The Cheng family banquet was a festive occasion. The entire Cheng residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and red candles were lit, creating a joyous and peaceful atmosphere.
The Cheng family members gathered together, sitting around a carved round table.
Grandpa Cheng raised his glass in a toast first, and everyone responded in kind. Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air.
After the banquet, as night deepened, the Cheng family members returned to their respective courtyards to celebrate the New Year.
The First Madam did not rest. She hurried between the courtyards, directing the maids and servants to clean up the leftover food and arrange the night watch.
She is meticulous and insists on personally overseeing everything, no matter how small.
With so many people needed for today's family banquet, and fearing that things might go wrong, the First Madam even brought out all the maids from her own courtyard and sent them to various parts of the mansion to help out.
Seeing that everyone had left, Madam Cheng was still thinking about her ancestor.
Our ancestors are getting old, and they need someone to accompany them when they stay up late on New Year's Eve.
So she quickly walked to Grandpa Cheng's side, glanced disdainfully at Second Master Cheng who was still holding the wine bottle, and urged softly, "Master, the ancestor is still waiting for us. Let's hurry over and not keep her waiting."
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Cheng nodded in agreement.
Along the way, Madam Cheng did not forget to instruct the servants to prepare a heater and hot tea, for fear that the old lady would catch a cold.
Upon arriving in the courtyard, they found the patriarch sitting in the warm pavilion, smiling as he waited for them.
Madam Cheng hurriedly stepped forward, draped a thick cloak over the old matriarch, and personally poured her a cup of hot tea, handing it to her.
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As night deepened, time slowly passed into the late hours.
As is customary, fireworks would be set off in the ancestral courtyard a little later.
These fireworks are a rare sight in the Great Xi Kingdom, with complex manufacturing processes and a considerable cost.
Our ancestors loved to watch it, so every year it was transported from the capital by cart.
The fireworks display lasted for one or two hours; such a grand gesture was unparalleled in the entire prefecture.
On this day, the masters of each branch of the Cheng family would also grant special favors, allowing their servants to join in the festivities and share in the New Year's joy.
Wang Xiuxiu was afraid of the cold and had seen more dazzling and shocking things in modern times, so she naturally had little interest in this kind of lively scene.
So she secretly went back to her warm and comfortable embroidery room early in the morning, intending to get a good night's sleep.
I slept for a while, then was woken up by thirst. I tossed and turned several times, feeling restless and unable to calm down.
Left with no other choice, I got up and prepared to fetch a kettle of hot water to quench my thirst before going back to sleep.
As I passed by Madam Cheng's study, I inadvertently caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure moving in the window.
Wang Xiuxiu thought she was seeing things, so she rubbed her eyes and tried to see more clearly.
"who?"
Before she could finish speaking, and before she could even figure out what was going on, her body seemed to be driven by some mysterious force, and she instinctively darted into a corner, curled up, and hid herself completely.
My heart was pounding in my chest, I didn't dare to breathe, and my eyes were fixed on the window.
The window was pushed open, and Wang Xiuxiu could only make out in her peripheral vision that it was a woman's hand.
Unlike the rough hands of ordinary maids who were worn out by years of labor, hers was exceptionally delicate and fair, with neatly trimmed nails and a light coat of nail polish.
Who is this woman?
Wang Xiuxiu was incredibly lucky; she was hiding in a blind spot by the window, and no one inside noticed her hiding place.
Just then, a male voice came from inside the house: "Everyone in this yard has gone to watch the fireworks, there's no one here. Are you trying to stall for time?"
His voice carried a hint of urgency and impatience.
As soon as she finished speaking, the woman gently closed the window and let out a soft, coquettish sigh.
"You're so impatient! You're such a wimp!"
"How can I not be in a hurry? We agreed to meet at my courtyard, but that tigress brought her cubs back at the last minute. I finally found a good place, and I've already sent all the maids away. Why aren't you getting intimate with me? What are you dawdling about..." The man's voice grew more urgent, carrying an air of unyielding authority.
The woman replied with a hint of resentment, "Hmph! Who can you blame? It's all because the eldest young mistress keeps a close eye on you, and your deadbeat father is always on guard against me!"
His words were full of grievance and dissatisfaction.
The man quickly smiled apologetically, "Yes, yes, it's all their fault! Once the old man dies, no one will be able to stop us from having fun!"
