Chapter 26: Wasting Heaven's Gifts

  When Du Ru stepped into the inner room, Yuan Dai was sitting on the kang with one hand supporting her chin and the other flipping through a book on the table. Hearing the footsteps, she turned around and smiled at Du Ru: "Sister Du Ru is here, please sit down!" Wen Ping heard the sound and hurriedly brought over a round stool.

  Du Ru smiled and thanked her, then sat down on the round stool, raised her eyes to take a closer look at Yu Daiyu, before saying with some concern: "I think Ninth Sister's complexion doesn't look very good today, I wonder if she has invited a doctor to come and take a look?"

  Yan Dai slightly furrowed her brow and slowly said, "Yesterday, a rare evening primrose I planted bloomed, but it kept me awake for half the night, and I caught a bit of a chill. Actually, it's nothing to worry about; after a short nap in the afternoon, I'll be fine. There's no need to call a doctor!"

  Du Ru came here, originally for that flower. At this moment, hearing Yuan Dai mention it, he smiled and said: "Speaking of which, the flower of Ninth Miss is indeed rare in the world. I've been following Old Lady since childhood, thinking that there's nothing new under the sun, but I never thought that there would be such a strange flower in the world. In fact, not to mention me, even Old Lady couldn't help but praise it!"

  There is actually an implied meaning in these words.

  Yan Dai smiled faintly, for since she first met Du Ruo, she had already guessed the purpose of Du Ruo's visit. Otherwise, she wouldn't have deliberately brought up the topic of that icy blue flower: "Sister Du Ruo doesn't know this, but although this flower is beautiful, it's extremely difficult to care for. Even with meticulous attention, it only blooms once every three to five years!"

  Du Ruo was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said: "This world is so big, after all, things are precious because they are rare. I didn't expect this flower to also understand the underlying principle!"

  Yuan Dai smiled and said, "Sister Du Ruo, you are really interesting!" She thought for a moment, then said, "This flower was actually obtained by me unintentionally when I was in Wan Prefecture. The flower seller described the strange phenomenon of this flower blooming at that time, but I didn't pay attention to it. It wasn't until yesterday that I realized that what he said was indeed true. I have made up my mind and plan to plant a few more pots next spring. I heard that the rare flowers in front of Old Lady's are all taken care of by you, Sister. Please help me then!"

  Du Ru was surprised that Yu Rao was so easy to talk to, and his heart was filled with surprise and joy. He hurriedly smiled and said: "If Ninth Miss is not disgusted by my clumsiness, and is willing to teach me, then I would be more than happy!"

  Yan Dai couldn't help but smile and say: "If sister is also clumsy, then this whole family would probably not have many clever people left!"

  Yu Ruo also laughed and skipped over this topic, but then suggested going to see Aunt Zhou. Yuan Dai smiled and got up to accompany Yu Ruo to Aunt Zhou's place. After sending off Yu Ruo and checking the time, it was almost noon. Yuan Dai let out a soft sigh, sat down in her own room, and a tired expression appeared on her face.

  Wen Ping quietly poured tea and presented it to her. Yu Dai took a sip, then looked up at Wen Ping: "If you want to ask something, just ask directly, why be so hesitant!" Earlier when Du Ruo was around, she had already sensed that Wen Ping's expression was unusual. Now that they were finally alone, she opened her mouth and asked.

  Miss Wen hesitated for a moment, then said: "Didn't you say earlier that this flower is extremely precious and cannot be given to anyone who asks? Why did you agree to send it to the old lady today?" In her opinion, if Yu Dai had sent the flower to the old lady before it bloomed, it would have been even more impressive than doing so after it had already bloomed.

  After hearing this, Yuandai's expression was calm and indifferent. Just when Wenshuang thought that Yuandai wouldn't answer her question at all, Yuandai suddenly spoke up: "Generally speaking, things in the world are precious because of their rarity. This is also true for flowers and plants! Wenshuang, remember that rare and precious flowers and plants are either difficult to cultivate or difficult to care for. The Ice Blue Orchid is one of the most extreme examples!"

  Wen Ping was stunned by what he heard and couldn't help but look at Yuan Zhen with a distant gaze.

  Yan Dai gazed intently at Wen Ping for a long time, then said with deep meaning: "The difficulty of worldly affairs is no more than the iron tree blooming flowers. What do you think, Wen Ping?"

  It wasn't until then that Wenping suddenly came to a realization, and after letting out a low sigh, he remained silent for quite some time.

  Yan Dai smiled and said, "This afternoon you have nothing to do, you can go home and take a look. When you pass by Yuan Zhen's place, tell her that the peony has finally bloomed, it's worth my careful cultivation over the past few years!"

  Wen Jing nodded busily. The two were talking, when the inner room's curtain moved, and Hui'er had already walked in with a smile: "Miss, San Tai Tai has sent someone to invite you, please go over for a visit this afternoon when you have some free time!"

  Yuè Dài nodded slightly, indicating she already knew.

  After lunch, Yuandai took a short nap as usual, and then got up and took Hui'er to the Luo's house.

