In the end, He Xiyuan and Liu Yulian still did not buy the jade hairpin. It was not because they disliked the high price, but because Liu Yulian did not like the jade hairpin that much. Also, they happened to see someone else wearing a similar jade hairpin.
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
Although they didn't buy the jade hairpin, He Xiyuan bought Liu Yulian an exquisite silver bracelet. Liu Yulian preferred wearing silver bracelets because they were less likely to get knocked.
He Xiyuan personally escorted Liu Yulian back to the Marquis of Jingning's residence, saying, "Come back tomorrow."
"Let's go to the library tomorrow," Liu Yulian said. "There are a lot of books there. There's also a study room and desks. You can read there too."
Liu Yulian had stored many books there. The house next door was where the emperor had given the books. It wasn't part of the research institute, so other people could go there and read.
"Okay." He Xiyuan nodded. He really had to study and take part in the imperial examinations.
"Then I'll go back first." Liu Yulian waved to He Xiyuan.
"Watch your step." He Xiyuan said.
"Okay." Liu Yulian looked at the road.
He Xiyuan watched Liu Yulian go in, and after a long while, he went home.
At the Duke of Cheng's mansion, the old lady knew that He Xiyuan had gone to see Liu Yulian, but she didn't think it was a bad thing for her grandson not to study more. She thought that Liu Yulian was now a first-rank official and had done well in research, which was good.
"Let's go to the library tomorrow." After He Xiyuan came back, he saw the old lady and told her about his plans for tomorrow.
"It's a holiday tomorrow," said Mrs. He.
"Yeah." He Xiyuan knew tomorrow was a holiday. "Wait until evening and then we can all go home for dinner, right? There are so many people at home, and you don't have to keep an eye on me. It's not like we have to be together all day during the holidays."
He Xiyuan was also thinking about bringing some pastries over tomorrow. There was a chef in the bookstore, and they might have lunch there at noon.
"Okay." How could Madam He stop He Xiyuan? "You guys want to go over there and read, right? Then go ahead and read."
Old Madam He thought that the engaged couple did not do anything inappropriate, they just read books together.
"You don't know how to do something...something interesting." Madam He said, "Aren't you afraid of getting bored reading all the time?"
"No." He Xiyuan said, "I don't read all the time, I take breaks too."
Even when they are reading, they are talking and not keeping their mouths shut all the time.
He Xiyuan thought it would be better for them to go to the library and read some books, which would be better than having a lot of people around. He didn't want to turn around and see Liu Yulian's elder brother Liu Yanjing standing over there, which would be bad.
"It's up to you," said Madam He. "Just don't focus on studying."
A new day dawned, and the palace was hosting a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Liu Yulian didn't go, but Marquis Jingning and his wife did. They attended the banquet at noon, and when they returned in the evening, they could celebrate the festival with their families.
Liu Yulian and He Xiyuan went to the bookstore together and waited to go home in the evening.
At the Marquis of Jingning's residence, Princess Zhaoyang looked at Liu Qingyun, who was taking a day off. Princess Zhaoyang didn't force Liu Qingyun to do anything, but simply asked if he wanted to go to the Huo Bo residence.
"No." If Liu Qingyun didn't go to Mr. Huo's house, what could he do? Just listen to them talk about how difficult the Huo family was?
Liu Qingyun knew that his grandfather and father didn't have much contact with the Huo Bo Mansion, so there was no need for him to do so either. If there were any problems at the Huo Bo Mansion someday, he would help out if he could.
Before that, Liu Qingyun didn't plan to have much contact with the Huo family.
"Mother, Xiaojia is still young, so please keep an eye on her." Liu Qingyun said, "We won't go over there. If we meet her at the banquet, then we'll meet her."
Liu Qingyun didn't want to go to Huo Bo's house too often. If they didn't go to Huo Bo's house, people outside wouldn't say anything about them.
"Yes," Princess Zhaoyang said, "I didn't send anything to the Huo Bo Mansion in your name. You're all still young, and you're just collecting your monthly allowance. Even if you want to inherit something from the family in the future, that's in the future. No one will say anything if you don't send anything."
"If we send it, they will have a reason to come." Liu Qingyun understood.
Liu Qingyun did not go to the Ouyang family with the Huo family to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. He also did not think that the Ouyang family would welcome him. That was simply impossible.
