A life of ups and downs is pure joy

Shuyin was kneeling in the front hall, Luo Yun was standing beside her, Yunxiang was helping Xiao Yi put on his coat, Lin Qinghuan had already finished washing up and was sitting in front of the dressing table in the inner room, letting Chuxia comb her hair for her.

"Shuyin, get up. You don't have to kneel anymore. From now on, you can come to the room with Yunxiang and Chuxia to serve." Lin Qinghuan said to the maid who had been kneeling with her head lowered when she saw her in the bronze mirror.

Seeing this, Luo Yun asked her to stand up and said, "Go and see how the eldest master and the young lady's breakfast is going."

"Mother Luo, is Li Xue's coughing a few days ago better now? After Ancai came back, she has been staying in my yard day by day. You should ask her to go back to Suheju first. There are few maids in my yard, so she can help Mother Huang. I am used to Chuxia, otherwise I would have asked her to go back to honor her mother." Lin Qinghuan said.

"Okay, Madam, I told Lixue to eat less frozen pears, but she was greedy. She has almost recovered after drinking some medicinal soup in the past few days. I will let her return to the Marquis' Mansion tomorrow." Mother Luo said.

"Luhua is young, so you should take care of her, Mother Luo. If there is any work in Qingbo Courtyard, bring her along." Lin Qinghuan shook her head at the mirror, indicating that she didn't like the pearl hairpin. Chuxia took it off and found a jade hairpin to replace it. Only then did the beauty show a satisfied smile on her face.

"These pearls of yours are all worn out. After you greet your mother and grandmother, I'll take you to pick out some new ones." Xiao Yi walked over and held Lin Qinghuan's shoulders and said, "That washed-red long dress will look good on you."

After hearing this, Yun Xiang put down the moon-white and green-green beaded forged skirt in her hand and went back to searching in the cabinet.

When Lin Qinghuan, wearing a long red forged skirt embroidered with gold peonies, a red gold fairy butterfly necklace around her neck, and a jade hairpin with autumn water white bamboo joints, and a look of weary beauty, sat at the table with Xiao Yi, Shuyin had already arrived with a group of maids carrying breakfast to wait on the two masters.

Shuyin stood beside Lin Qinghuan and filled the white jade bowl inlaid with gold in front of the two of them with peach gum and bird's nest porridge. Xiao Yi glanced at her and then picked up some dishes for Lin Qinghuan.

"Shuyin, you grew up with your grandmother, and you are also a highly-regarded maid in the Xiao family. In the future, you will be responsible for the etiquette matters of the little maids in Qingbo Courtyard." Lin Qinghuan said softly while stirring the soup in her hand with a silver spoon. When she saw that it was almost cool, she handed the bowl to her husband Xiao Yi.

"I understand, young madam." Shuyin stepped back and bowed.

Lin Qinghuan looked at her, then looked at Xiao Yi, "Is it delicious?"

"Well, it's good. It tastes different from what I drank before." Xiao Yi said.

"That's right. After all, I replaced the previous cook. The dishes she cooked were not to my taste. I don't know how you have been making do over the years." Lin Qinghuan's stomach has been nurtured by the several cooks in the Lin Mansion since she came here, and she wanted to bring Mother Huang to the Xiao Mansion when she was not satisfied with several cooks after changing them.

"It's all up to you. Yesterday, I smelled the aroma of wine brewing coming from the small kitchen. What were they making?" Xiao Yi asked curiously. Ever since Lin Qinghuan moved into Qingbo Courtyard with him, the maids in the entire courtyard had to do the most work of drying tea, brewing wine, and researching various dishes.

"The green plum blossoms beside Chen Yuyuan are blooming very beautifully. I heard Shuyin say that there is a kind of winter flower wine in their hometown. It is made from the petals of the green plum and the first snow of early winter as nectar. What else is added?" Lin Qinghuan forgot what he was saying, and then looked at Shuyin who was serving beside him and asked.

"Madam, soak the glutinous rice in snow water overnight. Wash it with clean water the next day, drain the water and pour it into the steamer. Sprinkle some salt on the first snow, soak the green plum petals for a few hours, then take them out and dry them in the shade. Then put the petals into the steamer and steam them together. The subsequent steps are the same as those for making ordinary sweet rice wine, but use superheated snow water instead of clean water." Shuyin said seriously, secretly glancing at Xiao Yi's expression from time to time.

"Well, this stuff is good. My husband also likes to drink this sweet rice wine. But there is no first snow as an introduction these days. I asked Chuxia and the others to collect the morning dew on the leaves and petals of the trees at Yinshi as a substitute. It is difficult for them to get up early every day to work hard." After Lin Qinghuan finished speaking, Xiao Yi, who had a blank expression, smiled slightly and then pinched her little face.

"Mother Huang has made your mouth so picky. It's my fault for not considering these things before. You've been eating food you don't like for several years. No wonder you've been so thin. Tell the kitchen not to work at noon. I'll take you to Jingshui Tower to see what's going on." Xiao Yi said, looking at Lin Qinghuan's happy smile.

