After resting at home for a few days, Jiang Lingyao finally recovered.
She went to Baorongfang every morning to develop new summer colors, and played mahjong with Duan Jianing and Duan Jiaying in the afternoon. Occasionally, her sister-in-law Feng Zhenzhen would play with them when she had time.
Feng Zhenzhen spoke very little and was always gentle, but she was very decisive. Jiang Lingyao discovered that when several people were playing cards, she and Feng Zhenzhen had a combined winning chance of 60%, and the remaining 40% was probably given to the younger sisters by the two of them tacitly.
After three or five days, Jiang Lingyao felt that she was enjoying herself so much that she didn't want to leave, so she asked Feng Zhenzhen: "Sister-in-law, don't we have to go and pay respects to our grandparents?"
Feng Zhenzhen was touching the cards. She didn't even look at them and just played them: "Nine cakes."
After the cards were played, Feng Zhenzhen looked at her with a gentle smile in her eyes.
She whispered softly, "Our family is different from outsiders. Grandpa and grandma don't like us to disturb them often. In fact, they are not at home these days, but fishing on the farm. It would be better if you don't go."
Jiang Lingyao: “…”
Jiang Lingyao really didn't know that Feng Zhenzhen had been married for only a year and was not pregnant yet. There were only three generations in the Yongping Marquis's mansion, and among these three generations, except for the third room, almost all of them had their own children.
The old marquis and the old lady lived in Rong'en Hall, not close to anyone. According to Feng Zhenzhen, the two elders went out to play all day and were not often at home. They also did not like their children and grandchildren to disturb them often.
The Crown Prince and his wife live in the main courtyard, the eldest son and his wife live in Tingfengzhai, and the second son and his wife are sent to serve as officials in other places and are not in the capital.
Duan Nanqi was the only one left in this family. Both his parents had passed away, and he and Jiang Lingyao lived alone in Xinghuang Garden, while the third master and the third lady lived in Jinyuxuan with their two unmarried children. The fourth master passed away early, and the fourth lady lived in Luomei Hall with her children.
Although the family has not been divided yet, the old lady had already arranged the rules when her sons got married. Each family is given a monthly salary from the public fund according to the number of people, and they can spend it however they want. The deeds to the land in the public fund also pay dividends annually. When the old couple pass away, the prince will inherit the Yongping Marquisate, and the land will be divided according to the long-agreed agreement. If they want to divide the family, they can do it; if they don't want to, they don't have to. Anyway, the old man and the old lady are gone, and the children and grandchildren can do whatever they want with them.
Feng Zhenzhen said this calmly, and then added: "Oh, by the way, my grandfather also admonished the whole family."
She took a breath and imitated the old man's kind tone and said, "I worked hard to earn this Yongping Marquis Mansion for you. I have given you everything I deserve. From now on, you will have to live on your own ability. If you can't make ends meet, you can beg for food, but don't do it before I die."
Jiang Lingyao: “…”
Jiang Lingyao sighed: "My grandfather is so generous."
Feng Zhenzhen's gentle round eyes showed a faint smile. She picked up a new card, a glimmer of starlight flashed in her eyes, and then she put the card on the table with a clatter.
"I drew a dragon by myself, and it was a mess."
"Yes, grandparents are very kind."
Seeing that she was still worried, Feng Zhenzhen thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry, Third Brother's wife. Third Brother lost his parents at a young age, and his grandparents have always taken good care of him. They taught him personally in the past, but as for how they disciplined Third Brother, they weren't really that strict."
"To be honest, when my third brother was naughty before, it was my parents-in-law who were more worried. They were always worried that my third brother would be led astray by those playboys. Even so, my grandparents said that my third brother would not go astray and let him be happy."
Jiang Lingyao's expression changed slightly, and she asked hesitantly, "Really?"
Feng Zhenzhen thought for a moment and smiled softly at her: "Of course I am serious, so you and your third brother should just live your life peacefully. With grandparents around, your life will be easy."
She patted Jiang Lingyao's hand and said, "Besides, Third Brother is very clear-headed. You can just rest assured."
