The Possession of My Beloved - CH 3

As a wife, they should pay attention to the warmth and coldness of their husband and add new clothes on a seasonal basis.

These days, since she was in good health and had nothing to do, she picked up the sewing lessons she had learned a few months before her marriage. According to the size asked by Servant Li, she added a little cotton wad to the remaining cloth for her blouse and finally completed an outfit.

At this time, Cui Jiu calmly looked at some thick stitches on the jacket. The look in his eyes was indescribable and intriguing.

The look on her husband’s face made Liu Miantang have some regrets. She really shouldn’t show her shortcomings to others. If her husband dislikes it, she will be embarrassed.

However, her husband looked at it for a while,  took off his outer shirts, and was ready to try it on after all.

Liu Miantang’s eyes brightened, and she immediately revitalized herself and helped her husband dress well. Fortunately, the size was good, and it was a good fit. Cui Jiu’s tall and straight posture makes the clothes on him look even more stylish, and the rough stitches are less obvious too.

So, with the help of his wife, Miantang, Cui Jiu put on his outerwear again and topped on his cloak.

Just when she was tying the tie, Miantang looked at her long and beautiful fingers that were a little clumsy. She couldn’t tie them well several times, and the last effort ended in a dead knot.

Cui Jiu felt that his neck was a little tight, so he held her back neck slightly with his big palm and raise the corners of his mouth slightly, and said, “Are you trying to strangle me?”

He clutched the back of her neck, and her whole body was gathered in his inexplicable fragrance. She was so close to him that she could see his thick black curled eyelashes and his deep eyes that reflected a slight smile.

Miantang felt that the strength of the hand that was holding onto her was too strong. Subconsciously, she wanted to use combat skills to shake off his strength with a flip of her arm.

It’s not an act of being disrespectful to her husband. It’s just the subconscious memory of the blocking action of a martial arts learner.

However, the skillful moves used in the past are now powerless because of the weakness of her wrist. As a result, her body loses balance and falls into Cui Jiu’s arms.

She was slightly annoyed and said, “Didn’t Doctor Zhao say that I was well? Why can’t I use the strength in my hands?”

Her deceased mother was once the only child of the renowned Shenwei Security Agency in Dayan. Thus, she began to practice martial arts with her mother at the age of three. Although her mother died early when she was the age ten, she still kept the habit of practicing martial arts daily.

But now, the weakness of her hands and feet may be the result of a serious illness. She has been unable to keep the skills her mother had passed on to her.

Cui Jiu lowered his head and saw the frustration in her eyes. He relaxed his strength and slowly lifted her. He looked down at her depressed pale face and said in a slow voice: “Haven’t you been much better? Go out more and move your muscles and bones. Maybe you will recover faster.”

Speaking of which, he thought for a while and took out a small flat box from his bosom: “This is the fragrant powder prepared by Jiangnan Hanxiang pavilion. The scent is pleasant. You can put on some color to your dressing tomorrow.”

Miantang took over the exquisite box. The Xiang pavilion was designed for wealthy families. It was different from the ordinary porcelain box containing rouge powder. It was a luxury style of gilding and inlaid with turquoise.

Since it was her husband’s intention, she naturally wanted to accept it with a smile, but she sighed in her heart. The so-called transition from extravagance to thrift is difficult, this was probably what it meant. Her husband was used to this extravagance. He spends money like water flowing. The family can’t spend as much now as they used to when they were in the capital.

On another day, she will say to her husband tactfully that there’s no need to buy something for her that costs so much money. But when she took the powder box, she still smiled gratefully at him.

Her dimple was as bright as a flower. Cui Jiu stared and looked at it for a while, then turned away without saying a word.

Liu Miantang watched the shadow of her husband’s tall figure disappear behind the wall in the courtyard. But what she was thinking is that: He looked thin and gentle, but his hands were strong, and his body was also very sturdy and tough. It seems that he has practiced martial arts.

When she was in the capital, she was mostly in the yard and had not walked out to the street for a long time. She’s still excited to go out and have a look at the local customs of Lingquan town tomorrow.

In the early morning of the next day, before she got up, Servant Li came into the room with hot water for washing and called, “Madam, it’s time to get up.”

Liu Miantang got out of the quilt lazily and said to herself: Servant Li didn’t move when she ordered on usual days. But today, she was rather diligent. She did not have to be asked to be served. This must be because of the return of her husband, the lazy old servant also picked up the rules and worked harder.

Now that the hot water was brought in, she couldn’t stay in bed any longer, she got up to wash up, put on the dressing, put on a decent makeup, and tidied her hair.

Liu Miantang doesn’t like to put on makeup normally. However, she was unable to let down her husband’s good intentions yesterday, so she applied light powder and crimson lipstick.

Servant Li looked through the bronze mirror and thought that the lady was really beautiful. The beauty was so insidious that it was full of enchanting charm which made her could not help humming a little coldly.

Liu Miantang has been used to the sarcastic atmosphere of Servant Li. When she was dressing up, she casually asked, “Servant Li, did I ever treat someone badly before I lost my memory?”

Servant Li helped her to put on a silver bracelet and replied, “Madam is kind to others and has not severely punished anyone.”

