NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 105
Early morning.
The courtyard was frozen over with ice.
Qin Luoxia saw her husband off to work, then stayed home to practice martial arts diligently.
She always felt her husband was pure and gentle, while the county office was full of crafty people, and her husband would surely be bullied.
She practiced martial arts even more intensely, determined to become stronger.
The snow in the courtyard had been pierced through by her long spear, turning into ice.
Her dragon staff dance was dazzling, enveloping the area in a misty haze.
At this time, the household was usually quiet and still.
Even Jiang Xiaoshu and the little ants dared not wander about.
The Hei Ta Guards protecting the Young Lord Zi who was lodging at the Jiang residence, after watching, lowered their heads in shame.
...
After a rigorous workout, Qin Luoxia put on an apron and began cooking.
She hung two red lanterns on the door frame.
Today was New Year's Eve, and tomorrow would be the start of the new year.
Jiang Mianmian woke up from her lazy slumber, and her mother changed her into a floral jacket with red flower patterns, very festive.
Even more festive was that the Young Lord Zi also wore a floral jacket with red flowers.
Gong Qichi, the treacherous young master's teacher, had a big heart - he abandoned the young master to go set up flags in other counties, actually leaving the young master behind. (Gong Qichi: What could I do? If he didn't leave, should I have beaten him? He's the young master, the father I acknowledged myself.)
Qin Luoxia had always wanted to have another child with her husband, wanting another son. She felt having more boys in the family would bring prosperity, and if her future daughter were to face mistreatment after marriage, her natal family would have people to stand up for her.
But there had been no sign of pregnancy.
So when she saw the Young Lord Zi, this solemn young boy, Qin Luoxia's maternal love overflowed.
Others still showed some respect towards the Young Lord Zi, after all, as the only legitimate son of the rebel leader, he had a Hei Ta Guard following him everywhere. But Qin Luoxia couldn't help but treat him like a baby, pinching and squeezing him whenever she saw him.
Seeing Gong Qichi actually abandon such a young child, she felt pity and arranged for him to stay at their home.
If anyone else approached the young master, the Hei Ta could kick them eight feet away.
But when this woman held and squeezed the young master, the Hei Ta usually pretended to look at the white clouds, the ants, the trees, the wind.
Qin Luoxia herself didn't realize that she was one of the few who could get close to the Young Lord Zi.
The Young Lord Zi felt a bit depressed being dressed in the floral jacket.
The flowers on it were asymmetrical.
But his gloomy expression was misunderstood by the Jiang family.
They all thought he must be homesick since it was the new year, and his family hadn't come to pick him up yet, poor thing.
Outside, it was said that there was chaos and warfare everywhere, with death all around.
Recently, even Kan'er Village had taken in many refugees.
Father had resumed going to work every day, still a temporary worker, just changing his boss to become a temporary worker for the rebel system, managing the entire Ming County.
Jiang Mianmian opened her mouth in a big yawn.
Revealing three little teeth, she had grown new teeth, fortunately without a fever.
When children grow new teeth, they are prone to fevers, which were considered serious illnesses in ancient times.
Jiang Mianmian felt her growth journey had been relatively smooth.
She saw the pitiful-looking little brat standing in front of her and felt a bit sympathetic.
At night, lying on her small bed, she overheard her mother and father chatting. Her mother asked her father: "What's the deal with the Young Lord Zi?"
Her father said he was born without a mother, as his mother died from complications during childbirth. The rebel leader Zi Lu never remarried afterward, but he did have other women in his side chambers and acknowledged many adopted sons.
It sounded like he lacked a mother's love, and his father seemed not to dote on him much, probably because he was too busy. After all, being a rebel leader, trying to conquer the world, it sounded like he would be extremely occupied, starting a new era.
He must have been deprived of affection from a young age, no wonder he didn't like to talk, or when he did, his words weren't pleasant.
Seeing his pained expression, Jiang Mianmian prepared to comfort him.
But before she could waddle over to him, she slipped and fell.
And slid a long way.
The courtyard was all ice, and with one slip, she slid from one end to the other.
Jiang Mianmian: ...
Well, it was like ice skating, quite fun, though others used their feet while she used her bottom.
Sliding, it was actually quite enjoyable.
Jiang Mianmian tried to get up but failed, as it was too slippery.
Mainly because her festive outfit was too round and bulky.
She decided to prop herself up with her hands and let her body slide, gliding out again.
Sliding to a stop in front of Zi Congheng.
"Little Insect Brother," Jiang Mianmian called out in a sweet, childish voice, reaching out her hand.
Zi Congheng looked at her, then turned to look at the Hei Ta.
The Hei Ta was gazing up at the sky.
Zi Congheng reluctantly extended his hand, thinking he would only indulge the young one for the sake of the woman he favored.
He reached out and grabbed the soft, chubby little hand, pulling her up.
It felt like grasping a small weight, so heavy.
Then his hand couldn't get free, as it was tightly clutched.
The infant's grip was so strong...
"Insect Brother, go, outside," Jiang Mianmian wanted to go out and play under the big tree.
Zi Congheng obediently held her hand and slowly, step by step, walked outside.
He was also worried about falling and embarrassing himself.
Jiang Mianmian wanted to go out and see if the village looked different for the new year, if it would be filled with red.
She always felt the village had a festive atmosphere during the new year.
The Young Lord Zi reluctantly held the little hand, inching along slowly.
His father's adopted sons were all older than him, with no younger ones in the family.
He felt his father's mind wasn't too bright - assuming he could live as long as his longevity turtle, then he would have to see off so many elder brothers, which would be very tiring.
The elder brothers: ...
The two held hands and stepped out of the courtyard, moving inch by inch.
The Hei Ta Guard standing behind revealed a faint smile on his rough, dark face.
Jiang Mianmian dragged the little brat to the entrance, and the two stood under the tree, looking towards the village.
Indeed, they could see little dots of red.
Not many doors had lanterns hung, as lanterns were expensive.
But putting up red banners or tying red strings could achieve the festive look.
Because tomorrow would be the new year, no one was working or training today, and the village was lively, with many people coming and going, the sounds of chatter and festivity.
Jiang Mianmian liked this scene, unable to stop swinging the little brat's hand.
Under the big tree.
Little hands grasping little hands.
Swaying, swaying.
...