A life of ups and downs is pure joy

"Why doesn't Hongqi look like a girl every day?" Xiao Qiannan asked Lin Qinghuan in a low voice while looking at the double-sword heroine on the roof in the distance.

"I've always seen her dressed like this since I was a kid, and I never thought about it." Lin Qinghuan also looked up at Hong Qi, "Doesn't she look like a woman?"

"Not really! Ah! Oh my God, I finally understand why Sister Xier calls her Young Hero." Xiao Qiannan suddenly said.

"Liuxi doesn't think Hongqi is a man, right?" Lin Qinghuan said in surprise.

"I guess so, hahahahaha..." Xiao Qiannan suddenly found it funny.

Lin Qinghuan also found it very funny. The bad mood that was affected by Fan Yitang in the morning had been driven away by the spoils of shopping and this funny thing.

"Mom Huang, let me help you peel the peanuts." Lin Zhichuan put down the small wooden sword in his hand and ran to his sister and Mom Huang and said in a coquettish voice.

"What delicious food is Huang cooking?" Xiao Qiannan also ran over curiously to join in the fun.

"It's early autumn now, I'll make you some oil tea to try." Mother Huang has been living a very comfortable life since she followed Lin Qinghuan. Every day she just thinks about making various delicious dishes to satisfy the taste buds of these children. Gradually, the entire Lin family recognized her cooking skills, and she became the main chef during every festival.

"What is oil tea?" Xiao Qiannan asked curiously.

"I know this. Luofeng is close to Ace, and it starts to get cold every autumn. So we have a local specialty called oil tea. We use sheep fat in a pan, and stir-fry it with chopped walnut kernels, chopped peanuts, roasted sesame seeds and other flour. When it's especially cold in winter, cut out a piece of it and soak it in a big bowl of oil tea, and you will feel warm immediately." Lin Qinghuan said vividly.

"I didn't expect that a girl who has never done housework would know so much." Chu Xia said in surprise.

"I see Mama Huang make it every year. I've remembered it after seeing it so many times. The most important thing is that it smells so good." Lin Qinghuan also came over and rubbed the peanuts together. The atmosphere in Suheju was something Xiao Qiannan had never felt before. The master and the servants were in harmony, just like family members, but this was impossible in the Xiao Mansion. The master and the servants were two different classes, and it would be impossible to see the master and servant making oil tea together in this lifetime. Xiao Qiannan looked at this group of people, everyone had a happy smile on their face, and suddenly felt a different feeling in her heart, as sweet and warm as if a big flower had bloomed invisibly.

Lin Ancai coaxed the shy Lin Qingyi over, and Lin Qinghuan patted the peanut shells on his hands and walked over.

"Which family did your mother find for you that you are so dissatisfied with?" Lin Qinghuan asked.

"You know what a foolish son General Xia is." Lin Qingyi said dissatisfiedly.

"How can Xia Hong be called a stupid son? He looks so energetic and has made many military achievements since he was a child following Uncle Xia. He also holds an official position now." Lin Qinghuan said.

"But he can't read like my fifth brother-in-law and my third brother-in-law. Even my second brother-in-law can write articles. I don't want to marry him. I don't want a military general." Lin Qingyi said embarrassedly.

"That's true. An Cai didn't like studying since he was a child, but now he has been forced to learn a lot. Although Xia Hongzhan is a good fighter, he is a reckless man and is not worthy of my fourth sister. However, the Xia family is also a descendant of a marquis, and Uncle Xia is an old friend who has been through life and death with my father for decades. He is also a good family." Lin Qinghuan analyzed carefully. Logically speaking, they are a good match, and Xia Hong is also a cheerful person.

Lin Qingyi agreed very much and kept nodding after hearing the word "reckless man". But when she heard the word "good family", she instantly became unhappy.

"I really didn't expect that Sister Qingyi also likes literary and artistic young men. Hey, has that scholar-like guy who was with the eldest brother from the Lin family just now gotten married?" Xiao Qiannan suddenly remembered and asked.

"Who are you talking about? Brother Li?" Lin Qinghuan asked with a faint smile.

"Yes, he looks like a scholar, so he should hold an official position!" Xiao Qiannan said.

"He is a learned man. I remember that he entered Jinhan with my elder brother many years ago. He is an ambitious man. He used to be my father's retainer and is now an official in Beijing. It's a pity that his family is poor and he seems to have never married." Lin Qinghuan said seriously.

"I think he is better than Xia Hong. At least he is well-educated and my father admires him very much." Lin Qingyi muttered, her face full of disgust towards Xia Hong.

"Does Sister Yi like Lord Li?" Lin Qinghuan asked maliciously.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I didn't say I liked him. Besides, he looks too ordinary." Lin Qingyi said anxiously.

"He has an ordinary appearance but a high level of education. He looks like he will have a bright future in the official career. If Sister Yi likes him, I can go and ask big brother about it." Lin Qinghuan said seriously. It was rare to hear Lin Qingyi say that she liked educated people.

