Chapter 129: Sisters' Gathering

Only a few scattered lotus flowers and withered leaves remained in the pond. After dinner, the family went to the garden to light lanterns and play.

Lu Xingran was energetic and ran around without getting tired, which made Lu Yanli nervous. He kept a close eye on her, afraid that she would fall or hurt herself.

Qiao Mianmian leaned against the artificial hill, chatting with Lu Zhao from time to time. "Grandmother wrote a letter saying that she breathed a sigh of relief after your second brother passed the imperial examination and missed Yanli and the others."

Grandma Lu is getting old and it's not good for her to travel and work hard these past two years, so Lu Zhao and the others have been taking the children to Bianjing to visit relatives.

Her idea was for the young couple to pack up and go to Bianjing this morning to reunite, and ideally, stay for the New Year.

The old man wanted to be surrounded by his children and grandchildren, and Qiao Mianmian was happy to bring the children to visit relatives. However, Lu Zhao couldn't stay for long, since he held an official position.

Lu Zhao mostly listened to the Lu family's affairs, and even when his younger brother asked him about them, he would deny knowing anything.

He always kept a low profile when he went to Bianjing, and he didn't associate with his other relatives.

"We'll go after the Mid-Autumn Festival and come back before it snows," Lu Zhao said.

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Qiao Mianmian noticed that her daughter's temples were wet and told the two of them to stop. "Alright, it's about time to rest. Go back and wash up and go to bed."

Lu Xingran was reluctant to go back to rest, but her mother had spoken, so she had no choice but to go back with Cuizhi.

Two days later, Lin Wangchun and Lin Xiahe arrived with their families. Lin Wangchun later had a son and a daughter, while Lin Xiahe had two daughters, making them both three children.

Three plus three, then two more, and suddenly there were eight children in the family, which was quite a lively scene.

The eldest, Li Tao, is already ten years old, and she has become the leader of the children. Growing up in the village, this little girl is never restrained; on her very first day, she led her younger siblings to climb trees and raid bird nests.

Several children gathered under the tree, chattering and calling out "Sister!"

Only Lu Yanli stood under the corridor with a stern face, refusing to play no matter what.

Qingjiu chimed in, "Brother, look how much fun the other girls and boys are having, why don't you join in?"

"I won't go." Lu Yanli thought to himself that raiding bird nests was too dirty. If his mother hadn't locked the study, he would definitely be studying. Even practicing martial arts was better than climbing trees.

Qingjiu shook her head in confusion, "It's so much fun! Look how happy they are!"

“Just a bunch of kids, all they know is how to play,” Lu Yanli said.

Qingjiu glanced at the little master beside him, who only reached his waist, and reached out to rub the little master's head. "Aren't you a child too? Grandma isn't here, so how come you're raised to be the same as an adult when you were a child?"

Lu Yanli asked, "Was Father always this diligent?"

"Yes, the master studies so diligently that I have to get up before dawn to keep up with him. It's exhausting. And then... hey, where are you going?" Before Qingjiu could finish speaking, the young master had already run off.

Lu Yanli ran to find his father, but when he saw his uncle and the others were there, he didn't know how to ask them.

Lu Zhao could tell that his son had something to say, so he told his son to ask directly.

"Qingjiu said that Father studied diligently when he was young. Son would like to ask you why you did not continue to participate in the imperial examinations?" Lu Yanli asked sincerely, he really wanted to know the answer.

In the academy, every student wanted to pass the imperial examinations, and the teachers placed the pursuit of official rank at the highest level. Oh, except for his fourth aunt's husband.

Lu Zhao was stunned. He knew his son would ask this sooner or later, but he didn't expect it to be at such a young age.

“Because life has its turning points. Not everyone has a smooth journey. Some people are dedicated to scientific research and are willing to work hard and pay any price for it. Others give up halfway and switch to something else. When you reach a certain age, you start to meet more people and gain new insights, and new things will challenge your current values. As for whether to change, that’s your own decision. Once you make a decision, just don’t regret it later.” Lu Zhao answered his son very seriously.

