Re-embroidering life

Not long after, there was a commotion outside, and footsteps were heard. It was the Ji family who had come back from escorting the bride. Aunt Li was waiting at the gate of the courtyard, welcoming Old Lady Ji and Ji Zimo. Upon learning that Shui Qinghua had suddenly given birth to a daughter prematurely, Ji Zimo bowed to his mother-in-law and then hurried into the room to see his wife and baby.

Old Mrs. Ji's expression was not so good: "Alas, when will Sanlang have a son?"

The eldest daughter-in-law Tan's eyes flashed with gloating: "Mom, you don't lack grandchildren anyway, our Ji family is prosperous!"

Aunt Li looked embarrassed.

In contrast to Shui Qinghua, Tan gave birth to three sons right after she got married, and her second daughter-in-law, Sun, also had a son and two daughters.

The Ji family is a family of scholars and officials. The great-grandfather once served as a tutor, and was well-known in Jiangxia Prefecture. The eldest son, Ji Zixuan, was a Jinshi in the two imperial examinations and served as the fifth-rank Tongzhi of Jiangxia Prefecture. The second son, Ji Zifang, was a Juren and served as the chief clerk of Echeng County under Jiangxia Prefecture. The first two daughters-in-law were also from small official families, so they were a perfect match. Ji Zimo was the most outstanding son of the Ji family. He was proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and was famous in the Jiangxia literati.

The family had been living a prosperous life, hoping to regain the glory of their ancestors. However, a few years ago, Ji Zixuan offended someone while in office, lost his job, and his family property was confiscated. The family was driven out of the mansion in the capital and squeezed into this long-uninhabited old house in Yuquan Town, their hometown, where they lived in constant fear.

Ji Zimo had been obsessed with calligraphy and painting since he was young, and was impatient with socializing. After this incident, he realized the dangers of officialdom and gave up the idea of ​​taking the imperial examination. The Tang family, a prominent family in Echeng, who had been engaged to him since childhood, broke off the engagement with him. For a time, the most talented man in Jiangxia, who was sought after by countless ladies, fell into an awkward situation of being neither high nor low. Those from high-class families were afraid of being contaminated by the Ji family, while those from low-class families were disliked by the Ji family for being vulgar and unwilling to yield.

Seeing that Ji Zimo was still unmarried at the age of 20, Old Lady Ji was so anxious that she wept. The youngest son was more handsome and talented than his two elder brothers. If the Ji family had not fallen on hard times, he could have married the prefect's daughter. Why was no one interested in him now?

At this time, the matchmaker mentioned Shui Qinghua, the second daughter of the Shui family. She was a native of Yuquan Town, the daughter of a scholar, and was able to read and write. Although her family background was not high, it was much better than that of an illiterate girl. The second daughter of the Shui family usually did the housework. She was hardworking and could support the third room when she got married. The second daughter of the Shui family was beautiful, with a beautiful face and a gentle personality. It was not too unfair for Ji Sanlang to marry her. The Shui family was poor and had no requirements for the betrothal gift, which was very important to the Ji family who were in a state of decline.

Old Mrs. Ji thought about leaving, although she was unwilling, but seeing that the Ji family's recovery was nowhere in sight and that her son could not remain a bachelor forever, she gritted her teeth and agreed.

Unlike his mother who was conflicted, Ji Zimo quickly accepted the marriage as he believed his mother would not harm him.

When the matchmaker came to Shui Qinghua's house, she was filled with turmoil. That was Ji Zimo!

The first time Shui Qinghua met Ji Zimo, she was only thirteen years old. Her father Shui Xiucai was a teacher in the children's class of Yuquan Academy. Shui Qinghua went to the academy to deliver lunch every day. One day, when she walked to the door, she saw a young man getting off a carriage. He was wearing a light blue gown, tall and graceful, with eyes like cold stars. The whole person was like a crescent moon, imprinted in Shui Qinghua's heart. "There is a gentleman who is like a knife, like a polish, like a jade", the sentence in the book suddenly appeared in her mind.

Soon, the boy was invited in, but Shui Qinghua stood there, feeling empty inside. Later, she found out that Ji Zimo was often invited to discuss calligraphy and painting with students. For this reason, Shui Qinghua delivered meals to her father every day, and she really saw Ji Zimo a few times. Shui Qinghua knew that he was a son of a noble family, and had been engaged to a young lady from a wealthy family since childhood. She also knew that she would marry an ordinary man in the future arranged by her parents. She could only bury this unrequited love deep in her heart and told no one.

