Chapter 3, looking back on the past cannot be returned to

Oh... after my engagement, will I still have interactions with other young men

Indeed, Li Fei remarked: "Although you are intelligent and beautiful, skilled in both literature and martial arts, you are still a woman. Even if you become a constable, it cannot last a lifetime. Look at this young Jing Dian Shi, he is talented and knowledgeable, comes from a distinguished family, and most importantly, he can cook such delicious soup! If you can win his heart and persuade him to cook for you every day, at least during his time in Qinxian, we will also enjoy considerable blessings! Such a mutually beneficial opportunity, why not seize it, why not seize it!" If you can win his heart and persuade him to cook for you every day, at least during his time in Qinxian, we will also enjoy considerable blessings! Such a mutually beneficial opportunity, why not seize it, why not seize it!

Long and fair, with a pleasing curve when bent, the nails glimmer with a jade-like luster, yet they hold a white porcelain bowl, which contains a single boiled egg.

Zhu Huifei, having indulged in food all day and done nothing, was aware that his corpulence had tarnished the image of a fine gentleman. When it came time to marry, noble families found him foolish and overweight, while he looked down upon commoners. A girl from a once-prominent family who had fallen into poverty would have been the most suitable choice for him, yet he worried that she would be more interested in his family background and wealth than in him as a person

The little deer stared blankly at the enticing broth in the pot, along with the mushrooms that rose and fell like flowers within it. Rubbing its eyes, it suddenly felt a bit of moisture at the corners of its mouth, hurriedly wiping it with its sleeve, only to realize that saliva had already begun to flow out.

Jing Zhiwan entered with his hands behind his back, smiling lazily, "No, you did very well. Such rough work is indeed meant for you to do."

A Yuan glanced sideways, "I am escaping from an imperial decree to avoid marriage. If Duan Hou were to find out I am here, whether he reports to the Emperor or sends someone from the Yuan residence, there would be people coming to take me back. Would he need to come in person? Moreover, isn't Duan Hou on the verge of death? If he weren't so ill, I wouldn't have specifically requested to marry him, would I?"

The fawn came to a halt

Of course there is! The young lady was drinking with Prince Xiao He and Young Master Xie the night before the incident, causing a commotion all night long

Of course, soft-boiled eggs should be cooked to a medium doneness. Eggs that are overcooked have a hard yolk, lacking the enticing aroma and tenderness of a medium-cooked yolk.

She was completely unaware of why she blurted out that name. She had no memory whatsoever of that name or that person

The cold voice, like a spring of icy water gushing from the depths of the earth, left A Yuan unable to perceive even a hint of goodwill

Fu Manqing could only lower her eyelids, silently taking out a celadon bottle and a white porcelain bottle. Both were exquisite pieces of official kiln porcelain, light and delicate, translucent like jade, with the pills inside faintly visible as they moved.

Jing Zhiwan expressed her gratitude, and after Li Fei and A Yuan had both served, she finally lowered her head and took a sip

Fu Manqing glanced into the tent, and a slight smile appeared on her face, yet her words remained humble: "Please speak, Your Excellency."

A Yuan hurriedly followed Jing Zhiwan out and asked, "Aren't you going to ask more questions?"

A Yuan imagined the pale face of Lord Dian Shi, feeling somewhat lost in thought when Jing Zhiwan coldly glanced at her and said, "I have no interest in men"

Huayuelou is the place of entertainment most favored by the wealthy young men of Qinxian County

Although Zhu Huifei is a suspect, there is no doubt that Ling You, who assisted him in refining the medicine, is an even greater suspect

A Yuan found himself utterly speechless.

... ...

Jing Zhiwan stared blankly at the two bowls of eggs in front of her, then asked the cook with slight irritation, "Did I not just ask for fried eggs?"

A Yuan could not quite remember how to make chicken soup; she only felt that the method of making the soup seemed quite off. After a moment of silence, she quietly asked, "Have you ever made chicken soup before?"

When I raised my eyes to look out the window, the sky was pitch black, and it was estimated that it was not yet the fourth watch of the night

Thus, with a heart full of entanglement, Zhu Huifei decided to find someone who would treat him sincerely; if his appearance could not earn the girl's genuine affection, at least he could employ other means to win her heartfelt regard

Jing Zhiwan remained expressionless, taking another sip, and cast a somewhat playful glance at Li Fei and A Yuan

The young ladies are engaged in their nightly endeavors, toiling diligently; how could they be disturbed so early? If they are not yet ready and made up, and someone were to see their rough and dull appearance after the makeup has worn off, would it not tarnish their reputation and diminish their worth?

Ah Yuan watched as his long, fair fingers deftly moved, momentarily entranced by the sight

In fact, she does not know either, whether dreaming repeatedly of a man's hands can be considered a spring dream. However, when she gazes at those hands in her dreams, she is indeed filled with admiration, even infatuation.

A Yuan also felt that the soup was extremely delicious, and the tender wood ear mushrooms were even more flavorful than chicken. It seems that I had tasted such soup before at the Yuan residence, and it felt somewhat familiar.

