"Sister, are you telling the truth?!" Zhuang Hanming suddenly became excited: "I won't tell anyone, but sister must keep her word." Then he said sternly: "If I learn martial arts, I will not let my sister be bullied."
Han Yan's eyes heated up, and he was moved in his heart. He said, "Protecting yourself well is the best way to repay your sister. It's just that you have to endure hardships to practice martial arts. Don't give up halfway."
"I won't." Zhuang Hanming suddenly thought of something and asked, "I heard from Ji Lan that dad just came here. What did you say?"
Brother Ming also knew about the quarrel between Zhuang Shiyang and her. Han Yan shook his head: "It's nothing, he just wants us to meet Mr. Zhou who is coming in tomorrow."
"You agree?" Zhuang Hanming shouted in disbelief: "Sister, this is not allowed, we only have one mother."
"Stop talking." Han Yan interrupted him hastily, and said, "You don't understand. Listen, don't mention this matter in front of your father. Just don't know. When you see them tomorrow, just be colder." That’s it, don’t make your own decisions.”
Zhuang Shiyang didn't like this son in the first place. If Brother Ming made trouble in front of him again, I'm afraid it would only make Zhuang Shiyang more disgusted. This would satisfy the Zhou family. Although father's kindness and son's filial piety are just an illusion, they are very necessary. Brother Ming had a quarrel with Zhuang Shiyang before because of Han Yan's illness, and was punished by being beaten with a board and imprisoned in the ancestral hall. He must not repeat the same mistake this time.
"Sister, but she wants to be our mother." Zhuang Hanming said aggrievedly: "My mother just passed away, how could dad..."
Han Yan shook his head: "We will only have one mother. Fifth brother, if you believe me, then do as I do. I have my own plan."
Zhuang Hanming thought for a moment and finally said: "I believe in sister."
Han Yan looked at the small figure at the door and smiled.
Today is the last time she sheds tears. From now on, Zhuang Hanyan will swallow all her tears to protect the people she wants to protect.
Ji Lan, Shu Hong, Mama Chen, and Zhuang Hanming.
The early winter sun was slightly warm, shining into the house through the carved mahogany windows. There is a simple pavilion in the atrium with raised corners and cornices. A clear pool of water flows around the pavilion, and the red plum blossoms are reflected on the mirror-like surface of the pool, as if there are a few rubies inlaid on the green jade.
The garden is deep and quiet, and the trees are pruned in an orderly manner, which is pleasant and charming. Zhuang Shiyang, as a third-rank minister in the DPRK, prefers elegance and exquisiteness in his own house, with small courtyards made of rocks and rocks, all of which are well-arranged.
Just looking at the garden scenery, you can tell that the person who arranged it had a delicate and exquisite mind. Unfortunately, the person has passed away and this picturesque scenery is left alone, which is a disadvantage to some people.
Han Yan was sitting in the small pavilion. A piece of snow-white rice paper was spread out on the bluestone table. Ji Lan was grinding ink on one side. Han Yan dipped his pen in the ink, thought for a long time, and then wrote a word on the paper.
Ji Lan glanced at it curiously and said, "It's the word 'quiet'."
The fragrance of ink still lingers on the snow-white paper, and the writing is full of color and unrestrained. Ji Lan didn't know how to read. He just felt that the lady usually wrote gracefully and neatly, but this time her writing was a little more sloppy. It looked a little different from the past, but it made her feel comfortable.
"Why did Miss write the word 'quiet'?" After holding back for a long time, Ji Lan couldn't help but asked curiously.
Han Yan smiled and said: "This word is for you, and also for myself." After calculation, today is the day when the mother and daughter enter the house. Zhuang Shiyang has not yet been sent a message, so he cannot take the initiative to ask. It is smart to stop with stillness.
Ji Lan's face turned red: "Miss, are you saying that this slave talks too much and disturbs her from writing?"
"The most pleasant thing in the world is to add fragrance to red sleeves. How can I dare to accuse our Jilan girl of being too talkative?" Han Yan deliberately looked up and down at the girl next to him, pretending to be obsessed.
"The young lady is teasing me again." Ji Lan became more and more embarrassed. The young lady's temperament has changed a lot since she woke up, and her actions are much bolder than before. Although he would joke and quarrel with them in the past, he was not as open-minded as now. But this is not a bad thing. It would be great if the young lady can get over the shadow of losing her mother. Speaking of which, this was the first time I saw such a sincere smile from the lady after my wife passed away. As long as the lady was happy, it didn't matter if I was teased a few times.
Just as he was about to say a few more words, Han Yan quickly stood up when he saw Shu Hong walking towards her.
Shu Hong came closer and handed her a small cloth bag: "A total of two hundred taels of silver were pawned, and the remaining quartz bracelet was exchanged for some broken silver."
Han Yan glanced at the mouth of the bag, put it in his sleeves, and nodded to her.
She asked Shu Hong to take some jewelry in the house to pawn money at the pawn shop. When her mother was still alive, in order to prevent her from developing arrogant habits, she always gave her pocket money based on her monthly salary. Fortunately, she usually doesn't need much money, and her life has always been relatively comfortable. After my mother passed away, everything became different. In the past, Haitangge, under the orders of her mother, would come to cut cloth and make clothes for her every month, but now no one gives her any money, so she no longer comes. Several aunts are not close to her, and they will not take the initiative to mention this matter. Even the food cooked in the kitchen is not as exquisite as before. She has always been picky, but now she has developed the habit of eating everything.
The former daughter of the Marquis Mansion now has problems with food and clothing. In addition, the Zhou family and her daughter have entered the house. If she wants to install informants and confidants, she must be prepared to reward her with money. If Brother Ming wants to learn martial arts, hiring Mr. Wu will cost a lot of money. The dowry her mother left for her was locked in the warehouse. It was left for her when she got married and cannot be touched now. Far water cannot quench the near thirst, so I have no choice but to sell some jewelry.
This thing can only be done by Shu Hong. Shu Hong has been with her for so many years, and she is a very safe person. Although he doesn't like to get close to others, he is also cold-hearted and warm-hearted. Ji Lan is smarter and more lively, and all the girls in the house have more or less friendships with her. Having such a person by your side is equivalent to having a database of information, and it is especially easy to hear some news. These two girls are extremely loyal to Han Yan. As a girl, this is the most important quality. Being able to be of the same mind as their master, Han Yan would not shy away from them in many matters.
As soon as he put away the banknotes, Butler Lin came to pass the news and Zhuang Shiyang asked Han Yan to go to the front hall.
Han Yan understood that Zhou and his daughter should have arrived. She thought it would be later, but in such an early morning, she really couldn't wait to enter the house. She lowered her head, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes. When she raised her head, she said softly and calmly: "Shu Hong, Ji Lan, let's go."
Passing through the corridor, bypassing the pavilion, and just about to step into the front hall, I heard crisp laughter coming from the hall.
Han Yan raised his eyes and saw Zhuang Shiyang sitting on the wooden chair in the center, with Zhou sitting next to him. Zhuang Yushan moved a small boy and lay in front of them. He didn't know what he said, which made Zhuang Shiyang laugh. Mrs. Zhou looked at her daughter lovingly and spoke softly. If she had seen the scene in front of her without knowing it, she would probably admire the happiness of her family.
(End of chapter)