At the Ouyang family, Mrs. Huo was in a bad mood. Lord Ouyang went out early in the morning and hasn't returned yet.
Mrs. Huo knew that her husband had gone to see the two children again, and Lord Ouyang always went over.
"It's Mid-Autumn Festival now, why don't you take those two children over?" Mrs. Huo was dissatisfied.
"Maybe the master doesn't want them to bother you." said the maid beside him.
"They're probably afraid I'll get in their way," Da Huo sneered. "One or two of them are leaving so early."
Old Madam Ouyang also left. She just thought that Mrs. Huo had a bad temper. Not to mention that Mrs. Huo had not given birth to a son yet, even if she had given birth to a son, Mrs. Huo would not let the child spend much time with Old Madam Ouyang. Old Madam Ouyang figured it out and decided that she still had to spend more time with her eldest grandson.
So Old Madam Ouyang went to find her eldest grandson. How could Lord Ouyang not let his son and daughter see Old Madam Ouyang?
Old Madam Ouyang saw that her eldest grandson didn't like her as much anymore. She also knew that what she had done before had disappointed her grandson and granddaughter. She had wanted to send the two children back to her hometown for the sake of Mrs. Huo, but now she didn't think so. Mrs. Huo would never respect her as her mother-in-law.
"Come, grandma brought you some food you like." said Mrs. Ouyang.
Lord Ouyang naturally let his children spend more time with Old Madam Ouyang. He was quite filial to Old Madam Ouyang.
During this Mid-Autumn Festival, some people were in a good mood, while others were in a bad mood. Far away in the village, Jiang Shi was having a rough time. Second Young Master Mei rarely came over, and Jiang Shi had never conceived. So, what could she use to fight Second Young Master Mei? Just the money she earned?
Jiang's family made a lot of money, and she didn't want the Mei family to constantly use her money. However, she had no other choice; her family wanted her to follow the Second Young Master Mei. She couldn't change her relationship with someone else; her innocence was gone, and even if she wanted to follow someone more powerful, it wouldn't work.
Back then, the Jiang family had tried to get Jiang Shi to marry a better family as a concubine, so they could give her a larger dowry. But they weren't stupid. Those nobles were already wealthy, and they didn't need Jiang Shi's dowry. They also didn't want to be accused of using a concubine's dowry.
Only a family like Mei Hanlin would think of using the concubine's dowry. None of the Mei family members are that good.
"Auntie." The maid served Jiang.
"It's okay." Jiang pursed her lips. No matter how lonely she was now, she had to hold on.
Jiang thought that she was not strong enough. If she could make enough money, then she would not have to live in the harem. She made enough money... But in this era, if a businessman had a strong backer, no matter how much money she made, she would be robbed of her money.
If she was wrong, she shouldn't have married the Second Young Master Mei in the first place.
Jiang thought of her brother, who had gotten his concubine pregnant first. Unfortunately, her sister-in-law was a powerful figure, so she forced the concubine to abort the child. The concubine died shortly after the abortion. She had originally been just a maid, a lowly concubine indentured to sell her body.
The Jiang family stayed in the capital. After Jiang was sent to the farm, Mrs. Jiang came to see her.
On this day, Mrs. Jiang also came to see Jiang.
"Today is Mid-Autumn Festival," Mrs. Jiang said, "Your brother and your sister-in-law are arguing again. They've been bickering all day long. I don't know what they're doing."
Mrs. Jiang looked at her haggard daughter. She felt sorry for her, but there was nothing she could do.
"Your brother..." Madam Jiang opened her mouth, not wanting to talk about the past for fear of being overheard. "He hangs out with his cronies all day long. I asked him to go out less and focus more on the family business, but he doesn't care."
Mrs. Jiang sold many of the Jiang family's properties because she was worried that her son wouldn't know how to manage them. If he didn't know how to manage them, then no matter how many properties he had, they would be squandered by him. To prevent her son from squandering the family fortune, Mrs. Jiang sold many properties and saved a lot of money.
"It's a pity you're not a man." Mrs. Jiang sighed. Her daughter was very good at business and accounting. However, since her daughter was not a son, Mrs. Jiang had to let her son inherit those things.
"Yes, I'm not a man." Jiang thought it was ridiculous. Just because she was not a man, she had to marry as a concubine to pave the way for her brother.
"Are you unhappy?" asked Mrs. Jiang.
