Forced to marry, I picked up a young powerful official

Chapter 235 Happy New Year

Two days later, Cai Ling came to visit. As soon as he saw Shen Nankui, he asked, "Are you looking for me?"

The last time he left, he left an address so that Shen Nankui could send letters to him.

Shen Nankui got straight to the point and said, "Mr. Cai, Jin Feishuang came to see me."

Cai Ling frowned, "What did she do again?"

"You didn't do anything, you just asked me for help and asked me to... persuade you."

"Don't pay attention to it." Cai Ling said in a cold voice.

Shen Nankui said, "I know that Mr. Cai treated Miss Jin this way, partly because of me, but it is better to resolve a feud than to create one. She promised herself that such a thing would not happen again, so I am here to lobby on her behalf."

Cai Ling was silent for a moment, "Since you've asked, I'll naturally give you face."

Shen Nankui smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Cai."

"You don't have to thank me. It's because you are magnanimous and don't want to care about it. If anyone should thank someone, it should be Jin Feishuang." Cai Ling shook his head.

He paused, then suddenly asked, "Madam Gu, I heard that you have been looking for calligraphy and paintings by famous Jiangnan artists in the market these days. I wonder what you are doing with them?"

"Well," Shen Nankui said with a smile, "Mr. Hu from Cang County is Yichuan's teacher and has been very kind to me. Mr. Cai also knows that I was in a fire at the inn before, and later I stayed at the Hu family. It's almost the New Year, and Mr. Hu doesn't like to give conventional gifts, so I thought of giving him some calligraphy and paintings by famous artists to show my appreciation."

"Famous calligraphy and painting?"

Cai Ling frowned slightly, "Am I not a famous person in your eyes?"

His tone was normal, but to Shen Nankui's ears, it sounded like there was a hint of dissatisfaction.

She was stunned for a moment, and said quickly: "Of course not, Mr. Cai is the number one painter in Tiansheng. If we talk about famous artists, you are the number one in this dynasty."

"If that's the case, then why do you want to go far away?"

"Uh……"

Shen Nankui smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Cai, but I can't break your rules..."

Cai Ling raised his hand to stop him. "What are the rules? I just know that I want to give you a painting. Do you want it?"

"Of course I would like to have Mr. Cai's handwritten letter!" Shen Nankui replied with a smile.

If Cai Ling herself doesn't mind, then why is she being shy?

Cai Ling stood up and said, "Please lend me the study room."

"Okay, I'll ask someone to prepare the pens and ink."

The two moved to the study, and Cai Ling stood in front of the desk. In just one hour, he completed a painting. Shen Nankui leaned over to take a look, and saw familiar scenes on it. It was the scene of Yunxi Ancient Town. The street shops and the black-sailed boats in the river echoed each other in the distance. It was a painting with a strong sense of fireworks.

Shen Nankui clapped his hands and praised: "As expected of Mr. Cai, you have broadened my horizons again."

I have to say that watching Cai Ling paint is also a pleasure.

Cai Ling seemed to be in a good mood and smiled faintly: "As long as you are satisfied."

Not long after finishing the painting, Gu Yichuan also returned from the government office. Shen Nankui invited Cai Ling to have dinner in Deshui Lane before sending him away.

Gu Yichuang had viewed the Yunling Autumn Scenery Painting at Zhang's house before. This was the second time he saw Cai Ling's original work, and he couldn't help but be amazed.

"Mr. Cai is young, but he has already mastered the art of painting, and his brushwork is so vivid and impressive, which is rare."

If he looked at it a few more times, I'm afraid he wouldn't be willing to give the painting away.

Shen Nankui smiled and said, "Yes, there are few people in the world who can compare to Mr. Cai. Now that he has taken action, it really solved a big problem of mine. I will frame the paintings today and have the caravan send out these festival gifts tomorrow. They will be delivered just in time for the New Year."

