The sun is rising and the morning breeze is cool.
Next to the rockery and flower trees, there is a handsome young man, a chubby baby, and a pretty girl. At first glance, outsiders would probably mistake them for a family of three.
But a closer look revealed that the woman had her hair in a bun, as if she were unmarried.
Actually, it’s my brother-in-law, his son, and my sister-in-law.
Jiang Yushan reached out her hand, her slender fingers painted red, and asked with a gentle smile, "Can I hold the child?"
Guo Honglei was startled, examining her sharp, bright red nails. To avoid scratching his son's delicate skin, he politely declined without hesitation: "Yer is shy and very active. I'm afraid he might accidentally kick you."
"How could that be? Why would he be afraid of giving birth? He's obviously quite brave and isn't afraid of anyone holding him." Although Jiang Yushan could hear the refusal, she still held out her hand and said softly, "Ye'er, come here, let me hold you."
At this moment, the baby was lying on his father's shoulder, waving his hands and carefully pulling leaves and flowers. He was concentrating on playing and didn't pay attention to his surroundings.
Jiang Yushan smiled demurely and tugged at the baby's sleeve, "Ye'er?"
The baby was pulled sideways, turned his head, looked at his relatives confusedly, and then continued to pick flowers.
"Yer?"
"Is picking flowers so fun?"
"Xiaoye?"
…
After repeating this several times, the excited baby stopped turning his head and concentrated on picking petals one by one.
Little thing, actually ignoring me? Jiang Yushan couldn't hold back her expression, feeling a little angry. She pulled back her hand and brushed her hair. As she stared at the baby, she also looked at her beloved openly, pursing her lips and said angrily, "Oh, Xiaoye is ignoring me."
Guo Honglei smiled politely and explained, "My child is still young and naive, so please don't blame me."
"How can it be strange? Ye'er is lively and cute, so interesting." Gradually, Jiang Yushan couldn't help but think to herself: Oh, how nice it would be if the person in front of me was my family of three!
Guo Honglei was delighted to hear his son being praised, "Hahaha, he's just a little naughty boy!"
"Okay, that's enough, we've picked a bunch!" Nanny Qiu accompanied him, her left hand holding the petals and leaves, her right arm stretched out to protect the baby, fearing that she would hurt him. She said nervously, "Hold on tight, young master, please hold on tight!"
Guo Honglei lifted his son up to help him pick the flowers, and said confidently: "Don't worry, I'm holding him myself, how could I drop him?"
The baby was lifted higher, not afraid at all. He opened his eyes wide, looked around curiously, danced and giggled, and stepped on his father's big palms with his chubby little feet. He jumped non-stop and kicked his legs against his father's chest, trying to climb up.
The nurse was terrified, but she didn't dare to stop him. She worriedly said, "It's too high! This, this is too high! Master, put it down quickly."
"It's okay. What are you afraid of? I will never drop him."
"We should be careful after all." The nanny was worried.
Guo Honglei weighed it and was quite satisfied with the weight. He feigned anger and asked, "You little rascal, you're so bold that you even dared to kick me? Are you itching?"
"Woo woo wa wa~" The baby kicked his legs flexibly, his eyes were curved with smile, he gurgled in a baby voice, drooled, raised his hand, grabbed a leaf and shook it hard.
Guo Honglei snorted majestically, but held the child up patiently and played with him.
A baby over five months old cannot control himself and drools frequently.
Suddenly, saliva began to drip, just dripping towards Jiang Yushan who was approaching!
"Ah—" Jiang Yushan jumped in surprise and dodged hastily, but she was half a step too slow, and a drop of saliva stained her clothes. She lowered her head, frowned for a moment, and quickly pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe it, thinking angrily: Damn little thing, so dirty!
Guo Honglei turned his head and immediately moved aside with the child in his arms. Just as he was about to apologize, his wife's voice rang out from behind him:
"Yer is smiling so happily, what are you playing?"
The nurse was as happy as if she had seen a savior and quickly replied, "Pick flowers and leaves. This is the first time the little boy has played like this, and he is so happy that he keeps picking them!"
Guo Honglei said to his sister-in-law, "I'm sorry."
Jiang Yushu approached, stood between her husband and sister, and asked in surprise, "What's going on?"
"Yer was drooling and the drool dripped onto his aunt's clothes." Guo Honglei replied.
Aunt? Jiang Yushan paused to wipe the traces of saliva and bit her lip hard, feeling the irritation.
Jiang Yushu suddenly realized and apologized, "The child is growing, and he drools when he talks. He didn't mean it. Sister, go back to your room and change clothes."