"No, no, I don't want to mention this anymore. Anyway, if I ignore my mother for a few days, she will stop being mean." Lin Qingyi sat down on the stone bench and said unhappily with a pout.

Looking at the gloomy Lin Qingyi, Lin Qinghuan suddenly realized that among all the children in the Lin family, she was the only one who had lived a happy life since childhood, which was why she was able to live so carefree and free. She had a mother who loved her and a father who loved her. Her grandfather was also a general who was highly regarded by the emperor. Now He Su was promoted to the position of legitimate wife and was even named the wife of a loyal hero. Lin Qingyi suddenly became a legitimate daughter. From Lin Qingyao to Lin Yuzhi to herself, although they were born into the legitimate family, they had never received their biological mother's love since childhood. Their marriages were all related to political power and they had no choice. Lin Qinghuan touched the head of Lin Qingru, who was standing next to him, and secretly vowed in his heart that he would give his younger brothers and sisters a happy future.

"It's ready to fry." Lin Ancai followed Mother Huang to the small kitchen with the prepared peanut and walnut crumbs. Xiao Qiannan also followed behind Lin Ancai to watch the frying of oil tea.

After tasting the oil tea, the aunt and sister-in-law went to the Jia Mansion again and gave Ran'er the new tiger-head shoes made by Lin Qinghuan.

While Xiao Qiannan was overflowing with maternal love and strolling in the yard with Ran'er in her arms, Lin Mo pulled Lin Qinghuan aside and whispered something to her.

"A Xu told me two things. The first one was about Le Yin Fang. He said it was just an ordinary music house, but the musicians inside were more powerful. They were all selected through various auditions. But I think the more it is like this, the more weird it is. But this is Jinhan City, where the imperial power is located. There must be many secrets that will not be known to the public. The second thing is about Chen Jingshu. The people who kidnapped her and the women of the Chen family were from Nanbang. They have crossed the border. It is a bit difficult to rescue them..." Lin Mo didn't finish his words because he felt a little reluctant.

"Nanbang, oh my god, what should we do with Jingshu? She is a weak little girl, is there really no way to save her?" Lin Qinghuan asked with a frown, covering his mouth with his hands in some discomfort.

Lin Mo shook his head helplessly. Not to mention saving him, Nanbang and Dasheng were so hostile to each other that anyone who dared to enter the country at will would be killed.

After returning to the Xiao Mansion, Xiao Qiannan made an appointment with Lin Qinghuan to go to the palace tomorrow, and then returned to his Mo Shuang Mansion yawning.

"Come with me and deliver this oil tea to Madam Li first." Lin Qinghuan remembered that he often ate the cakes made by Michelle Reis, so he came to return the gift.

"Sister Li probably loves flowers too much, no wonder it's called Huaying Pavilion." Lin Qinghuan found that Li Jiaxin's yard was like a flower and bird market, full of dazzling things.

"Young Madam, why are you here without telling anyone?" Li Jiaxin was surprised when she heard Ruyi running into the room to tell her. She then put down the needlework in her hands and walked out in small steps.

"I came to see you. Why did you tell me in advance? Your yard is so lively, with so many flowers and birds." Lin Qinghuan sighed that Li Jiaxin's life is just like the life of a retired cadre.

"Meow~" Lin Qinghuan didn't notice that there was a black ball rubbing against her feet. When she lowered her head, she was so frightened that her face turned pale and she was silent.

Chuxia quickly stepped forward and took away the culprit, the little black ball.

"It's okay, girl." Chu Xia saw that Lin Qinghuan was silent for a long time, and said quickly.

"What's wrong with the young lady?" Li Jiaxin asked curiously.

"The girl has been afraid of cats since she was young, because she was scratched by a wild cat that broke into the yard and stole food when she was a child, and she was traumatized by it." Chu Xia said quickly.

"Take Tuanzi away quickly and don't scare the young lady." Michelle Reis quickly called the servants.

"It's okay, it's okay." Lin Qinghuan said this, his eyes still glancing at the black ball that was taken away.

"I was thinking that the young lady also had a little toy in her room, so I ignored Tuanzi. Let's go in." Michelle Reis stepped forward and said.

"Well, I've been bitten by a snake once and I'm afraid of ropes for ten years. Now I'm afraid of kittens." Lin Qinghuan said embarrassedly.

"That's normal. When I was a kid, I went to play in the kitchen and was pecked by a big white goose. Even now, I tremble when I see those long-necked ones." Michelle Reis helped Lin Qinghuan sit on the couch, and then sat down on the other side.

"Big white goose, I once saw my brother fighting with a goose at Luo Feng's house. It was also the goose that chased my fourth sister like crazy." Lin Qinghuan chuckled and said.

"So who won in the end?" Michelle Reis asked with a smile on her face.

"An Cai won, and we had a meal of goose stewed with mushrooms in the evening, but my younger brother was also pecked all over." Lin Qinghuan smiled as he recalled this past event.

"I'm actually very curious about what this twin brother of the young lady will look like." Michelle Reis said curiously.