Li Fei took a big gulp and then spat it all out with a "pfft" sound

Upon hearing this, Fu Manqing did not take it to heart, "Please forgive my candidness, the character of Young Master Zhu has never been particularly stable. Since he trusts Ling You, and Ling You enjoys coming over to my side, perhaps... he will also come to my side more often after they have had some exchanges!"

Fu Manqing's words are gentle and sincere, when did we first meet at Lingyou, where did Lingyou once stay temporarily, the frequency of visits to Huayuelou before and after entering the Zhu residence, how was she as a person on ordinary days, she seemed to know everything and answered almost without hesitation

A Yuan suddenly awoke, his back already damp with a layer of sweat, yet his eyes were still fixed on those hands, as if he could reach out and grasp them, feeling that warm body temperature.

He was born with exceptional beauty; even when dressed simply and sitting in a shabby, dilapidated house, he still exuded a subtle, pearl-like radiance. However, he seemed to have not slept well, his complexion paler than the previous day, with a faint dark circle under his deep black eyes

He picked up a pill, his dark eyes narrowing slightly, "If you were to take a pill at this moment, would you not fall in love with me and the original constable? If you had taken a pill last night, you would have likely fallen for last night's guest? But Miss Fu's true love, I suppose, is the Lingyou pharmacist, right? How much silk and money did you deceive from Young Master Zhu for Lingyou? How many medicinal materials did you swindle away?"

Since he could not sleep, A Yuan got up early.

Jing Zhiwan said: "A woman who is so fickle cannot possibly be entrusted with extraordinary recipes such as chicken blood and mushrooms. Moreover, what she mentioned aligns roughly with what Zhu Huifei said, so it should be true."

The little deer could not help but exclaim: "Hey, aren't you going to drink the soup?"

Her face suddenly flushed, and she whispered: "When the young lady brings those men back to sleep, I am also guarding by the threshold! Which one is capable, which one is useless, which one satisfies the young lady the most, and which one is merely being indulged in by the young lady based on appearance, there is nothing I do not know..."

As Ah Yuan stood up and shook the droplets of water from his sleeves, he distinctly heard Jing Zhiwan beside him let out a light laugh, which clearly contained a hint of mockery

Jing Zhiwan finally took a step back, still standing there gracefully, with a slight frown.

Jing Zhiwan took a step back, slowly raised her hand, as if to cover her nose in avoidance

With a smile that is both coy and enchanting, her delicate jade-like arms and slender fingers are faintly visible through the sheer fabric, captivating the hearts and minds of onlookers. She possesses a demure charm reminiscent of a refined young lady, smiling without revealing her teeth, leaving one to wonder how many men have been entranced by her allure

The madam, upon hearing that Fu Manqing had been entangled, immediately panicked and hurriedly said: "No, no... That esteemed guest just arrived yesterday. How about this, gentlemen, please wait a moment while I go and check if Manqing has woken up"

The fawn scratched its messy hair and suddenly felt a bit confused; having repelled that group of skillful sisters, it became the only attendant following the young lady, yet how could it have fallen into such a predicament

Jing Zhiwan was sitting in the room where they had enjoyed delicious chicken soup the night before, slowly sipping a bowl of plain congee, with only a small dish of pickles in front of her

I only hope to marry into the Zhu family, to have a lifelong support; how could I possibly have the intention to harm Young Master Zhu?" She observed Jing Zhiwan's expression, "As for what herbs were used in Ling You's medicine, I have no way of knowing, but... after taking it, Young Master Zhu indeed appears much more pleasing to the eye than before.

The young lady of the Yuan family, with her delicate fingers, is far more suited to playing the piano, painting, and composing poetry than to washing her hands to prepare meals, let alone running to the kitchen to serve as a firewood girl

When standing face to face with Jing Zhiwan at close range, she realized that he appeared delicate yet was considerably taller than her. She had to lift her eyes to meet his gaze and asked him, "Where are we going?"

A Yuan noticed that he was indifferent to her and, feeling disinclined to engage, went to serve herself a bowl of porridge and sat down at another table to eat

She raised her sleeve to cover the smile at the corner of her lips, her bright eyes filled with shyness, gently glancing towards Ah Yuan

The fresh ingredients have been cooked to this extent; if they are reheated once more, who knows what they will turn into

Moreover, what good person could possibly stay overnight in a brothel? Most likely, they would be like Zhu Hui Fei, with a fat head and a bloated body, and dressed in disarray. If one were to lift the curtain, lying on the bed would be a pile of white, plump flesh, which would surely be nauseating... She did not eat much for breakfast and had a pile of matters to attend to, not wanting to vomit everything out; such good fortune should naturally be reserved for the magistrate who had only a bowl of porridge and two eggs.

She pondered and asked, "Little deer, did I often dream before?"

However, you see, Jing Dian Shi does indeed seem a bit unwell. Perhaps Duan Hou's illness is not as serious as rumored; perhaps upon hearing about the impending marriage, he has already recovered significantly. Little Deer rolled her eyes and her mind raced quickly, "Or perhaps you have known each other for a long time, and the young lady suddenly changed her taste, falling in love with such a sickly beauty, thus deciding to marry him?"