Hearing this, the woman couldn't help but lightly punch the man's chest with her delicate hand. "Hmph, by the time he passes away, I'll probably be middle-aged. Will you still be willing to be so romantic with me then?"
"Of course! My heart for Qing'er is as clear as the sun and moon!"
"Pah! You think I'd believe your lies! You're just like your lecherous father, unable to move when you see a woman!" Song Qing'er spat at him, her tone tinged with jealousy.
Wang Xiuxiu originally wanted to sneak away from this troublesome place, but she was kept there by the conversation between the two.
"You have no idea, compared to my father, I'm far better than anyone else!"
Song Qing'er snorted coldly, not believing it.
The man seemed eager to prove himself, and hurriedly said, "Don't you believe me? Let me tell you, my father conspired with my second uncle to get one of my mother's maids..."
Inside, soft moans filled the air, and Wang Xiuxiu, listening from outside, was drenched in cold sweat.
"Are you telling the truth? Does the old man really have that much money?" Song Qing'er's voice carried a hint of surprise and greed.
"There's absolutely no mistake. My second uncle said he can't make it happen. But if I can, he can use his name to split the profits 20/80 with me, and I'll take 80%!"
"So, have you agreed?" Song Qing'er pressed.
"Not yet. As the son, I have to think carefully before asking my parents for a maid, don't I?"
"Pah! Do you think I don't know you?!" Song Qing'er's eyebrows shot up and her almond eyes widened. "I think you're just afraid of the tigress in your room! But if you want this to work out, I do have a plan!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Shujie immediately perked up and stepped forward, asking, "What brilliant plan? Tell me quickly!"
At this moment, Song Qing'er deliberately kept everyone in suspense. She tilted her head slightly and put on an affected air.
Seeing this, Cheng Shujie became even more anxious. He knew this young lady's temper well, and if he didn't go along with her wishes, things might fall through.
So he quickly reached out and gently pushed Song Qing'er down, coaxing her with a big smile on his face.
"Oh dear, please, have mercy and tell me this plan right now!"
Seeing Cheng Shujie's eagerness to please her, Song Qing'er nodded in satisfaction, but did not forget to take the opportunity to state her own conditions.
"I can't just give you advice for nothing. If this really works out, you'll have to split the profits with me 50/50!"
Cheng Shujie nodded without hesitation and assured her, "Of course! Even if I give it all to Qing'er, I'll do it willingly!"
Song Qing'er was too lazy to distinguish whether what he said was true or false. After calming her breathing a little, she said mysteriously, "No woman in this world values her reputation more than anything else. The First Madam is also a person who cares a lot about face. If you can find a way to let your shameless Second Uncle defile that woman's purity, the First Madam will have no choice but to accept it!"
After listening, Cheng Shujie fell into deep thought, carefully considering what Song Qing'er had said.
After a moment, he raised his head, a look of doubt on his face. "Hmm... Qing'er, what you said makes sense, but that little maid never leaves the house. How can she help my second uncle succeed?"
Song Qing'er rolled her eyes at him. "What's so difficult about that? You find that little maid some personal clothing and give it to your second uncle. I'll find a chance to trick her out, then have your second uncle come over to confirm their secret rendezvous. With witnesses and evidence, would the First Madam really invite someone to verify her identity for a little maid?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Shujie couldn't help but give a thumbs up in praise, "Wow, I never would have guessed! Our Qing'er is actually a female Zhuge Liang!"
"But Qing'er, aren't you jealous?" Cheng Shujie teased.
"Vinegar what?"
"Think about it, this person will eventually end up in my father's hands. Won't that take away some of your favor? Aren't you afraid Qing'er will be jealous later?" Cheng Shujie's voice carried a hint of mischief.
After hearing this, Song Qing'er burst out laughing, then curled her lips in disdain.
“What’s there to be jealous of? Your father is a useless piece of trash, not to mention he smells terrible. I wish he were far away from me! Unlike you, my dear brother, who I can’t stop thinking about…”
Song Qing'er's voice grew softer and softer, gradually turning into a series of delicate giggles.
After listening for a while, Wang Xiuxiu felt that the two people in the room were as terrifying as evil ghosts.
Unable to listen any longer, Wang Xiuxiu ran out of her hiding place before the two people inside noticed.
He ran all the way until he found the place in the First Madam's courtyard where the maids gathered and secretly blended in.
Like everyone else, Wang Xiuxiu looked up at the dazzling fireworks blooming in the night sky, but her thoughts were already occupied with other things.
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