Lu Jiamin was abducted by human traffickers when she was six years old during the Lantern Festival. After spending time in that dark and hopeless place, a shadow fell on her heart. She was afraid to go out, afraid to see people, and afraid that she would return to that place where no one could hear her cries for help.
Lu's mother was very worried that she would become a bad person because of this, so she sent her to the main family in Bianjing. She stayed there for several years and only returned from Bianjing last year. She was much bolder than when she left and was much more cheerful. Even this year, she took the initiative to say that she wanted to come out and enjoy the lanterns during the Lantern Festival.
Lu Jiamin came out to admire the lanterns for two reasons: first, she wanted to overcome her past fears; second, she wanted to see Yun Ling, her future sister-in-law. She was so interested in her that she almost made a mistake the moment she opened her mouth.
"Sister-in-law, Lingniang, may you have a peaceful and healthy Lantern Festival."
Yunling panicked even more now. She didn't remember ever seeing this person before. How did he know her name? What's more, this person was not only enthusiastic, but even the woman beside him looked at her with burning passion, as if she wanted to melt her.
"Young lady, you...you know me?"
Lu Jiamin then realized that she had been too abrupt and hurriedly explained, "Young Master Lu is my elder brother, and this is my mother."
Now it was Yunling's turn to feel uncomfortable. She had no idea what this person's name was, and after stammering for a while, she finally replied:
"May you, young lady and Madam Lu, enjoy the Lantern Festival? Are you here to admire the lanterns as well?"
“Yes, my brother left the city before the New Year to take care of business elsewhere and hasn’t returned yet, so it’s just us out for a stroll. We never expected to run into Lingniang. What are you doing here…”
Yunling didn't feel ashamed of what she was doing, so she picked up a lantern and introduced it generously:
“I’m currently in the business of briefs and menstrual pads. I was originally planning to target the middle and upper classes, but now that I see many shops in the city have also launched briefs, I want to make my own brand known.”
"Let me help you push it."
As Lu's mother spoke, she reached for the lantern in Yunling's hand. Yunling was flattered and overwhelmed; how could she possibly ask someone else's mother to help her with this?
"No, thank you for your kindness, Madam Lu. I know that you have helped me a lot in secret, otherwise I wouldn't have so many orders. I was thinking of finding an opportunity to thank you."
"Then why don't you come over to the Lu family for a simple meal?"
Yunling's lips twitched. She never expected this person to respond so quickly, leaving her in a dilemma.
“Mother, why do you say that? Lingniang came to thank you, not to owe you a favor.”
Lu Jiamin pulled her mother up, and Yunling breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but soon Lu Jiamin continued:
"We should wait for my brother to come back before we eat, Lingniang, don't you think?"
Yunling: ? ? ?
Mother Lu quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, look at me, I'm getting old and my memory is failing. I've completely forgotten that Huai-ge'er went on a long trip. Ling-jie'er is more familiar with Huai-ge'er, so she'll have someone to talk to when she comes home. I was so forgetful."
Yunling: ? ? ?
“Since that’s what Lingniang thinks, then let’s wait for my brother to come back and make an appointment. Let’s leave it at that.”
"It's a promise, it's a promise."
Yunling: ? ? ?
During this entire process, Yunling couldn't utter a single word. By the time she could speak again, Lu Jiamin and her mother were already carrying the lanterns and walking forward, introducing "Zhaoyeqing" to people as they went. This left Yunling both amused and exasperated.
After a night of deliveries, all four of them had delivered all the lanterns they had. Only Yun Ruochun's orders were all delivered. She even ran into the family that had placed an order with them before, and immediately placed two more orders for cotton pads.
Yun Chu's situation was different. She was stationed on the south side, and the lanterns were the first to be distributed. However, after the loud-mouthed woman announced the price of the lanterns, everyone knew that they cost thirty-two coins for a pair of briefs. Everyone shook their heads in dissatisfaction, and some even made some unpleasant noises.
"Thirty-two coins a piece? Is it edged with gold? You only get forty coins a day for carrying things at the dock. And this little piece of cloth is going for thirty-two coins? I must have been blinded by lard to buy it from you."
"That's right. Everyone says that these young women don't understand the hardships of life. Their families struggle to make ends meet, but they squander all the money. They're really a worry."
"The younger generation doesn't know the hardships of earning money. Take my new wife, for example. I'm doing needlework and I'm reluctant to eat or drink, but she turns around and buys a silk flower belt. Can you believe it?"
"..."
Yunling found it amusing to watch Yun Chu's face darken as she spoke. This was only the second time she'd seen Yun Chu with such a dark expression, aside from the last time Yun Chu mentioned Pei Lin. Curious, she asked:
"Did your elder sister answer them?"
“Of course.” Yun Chu nodded and continued, “I said they don’t understand.”
"Where is the blockage?"
"Everyone has their own way of living. If you are willing to save money and not be willing to eat or drink, that is your own business. Why should you use that to demand others? It may seem pitiful, but it is actually moral blackmail to make you feel guilty."
Yunling wholeheartedly agreed with this statement. She hated moral blackmail the most, and if she encountered such a person, she would rather be morally devoid of any morals herself.
"What happened after my sister said that?"
"I got scolded."
These words were perfectly normal, but Yun Chu's serious expression and unsmiling demeanor made it all the more amusing. Yun Ling started laughing, followed closely by Yun Ruochun and Yun Ruoxia. The laughter dispelled the vexation in Yun Chu's heart, and by the time she returned home, her mood had returned to normal.
After the Lantern Festival,
Everyone got busy. The Fan family had a prosperous New Year. Once the days when they shouldn't have been doing needlework were over, they started making panties and menstrual cloths to replenish their stock.
Yunling wasn't idle either. After picking mushrooms with Yun Ruoxia, she followed Yun Shenghua to the county town. When they arrived at Shengfu Restaurant, Manager Zhou's face broke into wrinkles with a big smile when he saw Yunling.
Although he often stayed at Shengfu Restaurant, he was very well-informed. The fact that Madam Lu and Madam Zhang had a pleasant conversation during the Chrysanthemum Gathering had spread throughout their circle.
Furthermore, Lu Yinghuai's private time with a young woman and his public admission of his affections sparked heated discussions. Manager Zhou had only met Yun Ling and knew that Yun Ling was Yun Shenghua's youngest daughter, so he immediately concluded that Yun Ling was the young woman.
The third branch of the Yun family is quite capable. One was chosen by Master Qin's son, and the other by the young master of a business. Both families are prestigious, and young ladies in the city would do anything to get into them.
"Manager, why are you smiling like that? Is the restaurant so busy that you can't even count the copper coins?"
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