"How could my daughter possibly be happy?" Jiang stood up. "She's trapped on this farm, unable to return home. It's a long way from the city, and it's not very convenient to buy anything. What can I do here?"
"Stay here, everything will be fine." Mrs. Jiang said.
"When is the best time?" Jiang thought it was difficult. "The Second Young Master Mei's wife is the daughter of a marquis. The Liu family has restored the title. I will never step on her. The Second Young Master Mei is the second son, not the eldest son. Even if I step on the Second Young Master Mei's wife, the Mei family will not be inherited by my children."
Jiang Shi was filled with resentment. First, she lost her title as a co-wife. Later, she faked a miscarriage, making the Mei family believe that it was the Second Young Master Mei's wife who caused her miscarriage. However, the Mei family did not punish the Second Young Master Mei's wife, and the Second Young Master Mei did not divorce her.
Now, Jiang Shi could only stay in the manor. No matter how hard she tried, it was useless.
When Mrs. Jiang heard her daughter say this, she could only comfort her and ask her to be patient.
In the library, Liu Yulian and He Xiyuan were sitting in the pavilion reading. There was a lake nearby. The environment here was nice and quiet.
"Have some cakes," Liu Yulian said. She stretched and looked at He Xiyuan beside her. She didn't wait for He Xiyuan to remind her to eat some snacks. She wasn't going to the imperial examination, so she had no pressure, while He Xiyuan still had to go. "Are you tired?"
"Not tired." He Xiyuan shook his head. "I've read it before."
"That's good." Liu Yulian said, "But many people don't say they're tired when they're tired."
"I'm not tired of being with you." He Xiyuan replied, "I'm really not tired. I feel warm."
"Eat some cakes." Liu Yulian said.
Liu Yulian pushed the cakes in front of He Xiyuan and stuffed a piece of cake into his mouth. She stopped feeding He Xiyuan because they hadn't gotten married yet and it wasn't suitable.
He Xiyuan thought these pastries were delicious, even better than usual.
There is a house right here. They have been here before and have their own residence here.
After they had lunch, they went to take a nap. After lunch, they read together again.
Just at this moment, a kite flew over.
Liu Yulian originally thought that the person who came to look for the kite would be a young and beautiful girl, but who knew that the person who came to pick up the kite was a young man.
"..." He Xiyuan looked at the young man and his mood was not very good. He had never thought that there was such a person living in the house next door.
That’s right, the Duan family originally lived in the house next door.
That Young Master Duan even walked up to Liu Yulian and said, "Thank you, Princess."
"It's time to study." He Xiyuan said.
He Xiyuan said he was jealous. He suspected that this young master Duan had deliberately dropped the kite here. It must be that the people in the neighboring mansion knew that Liu Yulian was staying here, so they did this. Don't think he didn't know that many people in the capital were thinking about Liu Yulian.
Liu Yulian sensed that He Xiyuan was unhappy, so she smiled and said, "Okay, it's time to study."
"Princess..."
"Is there anything else?" Liu Yulian turned around when she saw the young master of the Duan family calling her again. "There's only one kite that fell here. If there's anything else that fell here, tell the housekeeper and have him arrange for someone to find it."
Liu Yulian had no intention of accompanying the young master of the Duan family to look for things. If she continued to stay here, He Xiyuan would be unhappy.
"Can I borrow a book?" asked the young master of the Duan family.
"Sure." Liu Yulian nodded. These people can come and borrow books, as long as they return the books.
"There are a lot of books in the house next door, and the books over there can also be borrowed." He Xiyuan said with a bit of sourness, "Why don't you go borrow books from next door?"
"It is said that the books collected by Princess Rongning are quite different, so I want to take a look." said the young master of the Duan family.
"Let's go and see." He Xiyuan said. Why did he feel that the young master of the Duan family in front of him was trying to seduce others? "Let someone take you there. Don't let Sister Lian take you there herself."
"If it's possible... I'd love to." said the young master of the Duan family.
Liu Yulian did not take the young master of the Duan family to borrow books. She asked others to take the young master of the Duan family to borrow books. Liu Yulian and He Xiyuan went to read books elsewhere, and they did not have to think about whether it was a kite or not.
"It's just a kite, it's okay." Liu Yulian said.
"Have you heard of 'The Kite Romance'?" He Xiyuan said quietly, "There's a story that goes something like this: a rich young lady and a scholar became friends because of a kite."