She looked at Ah Yuan with a beaming smile, "So the young lady hasn't forgotten! The young lady even remembers the name of Duke Duan!"

Li Fei hurriedly offered it to Jing Zhiwan, smiling and saying: "Jing Dian Shi is a guest, this bowl should naturally be served to Jing Dian Shi first"

Men are often most interested in two types of women: the refined ladies who resemble courtesans, like the original Qingli before she fell ill; or the courtesans who resemble refined ladies, like the present Fu Manqing.

The cook agreed

Jing Zhiwan cast a faint glance and said, "If you don't want to go hungry until dawn, keep an eye on your fire"

The little deer touched her round face, and her heart was immediately caught in a battle between reason and desire. After a moment, desire overwhelmed reason, scattering it like smoke. Thus, she immediately rushed towards the delightful chicken soup

and should not trouble the esteemed official.

Moments later, Jing Zhiwan and Ayuan were brought into Fu Manqing's room

The door closed with a "bang," nearly hitting Jing Zhiwan's nose.

The little deer stared blankly at the soup she had choked on, murmuring: "What a pity, what a pity!"

The madam over there received the news and hurriedly came over, dressed in her clothes, smiling as she said: "Gentlemen, you arrived early in the morning without informing me in advance, so that I could have come to greet you sooner."

Early in the morning, Ah Yuan was taken to Huayue Building by Jing Zhiwan. Before he could have a detailed conversation with Jing Yi, he couldn't help but feel puzzled upon hearing the words.

The little deer also served itself half a bowl, took a sip, and surprisingly swallowed it down. Its features scrunched together for a moment before it managed a dry laugh, "Actually... it's not that bad... just a bit too salty because I added too much salt, so I added some sugar, but then it felt too strong, so I added some water... The chicken isn't cooked yet, and the radish has turned mushy, then it disappeared... I watched for a long time without seeing any oil surface, so I added another spoonful of oil..."

Although the madam was indignant, she ultimately recognized that the current official was more formidable than the current manager, and thus did not dare to argue. While she muttered under her breath, she hurriedly rushed upstairs.

She cannot clearly see or articulate the source of that inexplicable infatuation. Clearly, she does not share the same admiration for his culinary skills as Li Fei, Xiao Lu, and others do. In her dreams, it seems she has never truly seen his face, yet she instinctively knows that the man is Jing Zhiwan

The chicken may not be fully cooked, making it somewhat difficult to cut. She exerted her skill as if wielding a sword and managed to tear off a chicken leg, first serving a bowl of soup to Li Fei.

However, Ah Yuan looked at the woman who gracefully walked out from behind the curtain and still felt that Jing Yi and the others were simply blind.

As he walked past A Yuan, he said lightly, "Come over and tend the fire"

Such beautiful hands, yet such detestable eyes and voice

A Yuan thought and thought, yet could not fall asleep again

Moments later, the kitchen brought two bowls, one containing two fried eggs and the other containing two boiled eggs

Jing Zhiwan glanced at her, and suddenly struck the basin with force. Water splashed everywhere, and a few pieces of dark brown wood ear mushroom residue quickly stained his clothes.

The little deer foolishly accepted it. Jing Zhiwan, dressed in a simple garment that wrapped around her tall figure, remained untainted, walked over to greet Li Fei, and directly took her outer robe to go outside

The young deer hurriedly asked, "Sir, is this ... ... burned?"

The fawn nodded, "Yes, my surname is Jing. However, it is not Jing Zhiwan, definitely not Jing Zhiwan. I remember it is two characters."

However, A Yuan also admits that Lord Dian Shi's hands are indeed skillful and beautiful, more so than hers, and do not resemble those of a person who does rough work.

Due to the life-saving grace of A Yuan, and because he was the one who had personally promoted him, Li Fei mostly entrusted the usual case handling matters to A Yuan. Although Jing Yi was an experienced constable, he took a step back and was unwilling to make decisions on such matters, always consulting with A Yuan instead. Jing Zhiwan, the newly appointed official, had quite a presence, yet he had not mentioned a single word to A Yuan during the entire journey.

Jing Zhiwan knocked on the door, and after some difficulty, an old man with disheveled hair appeared. Upon hearing that someone wanted to see their top girl, Fu Manqing, he rubbed his eyes, which were clouded with sleep, and said: "The young lady is not at home"

The salty and sweet flavors merge into a certain extreme richness within the viscous oily substance referred to as soup, distinctly different from the chicken soup in Ah Yuan's memory, transcending the mere description of being unpalatable

The room was already filled with a lingering fragrance, and the smoked garments exuded a sweet aroma that made Ah Yuan's throat itch. Unable to hold back, he let out a sneeze, startling the beauty, and the tea spilled onto Ah Yuan's sleeve

Before long, the room was filled with the fragrant aroma of freshly boiled egg whites and a subtle hint of vinegar

Yet there are those who came even earlier than her

At this moment, Jing Zhiwan had already reached the door. From Ayuan's direction, he could just see the silhouette of her outside the window. In that moment of action, her figure seemed to be draped in a layer of moonlight, as if enveloped in a layer of clear frost, devoid of any trace of earthly warmth, as if the man who had just washed his hands to prepare soup was merely a figment of her imagination

Moreover, the attire of the two individuals is quite ordinary, and the old gatekeeper naturally looks down upon them, thinking that they are young people who do not understand the rules, having come early in the morning to show off with a few strings of copper coins

Upon hearing Li Fei speaking, she casually responded and then raised her head in confusion, "What good opportunity? He probably... won't be making soup for us every day, right?"

