Chapter 104 Joy and Happiness "Shut up, I don't want to hear it."

As autumn deepened, Xue Chan and Jiang Ce returned to the capital.

After arriving home, the two received an invitation from Shen Zhexia, inviting them to attend their child's one-month celebration.

Shen Zhe and Pei Jinglan had no relatives or friends in the capital, and since they were both quite frugal, they did most things themselves.

Therefore, the full moon banquet was only attended by Xue Chan, Jiang Ce, Li Wu, and a few other relatively close relatives.

The banquet wasn't large, but everyone sat together very warmly. After the banquet, the men and women separated to talk to each other.

Shen Zhe was holding a child and drinking tea with Jiang Ce and Li Wu in the flower hall.

Jiang Ce crossed his legs, peeled three oranges and gave them to them, then broke off segments and put them into his mouth one by one.

He watched with a smile as Shen Zhe coaxed the child, and joked, "You're quite good at your studies, and you're a good father too."

Li Wu took a sip of tea and chuckled, "Judging from how familiar you are with me, you must have taken good care of me all this time."

Shen Zhe gently patted the baby in the cradle and spoke softly.

"Both of Jinglan's and my parents are gone, and we have supported each other all the way to this day. We are inseparable. Now that we have this child, we feel even more fulfilled. She has been through too many impoverished days with me. Now that things are better, I will do as much as I can to spare her from hardship."

Li Wu smiled and said, "You two are so deeply in love; it's truly enviable."

Jiang Ce rested his chin on his hand and laughed at him: "What's the use of just being envious? It's not like you can just dream about having a wife fly into your arms."

Li Wu chuckled to himself.

Shen Zhe, who was below, asked, "Brother Li, do you have someone you love?"

Li Wu smiled and nodded slightly.

Shen Zhe asked again, "Then she..."

Li Wu thought for a moment and then said, "I think she probably likes me too. Or maybe she only likes me."

Jiang Ce raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue twice: "...That's really strange. You like her, and she likes you, so why not just be together?"

Li Wu smiled faintly, but lowered her eyes, her fingertips twirling the rim of her glass: "I like her, but I can't accept being together for now. I don't want to force her, so I'm waiting."

“Listen to me,” he leaned over and patted Li Wu on the shoulder, offering advice with an air of experience, “First, make her happy. Second, win her favor. As for the third…”

Jiang Ce stroked his chin, deep in thought, but still couldn't come up with an answer after a while. He pondered for a moment, then thought of using seduction, since everyone loves a beautiful face.

However, Jiang Ce didn't say that, based on his past experience, Xue Chan was quite receptive to this approach. But whether others would be receptive was another matter.

never mind.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you should figure it out for yourself." He patted Li Wu's shoulder earnestly, then sat back down and continued peeling oranges.

Li Wu was amused by him and teased, "It seems that Junior Sister is quite happy."

Jiang Ce replied without hesitation, "I'm quite happy too."

Seeing his expression, Shen Zhe couldn't help but ask, "You and Madam Xue got married before us, so why don't you have any children?"

child?

Jiang Ce swallowed the orange and subconsciously said, "We have many children."

Li Wudun Cup.

Chen Zhe was shocked.

"ah?"

Both of them were surprised and puzzled. Jiang Ce thought they were making a fuss over nothing and waved his hand: "We can't even take care of the birds, fish, cats, rabbits and horses we raise. We also have so many flowers and plants to take care of and we have to go out to collect inspiration and travel. We don't have time to have a baby."

Li Wu chuckled, rubbed his forehead, and continued drinking his tea.

Shen Zhe was taken aback by his unusual idea and didn't know how to respond for a moment. However, everyone has their own way of living, so he didn't offer any words of advice.

However, after they brought it up, Jiang Ce did give it a serious thought.

If Xue Chan were willing...

He wouldn't mind having another dog.

Jiang Ce's mouth fell silent for once as he reached for his teacup and pondered intently.

I might as well ask her when I get home tonight.

If Xue Chan is willing, he will pick out a puppy with her.

Personally speaking, it's best not to.

But what if Xue Chan really likes him?

Let him call out a couple of times for Xue Chan to hear, since he thinks he did a pretty good job.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ce recalled Xue Chan's annoyed yet restrained and ashamed expression, which was quite amusing.

He couldn't stop laughing, and sat there covering his mouth and swinging his legs, while writing a few words on the table.

Li Wu glanced at it; what he had written was "Woof woof woof".

