Pregnant Salted Fish Chapter 7

Thank you @Le2orlily for the kofis !

---

Yin Yuancheng stood up, slowly backed out of the small courtyard with a bow, and then walked quickly forward for a while before seeing Yin Yuanshuang, dressed in riding attire, leading a large group of people majestically into the courtyard.

“Brother, you are indeed here.” Princess Jing’an smiled cunningly, as if she had caught her elder brother’s little tail.

Yin Yuancheng was somewhat helpless with this sister: “Since you’re here, have a good time, but no one is allowed to go to the back courtyard.” Since his lord had no intention of driving people away, he, as her elder brother, would not spoil the fun of the group of young people.

Princess Jing’an’s eyes sparkled with playful glances: “What, are you hiding someone in the back courtyard?”

“Listen to the nonsense you’re spouting!” Yin Yuancheng’s gaze swept over the group of young ladies and gentlemen Yin Yuanshuang had brought. Then he raised his hand and affectionately tapped her forehead, whispering, “Little Uncle is resting in the back courtyard, but he has no intention of chasing people away. Take them and have a good time.”

Princess Jing’an, hearing this, gasped and raised her hand to cover her mouth. Under Yin Yuancheng’s gaze, she dared not speak carelessly anymore.

Yin Yuancheng exchanged a few pleasantries with the group and then left. A young lady called out to Princess Jing’an, who had already suppressed her surprise and run off to play.

The spring light was bright. The young ladies went outside the courtyard to fly kites, their joyful laughter echoing melodiously. The remaining gentlemen, looking at the clear and beautiful scenery of Qingling Mountain, had their servants lay out soft mats by the river to sit on, quoting classics and composing poetry.

“Brother Su is indeed highly talented.” The gentlemen who could hang out with Princess Jing’an were all easygoing in nature. Moreover, since the current emperor highly valued talented individuals, they naturally wouldn’t despise Su Hanfeng for his humble status. On the contrary, they held him in higher regard because of his talent.

Su Hanfeng smiled somewhat modestly, an aura of humility surrounding him: “You gentlemen flatter me too much.”

“I remember that Young Master Xu’s courtyard is over there, right? I heard he has been living in Yunshui Courtyard recently.” One young gentleman spoke, looking at Su Hanfeng with a hint of pity.

Which of these noble young men in the capital didn’t know about Su Hanfeng being relentlessly pursued by Xu Yanqing? The last unpleasant incident occurred at Xu Yanqing’s coming-of-age banquet.

Su Hanfeng lowered his eyes slightly, looking a bit helpless: “Yanqing is young and naive, so he can’t help but get stuck in a rut. As his cousin, I naturally should accommodate him.”

These words were spoken gracefully, yet everyone felt deeply sorry for Su Hanfeng. Who didn’t know that Su Hanfeng had reached this point entirely relying on Marquis Wu’an’s assistance? There was a certain desolate feeling of being under someone else’s roof, so no matter how aggrieved Su Hanfeng felt, he still had to endure and yield.

“Even so, what Xu Yanqing did was a bit too much. Knowing that Brother Su had no interest in him, he did so many things to ruin Brother Su’s reputation, causing not a single young lady to dare approach Brother Su now.” Some couldn’t help but defend Su Hanfeng, mainly because Xu Yanqing had indeed gone a bit overboard.

Xu Yanqing had long since spread word in the capital that Su Hanfeng was already “his.” Any young lady who dared to approach Su Hanfeng would be severely dealt with by Xu Yanqing.

“Yanqing’s feelings for me are just a momentary confusion. Once he grows up and finds someone he loves, he’ll naturally see things clearly.” Su Hanfeng looked up, smiling faintly, and clasped his hands in courtesy with everyone, showing no trace of resentment in his eyes.

“He’s truly a grateful, humble, and polite person,” Yin Yuancheng had always had a good impression of Su Hanfeng. Now, seeing him so composed regardless of favor or disgrace, he couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

Princess Jing’an, flushed from playing, joined them, her gaze also falling on the refined, jade-like scholar: “He is indeed a good gentleman. Other ladies in the capital might not dare to offend Xu Yanqing, but this princess is not afraid of him!”

Yin Yuancheng looked at his sister, amused and helpless: “What, have you taken a fancy to Su Hanfeng?”

“To say ‘taken a fancy’ might be an exaggeration, but it’s rare to meet such an interesting person.” Princess Jing’an smiled sweetly, recalling how awkward and constrained the scholar became when she merely teased him.

Outside, the group of ladies, still having fun, noticed Princess Jing’an had disappeared. Thus, they dropped their kites and came over with sweet laughter.

Su Hanfeng inadvertently glanced at the spot where Yin Yuancheng and Princess Jing’an had been. A calculating, determined glint appeared in his eyes.

Since they were in the mountains, the gentlemen, after drinking some wine, became restless and wanted to go hunting. Princess Jing’an simply led the group into the mountains, planning to have roasted meat for lunch.

The bustling sounds outside did not affect the tranquility within Yunshui Courtyard in the slightest. Xu Yanqing, swaying in his reclining chair under the peach blossom tree, was enjoying himself immensely.

“Young Master, I just saw your cousin.” Mu Yu leaned closer: “He came with Princess Jing’an.”

“Princess Jing’an?” Xu Yanqing slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of understanding flashing in them: “It seems my cousin has found the high branch he wants to cling to.”

