A life of ups and downs is pure joy

After the wet nurse coaxed Xiao Xingjian to sleep, she handed him over to Lin Qinghuan.

"Who arranges the meals for the wet nurse nowadays?"

Lin Qinghuan looked at the plump person in his arms, then glanced at Zhang Guihua's body which unconsciously straightened up because of her plump and proud figure, and smiled.

"Miss, this is the cook we invited from Luofeng." Chuxia glanced at Nanny Zhang who had been standing next to her and replied.

"That's good. Sister Zhang, just tell Chu Xia if you need anything. Your only responsibility is to make sure Jian Er is well fed and well-drinking and takes good care of her."

Lin Qinghuan was very confident in Zhang Guihua, after all, she was one of their own brought from Luo Fenghou Mansion.

"Yes, young lady, the young master is very well behaved and has a good appetite."

Zhang Guihua looked at the baby in Lin Qinghuan's arms with a doting look and said.

"Well, you've worked hard. Let Jane take her back and get some sleep."

Lin Qinghuan gently and softly handed the baby in her arms to Zhang Guihua, and then watched the wet nurse carry Xiao Xingjian to the room on the left side of the inner courtyard.

"Miss, do you know who this Nanny Zhang is?" Chu Xia asked Lin Qinghuan.

"So you know him?"

Lin Qinghuan asked.

"Her mother and my mother are childhood friends. This girl has two chubby kids at home. The mistress took a fancy to them because of their natural advantages. I originally thought they were reserved for the fourth girl." Chu Xia said in a low voice.

"Mother treats us all equally well, there is no partiality." Lin Qinghuan said happily.

"That's right. The mistress is indeed different from others. I heard that the fourth lady has had severe morning sickness recently and has lost a lot of weight." Chu Xia said.

"Luckily, my fourth sister will be returning to Luofeng with mother and father the day after tomorrow. My fourth brother-in-law is very busy right now and can't spare the time to take care of her. I ran into him a few days ago."

Lin Qinghuan said as she embroidered small clothes.

"Fourth Uncle is currently enjoying a prosperous career. He was recently promoted. The general promised the fourth young lady to him because of his talent. Otherwise, given Fourth Uncle's family background, he would never have been able to marry the fourth young lady."

Chuxia said as she was sewing the soles of shoes.

"Don't judge Fourth Brother-in-law rashly, but this shows one thing: regardless of whether one comes from a wealthy or humble family, as long as one has talent, there will be a day for success. How does the saying go? Well... gold will always shine, that's how it is."

Lin Qinghuan tilted his head and thought for a moment before speaking.

"Girl, does gold shine?" Chu Xia asked after thinking for a while.

"It's all gold, so it will definitely shine."

Lin Qinghuan glanced at Chuxia and then said with a smile.

"Miss, it's time for the uncle to come back for lunch. He spends more and more time in the courtyard with the young lady now."

Chuxia said happily.

"Why do you look happier than me?"

Lin Qinghuan found that Chu Xia was now obviously favoring Xiao Yi.

"As long as the young lady and the young master are well, Chuxia will be happy for you."

Chuxia said happily while holding the little shoes.

"It's like he's abandoned politics now. I'm not happy, and he probably isn't used to it either. People still criticize me for being jealous and ruining my husband, and for his messy backyard. In short, everything is my fault."

Lin Qinghuan said lightly.

"Young lady, whoever talks about it will be slapped in the face. Why bother arguing with them? Besides, it's because my brother-in-law dotes on you that he doesn't want to take a concubine. What does it have to do with you?"

Chu Xia said angrily.

"Okay, there's no point in talking about this. Let's go check on the food preparation in the small kitchen. I'm a little hungry."

Lin Qinghuan put down the small piece of clothing she was embroidering, stood up, stretched and said.

"Oh, okay, I'll go take a look."

Chu Xia said and walked towards the door.

"Yun Xiang, do you want to sunbathe there?"

The sound of early summer shouting came from the yard.

"I'll take these books out and let them air out. They'll be ready in a while."

After Yun Xiang finished speaking, he continued to direct several maids outside the yard to dry books.

Lin Qinghuan lay on the couch beside the window and watched the maids busy in the yard.

"Yun Xiang, look carefully at Ru'er and my books, especially the picture album." Lin Qinghuan shouted at Yun Xiang.