Jiang Lingyao had never expected that this seemingly reserved and calm lady was actually a smart person.
The aunts and sisters-in-law played cards for a few days and became closer. By the end of April, Jiang Lingyao had become familiar with everyone in the Duan family. Except for her third uncle and aunt who were busy with housework all day and her fourth aunt who never went out of the house, she was almost like a family to the Duan family.
Jiang Lingyao got up early that day. She first strolled around the small garden in the backyard twice and sweated a little. Then she went back to her room to wash and change clothes, and went to the dining hall for breakfast.
To Jiang Lingyao's surprise, Duan Nanxi was here today.
There have been no major cases in Shuntianfu these days. Usually, there are only trivial matters such as petty thefts and quarrels between neighbors, so Jiang Lingyao is not busy.
However, Duan Nanqi was on duty in the Jinyi Guard even if there was nothing important. He always left early and came back late, and was rarely at home.
Jiang Lingyao hadn't seen him for almost ten days.
But I didn't expect that today, Duan Nanqi was wearing casual clothes and sitting by the dining room waiting for breakfast.
When he heard Jiang Lingyao's footsteps, he turned around and smiled at her: "Good morning, my lady."
Jiang Lingyao also looked at him and said politely, "Good morning, my husband."
Duan Nanliao hurriedly stood up and pulled out a chair, asking her to sit down, and then said, "I have been busy with the affairs of the yamen recently, and I have not been able to spend time with you. I hope you will not be angry?"
Jiang Lingyao replied virtuously, "How could that be? My husband is also working hard for our family. I feel sorry for him, so how could I be angry? What does my husband think of me?"
"If that's the case, I'll be angry."
Jiang Lingyao's gentle treatment made Duan Nanqi's smile even brighter.
The couple sat opposite each other, both with smiles on their faces and affection in their eyes. Everyone could say that they were a match made in heaven.
Duan Nanqi paused, then said, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell my wife about the follow-up of the previous case."
Jiang Lingyao was puzzled. "What case? Is it the case where my husband was working in the Imperial Guard?"
Duan Nanqi looked at her with a smile, his eyes were clear and looked straight into her heart.
And Jiang Lingyao was also calm and composed as if he were watching her.
Duan Nanqi looked at it for a long time, until the tofu pudding from the morning was served. Duan Nanqi lowered his eyes and sighed, "Let's have breakfast."
Jiang Lingyao said, "Okay."
The two of them had breakfast quietly for a while. Jiang Lingyao was not a lady who never left the house during the day, and she could not gain weight, so she was willing to taste the food.
The small kitchen in Xinghuang Garden is really amazing.
This salted tofu pudding is made with black fungus, day lily, eggs, and shredded tofu, and is simmered in meat broth. It has a rich and smooth flavor, and is delicious when paired with the white and tender tofu pudding.
Jiang Lingyao ate half a bowl in one breath before she felt relieved and no longer hungry.
Duan Nanqi eats much faster than her.
In just a short while, Duan Nanqi had already eaten a bowl of tofu pudding, a mushroom and pork bun, and half a fried fruit. When Jiang Lingyao raised her head, he was eating shrimp barbecue.
Jiang Lingyao: “…”
Jiang Lingyao advised gently, "Husband, eat slowly. Eating too fast is not good for your stomach."
Duan Nanqi nodded and said nonchalantly, "Thank you for your concern, madam. It's just that I was too diligent in my early years and was too busy to take care of meals. That's why I have this habit of wolfing down food. My grandparents have already reprimanded me."
"Alas, this is a habit that has persisted for years and is difficult to change."
Duan Nanqi is only five months older than Jiang Lingyao. They are both nineteen years old, so they are still young.
Even though they were already married, Duan Nanqi's words sounded very old-fashioned, and there was something hidden in his words, as if he wanted to lead Jiang Lingyao to ask questions.
But Jiang Lingyao just didn't ask.
She also sighed: "Husband, if you don't listen to the elders, you will suffer the consequences. You still have to listen to your grandparents."
"Eat slowly."
The gentle and virtuous wife's affectionate advice can soften even the hardest hearted man.
