Three people unintentionally help each other

  "...It can't go on like this, you must persuade your elder brother!"

  On an autumn afternoon, in the southeast corner of a two-story courtyard in the Ningping Marquis's estate, Jiang was sitting on a large window seat covered with cloud-patterned brocade and embroidered silk bedding, looking worriedly at the woman opposite her.

  "Sister, you think I don't want to, but you still don't understand your brother's temper. Originally, he felt that being in the same line of work as those young men from the Wang family was beneath him. Now, he's been robbed of his dignity everywhere and is seething with anger on the inside, even though he appears calm on the surface. If this person were to keep nursing a burning fire in his heart every day, how could he not fall ill? Sister, you say... if your brother really falls ill and can't get up, and Xing Ge isn't around, what am I supposed to do with such a big household, being just a weak woman?"

  This woman was none other than Jiang's elder brother Jiang Jian's wife, Yan Shi. Not only was she born with a beautiful face and a plump figure, but her temperament was also clever and refreshing.

  At this moment, Yan's white and tender face was filled with worry, and her words were sorrowful and heart-wrenching. By the end, Danfeng's eyes were brimming with tears, and her voice was choked with sobs.

  "Sister-in-law, don't be like this, brother's body has always been healthy, nothing big will happen..."

  Seeing her like this, Jiang was heartbroken and anxious, and tears fell. But she couldn't take care of herself, hurriedly comforting Yan while taking out a handkerchief from her sleeve to hand over.

  "Ah, I hope so!" Mr. Yan took over the handkerchief and wiped his face with a sigh.

  The two women sat in silence for a while, then Jiang asked again, "When will Xing Ge be back?"

  "It's going to be next spring, I reckon. The eastern part of Shengzhou has already been snowed in and the customs houses have all closed. Luckily, Xingge had planned ahead and got a batch of goods off his hands early, exchanging them for silver notes. But even if he wanted to hurry back, it's impossible."

  Mentioning her son, a hint of worry and sadness left Yan's face, and a warm, gentle smile appeared in her phoenix-like eyes.

  "Xing Ge is really promising, he's still young and already making money from the Tartars." Upon hearing his sister-in-law's words, Jiang Shi's face also broke out into a genuine smile.

  "What's the point of being a big man, not loving to read books? Where can you compare with your brother Shui Ge? Master always praises him, saying that the fourth young master of Ningping Houfu is knowledgeable and diligent, and will definitely get a scholar back next spring." Madam Yan heard this and smiled with her sleeve covering her mouth.

  "Look forward to it......" Jiang's family was holding back with all his might, but the smile on his lips couldn't be retracted.

  Sons are undoubtedly the best and most precious in their mothers' hearts. When mentioning sons, both of them had joyful expressions on their faces, and the gloominess in the room was instantly dissipated.

  "Madam, Ninth Sister has arrived..." At this time, Zhou Mama's voice came from outside the door.

  The two people in the house were both stunned, Jiang furrowed his brow, while Yan's face sank.

  "Let her in!" After a moment of silence, Jiang spoke up, then looked at Yan, "This child isn't one to be trifled with."

  Yan didn't say anything, just curled up his lips and smiled.

  It didn't take much effort, and the crimson flower-patterned door curtain was lifted. Zhou Mama led a slender figure, bypassing the pair of purple sandalwood carved auspicious screens with golden mountain and water figures, into the inner room.

  Jiang's gaze fell on that figure——

  She wore the common double buns of a young girl, with fair skin and eyebrows that were still tender but gentle and elegant, making her look very comfortable to behold.

  Especially when her gaze fell on the pale pink small eight treasure pendant on Wenjiu's sister, her eyes became even softer.

  This was still given to tenth sister when it was new because it was too big and didn't fit, so she took the initiative to give it to her, then made a new one for her own biological daughter...

  "Mother! Eldest maternal aunt!"

  Looking at the two people sitting on the kang, Wenjiu naturally didn't dare to be careless and quickly bowed her head to greet them.

  Jiang let Zhou's mother bring over a stool for her to sit on, while Yan chatted with her for a few sentences.

  Wen Jiu's sister naturally didn't think she was popular just because of this. In the two years since she came to this strange world and lived in this big house, what she learned most was how to observe people's expressions. The indifference on Jiang's face and the boredom in Shen's eyes had long been seen through by her.

  Especially when she stood under the wisteria arbor and saw only Zhou Mama standing at the entrance, she had already realized that she might have come at an inopportune time.

  Zhou Mama was the personal maid of Third Madame, and also her confidante, but she had been sent to guard the entrance, which meant that the conversation between Third Madame and Eldest Mistress must be extraordinary.

  Actually, if it wasn't for Aunt Zhou seeing her at that time, she would have already made a comeback...

  "Mother, the blessings from those candles that were sent over by my aunt today, I've made something small with them. Now, I'll bring it over to you and my aunt to lift your spirits!"

  She didn't drag out any nonsense and didn't dare to be mysterious, but directly took out the half of the colored candle that Qing Tao had wrapped in a silk handkerchief just now.

  The colorful candles' bright and lovely shape made the eyes of several people in the house shine instantly, especially the pair of bright and beautiful phoenix eyes of Yan Shi, which flashed with a hint of excitement.

  "Mrs. Zhou, would you mind helping me light this candle?" Wen Jiu's sister asked, looking at Mrs. Zhou again.

  "Mother, aunt, look at this candle wick... My daughter just tried it out, and you don't need to trim the wick with these three threads..."

  The candle was lit and burned slowly, in the faint scent that filled the room, Wenjiu sister began to explain to the two people in a soft voice.

  "Jiujie, you're not only good at making candles, but this idea of using three cotton wicks is even more brilliant! Eldest sister, don't you agree?"

  "Yes, yes, you say there are so many masters in our Jiang's wax workshop, how come none of them have such a good idea..."

  "It's actually nothing...". Facing the inquiring gaze of the two, Wenjiu sister's eyes shifted, and she said with some embarrassment, "I made this candle originally just to...to fill a dowry box for my third sister, but unexpectedly...unexpectedly it had an unexpected effect..."

  Jiang didn't say a word, Yan was startled by what he heard and was about to ask more questions, but saw Jiang put the teacup in his hand on the table with a moderate force.

  Yan's smile was enough to end the conversation.

  Wu Jiemei couldn't help but feel a little relieved, but at the same time, she also reminded herself to be more cautious in the future and to remember to hide her true abilities, for these women in the inner courtyard were not to be underestimated...

  ……

  Digression

  Everyone, Merry Christmas Eve! Sorry, it's been a busy and chaotic Christmas Eve, so I'm late!

  Remember to eat an apple, hehe...