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Li Jiajing didn't think much about it. It must be Li Ning's doing. Li Ning was originally a eunuch in the palace and was very popular.
Xiao Cui worked as a fire-making maid in the kitchen and lived in Li Jiajing's house.
Li Jiajing was a little skeptical.
But Xiao Cui didn't do anything different. She worked hard at the fire and helped out in the kitchen. Living in the same room, she treated Li Jiajing with respect, no different.
As autumn goes and winter comes, the most important time of the year has arrived, the Spring Festival.
After the Spring Festival, the students returned home one after another.
The academy didn't need so many cooks. Those who lived nearby went home, and a few who lived far away stayed at the academy to take care of their duties.
Li Jiajing and Xiao Cui stayed in the academy.
Li Jiajing has no home. Xiao Cui, a distant relative of her brother and sister-in-law, hasn't been home for years and isn't going back now. Li Ning is disabled and, while he once enjoyed a glorious life abroad, that was in the past. Now, he's no longer so prosperous, and if he returns, his family will kick him out.
On New Year's Eve, the three of them gathered together for a New Year's Eve dinner.
Li Jiajing relaxed at the most important moment of the year, so she drank a few more glasses of wine.
Li Ning and Xiao Cui exchanged glances secretly.
Xiao Cui asked, "Madam, why didn't you go home?"
Li Jiajing had drunk a few cups of sweet-scented osmanthus wine and was already drunk. "Where can I go back to? There's no home anymore."
"When my parents were around, I was the little sweetheart of the family, and my brother and sister-in-law were fine. Now that my parents are gone, my brother and sister-in-law are in charge, and I've fallen on hard times. Originally, my sister-in-law's younger sister was supposed to enter the palace, but after hearing people say it's not a good idea, they let me go. If my parents were still around, how wonderful it would be!"
"Yes. But I don't remember who my parents were. But I had a godmother, and I had a few happy years with her."
"Then your godmother must be very good to you, right?"
"Of course it was great. But I only lived with my godmother for two years before she passed away, and I had to wander around again."
"How did the lady's godmother die?"
"I went out hunting on a rainy day and fell from a height without paying attention."
"At least my wife has a caring godmother, but I have no family at all. I'm almost of marriageable age, and I don't know how my brother and sister-in-law will decide on my marriage."
Li Jiajing drank in silence.
"My lady, do you have someone you like? Who are you going to marry in the future?"
Li Ning started to scold Xiao Cui, and Li Jiajing waved her hands.
"It's okay. I haven't thought about getting married. I want to learn painting. This is my dream."
"Even dreams can't stop you from getting married. What are your requirements for your future husband?"
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