Duan Nanzhui paused slightly while holding the chopsticks, and used a spoon to eat the soy milk slowly.
"Before, I handled a case."
He chatted with Jiang Lingyao: "Because I did a good job, His Majesty was very happy and gave me a reward. Not only did he give me ten acres of land to build a racecourse, but he also gave me five hundred taels of silver. The money will be delivered to me in a few days."
Jiang Lingyao raised her eyebrows slightly: "Why are you telling me this, my husband?"
Duan Nanqi smiled. He put down the spoon, put his hand on his chin, and looked at Jiang Lingyao with a smile.
Duan Nanqi is a man who looks like Yanluo when he looks stern, but as gentle and kind as spring breeze when he smiles, making people feel that he is gentle and amiable.
He stared at Jiang Lingyao with a focused look as if there were thousands of stars in his eyes.
"We have rules in our Duan family. All matters in the family are discussed by the elders. Usually, the money is managed by the grandmother or the eldest aunt. It is the same in our family."
Duan Nanqi's voice is gentle, like the gentle spring rain.
"Whatever I earn, I will give it back home for my wife to use," Duan Nanqi said with a sigh. "Bao Rong Fang's business is so good, and my wife can tell at a glance that she has a talent for business. In this case, the family property should be managed by my wife."
Jiang Lingyao said, "How can this be good? Didn't my husband say before that we should just live our own lives and not interfere with each other?"
As she said this, her eyes suddenly turned red, and she looked pitiful and fragile.
"I was very sad for a long time, fearing that my husband would dislike me and tell His Majesty that he wanted a divorce. I thought about it day and night and could hardly eat."
Duan Nanqi looked at the empty bowl in front of her and remained silent.
Jiang Lingyao covered her face with her sleeves and sobbed, looking so pitiful: "Fortunately, my husband is generous and doesn't care about me. He is willing to let me manage the family property."
"My husband is such a good man."
Duan Nanqi: “…”
Duan Nanqi chuckled: "My wife is also a good person."
"Madam, why are you so cautious?" Duan Nanqi said slowly, "I heard that the Sixth Miss of the Jiang Family was cheerful, generous, straightforward and lovely. I never thought that Madam would be so gentle, petty, shy and timid."
Duan Nanqi sighed: "In this case, it is my fault. I did not make my wife feel at ease, so this happened."
"My dear, I apologize to you as your husband. I hope you won't be offended."
Jiang Lingyao used her sleeve to wipe away her tears, and then looked at Duan Nanqi with red eyes: "My husband wants me to be the housekeeper first, is that true?"
Duan Nanqi looked at her red eyes and said seriously, "Seriously, I am an uneducated person. I used to manage the family property myself, but I won't mention it now."
Duan Nanqi was quite sad: "Now I only have a few properties and a horse farm. In fact, there is not much."
"Fortunately, I now have a wife. I will do my job well and try to solve more strange cases so that His Majesty can reward me more and we can put our reputation back on track."
"What do you think, my lady?"
He looked at Jiang Lingyao and Jiang Lingyao also looked at him.
Over the delicious meal, the couple smiled knowingly.
Jiang Lingyao said, "Okay."
Duan Nanqi smiled with relief: "I like talking to my wife the most. No matter what I say, my wife can understand it. It's so comfortable."
Jiang Lingyao said in a coquettish voice: "My husband is the same. He is very smart."
"Thank you for the compliment, madam. Actually, I don't have any special abilities. I just make a living by relying on the reputation of my elders. But madam, you don't know that I have a specialty."
As he said this, his deep eyes were fixed on the corners of Jiang Lingyao's eyes, which were filled with red.
Her eyes are always smiling, with the corners of her eyes slightly upturned, like a brush gently sweeping across her heart.
Jiang Lingyao usually likes to put a little pink rouge on the corners of her eyes.
Pink and pink, peach blossoms are blowing against your face.
It is indeed very different from her other clean and tidy face.
Duan Nanqi leaned forward slightly and lowered his head slightly, as if he wanted to see Jiang Lingyao's face clearly.
"I am the best at judging people's appearance, but I can never see your true face."
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