A Yuan nodded, then shook his head

Scenic farewell, scenic farewell, scenic farewell ... ...

Miss, every night is spring, of course, every day is a spring dream

As the thought flashed through her mind, her knees buckled, and she knelt down

A Yuan pondered that when he returned to the yamen yesterday, it was already late. Jing Zhiwan had likely had a detailed conversation with Zhu Huifei after he left the kitchen, and it was more probable that when Li Fei sent someone to find him, he was with Zhu Huifei. Although Zhu Huifei was a suspect, the evidence was insufficient, and Zhu Fei no longer dared to imprison him in the jail; the room where he was detained was probably even more comfortable than A Yuan's own bedroom.

There is no terror in the dream, and even a faint sense of longing and joy; it cannot be considered a nightmare at all

Jing Zhiwan said: "Did the young lady find it for me herself, or should I take the initiative to search for it?"

Seeing that Ah Yuan was silent, Jing Zhiwan suddenly said: "Why don't you go inside the tent and take a look at who Fu Manqing's esteemed guest and benefactor is?"

As Ah Yuan was rubbing his forehead, Jing Zhiwan suddenly stood up, took off his outer robe, and was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt. He picked up the bowl of chicken soup and said, "Please wait a moment."

Undoubtedly, this time, Miss Fu has won again

The little deer was momentarily taken aback, then immediately clapped its hands and said: "Yes, yes! I remember now, it is these two characters!"

Neither he nor A Yuan can be considered scions of wealthy families in Qincheng. At least with their current positions as minor officials such as clerks and constables, their meager monthly salaries are insufficient to catch the eye of the courtesans.

Fu Manqing, graceful and delicate, had approached Jing Zhiwan. Her slender fingers gently brushed against the lock drawer of the dressing table, her gaze lingering yet subtly directed at Jing Zhiwan, hinting at a sense of grievance.

Every day in the affluent countryside, indulging in pleasures, seeking joy, having everything one desires, living so blissfully that even immortals would not trade places, coming to this small place called Qinxian County to be a constable... Miss, you are quite ill...

Cough

The fawn looked at him in astonishment, and he paused for a moment before smiling as if nothing had happened, "The wood ear mushrooms have been washed."

Little Deer Path: "I do not know about that. Although I have seen the Geng Tie, I do not recognize the characters. When the young lady read the name on the tie, I only heard it once and cannot recall it clearly. Oh, it seems to be the surname Jing!"

A Yuan shifted his gaze from his fingers to the gently swaying egg in the bowl, then looked up and gave Jing Zhiwan a broad smile

Why

That night, Ah Yuan surprisingly had a dream that lasted all night

A Yuan gazed at Jing Zhiwan, who stood far away at the window, with his hands behind his back, showing no intention of coming over to inquire. He could only ask each point of doubt himself.

A Yuan intentionally turned her back to him, unable to see his expression, yet she felt as if he had glanced at her several times. That faint and clear gaze was an undeniable presence, even when she was turned away from him. She felt as if she were a soft-boiled egg on his chopsticks, being crushed piece by piece.

A Yuan pondered over the name he had heard for the first time today, and suddenly turned to Xiao Lu to ask, "Do you remember the name of the Duke who was betrothed to me that day?"

The hand that once appeared in my dreams has appeared again

Fu Manqing gazed at Ah Yuan's slightly lowered face, increasingly feeling that her brows and eyes were heavy and solemn, strikingly handsome and refined, yet already somewhat lost in thought. Thus, she moved closer to her, earnestly pouring more tea for her.

After a quarter of an hour, Li Fei, who was waiting next door, was drawn over by the enticing aroma, disregarding the principles of a gentleman, and rushed over to check on the late-night snack that had previously disappointed him.

A Yuan asked: "Is Ling You the one you introduced to Zhu Hui Fei?"

A Yuan softened her tone and said, "Do not be afraid, I just came to ask you a few questions"

The little deer had a sudden burst of inspiration and exclaimed with excitement, "It seems that he is not someone who cannot get what he wants, but rather someone who was about to get married and was jilted. No wonder he is so melancholic! Could it be that he is unwilling to accept this, and has gone to great lengths to find out the whereabouts of the young lady, chasing her all the way to the Qin River?"

