2441: Lian's Qiaoqiao

Lian's Qiaoqiao

People were packed on the banks of the Weixi River. Boats that were loading and unloading cargo and grain had gathered here.0

The boatmen hurried to move the cargo in the wintry night wind while there were still the last rays of sunlight. They could practically smell dinner waiting.

It was almost dusk, and the lights on the bank were lit.

Restaurants and shops of various heights were lined on the bank of the river. The vendors at food stalls and grocery stores were shouting loudly for a last spurt of sales.

Inside the teahouses and wineshops were young sirs who were elegantly drinking tea and wine by the windows. The beautiful evening scenery of the prosperous and lively Weixi River naturally entered their eyes.

On the other hand, the common people were hurrying home in the cold wind.

There were so many boats in the river that they formed a line.

The boatmen pulling the boats were yelling, the gondoliers were maneuvering their oars, and the sing-song girls' voices drifted into the breeze…

A two-story government boat slowly drifted downstream to the Weixi Corridor that was constructed perpendicularly to the river.

The entire corridor was raised up on top of the river. Even though it was already evening, there were many peddlers selling all sorts of items to the packed crowd in the corridor.

Qiao Mu had been sitting at the bow of the boat with the two Yuezhuo eggs in her hands since early morning. She proclaimed that basking the eggs in the sun would help them incubate..

Seeing that nothing had happened to the eggs even after it got dark, she couldn't help but lie glumly on the railing.

When Mo Lian went to find her on the deck, he saw the little fellow shaking her small head with a sigh.

Her long ponytail swept back and forth across her waist.

He couldn't help but laugh out loud as he quickly walked up and hugged her slender waist from the back. He pecked her small cheek with a kiss. "What are you doing? The night is chilly, yet you're still standing here in the wind."

The little lady turned around. Her eyes shone brightly in the dark night, sparkling like stars.

Her small paws were each holding a Yuezhuo egg the size of a pigeon egg. She looked at him in distress. "They haven't incubated even after such a long time. Say, could they be fake eggs?"

Mo Lian was amused. He pressed his forehead against her glossy one and teased, "You're not cooking them?"

Phooey! Only you would cook a phoenix[1] egg!

The little fellow asserted in displeasure, "Who's a foodie like you."

Mo Lian laughed heartily and swayed her body while holding her. "I'm the foodie, I am."

Qiaoqiao harrumphed and then glanced at him. She nuzzled her small head against his chest and asked, "Will it be fine for us to anchor in the center of the river for the night?"

"There won't be much of a problem." Mo Lian cuddled her small waist with a smile and pointed ahead. "Look, there are many boats anchored there too. They are all waiting to participate in the Mantou Festival tomorrow morning."

Qiao Mu had excellent eyesight, so she could glimpse the stacks of food steamers piled up in the front section of the Weixi Corridor already.

Fang Su walked over at this time and saluted without averting his eyes. He completely turned a blind eye to the touchy-feely couple. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, do you want this humble subordinate to arrange lodging within the corridor for the night?"

The 15-kilometer Weixi Corridor was constructed above the river surface in accordance with local custom. It practically spanned half of the Weixi River.

There was naturally board and lodging in the corridor.

"The corridor still has room vacancies this late?" Qiao Mu asked while blinking her eyes.

Fang Su cupped his hands and answered respectfully, "Reporting to the crown prince consort, if you and His Highness the Crown Prince wish to go, there will naturally be a place to stay.

He would make there be a vacancy even if there wasn't!

[1] Yuezhuo is an auspicious bird like the Qingluan that is also related to the phoenix.

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