Chapter 196 - 99: Rippling Villa
Sang Wan’s body stiffened slightly, her heart as if sharply pricked and suddenly contracted. Although it wasn’t akin to having a basin of cold water poured over her head, it nonetheless sobered her back to reality in an instant.
Indeed, with this place being so beautiful, he must have brought his cousin here often, right?
Without thinking, Shi Fengju glanced at Sang Wan, and seeing her eyes cast down, her demeanor serene yet tinged with a hint of somberness, as if atrace of sadness was evident in her calm and light-hearted expression, He couldn’t help but feel a pang of gloom in his heart, forcing a smile as he said, "Miss Gu is tied up with something, she won’t be coming here again!"
Cui Ling, not privy to any insider knowledge, was naturally straightforward. Hearing this, she looked regretful and sighed softly, "That’s such a pity!"
Sang Wan’s face subtly changed, feeling a sense of tightness in her chest.
Aunt Cui’s face also changed, and she glared at Cui Ling before scolding her, "What’s with all the chatter, girl! Focus on properly accompanying the young master and mistress instead of bringing up irrelevant things!" Then, turning to Sang Wan with an eager smile, she said, "Mistress, not only do we have pomegranates in the garden, but also grapes, jujubes, oranges, and many other fruits. Please, take your time to stroll around and try them. The soil and water here are excellent, making the fruits especially sweet!"
"Is that so? Then I really must have a good taste!" Sang Wan smiled and beckoned to Cui Ling, who had been chastised and was sulking with her head down, "Cui Ling, come here, waiting for you to lead the way!"
"Yes, Mistress!" Cui Ling glanced at her mother, seeing no sign of displeasure, and happily led Sang Wan ahead.
Shi Fengju followed behind them with a wry smile.
Behind the manor stretched a continuous area of hilly land, covering about three hundred acres, all of which were planted with fruit trees: patches of loquats, peach trees, pomegranates, and a small area close to the manor, about four or five acres, that contained a couple of trees of each variety, such as bayberries, apricots, plums, pears, cherries, persimmons, jujubes, papayas, grapes, et cetera; indeed, fruits with fragrant scents for all seasons.
"Mistress, the pomegranates are over there! Watch your step!" Cui Ling pointed northwards and smiled, "Look, that cluster of fiery red hanging from the branches, that’s them! If you come here next spring, you’ll see it’s the perfect time when the peach blossoms are in full bloom—all of this, incredibly picturesque! And when the loquats ripen in May, they’re a bright golden color and so beautiful! The loquats here are particularly sweet!"