Lady Wang’s face turned pale, and her hands trembled slightly as she returned the handkerchief to Ji Xinhe, barely managing a smile: "Indeed, this handkerchief is of excellent craftsmanship, but I don’t think it’s mine. It must have been a reward from your mother’s former concubine."
Ji Xinhe narrowed her eyes, suspiciously gazing at Lady Wang: "Lady Wang, your appearance doesn’t seem like you don’t recognize it."
Upon hearing this, Lady Wang’s heart skipped a beat, and she hastily stood up with a smile: "What are you talking about? I just thought the handkerchief was really beautiful, and it’s a pity, that’s all. It’s getting late, so we won’t keep you any longer, so as not to delay Miss Ji’s dinner preparations."
Although Ji Xinhe was puzzled, she didn’t intend to linger: "Alright."
Master and Lady Wang hurriedly left.
Ji Dong returned just in time to see their horse carriage leave, and entered the room bewildered: "Whose carriage was that just now?"
Ji Xinhe’s eyes seemed deep as she pondered: "It was the Wang family."
Upon hearing this, Ji Dong jumped in fright, quickly asking: "The Wang family? They didn’t give you any trouble, did they?"
Ji Xinhe chuckled: "Big brother, you are too worried. Who can bully me easily?"
Only then did Ji Dong breathe a sigh of relief: "So, what did they come to our house for?"
Thinking of the Wang family’s unusual behavior, Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but ask: "Big brother, do you remember what our mother told us about the origin of this handkerchief?"
"Ah?" Ji Dong was startled before replying: "Our mother didn’t really talk about its origin. I was young, so I might have forgotten. Anyway, all I remember is that our mother said to keep the handkerchief for you as part of your dowry and to make sure I took good care of it."
Ji Xinhe looked at the delicate embroidery on the soft handkerchief in her hand, and her suspicion deepened. Was it meant to be kept just for her?
Was it because she was the only girl in the family, or was there another reason?
"Did the Wang family ask anything about it?" Ji Dong inquired.
Xinhe shook her head: "No, I just asked casually because the handkerchief is particularly beautiful."
Since there was no basis for her suspicions, Xinhe didn’t want to share them with her brother, who would also be troubled.
Ji Dong finally laughed: "Our mother probably thought the handkerchief was exceptionally beautiful too, that’s why she insisted on keeping it for you."
"Hmm."
----
As soon as Lady Wang got on the horse carriage, she broke down, desperately gripping Master Wang’s sleeve, sobbing: "Master, this handkerchief is undoubtedly real! It’s impossible for Lian’an Town to have such fine materials, let alone the embroidery. It’s clearly from... from..."
Master Wang’s face also turned ugly, furiously punching the small table: "It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s her, it’s just a handkerchief."
The Wang family’s misfortunes had come one after another this year, with no end in sight. If this matter turned out to be true, it would mean the Wang family’s last hope was gone!
Master Wang was naturally unwilling to admit this and chose to cling to a thread of hope.
But could reality give him that small chance?
Lady Wang shook her head frantically: "No, no! Everything is too coincidental. The girl is exactly sixteen years old, and she has the handkerchief in her hand. When I look closely at her appearance, I can even see three points of her mother’s features! The child didn’t die! She didn’t die after all!"
"Shut up! Do you want outsiders to hear?" Master Wang scolded angrily, extremely annoyed.
However, Lady Wang seemed to be on the verge of insanity, repeatedly saying: "Master, what should we do? What should we do? This will be the end of our Wang family!"
Master Wang took a deep breath, saying fiercely: "The end? My Wang family has prospered for all these years, not for today’s end!"
"What should we do then?" Lady Wang hurriedly asked.
A cold glint appeared in Master Wang’s eyes: "I don’t know whether the child died back then or not, but now, she absolutely cannot live!"
----
"Sister, tomorrow night is the Lantern Festival. How about eating dinner early and going to the town?" Xiao Bei excitedly said.
Ji Xinhe laughed softly: "Tomorrow evening, let’s have dinner at Guilin Residence, close the shop and then go see the lanterns. How does that sound?"
"That’s great!" For a little kid like Xiao Bei, being able to go out for a fancy dinner and then play was the happiest thing ever!
Xiao Bei was so happy that he was bouncing: "Tomorrow, I want to wear the new spring shirt you bought for me."
Xin He pinched his little face: "You have thought of everything, haven’t you?"
Xiao Bei giggled: "I’m seeing the lanterns for the first time, so I naturally want to be well-prepared. Sister, have you seen them before?"
Xin He thought for a moment, not recalling any memories and shook her head with a smile: "I haven’t seen them either. When we go together, I will broaden my horizons with Xiao Bei."
Although smiling, thoughts of the Wang family’s abnormal behavior still left her feeling uneasy. Her brow furrowed, unable to relax.
----
The next day was the Lantern Festival.
Before nightfall, streets were already adorned with colorful lanterns. Some were funded by the local government, but the majority were paid for and arranged by local merchants. They did it for festivity and, more importantly, for saving face.
Families like the Wangs, who had a strong sense of pride, took charge of an entire street’s lanterns. Other wealthy families naturally wouldn’t be outdone, so they spent large amounts of silver for the preparations, enveloping Lian’an Town in a rare festive atmosphere.
As soon as school finished, Xiao Bei squatted on the doorstep of the shop, grinning and watching others installing lanterns by the road. He occasionally called out: "Sister, look, that rabbit lantern is so beautiful! It must be the best-looking one when lit up at night!"
Finally, evening came, and Xin He closed the shop early, then went with Ji Dong and Xiao Bei to have dinner at Guilin Residence before heading out to see the lanterns.
Xiao Bei was ecstatic the entire way, peering out from the bullock cart at the various lanterns already set up along the streets, waiting for the night to light them up.
A simple green-gray horse carriage approached them head-on. Ji Dong hurriedly steered the bullock cart to the side to make way. As the two carriages were about to pass each other, a folding fan lifted the curtain of the carriage, revealing a handsome and gentle face.
"It’s the Lantern Festival today, and the lantern fair in this small town is quite lively."
The carriage driver, dressed as a scholar, laughed: "Although it cannot compare to the capital city, the bustling atmosphere makes it quite festive. Young master, after settling in tonight, you can come out and enjoy the festivities."
"Small places have their own advantages and are not necessarily worse than the capital city."
Hearing this, the scholar-driver sighed: "I know the young master is not willing to return to the capital. Studying far away at Jishan Academy might be better; at least you can find some peace and quiet. Moreover, this return is for that arranged marriage, which is truly aggrieving."
The handsome man listened to the driver’s sad words but remained indifferent: "Since we were born into this noble family, we should enjoy the benefits and be prepared to make some sacrifices. It’s just a marriage. Why are you so upset about it?"
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