After Miantang heard her, she turned back with a smile and said, “Since I haven’t, why is Servant Li, you are always angry with me? There seems to be some dissatisfaction?”

Servant Li didn’t seem to expect that she would be so outspoken. After being stupefaction for a while, she bit her teeth, knelt, and said, “I was born in a rural area and my speech is vulgar. Please forgive me if there is anything I’m lacking in consideration, Madam.”

Seeing that mother Li admitted her mistake, Liu Miantang didn’t want to blame her deeply but asked her to get up gently.

After all, I’m young and was seriously ill before. I couldn’t take care of myself to get up earlier. It can be understood why the servants tend to break the rules and don’t pay attention to her.

Servant Li is an old worker of the Cui family. It is said that she grew up watching the Ninth Master. In that case, for the sake of the husband, she can’t blame her too much.

Since she admitted to her mistake after the confrontation, this matter shall be turned over.

After preparing the whole outfit, she finishes the porridge, picks up a dress with hidden flowers on a white background that was not seriously faded in her suitcase, and puts it on. Then, she was ready to leave the mansion and get on the carriage.

However, Servant Li said, “When the Master left yesterday, he specifically asked me to let you walk out to the street today. Doctor Zhao said that you have to walk more to recover better.”

It’s reasonable to say that the sun outside is just right. It’s comfortable to walk in the fragrance of spring flowers while the rising sun is not burning.

So Liu Miantang, along with Servant Li, heads out of the green tile mansion.

At this time, it was already after breakfast. The men in North Street left for work early and the sewing women in North Street also gathered at the door to bask in the sun.

As soon as the talkative old lady, Mrs. Yin saw that the beautiful lady living in the green tile mansion came out, she immediately greeted her with a greeting that seemed like they had known for a long time: “How do I address you, this lady?”

Liu Miantang knows that these are all neighbors. Even if the Cui family did not fall from the riches, they are just merchants. They should not put on a stand and incur the neighbors to dislike them. So she stopped, smiled, and said, “My husband’s family name is Cui. Just call me Lady Cui.”

However, Mrs. Yin was not quite satisfied. She continued to ask, “What is the occupation of your husband and where is the origin?”

Miantang replied with a smile, “My husband is a merchant who moved from the capital.” After she finishes her words, she strides forward wanting to go”.

But Mrs. Yin stood up and asked, “Since you are a merchant, where is your store location?”

Liu Miantang was unable to answer. She couldn’t help looking back at Servant Li.

Speaking of this, she also asked the same question to Servant Li. Servant Li said vaguely that it was in the town, but she didn’t make it clear where it was.

Now, when a neighbor asks, she naturally asks Servant Li for an answer.

Servant Li was reprimanded by her in the morning and didn’t have a good mood. At this time, she was blocked in the alley by several gossipy women. Her already black-faced seemed to turn blue and purple. She just stared and chattered for a while and said, “I’ve been guarding my lady all day. I’m also unsure where the shop is.”

Seeing that she didn’t get to ask about the new neighbor’s family background, Mrs. Yin was unwilling, but she still said: “Don’t think I’m talkative, lady. We have been in town for a while and are familiar with the stores around town. If you have any questions in the future, feel free to come to me and ask. I will tell you everything I know…”

After saying goodbye to the enthusiastic new neighbor, Miantang can finally walk out of North Street smoothly.

Although Lingshui is a small town, it is bustling with merchants from all over the world.

But her mind was not on the stalls and what goods they sell. People in the neighborhood all know what to inquire about. As the lady of the Cui’s mansion, it is embarrassing that she doesn’t know anything.

“Servant Li, if my husband’s servant comes back today to retrieve his dinner, remember to ask where the exact location of the store is. My husband has worked hard day and night. I think it’s hard to have three meals on a regular schedule. Cook some delicious dishes this evening, and I’ll send them to my husband personally.”

After hearing what the madam said, Servant Li seemed to have knocked over a jar of soy sauce on her dark face and hesitated: “The Master is busy and probably won’t come back these days. Madam needn’t worry. All the menservants around the Master are meticulous and know how to take good care of people.”

Liu Miantang smiled, stopped talking, and continued to walk ahead.

The people of Dayan are open-minded. Most women don’t wear hoods when traveling outside. Especially in the south of Jiangnan, they are wearing short clothes with long skirts, revealing their snowy-like necks and charming faces in front of people.

Miantang observes the customs of the place and does as the locals do. However, her figure was tall, and with bright facial features. In addition to the slight powder she applied today, it intrigues people in the market. Passers-by and vendors around her frequently looked back and whispered about which lady she was. Is it possible that a fairy in heaven has gone down to earth?

However, the arrangement store set by her husband was in the busiest place of Lingquan Town, so the people who followed behind Liu Miantang also gathered more and more.

Thus, when Servant Li was protecting her, it was difficult to move even a step.

There are many merchants in Lingquan Town, as well as many red-light alleys, and countless prodigals. Seeing that the beautiful woman was alone and there was no man with her, it was certain that she was not a rich lady, so he boldly stepped forward to flirt.

“Where are you going, young lady? Don’t let your pretty legs swell while walking. I have a soft sedan. If you don’t mind, you can squeeze in with me!”