Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, wishing you a smooth journey under the moonlight.

  ***

  The little black fish was mysterious, with a smile in his eyebrows and eyes. What he wanted to discuss with Xia Zhi must be a great thing. Xia Zhi smiled and asked him: "Old uncle, what's up?"

  "Sixteen, let's go to your place and talk." Xiaotiao's big eyes glanced at Tian Shi, the meaning was very clear, he and Xia Zhi were discussing something that they didn't want Tian Shi to hear.

  Tian's family saw it and was immediately choked with anger.

  Xia Zhi didn't say anything, and with a smile, she followed Xiao Hei Yu to the west room. Xiao Hei Yu closed the door of the west room, letting Da Qing watch the door, before lowering her voice to discuss with Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, do you want to go play in the imperial city for a few days?"

  "Fu Cheng..." Xia Zhi's eyes narrowed slightly. She really did have plans to go to Fu Cheng. On the one hand, Fu Cheng was the largest city and transportation hub in Bei Town Prefecture, with a large population and the most prosperous and bustling streets. If she wanted to make money, not just small change but big money, there was no better choice than Fu Cheng. Lin Shui Town was also prosperous, but its purchasing power couldn't compare to that of Fu Cheng.

  On the other hand, she wanted to go to Wenshan Academy where Xia Xiuren worked to take a look.

  Tian's family let Xia Xiuzai think of ways to raise money in the academy, she never forgot. Now she not only promised Tian's family to take charge of household expenses but also gave the hard-earned money to Tian's family.

  Is she really so easy to bully? She had long thought of a plan to drain the water from the bottom of the pot. This plan could only be implemented in Fucheng.

  But going to Fucheng is not an easy thing. The road is far, and she needs time to complete her plan. She must stay in Fucheng for at least one or two days.

  All this requires a name. Xia Zhi has been thinking about it for days since the summer solstice. Now Xiao Hei Yu asks her, she thinks for a moment and nods. "I'd love to go."

  Xiao Hei Yu Er laughed and said: "Sixteen, if you want to go, that's great. Just now, your grandma and your eldest aunt were discussing, wanting me to stay at your eldest aunt's house in the prefecture for a few days. I said I wanted to bring you along with me. Your grandma told me to ask if you're willing or not. If you are, then I'll go back and tell them we're going."

  Xiao Hei Yu'er turned to leave, but Xia Zhi hurriedly pulled him back. "Uncle, you want me to go to the prefecture city, is that really your intention? Won't it be inconvenient for them, as Big Sister and the others have been quite busy lately..."

  "You think too much." Little Black Fish looked at Xia Zhi, not very satisfied. "Let's go, are you afraid your aunt won't be happy? I'll tell you, I heard your grandma and aunt say they both want you to go live in the city for a few days."

  It doesn't seem like Xiao Hei Yu is lying. Xia Zhi thought for a moment, she must go to the imperial city, this opportunity is simply someone sending a pillow while sleeping. She can't miss it. Thinking of this, she smiled at Xiao Hei Yu: "Old uncle, then I'll listen to you."

  "That's right." Little Black Fish loved to hear such words, he let Xia Zhi wait, he went back to tell Old Lady Xia, "I'll be back in a while, I'm sleeping here today."

  The little black fish swam away with the big green one in a flash of wind.

  Xia Zhi came out to pour water and rinse. Tian Shi in the east house loudly asked her what she was discussing with Xiao Hei Yu. Xia Zhi was too lazy to respond, so she pretended not to hear, which made Tian Shi scold her twice.

  Before long, the little black fish had swum back.

  "Alright, tomorrow we'll follow your aunt to the prefectural city." This time he didn't whisper it to Xia Zhi, but shouted it out loud so that Tian Shi, Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu'er all heard.

  The Tian family was eerily silent.

  Xiaqiao and Xiaoshu both came out to ask Xiao Heiyu, and Xiao Heiyu told them that Xia Dagu would return to the capital tomorrow and planned to take Xiao Heiyu and Xia Zhi back to live for a few days.

  The little tree was envious, but he didn't dare say that he wanted to follow them. He only said that he would miss the little black fish and Xia Zhi, and even asked if they were going to find Tian Lai Bao to play when they arrived at the prefecture city.

  Xiaqiao politely said that if Xia Zhi followed him, it would cause too much trouble for his elder sister.

  "Mind your own business, Xia Qiao doesn't care about that." Little Black Fish waved his hand, signaling Xia Qiao not to say such things.

  Tian's family at this time actually walked out of the east house, and with a pleasant expression, he spoke to Xiao Hei Yu: "Only bring Xia Zhi, also bring Nai Yue and Wu Yue?"

  "As for me and Liu Shi, we're going." Xiao Hei Yu still didn't wait to see Tian Shi, but responded to her words.

  Tian's expression was somewhat difficult to read, seeming displeased but also with a hint of something else. "Little Dragon, you go by yourself. No need to bring Xia Zhi, it's too much trouble for her aunt."

