White Fence Dream

Chapter 134 Festival
Looking at the fireworks gradually dissipating in the night sky, Zhou Jingyun withdrew his gaze.

The night was already deep, and the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks that had been ringing in the capital were also fading away.

He turned around and saw that all the women and children in the yard had left, leaving only his brothers at home.

"Let's all go back and rest for a while." Zhou Jingyun said.

The brothers smiled and said, "We won't sleep anymore. Let's keep watch." Then they called Zhou Jingyun, "Prince, come play cards with us."

Zhou Jingyun smiled and shook his head: "I won't go. I can't stand it at my age."

The brothers were stunned and laughed, "Sir, stop joking." "I'm not even thirty yet." "I'll stand with you, and everyone who sees me will treat me as their brother."

While chatting and laughing, Zhou Jingyun gave a few more reminders, such as be careful with the candlelight, not to drink any more, as he had to pay New Year's greetings tomorrow, etc., and then left.

Looking at Zhou Jingyun's back, the brothers who were arm in arm laughed quietly.

"It's not that the prince can't bear it anymore, he just wants to go back to be with his lovely wife."

"Yes, he had a long talk with us that day, but he wanted to go back so late, and he refused to stay with us no matter what."

"This new sister-in-law is not very old, but she has really won the heart of the prince."

"I have an ordinary family background and I look ordinary, so how come..."

"Oh, you don't know since you're not at home, this new sister-in-law is really powerful. Not to mention the prince, even the lady has been won over."

"Is it true? Let's go and talk while we play cards."

The brothers dispersed, chatting and laughing.

The large marquis's mansion was both quiet and lively on New Year's Eve, with laughter emanating from time to time.

Zhou Jingyun walked all the way back to the courtyard and saw that the lights were still on in the room. He went in and saw Zhuang Li sitting on the bed reading a book.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" he asked.

Zhuang Li smiled and said, "Watching the night."

Zhou Jingyun went to the bathroom to wash up and change into pajamas, and Zhuang Li showed him the purse.

"It's the New Year's money my mother gave me." She said, and smiled again, "I asked Chunyue to keep it and put it together with the other things my mother gave me before, so that it will be easier to sort out when the time comes."

Zhou Jingyun knew what she meant by sorting out. Since coming to the family, Zhuang Li had packed all the gifts given by the family into boxes, and would return them to their original owners after she stepped down as the fake young lady in the future.

Yes, it was fake. From the very beginning, they were just faking their marriage and pretending to be husband and wife.

When he heard that another person's family was destroyed by Zhang Ze because of Empress Jiang, especially because of a hero's praise, he suddenly became extremely angry.

Upon learning that Zhang Ze had found out that Mr. Zhuang had had dealings with Bai Xun, and combining this with the information once revealed by Mrs. Zhuang, he guessed that Bai Xun had a young daughter who was being fostered by Mr. Zhuang, so he couldn't help but run over and offer to help shelter the orphan.

He just wanted to protect, for the word hero, for the hero's regret...

But, is he really protecting her?
Zhou Jingyun looked at Zhuang Li. Is the orphan girl that Shen Qing cares about really just an orphan?

Seeing him looking at him, Zhuang Li smiled at him.

Zhou Jingyun turned his eyes away: "This is different from the others, it's New Year's money. You are still young. Even if you are not a daughter-in-law in the future, my mother is still an elder, and she should be given New Year's money during the New Year."

Zhuang Li nodded with a smile: "Then I'll accept it." He paused again, "Mrs. Zhuang also gave me New Year's money during the Chinese New Year before."

Zhou Jingyun hummed: "Get some sleep, we still have to celebrate the New Year tomorrow."

He did not respond to Mrs. Zhuang's topic. Zhuang Li lowered his head, said hello, put down the book and lay down.

Zhou Jingyun did not pick up the book. He turned off the light, put down the tent, and lay down.

The tent was quiet in the darkness.

"I have to go back to my parents' home on the second day of the Chinese New Year..." Zhou Jingyun's voice suddenly sounded again.