Seeing that Lu Yanli was still confused, Wang Chuang continued, "The imperial examination is like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge. Most people, like your fourth uncle, are not particularly talented in studying and can only pass the county-level exam. Some people become depressed and give up on themselves because of this. I think it's really unnecessary. It's not easy to accept being mediocre, but looking ahead, there are many people who are worse than me."

"Since you've reached the limit of your talent, it's time to stop. Life isn't just about taking the imperial examinations. Look at me now, I live a comfortable life, and my husband and I are very loving. Can you say I'm not doing well?"

Wang Chuang took the provincial examination two years ago. He wouldn't give up until he took it once, but he gave up completely after taking it once.

He thought that if he prepared for a few more years, he might have an unexpected windfall, but reality proved cruel; there were simply too many capable people out there.

Lu Yanli looked at his fourth uncle and thought for a moment. His fourth uncle was the most approachable teacher in the academy. He was usually kind and often smiled at people.

Indeed, my fourth aunt's husband is doing quite well.

Li Shouye also said, "I'm not as good as your father and your fourth aunt's husband. I didn't go to school when I was young. It was only later, when my family had a business, that I started to learn to read. But my family's livestock business is already one of the largest in the surrounding villages. Our brick house is bigger than that of the landlords. I think my life is pretty good."

Lu Yanli looked at the three men in the room. They had different personalities and did different things, but they were all satisfied with their current lives.

He seemed to understand a little bit: there are many paths in life, and how to choose one depends on his future opportunities.

Lu Zhao came over and patted his son's head. "Alright, you're still young, you don't need to think so much. If you like reading, then read more. If you don't want to read anymore, you can tell me and your mother anytime. Although our family isn't rich, we can still provide for you and Xingran without worrying about food and clothing, as long as you two are of good character."

He patted his son on the back and said, "Go play with Tao Jie and the others. You're only six years old. You'll have a lot of hard work ahead of you."

Lu Yanli was pushed out by his father. Just as he reached the door, he heard his sister shouting.

"Big brother, come quick! My cousin caught a shrimp!" Lu Xingran was especially excited. Her older brother was upright and wouldn't usually let her play around like that.

Seeing her older brother still standing there, she ran over and pulled him along. "Look, look, there are four in total. How come I didn't know there were shrimp in our pond? Do you think they're edible?"

Lu Yanli looked at the thumb-sized shrimp and thought for a moment, "Probably not."

"That's a real pity." Lu Xingran wanted to eat stir-fried river shrimp. She was the kind of person who would say whatever came to mind, so she immediately went to Cuizhi and told her what she wanted.

“Okay, girl, I’ll go buy it tomorrow,” Cuizhi said.

As they were talking, Lin Xiahe came to call them for dinner. The children all knew that Aunt Wu's food was delicious, so as soon as they heard that dinner was served, the children dropped what they were holding and ran away.

The remaining siblings are Lu Xingran and Lu Xingran. One of them has short legs and can't run fast, and the other is just like that by nature.

"Brother, take my hand." Lu Yanli offered his hand.

Lu Xingran complained that it was too slow, "No, we have to run, otherwise the good food that Mother made will be gone in no time."

"If it's gone, it's gone. If you want to eat it, your mother will make it for you another day." Lu Yanli felt there was no need to rush.

"That's different, it tastes even better when everyone's fighting over it!" Lu Xingran let go of her older brother's hand and ran towards the front hall.

Seeing this, Lu Yanli had no choice but to quicken his pace. However, the meal his mother had prepared today was indeed lavish, and his cousins ​​couldn't take their eyes off it. Only he remained calm, sitting upright, waiting for the elders to say it was time to eat before picking up his chopsticks.

