Ninety-six worries like fleeting flowers

  In the New Year of 1937, it was still a pretty good year for everyone in the Wenfu government.

  Firstly, the second wife's daughter-in-law, Madame Feng, gave birth to a pair of twins, which delighted Miao Shi and made Li Taijun so happy that she couldn't close her mouth.

  Not only because this pair of tender and lovely babies are adorable, but also because the dragon and phoenix twins have auspicious and prosperous omens in the Great Viet Dynasty.

  "It seems that our family is going to move." Li Taijun's spirit lifted, and she drank the goat's milk that she usually didn't drink, while chatting with Fang's mother.

  She wants to live a good life, a healthy life, until the moment when the Wen family prospers.

  "Yes, yes......" Seeing the master and servant like this, Fang's mother, who was loyal, naturally became happy and chatty. "I heard that Third Young Mistress has also had a poor appetite for the past two days, her personal maid said she should be pregnant too."

  "Is that so......" Li Taijun was even more delighted when she heard this, and immediately gave orders to Fang's mother, "Wan Qing, you go... hurry up, let Erniang go to Xiaosan's house to invite the doctor to take a good look, don't be careless at all."

  "Yes!" Fang's mom nodded immediately.

  Watching the back of the figure disappearing at the door, Li Taijun's naturally stern face still had an unretracted smile.

  "By the way," said Cui Ping, who was standing on one side with a smile, "Old Lady, just now the fourth, sixth and eighth young ladies all sent word that they will be coming back tomorrow to celebrate the Lantern Festival."

  "Ah!" Old Lady Li nodded her head, and a faint smile spread across her aged face once again.

  This is also a point worth the old man's joy, three daughters although married not to any high-ranking officials, but often come and go, the old man at this age naturally loves this lively scene of grandchildren around his knees...

  "Old lady, Fourth Mistress has arrived." Just then, Cuiping came in to report.

  "Hmm..." Li Taijun nodded, "Let her in!"

  Cui Ping soon led Zhen Shi in. Zhen Shi first paid her respects to Lady Li, then sat down beside the old lady on the kang and chatted idly with her.

  "Fourth Master's family, the matter you mentioned to me a few days ago has been agreed upon and someone is already taking care of it." After exchanging a couple of pleasantries, the old man got down to business.

  "Really? Thank you, Old Lady Zhen!" As soon as she heard this, Madam Zhen's face lit up with joy and she immediately got up to kowtow.

  "Alright, alright," but was stopped by the old man's waving hand. The old man then said, "The place is just next to Old Fourth's house. I hope you will instruct and supervise your family's Old Fifth well, letting him study hard and strive to enter this esteemed school with his two older brothers."

  This year, due to the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday, the court decided to hold an additional examination after autumn, which made all the scholars under the sky feel extremely delighted and ambitious. The Second Master Wen Jingyue and Fourth Master Wen Jingshui of the Wen family were naturally among these scholars.

  In fact, it's not just these two people, there is also another person in Wenfu who is very enthusiastic about this subject, that is Zhen Shi.

  Her eldest son, also the younger brother of Little Eleven, Wen Jingmu, is already thirteen years old. He has studied at a clan school for several years and last year, Madam Zhen even hired a tutor to teach him at a high salary.

  This year, looking at his son, he naturally had a passion for having a child who was just growing up, and coincidentally, it was the time of the imperial examination, so Zhen Shi naturally wanted his son to take a shot.

  The first step in making a good start is to create a good reading environment for Wen Jingmu, so Zhen Shi came to find Li Taijun, hoping to get a quiet yard for his son, just like Wenjing Moon and Wenjing Water.

  However, although the request was excessive, she was genuinely worried for a few reasons: firstly, her own son was not outstanding, and secondly, there were not many empty rooms in the mansion at present.

  But what she didn't expect was that Mrs. Li agreed, and quite readily at that. How could she not be delighted? When did the old lady ever become so easy to talk to...

  "Ah, in the new year, I hope you all have a fulfilling life. Alright, alright, I'll just take it easy then." The old man said.

  Last year's series of blows made the old man more open-minded and accommodating. Now, in his lifetime, if the Wen family can prosper, that would be best; even if they cannot prosper, it is not bad to have a harmonious family.

  Zhen's family sat for a while and then left. The old man was ready to take a nap, although she seemed spirited now, her energy was dwindling day by day.

  "Old lady, Ninth Sister, Tenth Sister and Eleventh Sister have arrived." But the old lady was instructing Cui Feng to help her lie down, just as Cui Ping came in.

