Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1273: Knowing Longing

Luo Huiniang nodded, chuckling, "That’s quite true, they’d never be able to tally the exact amount I chew."

After a brief pause, a hint of apprehension tinged her voice as she inquired, "Xiao Yu, is Miss Wu truly that ill-tempered? What if she starts to berate me? Considering she is Master Ouyang’s granddaughter, I don't believe I can retort, can I?"

As per the accounts from Brother Wang and the others, Ouyang Wu is known for her rather foul temper, having a penchant for delivering sharp, sarcastic remarks.

Gu Jinli, who also harbored a disliking for Ouyang Wu, advised, "Simply disregard her. Come play with Third Sister instead. Third Sister is exceedingly kind and understanding, and she's also quite skilled in horseback riding and archery."

"I recall Brother Wang and the others mentioning that Third Miss's archery prowess is astounding, capable of hitting targets from a hundred paces away!" Luo Huiniang's spirits lifted upon hearing this, and she expressed her admiration for Third Miss, stating, "I've heard Third Miss even possesses her own horse; I truly wish I could have a horse someday."

While the escort agencies in Great Chu are permitted to acquire a certain number of horses, the horses belonging to the Luo Family Escort Agency are exclusively for business use, thus leaving Luo Huiniang unable to obtain one.

Gu Jinli responded, "I will procure one for you in the future, but for the time being, you will have to exercise patience."

While she and Qin San Lang do indeed raise horses, these particular steeds are kept in strict secrecy and cannot be given away.

"Truly?" Luo Huiniang's delight was evident as she continued to pester both Gu Jinli and Gu Jinxiu with questions about Third Miss and Miss Wu all the way to the town, leaving them talking until their throats were parched.

"Eldest Sister, Second Sister, Sister Hui Niang." Brother Cheng, having heard of their arrival, hurried out to greet them.

Gu Jinxiu noticed the perspiration on his brow and retrieved a handkerchief to wipe it away, gently admonishing, "Running around again? You mustn't do that. If you sweat through your undergarments, you could catch a chill and fall ill."

Brother Cheng chuckled, "Rest assured, Eldest Sister, Second Sister can concoct medicine. A single pill, and I’ll be right as rain. Besides, Second Sister mentioned that a fever in children is beneficial for the body, acting as a form of detoxification."

Gu Jinxiu shook her head, murmuring, "Always using such preposterous excuses."

Brother Cheng laughed again before darting towards Gu Jinli, inquiring, "Second Sister, what gifts did you bring for Master and Third Sister?"

Gu Jinli cast a glance at him, replying, "Did you not already see them last night? Why inquire again?"

Brother Cheng merely laughed, stating, "I'm just asking casually."

He then turned to Erqing, who was transporting items, and offered, "Erqing, allow me to assist you with carrying these."

Erqing did not refuse, permitting Brother Cheng to carry the gifts into the residence.

Xiao Ji, Sister Li, and Tong Xiaoxue each shouldered a gift as they followed Gu Jinli into the Ouyang family's abode.

The servants of the Ouyang household guided the mule cart into the premises and stowed it within the stables.

"Master, Master, our family has brought you festival gifts!" Brother Cheng, with a box of new wine and a painting tube strapped to his back, sprinted into the study yard.

Upon hearing the commotion, Master Ouyang promptly dispatched Ah Song to offer assistance: "Quickly go and help him; ensure that boy doesn't drop my wine."

The young lad was struggling under the weight of a chest heavier than himself, his gait unsteady and twisted, appearing as though he might topple at any moment.

"Hullo." Ah Song hurried out to assist Brother Cheng, taking the newly arrived wine from him and exclaiming, "My, this is quite heavy! You've brought a considerable amount of wine, haven't you?"

Brother Cheng nodded enthusiastically, stating, "Indeed, twelve bottles in total, each weighing approximately two pounds. There are twelve distinct flavors, with six of them being newly developed varieties."

