Crying While Filling the Pit I Dug - Chapter 69

Gu Jiaren smiled agreeably from the side.

Continuing, Xiao Chengqi elaborated, “It’s all because of Heng Zheng. Ever since he married you, even when people from the barracks invited him for a horse race and drinks, he declined. He always insisted on returning to accompany you.”

Oh, her reputation was completely tarnished!

Yi Qing couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. Blushing once more, he whispered, “It’s not because I’m afraid…”

Why was this supposed embarrassing meal turning out to be so enjoyable, filled with laughter and conversation?

Song Miaomiao had all but abandoned her attempts to create opportunities or excuses to stoke rivalry between the male and the female leads. Firstly, Yi Qing didn’t wish to be involved. Secondly, she had no desire to add fuel to the fire between her brother and Gu Jiaren…

Well, she would just go with the flow. She would simply wait for the plot to conclude on its own, and then move on to the next world.

On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, it was the Qixi Festival. (Chinese Valentine’s Day)

Song Miaomiao and Yi Qing joined the festival. Aware that a Princess’s presence would draw a crowd wherever she went, making it challenging for commoners to relax without feeling obligated to kneel, Song Miaomiao convinced Yan Yu to remain at the mansion. Meanwhile, Song Miaomiao disguised herself as a maid and ventured out with Yi Qing, both of them wearing masks.

The streets were adorned with lanterns, bustling with people coming and going. Yi Qing tightly held Song Miaomiao’s hand, ensuring she wouldn’t be pushed. “Princess, be careful,” he cautioned.

The mask felt a bit stifling, so Song Miaomiao pushed it up onto her head.

“Hush!” She made a silent gesture and whispered, “Don’t call me Princess. What if someone overhears?”

Yi Qing followed suit and removed his mask. “Understood, wife.”

Song Miaomiao couldn’t help but feel a bit peculiar being addressed by that title.

Yi Qing inquired, “What’s wrong, wife?”

Shaking her head, Song Miaomiao replied, “It’s nothing. It’s just the first time someone has called me that, so it feels strange.”

Yi Qing smiled reassuringly. “Wife, wife, wife. Just get used to it after a few times.”

Song Miaomiao smiled back and pointed to a store ahead, saying, “Look, there are umbrellas there. Let’s go take a look!”

Song Miaomiao smiled brightly and pointed to the sore ahead. “There’s a store selling painted oil-paper umbrellas. Let’s go take a look!”

“Let’s go, wife,” Yi Qing said, leading Song Miaomiao to the oil-paper umbrella store. The storefront was adorned with various colorful umbrellas, and colorful mini umbrellas hung on the porch as decorations. A scholar sat at the entrance on a small chair, painting designs on the spot.

The storekeeper called out, “Painted oil-paper umbrellas for sale! Made on-site, come and take a look, only ten coins each.”

The styles painted on the oil-paper umbrellas were relatively simple, usually featuring plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Song Miaomiao whispered to Yi Qing, “His paintings aren’t as good as yours.”

Since their marriage, Yi Qing had painted many portraits of Song Miaomiao, some of only her face and upper body, while others were panoramic views with added flora and fauna. Although Song Miaomiao didn’t know much about painting, she always felt Yi Qing’s were better.

Thinking of this, Song Miaomiao couldn’t help but sigh. Oh, Yi Qing was truly a perfect boyfriend—handsome, talented in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, skilled in horseback riding and archery, proficient in martial arts and swordsmanship…

Yi Qing gently asked, “Wife, why the sigh?”

Song Miaomiao smiled and said, “Could you paint one for me?”

Yi Qing replied, “Of course, wife. What style would you like?”

Song Miaomiao responded, “Any style will do.”

Yi Qing turned to the storekeeper and said, “Boss, please give me a plain umbrella. I’ll paint one myself.”

“Sure, ten coins,” the storekeeper replied.

Bringing over a plain white umbrella, Yi Qing opened it up and began to paint a picture of orchids and grass.

“The young master’s painting of orchids and grass is incredibly lifelike,” the storekeeper remarked.

Song Miaomiao and Yi Qing turned around, only to see Xiao Chengqi and Gu Jiaren, wearing masks, sneaking to the Qixi Festival lantern fair.