Chapter 46 Initiative

  Cai Shuyuan's words fell, and after a moment, two people emerged from behind the door curtain.

  These two people were both dressed as men, with slender and delicate figures, their waists were slender and elegant. At a glance, it was clear that they were two women. They wore straight jackets, and their faces were also exceptionally beautiful, with slender eyebrows, bright eyes, and skin as white as snow.

  Everyone in the house was stunned.

  Cai Shuyuan was also stunned, not expecting the two women. He thought it was other guests eavesdropping and got angry, telling them to come out. After seeing the appearance of the two, Cai Shuyuan regretted exposing their eavesdropping behavior.

  Chen Jing's eyes narrowed as she sized up the two women.

  But saw a woman wearing a cyan gray straight skirt also looking at him.

  This woman's eyebrows and eyes are stunning, as beautiful and intense as a peony, illuminating the entire room with her radiant glow. Such dense and proud beauty, yet not a hint of overbearing, turns to reveal quiet elegance and refinement.

  Her appearance is like a blooming peony, but her temperament is like the gentle dew on a shallow lotus leaf. The elegant and refined qualities are gathered in one body, perfectly blended together.

  "Very beautiful." Chen Jiong thought in his heart, evaluating this woman like this.

  He never had a clear concept of women's appearance. He thought "very good-looking" was because it conformed to his aesthetics, and he liked it very much.

  Women in the world are as varied as can be. Just like the last time I met Xiwen, Chen Qi said she was stunningly beautiful, but Chen Jing only thought her facial features were delicate.

  Exquisite features, like a perfect work of art, without any flaws, that's all. After seeing it, I can only sigh at the creator's ingenuity, but it's hard to say clearly whether I like it or not subjectively.

  But Chen Jing felt that he liked the appearance of this woman in front of him.

  This kind of liking is just seeing a woman's appearance that conforms to one's own aesthetics, similar to seeing stunning architecture or scenery, feeling very comfortable in the heart, and not thinking of possessing it.

  "Enough of your nonsense!" Chen Jiong was startled when he suddenly heard Cai Shuyuan's rebuke.

  In the midst of returning to her senses, she saw Cai Shuyuan scolding another woman in a sky-blue cheongsam, "You want to watch polo? You brought your maid and wet nurse, but you're not allowed to watch? This sneaky behavior, dressing up like that, bringing your cousin, is simply presumptuous!"

  She was Cai's cousin.

  Chen Jing looked at her again.

  However, she also found herself looking at Chen Xuan. She seemed to want to talk to him, but hesitated, and lightly bit her red lips; when Chen Xuan looked over, her clear eyes slightly closed, and her eyelids drooped, a blush spreading across her pale face like ice and snow.

  She suddenly blushed, Chen Jiong thought it was because of him looking at her, making her misunderstand, so he quickly shifted his gaze away.

  Cai Shuyuan was still scolding his sister.

  In this era, family education is still not strict enough.

  There are still some restrictions between men and women, but they are not so strict. The daughters of wealthy families can go out with their maids and wet nurses, which is a safety precaution; sitting in the VIP rooms of high-end consumer venues is a matter of upbringing.

  The era of strictness where one cannot step out of the big gate and cannot enter the second gate has not yet arrived.

  Of course, if one dresses improperly, behaves improperly, doesn't know how to protect oneself, and goes out alone, they will still get scolded.

  "I won't dare next time, Second Brother!" Cai Shuxian was scolded but didn't get angry, only pouting and sticking out his tongue.

  She and her cousin are considered to be among the bolder women. They came in, directly sizing up the crowd, without seeing any woman being coy or lowering their eyes. They were so forthright that they made several old men feel embarrassed, turning away their eyes, not daring to stare at them.

  "That's already outrageous, and you're also eavesdropping?" Cai Shuyuan continued to scold.

  "It wasn't intentional, Second Brother, I won't dare next time." Cai Shu Xian smiled mischievously.

  It's clear that Cai Shuyuan is very fond of this younger sister, but when he tries to advise her, she doesn't take it seriously at all.

  Cai Shu-yuan said a few words as usual, then turned to the crowd and said: "This is my sister. The child is mischievous, brothers, please forgive her." Then he called for the steward and had him send Cai Shu-xian and Shen Nan-hua back home.

  Cai Shu-xian pouted, somewhat dissatisfied.

  She doesn't want to go back now.

  But meeting Second Brother's stern gaze, he swallowed his dissatisfaction again.