  This is obviously willing. If Tian's family was unwilling, they would simply say that Xia Zhi was not allowed to go in a domineering manner.

  It's rare for her to be so nice, but Xiao Hei didn't think much of it. "I don't like listening to this nonsense, it's boring." After saying that, he ran to the west room, took off all his clothes except for a small belly band, and snuggled into the quilt that Xia Zhi had prepared for him early in the summer.

  Being bullied there, Tian's family was sulking and complaining in a low voice: "Don't think I don't see it, it's just that Xia Zhi is capable of doing things, taking her over to take care of her uncle, and saving her aunt's trouble."

  Complaining like this, she returned to the east house and sat down. After thinking for a while, Tian Shi's face showed joy.

  ……

  In the morning when she woke up, Xiao Hei Yu Er first took Da Qing to the backyard. Tian Shi watched Xiao Hei Yu Er leave and then called for Xiao Shu Er to find Xia Zhi to talk.

  "… Hurry up and don't just focus on accompanying your uncle, help your aunt and uncle more with their work, don't make them angry. Your cousin Changsheng is a good kid, you guys talk more. And also Zhenzhu, she's younger than you, yield to her when things happen, don't let her say bad things about you behind your back..."

  After instructing for half a day, he looked up and down at Xia Zhi: "It's time to learn how to dress up..."

  As she spoke, Tian took out her own perfume and rouge and had Xia Zhi put them on. Then she also brought out a skirt and had Xia Zhi try it on to see if it fit.

  It was obvious at a glance that it was the skirt that Tian Shi had made for her and put away after finishing half of it. Had she rushed to finish it last night? Thinking so, she looked at Tian Shi's face again.

  Tian's eyes were indeed somewhat dark and sunken, it seemed he really had been up all night.

  Xiangfen and Yanzhi don't want them either. What suits the Tian family may not suit her, and she doesn't need it now. As for that skirt, Xiatian didn't want it in the first place either.

  If it were a dress made by her mother with care and love, she would naturally be willing to accept it. But the purpose of Tian's making this dress for her was too clear, which made her feel very uncomfortable.

  She repeatedly refused, but Tian Shi insisted on giving it to her. In the end, seeing that Tian Shi was about to get angry, Xia Zhi reluctantly accepted the skirt. It wasn't worth making a fuss over this skirt and Tian Shi, especially if something unexpected happened in Fucheng.

  "Mother, I'll go take a look in the backyard." Xia Zhi said to Tian Shi.

  "Go ahead." Mr. Tian nodded generously.

  It was lively in the backyard early in the morning.

  In May, July and December, several people were walking back and forth between the main courtyard and the upper house, chatting and laughing. Old Master Xia stood in the main courtyard, talking to Changsheng. Second Uncle Xia also got up early today, smiling and accompanying Old Master Xia and Changsheng.

  Xia walked into the courtyard and greeted everyone. Old Master Xia then told her to go upstairs: "Your grandma and eldest aunt are talking about you."

  Xia Zhi was walking up to the upper house when she ran into Wu Yue, who had just come out of the house with a tense expression on her face. Wu Yue seemed not to have seen Xia Zhi and almost bumped into her. Xia Zhi hastily dodged out of the way. Wu Yue didn't stop and merely called out "Father" before entering the east wing of the house.

  Xia Er Shu was talking to Chang Sheng, at first he only responded with a grunt and didn't move. After a while, Xia Er Shu's wife poked her head out of the east wing and called out to Xia Er Shu again.

  "What's all the noise about so early?" Xia Er Shu was still a bit impatient, then seemed to realize something and turned back to look at Xia Er Yi. Xia Er Yi gave him a signal with her eyes. Xia Er Shu exchanged pleasantries with Zhang Sheng for a moment before hurrying back to the east wing.

  Changsheng walked over with a smile and spoke to Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, I saw the flowers you planted this morning. They're really well-planted!" It turned out that he had gotten up early in the morning and had already followed Old Man Xia around for a circle by now.

  "If Brother Changsheng likes it, I'll dig some for you in a while." Xia Zhi said with a smile.

  Guo Changsheng was also a very honest person: "Sixteen, I don't want anything else, just dig me two peonies. I think the flowers are beautiful and it would be perfect to plant them in my courtyard."

  Xia Zhi naturally wouldn't refuse: "Brother Changsheng, you're really good at choosing. This flower will bloom from spring to autumn, so you won't have to worry about not having flowers to see for three seasons."

  "Ha ha, that's great, I'll take this one then."

  At this moment, Xia Ershu walked out of the east wing, his face somewhat changed. He stood at the door and stared at Changsheng and Xia Zhi for a while before turning to walk over to Old Man Xia's side.

  "Dad, I want to tell you two things." Xia Erbo spoke in a low voice, but Xia Zhi still vaguely heard it.

