Only this green, not disappointing the spring

Ever since he parted ways with Concubine Jing at the chrysanthemum viewing banquet, Xuanyuan Yan has been living in dire straits.

First, his job in the Ministry of Revenue was replaced by the Fifth Prince; then, the officials with whom he used to have close contact suddenly stopped communicating, as if they had agreed to do so; and then, for the entire next month, there was no news from the palace.

Even Wang Shuhua no longer showed him any courtesy. Even if they met on the road, they would just say hello and then leave.

The rumor that Xuanyuan Yan had a falling out with Concubine Jing at the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet was widely spread. In addition, the lucrative position in the Ministry of Revenue was actually given to the most insignificant Fifth Prince.

Everyone was speculating that perhaps the Third Prince had done something wrong and angered Imperial Concubine Jing. The Fifth Prince's mother had been bedridden for years and it had long been rumored that she would not survive this winter.

Could it be that Imperial Concubine Jing was planning to abandon her own son and fully support the Fifth Prince who was easier to control? This sounded incredible, and the most likely possibility was that Imperial Concubine Jing was giving her own son a warning.

The outside world was buzzing with rumors, but the person responsible for the incident was living in his house more comfortably than ever before. What made him happiest was that Shangguan Qingyue finally sent him a letter.

Attached to the letter was a fairly thick picture album and a scroll.

When Qing Yi got it from outside, he walked lightly. Alas, since returning to the capital, he can finally live a few days of peace and comfort.

Xuanyuan Yan carefully unfolded the scroll and looked at this rare realistic painting style. He wished he could reproduce every stone in the scene exactly as it was. For the first time, he understood the benefit of this painting method: it makes the viewer feel as if they are in the scene.

He smiled and said:

"It seems that when dealing with this girl, you have to learn to be straightforward. Otherwise, you can be sulking here and she won't know anything.

Qingyi..."

I didn't expect that when I looked up, I would see four people standing there in a row. I couldn't help but laugh:

"Why don't you just act like a street rat? I haven't seen you three in the past few days. Why are you so free today?"

Xuan Si immediately laughed and scratched his head. Zhu San pushed him away in disgust.

"Old Four, you haven't washed your hair for a long time. Do you have lice? Why are you scratching it all the time?!"

"Third brother, what nonsense are you talking about?! Since I moved to Xiangxue Village, I have become very diligent. Who said that you need to scratch your head only when it itches? Can't I be embarrassed?"

The two of them were talking to each other without paying attention to the people around them, and the quarrel was getting out of hand. Qing Yi and Bai Er crossed their arms and watched the quarrel, neither of them helped nor worried that their master would get angry.

They grew up together, and they knew Xuanyuan Yan's temper very well. The master was in the best mood and was the most tolerant of them. If they didn't make a fuss, they would be sorry for the suffering they had endured in the past few days.

As expected, Xuanyuan Yan just held his chin with one hand and watched the fun with a smile, without a trace of impatience.

The few people stopped when they saw that they were ahead, and soon they tactfully withdrew. Xuanyuan Yan then opened the thin piece of letter paper, and his heart trembled after reading the beginning.

'It's like seeing you in person, and it's a relief to read your letter.'

He could not help but stand up and walk back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, muttering these eight words. His heartbeat went from uncontrollably fast to steady, and then he felt a sense of comfort and peace that he had never experienced before.

He couldn't describe his feelings at the moment in words. He walked quickly to the desk, pulled out a long box and took out a simple scroll.

This was the farewell gift that Xiao Shitou gave him when he left Xiangxue Village. It was a painting he drew himself, with Shangguan Qingyue and him in it.

The same realistic painting style, even the wrinkles on the clothes are carefully depicted. Fortunately, the two are still young. If it were a portrait of an elder, wouldn’t even the wrinkles on the face be missed?

On the way back to Beijing, Xuanyuan Yan only opened it briefly and put it away. Now when he read it again, his mood has changed drastically.

The people in the painting are huddled in the chic sofa, one of them holding a cat, and talking about something. The joyful atmosphere infects the people who are looking at the painting through the paper.

Coincidentally, Shangguan Qingyue and Xiao Shitou were sitting on the sofa in the same position. To be more precise, the whole family was there. Even Li Dali, who stayed with his wife all day, was there, while Li Daniu was left at home to look after his mother.

The family is discussing returning to Beijing.

Baili Nanqing said:

"Now that the weather is getting cooler, it's the best time to go out. We have to go to your grandparents' house along the way, and it will take quite a while to go there and back.

Yue'er, we can't delay any longer."

If it weren't for Shangguan Chong's frequent letters urging her, Baili Nanqing would have wanted to continue to be a coward and not mention the matter of leaving unless her daughter mentioned it.

Although she had prepared herself mentally, Li couldn't help but tear up when the time came. She quickly covered her eyes with a handkerchief and turned her back to calm herself down.

Zhao looked fine, but her slightly trembling hands revealed her true emotions. She had to admit that she was biased and her favorite was Shangguan Qingyue, her precious granddaughter.

However, she felt at ease with herself for being biased. If it weren't for this smart and capable child, who knows what kind of dire situation their family would be in now.

Now that her precious granddaughter has become the daughter of a wealthy family, her future is bright, and she can only be happy for her. After drinking the red date and wolfberry tea that Shangguan Qingyue specially prepared for her, Zhao said:

"We should have gone back a long time ago. It's not like we won't come back in the future. There's no need to be so sad.

There is only one thing I am not too sure about. Ruoxi, you must always remind yourself to be restrained when you arrive in Beijing. In the eyes of your family, you are smart and cute, but in a place where rules are strictly enforced, you may be ridiculed.

Grandma can't bear to see my precious grandson being wronged, you must protect yourself well!"

At the end of her speech, her voice was trembling. She picked up the teacup and took another sip of tea to cover up her loss of composure. Meanwhile, Li's shoulders shook violently, trying hard to restrain herself from making any sound.

At this time, Li Dali, who had been silent all the time, suddenly spoke:

"Mother, let me send Ruoxi back to the capital. I'll come back after I settle her down there."

After spending the past few months together, he was very sure that Baili Nanqing truly doted on his niece, but he still couldn't be completely at ease without being able to see with his own eyes that she was living well in the capital.

Shangguan Qingyue refused without any hesitation. Her aunt-in-law was nearly six months pregnant and needed her husband's careful company and care. How could he ignore his family for her?

"Uncle, don't ask grandma. I will never agree. The most important thing for you now is to take good care of your wife and children. You don't need to worry about other things.

My mother and elder sister will definitely protect me, not to mention my father and two brothers in the capital. I promise to send someone to send a letter home every three days to report my safety. Now my cousin Danniu has learned a lot of words, so I will ask him to read it to you."

Shangguan Qingyue's attitude was too firm, and the reasons she gave were irrefutable. Li Dali wanted to say something several times but failed in the end.

Actually, if you think about it, it doesn't seem to make much difference whether you go or not. He is a country farmer, and apart from a little strength, he has no other ability.

As for that little bit of strength, it became insignificant after he inadvertently saw Baili Nanqing moving a large rock easily.

Oh, what a shame...