Are you going back to your parents’ home on the second day of the Chinese New Year?
Zhuang Li thought that her eldest sister was married far away and could not make it to the New Year, so she would only come back once a year in the summer.

After my second sister got married, she never came back.

Now that she is married, she doesn't have to go home anymore, as she has no home to return to.

Zhou Jingyun's voice continued to be heard.

"My aunt invited us over, saying that your parents' home is not in the capital, so we should treat her as your parents' home."

Zhuang Li said yes and laughed again: "Then I can get another lucky money."

Zhou Jingyun wanted to laugh, but the next moment his smile faded and he removed his hand from his chest, feeling a little depressed.

"Take a rest," he said.

The person next to me hummed, and then there was a rustling sound, the quilt shook, and he turned over.

Zhou Jingyun looked at the tent ceiling in the night, quiet and silent.

……

……

On the second day of the New Year, the gate of the Dongyang Marquis' mansion was bustling with activity, as there were many carriages and horses from the daughters-in-law returning to their parents' home.

Seeing Zhou Jingyun and Zhuang Li also coming out, everyone was a little curious.

Everyone knew that she was an orphan from outside the area.

"Going to my aunt's house to play." Zhuang Li explained with a smile.

The others stopped asking questions and just asked her to wish her aunt a happy new year.

Zhou Jingyun and Zhuang Li got on the car, and the maids went to get another one.

Chunyue thought of something, and before getting on the car, she held a hand warmer and looked for "Jiang Yun——"

But Jiang Yun was not in sight, and another guard of Zhou Jingyun came over and asked, "What do you want, sister?"

Chunyue handed him the hand warmer: "This is what the young lady prepared for the prince. The prince always forgets to use it. You can hold it for him."

The guard smiled and said "OK" and took it. Chunyue was about to go back to the car, but couldn't help looking around: "Where's Jiang Yun?"

Jiang Yun has always been by the prince's side, so why can't we see him now?

The guard said, "Jiang Yun has escorted the sacrifice back to his hometown."

The hometown of Dongyang Hou is not in the capital. During the New Year, he has to offer sacrifices at the ancestral tomb in the old house and send New Year gifts to the people in the clan.

This is something that is done every year. Chunyue nodded. However, in the past, Jiang Yun did not have to go because it was always arranged by Dongyang Hou.

Maybe, now that the prince is back, he will have to take care of all the household affairs in the future, so let Jiang Yun get familiar with the household first.

"Sister, get in the car quickly." Chunxiang waved and urged her from the car.

Zhuang Li and Zhou Jingyun's carriage had already driven out, and Chunyue got on the carriage without saying anything more.

I don’t know if it’s because of the New Year, but the Xue Mansion looks brand new.

The maids and servants act with moderation and are busy but not chaotic.

Mrs. Xue's face was rosy and she was smiling. She always smiled when she met people before, but now her smile seemed more relaxed.

Mrs. Xue took them to pay New Year's greetings to Old Madam Xue. When they arrived, Mr. Xue was arguing with Old Madam Xue.

"You want to live with the second son's family, but it depends on whether they are willing. The second son's wife is sick every few days. If she dies, do you want your mother to take care of her?"

"Then let their family come over again. I'm not dead yet, so we shouldn't divide the family."

Hearing that Madam Xue was coming, the two stopped talking. Master Xue looked at Madam Xue and breathed a sigh of relief, "Madam is here."

Old Madam Xue turned her head away and didn't want to talk to Madam Xue.

Madam Xue smiled brightly and stepped forward to hold Madam Xue's shoulders: "Mother, please don't be angry with Dalang."

Madam Xue sneered solemnly: "I am not angry with Dalang. I don't know who is the one who instigated the division of the family."

Madam Xue sighed, "I also think this matter is a bit hasty." Then she looked at Master Xue and said, "My dear, please talk to mother." Master Xue was immediately furious, "What is there to talk about? The second son's family is willing. What exactly are you dissatisfied with, mother?"

If she was dissatisfied, her second son would have to pay for his own food and drink in the future. She wanted to subsidize her second son, but the housemaid in charge kept a close eye on her and treated her like a thief. She couldn't even send the things away. After she finally sent them away, the maid dared to take the booklet to ask for the money back from her second daughter-in-law.

