Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 286 - 183: Contrast _3

Chapter 286: Chapter 183: Contrast _3

They then delivered year-end gifts to the Zhang family, Song Mansion, and Di Mansion. Qian Yeejin was in charge of delivering the gifts to the Song Mansion and Di Mansion, while Yixiu went to the Zhang family.

Huang Yue’e was already five months pregnant, with the Little Divine Doctor on his way to becoming a father next year. Both the elder lady and Lady Song were ecstatic; this daughter-in-law was deemed fertile—as soon as she married into the family she got pregnant. They continually sent delicacies to her room, like water flowing, and even exempted her from paying respects. It was just that Huang Yue’e found it boring to stay in her own courtyard, and she still came to amuse the elder lady every day.

Huang Yue’e was now fuller and more radiant than before, with a peaceful look in her eyes, and her lips were always turned up in a smile. With money, leisure, a husband who loved her, and harmonious family members, who could be happier than her?

Yixiu looked at the little woman beaming with sheer happiness and couldn’t help but feel envious for a moment. She wondered what kind of man she would marry in the future, but the thought of Uncle Liang’s face somehow popped into her mind, startling her into a shiver.

The gap in age and social standing between her and Uncle Liang was too great, an utter impossibility. Even if they had been of the same age and equal social standing, she wouldn’t foolishly marry such a man. In every prestigious family, it was common to have many wives and concubines. Uncle Liang was not only the eldest grandson of the main Liang Family, but it seemed that his mother had only him for a son, which put the responsibility of continuing the family line on him even more than others.

The Liang Mansion definitely wouldn’t be as benevolent as the Zhang family, and even if they longed for a grandson, they wouldn’t casually shove women at their son. The young Doctor Zhang was truly the most economical choice for a husband. It was just a shame that "he was born before I was born; when I was born, he was already old."

She felt that she shouldn’t have such thoughts and silently scolded herself a few times, which made her feel a bit better.

Huang Yue’e saw Yixiu staring blankly at herself and asked with a smile, "What’s on your mind, Yixiu?"

Yixiu’s face turned red, and she quickly replied with a smile, "My mother says that a pointed belly means a baby boy. I think auntie’s belly is pointed, so it’s likely to be a little brother."

Her words made everyone in the room burst into laughter.

The elder lady laughed heartily and said, "Let’s hope your words come true."

When she returned home, she heard that Master Lu’s fellow disciple had come back to his hometown for the New Year, bringing with him several pieces of high-quality agarwood. The price was steep; those few small pieces of wood cost one hundred and fifty taels of silver.

Master Lu then locked himself in his room, initiating his artistic creation. He did not return to his family for the New Year’s celebration, and when his son came to invite him home, he even drove his son away. He ate his meals sent by the servants to the door and brought them inside himself.

It seems she had encountered a truly dedicated artist.

Yixiu was delighted and offered Master Lu outstanding living conditions: not only fine food and hospitality but also superior charcoal for his room, fearing that cold hands would hinder his work.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. Led by Old Master Qian, the Qian family went to pay tribute to their ancestors. With the family growing and both sons and great-grandsons showing promise, and with the dessert business booming, Old man Qian felt a strong sense of achievement. While paying respects to the ancestors, they recounted each of these proud moments.

While burning paper for his departed father, Qian Yeejin also reported on behalf of his family.

He told him that both he and his sister now had great teachers guiding them, making rapid progress. They had built a new big house, and both Jinxiu Embroidery Workshop and Moonlit Lotus Pond had earned a good deal of money. Their mother was so capable, embroidering flowers so beautifully that they looked real, even making the well-traveled Master Lu cry, and so on.

In the afternoon, Cheng Yue stood at the doorway, gazing down the small path. She still couldn’t bring Brother Jiang back, but she at least waited for her children to return. Knowing that it was New Year’s Day and that they were to have the reunion dinner, she didn’t eat much at noon. She wanted to wait for the family to come back and eat together.

Yixiu saw that her stepmother was still modestly dressed, in a dark green jacket and a moon-white embroidered grass-patterned horse-face skirt. Only the silver hairpin in her hair with two small yellow flowers added a touch of festivity. She stood quietly at the door, and though she wore a smile when she saw her children, she couldn’t fully hide the disappointment in her eyes.

Huang Tie lifted Qian Sangui, who was wrapped in blankets, off the ox-cart, and the family headed into the main house.

As the servants set up a table full of poultry, fish, and meat amidst the lively fireworks, Qian’s third wife’s family began their New Year’s meal once again.

Meanwhile, in a grand residence in the Capital City, Prince Consort Pan, dressed in luxurious attire, was sitting in an opulently decorated boudoir.

His eyes damp, he looked around the room and murmured, "Time flies so swiftly. In the blink of an eye... Nine years have passed, and Yueyue has been away from her father for nine years..."