But now, the Ji family came to ask for her hand in marriage. Could it be that Ji Zimo had noticed her as well? Shui Qinghua was filled with joy. Why wouldn't she be reluctant when a man she fell in love with at first sight asked her to marry him?

The Shui family was unwilling.

Aunt Li said loudly, "A phoenix in trouble is no better than a chicken. Although the Ji family was prosperous in the past, they are having a hard time now. What good will you gain by marrying into the family?"

Shui Minghua is two years older than Qinghua, and is the eldest daughter that Shui Xiucai and his wife value the most. She looked worried, "Second sister, I've heard that Ji Zimo is not good at worldly affairs, and I don't think he will take care of the affairs in the backyard. Can you handle such a big family?"

Shui Xiucai sat in the corner and muttered in a low voice: "I have seen Ji Zimo before, he is a rare talent among men, and Qi Da is unmatched."

Shui Qinghua twisted her hands and bowed her head in silence. She knew what her family said, but she was less than seventeen years old and met Ji Zimo when she first fell in love. From then on, she looked down on everyone else. Although she knew in her heart that there was a huge gap between them, she still held a little hope. What if Ji Zimo liked her?

Seeing her expression, the whole family understood.

And just like that, Shui Qinghua married Ji Zimo.

After marriage, she discovered another side of Ji Zimo. In front of others, he was a gentle and elegant gentleman, as bright as the moon; behind others, he would either go out to collect materials and sketch, or lock himself in his study. Whenever he made a breakthrough in his painting and calligraphy skills, he would dance with joy, and even in the middle of the night he would be so excited that he would play the piano. Behind his back, everyone in the Ji family called him "half-crazy".

As a wife, Shui Qinghua took on the responsibility of taking care of him. In addition to taking care of his three meals a day and his clothes for all seasons, she also had to urge him to bathe and go to bed on time and not play the piano in the middle of the night. Ji Zimo didn't pay much attention to his life and was very obedient to her. Although the couple's relationship was dull, it was still harmonious.

Just as I was immersed in the past, Ji Zimo pushed the door open and bumped into me.

Even though she had prepared herself mentally, she still couldn't calm down when their eyes met. The grievance, sadness, and disappointment were all mixed up in her heart. She burst into tears and sobbed and growled, "Why did you come just now? Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?"

Ji Zimo was stunned. This was the first time Qinghua was angry with him, and the first time she acted so sad. He couldn't help but feel a little helpless, and said in a panic: "I'm sorry, Qinghua, I thought your due date was still more than half a month away, and it wouldn't matter if I left for a few hours. You're suffering, it's my fault."

He knew nothing. The feeling of having to use all her strength to breathe, the pain in her body, and the despair of waiting for him but not seeing him, was an indelible shadow in her heart.

Shui Qinghua lowered her head, hiding her complicated expression, and said sullenly, "Come and see my daughter."

Ji Zimo thought she was crying because she gave birth to a daughter, and comforted her: "It's okay, we are still young, there is no rush."

"I'm afraid that giving birth this time has hurt my vitality. I don't plan to have another child in the future." Shui Qinghua mustered up the courage and looked straight at Ji Zimo.

Ji Zimo opened his eyes wide. He knew that his mother was putting pressure on his wife about having children. Only with a legitimate son could he gain a firm foothold in the Ji family. In this matter, his wife had always been more anxious than him. Why did she suddenly say that she didn't want to have another child?

Not only that, he discovered something was different about his wife. In front of him, Shui Qinghua was always gentle and soft, and her eyes were full of admiration when she looked at him. But now she looked straight into his eyes, her voice was firm, and her eyes were resolute.

Ji Zimo subconsciously avoided the strange feeling in his heart. He held up his daughter, a newborn baby, with eyes slightly closed and a faint smile. Ji Zimo felt soft, sour and sweet in his heart, which was really strange. This was his third time as a father, but he had never felt so strongly before. Maybe he had a special affinity with this daughter.

"Let's name her Wei, Ji Wei." Ji Zimo looked at his daughter deeply, then at his wife. "If you are not feeling well, just take care of yourself. Let's not talk about having a child for now. I'll take care of the child. You are tired, so have a good sleep."

After hearing what he said, Shui Qinghua suddenly felt tiredness all over her body. She didn't care about anything else and fell asleep with her head tilted.