Compared to Madam Lin's emotional breakdown, Little Chen was having a much more joyful ti.
"How wonderful!"
Running her hands over the smooth, wrinkle-free brocade quilt and seeing her daughter's noticeably rosy complexion, the wrinkles on Little Chen's face smoothed out with happiness. As the saying goes, a woman's quality of life and contentnt can be seen at a glance.
Early February still carried so chill in the air. An Ning had been feeling particularly lazy lately, spending most of her ti lounging on the daybed after her daily two strolls outside.
On the small table beside her were scattered at least ten different types of candied fruits and pastries. In the corner of the room, the charcoal brazier burned gently, and combined with the room's sunny exposure, the entire space was cozy and warm, completely insulated from the cold outside.
Fearing her feet might get cold, even the bedroom floor was covered with a thick woolen rug. Not to ntion the furnishings in the room - though Little Chen's untrained eye couldn't appreciate their true value, their obvious refinent was still visible.
Occasionally, a maid would co in to replace the freshly picked winter plum blossoms.
After taking everything in, Little Chen felt increasingly at ease.
Though rchant families couldn't compare to scholarly households in terms of reputation, one had to admit they were truly wealthy! Her daughter was finally enjoying so good fortune.
"Ah, daughter, I saw your mother-in-law earlier," Little Chen said, holding her daughter's hand and sighing repeatedly. "I must say, she truly lives up to being a wealthy family's madam - so gracious and gentle in speech. She even specially told to make myself at ho. Nothing like those village won who love to tornt their daughters-in-law with rules."
An Ning: "..."
"Ahem..."
An Ning nearly choked on her dried peach, quickly pushing a plate of date paste cakes toward her mother. "Mother, you ca early this morning and probably haven't eaten properly. Have so snacks first. I've already instructed the kitchen to bring food shortly."
"Oh, no need for such trouble! It's not even noon yet, and I did eat sothing at ho." Missing half a al wouldn't kill anyone.
Little Chen waved her hands repeatedly until An Ning insisted she would be eating too, finally making her relent.
"Oh right, here's so pickled sour plums from the village chief's wife. She specifically asked to bring them when she heard I was visiting! And these salted eggs - your eldest aunt may not be good at much, but she makes excellent salted eggs. And this plum wine from your fourth aunt's family..."
After the al, Little Chen suddenly rembered and began pulling various items from her bundle.
Seeing how well-stocked the package was, An Ning lightly picked up a sour plum and casually asked, "By the way, mother, any interesting news from ho recently?"
At this, Little Chen's expression stiffened slightly. But seeing her daughter's eager face, she couldn't help sharing:
"It's that wretched Second Ya again! Who knows what nonsense that Liu fellow has been feeding her. Recently she tried to get the family to put in a good word so he could join your husband's rchant convoy."
"Pah! The nerve of her!" Little Chen spat angrily, never forgetting whose fault it was that her daughter's health had deteriorated like this.
She might have helped other girls in the family, but that scheming Second Ya? Dream on!
"Is that so?" An Ning smiled, picking up an apricot cake. "With Second Cousin's personality, I doubt she'll give up easily."
Sure enough, Little Chen's face darkened further:
"Exactly! That damned girl. First she overstays her welco at ho, and now she's picked up all sorts of underhanded tricks."
Glancing at her daughter's expression, she added carefully, "Rember that classical text you sent your brother last ti? We suspect that girl stole it."
Though there was no proof, the entire Xie family including Little Chen was convinced of it.
During the ti the package arrived, Second Ya had been shalessly lingering around the house. And with Liu preparing for exams, such valuable material would naturally be extrely tempting.
They'd even noticed Widow Lu's usual loud cursing had beco much quieter during those days.
Just rembering this made Little Chen's chest ache with anger.
Her son Sanwa wasn't nearly as quick as his sister and already struggled at the county school, barely keeping up only thanks to the materials An Ning occasionally sent.
That particular package had been wrapped in expensive sheepskin, clearly indicating the contents' value!
And that wretched girl had the audacity to steal it - her loyalties completely misplaced!
That Second Ya must be so kind of curse on their family!
Little Chen angrily crunched on so walnuts with such force that An Ning had no doubt if Second Ya were present, her mother would happily eat her alive.
An Ning took a sip of fruit nectar to hide the faint smile at her lips.
"Don't be angry, mother. You know what Second Cousin is like - not worth it. Besides, no matter how valuable the contents, they were just a few sheets of paper. I actually made copies that day, originally ant for my husband's future use. Since little brother needs them urgently, I'll have soone deliver them to him later."
"But... is that alright? Won't it inconvenience your husband?" Little Chen's eyes brightened before dimming again with concern.
"No problem, he doesn't need them yet," An Ning waved dismissively.
"Well then, when your brother visits next, have him copy the contents first so it won't interfere with your husband's use later. You're pregnant now - mustn't overexert yourself!"
An Ning naturally agreed.
With her mother around, An Ning's pregnancy beca even more comfortable. Unlike her mother-in-law who wanted to manage everything, Little Chen had witnessed her daughter's intelligence since childhood and felt unqualified to interfere with wealthy family matters. Aside from accompanying her daughter on short walks, she didn't ddle at all.
She also brought all the latest village gossip - from how Old Chen's fourth daughter had been caught sneaking around with the widow's son next door and got a thorough beating, to how Old Yang's family was fighting over dividing the household due to the grandmother favoring her youngest son.
Though Xie Village was small, it never lacked for drama.
The won of this era especially never missed any gossip - their eyes were sharper than asuring tapes.
An Ning found it all quite entertaining.
It wasn't until mid-March that Lin Xiuyuan finally returned, travel-worn but unable to hide his excitent.
Without even needing to ask, An Ning knew he must have succeeded this ti.
However...
After seeing off her overly excited and nearly incoherent in-laws, An Ning turned to her husband and casually asked:
"Oh husband, besides you, did anyone else from Taohua County pass the exams this ti?"
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