Longevity: Starting From Getting Down The Mountain And Marrying A Wife

Qingyang City, a scene of celebration.

Amidst intermittent firecracker sounds, red paper scraps scattered in the air, mixed with the pure white snow, flying together.

The Xiaowei River flows through the city, and beautiful music can be heard from the flower boats, accompanied by fireworks blooming in the sky.

Wutong Lane, Zhong Mansion.

Everyone in the mansion gathers together, with joyful laughter and the clinking of glasses.

Xiaohuan, the maid, specially learned a dance with her sisters and danced gracefully in the falling snow.

Her red sleeves fluttered, graceful like a startled swan.

The smiling eyes that looked over during the twirling made Zhong Yan momentarily lose his focus, forgetting to drink from his cup.

Usually dressed in servant's attire, without any makeup, cautious and natural, her appearance alone is enough to astonish people.

Now, wearing a luxurious silk dress, with flowing black hair and rosy lips, every frown and smile is incredibly enchanting.

She is undoubtedly the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, without a doubt.

He still remembers the scene when Xiaohuan entered the mansion, thin as a stick, with dry hair, shivering in tattered clothes, as if she would collapse with a gust of wind.

Now, at less than sixteen years old, she has grown into such a graceful and ethereal beauty, surpassing even the most captivating descriptions.

In two more years.

She will be unrivaled in the world!

Even the legendary fairy goddesses and saintly women cannot compare.

Although she is a maid in the mansion and can be taken freely, Zhong Yan does not harbor any impure thoughts. He can only sincerely appreciate and marvel at the Creator's craftsmanship.

After the dance, the six of them lined up, bowed gracefully, and cheerfully exclaimed, "Congratulations to the Lord and Lady for a prosperous new year! May the Zhong family thrive for thousands of generations!"

"Gulu~"

He downed a mouthful of wine, slammed the cup on the table, and Zhong Yan was the first to applaud, saying, "Well done! You will all be rewarded!"

"Thank you, Lord!"

The six of them immediately stood up and hurriedly ran off to change their clothes.

Jiang Ping, who had been observing her husband's expression, smiled and leaned close to his ear, asking softly, "Husband, who is more beautiful, Ping'er or Xiaohuan?"

"You're just asking for trouble!" Zhong Yan chuckled and sighed, "With looks like hers, it would be a disaster for the country if she went out."

Jiang Ping blinked and smiled, "Then let's not let her go out. When I bought her, I could already see that she had the potential to be a beauty. I never expected her to grow up to be so stunning that it would make people's hearts skip a beat. I can't even feel a hint of jealousy..."

"Husband, eldest sister, what are you whispering about?"

Xiahe stood up with a wine glass, placed her hands on her hips, and laughed heartily, "Let's have a toast together, happy new year!"

"Cheers!"

Zhong Yan raised his wine glass, "Let's all raise our glasses together, happy new year!"

Fine wine and delicious food.

Toasting and exchanging cups.

Until late at night.

Jiang Ping distributed red envelopes to the concubines and servants one by one, and sent them away with their children.

Only seven wives remained.

Xiahe's face was flushed, her gaze hazy, as if she was a little drunk. She swayed her body and said, "Husband, it's New Year's! Who should I have a lesson with tonight, or should we have a meeting with the sisters?"

The women giggled.

They had long been accustomed to such intimate moments, and no longer felt shy like they did at the beginning.

Yan Sandao followed suit, "Yes, husband!"

Zhong Yan glanced at Chunyu and said, "You're pregnant, so you're not included."

Xiahe said something shocking, "I have three good qualities, so I deserve it!"

Oh my god!

Zhong Yan rolled his eyes speechlessly. This woman really knows how to use slang from his previous life on Earth.

The other concubines felt both embarrassed and excited, their eyes shifting, secretly admiring the bravery of the fourth sister.

Jiang Ping felt embarrassed and said, "Fourth sister, you've had too much to drink. Let's talk about these things when we get back to our room."

Just as Zhong Yan was about to speak, he suddenly felt movement in his storage bag. He scanned it with his divine sense and raised an eyebrow.

Just as he was about to retract his divine sense, another communication symbol appeared with fluctuations. Upon hearing the information, Zhong Yan's eyebrows furrowed.

The hall suddenly fell silent, and Jiang Ping asked, "What's wrong, husband?"

Zhong Yan pondered for a moment and looked around, saying, "Everyone, go back and rest. We'll talk another day."

The group of wives and concubines looked at each other, and Jiang Ping stood up and said, "Master is busy with something. Everyone, go back to your rooms. Qiu Xiang, support Xia He."

"Yes, eldest sister!"

"Goodnight, master!"