"An Cai and I look alike. Everyone says we look like twins, but he's about the same height as my husband, a bit wilder, and a bit tanned," Lin Qinghuan said. "Is this a new pastry?"

"Yes, it's freshly baked this morning. Young Madam, please try it." Michelle Reis said quickly, pushing the pastry towards Lin Qinghuan.

"Don't be anxious. I brought you something good. Chuxia, hurry up and take some out to brew." Lin Qinghuan said mysteriously. Li Jiaxin looked at Chuxia curiously.

"Okay, Sister Ruyi, take me to your small kitchen."

"Hey, this way." Ruyi happily led Chuxia out.

After a while, Michelle Reis looked at the two bowls of soup on the table sprinkled with fried fruit, and then asked, "Is this... is this called oil tea?"

"Sister Li really knows a lot about food. I thought only people in Luofeng knew about it." Lin Qinghuan said in surprise.

"When I was a kid, I went to Luofeng with my father. He said the taste and appearance of this dish looked very familiar. I've eaten there before, in that building called Luofeng, and it always smelled delicious. It's been ten years now, and I'm seeing it again." Li Jiaxin picked up the spoon and took a sip, then looked at Lin Qinghuan with satisfaction, "This is the taste."

"Sister Li should be talking about Wangyue Tower, the one with the big archway. This is made by Mother Huang, and it is no worse than Wangyue Tower's." Lin Qinghuan had already eaten his third bowl today.

"Girl, even if the food is delicious, you can't be greedy. This is your third bowl." Chu Xia said.

"You can't let me just sit there greedily watching Sister Li enjoying the delicious food alone, that would be really difficult for me." Lin Qinghuan said coquettishly. Li Jiaxin covered her mouth and laughed. She never thought that this cold young lady was actually very cute.

"Then I'm just afraid that the girl will have a stomachache again." Chu Xia muttered softly.

"Then I won't eat it. This girl is angry." Lin Qinghuan glanced at Chu Xia and said.

Chuxia smiled shyly, and together with Ruyi, she collected the plates and bowls that were left with only the bottoms of their bowls after they had drunk.

"What is Sister Li embroidering?" Lin Qinghuan asked curiously after taking a look at the half-embroidered pattern on the table.

"This... is just some casual embroidery to kill time. I heard that the young lady loves playing chess. Do you want me to play a game with you?" Michelle Reis put the needlework aside and called the maid to come and change the chess couch.

Lin Qinghuan glanced at the needlework woman who was pushed away, then nodded to Michelle Reis.

The two were playing chess with great interest. Lin Qinghuan's forehead was almost wrinkled. Although she liked playing chess, her chess skills were a little lacking.

"The eldest young master is here." Ruyi's voice came from outside, and then she saw her leading Xiao Yi in.

Li Jiaxin, who was sitting on the chess couch, was stunned for a moment and quickly stood up to salute. Lin Qinghuan, who had not yet reacted, was still frowning and thinking at a loss with the black piece in his hand.

"Put it here." Xiao Yi pointed at the chessboard with his slender fingers, and Lin Qinghuan tilted his head to look at him.

"You're back." Lin Qinghuan said and then realized that they were in Huaying Pavilion. She then looked at Li Jiaxin with embarrassment, "Then let your husband play the rest of the game with you!" It was a rare occasion for Xiao Yi to come and see Madam Li. How could she come here at such an unfortunate opportunity to disrupt the situation?

"I came to look for you." Xiao Yi said as he sat down. Li Jiaxin stood beside him with her head lowered.

"Then you are taking Sister Li's place. My chess game with her hasn't finished yet!" Lin Qinghuan frowned and said to Xiao Yi.

"It's okay, it's okay. Your husband will accompany the young lady downstairs." Li Jiaxin was shocked by Lin Qinghuan's words and said hurriedly. She had never been so brave before. It was estimated that no one in the entire Xiao family except the elders would dare to talk to Xiao Yi like this.

"Come and sit down, I'll go over there." Xiao Yi stood up and said to Li Jiaxin, then sat next to Lin Qinghuan.

Michelle Reis was a little stunned and returned to her seat nervously. Ruyi also looked at Xiao Yi, who was so obedient, with an incredible look on her face.

"Why don't your chess skills improve? The black piece is doomed to fail here." Xiao Yi took a look at the last piece Lin Qinghuan placed, and then said helplessly.

"Husband, those who watch chess games are silent." Lin Qinghuan complained embarrassedly. Xiao Yi implied that she was stupid.

"Okay, I won't say anything more." Xiao Yi glanced at her and said.

Michelle Reis looked at the two of them and continued playing chess with her head down.

Xiao Yi and Lin Qinghuan had dinner at Huaying Pavilion and then returned to Qingbo Courtyard together.

"Madam, I thought the eldest young master would stay today." Ruyi said complainingly.

"How could that be? He originally came here to look for the young lady. It's already good enough that he can have dinner with me." Li Jiaxin said.

She didn't say anything more after seeing the situation. She was really enlightened today by the fact that the eldest young master was so accommodating and doting on the young lady.