Hsinchu is evergreen, growing day by day under the scorching sun.
Despite this, Saifu cannot return to its former glory. There are always some traces of destruction written on the walls, the ground, and the green bamboos...
In the restored courtyard, the bluestone table is still there, with only a pot of wine and a white jade cup on the table.
Mrs. Sai was lying on the table, her clothes were scattered, her eyes were blurred, and she was looking at the clear wine in the glass. The red glow on her face was like a flame hidden in the clouds, hazy.
The maidservant stayed by her side the whole time, looking at the madam with a frown on her face.
After another glass, the strong aroma of the wine made Mrs. Sai squint her eyes.
"Madam, stop drinking."
"Don't worry about it! It's rare that I can get drunk with such a fine wine. This is the only thing in the world that can make me drunk to death. When I'm drunk, I'll become quiet, and the long years will pass quickly."
"lady……"
While talking, footsteps suddenly came from the courtyard.
As soon as he heard the rhythm of footsteps, he knew that Mr. Jiangnan was here.
Mrs. Sai suddenly woke up, got up quickly, staggered to her private room, took the wine bottle and glass.
Since January, Xia Shang has not seen Mrs. Sai again, and he is inevitably a little strange in his heart. He wonders if Jiang Nan has ever sang "A Thirty-Year-Old Woman" to her, and what does she think now?
As soon as Mrs. Sai left, Xia Shang arrived at the small courtyard.
I saw Mrs. Sai's maid standing there with deep thoughts, and she couldn't help but feel curious: "Miss Xiaoqing, what are you thinking about?"
"nothing?"
"Where is Jiangnan?"
"My childhood friend came to Yangzhou this morning and asked her to catch up with her. I'm afraid she won't be back today."
"Is that so? Then I'll take my leave and come back to teach again tomorrow."
Xia Shang bowed his hands politely and turned around to leave.
Before taking a few steps, the maid's voice came from behind: "Mr. Xia, please stay."
Xia Shang turned around: "What's the matter?"
"My maid has a heartfelt request. I hope sir can help me."
"Speaking."
The maid sighed softly: "Hey! Sir, you haven't seen your wife for more than a month, right?"
Xia Shang nodded.
"Sir, does he know your lady's recent condition?"
"Status? What status?"
"Since what happened to my husband, my wife has been drunk every day and has been in a state of disbelief. I have been comforted by my maid many times but can't get better. You are a talented man and I would like to ask him to help you find some answers."
"I'll go? Will it be useful?"
"Sir, you will know after you try it."
Xia Shang hesitated for a moment and finally agreed to go and have a look.
Although there have been some unhappy things in the past, they are all in the past. After so long, how can all those embarrassments and unhappiness be forgotten?
…
In a simple and elegant wing, behind an ordinary magnolia embroidered screen, Mrs. Sai was lying on a maroon pear wood round table, her eyes closed, her cheeks rosy, and the smell of alcohol in her breath filled the whole room.
It was enveloped by a layer of rich fragrance. Half of the light and windy shawl fell to the ground, hanging on one hand. The other hand and the fragrant shoulder were exposed, and you could vaguely see the undulating warmth of the smaller half trembling with the breath.
The red tablecloth on the table was messed up, and a plate of preserves was scattered everywhere on the table and on the floor. There was also a plate of delicate snacks on the floor, no one cared about it. Only the unfinished pot of wine was left.
The wine glass was turned over, and a little wine dripped down Mrs. Sai's arm on the table and fell onto her chest, soaking through her chest.
Mrs. Sai fell asleep, but her brows were still furrowed. She must have slept uncomfortably, but her fiery red lips were opening and closing, and she was humming softly. Her voice was very low, and only she knew what she was humming.
"A thirty-year-old woman, so splendid and charming... A thirty-year-old woman..."
"Da da da……"
There was a knock on the door outside.
"Madam...Xia is here to visit."
"lady……"
"Is Mrs. Sai here?"
Xia Shang shouted several times outside the door, but there was no movement at all. He couldn't help but wonder, is there something that Mrs. Sai can't figure out?
You can't tell for sure about women in ancient times. For example, if Qin Huairou hadn't been lucky last time, something big would have happened!
Thinking of this, Xia Shang quickly opened the door and entered, bypassing the screen, and was relieved when he saw his wife sleeping comfortably on the table.
But Mrs. Sai's state and the smell of alcohol in the room made Xia Shang frown, wondering what the hell is Mrs. Sai doing?
I wanted to go up and help her to the bed, but I saw that her clothes were disheveled. If she found out when I bumped into her, I would definitely run into a lot of trouble in the future.
After much deliberation, Xia Shang decided to call the maid.
But when I went out and walked around the Sai family courtyard, I didn't see anyone.
In desperation, he returned to Mrs. Sai's room.
Looking at the drunken expression on Mrs. Sai's face, Xia Shang couldn't bear it, thinking that this was also a difficult girl. If she hadn't traveled through time, she and he should be considered the same age, so Xia Shang could understand a woman raising her daughter alone.
How hard it is.
On the surface, she looks like a dignified and decent woman from a wealthy family, but in fact, she can only show the tiredness and fatigue deep in her heart when she is in her own little world.
Thinking about it, Xia Shang walked to Mrs. Sai, cleared the table on the floor, took the wine aside, and then whispered: "Mrs. Sai! Mrs. Sai..."
After shouting a few more words, there was no movement. It seemed that he had really fallen asleep.
So, Xia Shang gently held Mrs. Sai's waist, put his other hand around her ankle, and picked up Mrs. Sai from the table.
Mrs. Sai is slightly plump, but the tender flesh on her body is very soft, as if made of water. With just a little force on her hands, her fingers can sink into the white flesh.
Xia Shang was very careful, fearing to wake the other party.
This is ancient times. Who wouldn’t think wildly when seeing an old man hugging a widow? Moreover, the etiquette is also very inappropriate.
Fortunately, there was no accident. Xia Shang tiptoed Mrs. Sai to the bed and tried to cover her with a quilt. However, he found that Mrs. Sai had a lot of wine on her clothes. It might not be appropriate to sleep in wet clothes.
After thinking about it, there was no one around, so just cover her up and leave quietly.
As a result, her belt became wider, her shawl slipped off, and her white jade-like skin became even more dewy than her daughter Jiangnan's. It can be said that she has the beauty of thirty years old, and it is definitely not comparable to those young girls.
But Xia Shang didn't mean any blasphemy. He could joke around with little girls, but he always regarded thirty as his real age. When facing Mrs. Sai, he was facing people of the same age. When facing people of the same age, he must act like a gentleman.
Otherwise, I would not have maintained the boyhood for thirty years in my previous life.
Not long after, Xia Shang took away Mrs. Sai's shawl and skirt, and when she only had a set of lining and a chest wrap all over her body, Xia Shang unfolded the quilt, covered it carefully, and prepared to leave.
But just then, a pair of fiery hands stretched out from the quilt, hugged Xia Shang's arm tightly, and then slowly opened his eyes. (To be continued)