The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1190 - 274

Lakeside Pavilion was a viewing loft built by the lake, used for cooling off during the summer. Because today was New Year’s Eve, each household had offered dumplings and burned incense, so the doors were open.

Mo Heng pushed open the door and made his way to the soft couch, lying down, "Qinqin! I’m thirsty!"

His plea for water sounded like a coquettish demand, which made Xie Yi’s heart melt. They were again alone together, and her head was starting to spin. There was no tea in this courtyard, only dumplings and fruits offered outside.

After some thought, Xie Yi went to get an orange, peeled it, and fed it to him.

Mo Heng didn’t open his mouth, "Water! I want water!"

Seeing that he was about to lose his temper, Xie Yi obliged and went out to look for water.

But as she approached the lakeside pavilion, people arrived, and she quickly hid behind a holly bush.

The conversation between two maidservants reached her, "Why is only Young Master Shen here? Where did the Marquis go?"

"Could it be he wanted more wine and, seeing none brought to him, went to fetch it himself!?"

"The lady is about to lose her temper, she won’t let him drink anymore. We should find the Marquis quickly and get him back for some sobering soup and to rest!"

"What about Young Master Shen?"

"We definitely can’t move him by ourselves, we better call for help soon! And we need to find the Marquis quickly!"

After saying this, the two maids hurried off.

Xie Yi didn’t dare to go out to look for water anymore and rushed back to Lakeside Pavilion. With the door left open, if they came back to look, they would find this place quickly. She needed to act fast, to conquer Mo Heng and create a fait accompli.

Elsewhere, Chang Yonglin, all smiles, was pulling Pei Wendong along to help him paint a snow scene of the lake, and had especially called Xie Ze over to witness and learn. Fang Liuming, Fang Fu, and Zhao Xiaochen also came over.

"You all are scholarly men, while I am a brute; Yuanyuan is starting to disdain me! In a couple of years, I might not even be able to teach my own son. I’d better hurry and learn from you all while I’m still young!" Zhao Xiaochen said with a laugh.

"How about we have a contest today?" Pei Wendong laughed. "Tonight during New Year’s Eve vigil, Big Sister surely has arranged some entertainment, let’s paint first and let them judge whose painting is the best!"

Chang Yonglin, dissatisfied, said, "That’s not fair! My painting skills are not as good as Wendong’s; Big Brother-in-law has said so."

"My painting skills are not as good as Third Brother-in-law’s either; he’s the best," Pei Wendong said, turning his head to look at Fang Liuming.

Fang Liuming laughed, "Then let’s have Jiujiu and a few Little Radishes judge! Let’s see who gets the most votes, and that person will win!"

"This is a test of popularity, not of painting skill!" Fang Fu chuckled.

"It’s all about popularity! We’ll cover the names and see who gets the most votes!" Fang Liuming suggested, then called Xie Ze, "Come join us too! If not this year, then you’ll have to compete next year."

Hearing his name, Xie Ze hummed assent. Calling him over was just another way for them to look down on him, refusing to find him a good teacher and not willing to teach him their arithmetic. They had all been taught by Mo Heng, the prodigy who had achieved the title of Jie Yuanlang at a young age, and now they were comparing him to Mo Heng, slapping his face! This whole family was heartless! He was growing sick of living here!

Chang Yonglin warned him that if he continued to act willfully, he and his sister would have an even worse time in the future. If he got hold of their family’s estate, he could live a comfortable life; his sister was to become a concubine to Pei Wendong. Without his affection, and without the support of Pei Qin and the others, she would certainly be bullied to death by Xi Yun.

Although Xie Ze was internally exasperated and resentful, he still followed them along. Besides, their artistic skills, which were said to be learned from Pei Qin, produced very lifelike works. If only he could be taught like that.

A few people chatted as they walked over.

Wen by the lakeside pavilion, Shen Songming was sitting, drinking sobering tea, hearing that they were going to paint the snow scene of the lake. He pointed to Lakeside Pavilion, "We’re still going to drink tea here, you all go to that place! You can also light charcoal for warmth."

"The view isn’t as good from there," Pei Wendong observed.

Chang Yonglin sneezed and laughed as he pulled him along, "It’s too cold outside, Song Ming brother is just outside sobering up in the wind! Let’s go inside to paint! Who knows how long it will take!"

Pei Wendong could only comply reluctantly.

Zhao Xiaochen then said, "Let’s have someone also bring a jug of heated wine later! Let’s have a drink to warm up."

After ordering some heated wine, they also sent for a charcoal furnace. The group entered the courtyard.

Chang Yonglin tread lightly, signaling everyone to be silent, "There’s a thief!"

"Bu..." Xie Ze was about to speak but was silenced by a sharp look from Yonglin.

Fang Liuming spoke in a low voice, "There’s indeed someone talking, inside the house."