Princess Jing’an was the youngest and most beloved daughter of Princess Zhaoyang, who was the current emperor’s most respected elder sister. A young lady of such status was naturally above Marquis Wu’an.

With a chuckle, Xu Yanqing lazily closed his eyes again: “If others don’t offend me, I won’t offend them. What does it matter to me what high branch Su Hanfeng wants to cling to?”

“But, but he now harbors ill intentions towards you. What if he schemes against you again…” What happened that night still left Mu Yu with lingering fears, dreading that Su Hanfeng might expose the incident.

“Just relax,” Xu Yanqing clasped his hands over his abdomen. “Your young master is not that easy to scheme against.”

With his own young master unconcerned, Mu Yu could only sit aside and worry blindly. However, it was useless for him to be anxious. What kind of thoughts the bad guys wanted could not be dispelled by his anxiety.

A short while later, the group of gentlemen and noble ladies, skilled in riding and archery, returned laden with game. The servants, who had already set up charcoal fires in the courtyard, quickly took the game from their young ladies and gentlemen to prepare it.

Xu Yanqing was vaguely awakened by the enticing aroma of roasted meat. The two courtyards were so close that the scent drifted over the wall.

He raised his hand to touch his empty stomach, feeling a little troubled. He seemed to get hungry particularly easily lately, often waking up from sleep due to hunger.

Next door, there was joyful laughter. Xu Yanqing could vaguely hear the “sizzle” of meat fat dripping onto the charcoal fire.

If he smelled any more, his stomach would start rumbling like drums, so he sullenly got up and returned to his room. Out of sight, out of mind; out of smell, it wouldn’t be fragrant.

Unfortunately, the craving stirred by the roasted meat was not so easily suppressed. Even as he told himself not to think or smell, the scent grew even stronger, as if someone had placed roasted meat right in front of him, tormenting Xu Yanqing endlessly.

“Young master, young master, lunch is ready!” Mu Yu walked in quickly, carrying a lacquered tray: “Just now, Princess Jing’an had her maidservant send over a lot of roasted meat, and our small kitchen has also prepared several dishes you like.”

The maid behind Mu Yu then deftly placed all of Xu Yanqing’s meal on the table. Mu Yu placed the lacquered tray holding the roasted meat in the very center.

Xu Yanqing was a bit surprised. In the original owner’s memory, he had no interaction with the highly esteemed Princess Jing’an, so he didn’t expect her attitude to be so friendly.

“How much peach blossom wine is left in the back kitchen?” Yunshui Courtyard brewed a lot of peach blossom wine every year, but after sending some to Marquis Wu’an’s manor and the Su family, what remained in the courtyard was only enough for Xu Yanqing himself to drink. However, because Xu Yanqing had been weak and unsuitable for drinking alcohol recently, some had been left over.

Mu Yu estimated the quantity: “Roughly six or seven pots’ worth, I suppose.”

“Keep one pot, and send the rest to the neighbors.” Although Xu Yanqing was too lazy to socialize, Princess Jing’an had already sent something over, so he had no intention of trying to embarrass the girl.

Mu Yu replied, “Yes, I’ll send the wine over immediately.”

In the adjacent courtyard, the ladies and gentlemen were enjoying themselves immensely, eating and drinking. Just then, Princess Jing’an’s personal maid approached, carrying a food box: “Your Highness, this is peach blossom wine sent by Young Master Xu from next door. They said they brewed it themselves in the courtyard and brought it to the ladies and gentlemen to taste.”

For a moment, everyone fell silent. One gentleman asked skeptically, “Was it really sent by Xu Yanqing?”

It wasn’t that they didn’t believe it, but given Xu Yanqing’s nature, he simply wouldn’t do such a thing.

Princess Jing’an, however, didn’t seem to mind much. She ordered the peach blossom wine from the food box to be distributed among everyone: “Since Young Master Xu has sent it over, why don’t you all try it?”

The peach blossom wine, which had Xu Yanqing so utterly captivated, was naturally quite delicious. Its taste was mellow and not too strong, much to the liking of the young ladies.

Su Hanfeng stared at the peach-colored wine in the cup, the gloom in his eyes intensifying. The current Xu Yanqing seemed to have suddenly become enlightened. All the efforts he had made to tarnish the other party’s reputation in front of these ladies and gentlemen had been diminished by a few pots of wine.

Xu Yanqing, at this moment, didn’t care what Su Hanfeng was thinking. He was happily eating roasted meat, a bite of meat followed by a sip of tea. Indeed, a food lover’s life is so easily satisfied.

By the time Xu Yanqing was full and content, the banquet in the adjacent courtyard had also largely dispersed. Each family sent servants and carriages. Princess Jing’an watched her servants send off her friends, but she herself remained in the courtyard.

“Not planning to return to the manor?” Yin Yuancheng raised his hand and gently rubbed Princess Jing’an’s head.

Princess Jing’an turned around, a faint blush on her cheeks from the wine: “I haven’t even greeted Little Uncle yet!”

“Alright!” Unfazed by her tipsy state, lest she offend the emperor, Yin Yuancheng told a maid to help her to a guest room to rest: “Since you want to stay, then stay. Once the alcohol wears off, go greet him in the back.”

---

If you like what I’m doing, consider supporting me on ko-fi for bonus chapters (๑☆‿ ☆#)ᕗ