As Su Qiuyu made to leave, Yaner quickly admonished, "Miss, you’ve just gone through the exhausting journey to Zhuma Town. If you don’t rest well, I’m afraid your body really won’t be able to take it. Miss, please listen to Yaner’s advice and stay here for a few more days before leaving."
Having said that, she then pleaded with Xia Zheng, "Young Master Xia, please persuade the miss. Her body really can’t take it."
Even though Lin Yuan was aware that this mistress and servant were putting on an act and certainly wouldn’t leave, she couldn’t help some admiration - their performance was so lifelike that she could hardly refuse to acknowledge it.
Xia Zheng frowned; the thing he disliked the most was women who wailed and wept, always threatening to leave at the drop of a hat. If they knew their presence was unwelcome, they shouldn’t have come in the first place! Truly bothersome!
Lin Yuan also noticed Xia Zheng’s distaste for Su Qiuyu, but she knew that Xia Zheng probably wouldn’t let her leave alone. Shruging her shoulders, Lin Yuan quickly offered Su Qiuyu a way out, "Miss Su, you’re so frail, it really isn’t suitable for you to travel any further. You should rest here for a while before heading back."
Given the opportunity Lin Yuan had offered, Su Qiuyu naturally couldn’t ask for more; she had no intention of leaving Xia Zheng alone with some country girl, to cozy up together. Xia Zheng was hers, even if he was currently mesmerized by Lin Yuan. She believed he would someday return to her side.
"Brother Zheng?" Even after receiving Lin Yuan’s invitation to stay, Su Qiuyu still looked timidly toward Xia Zheng with wide, watery eyes, as if she would leave immediately if he uttered a single word of refusal.
Xia Zheng, exasperated, waved his hand impatiently, "Stay then, stay. If you left , Su Tianrui would rip me to shreds!"
Even though she was asked to stay only because of Xia Zheng’s concern for Su Tianrui’s feelings, Su Qiuyu still felt elated inside. Look, this was one of her advantages - she had a brother who was so close to Xia Zheng that they were like brothers, and there were countless women in the Capital city who envied and were jealous of her.
"Miss Su, these are Fuman Building’s specialty pastries, they taste quite good. Please have a taste."
To alleviate the awkward tension, Lin Yuan took the initiative to present Su Qiuyu with a plate of Osmanthus Cake.
This Osmanthus Cake was actually still made by Master Wu according to the method Lin Yuan had provided initially, but after Lin Yuan took over Fuman Building, she further refined the cake, making its exterior appearance more lifelike and enticing. Moreover, the Osmanthus Cake had become one of Fuman Building’s signature specialties with very good sales.
However, such a delightful treat might not seem special in the eyes of Su Qiuyu.
She glanced at the Osmanthus Cake, unable to suppress her criticism - was it just a little prettier? She ate pastries from the Imperial kitchen every day, how could she fancy such rustic fare?
But in light of the recent unpleasantness with Xia Zheng, Su Qiuyu didn’t refuse, accepting the offering with apparent pleasure.
Only when she took it did she remember she was still veiled. Touching her veil, Su Qiuyu’s dimming heart brightened again. Right, Xia Zheng had been away from the Capital city for so long, he must have forgotten her beauty, which is why he had been ignoring her. If she removed her veil, she could surely win back Brother Zheng’s heart. And to show this country girl, let her witness what kind of beauty deserved Brother Zheng.
Secretly delighting in her heart, Su Qiuyu had Yaner help her remove the veil, revealing her rosy lips and delicate, dainty nose.
Even Lin Yuan found herself somewhat unable to bear such beauty, staring at her for a long while. Su Qiuyu’s pert nose gleamed, her unadorned, rosy lips were so red one couldn’t help but want to softly bite down. But if one did, letting go would become a challenge. The most exquisite cherries should not be eaten in one bite, but savored with care and tenderness in one’s mouth.