What do you mean by saying your wife only picks the ones you like? He does like Li Shiyue, and he's already engaged to her, but in the end, he still doesn't love her.
Xu Yunyang's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but when he met the gaze of Old Madam Xu, he swallowed back the words "I like my cousin and want to marry her."
"What are you and your son thinking? I've lived half my life, don't think I can't see through everything! Get rid of your filthy thoughts as soon as possible. What I mean is what Jiaojiao means. I'm putting my words here today. If you have any more thoughts that you shouldn't have, don't blame me for not caring about our thin bond as grandmother and grandson."
After saying that, Madam Xu placed her hand on the wooden box, sighed softly, and looked away: "Go, the items are very good, don't send any more in the future."
Madam Xu's words struck Liu and her son like a hammer blow. Even though Xu Yunyang had the will, he dared not act rashly again, knowing that Madam Xu favored Chengyu Pavilion.
Thus, Li Shiyue finally enjoyed a few days of peace.
The festivities continued until New Year's Eve. From early morning, the atmosphere was lively and bustling. Everyone went to Shousong Hall, and the younger generation were overjoyed to receive red envelopes.
Li Shiyue arrived earlier and stayed by Madam Xu's side, watching the people from the fourth branch of the family arrive one by one. She also saw Xu Lingwan, who hadn't left the house for many days. She was much more well-behaved, nestled in Liu's arms, and the mother and daughter didn't try to attract Madam Xu's attention.
"Sixth Sister, Cousin!"
Xu Lingqing followed Zhou Shi into the room and saw Li Shiyue and Xu Lingzi beside Old Madam Xu. She greeted them with a smile and walked in quickly.
She was two years older than Xu Lingwan, but her voice was still as clear and melodious as a child's. Her smile was sweet, her features were serene, and she looked quite playful.
Madam Zhou smiled at her daughter, not stopping her. After all, she had heard about the commotion in the mansion these past few days. She looked at the second branch of the family with a gloating expression, then turned to Li Shiyue with a smile and said, "The fireworks didn't go off the other day, and she caught a cold these past few days. It wouldn't be good if she passed it on to you. She's been keeping me here, and she keeps saying she wants to see the two older sisters."
The sisters were all happy together, and Madam Xu couldn't stop smiling as she watched: "Good, good, good. Play with your sisters these next few days. Go after you've eaten, don't play on an empty stomach."
Xu Lingqing nestled beside Li Shiyue, stuck out her tongue at Old Madam Xu, and then reached out to tug at Li Shiyue's sleeve: "Cousin, shall we go together in a bit? Fifth Brother said that the fireworks in the sky are very dazzling."
“Jiaojiao will definitely go. It’s not just about watching fireworks; it’s about setting them off yourself to make it more exciting.” Xu Lingzi raised an eyebrow at Xu Lingqing, her eyes carrying a hint of warning, afraid that Xu Lingqing would do something reckless.
Xu Lingqing ignored him, looked towards the door and suddenly smiled more clearly: "My brothers are here."
Apart from the fourth son from the western suburban military camp, all the other young men in the mansion came in with Xu Yunci, and the first person they saw was Xu Yunci.
Xu Lingqing walked briskly to Xu Yunyao's side: "Fifth Brother, where is my sugar figurine?"
"Yes, yes, you can share some with Sixth Sister and the others too." Xu Yunyao was holding several wrapped sugar figurines under his cloak. Although he didn't like the second wife's, he had brought some for Xu Lingwan.
Li Shiyue received a rabbit-shaped one, which was sweet in her mouth, but a bit cloying.
After taking a sip and tasting the flavor, Li Shiyue didn't intend to finish it.
Madam Xu noticed this immediately and raised her hand to stop her, saying, "Don't rush to eat. Have someone put the dumplings away. If you eat too much later, there won't be any room left to put the dumplings."
The house was bustling with activity. After having their meal, as night fell, the young men and women went together to the spacious area in front.
Li Shiyue wasn't fast; she followed beside Xu Lingzi, seemingly listening intently to what Xu Lingzi was saying.
Xu Yunci withdrew his gaze and stared ahead, seemingly lost in thought.
Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and the Xu family's house is brightly lit in both the front and back yards. The red lanterns that were hung under the eaves a few days ago are now lit, and a string of small red lanterns hangs along the long corridor.
As night fell and a cold wind blew, the heavy cloak on my body shielded me from the chill.
"Jiaojiao, look, hold this part firmly, light this end, and point it at an empty space, not at a person."
Xu Lingzi held a large firework in her hand. After speaking, she personally demonstrated by inserting the lit end into the fire basin. Before she could take it out, the firework made a "hissing" sound and burst into a beam of light like blooming flowers.
Xu Lingzi also stuffed about half a person's height of fireworks into Li Shiyue's hand. This was her first time trying it, so she was a bit clumsy.
Suddenly, a pair of hands appeared before her, taking the firework from her hand and replacing it with a similar firework that was only half the size of her forearm.
Li Shiyue looked up and met Xu Yunyao's clear gaze. He had practiced martial arts for many years and had a healthy wheat-colored complexion.
Xu Yunyao grinned, revealing a set of porcelain-white teeth: "Sixth Sister has been playing this game for years, so she naturally has experience. Cousin, why don't you try the smaller one first? Once you're more skilled, you can try this one. It's safer that way."
Xu Lingqing also held a small firework in her hand, her eyes darting around, bearing a resemblance to Zhou Shi. Lifting her skirt, she took Xu Lingzi's arm and said, "Sixth sister, please help me. You know I'm terrible at these things."
After saying that, she took Xu Lingzi's arm and walked in another direction, giving her silly brother a meaningful look.
Unfortunately, Xu Yunyao was so focused on the firework tube that she didn't receive her sister's message at all. Li Shiyue, on the other hand, saw clearly that Xu Lingqing had decided to play matchmaker.
Xu Lingqing left with Xu Lingzi in her arms. If Xu Yunyao left too, her little cousin would be left alone. Xu Yunyao glanced at Qilang and the others fiddling with the large firework tubes, feeling itchy to do the same, but she didn't dare leave Li Shiyue there alone, lest she overthink things. Frustrated, she scratched her head.
Li Shiyue saw through Xu Yunyao's thoughts and suppressed her laughter: "Fifth Cousin and Seventh Cousin, go ahead and have fun. I'll just watch from here. It wouldn't be good if I clumsily get in your way and hinder your fireworks display, thus delaying everyone's enjoyment."
Xu Yunyao did want to go, but it was really inappropriate to leave his little cousin alone. He glanced at her and shook his head: "It's okay, I'll stay with you and wait for Sixth Sister and Ninth Sister to come back."
Although they were in the same place, Xu Yunyao's eyes and attention were completely focused on the firework tube, and there was enough space between them for two people to stand.
Faced with beauty, Xu Yunyao was truly a gentleman; he simply couldn't leave his little cousin alone.
Li Shiyue looked at the small firework in her hand; the first one was already half-burned.
"Go ahead, I'll stay here with her." Xu Yunci appeared at some point, clapped his hands, and walked over from where the fireworks were.
Xu Yunyao's eyes lit up: "Then I'll go. Call me if you need anything, Second Brother."
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