"An Cai often mentioned Jingshuilou to me. The best dishes were the air-dried chicken and cured pork belly." Lin Qinghuan said.

"If you like, I will ask the chef to come to the house and make delicious food for you every day." After Xiao Yi finished speaking, Lin Qinghuan chuckled.

"That won't do. If the chef stays in our house, An Cai will take Qingru pig to Qingbo Courtyard every day. I don't have a room prepared for them here." After Lin Qinghuan finished speaking, Chuxia, who was preparing hand cloths and mouthwash for Lin Qinghuan, also laughed. Shuyin also smiled slightly when she saw this, and then looked at Lin Qinghuan with envy, because during the entire breakfast, the eldest master's eyes never left the young lady.

After the couple left Qingbo Courtyard, Shuyin began to count the number of little maids in the courtyard according to Lin Qinghuan's instructions, and prepared to start teaching them the rules. Now the rules of Qingbo Courtyard are different from before. After all, Lin Qinghuan is the mistress, and the eldest son is decided by the young lady in charge of everything, so the rules of Qingbo Courtyard are surnamed Lin.

"Yun Xiang, I noticed that you have been in a sullen mood since early this morning. What's wrong?" When Xiao Yi went to the study to look for Xiao Bowen, Lin Qinghuan looked at the maid next to her and asked.

"Sister Yunxiang, you are angry with Shuyin. I saw that you were unhappy since she entered the yard." Chuxia looked at Yunxiang and said.

"Young Madam... I just felt that she betrayed you at the time, causing you to be punished to kneel in the ancestral hall and almost die. I am so angry that you forgive her like this." Yun Xiang replied.

"I know you are thoughtful. I was very confused at that time. If it weren't for the punishment of kneeling in the ancestral hall, my relationship with my husband would not have been sublimated. I also didn't know that I would have such a happy life after my rebirth. Although I can't say that it was Shuyin who made it happen, it was she who pushed for it. The most important thing is that she is useful to me." Lin Qinghuan sat in the pavilion in the garden waiting for Xiao Yi to go to the grandmother's yard, looking at Yun Xiang meaningfully and said.

"Useful?" Yun Xiang looked at Lin Qinghuan strangely, not knowing what this word meant.

"Yun Xiang, she is different from you and Chu Xia to me." Lin Qinghuan just smiled faintly, then blinked at the maid who looked puzzled.

"Okay, Sister Yunxiang, if she has any ulterior motives, wouldn't it be much better to do it under our noses than in secret? If she is loyal to the young lady, it will be a good thing for us. If she is neither, that would be even better. In this way, our young lady won't be emotional when using someone who has been in the Xiao Mansion for more than ten years. Am I right, young lady?" Chu Xia asked Lin Qinghuan with her round eyes.

"No one knows me better than early summer." Lin Qinghuan smiled faintly at the two maids. The three of them waited for a moment before they saw Xiao Yi approaching from afar. His slender figure stood out in the crowd. Lin Qinghuan smiled as she watched her husband approach slowly.

"My husband, even the way he walks is different from others. How can he be so handsome?" Lin Qinghuan murmured as she looked at the man.

Yun Xiang was a keen listener and smiled secretly as he watched his young wife, who looked like a young lady in love.

Anyou Hall was as quiet as usual. As Grandma Xiao was old and could not stand noise, the sounds of the maids and servants working were all soft and quiet.

Lin Qinghuan and Xiao Yi's brisk steps consciously slowed down as they stepped into the yard.

"Madam, the eldest master and the young mistress are here." Bai Zhi, the maid who was busy in the yard, happily led the two of them inside and shouted.

When he opened the curtain, he saw Walnut Lady serving tea to the old lady.

The couple stepped forward and bowed to the old lady, then sat down together beside her. Hu Taoniang looked at Xiao Yi with resentful eyes. The man raised his lips slightly when he saw this, then he lowered his head and glanced at Lin Qinghuan next to him.

"Is the eldest master taking a rest today?" asked Nanny Dong.

Xiao Yi smiled and nodded.

"My Yi'er has lost some weight recently. Is it because the food doesn't suit his taste?" Grandma Xiao looked at Xiao Yi lovingly and asked.

"Grandma is worried. Maybe it's because your grandson is wearing black clothes today. Huan'er has a new cook these days, and the food is much more delicious than before." Xiao Yi glanced at Lin Qinghuan beside him and then said to Grandma Xiao.

"Huan'er is sensible and knows how to love her husband. She is such a good child. My Yi'er has loved reading since he was young. His father is very strict with him. He can't even eat or drink tea as leisurely as others. I have always felt sorry for him." Grandmother Xiao couldn't help but smile as she watched her eldest grandson grow from a little baby to such a tall man. However, she always felt that something was missing in her heart and kept looking towards the door.