……

As soon as Cai Ling returned to his residence outside the city, he went into the study to sort out the scrolls. On his desk, there was a portrait of a woman hanging.

Black Bull came in to deliver food and saw that the portrait was still there, so he asked, "Young Master, you went to Deshui Lane again today, why didn't you give this painting to Madam Gu?"

This was the painting he and Shen Nankui had agreed to give her, but he had never given it to her.

Cai Ling was concentrating on looking at the painting. Hearing this, he shook his head slightly and said, "It's no longer appropriate."

When the agreement was made, she was divorced and had not reconciled with Gu Yichuan. But now that they were in harmony and in perfect harmony, how could she fulfill her agreement to give the painting and play the flute to another man?

……

At the end of the year, time seems to have grown wings. If you are not careful, it will fly by and in the blink of an eye it is New Year's Eve.

During this year's Spring Festival, Gu Yichuang was very busy with government affairs. It was not until the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month that he finished all the matters on hand. He also closed the government office and gave holidays to all officials. However, with such a tight schedule, he naturally could not rush back to Cang County to visit his mother.

So, Gu Yichuan and Shen Nankui spent the New Year in Yongzhou.

Without their elders around and without so many customs and rules, the young couple spent a rare relaxing and pleasant New Year with Ah Nao.

Yongzhou is a prosperous place and there is no curfew on New Year's Eve. Therefore, every New Year's Eve, large families will take turns setting off fireworks on the streets, attracting many people to go out and watch.

After Shen Nankui and Gu Yichuan had their New Year’s Eve dinner, they took Ah Nao and drove to Shuiyun Tower.

Gu Yichuang had already booked a private room on the top floor of Shuiyun Tower. When he arrived here, the fireworks display in the city had already begun. Fireworks were launched into the sky from the four directions of east, south, west and north from time to time, blooming in clusters of brilliant colors in the dark night sky.

Shen Nankui leaned his head out of the window, staring at the lively scene outside.

This is the first time in her two lifetimes that she has celebrated the New Year like this.

There is no need to preside over the cleaning and sacrifice, no need to visit elders, no need to arrange various tedious New Year procedures, no need to worry about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing, no need to stay up all alone in the deep courtyard...

This feeling is really good.

Gu Yichuan stood behind her holding Ah Nao, looking at the fireworks outside the window and also at her.

Shen Nankui originally didn't want to bring Ah Nao out, fearing that the sound of fireworks would scare her, but today the whole city was celebrating, and there was probably no place that could escape the sound, so she simply brought her along. No matter what, their family of three were all together.

Fortunately, Ah Nao was not afraid of the noise. Instead, he laughed as the fireworks exploded.

The couple held their child in their arms and watched the fireworks from the east window. Hehua and Zhongshan lay on the west window, also fascinated. Zhongshan held a plate of chestnut cakes in his hand. Hehua was eating chestnut cakes when he suddenly turned his head and said to Shen Nankui, "Madam, I heard that the Lantern Festival in Yongzhou is the most lively, and there will be a fireworks show. How about we come here then?"

"No." Shen Nankui shook his head.

Before Hehua could be disappointed, she said, "In addition to the fireworks display, the highlight of the Lantern Festival is the lanterns. If you want to enjoy the lanterns, you should go to the market. Otherwise, if you like any jewelry or food, how can I buy it for you?"

Several people laughed.

Fireworks from all directions rose into the sky and bloomed from time to time, and the light was imprinted on the faces of several people, all of whom were filled with a sense of satisfaction and joy.

Midday on the moon.

Gu Yichuan gave Ah Nao to Hehua, walked to the table, poured two glasses of wine and brought them over, one for Shen Nankui.

With a smile on his face, he raised his glass and said, "Happy New Year."

The sound of fireworks outside the window became more and more intense, as if they were all going to be burned out at this moment. Amid the roar, Shen Nankui smiled sweetly and raised her glass to clink with him gently.

"Happy New Year! May the new year be better than the old one."