  "Old lady, or I'll go and tell a few girls to come over in a while..." Cui Feng immediately looked at her.

  "No need, I was just thinking of having a chat with these girls." Madam Li immediately waved her hand at her, then looked at Cuiping and said, "Let them in!"

  Cui Ping responded and went out, soon leading several girls in.

  Mrs. Li's gaze fell on several people——

  The one walking in the front was Jiu Jie, wearing a water-red complexion with floral embroidery on her sleeves and a honey-colored silk dress with silver thread and auspicious cloud patterns, elegant yet radiant, complementing her smooth and delicate facial features, truly perfect, with an air of quiet elegance.

  When did that thin and pale girl with no presence become so beautiful? The old man couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly, and she was in no way inferior to the little ten walking behind him.

  Hmmm...

  The old man's gaze fell on Shijie again, but in terms of looks, Xiaoshi was still a bit more outstanding.

  Persimmon red scattered gold thread, lotus-colored edge jacket, water shadow red dense weave golden line reunion flower long skirt, plus that beautiful face, fair skin, really comparable to flowers, making people can't help but want to take a closer look.

  It's so beautiful, I don't know what kind of family Old Three's wife will find for her in the future...

  "Tai Jun's grandmother, you only look at Ninth Sister and Tenth Sister, why don't you ever look at me?" The old lady was looking right at her, but the little eleventh one walking in the back wasn't satisfied.

  "You little girl..." The old man immediately scolded her, "You're also jealous, really, this morning when we were playing chess I didn't keep an eye on you the whole time."

  The little girl pouted and stopped talking, while Jiu Jie and Shi Jie immediately looked at her with a smile.

  "Haha......" Li Taijun also smiled, his eyes falling on Xiao Shi's body.

  Two braids, emerald green rolled edge satin face flower patterned dark stripes on the front of her jacket, a whole face full of wild and innocent smile, still just a little girl.

  However, she was also relieved that this girl was at least not like Zhen Shi.

  Several sisters paid their respects to Mrs. Li, and Cuiping and Cuifeng brought tea and refreshments, after which the several family members sat down to talk.

  "...... Old lady, let's continue playing tomorrow. I'll bring over my chess set. My board is bigger, just right for your old eyes."

  At this time, Little Eleven had already completely thrown away the little knots in his heart from just now and began to enthusiastically arrange tomorrow's chess battle.

  "Alright!" Mrs. Li nodded.

  Ever since Ninth Sister taught the jump chess to Little Eleven, this jump chess has been popular in the mansion. Whether it's the masters or the servants, they all love to play. Recently, Mrs. Li has become obsessed with it and plays several games with Little Eleven every day.

  "It's still not enough!" But after a while, Mrs. Li said, "Tomorrow your several sisters will come back home to celebrate the Lantern Festival."

  "Really?" Several people were delighted when they heard this.

  "Of course!" Li Taijun nodded, but suddenly remembered something and turned to Jiu Si'er, "Jiu Yaotou, tomorrow your sisters and brothers-in-law are all coming over, you'll have to work hard again and help the kitchen prepare a few more fresh dishes."

  "Grandma can rest assured, Jiu has taken note." Ninth Sister hastily nodded in response.

  "Big sister Jiu is going to cook again, haha, we're in luck!" Upon hearing this, little eleven immediately exclaimed with delight.

  "Yes, Ninth Sister, especially that jelly was delicious, I must get some more next time!" Tenth Brother said.

  "Alright!" Jiujie smiled and nodded.

  "Hmm, you say Xiao Jiu's brain is how it grew, why does she have so many strange and peculiar ideas?" Li Taijun also smiled and looked at Jiu sister.

  "Yes, yes......" The two little girls looked at her with eyes full of admiration.

  "It's just nonsense." Jiujie hastily said, but her heart was greatly embarrassed.

  Plagiarizing some people's inventions in her past life, she really wasn't there to put on a show.

  It's just that the days are passing comfortably, and with a good mood, I suddenly thought of those small eats from my past life, and I really miss them. Coincidentally, it's also the time for the annual New Year's celebration at the mansion, so Jiang let her help manage the kitchen... Who would have thought it would cause such a big commotion? My heart is uneasy.

  Having received this mission, Jiu Jie didn't stay any longer and bid farewell to Li Taijun, pulling Shi Jie and Xiao Shiyi to the kitchen.

  Satisfying one's cravings is also a great pleasure in life!