Madam Xue slammed the table and cursed: "You unfilial son, I will go to the palace to sue you!"

Hearing this, Madam Xue held Madam Xue's shoulders and said softly, "Speaking of entering the palace, mother, please don't be angry. You have just recovered from your illness. If you get sick after entering the palace, it would be disrespectful to the emperor."

Mr. Xue immediately found a reason and said in a deep voice, "I think it's better not to enter the palace until your health is better. Your Majesty knows that mother has been seeking medical advice for a long time. He will not blame you."

Not only will she not be blamed, her illness was diagnosed as hysteria by the Imperial Medical Bureau, or to put it bluntly, madness. I'm afraid His Majesty would not be willing to let her enter the palace.

Old Madam Xue suddenly became anxious. If she really asked for leave and did not enter the palace, it would be confirmed that she was crazy and would never be able to enter the palace again. There was not much affection between them to begin with, so who would remember her identity as a princess?
"I know my own health, so don't worry about it." Old Madam Xue stopped accusing her son of being unfilial. "I'm fine, you guys should do what you need to do, don't stay here all the time."

Mrs. Xue smiled and said, "Jingyun and his wife are here to wish you a happy new year."

Zhou Jingyun and Zhuang Li walked in from outside and bowed to Old Madam Xue.

Old Madam Xue had never liked Zhuang Li in the first place, and now she felt that this woman was even more uncomfortable. She was thin and small, with dark eyes and a cold expression. There was no joy at all on New Year's Day.

"Ah Li wanted to treat you, old lady, and Imperial Doctor Wu had the same idea, but you were lucky enough to be cured by the Imperial Hospital." Madam Xue said with a smile, "She was not able to fulfill her filial duty."

Old Madam Xue swallowed the critical words that were about to come out of her mouth. This young woman was good at speaking and also knew medical skills. All the imperial doctors knew about it. If they got out and said that her illness was not cured yet, she would not be able to explain herself.

"Thank you very much." Madam Xue forced a smile and asked the maid to bring a bag of money. "Here's your New Year's money."

Zhuang Li bowed and thanked him, then stepped forward to take it. Zhou Jingyun also bowed again.

When Mrs. Xue saw that Zhuang Li had received the money, she took them away and called Master Xue, "Sir, come and have a drink with Jingyun. Don't always make mother angry here. I'm here for you."

Madam Xue waved her hand and said, "Just do your thing."

In the past, I always disliked this daughter-in-law and she had to be kept in front of me to be trained and punished.

Now I find this daughter-in-law even more unpleasant, but if I see her too much I will have nightmares at night, so I can only let her appear less often.

Mrs. Xue didn't care and smiled and bowed before leaving.

Mr. Xue was eager to leave quickly, so he followed him out.

"Thank you for your hard work, my dear." Madam Xue said with a distressed look on her face, "Mother has just recovered from her illness and has a bad temper. Please comfort her more and we will be filial to her."

It's really not easy to be filial. Mr. Xue patted Mrs. Xue's hand and said, "Thanks to you."

Looking at this scene, Zhuang Li couldn't help laughing behind him.

Madam Xue took a step back and let Zhou Jingyun talk to Master Xue. She winked at her and whispered, "See? It's easy to be someone's daughter-in-law. Just say nice things and do less work. Everyone will praise you as a good person."

Zhuang Li whispered, "Be careful that mother and the prince will blame you for corrupting me."

Mrs. Xue smiled even more: "Good people can never be taught to be bad, but bad people need bad people to change them." At this point, she held Zhuang Li's hand and said, "Don't be like me. It took me half my life to wake up from my dream."

Zhuang Li looked at Madam Xue and smiled, "It's good to wake up from the dream. Even if it's a little late, it's not too late."

The child looked strange, with a smile on his face but not so happy in his eyes. Could it be that the wife of the Marquis of Dongyang was mumbling something behind her back? Madam Xue did not say anything more. She came here to play today, and she would ask other questions after she met the wife of the Marquis of Dongyang.

