After the Wang family's fall, the capital seemed to be bathed in a spring rain. The undercurrents and clamorous disputes that had previously fueled the Wang family's power quietly dissipated, and the entire capital was immersed in a long-lost tranquility. The sun gently shone on the streets and alleys, draping this ancient city with a golden veil, and the faces of the people were filled with a sense of ease and comfort.
In the courtyard of the Prime Minister's residence, Su Jinli leisurely dried books. She neatly arranged the ancient tomes on a bamboo bookshelf. Sunlight filtered through the mottled leaves, illuminating the pages. The ancient texts seemed to take on new life under this warm glow. Su Jinli quietly read the books, her thoughts wandering between the lines, immersed in a sea of knowledge.
Siyan, beside him, was engrossed in his abacus, his little head bobbing with the movement of the beads. He muttered to himself as he diligently calculated the silver seized from the Wang family's confiscation. His concentration was so intense that it seemed as if the entire world consisted only of him and the abacus in his hands. His delicate fingers moved nimbly across the abacus, creating a crisp sound that seemed to play a unique melody.
Nianli squatted beside a flowerpot, carefully burying chili seeds in the soft soil. Her rosy face was filled with anticipation, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement. "Mom, are you growing chilies for Grandma?" Nianli asked innocently, looking up. Her voice, as clear as a silver bell, echoed throughout the courtyard.
Su Jinli was slightly startled, her thoughts instantly drifting back to the past, her biological mother's gentle and kind face emerging in her mind. A wave of warmth surged in her heart, and she gently touched Nianli's head, a gentle smile on her lips: "Give it to your father, he can eat spicy food the best."
At that moment, Jiang Yan happened to emerge from the study. He was dressed in a light blue robe, with an upright figure and an elegant demeanor. Upon hearing Su Jinli's words, he feigned anger and said, "Madam, you're framing me again." His feigned anger made everyone laugh.
Si Yan seemed to have discovered some important secret. He excitedly pushed the abacus in front of Jiang Yan and said loudly: "Dad, the Wang family has enough money to buy 100,000 strings of candied haws!" He looked so excited, as if the 100,000 strings of candied haws were already in front of him.
"Wow, one hundred thousand strings of candied haws, that's a lot!" Nianli clapped her hands, her eyes wide open, her face full of surprise.
At this moment, Young Marquis Su ran in like a gust of wind, carrying a newly made wooden sword, with a proud smile on his face: "Sister! I made a small sword for Siyan!" He handed the wooden sword to Siyan, his eyes full of expectation, as if waiting for Siyan's praise.
Su Qingyao followed closely behind, walking lightly, holding a newly blended "Zhuangyuanhong" rouge in her hand, as delicate and charming as a blooming flower. She walked over to Nianli and said with a smile, "Nianli, try this; it's better than Wang's gouache." Her gentle tone, like a spring breeze, gently caressed Nianli's heart.
Su Xiang, stroking his beard, walked slowly in from the doorway with a loving smile on his face. He clutched a banknote in his hand and walked up to Su Jinli, saying, "Jinli, Dad has bought you a bookstore in Jiangnan. You can write whatever you want." Su Xiang's eyes were filled with doting and expectation. He hoped that his daughter could freely pursue her passion.
"Thank you, Dad!" Su Jinli accepted the banknote, feeling deeply moved. She knew that this bookstore was not only a gift, but also a token of her father's support and encouragement.
The afterglow of the setting sun gradually shone across the courtyard, tinting it with an orange-red glow, like a vibrant painting. Siyan and Nianli chased butterflies in the courtyard, their laughter dancing like cheerful notes in the air. The butterflies, seemingly infected by their joy, danced among the flowers, playing with the children.
Young Marquis Su, on the side, diligently taught Si Yan and Nian Li sword dancing. His posture was swift and his sword danced with flying flowers, each move imbued with power and beauty. Si Yan and Nian Li followed suit, their movements a bit immature, but their dedication was no less than that of an adult.
Su Qingyao sat on a nearby stone bench, intently mixing rouge. She held various bottles and jars, carefully blending the pigments according to the correct proportions, her expression focused as if she were creating a truly extraordinary masterpiece. The faint fragrance of rouge filled the air, adding a touch of romance to the warm scene.
Jiang Yan sat quietly beside Su Jinli, helping her sort through the pages. His movements were gentle and practiced, his eyes filled with love. Occasionally, he would look up at the joyful scene in the courtyard, a pleased smile on his face.
Su Jinli watched all this unfold, a surge of warmth welling up in her heart. She suddenly understood that the unforgettable grievances of her past life, after enduring countless hardships and setbacks, had become like nectar precipitated over time, transforming into sweet memories that permeated every day of this life. All that past pain now became a reason for her to cherish the happiness she now possessed.
"What are you thinking about, Madam?" Jiang Yan noticed Su Jinli's distraction and gently held her hand, his eyes full of concern. His hand was broad and warm, as if it could dispel all the haze in Su Jinli's heart.
"I was thinking," Su Jinli raised her head and looked at Jiang Yan, her eyes gleaming with happiness. The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a bright smile, "Let's have stir-fried pork with chili tonight, with more chili."
"Okay, okay, I want to eat fried pork with chili peppers!" Nianli jumped up excitedly after hearing this.
The whole family burst into laughter at Su Jinli's words. The laughter was clear and melodious, echoing through the courtyard like a silver bell, drifting out of the prime minister's residence and startling the pigeons perched on the eaves. The pigeons flapped their wings and flew into the sky, as if they too were infected by the joyful atmosphere and wanted to share this happiness.
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