  She hastily stepped forward and seized the opportunity to say to Li Yongrong: "Congratulations, you have won a great victory! Du Shijiu and his ilk are nothing but petty men who deserve such punishment!"

  Li Yongrong was stunned.

  He didn't recognize Cai Shu Xian at first.

  He took another close look at her eyebrows and eyes, and vaguely felt a sense of familiarity, only to realize that she was the Miss Cai he had saved two years ago.

  Li Yongrong smiled and said: "Thank you!" Then he looked at her clothes again and said, "Two years haven't seen, how are you still like a monkey?"

  Cai Shuxian's face changed color instantly, and she stomped her foot, saying: "You... you're just like a monkey!"

  Her appearance of being so flustered and exasperated was very cute, causing her brother Cai Shuyuan to burst out laughing.

  Others also followed with laughter.

  Cai Shuxian's face changed, and she stomped her foot in anger, leaving Li Yongrong perplexed. Didn't I say anything? Why is she getting angry? He helplessly rubbed his nose and smiled wryly.

  Two years ago, on the third day of March, Li Yongrong followed his friends to drink on a painting boat. He drank a bit dizzy and went to the deck at the back of the boat to get some fresh air. Then he saw a small figure crouching by the side of the boat, using a bamboo pole to pick up floating duckweed from the river.

  Who is bored enough to play with duckweed at midnight?

  The night in March is very cold.

  Li Yongrong thought it was funny at the time, so he took a few glances at the child. The child was twelve or thirteen years old, with a face as white as jade, pure and flawless, bright eyes and red lips, like a young girl.

  He thought it was just some small thing brought by a guest.

  Li Yongrong didn't like the child, and wasn't interested in him. He turned to leave, but then heard a splash. The child had stretched out his hand too far, lost his balance, slipped and fell into the river.

  Li Yongrong immediately sobered up by more than half, hurriedly jumped down and picked up the child.

  It wasn't until later that I found out the child was indeed from the Cai family, and a girl at that.

  He is like this, people who know Cai's family.

  Also met Cai Shuyuan, the second son of the Cai family.

  Afterwards, the Cai family was grateful to him, and even elders personally came to thank him. They also often invited Li Yongrong to visit their home as a guest. Cai Shuyuan especially often invited Li Yongrong out to have fun.

  After half a year, the Cai family and Cai Shuyuan had a relatively comprehensive understanding of Li Yongrong. They hinted to Li Yongrong's elder brother that the Cai family wanted to form an alliance with the Li family, but they would have to wait until Cai Shuxian came of age.

  At that time, Cai Shuxian was only thirteen years old. They had to wait until she turned fifteen and wore her hair in a bun before they could talk about marriage, which would take two more years. During these two years, Li Yongrong should not have agreed to the engagement.

  The Li family is inferior to the Cai family, being able to form an alliance with the Cais through marriage was a great advantage, so he readily agreed.

  Cai Shuxian is Li Yongrong's fiancée.

  As for Cai Shuxian's appearance, Li Yongrong had no impression of her, only remembering that she was picking water chestnuts on the painting boat at night, and it was funny to think about, very cute and mischievous. Seeing her again today, her eyebrows and eyes were open, very beautiful. But this mischievous personality hasn't changed a bit, like a little monkey.

  Li Yongrong said she was like a monkey, without malice, just thought she was lively and interesting.

  But Cai Shuxian changed her face, and Li Yongrong knew she didn't like this word, so she coughed a little, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

  "All right, stop messing around!" Cai Shuyuan felt that the word "monkey" was too fitting when used to describe his sister, so he burst out laughing and didn't stop for a long time.

  The servant came in and said that the carriage was ready and could take Cai Shu-xian and Shen Nan-hua back.

  Shen Nanhua's hands, hidden in her sleeves, suddenly clenched into fists, as if she had steeled herself. She stepped forward and gave Chen Jing a bow. Dressed in men's clothing, the movement of her bow was still soft and natural.

  Then she said: "The young master's horsemanship is very good..."

  When she spoke, her eyes flickered, seeming a bit nervous, but still pretending to be calm and nonchalant.

  Several people in the room were staring at Chen Jing.

  A little envious.

  Shen Nanhua's appearance is extremely outstanding.

  It's an honor to have such a beautiful girl initiate a conversation.

  Chen Jing didn't expect it either, and was slightly surprised, so he hurriedly returned the courtesy: "Miss is overpraising."

  Cai Shu Yuan originally did not plan to introduce Shen Nan Hua. The young lady's family was dressed like this, it wasn't a glorious thing, he put him behind Cai Shu Xian's body, preparing to mix past.

