The willows were green and lush, with several orioles hopping and singing merrily on the branches. The river flowing beneath the trees ceaselessly carried away some of the willow catkins that fell from above. On the banks, various colorful flowers bloomed vibrantly, attracting many talented scholars and beautiful ladies to admire them.
When they tired of admiring the flowers, they would head together to the Pinxiang Tower, nestled amidst the blossoms, to brew tea, discuss poetry, and talk about current affairs, creating a lively scene.
Pinxiang Tower was now a very famous place for tea appreciation. The young proprietor of Pinxiang Tower cultivated several century-old tea trees, which grew luxuriantly and yielded about ten catties of premium spring tea each year.
Of course, only a select few could afford this premium spring tea. However, the other teas at Pinxiang Tower were also exceptionally good. Any of them, in another tea house, would be considered a treasure.
Consequently, although Pinxiang Tower was situated in a secluded corner of Yao County, it had already gained renown throughout Jiangnan. Many refined scholars made the journey, eager to savor the exquisite taste of Pinxiang Tower's premium spring tea.
Indeed, that pot of premium spring tea, named "Bai Sui" (Hundred Years), never failed to live up to its reputation, leaving all who drank it utterly convinced and forever impressed.
Many even chose to settle in Yao County, purchasing houses there, simply because of this tea.
Unbeknownst to them, the population of Yao County had increased by nearly double.
Of course, this outcome was not solely due to Pinxiang Tower but also to the benevolent officials of Yao County.
The previous dynasty had been overthrown for several years, and the Jiangnan region had been under the control of rebel armies since then. Currently, the General Han of their Yao County and the rebel forces led by someone surnamed Zhao were locked in a fierce conflict. However, the common people in the Jiangnan region were living quite peacefully.
Yao County, in particular, had long since recovered its pre-war prosperity, even surpassing it.
All of this was attributed to the county magistrate, Magistrate Cheng, and the assistant magistrate, who was surnamed Jiang.
These two benevolent officials were sworn brothers, and together, they governed Yao County with great competence. On several occasions of unrest, the actions of these two officials ensured that all the county's residents passed through safely, without a single casualty.
Many wealthy merchants and gentry found ways to relocate to Yao County, not for any other reason than to be protected by these two officials.
As a result, the area of the county town had expanded considerably, and more villages had sprung up outside the city walls. The entire area of Yao County had also grown much larger.
Yao County had now become a veritable paradise in these turbulent times.
Today was the Shangsi Festival, the third day of the third lunar month. Talented scholars and beautiful ladies took advantage of the day to go out, enjoy the spring scenery, and then gather at Pinxiang Tower for poetry contests and flowing wine cups.
"Brother, hurry up! Sister Wanwan said she prepared delicious food for me today. Don't dawdle!"
Seven-year-old Cheng Jingnian twisted his somewhat rounded body, his short legs churning rapidly, as if he could shrink the distance with each step, wanting to land inside Pinxiang Tower with a single stride.
Cheng Sinian walked at a leisurely pace, his mouth not forgetting to tease his younger brother, "Watch your step, don't fall face-first into the mud like last time! Knowing Sister Wanwan's temperament, she's probably just woken up. If you want to eat what she's prepared, you'll have to wait."
Cheng Jingnian didn't believe him and let out a loud "Hmph!" "Nonsense! Sister Wanwan likes me the most! She never goes back on her word!"
Sister Wanwan loved him the most. She never broke her promises to him.
His short legs churned even faster. To reach Pinxiang Tower a little quicker, Cheng Jingnian even employed his rudimentary Qinggong (lightness skill).
Although it wasn't very effective, any bit of speed helped.
Finally, Cheng Jingnian arrived at Pinxiang Tower, panting. Before he could even wipe his sweat, he heard Cheng Sinian's voice from behind, "I told you not to rush, but you wouldn't listen."
Cheng Jingnian was a little exasperated, "Brother, how are you so fast?"
He had used his Qinggong, yet his brother arrived at the same time. This was too disheartening!
Cheng Sinian took out his fan and tapped him on the head, "You're too slow, Cheng Jingnian. You need to lose some weight. If you get any fatter, you won't need legs to walk in the future; you'll roll faster with your body."
Cheng Jingnian pinched the flesh on his body, "Am I really that fat? But Sister Wanwan said I'm not fat at all, just a bit chubby."
Cheng Sinian's mouth twitched. "Don't listen to that girl fooling you! She's fooled you so much, and you still think everything she says is right."
"What did I fool Jingnian about? Cheng Sinian, are you bad-mouthing me behind my back again?"
A clear voice, like a yellow oriole emerging from a valley, came from inside Pinxiang Tower. The two followed the sound and saw a girl of fourteen or fifteen, with a graceful and elegant posture, walking out from the building. Wherever she passed, she left behind a fresh and pleasant aroma of grass and wood.
"Sister Wanwan!"
Cheng Jingnian excitedly rushed forward, hugged Jiang Wan's waist, and rubbed his face against her clothes.
Sister Wanwan smelled so good, but her scent was completely different from other girls. Other girls' scents were overpowering, but Sister Wanwan's scent was like being in a mountain forest. Standing beside her, one could imagine a hundred flowers blooming and grass growing vibrantly.
He wanted to rub himself a few more times, but his collar was suddenly grabbed.
Cheng Sinian tore him away, scolded him with a dark expression, "Cheng Jingnian, what did Mother teach you at home? Boys and girls of seven years should not sit together! You are already seven years old! You can no longer run up to Sister Wanwan like a child! Do you understand!"
Cheng Jingnian's eyes immediately turned red with grievance. "No, I don't want to! I want to play with Sister Wanwan. I just like being close to Sister Wanwan."
Saying this, he turned and grabbed Jiang Wan's hand again. "Sister Wanwan, tell me, do you also like playing with Jingnian? Sister Wanwan, go and talk to Uncle Jiang and Auntie, ask them to adopt me. I'll be their son, and then Sister Wanwan will be my real sister, and I can be with my sister every day. Uncle and Auntie listen to you the most. If you talk to them, they will definitely agree."
Cheng Sinian's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Jiang Wan chuckled and poked his nose. "If your parents hear this, they'll break your legs!"
Cheng Jingnian was greatly disappointed. "Is it really not possible? Actually, I don't mind being beaten."
Jiang Wan laughed heartily. "It's still not possible. Just accept your fate."
"Yes, just accept your fate!"
A clear voice came from behind Jiang Wan. Cheng Jingnian glanced back and immediately frowned.
This annoying fellow had arrived.
Little Bao walked forward a few steps, deliberately leaned against Jiang Wan, and pinched Cheng Jingnian's face. "Little fatty, look, I can stick to my aunt anytime. Can you?"
Cheng Jingnian was so angered that he cried out, "I don't want to grow up, I don't want to be seven years old. Can I live backward a little?"
Jiang Wan was amused and exasperated, and directly gave Little Bao, who had made the other cry, a nudge. "You're three years older than him. Can't you let him have his way?"
Ten-year-old Little Bao shook his head. "That's impossible. By seniority, he's the elder. If anyone should yield, it's him yielding to me."