"It's okay, it's okay!" Jiang Yushan raised her head, her dignified smile restored. She said with emotion, "Hey, I'm playing with my nephew, and seeing him laugh makes me happy too. It's really fun!"
Jiang Yushu smiled, "It's hard for my sister to be patient. Ye'er is naughty and active. The family always calls him a 'little naughty boy'."
"It is because of mischief that one appears lively, and liveliness makes one interesting." Jiang Yushan reached out and tried to pinch her nephew's cheek to show her love.
Unexpectedly, the baby happened to tilt his head, jumped on his father's palm, looked up at the flower tree, and babbled, meaning that he wanted to continue picking flowers.
Little thing, how unpleasant! Jiang Yushan shyly withdrew her hand. After being ignored several times, she became more and more unhappy, but on the surface she said with a smile: "Sister, look, he still wants to continue playing."
"There's nothing I can do. Children almost always love to play."
Jiang Yushu took out a handkerchief and wiped the child's saliva and sweat, gently reminding him: "It's hot outside in the sun for a long time. Ye'er should go see the old lady. Don't keep the elders waiting for a long time."
Guo Honglei readily agreed, "Okay!" He comforted his son and promised, "That's all for today. We'll continue picking tomorrow morning!"
"What a beautiful tree of flowers, keep it for admiration."
Guo Honglei sighed and told his wife, "I originally wanted to bring my child here to appreciate the flowers, but he started picking them as soon as he touched them. Not only flowers, but leaves too. I couldn't reason with him, so I just let him have fun."
"You, little rascal!" Jiang Yushu couldn't help laughing and patted the child's butt lightly.
The baby mistakenly thought that his mother was playing with him and giggled.
A happy family of three.
Jiang Yushan watched from the sidelines, feeling extremely lonely, filled with jealousy and regret, and forced herself to smile in agony.
After a while, the nurse took the child, looked at him carefully, and could not help but mutter, "Oh, you are sweating all over, your clothes are stained with leaves, and your hands are full of debris. You must change your clothes, wipe the sweat off your hands, and wash your hands. Otherwise, the little master will rub his eyes and suck his fingers later, which will be troublesome."
Guo Honglei was stunned for a moment, then immediately urged, "I didn't think of that! Quick, clean him up, wash him carefully, and then take him to see the old lady."
"Yes." The nanny did her job conscientiously, coaxing and persuading the child, and carried the child, who was reluctant to leave, back to the room.
So, the two sisters and Guo Honglei were left beside the rockery.
"Are you going to the government office?" Guo Honglei looked focused.
"Um."
"Let's go! I'll take you there."
Jiang Yushu shook her head. "Thank you, but it's not necessary. It's a rare trip home for you. You should spend more time with the old lady, or guide Azhe and the others with their studies. My third and fourth brothers have already passed the county and prefectural exams. If they pass the imperial examinations, we'll have two scholars in the family!"
"Well... okay." Guo Honglei could only nod, "Then be careful."
"Know!"
Guo Honglei unconsciously put his arms around his wife's shoulders and said, "I'll take you out."
Jiang Yushu smiled sweetly, "Okay."
The elder sister and her husband are in love, while the sister-in-law stands aside, a complete outsider.
"Sister," Jiang Yushu said with a smile before leaving, "I have to go to the county government office to take care of some things. You might as well go to the main room and chat with the old lady and the others to relieve your boredom."
Jiang Yushan tried her best to remain calm. Looking at the couple standing side by side, she pretended to be cheerful. "Official business is more important. Sister, go ahead and do your work. Don't worry about me. I'll pay my respects to the old lady later."
Jiang Yushu's expression remained normal. "Let's talk tonight."
"Okay, let's talk tonight." Jiang Yushan forced herself to hide her loneliness and resentment, said goodbye politely, turned around and went back to her room, intending to throw away the dirty clothes stained with saliva.
Guo Honglei embraced his wife and said, "Let's go."
"Yeah." Jiang Yushu acted as if nothing had happened, and pondered as she walked: Humph, when facing each other, she was able to keep her composure, as if there was no grudge between them in the past.
Back then, in order to protect her own daughter, the stepmother framed her stepdaughter and put her into a fire pit. Who would believe Jiang Yushan if she said she had no idea?
It's quite impressive that he did something wrong and didn't feel any remorse or guilt at all.
As a woman herself, Jiang Yushu observed her so-called sister's words and expressions and discovered that she was still in love with the man she was first engaged to - the person you love when you first fall in love is often unforgettable and will never be forgotten.
