed, that Second Master usually lived in the front yard.

However, occasionally, only very occasionally, the Second Master would still go back to the backyard to stay for a while.

The two walked together towards the backyard.

The moon was now high in the sky, its light both bright and mysterious. The entire earth was asleep, and all things were at peace.

An unknown floral fragrance drifted through the courtyard, the chirping of crickets rose and fell, and the night wind seemed to carry a hint of the sea, slightly fishy, ​​yet very cool.

"If only it were this cool during the day," Yunying said in a very low voice. "It's too hot here, so hot and sunny, and the mosquitoes bite fiercely. It's not just the summer that's unbearable, the humid season is also unpleasant. All in all, it seems that winter here is better, at least it's not so cold."

But it's not too good either.

After all, in the capital, people have underfloor heating in winter, but in Yungui County, they can only rely on braziers for warmth.

Yunying asked, "Second Master, how long will you be staying in Yungui County?"

"It's hard to say." The Second Master's tone was also low, deep and magnetic, like a lover's whisper, making one's ears tingle.

The second master chuckled self-deprecatingly, "As you know, I was demoted here, and I may have to stay here for the rest of my life."

"Second Master is talking nonsense, you would never do such a thing."

Yunying said, "With your courage and integrity, His Majesty would not have kept you in Yungui County if he were not a foolish ruler. That would be a waste of your talent."

Is that what you think?

"I'm not the only one who thinks this way; many people think this way..."

"Oh, is that Miss Yunying? You're back, Miss! Oh, and Second Master too..."

They seemed to have only exchanged a few words when they arrived at the entrance to the Moon Cave.

The old woman guarding the gate was very alert; as soon as she heard the slightest noise, she rushed over to investigate. And just like that, she caught Yunying and the Second Master red-handed whispering together.

Looking at the two beautiful women under the moonlight, the old woman couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Everyone says that Miss Yunying is cunning and always clings to the Second Master, which is why she is so favored. But if you ask her, the Second Master must also have feelings for Miss Yunying, otherwise, he wouldn't look at her with such indulgence and doting.

I don't know if there will be a second update today, so please don't wait. If there is, please check back tomorrow; if not, don't be disappointed. There should be an extra update on Sunday...

(End of this chapter)