"I understand, Young Madam." Yun Xiang stood up and replied loudly.

Lin Qinghuan smiled slightly and was about to get up when she saw Xiao Yi in a thin blue gown appear at the gate of the inner courtyard, followed by Da Yuan and a woman.

Lin Qinghuan was too far away to see the woman's appearance clearly. When they walked to the middle of the inner courtyard, Lin Qinghuan could see clearly that it was Madam Zi Yan from Le Yin Fang.

"Why is Sister Zi Yan here today?"

Lin Qinghuan asked while lying on the windowsill.

Zi Yan looked around and only heard Lin Qinghuan's voice but didn't see anyone.

"Where is the young lady talking?" Zi Yan asked Xiao Yi curiously.

Xiao Yi looked at Zi Yan at her height and realized that her view was blocked by the tall plant in front of her. He then pointed to the window in the corridor and said.

“That was her favorite place to be.”

"Young Madam, you know how to find a good place to cool off."

Zi Yan lifted her skirt and walked towards the corridor in two steps. She lay on the windowsill and talked to Lin Qinghuan.

"This is the most comfortable place in the whole yard. The breeze blows in from time to time, carrying the fragrance of flowers all over the yard. It's very relaxing and pleasant."

After Lin Qinghuan finished speaking, he asked Zi Yan to go back to the gate and come in to chat.

Xiao Yi watched as the two of them started chatting, thinking that all the gifts Zi Yan had given him over the past two years had not been in vain. The two of them were now getting along very well, and were as friendly as close friends. It seemed that he was superfluous sitting here.

"Girl, the food is ready."

Chuxia came in with her maid carrying dishes.

"I smell the food, I am indeed hungry."

Lin Qinghuan put the new jewelry that Zi Yan had given her back into the box, and took out a red agate hairpin and inserted it into her hair.

"Does it look good?"

Lin Qinghuan asked.

"It's beautiful. The young lady looks good even with that old wooden hairpin." Zi Yan said with a smile.

"That old wooden hairpin was the favorite of An Cai's former teacher. Back then, An Cai and his fourth sister were being naughty and hid the teacher's hairpin, making it difficult for the teacher to find it."

Lin Qinghuan and Zi Yan walked towards the dining table, chatting and laughing, holding each other's arms.

Zi Yan glanced at Xiao Yi before sitting down, and when he nodded, she sat down next to Lin Qinghuan.

"Sister Zi Yan, isn't Le Yin Fang busy? Why did you come in person today? Isn't that girl named Dong'er usually here?"

Lin Qinghuan asked curiously. After all, Zi Yan was like being locked up in Le Yin Fang, very busy. The difference between Le Yin Fang and Kuihua Lane Music House was that there were more dignitaries here, and the upper class was particularly fond of it. After all, there were women with outstanding talents and looks in this house, and some even came here just to bring a beautiful concubine back home.

"Recently, I've been wanting to order a new batch of costumes for the dancers for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival Moon Viewing Party, but I'm overwhelmed by the styles and can't decide. Young Madam has a good eye, so I came uninvited, hoping she'd go with me to the Music Hall to help me decide."

Zi Yan stood up to serve Lin Qinghuan some soup, then sat down again and spoke.

"But I don't really understand dancers' costumes."

Lin Qinghuan shook her head and said that she never wanted to go to Le Yin Fang again.

"This time it's different. This dance is called Boudoir Love, and it's about a young lady from an official family of noble birth, just like Young Madam. So her clothes are naturally different from those of other dancers. After much thought, I can only trouble Young Madam."

Zi Yan looked at Lin Qinghuan eagerly, her eyes full of begging. Xiao Yi had been listening to their conversation with his ears perked up. He knew that Lin Qinghuan was more or less unwilling to go to Le Yin Fang, so after listening to Jia Xu's advice, Lin Qinghuan was the most soft-hearted. If Madam Zi Yan came forward to ask for something, she would definitely agree.

"Well...what styles do women from official families like to wear? Just ask the owner of the clothing store and he'll know."

Lin Qinghuan still didn't want to go, so he gave Zi Yan another idea.

"The young lady's vision is far superior to those old women. Even if they have sold so many clothes, they are not from this family, so naturally they cannot know the inner thoughts of the official's daughter. Only when the young lady gives me advice can I feel at ease. Otherwise, I can't eat or drink, and I am always afraid that my mission will be ruined."