Therefore, when Jiang Yushu saw her sister getting close to her husband and children, she was instantly very unhappy!
Don't even think about bullying me like you bullied Miss Jiang!
Thinking of this, Jiang Yushu held her head high and said softly, "Yushan is engaged. They will be married in August this year."
Guo Honglei replied seriously: "I know."
"That's good to know."
Guo Honglei whispered, "Don't worry, I know my limits."
Jiang Yushu glanced at it and curled up the corners of her mouth in satisfaction.
Nighttime candlelight
Jiang Yushu was busy in the county government office all day and did not go home for lunch. After dinner and bathing, all the younger generations gathered in the main room and chatted with Wang for a while as usual. The old people and children went to bed early, and after saying goodbye, the younger generations went back to their rooms.
In the bedroom, Guo Honglei paused, then asked knowingly, "Where are you going?"
Jiang Yushu walked out the door and said, "It's still early, I want to talk to my sister."
After a moment of silence, Guo Honglei said, "Don't quarrel at this time of night."
"We're just talking, not arguing!"
"Don't fight either." After a pause, Guo Honglei warned worriedly, "If a fight breaks out, you'll probably be no match for Yushan with your short nails. Remember to call for help."
Jiang Yushu stopped and said with a smile, "Okay! Then please stay alert. If you hear me shouting 'Second Young Master, help me,' come and save me immediately."
"I understand. Let's go." Guo Honglei said with a serious face.
In a moment · Guest room
“Knock knock~”
The maid hurriedly opened the door, and when she saw the girl, she lowered her head uncomfortably, turned her head and reported respectfully: "Miss, the eldest lady is here to see you!"
"oh?"
"Please come in quickly!"
Jiang Yushan had been slumped on the couch, feeling worried and sulky. Just as she was about to sit up, she saw her sister approaching and called out affectionately, "Are you done? Sit down, come on, we haven't talked in ages. Sigh, I wonder how you've managed these past few years!"
"No, no." Jiang Yushu stood in front of the couch and said with a smile, "Sit down and listen carefully. I'll tell you something."
Jiang Yushan had sensed the other party's unfamiliarity and indifference from the very beginning. Suppressing her dissatisfaction, she looked up and asked, "What's the matter?"
Jiang Yushu stood straight, her eyes firm as she looked down at me and replied, "I guess you don't know yet, but the emperor has appointed my father as an imperial envoy, ordering him to inspect Yongzhou. You left the capital first, and my father followed. He's on his way to Heqin right now and will be there soon."
"What?" Jiang Yushan was stunned and asked in astonishment, "Father is here too?"
"That's right."
Jiang Yushu said slowly, "I've roughly figured out the reason why you ran away from home. Your parents are still alive, so it's not your turn to discipline your younger sister. You understand the reason, so I won't nag you. If a daughter runs away in anger, the elders will surely worry day and night. You can hide away for a while, but you can't hide forever. You should return home as soon as possible and discuss everything with your parents."
"Sister, what do you mean by that?" Jiang Yushan clutched her clothes at her chest, her eyes reddening as she was about to cry. "I've come a thousand miles, traveled a long way, and I've just arrived, and you're kicking me out?"
I thought, but due to public opinion, I couldn't rudely drive him away. Jiang Yushu, concerned about her family and her official reputation, was troubled. She righteously asked, "Don't you worry about your parents at all? They're old and frail. How can you be so willful and reckless?"
"I, I didn't want to do it either. I was really forced to do it." Jiang Yushan began to cry.
Jiang Yushu remained calm and composed, and spoke earnestly as she advised, "Sister, you're not young anymore. Don't continue to act foolishly. You can't never see your parents again in your life."
"How is that possible? That's impossible!"
Jiang Yushan shook her head subconsciously and choked up, saying, "I know I was wrong. When the time comes, I'll ask my sister to help me plead for mercy. Otherwise, my father might break my legs in anger."
Begging for mercy? I won't take advantage of the opportunity to kick you when you're down, that's all I can do! Jiang Yushu looked solemn and said calmly, "No, my father is busy with official duties. At most, he'll scold you and then take you home."
Jiang Yushan's shoulders trembled as she wept bitterly. She waited for comfort for a long time, but the other party remained indifferent. She was annoyed, and the resentment that had been accumulated so far burst out, and she blurted out:
"Sister, you treat me so coldly. Are you still holding a grudge against me? If it's because of that marriage, then you're wrong to blame me!"
The author has something to say: Jiang Yushu: (⊙o⊙)...Huh?
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