Chapter 12

  The fireworks that night were beautiful, and the people in the palace that night were very warm and affectionate towards each other. In the deep darkness of the night, Jiang Wanmu gazed out at the empty space where not many firework sticks were placed. She looked up at the sky filled with floating snowflakes, and as the night went on, the snowflakes bloomed one after another in the air, layer upon layer of flowers falling down to blanket the entire world in a powdery white.

  The young servants brought over many rolls of canvas, preparing to wrap the pavilion with it. Jiang Wanru heard Old Princess Wang laugh and say to the women, "We'll watch the fireworks together here and keep vigil through the night, welcoming a peaceful and prosperous new year." The women all nodded in agreement. The wife of the eldest son smiled and whispered something to the housekeeper behind her, who quickly left the pavilion. Jiang Wanru and Jiyu stood at a slightly remote corner of the pavilion, somewhat far from the most lively spot.

  The most lively place in the palace was filled with the sound of people chattering non-stop, accompanied by fireworks that occasionally lit up the sky. Jiang Wanru turned around and slowly walked forward, while Jiyuan looked back at the scene, let out a few soft sighs, and followed Jiang Wanru. At midnight, a faint sighing sound echoed through the cold silence. Jiang Wanru, who was walking in front, heard the sound and grasped her hands tightly, feeling a chill run down her spine. She turned around to see that it was Jiyuan humming a soft tune. She relaxed and cautioned Jiyuan, "At midnight, your sighs will scare passersby."

  During the New Year's festival, there weren't many new things happening, mostly just old wine in a new bottle. Jiang Wanru's most important task every day was to go to the large kitchen before lunch and dinner to taste the dishes. The young housekeeper saw Jiang Wanru no matter how she tried to probe her, always treated her with a calm smile, gradually losing interest in Jiang Wanru. Every day, she politely spoke to Jiang Wanru, but there were no longer any extra actions.

  Jiang Wanru was fortunate enough to see these tender girls when she went out, listening to their soft voices and enjoying their unreasonable gaze. Occasionally, when she turned her head, she could see the disdain in their eyes. Ji Yan saw this from the side and couldn't bear it, gritting her teeth and saying to Jiang Wanru: "She hasn't even officially become the third madam yet, but they're already putting on airs." Jiang Wanru heard this and burst out laughing, shaking her head and saying: "Why bother getting angry over nothing? They're just unrelated people, if they stare at me a few more times, I won't lose any flesh because of it."

  Jiang Wanmu felt no discomfort or rejection towards these tender women. She often thought that looking at them was a rather enjoyable and visually pleasing experience. The one who should be most concerned about these pink-clad girls in the Wang Manor was probably Consort Lian, who was pregnant. After all, these girls would often stroll around the courtyard in pairs, sometimes giggling and chasing each other playfully. With their youthful vitality overflowing, they were practically delivering themselves to the doorstep of the Wang Manor, making it easy for men to have improper thoughts about them.

  Ji Yan listened and nodded with a smile, but in an instant, she lightly sighed and said: "Miss, why do I feel that the people of the Wang Fu will not easily let you out of the mansion? Alas, it seems that all good things must be delayed for some time. After the New Year, I see Third Master staying in the courtyard for longer periods, and the people who come to invite Third Master from the side of the Wang Fei have faces that are getting uglier by the day." Jiang Wanru heard this and couldn't help but sigh, and Lian Hao would return every night during the New Year's festival to sleep on the bed in her room. Even though Jiang Wanru had never paid attention to him, he could still talk to himself happily in the room.

  When Jiang Wanru went out, she always coincidentally met people from both sides. After exchanging greetings with Jiang Wanru, they would smile and introduce the people beside them to her. They praised each other's beautiful appearance and good family background, with a hint of competitiveness in their eyes. Jiang Wanru just smiled and nodded silently, calmly walking past them.

  Jiang Wanru not only refused to let the women enter the room, but also refused to let Lian Hao stay inside. She explicitly told Lian Hao: "Third Master, there are so many women in the mansion who have come for you. I will not occupy this position and do not want to cause any rumors. Third Master, why don't you go out and take a closer look at those women? If you find someone suitable, you can settle down early, and I will definitely leave early and not cause trouble for you or the people of the Wang Mansion."

  Jiang Wanru looked at him with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, saying: "Third Master, I think you've always handled things very properly. That precious fur cloak should have been given to the most esteemed relatives." Jiang Wanru didn't mention the winter incident; this year's winter, she and the Wang Manor would no longer have any connection, let alone use it as an excuse to get entangled with Lian Huaoyue again. Some things, even if they can't be completely forgotten, also can't be dragged on indefinitely, harming both others and oneself, and ultimately leading to lifelong regret.

  Jiang Wanmu didn't expect to hear Lian Hao say such words, her eyebrows and eyes lowered, not daring to blink easily. She didn't want to guess whether Lian Hao's words were true or false, if they were true, it was just that he had coincidentally met a woman during his emotional downtime, and he happened to have lost interest in women for the time being, and had been keeping himself clean for some days. After thinking about it, she felt that silence was the best response at this time. Lian Hao waited for a while, seeing Jiang Wanmu remain silent, he let out a light sigh and walked out of the room.

  Cat pounce Chinese