Tuesday
Before You Jin opened her eyes, her consciousness was already awake. That was until she was hugged tightly in an embrace without leaving any gaps. When she opened her eyes, she saw Xiao Lin Yu, who was only two inches away from her. Although he wasn't awake yet, there was a faint joy on his face.
The smell within the closed room made people blush and heartbeat accelerated. The limbs that felt disassembled and reassembled were sore all over. Subconsciously, sheI thought of the tossing from last night to this morning. Her whole person was like a boiled shrimp, holding her face and feeling ashamed to face others.
After thinking about it for a thousand times, she noticed the faint sunshine outside the red wedding tent pouring in from the glass window. You Jin belatedly remembered that she needed to meet her parents-in-law today and hurriedly broke free from the man's shackles and sat up: "Heaven! My face is really going to be lost!"
The man who was tragically abandoned was lying on his side. Supporting his head with one hand, he looked lazily at the young woman bathed in the morning sun. The smile on his lips increased by thirty percent: "Didn't you cry and say that you were tired? Why don't you sleep more?"
Hearing his dirty words, You Jin's cheeks glowed. She gave him a delicate glare: "How dare you say that! You know we're going to see the parent-in-laws today!"
Seeing the young woman's snow mountains, that was loved wantonly by him all night last night, swaying slightly with the woman's movements, the man felt his eyes were dazzled. Before You Jin could finish her words, she was pressed by the man on the brocade quilt again in a blink of an eye. Another violent storm stirred up.
Qiu Fen brought four servant girls standing at the door with hot water in hands. When they heard the blushing noise coming from the bridal room, they couldn't help but take another seven or eight steps back.
When the maids entered the bridal room with the hot water that had been reheated for three rounds, all of them blushed from the room's charming air. Miss and her husband were really affectionate!
After freshening up and changing into a begonia red five prosperous dress, You Jin, who was sitting in front of the bronze mirror, glared fiercely at the man in a light red robe, a color he normally didn't wear. She was blaming him! It was pass time. Her face was completely lost.
Despite being glared at, Xiao Lin Yu was like a cat that had had enough of fish. He was so satisfied, he stepped forward to pick out a red gold inlaid with ruby, silk and Bingdi lotus hairpin: "Use this?"
Seeing that Eldest Miss had no objection, the maid who combed Eldest Miss's hair carefully put it on for Eldest Miss. Then Miss's husband can be heard lightly remarking: "It really looks good."
***
All the elders of Xiao Family looked at the belated newly wedded with joyful smiles on their faces. Seeing Xiao Lin Ru's mocking smile, You Jin couldn't help but feel annoyed inwardly, blaming this stinky man with no sense of propriety!
"Good child, we will be a family in the future. I hope you will spread the branches and leaves for my Xiao Family as soon as possible." Mrs. Song smiled and accepted the tea in the hand of You Jin who was kneeling on the ground. She took a sip and handed it to the maid on the side. Afterward, she took a pair of fine jade bracelets that she had prepared from the hand of the attendant: "Perfect harmony; affectionate love."
"Thank you, old Ancestor." You Jin obediently kowtowed. Then she kowtowed to Xiao Hai Ru couple one by one to offer tea and recognized relatives. Although they have known each other for a good few years, the courtesy cannot be dismissed. They went through the motion in a decent manner.
Although Xiao Family can't compare the state before the family's tens of millions of assets were confiscated, Xiao Lin Yu had helped his Majesty make money in the past few years and had gained a lot of benefits. In addition, Xiao Hai Ru was a veteran in business. He had earned a lot of family businesses in the past two years. Now the people serving at home were all loyal old servants from back then. Life was comfortable.
However, Mrs. Song didn't want to live in the city. She was used to the days of idle clouds and wild cranes at Wuliqiao. Also, the children of Su Family were very lively. So after staying for three days, the elders of Xiao Family moved out back to Wuliqiao. Only the newly wedded stayed in Luohe Prefecture City due to the custom that the bridal room cannot be vacated for a month.
Xiao Lin Yu had a rare break. He had to wait until the New Year was over before returning to the capital. Now that he was just married and had a lovely wife by his side, he couldn't care less about others. He worked hard every day and the good news spread before the New Year.
"You Yin had given birth. You Bao's is coming soon. While you, the eldest sister, are behind." When Mrs. Su found out that her daughter was pregnant, she was overjoyed, and explained the precautions during the early stages. She also told the people around her to serve with care. She was really fretting from worry.
