Avian Over Gold

Chapter Four

Gu Wei Yi walked cautiously, occasionally turning her head to look around.  As they walked further on, there were no more streetlights ahead and it was becoming dark. Without a warning, Lu Yuan Heng stopped all of a sudden and Gu Wei Yi who didn’t notice hit her nose square on his back.

“Why aren’t you paying attention? What are your eyes there for then?”

“Are we going or not?” She usually has a good temperament but under this dark night, she was hungry but had to accompany him and after what he just said…

“Of course, we’re going. I just wanted to tell you not to step on the puddles.” Then, Lu Yuan Heng continued walking, leaving her to herself. She sighed and hurried after him.

Because of his warning, she was able to avoid some large pits. They now stood in front of a large iron gate. The paint was peeling off from the gates as if they had been there more than 10 years now.

Lu Yuan Heng stepped forward the door. After a moment, she heard what sounded like footsteps and a boy wearing casual clothes opened the door. He looked no more than 15 years old.

“Are you Mr. Lu?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Please come in.”

Lu Yuan Heng guided her to the door but the boy stopped her, “This person is…?”

“She’s my wife. She should be able to come in.”

“Please follow me.”

She couldn’t make things out from the outside but once she stepped inside the door, before her were pavilions. Along the path and on both sides were octagonal lanterns that casts their dim light on the branches of the trees.

The boy took the turn after the two bends and stood in front of a wooden door.

Nobody spoke but she heard a hearty laugh from a male voice through the door. Shortly thereafter, the voice spoke,  “Has Third Young Master arrived?”

“Yes, Sir.”

The wooden door slowly opened and Lu Yuan Heng smiled and pulled her close. As they entered, the door behind them slowly closed and people emerged from behind the screen.

“Sorry we’re late.”

“She must be your wife. I’ve heard everything from Old Kang.”

The one who spoke was an elderly man, dressed in a complete Tang suit of deep blue color. He emitted vigor and prestige and had a penetrating gaze that scanned her from head-to-toe in a matter of seconds. She felt uneasy under his scrutiny that she averted her eyes from looking at him.

“This is Mr. Ge.” Lu Yuan Heng introduced.

“How are you, Mr. Ge?”

“Well. Let’s all sit down.”

Lu Yuan Heng pulled her to sit beside him near the pear blossoms. So they were going to his home… There were other people around including the person they referred to as Old Kang who she had already met once on that evening she and Lu Yuan Heng applied for their license.

“Sister-in-law! You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”

“How can that be?”

“That’s good! I kept thinking about you too!”

If Kang Ning was thinking about someone, it might as well be that she meant Lu Yuan Heng. Because Kang Ning is a fox with a big tail.

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