Jade left the room but soon returned.
Fu Zhen was a bit surprised. "Have you delivered the dumplings?"
Jade nodded and said in puzzlement, "I met Yuanbao on the way. He took one look at me and then took the food box. He said he would surely deliver the things to the heir."
Yuanbao was so used to delivering things between the two yards that he could tell at a glance that this was for Baiqu Courtyard. So he took it over to save Jade the extra trip.
"Yuanbao?" Fu Zhen mused. "Which direction did he come from?"
Jade shook her head. "I was passing by the garden at that time. He just popped out from a corner. I didn't see clearly where he came from."
After all, Yuanbao was a steward and usually stayed by Chen Tingfeng's side. Without his master's order, he wouldn't wander around casually.
Fu Zhen thought for a while but couldn't figure it out. So she decided not to think about it anymore.
The dumplings made by Granny Zhou had thin skins and big fillings. The celery in them was grown in their own manor. It hadn't snowed much recently, and the weather had warmed up a bit, so quite a lot of celery had grown. Although it wasn't as tender as the greens in spring, it tasted quite special.
Fu Zhen had a small appetite and only ate a small plate of dumplings. She let Cuihuan take the rest down for the maids to share.
"Did you give Granny Zhou a tip when you got the dumplings?" she asked.
Granny Zhou was an honest and dutiful woman who did things carefully. It was obvious that she had spent a lot of effort making so many dumplings today.
Fu Zhen was always generous when it came to rewarding useful people. She now had several manors at her disposal, so she never lacked money. With more money in hand, she was more lenient towards her servants.
Jade smiled. "Why would I need the mistress's reminder? I know all about it."
She had been with Fu Zhen for a long time and naturally knew how Fu Zhen managed her servants. She had learned a lot from it unconsciously.
Fu Zhen nodded. "The New Year is approaching. I remember that the main courtyard will distribute winter clothes in a while. At that time, we'll also give out some silver in our courtyard as a token of my kindness so that they can have a good New Year."
It was a convention for the main courtyard to distribute things, while her reward was an extra act of kindness. Naturally, she couldn't overstep the main courtyard.
"I understand," Cuihuan replied. Cuihuan was in charge of the money. She was a steady - tempered person, so it was most appropriate to entrust this to her.
After the dinner was cleared away, Jade brought some jujube tea to warm the stomach. Fu Zhen sat under the lamp and casually made tassels.
As the night deepened, Fu Zhen looked outside. It was quiet all around, only the faint sound of the wind could be heard.
Thinking of the plate of dumplings she had sent to Chen Tingfeng in the evening, she felt a bit strange. There were a lot of special ingredients in those dumplings. Given Chen Tingfeng's narrow - minded nature, why hadn't he reacted yet?
Could it be that he didn't eat them?
She suddenly frowned. Just as she was in a daze, a gust of wind suddenly blew through the room. The lamp beside her flickered unsteadily, giving off a faint light, and finally went out abruptly as if it couldn't hold on any longer.
Fu Zhen was startled and opened her mouth to call Jade and Cuihuan who were outside. But the next second, a cold wind hit her face. A dark shadow flashed by and suddenly stopped in front of her.
"Cousin," he said.
The words on Fu Zhen's lips were instantly stuck in her throat. She said angrily, "Chen Tingfeng!"
The noise in the room couldn't be hidden from the maids outside. Jade was anxious and was about to push the door in. But then Fu Zhen suddenly called out, "Don't come in!"
Her tone was a bit urgent. Jade was stunned but subconsciously stopped in her tracks. "Miss?"
Fu Zhen realized that her words were inappropriate. So she softened her voice. "It's okay. I just opened the window for a while. The wind blew out the lamp on the tea table. You don't need to come in."
Jade was still a bit hesitant, but Cuihuan seemed to understand something. She glanced into the room imperceptibly and pulled Jade away.
Fu Zhen had also consciously suppressed her scream just now. The people outside only heard the noise but didn't hear who she was calling.
Chen Tingfeng laughed softly and moved closer. "Cousin, you're so heartless."
Fu Zhen paused and immediately thought of the spiced dumplings she had sent tonight. She couldn't help but smell the air. A sour smell lingered in her nose. She immediately smiled and deliberately asked, "Are the dumplings delicious, cousin?"
"Whether they're delicious or not, cousin can find out by tasting..." With that, he suddenly lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Before she knew it, he had already gotten closer to her. His right hand slid along her waistline to her back until he held her slender waist tightly. His left hand pressed on her neck, forcing her to look up and accept his passionate kiss in the darkness.
Fu Zhen opened her eyes wide. For a moment, she was caught off - guard. She was ashamed and angry and raised her hand to push against his chest. But Chen Tingfeng kissed her fiercely and urgently, giving her no chance to struggle. He grabbed her two wrists with one hand and firmly pinned her down.
Their lips became hot and burning during the kiss. The heat instantly spread throughout her body. Fu Zhen was kissed until she felt dizzy. Her struggling strength gradually weakened, and she could only lie on the couch and raise her head to bear his passionate love.
Feeling her submission, Chen Tingfeng's kiss gradually softened from the initial fierceness, but he didn't get up. He just gently pecked her lips again and again, like a dog holding a bone, showing his intimacy.
"... That's enough," Fu Zhen turned her head to avoid his kiss. Her lips were red and swollen from the kiss. She gasped slightly. "Get off me."
Chen Tingfeng laughed softly and then kissed her fair and delicate neck. His gentle pecks were like a bird's. But in an instant, Fu Zhen felt a jolt all over her body. Somehow, she found the strength to push him away.
The night couldn't hide the blush on her face. She said angrily, "Chen Tingfeng, are you a dog!"
Chen Tingfeng raised his eyebrows as if he wanted to confirm this reputation. He opened his mouth and gently bit her thin cheek. He smiled and said, "Well, I am now."
Fu Zhen was so angry that she raised her hand and hit him.
Her strength was like a kitten's scratch to Chen Tingfeng. He couldn't help but want to laugh but managed to hold it back. He hugged her in his arms, and the two of them nestled on the small couch.
"Little rascal," he reached out and gently tugged at her cheek. He snorted and laughed. "Do you really want to sour me to death?"
Fu Zhen had specifically instructed that vinegar be added when mixing the filling of the dumplings. After they were cooked, more vinegar was poured into the soup. They smelled sour, and when eaten, they were even sour to the point of bitterness.
Fu Zhen had no intention of hiding her mischievousness when making these dumplings. Now hearing his complaint, she smiled cunningly. "Cousin loves to be jealous. I think these dumplings suit cousin's taste."
Chen Tingfeng pulled her closer into his arms and said softly, "Don't you know why I'm jealous?"
He knew there was something wrong with the dumplings as soon as they were served. But after all, they were sent by Fu Zhen with "great effort". No matter how unpalatable they were, he still ate one. He'd rather not mention how he rinsed his mouth and drank a lot of tea after that.
Fu Zhen pinched his waist. Speechlessly, she said, "You're even jealous of something from the past?"
Chen Tingfeng snorted nonchalantly. "I just am."
[PS. I've been too busy today. I'll only update one chapter for now.]