After the replacement marriage, I was forced to fight at home

Cai'er, holding a pair of shoes in her hand, walked right into Chuntao's yard. Although Cai'er was very reluctant to pay attention to her, she smiled patiently, thinking of what Chuan'er had said to her, "What has Sister Chuntao been doing? Be careful of the slippery roads in this cold weather."

Chuntao was just happy about the doctor's confirmation of her pregnancy. When she heard Cai'er's words, she subconsciously looked down at her feet. The snow in Qinghe Garden was only cleared in the areas where people often walked. Meng Wan did not allow the rest of the garden to be cleared, saying that she liked to see the white appearance.

"I'm going home to get some things. I've already reported to Mother Fan," he said, then he tilted his head back and turned to walk into the corridor on the right.

Cai'er curled her lips in disdain and walked to the door and said to Xiang'er who was guarding the door, "Keep an eye on her and see who goes to her room or where she goes. If someone goes to her room and leaves again, tell Sister Chuan'er immediately."

Xiang'er was one of the newcomers who came in a while ago. She was guarding the gate of the courtyard with a maid. She was a very steady girl.

Xiang'er tightened her jacket and said, "Don't worry, Sister Cai'er. Sister Chuntao just went out. I have already told Sister Chuan'er."

Cai'er happily ran straight to the outer courtyard.

When I opened the door, I smelled the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes in the yard.

"Well, you guys, are you eating delicious food behind my back again?" Cai'er turned around the screen wall and saw Qimei and Mingxi squatting at the main door of the study. Mingxi was turning over the sweet potatoes on the stove with an iron tongs.

"Sister Cai'er is here. Sister Xuefu just said that if you don't come, she will call you later."

"Where did you get it from? From the big kitchen?" Cai'er also squatted down and stretched out her hand to warm herself by the fire.

"No, this was brought back by Brother Wu. He bought it from the south of the city. There are also potatoes, chestnuts, broad beans, and a fruit box. There are so many foods." The seventh sister said excitedly.

"Brother Wu is back?" Cai'er turned to ask Mingxi.

"Well, I just came back not long ago and I'm changing clothes in the room." Mingxi pointed towards the east wing.

Cai'er felt a little warmer, so she stood up, opened the door of the study, and walked towards the west room.

Xuefu was blowing gently on a piece of paper she had just written. She smiled as she saw Cai'er coming in, "I was just thinking of calling you, and you happened to be here. Go back later and give this to Second Madam. This is what Brother Wu just told me. It's all gifts needed for the Qinghe Garden festival at the end of the year."

Cai'er took it. There was a lot of writing on it. Cai'er was illiterate at first, but she started to learn from Meng Wan later. Even now, she can't recognize much. Looking at the full piece of paper, she was surprised and said, "Why is there so much? Second Master has so many friends. How much silver does it cost?"

"Not entirely. There are some precautions and other things on it." Xue Fu chuckled and put the pen away. "What did you get? The shoe pattern?"

"Oh, yes, didn't you say last time that you wanted to make shoes for Mingxi and Mingfu? Sister Dongmei is very good at sewing. Look at these shoes, there are so many styles. I brought them here and asked you to choose one. You have good taste, so help me choose. I want to make a pair for my father and my brother."

Cai'er sold herself to the West House because her mother was ill and had no money to see a doctor. Now the family has become more successful because of her following Meng Wan, and their lives have improved. Meng Wan bought her a small courtyard with two entrances in the south of the city, next to the house in Jinming Hutong. Cai'er's father usually works odd jobs, and her brother is an apprentice in the tea shop of the former Wang family, so they live a comfortable life.

Xuefu took the shoe patterns and was surprised to see that there were so many of them. Generally, women have many kinds of shoes, while men only have a few. It is not common to see so many shoes like Dongmei's, especially since they are all cotton shoes.

The two sat on the kang and picked carefully. Mingfu and Mingxi were cousins. Their families suffered a disaster and they came to Beijing to beg. They fainted on the roadside due to hunger and were rescued by Uncle Qi. Seeing that the two brothers were quite smart, he simply brought them to Zhou Yu's side. They were both very considerate.

"Scheff?"

"Ok?"

"Who else is there in Brother Wu's family?"

"There's no one here, why are you asking this?"

Cai Er said embarrassedly, "Nothing, I just don't see his family often, so I asked."

Xue Fu put down her shoes and sighed, "Everyone in this yard is pitiful, none of them has a family. It's because of following the Second Master that we have a good life now, but it doesn't matter, we are all family."

Xue Fu picked out the good look, "I don't know what's going on with Brother Wu. When I came to the outer courtyard, Brother Wu was already here. I've known him for such a long time. Don't be fooled by his quiet nature. He is actually a very thoughtful and enthusiastic person."