Master Ouyang burst into laughter upon hearing this, declaring, "Haha, it appears I shall be enjoying a most splendid Mid-Autumn Festival."

Brother Cheng, however, shook his head, relaying, "Master, Second Sister mentioned that as you are growing older and somewhat plumper, you ought not to overindulge. These twelve bottles are intended to last you until the New Year; the subsequent delivery won't arrive until the next festive season."

Master Ouyang's complexion turned ashen upon hearing this, exclaiming, "That Little Xiao Yu is truly miserly! A paltry amount of wine to last me until the New Year? That's nearly half a year away! And who is fat? I've actually shed weight recently!"

Brother Cheng couldn't help but chuckle, teasing, "Yes, yes, Master, you have indeed lost weight lately, just in a rather... subtle manner."

With a swift smack, Master Ouyang rapped Brother Cheng on the head, admonishing, "You rascal, you're picking up bad habits from your Second Sister, always delivering veiled insults."

Brother Cheng grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth, and removed the painting tube from his back, pulling out a scroll. "Master, this is the Jin painting that Eldest Brother created. You've been eager to see it, so I've brought it for your perusal."

This 'Jin painting' was a designation bestowed by Ah Ji. Originally, Eldest Brother was meant to instruct painters at the county office in this specific style of Jin painting, but Second Sister intervened and prevented it.

Ultimately, Second Sister and Eldest Brother decided to keep the Jin painting technique for themselves, refraining from sharing it with others. However, they never divulged the reasons behind their decision when I inquired.

Nevertheless, this deviation did not impede my grand design.

"Oh, pray, let me have a look." Master Ouyang's curiosity was piqued by Jin's artwork. These paintings, hailing from Da Rong, possessed a lifelike quality that far surpassed the traditional styles of Great Chu.

Brother Cheng unfurled the scroll, revealing a vibrant pastoral scene captured on paper.

The figures within the painting teemed with life, depicted with such uncanny realism that even Brother Cheng's scolding of two portly wolves was rendered vividly.

"Splendid, truly splendid!" Master Ouyang exclaimed, his gaze lingering on the artwork for over fifteen minutes, much to Brother Cheng's growing impatience.

"Master, did you not mention that Third Sister also quite fancies Jin's paintings? Might I perhaps take it to show her, then retrieve it for your further appraisal?"

He added with a smile, "Eldest Sister and Second Sister are presently visiting Third Sister. If I were to go there, I could partake in some delightful pastries as well... My elder brother, you see, often keeps a strict watch on me, preventing me from indulging in too many sweets. I can only pilfer a small amount."

Master Ouyang let out a snort. "Your brother is quite astute; you are indeed a glutton."

However, Brother Cheng, being but a young, round, and utterly charming child, cast in the mold of a snowball, stirred Master Ouyang's pity, given the hardships he had endured during the famine. Ultimately, he relented. "Very well, take it to Miss Ming for her viewing, and return it once she has finished. This painting is quite exquisite; I intend to have it framed for my personal collection."

"Thank you kindly, Master. I shall return swiftly," Brother Cheng replied, carefully placing the painting back into its tube before darting away.

However, instead of proceeding directly to the rear courtyard to visit Third Miss, he sought out a secluded alcove. There, he surreptitiously replaced the painting, rolled up the original alongside the new one, and then made his way to the back courtyard.

The second gate leading into the backyard was guarded by Shadow Guards and nannies. Upon hearing his explanation, an elder nanny courteously escorted him to Third Miss.

Third Miss was in the garden, hosting Gu Jinli and the others. Upon hearing that Brother Cheng had been dispatched by Grandpa to present her with a painting, she expressed her delight. "Jin's painting? I must certainly cast my eyes upon it."

Brother Cheng cast a glance at his Eldest Sister, Second Sister, and Luo Huiniang before slowly approaching. "Third Sister, Master finds this painting most pleasing and has instructed that you may only have a brief viewing before I must reclaim it."