  "What's going on? Speak up." Xia Lao Ye Zi stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

  Xia Er Shu glanced around and then said, "Dad, let's go outside and talk."

  Old Man Xia was slightly surprised, he couldn't think of what Second Uncle Xia wanted to talk to him about in private for a moment, but he still nodded. The two of them then headed out of the courtyard.

  Xia Zhi walked into the upper house, where Old Lady Xia was preparing breakfast with Xia San and Lao Yue.

  "It's time for lunch, go inside and keep Pearl company, we'll eat together later." Old Lady Xia called out to Xia Zhi, not letting her do any more chores.

  Upstairs, Xia Dagu and Zhenzhu had already washed up and were talking to Xiao Heiyu. Seeing Xia Zhi coming, Xia Dagu hurriedly beckoned her to come over and asked: "Your uncle has told you everything, right? Are you willing to go live with your aunt for a few days and leave this house?"

  He smiled on the summer solstice but did not speak.

  Summer big aunt understood: "It's okay to be a little reluctant. You and your uncle will have each other's company. When the time comes, let your brother Longsheng take you around the city to have fun."

  This will be a good opportunity, and the twelfth lunar month has also arrived. Xia Zhi thought of something, took out three strands of agate bracelets from her sleeve, and said to Lai Yue and Zhen Zhu: "Let's each have one strand." She let Lai Yue and Zhen Zhu choose first.

  "Fourth sister, are you all set? You look really good."

  "La Yue is in a hurry." Xia Zhi smiled, "Zhu Zi brought it back, and I'm eager to wear it. Last night when I got home, I took some time to string it together."

  Pearl looked at the three strands of agate bracelets and thought that the beads were crystal clear, bright and beautiful. She curiously asked Xia Zhi: "Fourth sister, did you string these yourself?"

  Summer solstice nodded. The twelfth lunar month couldn't wait to tell the agate beads' origin to the pearls.

  Zhenzhu's eyes widened in surprise, she hadn't expected that such a beautiful bracelet was actually made from the stones they had picked up from the riverbank during Xia Zhi. "Is it true?"

  "Of course it's true, why would I lie to you?" said Lao Yue.

  "When I was a kid, I also picked up stones in the riverbed, but I wasn't as skilled and clever as you at sixteen." Xia Dagou said with a smile.

  Zhenzhu didn't like the countryside, every time she accompanied her aunt Xia to wherever they went, she wouldn't go. Now, however, she has some longing for the place that Aunt Xia mentioned in December. Aunt Xia noticed her daughter's intention and smiled, saying: "You should follow your sisters more often to travel around and have fun."

  Pearl looked at the rosary without saying a word.

  Xia Zhi and Lao Yue both let Pearl choose first, because she was the guest and also the youngest. Pearl pursed her lips, picked a string and put it on her wrist, and the corner of her mouth slightly curled up.

  Later, Dongzhi also chose one. The last string, Xia Zhi wore it herself.

  Old Lady Xia walked into the house and saw it, her face also smiling, saying that the bracelet was really good-looking, praising Xia Zhi's handiwork, and having a very sisterly demeanor.

  Xia Dagu asked Xia Zhi again: "Did your elder brother Xia Changsheng ask you for flowers? Don't bother with him. He can't take care of them even if he takes them back, and they will be ruined."

  "The peony flower is the best to care for. I think Changsheng has a good personality, he looks like an older brother." Xia Zhi said, glancing at Pearl. She had already guessed that the one who wanted the flower was Pearl.

  Old Lady Xia was in the alley yesterday and saw that peony had bloomed, and Pearl looked at it several times.

  Breakfast is all ready, but Xia Lao Ye Zi can't be found.

  "I just went out with my second uncle, and it seems like he has something to say to my grandfather." Xia Zhi said.

  Mrs. Xia and Mrs. Xia exchanged a quick glance, seeming somewhat tense. Mrs. Xia hastily called out to Uncle San Xia to go find Old Man Xia to come back for dinner.

  Xia Zhi and Dongyue also went out, Xia Zhi caught a glimpse of Old Lady Xia and Eldest Aunt Xia huddled together, speaking in low voices. Eldest Aunt Xia seemed to say something like "If your father opens his mouth, what can I do?"

  Xia Zhi knew the trick, found an excuse, and brought both Lai Yue and Xiao Hei Yu Er to the hospital.

  Xia San Shu went out for a while before finding Xia Lao Ye Zi back.

  Xia Lao Ye Zi had his hands behind his back and a stern expression on his face. Xia Er Shu walked behind him, with no expression on his face.

  As he entered the upper house, Old Man Xia saw that everyone was waiting for him and waved his hand to order dinner. As they ate, they heard that Second Uncle Xia's family had all come out of the east wing.

  The whole family closed the door of the east wing and went out.

  "I've sent them down to pull weeds." Old Xia turned his head back and seeing everyone looking out the window, explained in a sentence.

  Xia Dagu glanced at Xia Laotaitai and seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

  (。)