You Yin went into labor the second day of You Jin's wedding and gave birth to 6.3 jin daughter who was carved out of the same mold as You Yin. Han Li was overjoyed. The baby name was Xin Jie-er. The first thing to do when he got home every day was to see his wife. The second thing was to hold his Xin Jie-er and coaxed and teased her.
You Bao was seven or so months along. The due date coincides with the time when Fourth Wei went to the capital to rush for the exam. Fourth Wei heard that women giving birth was like walking around the gate of hell. Thinking how he would not be able to guard her by her side when the time comes, he was quite worried.
"He is very annoying every day and is in no mood to study now." Supporting a big belly, You Bao talked about Fourth Wei to Eldest Sister and Mother with irks and amusement: "I'm afraid of it affecting his exams. It quite annoying now."
Fourth Wei had already passed the exam in the fall of this year and became a juren. Now he only had to wait for the new year period finish and go to the capital for the imperial exam. If he misses it, he will have to wait for three years. You Bao naturally knew the importance of this matter to him. So she was quite worried during this period.
You Jin knew what was bothering her sister, so she said a few words of persuasion to urge her to relax. When she went back that night, she mentioned this matter to Xiao Lin Yu. Xiao Lin Yu agreed to take it on: "Then I will go talk to Fourth Wei. You're in the early stages now, so don't worry about it."
Toward this sudden little life, Xiao Lin Yu was both happy and unhappy. Happy because he and You Jin were going to have their own child. Unhappy because he had just tasted the wonderful taste of the world and was about to be cut off for nearly a year. Just the thought of it made him depressed.
Back to Fourth Wei's side. After accepting the invite from Elder Brother-in-law, it went without saying to meet each other. After the two brothers-in-law talked at Sujiayan for half an hour, Fourth Wei went back. Xiao Lin Yu's involvement was indeed useful. After returning, Fourth Wei devoted himself to studying hard every day and only chatted with his wife a little at night every day.
When You Bao saw that he had finally recovered and prepared for the exam, she was naturally relieved and slept peacefully every day. The dark circles under her eyes mostly disappeared.
On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, Xiao Lin Yu couple went to the capital with second branch's Mrs. Zhao and her daughter, Yue Wen Sheng, Liu Zhuo Ting, Fourth Wei, and He Xuan Hai as well as the group of thirty plus guards and maidservants.
Initially, both Mrs. Song and Mrs. Su were reluctant to let recently pregnant You Jin go, but they couldn't resist the break apart young couple. In addition, the journey was by boat. So it was considered safe. Then they found a doctor to accompany them before letting the two go to the capital together.
***
March spring examination, apricot list nominations.
Fourth Wei lived up to everyone's expectations and was selected as the first-class third place; Liu Zhuo Ting and Yue Wen Sheng ranked first-class nineteenth and twenty-seventh; Due to environment change, He Xuan Hai wasn't in the best state during the month in the capital. In the end, he only got the second-class 12th place. Luohe prefecture produced three first-class Jinshi, and one of them was in the top three. This news reached Luohe prefecture in just two days through the fastest messenger.
On the day when the good news reached Luohe Prefecture, You Bao gave birth to a six jin six liang baby boy. Double happiness came knocking. Fourth Wei, who rushed back after the exam, didn't miss the birth of his son in the end. Old Master Wei was so overjoyed that he named the child Xi Ge-er and ordered the family to open the warehouse and serve congee for half a month. The whole Wei family fell into a world of ecstasy.
Liu Family and Yue Family were naturally overjoyed when they got the good news. Although they weren't as wealthy as Wei Family, they still went to the temple to fulfill their vows and added a lot of incense money.
As for Xiao Family, they had received a letter from Xiao Lin Yu. Xiao Lin Feng also participated this year, but because of his unstable temperament and a playful nature, he failed to get a ranking.
"Lin Feng is like a monkey. How can he have the temperament for studying?" Mrs. Yu had thought it through. After all, now that Eldest Son had the title of a duke, it didn't matter if the youngest son had a wild temper. As long as he didn't mess with flowers and provoke butterflies, he can play with cats and dogs: "Lin Yu still detained him for another three years. After three years, he will join the stage with Lin Wen!"
Xiao Lin Wen was like his father, young and talented. But because he was only fifteen years old this year, Second Master Xiao was afraid that he wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure of the imperial examination. That's why he didn't participate this time.
"Since Lin Yu said that, he should have some ideas." Mrs. Song didn't bother with these things now. She happily read the letter sent back by her eldest grandson and said to her daughter-in-law: "However, Lin Feng is nineteen this year. It's time for his marriage to be arranged. You should pay more attention. If it's a good one, it doesn't matter if it's in Luohe Prefecture or the capital."