  But Shen Nan Hua herself came forward, and if she didn't make it clear, she would be letting her off easy.

  Cai Shuyuan then said to Chen Jing: "This is my aunt's niece, surname Shen, also a native of Wangxian County..."

  "Miss Shen." Chen Jiong smiled and greeted her again. But in his heart, he wondered if she was the Miss Shen from Nanqiao Alley?

  Shen Changyu had previously given Chen Jing a gift.

  Because she was a young lady from a wealthy family, even if they were from the same county, there would be no further interaction in the future, so Chen Jing didn't ask much.

  Shen Nanhua also didn't like to take the initiative to speak.

  The servant came in and asked them to return.

  The two girls left.

  This little episode delayed their proper business.

  As soon as the two girls left, Li Yongrong mentioned to Cai Shuyuan the horse he had won.

  "...I also can't afford to raise so many." Li Yongrong intentionally sold the horses he won to Cai Shuyuan. Although those horses were good, they originally belonged to Du Shijie, and if one day he made trouble and wanted to take them back, it would be another round of disputes.

  Moreover, raising racehorses is expensive.

  Li Yongrong has eight horses and is heavily burdened, unable to add any more.

  "Du's horses are all fine steeds from the northwest." Cai Shuyuan became excited, "Yong Rong can't raise them, it's better to sell them to me, I won't treat you unfairly!"

  When both parties are willing to sell and buy, the transaction becomes very easy.

  Cai Shuyuan immediately said to use 30,000 taels of silver to exchange for those eighteen horses.

  This price is quite high.

  Cai Shuyuan was later Li Yongrong's uncle, and Li Yongrong didn't want to take advantage of him either, only willing to pay 20,000 taels.

  The Dragon Boat Festival's horse racing, originally just wanted to play a round, but didn't expect it to end up like this, winning 40,000 taels of silver back.

  Looking back, Zhou Xun and his friends were also quite happy.

  Cai Shuyuan had long coveted Du Shiji's fine steed, and now that he had gotten his hands on it, he was overjoyed.

  "Come on, I'll treat you guys tonight. We won't leave until we're drunk!" Cai Shuyuan wanted to invite them for a drink.

  Li Yongrong and others were also planning to go drinking after finishing the ball. Cai Shuyuan was generous, he invited guests, Li Yongrong didn't decline, and immediately agreed.

  "Wen Gong is still on the arrow tower, I'll go find him." Chen Jing said.

  Li Yongrong nodded.

  Chen Jiong soon found his nephew and brought him over.

  Cai Shuyuan handed over the affairs of the ball court to Guan Shi, and took Li Yongrong and others out, preparing to return to the city to drink.

  At the door, they met Fan Naipei.

  Fan Naipei was waiting for the horse carriage, he fell off the horse and his hair was disheveled, covering his face, which was as pale as death. He didn't help Du Shijiu win the ball, so what Du Shijiu promised him doesn't count.

  He lost his rice while trying to steal a chicken.

  "That turtle grandson, I'm going to beat him up and make him pay!" Zhou Xun saw Fan Naipeng and was so angry that his teeth itched, he went forward to hit him.

  But was stopped by Li Yongrong.

  "Don't get your hands dirty." Li Yongrong said disdainfully.

  Fan Naipei's face turned even uglier, his lips trembling slightly.

  Then Li Yongrong and others passed by in front of him with a calm expression, without even giving him a glance.

  The wind picked up dust and a layer of light fog-like mistiness.

  "What a despicable person!" Xū Tiān Yīng scolded, who normally had a good temper.

  "Not human at all!" Li Yongrong's voice was faint, but carried a chilling tone that pierced to the bone.

  The sound is getting farther and farther away...

  Cai Shuyuan, who was walking with Li Yongrong and others, slowly turned his head, looked at Fan Naipeng, who was sitting on the ground with a dusty face, and flashed a murderous intention in his eyes, giving a wink to the attendant beside him.

  That groom fell back a few steps. When Li Yongrong and the others had walked far away, out of sight, that groom turned his horse around and went to find Fan Naipei.

  Li Yongrong and Cai's family engagement had not been made public, except for the Cai and Li families, most people were unaware. Li Yongrong was also afraid of outsiders' gossip, and even more afraid that if something went wrong, it would be embarrassing, so he didn't mention a word to his own brothers either.

  Fan Naipei still didn't know who he had offended.

  Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to trip up Cai's future son-in-law at Wangpingtang Stadium.

  Of course, he didn't have the chance to know afterwards, anyway, it's none of his business.