Zi Yan continued to chatter away, and then looked at Lin Qinghuan with such expectation that she felt embarrassed to look away.

"When your young mistress has some free time, she sits by the windowsill, enjoying the summer breeze and painting a few paintings to please herself. I often ask her to go to the Music Hall to listen to music, but she always asks me repeatedly. I think you're going to be turned away today."

Xiao Yi said this deliberately in a provocative way.

"This cold shoulder is given to select people. Zi Yan doesn't need to eat it today. I will go with you."

As expected, Lin Qinghuan frowned and rolled her eyes at Xiao Yi, then patted Zi Yan's hand and said affirmatively.

"Ah, I knew that the young lady was kindhearted. The abbot can't always be right."

Zi Yan glanced at Xiao Yi and smiled secretly, then looked at Lin Qinghuan with gratitude.

"It seems that not everyone can give face to this young lady. Today, I ask you to go. Let's eat. The food is cold."

After Xiao Yi finished speaking, he gently picked up some of Lin Qinghuan's favorite crab roe and yellow dragon and phoenix balls. Although his tone was helpless, he was secretly happy in his heart.

After dinner, Lin Qinghuan changed into a pink chiffon dress and styled her hair into a bun, which was simple and cool. She put on the lotus-shaped jade hairpin that Zi Yan had just given her, and went out with a few others.

When the carriage reached the lake, Zi Yan asked Yun Xiang Chu Xia to get on the boat with her first.

“Why did you choose to go in that boat instead of coming with us?”

Lin Qinghuan asked, looking at the backs of the few people.

"I'll take them to the monastery first to explain some things. The small boat is fast but it's rocky. Young Madam and the monastery owner don't have to worry. We can take the big boat and go slowly."

Zi Yan stood at the bow and waved to the two of them, then asked the boatman to leave the shore quickly.

Lin Qinghuan glanced at the very spacious and luxurious boat parked by the lake.

"That's really strange. How can Chu Xia and Yun Xiang help her?"

Lin Qinghuan muttered as she went onto the boat. When she was stepping onto the boat, Xiao Yi reached out and held her up. Lin Qinghuan glanced at Xiao Yi indifferently, then entered the cabin and sat on the couch by the window. The boat began to move gently, and a light summer breeze with the coolness of the lake water brushed across Lin Qinghuan's face.

"Why do the big ship and the small ship take different routes?"

Lin Qinghuan watched as his boat and Zi Yan's boat turned left and right respectively.

"That route is usually too boring. I just want to take you there because it's shorter. Today I'll take you on a more interesting route and show you some different scenery."

Xiao Yi picked up a cup of brewed tea and handed it to Lin Qinghuan, while speaking slowly.

"You're just wasting time here just because I agreed to Zi Yan's request so readily. I can see she's very anxious."

Lin Qinghuan said speechlessly, took the tea and placed it on the table.

"Then let her worry about it first. It's not a big deal."

After Xiao Yi finished speaking, he rested his chin on his hand and looked at the beauty's puffy little face.

"You've been acting weird lately. You're not as calm or serious as before."

Lin Qinghuan said.

"Huan'er, if you don't want me to be so dull and stupid like a piece of wood, then I will change my personality and make you like me."

After Xiao Yi finished speaking, he reached out and helped Lin Qinghuan stand up.

"Huan'er, I'll take you to the stern to see the beautiful scenery."

Xiao Yi smiled slightly, then took Lin Qinghuan's hand and led the puzzled woman to the stern of the boat.

What caught Lin Qinghuan's eyes was the beautiful sight of the endless green lotus leaves reaching the sky and the exceptionally red lotus flowers in the sun. The lotus leaves were green in the fields, lotus flowers were blooming among them, dragonflies were flying among the red flowers and green leaves, the refreshing fragrance of the lotus leaves and lotus flowers filled her nose, and bursts of fragrance drifted into her heart. The boat was sailing among the lotus leaves, and she could pick them with her hands.

Xiao Yi picked up a lotus flower that he had picked at some unknown time from behind him and presented it to Lin Qinghuan.

"Huan'er, for the sake of such a beautiful scene, can you please forgive me?"