Arthur Evans and Miss Lucy
"Darling, are you tired?" After walking for a while, Lucky asked considerately.
Lily really was a bit tired, so she nodded.
Lucky squatted down in front of her, turned his head, and smiled with twinkling eyes: "Darling, let me carry you."
Lily's face turned as red as an apple as she climbed onto Lucky's back.
Lucky's shoulders were broad, as if he could carry the whole world for her. He stood up, walking slowly and steadily. Leaning against his back, Lily listened to his slightly quickened heartbeat and smiled happily, feeling safe.
Though his origins were mysterious, and though he was considered a fool, having such a man by her side for life made Lily feel truly blessed.
Hmm, after the New Year, she would be fifteen, the coming-of-age in ancient times, which meant she would be considered an adult woman.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Fifteen meant adulthood here, and Lily was healthy and strong. Leaning on his back, she suddenly wondered: So... should she and Lucky have a child now?
Walking slowly under the lanterns along the long riverbank, Lily suddenly felt that if they could keep walking like this, all the way until their hair turned white, her life would be perfectly fulfilled.
After a while, Lucky suddenly stopped. Lily was about to ask what was wrong when she saw Lucky make a shushing gesture, then point to a distant wonton stall: "Darling, look, isn't that Arthur Evans?"
Lily looked closely—it really was Arthur Evans, and with a... woman?
At the table by the wonton stand, Arthur Evans was dressed in fine clothes, his hair tied with a jade crown. Lily recognized this as his best outfit, only worn for important events at Greenfield Academy.
The woman beside him was slender and graceful, with striking beauty. Her silk dress was clearly expensive, and she held a delicate round fan—she looked every bit the daughter of a wealthy family.
Arthur Evans and the woman sat very close, looking just like an affectionate couple.
Lily let out a surprised sound. She'd met the County Magistrate's daughter before, and this wasn't her. So Arthur Evans must have a new flame—and by the looks of it, she came from a high-status family. Lily instantly understood why Arthur Evans would risk offending the magistrate to break off his engagement: he was climbing to a higher branch, courting a rich young lady, hoping to become a son-in-law.
"Arthur, these wontons may be street food, but they have a unique flavor. After eating delicacies at home all the time, it's quite fun to try these little snacks now and then." The young lady smiled demurely, hiding her face behind her fan.
Arthur Evans smiled with scholarly grace, looking every bit the refined gentleman: "Miss Lucy is right. I never get to eat street food at home—my mother serves bird's nest and shark fin every day, and I'm honestly tired of it. Joining Miss Lucy for wontons today is a nice change of pace."
Miss Lucy giggled, "Arthur, your family's chef must be excellent. I wonder how much silver it costs to hire such a famous cook each month?"
"Those chores are handled by my mother and the steward. I don't concern myself with such mundane matters." Arthur Evans smiled even more gently, feeding Miss Lucy a wonton as if by accident, and then asked, "Now that you mention it, I'm curious—I've never paid attention to the servants' wages at home. Since you've learned household management early, you must know: how much does your family's chef earn each month?"
Miss Lucy's eyes sparkled as she smiled, "Not much, not much—just fifty taels of silver a month, barely enough for a new dress."
Arthur Evans burst out laughing, "Fifty taels, that's really not much. Just yesterday, we had bear paw for dinner, but my mother found it greasy and didn't eat it. Later, I overheard the servants gossiping that the bear paw cost eighty taels. So a single bear paw costs more than a chef's monthly wage—this is the first time I've realized that!"