Li Fei licked the last chicken wing bone repeatedly, and when he realized that no more flavor could be extracted, he let out a sigh, still feeling unsatisfied. He straightened his expression and said to Ah Yuan: "Look, our Jingdian Shi is truly a polymath! A polymath! Ah Yuan, you must seize this opportunity and not let it slip away!"

When Ah Yuan left the mansion, she brought with her a considerable amount of gold, silver, and jewelry, enough to frequent both brothels and taverns. However, being a woman, she could only watch from the sidelines, even if Fu Manqing had intentions towards her, she could only watch helplessly.

A Yuan was already on alert, so when drinking, he only dared to sip cautiously, then quickly spit it out. He tasted the aftertaste on the tip of his tongue and glared at the little deer, "What... what did you put in the soup? It's so salty... no, it seems to be quite sweet as well?"

What is even more bizarre is that she actually thinks that boiled eggs dipped in vinegar should taste delicious, and just thinking about that flavor makes her almost salivate

The madam's smile remained warm, yet there was a hint of pride in her eyes. "This... yesterday, Lord Jing came by, and I mentioned that Miss Fu has been with esteemed guests these past two days and is unable to meet with officials."

Ah Yuan was bewildered, "Burning... burning fire?"

The fawn was sleeping quite soundly, yet she remained concerned that only she was left to attend to the young lady beside the golden vase and jade cinnamon. Sensing some movement over there, she rolled over and got up from the nearby bed, asking: "Miss, did you have a nightmare?"

Fu Manqing looked at Ayuan with great confidence, and indeed saw Ayuan's eyes brighten. She even gently held her delicate fingers, gazing in a daze at the jade-white hand beneath the veil, admiring the freshly painted nails at her fingertips

A Yuan stepped forward and said, "I would like to take a look at Miss Fu's room"

The personal maid of Miss Yuan already possesses considerable authority. In the Yuan residence's kitchen, there are six or seven renowned chefs and a multitude of kitchen maids, so how could it possibly trouble Miss Lu to use her delicate hands

A Yuan briefly imagined Jing Zhiwan as a Duan Hou, picturing him willingly wearing a full head of green hats, and immediately shivered, saying: "Xiao Lu, you should hurry and sleep. Tomorrow morning, I will go to Renxin Hall to get you a prescription."

It seems that although she and Fu Manqing are of vastly different statuses, their experience in dealing with people is likely not too different. Ah Yuan does not understand where her discomfort and embarrassment come from

The little deer mocked Fu Manqing's appearance, but in reality, it was merely a comment overheard during a casual conversation among Jing Yi and others. These officials and constables, who rely on their positions for sustenance, may not worry about food and clothing, yet they can only look on enviously at local stars like Fu Manqing. Since they cannot partake, it is inevitable that their words are tinged with bitterness and sound rather unpleasant.

Cough! Fu Manqing cast a glance at Jing Zhiwan, further resenting him for not understanding the importance of cherishing beauty, and asked such a disheartening question, "Naturally, it is for the purpose of enhancing the atmosphere"

A Yuan casually remarked: "Jing Ci?"

As Ah Yuan busily looked under the stove, she found that the firewood had indeed diminished significantly. She hurriedly stuffed some more in, added a few more branches, and cleared away some of the ash, soon seeing the flames rise vigorously again. The firelight cast a rosy glow on her face, and the fine beads of sweat on her nose added an unexpected touch of innocence to her usual demeanor.

Having spent too much time in the flower streets and willow alleys, even Zhu Hui Fei himself can no longer remember the surnames of the young ladies from which family they come from

Jing Zhiwan rolled up her sleeves, revealing a pair of slender yet attractive hands. She first found two pieces of wood ear mushrooms and soaked them in water, then retrieved the half-cooked chicken, rinsed it, and added fresh water before returning it to the pot. After a brief search around, she gathered ingredients such as yellow chives, angelica, and goji berries. She also took ginger and scallions, skillfully sliced them into shreds, wrapped them together with the other ingredients in cheesecloth, tied it securely, and placed it in the pot. Then, she went to wash the wood ear mushrooms that had gradually soaked.

It is a very soft light purple, a color that is striking yet not ostentatious, as light as a wisp of wind at the fingertips, yet capable of firmly capturing a man's gaze

Jing Zhiwan did not even glance at her and said lightly, "With such enthusiasm, would you like to stay with us at the yamen for a few days?"

Approximately, he was quite generous, and the cook in the next room responded loudly: "Coming!"

What are the functions?

However, she was born into a wealthy family, and unlike those two who were stunning, she still savored her food slowly, having only consumed half a bowl of soup.

A Yuan wiped away her tears and raised her chicken soup, saying to Li Fei: "Thank you for your kindness, my lord! However, after much thought, I believe it is better to be a constable than a refugee, and better to be a man than a woman; if a man possesses culinary skills, then he is truly capable. I will strive to learn excellent cooking skills! Regardless of gender, to achieve great things, one must be self-taught, self-reliant, and self-improving! Come, my lord, let us drink this bowl of chicken soup!"

