Jin Shanyao hummed an off-key tune as she leisurely returned to the Anzhi Hall.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Qing He rushed over with a bunch of mugwort in her hand, sweeping it over the three of them from head to toe while muttering something under her breath.
"Master, you're finally back. I haven't been able to sleep well at night while you were gone." With that, he threw the used mugwort into the stove.
Jin Shanyao remembered that when she left, the stove in the house hadn't been lit yet, but now it was warm and cozy, and the warmth felt especially comforting on her skin.
Nanny Zhao had already boiled a large pot of water and was holding clean clothes in her hands, urging, "Master, you should go and wash up quickly to get rid of bad luck."
I stewed some pork ribs today, let's have a good meal and nourish ourselves."
Jin Shanyao felt a warmth in her heart from the lively atmosphere and replied with a smile, "Alright, we'll do as you say, Granny. We'll go wash up now."
The three of them finished washing up, and the meal was already laid out.
Since other servants joined the household, Qing He and Qing Yang refused to eat with them, saying that times had changed and the Meng Household rules needed to be gradually established.
After the meal, the three of them finally lay down on their own kang (heated brick bed), with the two children nestled in Jin Shanyao's arms.
Meng Anci murmured softly, "Finally home." Before he finished speaking, his eyes secretly reddened. He turned over and hid his face in Jin Shanyao's arms, cursing himself for being so spineless.
He draped his little arm over Jin Shanyao's body, holding onto Meng Anzhi's hand tightly and refusing to let go.
Meng Anzhi squeezed his hand back, "There's no place like home, no matter how good it is?"
A doghouse? Meng Anci thought of the Dahuang that was still staying in his house, and nodded. It really was a doghouse.
When Jin Shanyao left the academy, Master Li gave her a copy of " The Medical Consultation Quotations," which detailed the questions and answers.
During this time, Jin Shanyao has been studying this book diligently, determined to become a warm-hearted person.
That day, Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci were roasting peanuts by the stove. Meng Anci held tweezers in her hand and occasionally turned the peanuts over, peeling them open and placing them next to Jin Shanyao.
At this moment, Qing Yang came to report, "Master, Lord Su has arrived with two strangers."
Jin Shanyao put down " The Medical Consultation Quotations," sat up, and said to the two children, "I'm going to the study. Be careful not to get burned by the stove."
The two little ones nodded obediently, then suddenly remembered that there were chestnuts at home, so they asked Qing Yang to bring over a bowl to roast and eat.
In the study.
Two teenagers sat beside Su Wenqian. The teenagers had straight backs, clear features, and sharp, alert eyes, exuding the agility and composure of martial artists.
Su Wenqian introduced them to Jin Shanyao, "These are my cousins, Fu Congheng Fu Congzhao."
Jin Shanyao's gaze swept over the two youths, and she cut to the chase, "May I ask what business Lord Su has with me?"
"Miss Jin, we've come to express our gratitude. Last time you reminded me to spend more time with my mother, but I..."
Sadness welled up in Su Wenqian's eyes as he thought of how his mother had always asked him to have meals with her before she passed away. He had repeatedly declined due to his busy work schedule, and now it was too late to fulfill his filial duty.
"The talisman my mother bought last time was sent to the border and saved my cousin's life."
My uncle's family wanted my mother to personally visit and express her gratitude..." Her voice choked as she finished speaking.
Su Wenqian struggled to suppress his surging emotions. Fu Congheng, standing beside him, spoke up at the opportune moment, his tone becoming somewhat heavy, "My great-aunt passed away suddenly, and my grandfather couldn't bear the blow and fell ill."
My father was stationed at the border and could not leave his post without permission, so he sent my brother and me to offer our condolences. My grandfather specifically instructed us to thank you for your kindness in person.
Jin Shanyao suddenly understood why Old Madam Su insisted on buying so many talismans and sending them to the border before her death.
It turned out that her dearest relatives, whom she missed most in her life but could never see, were there. She thought of what Master Li wrote in his book: people like to hear nice things.