"That's a storybook." Liu Yulian thought to herself that she couldn't possibly be like that. "Some of the things in the storybook treat others as fools."
"Yes, they all say nice things, but they're actually just silly talk," He Xiyuan said. "How can you tell what kind of person someone is by looking at a kite? Even picking up a kite doesn't necessarily mean that much. If someone clings to someone else relentlessly based on a kite, then they're definitely greedy for that person's things."
He Xiyuan almost said that the young master of the Duan family had some ulterior motives, but the young master of the Duan family did not hear what He Xiyuan said. If the young master of the Duan family heard it, he would definitely say: There are many people who have intentions towards Princess Rongning.
"That's right..." Liu Yulian was unable to refute.
Just a kite...
Liu Yulian was no longer thinking about the young master of the Duan family, but was thinking about continuing to read the book she had read in the morning.
"We have to leave soon and won't be able to read much." He Xiyuan was unhappy because they had wasted a lot of time because of the kite of the young master of the Duan family.
"Yeah." Liu Yulian nodded. "You can read for a while. You can come back another day."
In Shiyuan Village in the northwest, Liu Yanqing was supposed to cook in the kitchen, but he burned the fire for a long time and there was thick smoke, and the food was not ready yet.
Lin Xiaowan was speechless. The firewood was wet, and wet firewood was not easy to burn. When she asked Liu Yanqing to light a fire before, she always put the dry firewood next to it, and Liu Yanqing would just use the dry firewood to burn.
It rained a few days ago and some of the firewood got wet.
Lin Xiaowan thought that they had been here for such a long time, how come Liu Yanqing's fire was still burned like this.
"This is wet firewood, not dry." Lin Xiaowan stretched out her foot and kicked Liu Yanqing. "Can't you just get some dry firewood?"
"Isn't it all firewood?" Liu Yanqing asked, "Who knew that wet firewood wouldn't burn?"
“…” Lin Xiaowan was speechless.
"Even if it rains, there is water on the surface, right?" Liu Yanqing asked again.
"It can seep in." Lin Xiaowan rolled her eyes. "The firewood is wet, there's a lot of water."
"Oh." Liu Yanqing said, "Wait a minute, sit down first. You're pregnant, how about you not get smoked?"
Liu Yanqing clapped his hands. He could go find some dry firewood. It was just a matter of starting a fire. He could keep on starting it and he would definitely be able to make it a good one.
Seeing Liu Yanqing's turmoil, Aunt Zhao simply came over. She and Liu Yanqing could still go hungry, but Lin Xiaowan was pregnant and couldn't go hungry.
"I'll do it." Aunt Zhao said.
"They're all wet firewood," Liu Yanqing said. "Even if you were to burn it, it would be the same."
“…” Aunt Zhao looked at the wet firewood and twitched the corners of her mouth.
"There is dry firewood in the woodroom." Lin Xiaowan said, they also had firewood in the woodroom.
But like many other farm families, they also store firewood in the yard. It's fine when it's not raining, but when it rains, the firewood gets wet.
"I'll get it." Liu Yanqing said quickly, "I'm not afraid of thorns."
Wuwu, Liu Yanqing said that he was still afraid of being pricked by the thorns on the firewood. But for the sake of the child, he had to go. If he got hurt, no, even if he didn't get hurt, he would have to talk to the child and let the child understand his suffering.
Lin Xiaowan looked at Liu Yanqing's trembling hands. She didn't think he was afraid. However, she still didn't help him. She let him carry the firewood himself.
"Let him go." Aunt Zhao helped Lin Xiaowan sit down, "Today, I will cook later."
Aunt Zhao shouldn't let Liu Yanqing cook during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Liu Yanqing's cooking skills are really not that good. Aunt Zhao doesn't want to have to cook again later, so she might as well do it directly.
"Sorry to bother you, mom." Lin Xiaowan said. She was just waiting to eat.
Seeing that these people were willing to do it, Lin Xiaowan would not rush to do it. They were just an ordinary farmer now, and there were not so many people at home to serve them.
"Ouch." When Lin Xiaowan thought Liu Yanqing could still do something, she heard Liu Yanqing's scream.
"Are you scared?" Aunt Zhao hurriedly supported Lin Xiaowan, fearing that she would fall. What was Liu Yanqing doing? What could have happened in the woodshed?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