From the imposing demeanor of Fu Manqing, it was evident that Jing Zhiwan was the one in charge between the two. However, Jing Zhiwan completely ignored her, even furrowing her brows in apparent disgust. For a moment, she did not dare to initiate a conversation, but instead raised her delicate eyes and glanced at A Yuan, softly and gently saying: "Master Yuan, although Manqing is of lowly status, she has always adhered to the principles of fairness and law..."

Ling You desires wealth and seeks the rare medicinal materials of the Zhu family. Occasionally, he encounters Zhu Huifei, and is troubled by his lack of means to rise within the Zhu family. Fu Manqing, on the other hand, is a wise individual who has witnessed the fates of his predecessors in the same field. He has long realized that no matter how charming one's demeanor may be, there will come a day when it diminishes and fades away. The most beautiful years are indeed the most valuable years.

As Ah Yuan stared blankly at Fu Manqing, Jing Zhiwan had already ignored Fu Manqing, who had come to pay her respects. She cast a glance at the drooping canopy in front of the low bed and walked to the dressing table to play with the rouge and powder.

She drank a couple of sips of the water brought by the little deer, and only then did she manage to calm herself slightly

The three individuals quickly reached a consensus regarding their needs and desires. Ling You prepared the Heart's Desire Pill for Zhu Huifei and advised him to use Fu Manqing, who was untainted by the mud, to test the medicine. Fu Manqing then employed various tactics, whether with affection or without, to entice and manipulate, combined with the pill's stimulating effects, which could amplify the benefits for the other party tenfold or even a hundredfold at certain moments. This led Zhu Huifei to believe in the pill's efficacy, prompting him to offer more precious medicinal materials to Ling You, and even to become jealous on behalf of Fu Manqing, which resulted in the scene of causing a commotion at the teahouse with Ah Yuan.

A Yuan turned to Jing Zhiwan and said, "Jing Dian Shi, do you intend to discuss the Great Liang laws with them here, and deliberate on whether it is reasonable and lawful to barge in like this?"

The fawn was eager to persuade again, but suddenly remembered that once she returned to the original residence, mingling among the group of sharp-tongued maids, she would lose the current glory of serving the young lady alone. She immediately felt it would be better for the young lady not to take the medicine. She closed her mouth, yawned twice, and soon fell asleep again

Jing Zhiwan chuckled lightly, "Is it merely for entertainment? How could Zhu Hui Fei tell me that it is made with medicinal materials worth their weight in gold, supplemented with the elusive Suixin grass, Tianxiang ointment, and Linghe blood, which can cause a woman to lose her senses and fall deeply in love with a man who has taken the same medicine?"

Jing Zhiwan indeed stepped forward, lazily glanced at her, and asked: "Miss Fu, what medications has Zhu Huifei given you? What medications has Ling You given you?"

The cook smiled at him charmingly and quickly said: "My lord, the magistrate, you just mentioned that you wanted two fried eggs and two boiled eggs, with the fried eggs cooked to medium and the boiled eggs thoroughly cooked..."

Jing Zhiwan smiled and said, "What kind of esteemed guest? The emperor's relatives have been murdered, and the suspicious pharmacist Ling You and the eldest son Zhu Huifei have been closely associated with Miss Fu. Coincidentally, Miss Fu has now climbed up to a certain esteemed guest to evade inquiries. Could it be that everything was orchestrated by Miss Fu, who had made arrangements early on?"

Jing Zhiwan, Jing Zhiwan

Hmm? Ah Yuan looked at his righteous face and, beyond the chicken soup, suddenly caught a whiff of a fox's scent

It is heard that after Ling You entered the mansion, she often frequents the Flower Moon Pavilion? Young Master Zhu originally loved to visit the Full Moon Pavilion and the Flower Lane, but in the past month or two, it seems that his favorite has also become the Flower Moon Pavilion?

The little deer smiled awkwardly and whispered, "I have always been responsible for delivering the meals from the kitchen to the Miss's table..."

If we remove the self-pity and helplessness of being a lowly woman from Miss Fu's words, her testimony is actually quite simple

To dare to drink such a soup, he is undoubtedly a true warrior

Jing Zhiwan placed the bowl in front of her, tapped her fingertips on the table twice, and said: "This is for you. Once you finish eating, follow me to investigate the case."

After serving two bowls to Li Fei and A Yuan, there was still a little over one bowl of soup left in the pot. The little deer almost gnawed on the bones, glancing at the remaining soup at the bottom of the pot countless times, wishing to take the large pot down and savor it thoroughly.

This feeling is simply bizarre

What dream

Seeing Fu Manqing's face turn red, Jing Zhiwan paid no attention and walked out of the room with his hands behind his back

Little Deer Path: "If the young lady has acquaintances outside and has not brought them back to the residence, how could I know them if I have not been in the same place as the young lady? If she had brought them back, I would probably know them all..."