Jin Shanyao felt she was back to her old self... "... Old Madam Su hasn't been reincarnated yet, would you like to meet her?"
Fu Congheng and Fu Congzhao's sorrowful expressions froze on their faces.
A deathly silence fell over the air.
Isn't it a good thing to be considerate of others?
Jin Shanyao thought for a moment and added, "I have some connections with Old Madam Su, so I can let you stay a little longer."
She was originally going to charge her, but thinking about how Old Madam Su had been working tirelessly day and night to teach her about palace intrigue and domestic power struggles, she swallowed back the words she was about to say.
Fu Congheng, "Miss Jin, the deceased is gone, so let's not trouble her anymore."
Jin Shanyao her fingers, tapping the chair hastily...
Since the younger generation of the Fu Household doesn't want to see Old Madam Su, what about Lord Su? He looks very heartbroken!!
Jin Shanyao stared intently at Su Wenqian, "My lord... your mother will be going to the Underworld in three days. Don't you really intend to see her one last time?"
Su Wenqian remained silent, tears welling in his eyes. "Whether I see her or not, she will eventually leave. If she lingers because she cares about me, it will only hinder her rebirth."
If I were to witness my mother's complete departure, I fear I would be overwhelmed with emotion and break down in tears. Rather than let this reunion turn into another heart-wrenching separation between mother and son, it is better to say goodbye here.
Not disturbing or entangled is the only way I, as a son, can give my mother the final dignity and filial piety.
"Miss Jin, please convey my message to her..." Su Wenqian bowed deeply, his voice suppressed, "Your son has grown up and is doing well. Don't worry. May your mother depart without any regrets."
Jin Shanyao her head and said, "Then let me know when you want to see them. As long as they haven't been reincarnated, I can find them for you. Even if they have been reincarnated, I can extract their souls for you. Of course, that's a different price."
Fu Congheng's expression was indescribable. Miss Jin seemed a bit off. Remembering his family's instructions, he wanted to get things done quickly. "Miss Jin, I'd like to buy six talismans for protection."
Jin Shanyao grinned, "I knew your Fu Household would never leave empty-handed..." With that, she picked up a teacup, poured some water into the inkstone, and began grinding ink.
Before Fu Congheng could recover from the shock of the phrase "the thief never leaves," he heard Jin Shanyao ask, "Do you want some talismans to ward off evil spirits and protect the house?"
He was about to speak when Su Wenqian Su Wenqian covered his mouth, asking warily, "How much are the talismans?"
Jin Shanyao at him. "What did I say? Money is just an external thing. Never take it too seriously." She blew on the six talismans to dry.
He intended to hand it to Fu Congheng, but seeing that Su Wenqian was holding him tightly, he turned and stuffed it to Fu Congzhao, saying, "Fifty taels a bill, three hundred taels in total."
Su Wenqian's voice suddenly rose, " Jin Shanyao, how dare you raise the price on the spot?"
"What are you shouting for? Is your uncle not worth fifty taels of silver, or your brother not worth fifty taels of silver?"
Fu Congzhao initially thought it was a bit expensive, but after hearing this, he realized it was incredibly cheap and immediately took out three hundred taels of silver and handed it to Jin Shanyao.
"Miss Jin's talisman is worth the price."
Jin Shanyao gave Fu Congzhao an approving look and decided to say a few good words.
"You're a good young man, I like you..."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Fu Congzhao with bright eyes, waiting for him to say that she liked him too. But after waiting for a long time, she didn't hear a reply and felt a little disappointed.
If this were Old Madam Su, she would definitely grab my hand and loudly agree, "I like you too..."
Sigh, true friends are hard to find; in the end, we were destined to meet but not to be together!
Fu Congzhao's cheeks flushed red under her gaze, and his heart pounded wildly. He only dared to catch his breath when Jin Shanyao looked away. This girl confessed her feelings without warning; it was quite frightening.
Fu Congheng was utterly dumbfounded. His brother had been confessed to?! What was he lacking?!