“Lu dear, you’re so naughty!”
“Heh, she was asking for it, so I gave her a little lesson.”
“Hee hee!” Shen Ying giggled, clearly in high spirits. “But I noticed Ji Zizhen’s innocence is long gone. He probably won’t resist Hu Caina.”
“That’s not my concern. I hope Hu Caina doesn’t drain him too much,” Lu Zheng shrugged.
She was a spirit with powers. Even without magic, a mortal would be exhausted after one round. If they went at it half the night, whether Ji Zizhen could make it to Xiahe Town the next day was anyone’s guess.
He’d already warned Ji Zizhen. If the scholar couldn’t hold back, Lu couldn’t be blamed for not stepping in.
Besides, Ji Zizhen might even welcome it. If Lu Zheng did interfere, he might earn a reputation for meddling. Who could say?
Hand in hand, they strolled back. Near the hot spring valley, they spotted another figure dart into the misty ravine.
Lu Zheng remarked, “Seems quite a few people know about this place.”
Shen Ying smiled. “Likely so. It’s not too deep in the mountains. Even I, newly freed from my cage, found it. Creatures living here year-round would surely know. But the valley has many springs, far apart, so it doesn’t interfere.”
Having bathed that morning, they weren’t curious enough to re-enter. They glided past the valley, soon returning to Taohua Ridge.
Lu Zheng dined with Shen Ying before heading back to Tonglin County.
That evening, he told Liu Qingyan about the hot spring. Though tempted, Liu Qingyan had been busy with a wedding and tending to Yan Hongxia, neglecting her duties at Renxin Hall. She decided to wait for her rest day to visit, which annoyed Liu Qingquan until Liu Qingyan placated her with a chicken drumstick.
…
“Beep! Beep!”
Horns blared as Lu Zheng and Lin Wan were stuck at the highway exit out of town.
“So many people on a weekend?”
“It’s nice weather, the tail end of summer. Everyone’s out to play,” Lin Wan said.
With Lin Wan’s weekend off and Lu Zheng’s new car, they decided to drive to Suzhou for a tour of its famed gardens and a taste of authentic squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.
Then they got stuck in traffic.
After half an hour, the road cleared. They hit the highway and arrived in Suzhou by ten-thirty.
“Let’s go! To the Humble Administrator’s Garden!”
One of China’s four great gardens, it was a must-see.
Then…
“So crowded!” Lu Zheng groaned.
“Is it? It’s not bad,” Lin Wan said, looking around, puzzled. “You didn’t expect it to be empty, did you?”
The garden had plenty of people, but it was just typical foot traffic with ample space, far less packed than during major holidays.
“Er, fair point,” Lu Zheng nodded.
He’d slipped up, mixing modern expectations with ancient scenes.
In ancient times, even Taohua Ridge on holidays wasn’t as busy as the garden today.
“Mm-hm.”
Lin Wan linked arms with Lu Zheng, and they toured, snapping photos. Lu Zheng turned photographer, capturing Lin Wan’s graceful figure.
He rubbed his chin, resisting the urge to imagine photographing Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying in ancient times.
Not yet. The time wasn’t right.
“What’re you thinking?”
“Where to eat lunch. Online reviews say several places do squirrel-shaped mandarin fish equally well.”
“Just pick the closest one,” Lin Wan suggested.
Lu Zheng shook his head. “Too close to the scenic area, and it’s bound to be subpar. I’ll check Suzhou’s local guide.”
“You’re too serious.”
“No worries, we’ve got the car!”
Lin Wan giggled, not pressing further, just holding his arm tighter.
The Humble Administrator’s Garden was a maze of waters and pavilions. The eastern garden was open and airy, the western garden exquisitely built, and the central garden was the gem.
They toured Lanxue Hall, Furong Pavilion, Tianquan Pavilion, Zhuiyun Peak, Yuanxiang Hall, Xuexiangyunwei Pavilion, Yiyu轩, and more, each name brimming with Chinese poetic charm.
Compared to his plain ancient courtyard, this was on another level.
Should he build something like this in ancient times?
Lu Zheng fell into thought.
After two hours, they left, still wanting more, and drove to a spot in Suzhou’s old district.
“This is…”
“I checked the local guide. This place’s squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is top-notch, an old brand for decades, not too close to the sights, so fewer tourists.”
“Really?”
Lin Wan eyed the packed parking lot. “But plenty of locals!”
Lu Zheng: ╭(°A°`)╮
Guided by staff, Lu Zheng parked in one of the few remaining spots, and they entered the restaurant’s lobby.
Luckily, at one o’clock, the queue was short.
“Do we need to wait?”
“How many in your party?”
“Two.”
“No wait for two. Please, come in!”
Lu Zheng nodded, glancing at the waiting groups, mostly larger parties, as big tables took longer.
“Hello, what would you like?”
“Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, drunken crab, stir-fried eel paste, white assorted vegetables, braised pork, crabmeat lion’s head, Suzhou-style smoked fish, Suzhou sauce duck, osmanthus lotus root, and a bowl of water shield and silverfish soup!”
Lu Zheng waved a hand. “Start with these. We’ll order more if needed.”
The waiter was stunned. “Um… it’s not about ordering more. Can you two finish all that?”
“Don’t worry, this guy’s a big eater,” Lin Wan laughed. “We’ll pack leftovers. No waste.”
“Alright! Please wait!” The waiter hurried off.
Restaurants weren’t afraid of big appetites, but with the national “clean plate” campaign, they had to remind customers.
“You almost scared her,” Lin Wan whispered, chuckling.
“Pfft, if I didn’t want to spook her, I’d have doubled the order. You could finish this alone,” Lu Zheng teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Shut up!” Lin Wan flushed, half-embarrassed, half-annoyed.
A few days ago, Lin Wan tested her limits after practicing the “Eighteen Mountain-Bearing Forms,” eating ravenously.
Thankfully, only Lu Zheng was there, or she’d have considered silencing witnesses.
Soon, dishes arrived, drawing curious glances and whispers from nearby tables.
Good grief, two people, ten dishes.
It wasn’t about money, just seemed wasteful.
Then, under shocked gazes, the pair methodically cleared every plate.
Onlookers: “…”
Are you filming a video or livestreaming? Where’s the crew?