"Well, he, he is not young anymore, right?"

"Yes, he is older than Second Master. He should be about twenty-four or twenty-five after this year. Second Master said last year that he wanted to find a wife for Big Brother Wu, but Big Brother Wu refused."

"Why?" Cai'er leaned forward and asked anxiously.

"I don't know the specific situation, but Mingfu and I feel that Brother Wu is doing something special for the Second Master after all, flying back and forth. Doesn't he feel that he has no security, so how can he find a wife?"

Cai Er nodded, "But he can't always be alone, Second Master should take care of it for him."

Xuefu looked out the window. The thick bast paper made it impossible to see what was happening outside. She could only hear the north wind whistling against the window.

"But I think Brother Wu has someone he likes."

"What? Who? How do you know? Have you seen him?" Cai'er asked repeatedly.

"Why are you so excited? You scared me." Xuefu glared at Cai'er.

"No, I'm just asking. I just thought that if Big Brother Wu really likes someone, he can go back and tell Second Madam and let Second Madam arrange it for him. Second Master will definitely be happy."

Xue Fu nodded, "I don't know if it is true or not. Brother Wu has a handkerchief that he treasures so much that he always carries it with him, but he doesn't use it. He just folds it neatly in his pocket."

"how do you know?"

"It was summer. I was helping him wash clothes. I brought a pile of clothes out from his room. Just as I was about to put them in the basin, Brother Wu came back. He first went back to his room, then rushed over to ask me where his clothes were. I pointed to the basin, and he began to look through them one by one. Then I saw a piece of light yellow handkerchief fall out. Brother Wu's anxious expression suddenly relaxed, and he carefully folded them up and put them back in his pocket."

Cai'er opened her mouth, "Maybe his mother left it for him?"

"I don't think so. It's so yellowish, it's not something a woman would use, and there are chrysanthemums embroidered on it. Besides, even if it was left to him by Brother Wu's mother, I heard that he lost his mother when he was very young. It's been so many years, so it's impossible for the handkerchief to be so new."

(I'd like to say this here. I also checked it online. In ancient times, chrysanthemums were also called yellow flowers. Generally, little girls like to have embroidered chrysanthemums on their handkerchiefs. The handkerchiefs are usually yellow, so it can be extended to mean a yellow flower girl. I don't know if it's right, so let's just understand it this way.)

Cai'er stared at the shoes thoughtfully. Did Brother Wu like someone? Who could it be? Would he ask the Second Master to help him get married?

Cai'er just felt a little pain in a corner of her heart and had difficulty breathing.

Seventh sister's voice came from outside, "Brother Wu, it's almost done."

Cai'er put down the shoes, got off the kang, and opened the door of the study. She saw Wu Hen coming over here with a pair of shoes.

When Wu Hen saw Cai'er coming out, he was stunned at first, nodded as a greeting, and then went to the washroom next to him.

Cai'er followed behind him and saw that the pair of shoes he was carrying had been soaked by the snow water for some reason. Wu Hen poured a basin of water and put the shoes in it. Just as he was about to squat down to wash them, Cai'er walked over and rolled up her sleeves, "Brother Wu, I'll do it."

Wu Hen said, "No need, I can do it myself."

Cai'er ignored him, grabbed the wooden basin, put it on the shelf, picked up the brush and started brushing.

Wu Hen tied his hands together and looked at Cai'er, who seemed to be feeling a little strange, but he didn't insist.

While brushing her shoes, Cai'er was thinking about who the woman who gave Wu Hen the handkerchief was. She must not be from the mansion. The only person in the mansion who often interacted with Wu Hen was Xue Fu. Now with the addition of Seventh Sister, she could only be considered to be somewhat familiar with him.

Then she must be from outside, maybe a girl from some family? That's not impossible. Wu Hen is such a nice person, knows kung fu, and has a kind heart. There must be many people who like him.

Cai'er thought about this and suddenly felt aggrieved. She put more and more strength on her hands until a warm feeling came over her. Wu Hen was scooping hot water into the basin.

Cai Er was afraid of being seen by him, so she lowered her head and said nothing. Wu Hen didn't say anything either, he just poured the warm water into the basin and turned around and walked out.

Cai Er raised her head, trying hard not to let her tears flow. At this moment, she completely understood her feelings. Although she heard bad news today, so what? It was not her fault that she liked him. Besides, no matter who he liked, she would not bother him. As long as he liked her like this, she would not cause him any trouble.

Thinking of this, Cai'er exhaled, shook off the water droplets on her hands, and took out a hemp rope from her arms. She looked outside again, and seeing that no one was paying attention, she secretly measured the soles of Wu Hen's shoes.