Lin Qinghuan also looked outside in the direction her gaze was pointing.

"Yier, where is your second brother? This kid doesn't want his grandmother anymore. I left a lot of walnut cookies for him. If he doesn't come back, Zuo'er will eat them all." Grandma Xiao said in a daze.

"Grandma, the second young master and his second wife came to pay their respects to you early this morning!" Hu Tao Niang said softly with her head down.

"Really? Yu'er and Huan'er came today?" As soon as Grandma Xiao finished speaking, Lin Qinghuan's hand holding the teacup shook unconsciously, and then he looked at Grandma Xiao with an embarrassed expression.

"Grandma, what are you saying?" Hu Tao Niang glanced at Lin Qinghuan and Xiao Yi, then looked at the confused old lady and asked.

"Grandma, the second young master has gone out to travel with the medical immortal Bu. When he comes back, I will send someone to find him." Seeing this, Nanny Dong hurried forward to support the old lady and said.

The head maid Bai Zhi came over with the medicine for the old man. Lin Qinghuan didn't see this maid very often. She looked about the same age as himself, with a round and oval face.

"Grandma, the medicine is ready. Let's drink it and then take a nap." Bai Zhi said softly, and stepped forward to serve Grandma Xiao the medicine. After several people helped the grandmother to the inner room to rest, Nanny Dong also came to send Xiao Yi, Lin Qinghuan and Hu Tao Niang out of the yard.

"Mammy, is grandma's confusion becoming more and more frequent now?" Xiao Yi asked, recalling the scene just now.

"Don't worry, eldest son and young lady. The old grandmother is old, and some of her memories are fuzzy, and some of her words are confused. We see her happy on weekdays, so we think the same way. Miss Liuxi came to take her pulse and said that apart from the confusion, there is nothing wrong with her." Nanny Dong said. Hu Taoniang listened carefully at the side. These days, she accidentally heard her grandmother talking about the marriage between Lin Qinghuan and the former second son Xiao Yucai, who were childhood sweethearts and were arranged by the emperor, when she was confused. Now she secretly remembered this matter in her heart.

"Madam, please take care of grandma on weekdays. Yi'er, please come visit her more often when you are free." Xiao Yi nodded.

"The eldest master is very busy with government affairs, and the young lady comes here very frequently on weekdays. The old ancestor knows your filial piety when he is awake, but... but... the eldest master and the young lady, please take care. I will go back to serve you and will not see you off." Nanny Dong hesitated to speak, and stopped at the gate of the courtyard and said.

"Madam, please get busy first." After Xiao Yi finished speaking, Lin Qinghuan also smiled at her faintly.

Bai Zhi came out with the empty bowl of medicine, stood at the hanging flower gate and watched Lin Qinghuan's blushing figure disappear at the gate of the courtyard, then walked towards the small kitchen.

The three of them walked together in silence towards the archway at the end of the corridor, each with their own thoughts.

"Husband, are you going out with the young lady today?" Hu Tao Niang missed Xiao Yi very much, so she asked.

"Well, did you not sleep well last night? I see that your eyes are a little dark." Xiao Yi asked.

"The old lady is very confused now. Tao'er is very worried about her. She thinks about her during the day and dreams about her at night, and she often has nightmares." Hu Taoniang said softly in a wronged voice.

"It's a good thing that you have always been filial. Liuxi has a prescription. I'll ask someone to get it for you. You will feel much better after drinking it." Xiao Yi glanced at Lin Qinghuan who had been keeping her head down and silent, then turned to speak to Hu Taoniang beside him.

"If you are free, could you please take some time to visit Tao'er?" Hu Tao Niang asked pitifully, pulling Xiao Yi's sleeve.

"He is also your husband. Since Madam Hu is not feeling well, you will go to accompany Sister Hu tonight." Lin Qinghuan looked up and said expressionlessly.

"Young Madam, Tao'er has no intention of competing with you for favor. It's just that the cook in my yard has learned a new skill, and I want you to take some time to try it. I don't dare to ask you to stay overnight." Seeing this, Hu Tao Niang knelt down and said.

"I am the wife and you are the concubine. We are both good sisters serving our husbands. How can there be any talk of competing for favor? Sister Hu, please get up quickly. Your knees are red from kneeling. Your husband will feel bad for you." Lin Qinghuan changed her usual cold expression, smiled slightly and went forward to help Hu Taoniang up.

Xiao Yi looked at his jealous self, who had changed her usual dark face, and was actually a little curious about what new things were in her muddled mind. He looked at his two women with interest.

Hu Tao Niang originally thought that Lin Qinghuan's temperament should be long and coffin-like, but she never expected that this support made her speechless for a while. Seeing that they had reached a fork in the road, she bowed and said that she would go back to the yard first.

Lin Qinghuan kept thinking about what Grandmother Xiao said about Yu'er and Huan'er, so she acted like a good wife with a guilty conscience, which only made Xiao Yi less worried.