  In the Bamboo Fragrance Temple, Luo Shi was already waiting for her, and Ling Yuanxuan was also on the side. After the three of them exchanged greetings, Luo Shi had not yet spoken when Ling Yuanxuan complained: "Ninth sister, about last night's matter, I'm more and more regretful, and I couldn't even sleep in the afternoon!"

  Yan Dai heard this and smiled, saying: "It's just a pot of flowers, it will bloom again in a few years!"

  Ling Yuexuan found her words somewhat strange and couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise, saying: "It will still open after some years? That is to say, it may not be able to open next year either?"

  Yan Dai sat down with a smile and said: "If I had a way, I would also hope that it blooms every year!"

  Ling Yuexuan heard this and immediately let out a soft cry, suddenly embracing Luo's arm: "Mother, I'm dying of regret!"

  Ruo Shi laughed and hugged her, gently patting her back to comfort her. At the same time, he complained to Yuan Dai: "You child, this flower is so rare and precious, you should have told us about it earlier, why did you hide it from us?" As he spoke, a hint of regret appeared on his face: "Now I won't hide it from you either, a few days ago, the old lady discussed with me the idea of moving you to Chunhui Garden to be with Yuan Xuan, but unexpectedly, just a few days' delay caused us to miss this opportunity. And now, even if we move you into the garden, I'm afraid it will also be delayed!"

  Yuan Dai suddenly heard this, her heart moved involuntarily, but her face didn't reveal anything, and she only smiled bitterly: "Don't hide it from Third Aunt, when the flower bloomed with such a big commotion, even I didn't expect it!" She then brought up what she had said to Du Ruo again. Luoshi naturally had no reason not to believe her, and after hearing this, she couldn't help but sigh again at the lack of fate.

  On a winter day, the sun sets early. The three of them chatted for a while and before they knew it, the sun had already set in the west. Madame Luo wanted to invite Yuandai to stay for dinner, but Yuandai smiled and declined, saying she needed to return to the West Wing to keep company with Madame Zhou. When Madame Luo heard this, she couldn't very well insist on keeping her, so she reluctantly let her go.

  In the west wing, Wenping had returned early and saw her enter, hurriedly smiling and welcoming: "Miss is back!"

  Yan Dai smiled at her and entered the inner chamber. After glancing around to make sure no one was present, she asked: "Have you seen Yuan Zhen?"

  Wen Jingxian laughed and said, "I've seen it! Sister Zhen asked me about the flower blooming, and I answered her one by one. She listened with a mix of emotions, both admiring and envying me!"

  Yuandai couldn't help but laugh too. After Wenshu said that, she turned around and took out a small black lacquer carved flower box from her side and handed it to Yuandai: "This is what Shuizhen sister asked me to give to you!"

  Yan Dai nodded slightly, and without avoiding Wen Ping, she opened the small box in front of her. Wen Ping curiously looked inside, only to see that it was filled with a bunch of dry, white flowers with a hint of red color. As soon as the box was opened, a faint, delicate fragrance wafted out. "What kind of flower is this?" Wen Ping asked in surprise.

  Yan Dai smiled and looked at her, saying: "Can't you see? Take a closer look!"

  Wen Ping looked carefully for a moment before hesitantly saying: "Is this... a fleeting flower?"

  Yan Dai nodded slightly and said, "Exactly! This is the fleeting beauty of life." As she spoke, she couldn't help but smile and continued, "People often say that such beauty only appears once in a lifetime, astonishing the world, but few people actually take action to seize it. However, today, you and I have no choice but to do just that!"

  She guessed his meaning, had a vague understanding, but didn't dare believe it: "Miss wants to take this..."

  Yan Dai smiled and said, "Take this flower and wash it clean, then tear off the petals. Go to the kitchen and find some vegetable oil, put the petals and oil in a pot together and simmer until the petals dissolve. Then add some rock sugar, fill small bowls with the mixture and let them cool slightly outside. Leave a few for us to taste, and send the rest to Old Lady and the other ladies, invite them to try some too!"

  Wen Ping was stunned for a while, and after a long time, she responded with a "yes" and took the black lacquer box to leave. She had only taken two steps when Yan Dai called her back: "Wait! I'll give you some more good things, take them all together to stew!"

  She said, and then got up herself, opened the small cabinet with a spiral pattern, and took out the jade box containing the icy blue evening primrose. As soon as the box was opened, a faint fragrance overflowed, and the few evening primroses that Yan Dai had personally picked yesterday were quietly lying inside. Wenping watched from the side, seeing that the flower color was icy blue, like ice and jade, although it had been more than half a day, it was still fresh and lively as if it had just been picked from the branch.

  Yuandai seemed to have hesitated for a moment, but ultimately let out a sigh and reluctantly picked up a flower. She plucked two petals from the flower and handed them to Wenshu. Wenshu hastily reached out to take them, and as she exited the inner chamber, she could still faintly hear Yuandai's soft sigh and almost inaudible lamentation coming from inside: "It's too wasteful!"