Jiang Ping, who was the last to leave, glanced at her husband's face and did not ask any further questions.

If we were to talk about understanding Zhong Yan, no one in the Zhong family knew him better than her. She knew her husband's intentions very well.

At this moment, she could tell that although he was not in the mood for intimacy, his expression did not indicate any major trouble.

If he wanted to say something, he would say it.

Back in the bedroom, Xiao Huan came up and was a little surprised, "Madam, why are you back?"

Jiang Ping looked inside and smiled, "Everyone is asleep. I took a sip of spirit wine. Young Master Xing is sleeping soundly!"

Jiang Ping nodded slightly, sat down on a chair, and looked at Xiao Huan's face, smiling ambiguously, "You looked really beautiful in that silk dress tonight. It left the master stunned."

"Madam, you have a discerning eye!"

Xiao Huan's face changed, and she immediately knelt down in front of Jiang Ping, anxiously explaining, "Madam, please listen to this servant's explanation. When Fourth Madam taught us dancing earlier, she emphasized that the dance moves were secondary, and the most important things were eye contact and a smile. We needed to engage with the audience. That's why this servant kept making eye contact with the master!"

"This servant has no ulterior motives, none at all... I didn't mean to hook the master's interest. Moreover, this servant has a lowly status, and the master usually doesn't spare me a second glance. I know my place and have never had any improper thoughts. I hope Madam can see through this!"

"But you have always been clever and quick-witted."

Jiang Ping smiled and said a word, then asked lightly, "How have I treated you?"

Xiao Huan's shoulders trembled slightly, her body lowered even more, and she pressed her forehead against the back of her hand, "Madam has treated this servant with great kindness, like a second mother. You have always loved and cared for me as if I were your own sister. You have never scolded or reprimanded me. You even taught me how to read and practice martial arts. This servant can never repay your kindness."

After a pause, she raised her head, looked at her mistress with bright and firm eyes, and said, "If Madam thinks this servant is at fault, Xiao Huan is willing to die in atonement, without any complaints!"

Jiang Ping nodded and asked, "What level have you reached in your cultivation?"

"This servant is dull and has no talent. It took several years to reach the second stage of Body Tempering."

However, Jiang Ping knew that she had to take care of the children and handle many affairs in the mansion on a daily basis. She only had a little time at night to practice martial arts and read books. Moreover, she didn't have precious medicinal materials and the blood of demonic beasts to assist her like herself and her sister wives.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Ping said, "Starting tomorrow, you don't need to take care of the servants in the mansion anymore. Leave it to Xiao Qing, Xing'er, and Ling'er. Let Xiao Cui and Xiao Qin take care of you."

"Yes... This servant will follow Madam's arrangements."

Although Xiao Huan had no complaints, she felt a sense of grievance. She had always been diligent and responsible, but she was still being punished. She didn't know how the other maidservants would look at her in the future.

Among the many servants in the Zhong mansion, her status was the highest. Even the other wives and concubines treated her politely because of the first madam's face.

Arranging tasks on a daily basis inevitably offended people. Falling from the clouds like this, she was afraid that she would face ridicule and even sabotage behind her back.

Jiang Ping continued, "Tomorrow, I will inform Fourth Sister. You can go to her to choose a suitable martial arts secret manual. I will also provide you with a monthly supply of medicinal materials and beast blood. From now on, you can focus on practicing martial arts and studying."

Xiao Huan was taken aback for a moment, blinked her eyes, wasn't this the treatment that only the other wives had?

Immediately, she felt a tightness in her heart, thinking that her mistress was testing her, and hurriedly said, "Madam! This servant dare not! This servant knows her mistake!"

"What's there to be afraid of? I have seen your diligence and dedication. Like you said, I treat you like a sister. If I hadn't been particularly fond of you, I wouldn't have brought you into the mansion without the master's permission."

Jiang Ping smiled and reached out to pull her up, "In the future, stay in the mansion and focus on practicing martial arts and learning. In the future, we will share the burden for the master. What do you think?"

This statement couldn't be any clearer.

The intelligent Xiao Huan instantly understood, and as her gaze met Jiang Ping's, her heart skipped a beat. Her pretty face blushed, and she nervously said, "This servant... This servant... the master...?"

Jiang Ping held her hand and smiled, "It's not the master's intention. So you have to work hard and catch the master's eye. I will also speak up for you. Don't embarrass me."

Xiao Huan hurriedly knelt down again, "This servant will follow Madam's orders and will never let Madam down!"

"Alright, from now on, you will use my surname. You will be called Jiang Huan. As for the master's side, let nature take its course. When the time is right, I will arrange it for you."

"Yes, thank you for giving me a name, Madam!"