  The next day, Fourth Sister Xie Jun, Sixth Sister Luo Siyuan and Eighth Sister Jiang Yuxing arrived early at the mansion, which was once again bustling with activity.

  In the evening, several of the men went home, but all the girls stayed behind. With fine wine and food, plus the fun of playing cards, there was harmony among everyone, and naturally it was a joyful scene once again.

  "...Sister Wen, it seems that the water and soil of the Jiang family are indeed good. You have really opened my eyes." Amidst the laughter and chatter, Liu sister naturally didn't forget to tease Ba sister.

  "And what about you, Sixth Sister? Haven't you changed a lot too?" Before Eighth Sister could even open her mouth, Fourth Sister had already taken over the conversation and started teasing Sixth Sister.

  Sixth sister's face turned red, she stretched out her hand and laughed with her, "You said I, look, for my fourth brother-in-law, didn't you also want to grow vegetables, cultivate fields and be a landlady?"

  Fourth sister listened and immediately scolded her, "What a landlord's wife, it sounds terrible."

  "Haha......" The crowd burst out laughing immediately.

  "What's so funny? You're such a loser, can't even be a landlady?" Just as the sisters were enjoying themselves, they heard this cold voice from outside.

  The sound stopped abruptly, and everyone's eyes fell on the door.

  Who else could it be? It was naturally Old Mother Zou, supported by Third Sister-in-law, who had been helped up by Eldest Sister-in-law.

  Zou Shi was originally dissatisfied with Liu Si's marriage to Luo Siyuan, and her daughter never got close to her after returning home, only gathering with a group of sisters. Even when she wanted to have a private conversation with her, she had to come over herself, which naturally made Zou Shi resentful.

  In front of all the sisters and servants, being scolded by her mother like this, especially since it also involved her husband Luoshiyuan, Liu Xiang naturally felt extremely humiliated, her face instantly turning bright red.

  "Hehe... Eldest Aunt, what's so good about being a landlady? It's dirty and tiring every day, isn't it also without dignity?" Seeing the situation turn out like this, Fourth Sister naturally felt embarrassed and quickly spoke up to mediate.

  "Yes, Great Aunt!" Ninth Sister also stood up.

  She didn't like the Zou family, but she didn't want Liu Jie to suffer because of this. After all, Liu Jie and Luosi's marriage was something she had planned herself.

  Alas...

  This Zou is really blind, it's all like this but still unwilling to accept the fact, she really thinks she's pitiful.

  When Jiuniang and she spoke, Zou Shi immediately looked over, her eyes were somewhat unusual and cold.

  Jiuniang couldn't help but feel a sudden drumbeat in her heart, was there something wrong? Could it be... that she knew about helping Liujiu with her marriage?

  "Mother, don't worry, no matter how poor or down on my luck I become in the future, I will never be a burden to you. Didn't I not take any of your dowry?" Jiujie's expression changed to shock and surprise, while Liujie, who had been humiliated by her own mother, began to counterattack resolutely.

  "You...... you......"

  Mrs. Zou's face turned pale with anger, she had originally wanted to force Liu's sister to submit with her dowry, but unexpectedly Liu's sister really didn't want the dowry she gave, as a result, it made her even more displeased, and now she was speechless.

  "Aunt, uncle is back, waiting for you!" At this critical moment, a slender figure in a blue peony-patterned long gown hurried over.

  It's exactly Zou Zhener!

  Wen Jia became this girl's best shelter from the wind, and even didn't go back for Chinese New Year. As a result, Zou Shi became more and more dependent on this younger cousin.

  Since she was so dependent on her, Zou Zhener's words were naturally heard by her, so Mrs. Zou didn't continue to quarrel with Liu Jie here and turned around to leave with a flick of her sleeve.

  Seeing Zou Shi leave, Zou Zhener smiled at the crowd of sisters-in-law, "Everyone, please continue!" After finishing speaking, she also turned around and chased after Zou Shi.

  Liu Jie's anger had yet to dissipate, and she let out a cold hum towards her back.

  "Thanks to Cousin Zhen'er." But unexpectedly, Ninth Sister turned around and said to her.

  Sixth sister was taken aback and looked at Ninth Sister, who nodded at her in response.

  Sixth sister suddenly realized, ah, thanks to this cousin, because the person she took care of was her mother, blood ties cannot be cut off.

  After this episode, the sisters naturally lost interest. The tenth sister and the eleventh sister went to play chess, while the fourth sister pulled the eighth sister and the sixth sister to talk. The ninth sister originally wanted to go back to sleep, but was stopped by the sixth sister who chased her out.

