Chapter 414: 192 Knowing Autumn (Second Revision)

Chapter 414: 192 Knowing Autumn (Second Revision)

Translator: 549690339

Yunmeng Villa is located twenty miles west of Jiangzhou on Fenghuang Mountain. It is interspersed by mountain springs and strewn with flowing streams, pavilions, towers, and terraces, making it a popular summer retreat in Jiangzhou.

Yunmeng Villa also has another name, Sijun Mountain Villa.

The name alludes to the Four Gentlemen, the four plants traditionally held in high esteem in China: the plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum.

To the east of the villa, a variety of plum trees are planted. These include mirror water plum, golden spray plum, palace powder plum, green calyx plum, jade butterfly plum, and an abundance of other varieties of plum blossoms. Every chilled winter season, the garden bursts into bright blooms, full of icy beauty and heavenly bones, earning its name, Rugu Garden.

To the west lies Yueduo Garden, which, as the name suggests, is full of chrysanthemums. Amid September’s chill dew, forest layers are dyed a myriad of colors while autumn chrysanthemums floridly blanket the ground. At sunset, one can look up to a sea of golden splendor and reflect on the tranquil beauty of the South Mountain as depicted in an old Chinese poem.

Bamboo and jade trees, subtle orchid fragrances, dried lotuses wrapping around hibiscus, one thinks of their love but cannot see them.

Today, the sky is high and the clouds are pale. The autumn colors are pleasant. One luxury car after another passes under the large row of maple trees at the foot of Fenghuang Mountain. Frosty leaves like flowers, the maple forest is aflame. Tires roll over the carpet of red leaves, stirring up layers of crimson.

A delicate jade hand stretches out from a partially lowered car window, catching a falling maple leaf.

The slender fingertips holding the maple leaf highlight the white hand and wrist, as pure as snow and frost.

“A falling leaf heralds the arrival of autumn.”

From early spring to mid-summer, and now late autumn.

Unconsciously, half a year has passed since their return to Jiangzhou.

The car drove into the villa’s gate. The parking lot was full of luxury cars. Ming Jing timed her arrival just right.

As soon as she stepped out of the car, Shen Ke greeted her with a cheerful smile, “Ms. Zhu, you have finally arrived.”

Ming Jing smiled and nodded.

“Elder Theodore Shelby has been waiting for you for quite some time. Please come with me.”

Ming Jing leads Ming Ti and Ming Chen, following Shen Ke.

Not far away, Zhu Wentao, Lin Qing, and Zhu Xiangxiang step out of their car. Zhu Xiangxiang spots a few figures in the distance and knits her brow, “Isn’t that Ming Jing? The two smaller ones must be Ming Ti and Ming Chen. It appears that Ming Jing was also invited to Elder Theodore Shelby’s birthday banquet.”

Lin Qing gazes at Ming Jing’s retreating figure and lets out a deep sigh.

A cold glance flits through Zhu Wentao’s eyes.

Zhu Shaodan gets out of the car, stretches lazily, and then his gaze fixes on something. “Master Xiao...?”

A young man in casual wear steps out from a luxury car parked a space away. The only person who would wear casual attire to the Shen’s banquet is him.

For a moment, Zhu Wentao looks startled. He then walks over and greets the young man respectfully, “Master Xiao, you’re here too.”

Although Zhu Wentao is more than a decade older than Ran Tengxiao, that doesn’t stop him from treating the young man with utmost respect.

Zhu Xiangxiang looks surprised and mumbles to herself, “Master Xiao? Which Master Xiao?”