Peach Blossom Plain, located on a high ground south of Tonglin County, covers several dozen acres. It connects to continuous mountains to the south and the official road to the west. Not remote, yet not bustling, it is a place frequented by the townspeople of Tonglin County for leisurely outings.
Since Lu Zheng and his group did not set out early, by the time they reached Peach Blossom Plain, a few people had already arrived.
Ordinary folks generally do not have much time to visit; only during festivals or ten-day leaves do they bring family and children for outings.
Today is neither a festival nor a ten-day leave, so those who come to Peach Blossom Plain are children from small wealthy families or scholars who do not engage in production.
Outside Peach Blossom Plain, there are small vendors pushing carts or carrying poles, selling various foods, as well as flowers, peach wood toys, or protective talismans.
"You didn't bring any food. Are you planning to buy food here or go back early?" Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask.
"Since we're already out, we'll obviously buy here to eat." Liu Qingquan said in a sweet voice, "I've heard the peach blossom pastries here are very delicious."
The donkey cart stopped, and the group got off.
Liu Qingyan and Liu Qingquan, the sisters, attracted the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Their attire of light pink full skirts with twining branch patterns, a brass hairpin with jade placed askew on their tassel buns, dangling bead curtains lightly swayed, between their graceful movements, their jade-like complexions appeared radiant and slender like willows.
However, Lu Zheng, who got off first, stood by the sisters, clearly the protector, which caused most of those bearing social status to refrain from stepping forward to chat.
The Great Jing Dynasty, enjoying a peaceful and prosperous era with strict laws, made it so that although one could not avoid a few frivolous remarks or the harassment from spoiled rich kids, incidents of molestation, roguishness, or even abduction would never happen in broad daylight.
Lu Zheng had initially thought this was due to the excellent governance of the Great Jing Dynasty, but later realized it was only part of the reason.
The other reason was, of course, the presence of skilled knights upholding justice. Many of the bullies who abused their power had become stories told by local storytellers.
Moreover, lastly…
This world indeed has ghosts and retribution. If you forced someone to death wrongly, aren't you afraid they would return as a fierce ghost seeking revenge?
Such stories are also favored by storytellers as popular material!
Thus, without enormous backing or shocking skills, most people dared not act too recklessly, which made the customs of the Great Jing relatively simple and harmonious.
"This is also why Elder Liu is at ease letting the Liu Family Sisters go out for an outing."
This is quite good, knowing reverence, one can survive much longer.
"The Great Jing Dynasty has lasted for hundreds of years and hasn't experienced the kind of troubles that occur at the end of a dynasty, supernatural forces have contributed quite a bit." Lu Zheng thought to himself.
Cultivation requires talent; no matter how wealthy, it is only a condition. The Netherworld is beyond the control of the living. Wealthy people likely know the truth, who would want to provoke a ghost to come after themselves?
...
"Shall we buy some peach blossom pastries?"
Ignoring the various amazed glances, Liu Qingquan dragged her sister, bouncing happily to a small vendor with a pole.
"Are your peach blossom pastries tasty?"
"Very tasty!" The vendor was a child looking only about eleven or twelve years old, "These peach blossom pastries are made by my mother with fresh flowers she picked this morning. The pastries are as fresh as can be; we never fool with overnight peach blossoms!"
"Let me see, oh, the pastries are quite big! Just one will probably fill me up."
"How much for one pastry?" Liu Qingyan stepped forward and asked.
"Three cents each, full of goodness!"
"Give me three." said Lu Zheng as he handed over ten cents.
"Sir, three pastries cost nine cents, you've given one cent extra."
"Consider it a tip, buy yourself a candy."
"Hehe, thank you, sir!" The vendor picked out three pastries that were still warm from deep within the pole, wrapped them in paper, and handed them to Lu Zheng.
"Lu Lang."
Lu Zheng waved a hand, "Don't worry about it; it's not some expensive treat."
Liu Qingyan smiled gently and removed her hand from her waist pouch.
At this time, Liu Qingquan had already wandered over to another small vendor.
"What is this?"
"This is a peach wood Peace Talisman." the vendor quickly introduced, "Peach wood can ward off disasters and evils, exorcise demons and dispel ghosts. Our Tonglin County enjoys good geomancy with such a peach grove, and these Peace Talismans are made from old peach tree branches from the grove. Just carry one with you, and you can have lifelong peace!"
Liu Qingquan blinked, looking at the palm-sized Peace Talisman in her hand, "Can this Peace Talisman exorcise demons and dispel ghosts?"
"Yes!"
Liu Qingquan turned to Liu Qingyan, who smiled and said, "It's just to seek peace and fortune. If you like it, you can buy one to hang at home."
"Not interested." Liu Qingquan pouted and shook her head, "Not as pretty as jewelry."
The vendor's face fell.
Then she hopped over to the next stall, where the peddler was selling wooden toys, also carved from peach wood.
Liu Qingquan picked and chose, finding a small, plump wooden mouse that looked quite cute.
...
Peach blossom mist clouds the eyes, a few pink butterflies rest on the branches.
A beauty leans by the flowers, not knowing where the lingering scent comes from.
...
Liu Qingquan, holding the little mouse, ran around in the peach grove, but did not wander too far, just playing joyfully around Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan near the peach trees.
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan walked together, admiring the various forms of peach trees in the grove and the breathtaking peach blossoms.
With Liu Qingyan silent, Lu Zheng had to find topics to talk about.
"That tree looks a bit like a porter carrying a load."
"That tree seems to have more peach blossoms than others, very pretty."
"Hey, look at that tree, it looks like an old lady with a cane running."
"Hehe!"
Liu Qingyan raised her sleeve to cover her mouth, but couldn't help laughing; the imagery was too strong and absurd.
However, following Lu Zheng's finger and his words, the more Liu Qingyan looked, the more that peach tree resembled a hunchbacked old lady with frizzy hair, briskly running with a cane.
"How did you come up with this… this running old lady?"
"Doesn't it look like it?"
"It does!" Liu Qingyan lowered her sleeve, revealing a charmingly smiling face, seemingly blaming Lu Zheng for making her lose composure, "But if you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have thought of it."
Lu Zheng shrugged, said nothing, now that imagination is not vast, even online novels cannot continue.
Liu Qingyan is an ancient person, Lu Zheng, on the other hand, is modern; various stories come to mind effortlessly, yet at least the atmosphere wouldn't be cold.
As they walked and talked, Liu Qingyan gradually began to say more.
"Father's medical skills are actually quite good, apart from thoroughly reading medical books, he also has an exceptional needle technique."
"Back in our hometown, there is a very annoying person. He is quite influential, but while we can't provoke him, we can avoid him. He certainly can't chase us to Tonglin County."
"Those two bottles of fruit wine you gave, we finished both during two meals yesterday, it was really delicious."
...
"Sister!"
Liu Qingquan emerged from behind a peach tree not far from the two.
Behind her followed an exceptionally beautiful woman dressed in a pink cloud brocade palace attire with butterflies flitting through flowers.