In my dreams, I have never caught the scent of chicken soup, yet I always see a pair of hands belonging to a man, slender and long, fair and clean, indescribably handsome, skillfully chopping vegetables, cooking rice, and even carefully picking out fish bones one by one... and then—using a pair of ebony chopsticks to place them into her bowl

As he spoke this way, his gaze had already turned towards the dressing table

Of course, the premise is that the woman must be exceptionally beautiful; if she is not exceptionally beautiful, she should possess an infinite charm in her every gesture, just like Fu Manqing.

Jing Zhiwan smiled gently and said, "Miss Fu, after taking that medicine, even if you look at a boar, it will seem quite pleasing to you."

It seems that she thought of it too late

Ah, is there really such a medicine? Miss, hurry and get yourself two packets! Who knows, if your mind becomes normal, you won't be thinking about entering the marquis's residence or the county office, and you won't want to be a lady but a constable instead...

Jing Zhiwan said: "It is reported that Constable Jing did not see Miss Fu yesterday. Now, may I invite Miss Fu to come out and have a discussion?"

Then, the next day, I sent off my two lovers and took a detour to visit my fiancé

Zhu Huifei, even though she is as fat as a pig, remains lofty and soars in a place they cannot reach. Young and wealthy, generous in her spending, and the legitimate child of her family, if one were to marry into the Zhu family and become an ordinary concubine, they would never have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of their life

As Jing Zhiwan squinted, A Yuan had already stood up and said, "Thank you, Jing Dianshi, but I am already full. Moreover, I do not like to eat eggs"

As she was engrossed in eating her congee and pickles, accompanied by the aroma of the egg, a gentle sound of footsteps approached from behind

Although she noticed that there was someone inside the tent, she could not gauge the depth of this newly arrived official. She indeed wanted to test whether Jing Zhiwan could discover it and see how he would handle the situation

The old man nearly got kicked out, and as he clutched his chest and was about to call for help, Ah Yuan had already revealed his badge, casting a cold glance at him, "Official business! Dare to stop us? At your age, do you want to end up in prison?"

This person does not understand the value of cherishing and protecting the delicate and precious.

A Yuan suddenly felt a sense of unease and vaguely recalled that the little deer seemed to have never cooked any meals

Ah Yuan was still somewhat dazed and did not notice anything unusual. She awkwardly rubbed her ears and replied: "A spring dream"

Fu Manqing, being so perceptive, immediately guessed that it could not be concealed. She smiled and stepped forward, saying: "As for those medicines... if Young Master Zhu has mentioned them to you, you naturally would be aware of their effects."

will gain weight

The boiled eggs need to be cooked thoroughly ... ... "Jing Zhiwan murmured to herself, slowly bringing over the two boiled eggs, her voice inexplicably hoarse, "Um, bring a plate of vinegar."

A Yuan said with a smile: "I have no interest in men. I only love to admire beauties like Miss Fu, whose every gesture and movement is a performance, captivatingly beautiful"

Similarly, after Zhu Huifei took the medicine, he found all the sows pleasing to the eye

A Yuan had been mingling in the county office for two to three months, and had experienced many sights that were quite different from those of the royal palaces while following Jing Yi and others. Realizing the late hour, she hesitated for a moment, then strode forward, and before the old steward could secure the door, she kicked it open with a heavy thud.

Li Fei was still smiling heartily, "That is only natural. Looking at him like this, it is likely that he has come out for some experience for a while and will return to the capital sooner or later. However, with his skills, it would be a pity if he continues to hide his talents."

A Yuan suddenly choked on a mouthful of soup, coughing incessantly

(A certain scene: If you learn to cook, you will no longer be a firewood girl for a lifetime)

Really

The fawn felt somewhat guilty. Although the former young lady appreciated her loyalty and straightforwardness, she was not particularly adept compared to the other maids in the household, and her service during the night was actually quite limited

Jing Zhiwan seemed to let out a low sigh, "I will not drink. After the hour of Hai, I will no longer eat"

A Yuan could not help but glance at Jing Zhiwan's seemingly indifferent expression, feeling a genuine admiration for the first time.

Hmm? What medicine?

She shyly withdrew her hand, looking at Ah Yuan with a mix of surprise and joy, then quietly glanced into the tent, ultimately not daring to lean in and embrace him.

Jing Zhiwan used a smooth, wrinkle-free white handkerchief to carefully wipe his slender and beautiful hands. He casually threw the used handkerchief into Xiao Lu's arms and said, "Go wash your hands and serve them soup!"

A Yuan suddenly stopped breathing, "Surname Jing?"

It is said that thinking too much can lead to brain damage. You need to buy a package of brain protection powder, which can protect the heart and brain in a timely manner, and provide rapid and effective treatment without rebound.

阿原笑了笑 , `` 我以为景典史应该对此更感兴趣。''

The little deer was somewhat afraid of him, but also eagerly awaited his approval. He looked at him earnestly and asked with a flattering smile, "Master Dianshi, how is the taste?"

After briefly asking, A Yuan ignited the firewood with a flint, adding branches one by one in a proper manner, while also taking the opportunity to observe the movements of the creatures in the evening.

