The phrase "mountain people have their own clever ideas" was enough to stop the villagers who were satisfied with being able to renovate their houses, but it was completely unable to stop Miss Zhu's curiosity.
Although Zhang Shou successfully squeezed out some of the money accumulated over the years from his mother Wu, since he had accepted Zhu Ying's sincere kindness and the brocade box containing the eldest lady's private money, he certainly could not refuse her reasonable request now.
At this moment, he would occasionally glance at Zhu Ying beside him, worrying whether she could keep up with him. After all, he was deeply impressed by her weakness the day before yesterday, when she was hungry and sweating profusely under the scorching sun, and was obviously lacking in physical strength. But every time he went to see her, he found that she was looking at him with interest, so he could only look away helplessly.
Unable to bear it any longer, he suddenly asked, "Am I so good-looking?"
"Of course." Zhu Ying smiled generously, and then said to herself, "You are now walking in the bamboo forest in a green shirt, your every move is elegant and natural, as if the bamboo gentleman has reappeared in the world, how can you not look good?"
Even though Zhang Shou comes from an era where one would have no food to eat if he was not thick-skinned, girls would often scream on various social media that someone is so beautiful that they look like XXXX. They can confidently say that they just like how good-looking you are and that a good-looking man is definitely not a scumbag, but that is all a result of the gradual move towards openness and the influence of modern culture.
In this era when even unmarried girls in the countryside are shy and affectionate, Miss Zhu's behavior can be called bold and outrageous. Thinking of Zhu Ying's clear likes and dislikes when she first met him, he couldn't help laughing.
"What do you mean by bamboo gentleman? You make me sound like I'm not worldly. How can I live without firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea? Besides, you've seen me kill animals, cook in the kitchen, and teach the young men in the village. You should know that I'm just a country boy living in the secular world. I'm not so pure and refined."
"So what?" Zhu Ying raised her eyebrows with a smile, "It's not like you're always sad about the passing of time, with your sleeves fluttering and your bones bony as if you can fly away with the wind at any time. That's the demeanor of an immortal. Ah Shou, you are just like this bamboo forest on the mountain, very green and vivid. Don't Buddhists often talk about being in the world and leaving the world? You are like a bamboo gentleman who is in the world!"
"Alright, alright." Zhang Shou finally felt that it was difficult to make fun of himself in front of this young lady, so he could only surrender. "Don't talk about me. You are a gorgeous and rich peony, but you can walk on this mountain road without blushing or breathing hard. I underestimated you."
"I told people I was going to the countryside to inspect my family's property. What would it be like if I stayed at home all day? Besides, I'm very good at riding and archery. I'll show you some of my skills tomorrow!"
Zhu Ying raised her head slightly, but in her heart she was very satisfied with Zhang Shou's praise of her. She didn't think the peony was vulgar, but if he said that she was as graceful as a startled swan or as graceful as a swimming dragon, she would think it was vulgar.
Because the noble sons of the capital city had repeated to her countless times all kinds of poems describing beautiful women.
While feeling proud, Zhu Ying boasted: "I am not the kind of lady who is weak and sad. On the first day I came here, I was so angry with my second brother that I didn't eat much for several days. On the second day, I was dizzy from the sun. Now it is cooler and the scenery is good. I won't feel tired even if I walk another 20 miles!"