"Woof woof woof"

"Waaaaah"

The barking of big dogs and small dogs rose and fell as Xue Chan and Pei Jinglan watched over the newborn puppies.

Xue Chan held one of the puppies in her arms and teased it with a smile.

Pei Jinglan rested her chin on her hand and watched her gently tease the dog. In just a moment, her smile vanished and turned into a soft sigh.

Xue Chan asked her, "Is it the children that's making you feel tired?"

“No.” Pei Jinglan shook her head. “Although it was hard to carry and give birth to this child, I was also looking forward to it. As for being tired, there’s a wet nurse during the day and a nurse at night, so it’s not too bad.”

She smiled gently: "Especially when Shen Zhe and I sit together watching her sleep peacefully, I feel so fulfilled. The three of us are together, and I'm so happy."

Xue Chan sighed softly, "But you are still... a little unhappy."

"It's funny, I feel happy, but I also feel unhappy..." Pei Jinglan exhaled and forced a smile: "I don't even know why I'm unhappy. Although he's here, he doesn't understand everything. Even though I tell him and he tries his best to do it, I still can't feel happy."

"Actually, I know it's not his fault, but sometimes I just don't want to see him."

As she spoke, Pei Jinglan stood up and smiled as brightly as ever.

"But I also thought about it, and maybe it was because I had nothing to do. When I was feeling down, I would go to his study to read books and draw."

"Sigh!" She put her hands on her hips and puffed out her cheeks. "I really want to draw. When I was little, my parents even hired a teacher for me. But I was too playful back then and didn't study properly. Later, my family fell on hard times, and I was busy making a living. Now I want to draw a few strokes to pass the time, but I'm not very good at it."

Pei Jinglan looked at Xue Chan and smiled gently, but there was also a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

"I still envy you a little, having something you're good at and something you love."

Xue Chan said, "Lord Shen's painting skills are also quite remarkable, why not let him teach you?"

Pei Jinglan frowned: "I want to learn, but I don't want him to teach me. So I can only find some books to read and figure it out myself."

As she spoke, she realized she was being inexplicably pretentious: "Madam Xue, you also think I'm being awkward, right? Instead of asking someone who can paint so well for guidance, I insist on figuring it out on my own."

Xue Chan ruffled the puppy's fur twice and then put it down, gesturing to Yun Sheng.

Yun Sheng met his gaze and brought over the box that had been prepared beforehand.

"Speaking of which, I have a gift for you."

Pei Jinglan quickly pushed it back: "You've already given the child a gold lock, there's no reason for you to accept another gift."

Xue Chan ignored her refusal and opened the box directly: "This gift is not for the child, it's for you."

"Huh?" Pei Jinglan was taken aback, and Xue Chan had already taken out the contents of the large box.

It was a large set of books.

Xue Chan pulled her to sit down and opened the book.

"This is a set of painting manuals that my parents compiled when I was a child so that I could learn to copy them. Later, I learned much faster and more, so I didn't need the manuals much anymore. Since you are interested in learning to paint, it's perfect to give it to you."

Pei Jinglan carefully touched the old but well-preserved pages: "But these were given to you by your parents."

Xue Chan smiled and said, "I am both their child and their student."

“Now, I’m giving it to you…” she laughed easily, teasing her, “Consider it as you becoming my student and learning my painting skills.”

Pei Jinglan was overjoyed and grabbed her hand.

"real?"

Xue Chan: "That's what I say, but I'm only teaching the girls around me how to play. I'm afraid I won't be able to teach you well."

"No, no, no!" Pei Jinglan hadn't expected to be her first student. Afraid that she would change her mind, she immediately said, "I want to learn. Please take me as your student. I will definitely study hard."

This is a case of mutual interest; we hit it off immediately.

Xue Chan bit her lip and said to Pei Jinglan, "My father has been teaching students in recent years and has continued to improve upon this set of painting manuals. I will give you my insights once he finishes compiling it."

Pei Jinglan held the book close to her chest and shook her head: "I'm already very satisfied with this."

She tilted her head and smiled, "Teacher, when will you begin your lessons?"

Xue Chan blushed slightly at being called that, and Pei Jinglan called her several more times.

"Teacher, teacher, teacher, please say something."

The room was immediately filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

"Cough cough cough," Xue Chan poured herself a cup of tea and gulped it down. Her face was still flushed, but she said seriously, "I'll go back and think about when and how to teach you. Once I've thought it through, I'll send someone to deliver a message to you."

Pei Jinglan nodded and pointed to the painting manual: "Then tell me about it first, and teach me as much as you can."