Fu Manqing's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "Manqing's fate is thin, and she is acquainted with people from all walks of life. Young Master Zhu wants a pharmacist like this, and I happen to know such a pharmacist and have recommended him before. After they got acquainted, Ling You went to the Zhu residence. What they discussed and what medicine they refined is not something a young girl like me can hear."

The little deer hurriedly said, "I'll do it, I'll do it!"

Ah Yuan was embarrassed and pushed away Fu Manqing's fragrant body as she approached, casually brushing away the tea leaves. She asked Jing Zhiwan without a care, "I am clumsy and couldn't find out more for a while. I wonder if Jing Dianshi has any insightful suggestions?"

Previously, Fu Manqing was mocked by evil people. Just as A Yuan came to her rescue, it is unknown what Fu Manqing said that led to the rumor that Miss Fu of Huayue Tower fell in love with the new constable.

Is she foolish for giving up the entire forest for a single tree?

And the little deer kept talking to herself: "Huh, Miss, you don't remember Sir Xie, you don't remember Prince Xiaohe, you don't remember Young Master Xiao, but you remember Duke Duan... Miss, could it be that you knew Duke Duan before?"

Fu Manqing spared no effort to put an end to her career in the flesh.

The woman in front of me is delicate and weak, swaying her body like a willow in the wind. In the fragrant and misty bedroom, she exudes a seductive charm, like a white magnolia wrapped in mist. She is graceful and charming, and I can't help but be captivated by her at first sight. Whether her appearance is perfect or her features are exquisite, no one seems to notice. Sometimes, temperament is more enchanting than physical beauty itself.

The madam warmly reached out her hands to support Jing Zhiwan's shoulders. Upon hearing her words, Jing Zhiwan quickly shrunk back, her face forming several creases of flesh before finally settling into a friendly smile. "No need, no need. Although our Flower Moon Pavilion may be small, it is still lively. This humble one cannot leave for the moment... I wonder what brings the two of you here? If you are looking for the pharmacist Ling You, an official surnamed Jing already inquired about him yesterday. He has not been to our Flower Moon Pavilion these past few days."

... ...

Imagining Jing Zhiwan and Zhu Huifei together in a room, they were admiring the Secret Play Picture with a proud expression. Ah Yuan trembled.

Ling You is a regular, Zhu Huifei is a recent regular, Zhu Shi did not come after the incident, but came together the day before the incident. In this matter, Fu Manqing seems to have some concerns, unwilling to speak too clearly about the situation of the three people getting along, and has already heard Ayuan's face blushing, and can only pretend to drink tea to cover up.

Fu Manqing felt that although the young man's voice was not loud, each word was imbued with a hidden sharpness, starkly contrasting with his slender and delicate appearance. There was a chilling aura that seemed to seep from his very bones, making it difficult for others to breathe.

Ah Yuan choked and said, "You stubborn girl..."

Yes! Duandou has been recuperating in the mountains in the northern suburbs. The journey is remote, so Miss encountered a robbery.

Fu Manqing was shocked, her cherry-red lips trembled, and for a moment she didn't answer.

She poured out several pills of different colors onto a silk cloth, and pointed to them to show the two people, saying, "The darker one is Suixin Pill, which is for women to take and was sent by Master Zhu; the lighter one is Wuyang Pill, which is for men to take and was sent by Pharmacist Lingyou."

Knowing the late way: "Oh, then you come over and cook again, and I won't do it!"

Spring Dream... The little deer, having been influenced for a long time, has become quite knowledgeable in this area and immediately said, "The young lady dreams of spring every day."

The old man immediately fell silent and hurried inside with a thud thud thud.

In light of his hands that can cook exquisite dishes, she chose not to hold it against him, taking a step back to allow Jing Zhiwan to move forward

However, the imagined scenario of the county office being set on fire did not occur

As Ah Yuan approached, his gaze became even colder. He turned to the cook and asked, "Where are the fried eggs I ordered?"

The young deer looked at her mistress with trepidation, even having pinpointed the locations of the water basin and water tank, preparing to rush forward to heroically save the beauty in case Ah Yuan made a mistake that could lead to a fire, determined not to let a roast chicken turn into a roast person

Ah Yuan listened blankly, initially confused and not understanding the meaning. But when he saw the little deer's eyes shining with shyness and laughter, he suddenly realized what was going on. He snorted, turned over and lay back on the bed to continue sleeping, but he couldn't fall asleep.

Fu Manqing's description of a garlic bulb nose and a sausage mouth must surely refer to a garlic bulb that can bloom daffodils, filled with swan meat sausage

Ayuan pressed against the throbbing temple and asked Xiaolu, "Do I know, don't you know?"

Ayuan murmured these two words, feeling his heart pounding and jumping, as if countless drums were beating, as if someone had pounded yellow lotus into juice, stirring it continuously with a pestle, as if something had already been shattered, and as if a surge of bitterness had erupted from nowhere, rushing and overflowing like boiling water.

It is customary for shops to welcome guests by opening their doors, but the doors of Huayuelou are closed

But whether he leaves or not, it seems to be no longer important; what is important is that he has made the soup well.