The adults sat at one table, and the children at another. When the older sisters came over, Qiao Mianmian happily cooked several extra dishes, especially the boiled beef. Beef is hard to find these days; it's not available every day. If you want to eat beef, you have to ask in advance.

Qiao Mianmian poured wine for her sisters, "This is fruit wine I made myself. It's sweet and sour and won't make you drunk. Even if you do get drunk, it's okay. The children will be taken care of. You can stay at my house. Come on, it's rare for us sisters to sit down and drink together. Cheers!"

Lin Xiahe and Lin Wangchun raised their glasses together, and the three sisters drank it all in one gulp. Lin Wangchun smacked her lips, "It is indeed sweet and sour, but there is no taste of alcohol."

“I can usually drink a whole pot by myself!” Qiao Mianmian said.

Lu Zhao glanced over and thought to himself that one pot is one pot, but he would get drunk after one pot.

However, Qiao Mianmian was happy. There's always so much to talk about between sisters, especially now that they're both mothers, they have so much to share about raising children.

The children ate quickly, while the adults drank. By the time Qiao Mianmian and the others finished drinking, it was already dark.

That night, Qiao Mianmian slept soundly, while Lu Zhao served her by her side, washing up and feeding her warm water from time to time. He didn't lie down until late at night.

The next day, when Qiao Mianmian got up, she rubbed her head and sat up. Seeing the man sleeping soundly next to her, she couldn't help but kiss him.

Seeing Lu Zhao open his eyes, Qiao Mianmian propped her head up with her hand and turned to look at him. "I have to say, after all these years, you haven't changed at all. You're still so handsome. Look, your eyes are eyes, your nose is a nose, so beautiful. Come, come, let your wife kiss you again... Hey, Lu Zhao, what are you doing!"

Qiao Mianmian wanted to tease Lu Zhao, but Lu Zhao turned over and pinned her down.

"When my grandmother went to propose marriage, you agreed. Was it because you liked my looks?" Lu Zhao asked.

Qiao Mianmian's eyes curved like the moon as she raised her hand to Lu Zhao's neck. "Your looks are also an advantage. Who told you to be so good-looking? I can't help but look at you for a while every time I see you."

When should I start watching more?

"this……"

Naturally, it was the first time Qiao Mianmian had met Lu Zhao, so she took several glances at him. But if she said that, Lu Zhao would definitely ask if she did the same when she saw other handsome men.

After thinking for a moment, Qiao Mianmian simply kissed Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao wanted to ask a few more questions, but the person in his arms hugged him tightly until someone knocked on the door.

It was Lu Xingran and the others.

"Mother, Mother, my cousin wants to go out for a walk. Are you up yet?" Lu Xingran tiptoed and knocked on the door. When she heard no response from inside, she turned around and asked her fourth aunt to carry her.

Lin Xiahe picked up her niece and heard her younger sister respond from inside the house, though she was slightly out of breath. She quickly gave Wang Chuang a look and said, "Alright, Xingran, let's go get ready. Your parents haven't gotten up yet."

She whispered to Wang Chuang, "Those two are really in love."

Wang Chuang chuckled and said, "We're not bad either."

"What nonsense are you talking about? The children are all here!" Lin Xiahe shrugged and gestured for Wang Chuang to remove his hand.

Inside the room, Qiao Mianmian and Lu Zhao looked at each other's loose undergarments. As soon as their eyes met, Qiao Mianmian jumped off the bed, not giving Lu Zhao a chance to catch her. "Third sister rarely comes to the city. Get up quickly and take them sightseeing. They have to go back this afternoon."

Lu Zhao looked resentful, but had no choice but to get up.

The group went to the bustling city center together and bought a lot of things for Lin Wangchun's family.

After seeing Lin Wangchun's family off, Qiao Mianmian and the others went home.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Qiao Mianmian asked for leave on Lu Yanli's behalf, packed her things, and prepared to go to Bianjing to visit Old Madam Lu.