The maids immediately brought over writing brushes and ink.

Xue Chan recalled how her parents taught her when she was young, and then thought about what she had thought and realized over the years, and then picked and put them together to tell her.

She explained things in a simple and straightforward way, guiding Pei Jinglan as she spoke.

The two of them talked and learned from each other until dusk fell.

Xue Chan took her leave.

Shen Zhe saw them off at the door, and then called out to Xue Chan as they parted.

He wanted to frown slightly and ask a question, but Xue Chan had already answered first.

"Don't worry too much. I see that she is trying to explain herself, so the situation may not be too bad. I will keep in touch with her by letter from time to time, and I will also visit her or invite her to my home every now and then."

Shen Zhe breathed a sigh of relief and stepped back to bow earnestly to her.

"I am extremely grateful to Madam Xue."

Xue Chan smiled and comforted him, "It's not a big deal."

Shen Zhe said, "Last time I saw that Madam Xue really liked the Golden Tiger. Now that it has given birth to several kittens, why don't I give one to you?"

Jiang Ce raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms behind the two of them, and remained silent.

Xue Chan quickly refused, "No need."

Having one is annoying enough.

Her refusal was so decisive that Shen Zhe could only give up for the time being and bowed to express his gratitude.

Jiang Ce waved his hand and pulled Xue Chan into the carriage, saying, "Alright, hurry back and keep your wife and daughter company."

The carriage headed towards the Marquis of Wu'an's residence.

Xue Chan leaned against the car wall, and Jiang Ce leaned closer: "What, have you changed your mind?"

"......No."

Jiang Ce grinned mischievously: "It's alright, if you really want to hear it, I'll call it for you."

He found it intriguing and was about to speak.

Xue Chan reacted quickly and covered his mouth.

"Shut up, I don't want to hear it."

Jiang Ce's mouth was covered, but his face was already contorted with laughter. Even so, he still had to speak.

Xue Chan immediately threatened, "If you dare to call out, you'll be sleeping in the study tonight."

He immediately shut his mouth, and Xue Chan exhaled and took a short nap.

He wouldn't speak if Xue Chan told him not to, but he couldn't stay still when the two of them were together, and he kept snuggling up to her.

"......"

She felt that he seemed to have inexplicably found enjoyment in it, and was doing it with great enthusiasm.

Xue Chan and Pei Jinglan both agreed to learn to paint.

After returning to her residence, Xue Chan received her apprenticeship gift and immediately secluded herself in her study until dawn.

Jiang Ce lay on the bed, propping his head up, clearly dissatisfied.

He punched it angrily; it was worse than a dog barking.

As the days went by, the weather gradually turned colder, and the fragrance of plum blossoms grew stronger.

Early December.

After Xue Chan finished teaching Pei Jinglan, she corrected her paintings, wrote down what she had learned from the lesson, and made adjustments.

I worked on it until evening, and when I looked up again, it was already quite dark outside. The sky had been overcast for the past few days, as if it were going to snow, but it just wouldn't come.

It's so late, Jiang Ce should be back by now.

"First Peach"

Xue Chan summoned someone in and asked her to go out and inquire whether Jiang Ce was still in the palace.

He returned shortly after leaving, looking preoccupied.

She couldn't help but laugh and said, "You've only been out for a short while, why are you already unhappy?"

Chu Tao sat down beside her and said, "I asked, and the young master returned an hour ago. But before he even reached our courtyard, the old lady took him to the ancestral hall. It seems they had a fight, and he's still kneeling there."

Xue Chan's expression stiffened, and she asked her, "Do you know why you were arguing?"

"Everyone was dismissed, so they don't know," Chu Tao shook her head.

"I understand, you can go ahead and get back to work."

Chu Tao went out, and Yun Sheng, who was tidying up his drawings, said, "Shall I go out and find out what happened today?"

Xue Chan nodded.

The wind outside was biting, relentlessly blowing inside.

Jiang Ce knelt on the cold floor tiles of the ancestral hall, his head bowed deeply, like a stone carving nailed there.

I don't know how long I knelt, but then I heard a soft rustling sound outside.

He slightly raised his already stiff and immobile body and looked out the window by the light of the fire in the ancestral hall.

The sky was gloomy, the earth was dark, and yellow leaves were scattered all over the ground.

Snowflakes, carried by the wind, rushed into the half-open window and landed on his face.

Gentle and soft, shimmering and cool.

This is the first snowfall of the winter of the twenty-first year of the Chengping era.