Yue Wen Sheng was appointed magistrate of Dingyuan County. In May, Yue Wen Sheng's marriage was settled before he took his post. Afterward, he took his wife to Dingyuan County, where he was originally from, to take up the post.
Initially, Yue Wen Sheng wanted to bring Mrs. Han with him, but Mrs. Han didn't want to go back to Dingyuan. What's more, Luohe Prefecture not only had the asset she worked hard for, but also her eldest daughter and youngest son. How could she bear to leave? Yue Wen Sheng couldn't force it, so he only took his wife to take office.
Liu Zhuo Ting was lucky. He was assigned to a county under the state capital of Luohe Prefecture. It was only three or four hours away on horseback from Luohe Prefecture, which was very cheap.
As for Fourth Wei, he was going to enter the imperial court. So he stayed at home until the baby's full moon. After a letter from the capital urged him to go to the capital, he went to the capital alone to take up his post. His wife had to wait until the child was a hundred days old before going to the capital.
You Bao knew that he missed her. Naturally, she too was reluctant to part with him. The couple reluctantly parted. Fourth Wei took a letter for You Jin from You Bao to the capital.
Back to the capital city's side. After returning to the capital, Xiao Lin Yu asked for a mandated title for You Jin. Now You Jin was already a second rank commandery duchess. And because Xiao Lin Yu was quite favored by his Majesty, she was gradually integrating into the circle of noble ladies in the capital. After receiving a letter from younger sister, she also made plans to buy a house for younger sister.
Initially, You Bao had discussed it with her mother-in-law. She considered how they would probably live in the capital permanently and she asked Eldest Sister to find a house for her.
Although You Jin was pregnant and couldn't handle much trouble, there were full of servants who had been mingling in the capital all their lives in the commandery duke's manor. So this matter was properly sorted. Within two or three days, a triple entry property in the alley where most of the court officials lived was found. Xinghua Lane in the inner city was only a quarter of an hour away from the imperial palace. So it was very beneficial.
After seeing it, You Jin made a decision to buy it and arranged for someone to tidy it up carefully, so that it was liveable when You Bao arrives in a month or two.
***
In the blink of an eye, it was August. You Ling was marrying out. Because of the inconvenience of being pregnant, You Jin sent Qiu Fen couple back with the two big carts that she and You Bao had prepared to garner face for You Ling.
Qiu Fen also got married this year. She was still serving in Eldest Miss's courtyard as a married supervisor. Her husband was the captain of the first guard team in the commandery duke's manor. The couple were naturally hardworking when they got this job. Before You Ling's wedding, they rushed back to Luohe Prefecture to add dowry.
Now You Bao had also come to the capital. Although one sister had just given birth and the other was still pregnant, they still couldn't relax. Therefore, 'Drunk Rouge' cosmetic shop and'Sujiayan' were opened next to each other on Zhuque Street.
Xiao Lin Yu was a little worried when he saw that his wife was busy going in and out with her belly supported. But seeing her looking radiant every day and remembering that the doctor advised that she should move around more when she was pregnant to facilitate the delivery, he could only give more instructions to the servants around her and let her be.
Back then, not long after the 'Sujiayan' in Luohe Prefecture was opened, Mrs. Su tried and improved all the recipes she remembered one by one and compiled them into a Su Family cookbook. Then, implementing You Jin's idea, she bought out four under-twelve children to learn how to cook.
It had been three or four years now. Although the skills of these children weren't comparable to those of Mrs. Su, they have already learned 70% to 80% of it. This solved the problem of cooks in the 'Sujiayan' in the capital.
It was also based on this cookbook of Su Family that the 'Sujiayan' had become very popular in the capital after it opened. It had become a restaurant favored by many high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Later, the cooks of Sujiayan gradually formed a new faction of chefs. The name of this faction was called 'Sujiayan'.
As for Su Family, they also made a fortune that they could never finish spending in their lifetimes with this skill. Xiao Family was also very satisfied with this fortune-making daughter-in-law.
At the end of October of the same year, You Jin gave birth to a pair of twin sons. The whole Xiao Family celebrated together. Only Xiao Lin Yu watched his wife hug this brat now and that brat then. Then he thought of the fair and lovely little niece from Han Family and felt depressed for a long time. He secretly decided that he must give birth to a daughter.
Three years later, after Xiao Lin Yu's unremitting efforts, he finally gave birth to a pair of twin daughters. When the initially happy old father saw his daughters holding hands with the brats next door, he became very depressed again. Those are her daughters. What are you stinky brats doing!