  "Come on, let's go for a walk, Ninth Sister!" Sixth Sister pulled her out of the door.

  The night of winter days is originally cold, and with the lead-colored silver moonlight on top of it, it adds a few more degrees of chill.

  The two sisters both wrapped their cloaks tightly around them and walked slowly along the winding road, which was quite interesting in its own way.

  " Ninth sister, there's something I want to tell you!" As they walked, Sixth Sister suddenly stopped.

  "Hmm..." Ninth Sister nodded, she knew that she had something to say to her, otherwise she wouldn't have dragged her out for a walk on such a cold day.

  Just don't know what's wrong? Is it hard to speak up?

  At the mention of Ninth Sister's eyes, which were clearer than moonlight, Sixth Sister couldn't help but let out a soft sigh and fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "Ninth Sister, Brother-in-law is engaged to be married, to the eldest daughter of Duke Jiangdong!"

  "Oh..." Jiuniang was slightly stunned, then smiled, "Well, congratulations to him. This Jiang Dong Wang is not bad, I heard his eldest daughter is intelligent, beautiful, virtuous and talented!"

  After her few words, Liu Jie'er was stunned, looking at Jiu Jie'er, "Ninth sister, you..."

  "I know myself, I'm not a self-unaware person. Sixth sister, after all these years, don't you still understand me?" Ninth sister said again.

  The sixth sister looked at her again, "Ninth sister, you...you really don't care?"

  "What does it matter?" Jiuniang smiled again, "And how would I have a say in this anyway?"

  "Actually..." Liu Jie'er sighed silently again, "Actually, Brother Biao..."

  "Sixth sister, look - a wishing lantern!" But Ninth Sister suddenly pointed to the distant sky and said.

  Sixth sister was taken aback and looked in the direction she pointed, immediately seeing a wishing lamp floating gently in the sky.

  "Hehe... it's really fun, okay, Ninth Sister, let's not chat anymore, I'll go ask Qingxiang to prepare a few more dishes." Sixth Sister immediately became interested and smiled like a child.

  "Go ahead!" The ninth sister nodded at her.

  Until she saw Liu Jie's robust and lithe figure disappear into the distance, Jiu Jie's smile slowly faded, then turned back to enter the house.

  What does this have to do with her? How could his parents possibly agree to him marrying her, she's always been the most understanding one...

  Back in the house, she found Qing Xiang and Qing Tao also making lanterns. She couldn't help but go forward to assist, but accidentally, the scissors touched her hand, and bright red blood immediately flowed out.

  "Miss, are you okay?"

  The two girls immediately became anxious and hurriedly gathered around.

  But it's better not to look, once I saw that they were scared to death, because their daughter was actually crying, silently shedding tears.

  "Miss, is it very painful?"

  "Girl, I'm going to get medicine!"

  The two girls were instantly flustered.

  "It's nothing, I'll be fine in a bit!" But Jiu Jie'er just shook her head at the two of them and then walked into the inner room under their astonished gaze.

  Lying in bed, gazing at the bright moonlight outside, she couldn't help but let her tears fall again.

  Doesn't it matter? How can it possibly not matter?

  She knew it might be an illusion, but she still kept the promise to that young man in her heart, because it was really too beautiful, satisfying all the fantasies in every girl's heart!

  It's just a pity that this dream was too short-lived, like a fleeting flower, blooming and then withering away in the blink of an eye. The silent cycle drifted away in the quiet night, a heartache known to no one...

  Time flies like a long-legged bird, and in the blink of an eye, January has passed, welcoming February, and it's already the time of year when spring is warm and flowers bloom.

  On this clear morning, the women of the Wen household were at Lady Li's residence in Yanshou Hall, chatting idly while admiring Madame Feng's twin boys, when a servant woman rushed in, "Old lady, someone from the palace has arrived, they've come to invite Ninth Young Miss, and that person is currently speaking with Master Hou in the front courtyard!"

  Uh...

  Everyone was stunned.

  "Hurry...hurry, help Xiao Jiu quickly gather his things!" Li Taijun reacted quickly and said excitedly.

  The surprise on everyone's face was replaced by envy.

  Only Jiū Jiě this party's heart was deeply furrowed, what other unexpected events lay ahead...

  ……

  Digression

  You guys don't take pictures of me, the wedding really came, time is tight, just update a little bit first, hehe... sorry about that.