Chapter 99: Why Isn’t Miss Gu Here as Well (2/2)

“What a beautiful stream! It makes the view of the mountains even more serene!” Sang Wan praised.

Sure enough, the carriage made a turn at the edge of the mountain, and the view forward gradually cleared out. The once serene view of the mountains was replaced with the view of a luscious green bamboo forest. Passing through the bamboo forest, they were finally able to spot a stretch of pinkish red and black tiled wall with the roof high above the ground. That was the glorious country house.

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“They’re here! They’re here!” A cheery voice could be heard once the carriage came to a stop. The two were greeted by a middle-aged couple, a missy around twelve or thirteen, and a few other servants. The woman went up and smiled to welcome them, “Young Master, Ma’am, you’ve finally arrived! Laonu thought that it was about time!”

“Auntie Cui! Uncle Cui!” Shi Fengju smiled as he got off the carriage before helping Sang Wan off. “This is the ma’am’s first time coming here. Because the scenery was beautiful, I had the coachman drive the carriage a little slowly!”

The little missy named Cui Ling ran up to them and bowed politely before greeting, “Sir! Ma’am!”

Shi Fengju smiled at her. “Little Cui, you’ve grown taller again ah!”

Auntie Cui hurriedly went forward to support Sang Wan. “Oh Ma’am, look at how blessed you are! The young master is a great person, so laonu was wondering which family’s missy will be so fortunate!” With that, she added, “But then there can only be someone like Ma’am whose character suits the young master perfectly!”

“Auntie Cui, you speak too highly!” Sang Wan was a little embarrassed, and she smiled with her face slightly red.

Uncle Cui went up and cupped his hands to report, “Everything has been prepared. Young Master and Ma’am, please go in to have a break!”

“Yes, yes! How could I have forgotten that! Young Master, Ma’am, please go in!” Auntie Cui smiled apologetically as everyone entered.

The room inside the country house was spacious and bright, and the layout was simple. It did not look as rich and luxurious as any of the buildings in the household, but it was slightly more exquisite than the average joe’s.

After washing their hands and rinsing their faces quickly, Auntie Cui grinned as she presented the tea, “This is laonu’s own pine radish tea. It tastes mild, so I’m not too sure if it suits Ma’am’s taste. If it doesn’t, laonu will boil another cup of tea.”

When Sang Wan heard so, she knew that Shi Fengju liked to drink such tea, and she smiled before receiving the cup. After a sip, the mouthful of tea went down her throat, enveloping it with a faint grassy aroma. Sang Wan then smiled and said, “This is fine. I usually like to have tea that tastes a little mild, too!”

Auntie Cui let out a laugh, “It’s good that Ma’am likes it! If Ma’am doesn’t mind, laonu will pack a bag of this tea for Ma’am to bring back!”

Sang Wan smiled and readily accepted her suggestion.

Auntie Cui then smiled at the two. “Lunch has been prepared. This afternoon’s lunch has been prepared with the theme of the mountains in mind. As for the crabs, they’re being kept in a pond, and I will prepare them later for tonight’s meal. There’s still some time before lunch, so would Young Master and Ma’am like to take a stroll in the fruit orchard? This season is great for harvesting pomegranates. A few days ago, the fruit vendors came to ask for those, but knowing that Young Master and Ma’am are coming today, I told them to come and collect a few days later!” With that, she added, “Pomegranates are good. May Young Master and Ma’am be blessed with great abundance, so have more!”

“You’re right! Have someone pick two baskets for us to bring back!” Shi Fengju could not help but grin as he cast a glance at Sang Wan.

Sang Wan was feeling slightly awkward, and she hung her head low to take another sip from the tea while acting as if she had not heard anything.

“I will, I will! Laonu will pick them personally, and laonu shall select the best for Young Master and Ma’am!” Auntie Cui grinned.

Shi Fengju also smiled before saying to Sang Wan, “Come, I’ll bring you around to have a breather!”

“En,” Sang Wan did not refuse and smiled as she got up.

“I want to go, too! I’ll lead the way for Sir and Ma’am!” Cui Ling exclaimed as she waved her hands around.

“Sure! Let’s all go together!” Sang Wan quickly agreed. For the trip this time, Shi Fengju insisted on not bringing any servants with them; he said that the servants in the country house would be enough. As such, Zhide, Liu Ya, Hong Ye, and the rest did not follow. Their absence made Sang Wan a little nervous because this was the first time she would be alone with him away from the household, and she was afraid that things might get awkward.

“I’ll go get a basket!” Cui Ling responded cheerily before leaving briskly.

Shi Fengju felt helpless and could only smile quietly at a side.

Who knew that after a while when Cui Ling returned with a basket and Auntie Cui saw them out, Cui Ling would suddenly turn and ask Shi Fengju, “Sir, how come Miss Gu didn’t come?”