In the third month, when grass grows and orioles fly,
Second Miss Shen is picking cherries in the little tower when she catches sight of Meng Liuzhao passing below.
She knows this man can take her away from here.
Since her mother's death, she has tried to run away many times, but in the end she has never escaped this cold, forbidding mansion.
The world is harsh. How can such a burden rest on the shoulders of a young woman?
She doesn't take it to heart. The old ferry crossing stretches on, but somewhere there will be a place where she can set foot.
If she stays here, even if her stepmother marries her off tomorrow, she will only trade a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes for one cage in place of another.
She wants wind, wine, flowers covering the hills, and freedom.
Meng Liuzhao doesn't like going to the Shen house.
To be sure, Shen Yuhe plays the pipa beautifully, but he has never cared much for music. Whenever he accompanies his father on an invitation, he nods along like Nan Guo the impostor, then slips out of the reception hall at the first opportunity to stroll in the courtyard.
Until one day, he steps into the garden beyond the fence.
There is a cherry tree in the garden, its deep red fruit hanging in clusters. Delighted by the sight, he reaches up to pick some.
Crack.
A branch and its leaves sway into view, and with them, not just a cluster of cherries, but a face he has never seen before, framed by a fresh spray of cherries.
Her face is fair and lovely, and even her slightly startled expression is just right.
He is taken aback, and the girl swiftly and lightly slips away from the window of the embroidered tower.
Meng Liuzhao lowers his eyes and silently puts away the cherry branch someone has broken off.
Starting with nothing, and with no other choice, what's so terrible about borrowing someone else's help?
Aboard the boat leaving the shore, Shen Yunkui pops a cherry into her mouth. It is terribly sour.
"Not for all the people. For yourself."
She rests her chin in her hand and watches the river surge. Jiangnan is already far behind her, and she will not return. For now, all she wants is some warm rice wine to ease her weariness.
"Boatman, bring the wine."
No one answers.
Suspicious, she waits until the boat reaches mid-river before going outside to look. She circles around to the person wearing a battered bamboo hat and finally sees clearly. It turns out to be that familiar, handsome face.
"Liuzhao." Shen Yunkui smiles as naturally as if nothing were amiss and hooks her arms around his neck. "I knew you'd come."
Under the bamboo hat, Meng Liuzhao freezes for a moment, then laughs softly.
"I wonder, is there anything you don't know?"
The river wind blows beneath a vast sky; the light boat has already crossed.
Love at first sight isn't necessarily real. Childhood sweethearts aren't necessarily real. Selling wine by the roadside isn't necessarily real. A harmonious married life isn't necessarily real.
Even now, when he has crossed a thousand miles to come before her and takes hold of her wrist, the passion in his eyes is still half bright and half shadowed.
Neither retracing the past nor turning back, as long as they meet again, they can start over, right?
[Cool, alluring black lotus x sunny, cheerful, devoted puppy]
Tips:
1. No sexual assault, no disposable female characters. Enjoy without worry.
2. This story is set in an alternate world, with lots of fictional details. Just letting you know in advance. Peace and love.
Theme: Looking back on the past, one shouldn't find that all poetry and wine were in vain
I've seen the updates many times. This is the first time I clicked in to read it. I like the writing very much.