"Let's go and see the feast your aunt has prepared for you."

……

……

"I'm not here for my aunt's banquet." Xue Silang said repeatedly in the front hall, "I know that the family has split up."

Master Xue glared at him and said, "Even after the family split up, you still have the surname Xue! What nonsense are you talking about!"

Xue Silang hurriedly bowed again and again: "Uncle, I didn't mean that. I meant that I also have a banquet and guests to visit. I heard that the prince and the young lady are here, so I came to pay my respects and not eat."

Zhou Jingyun smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Silang."

Mr. Xue's expression eased a little, but he still snorted: "If you have any guests, don't bring your bad friends home."

Xue Silang said with some pride: "It's not a bad friend, it's Shangguan Yue."

Mr. Xue's expression, which had just eased, suddenly became furious: "You still say no! Why did you bring this thing into the house!"

Not to mention his disgraceful background and the fact that he is a dandy boy, everyone knows that Princess Jin Yu doesn't like this boy. Princess Jin Yu has a perverse and violent temper. It would be terrible if he brought trouble upon himself!
"Uncle, don't talk nonsense. Don't you know? The princess is going to recognize Xiaolang soon. He will be the princess's son in the future." Xue Silang said loudly, "In theory, we are also relatives."

Mr. Xue pouted. What was the point of talking about relatives with a concubine who was not worthy of being in the public eye?

Zhou Jingyun smiled at Xue Silang: "Okay, go play."

Xue Silang bowed to him, turned around and ran away.

Master Xue swung his sleeves in annoyance and invited everyone to take their seats: "Ignore him."

Zhou Jingyun followed Mr. Xue and took a seat.

Zhuang Li took a step back and glanced in the direction Xue Silang left.

"Ali, come here to your aunt." Mrs. Xue called.

Zhuang Li withdrew his gaze and walked over with a smile.

.......
.......
The residence of the second branch of the Xue family is also much larger than that of the first branch.

In particular, Xue Silang, who was deeply favored by Old Madam Xue, had his own small courtyard.

There was a banquet set up in the warm pavilion, with wine and food, very sumptuous.

"This is not considered sumptuous. My mother has been very stingy since she took over the family. If I had lived with my grandmother before, we would have had all kinds of delicacies from land and sea," said Xue Silang.

Shangguan Yue, who was sitting opposite him, was looking around with great interest, praising him, "This is in no way inferior to the one on my ship. Silang, you are living a good life. You are indeed a royal family."

He smiled again when he said this.

"You and I are indeed equal."

Xue Silang was overjoyed at these words. He had never expected that in Shangguan Yue's eyes, he had such a high status. He raised his glass and said, "From now on, you and I are brothers."

The seniority doesn’t seem right, but never mind. It doesn’t matter.

Shangguan Yue obviously didn't care and raised her glass: "I toast to my brother."

The two clinked their glasses, drank it all, and laughed again.

When the party was getting busy, a maid came in from outside.

Xue Silang's maid saw this and was a little surprised: "Sister Cailan, why are you here?"

This is Madam Xue’s maid.

Xue Silang also looked over and saw Cailan holding a food box in her hand.

Cailan had a smile on her face, but her eyes were a little stagnant: "Madam knew that the young master was hosting a banquet, so she asked someone to deliver a dish."

Mrs. Xue has always been thoughtful in her work. When she learned that her nephew had guests, it was reasonable for her to add another dish.

Xue Silang stood up happily: "Aunt is so nice."

He hurried over to take it himself.

Shangguan Yue looked at the maid with a casual expression, but her hands holding the chopsticks were clenched tightly.

The maid looked at him, and Shangguan Yue felt his vision freeze instantly. From the corner of his eye, he could see Xue Silang opening the food box, and the maids were talking and laughing around him, but he could not hear any sound.

All I could see was the maid's mouth opening and closing, and then words floating in the air one by one.

"Wait for me at the Zhang Family Clinic tomorrow afternoon."

Shangguan Yue's lips curved up and a thought flashed through her mind.

You came to the right place today.

(End of this chapter)