Jiu Zhang Ji: The Daily Life of the Reborn Daughter

Chapter 184 Before the Mid-Autumn Festival

The face-to-face contact with Rong Jiang gave Qiao Lili an unexpected conclusion: this princess of Lana was stupid.

This was different from the Lanna princess she had guessed at Dunhua Ancient City and the auction. If there was anyone who knew what was going on in Lanna, they would not send such a princess to come into contact with Lou Xinyue, a spy. She would definitely be exposed.

Rong Jiang was not the person she was waiting for. How could she get some information from someone like Rong Jiang?

After discussing with her brothers Qiao Peng and Shang Zhen in the outer courtyard, Qiao Lili still couldn't come up with a good plan. She felt a little anxious. She had originally placed high hopes on this little princess from Lanna and thought that she would be able to find some clues from her, but the result was this.

The next day was Mid-Autumn Festival, and even though Qiao Lili had a lot on her mind, she had to put it aside for the time being. In the mansion of Duke Dingguo, there was an elderly grandmother, a younger brother, and a group of servants. This year, her brother was still at home, and Feng Wuzui had been living in the mansion, so the celebration would be more lively than in previous years. Therefore, after Qiao Lili returned to the inner courtyard of the mansion of Duke Dingguo, she immediately got busy.

He checked whether all the things prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival were complete, whether the gifts had been given out, and whether the gifts received had been registered and put into the warehouse. After all these were clear, he distributed the gifts from Shang Zhen and let Shang Zhen distribute them on his own. He also divided the gifts from the shop owners and waiters on the side that Yunwen was in charge of, and sent the gifts from the orphanage over there, letting Yunwu and Zhou Chengye arrange them on their own. He also asked Uncle Zhong to quickly distribute the shares to the servants of the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion according to the number of people.

For a moment, everyone in the Duke Dingguo's mansion, from the top to the bottom, the stewards, maids, servants, and boys, were in high spirits. Every time they met each other, they would express gratitude and pay their respects.

Giving festival gifts to servants by masters means that they treat their servants well. It is not a rule, nor is it given in all houses. After receiving the festival gifts, if you cannot see the master, you do not have to go to the master alone to express your gratitude. However, if you meet the master in the yard, you must perform the ceremony to express your gratitude.

The smiling faces and words of joy and blessing immediately set off the festive atmosphere. Not to mention, new lanterns were hung everywhere in the mansion. Even Qiao Zhen, who had just returned from school, felt the festive atmosphere and asked Qiao Lili with a smile, "Sister, even Xiaodong and Xiaoxi have festival gifts. Do I have any?"

"You, you want it too?" Qiao Lili raised her hand to straighten his crooked collar and brushed off the few grass tips on his lapel. "What do you want? Ask your master Su Tanhua for some exam questions for you to do?"

After the tea party at the Hua family, Qiao Zhen, introduced by Su Shiyun, became Su Sangongzi's disciple. Because Qiao Zhen was still young and his studies were still focused on the academy, Su Tanhua only gave him lessons on his days off. Whenever Qiao Zhen encountered a problem that he couldn't solve, he could come to his house for advice at any time.

When Su Shiyun proposed this, Qiao Lili didn't have much hope, because he was the famous Tanhua Lang. If he wanted to take in disciples, he should at least take in those talented scholars with a good reputation. How could he condescend to take in a child who had just started to learn? This was like using a butcher knife to kill a chicken. It was a waste of talent.

However, after meeting Qiao Zhen and testing her, Master Su San happily accepted this young apprentice. In front of Qiao Zhen, he only said that this young apprentice is teachable. Behind Qiao Zhen's back, he told Qiao Lili and Su Shiyun that he had to keep this young apprentice first, because in another three to five years, he might not be able to get him to be his disciple, and he was afraid that a hermit scholar would secretly take him away to teach.

He said that Qiao Zhen had an excellent talent for reading, and was good at thinking and studying problems in different directions. He would be famous in the future. Now that he was still young, we should only focus on cultivating his habit of reading and thinking, and not force him to grow.

Master Su San was not very strict with Qiao Zhen, but what apprentice is not afraid of his master? When Qiao Zhen heard that there would be a test, he became discouraged.

"Tomorrow is a holiday and our academy is closed. Will Mr. Su still have classes? Doesn't he celebrate the holiday?" Qiao Zhen asked cautiously with a pursed mouth. All along the way, he was just happy that he didn't have to go to the academy for the holiday, and forgot that there was a Mr. Su waiting for him at home.

"Well, change your clothes and go give Mr. Su some holiday gifts. Bribe him so that he will give you a day off tomorrow." Let Qiao Zhen deliver the holiday gift to Mr. Su San herself. She is not a child anymore and it is time to do some business. Speaking of doing business, where is her brother who is not young anymore? Why doesn't he come to help her, leaving her busy all by herself.

When Qiao Zhen heard that she was going to give her husband a holiday gift, she became happy again. She took Xiaodong and Xiaoxi and ran to her yard to change clothes. As she ran, she said, "Hey, I'll be back right after I change my clothes."

Qiao Lili smiled. What's so happy about giving a holiday gift? Mr. Su might not take a holiday after receiving the gift. Maybe he would accept the gift and stay to take a class. For Su Tanhua, it would be an easy thing. The person was delivered to his door, so why would he let him go?

However, if I had this class today, I would definitely have a day off tomorrow.

Qiao Peng, who was leading the horse and waiting in a secluded street corner, suddenly sneezed. He looked at his body and realized that he was wearing a lot of clothes. It was much colder at the border in the past, and he didn't wear so little in this season. Unable to bear his grandmother's nagging, he wore too thick clothes and was sweating every time he moved.

She was also going out to deliver holiday gifts today, and this road was the only way for her to go home. Qiao Peng scratched his head, wondering why her carriage hadn't arrived yet.

So many days have passed and he has no chance to talk to her. He could only look at her from afar. Today, he wondered if he would have the chance to say a few words to her.

*

At this time, Yu Jingyan was in Moxiang Pavilion. The chess game in front of him had reached an endgame. Opposite him was the youngest son of the prince of Shu, Yue Zirui.

Ali is going to entertain a princess from the Lanna Kingdom today. If he doesn't go to court, what else is the point of going? He might as well be lazy and ask for leave from his father. Emperor Yong'an now has a way to control him, and his emotions are extremely stable. If she doesn't want to come, then don't come. It will be your job sooner or later. Anyway, the Crown Princess is Qiao Lili, whoever wants to be the Crown Prince can do it. He is not in a hurry.

Ah Li had no time to accompany him, so he came to Moxiang Pavilion to look for Yue Zirui, the young son of a prince of Shu who had been living on the streets and had been taken in by the owner of Moxiang Pavilion at the behest of Qiao Lili. Yue Zirui did not live there for free, in addition to copying books, he also wrote a book about the customs of Shu, which sold quite well after it was printed.

After Yu Jingyan came back from Ganjiang, he met him by chance and gradually became familiar with him. They occasionally chatted and played chess, and they felt like friends. Yue Zirui also confessed his true identity to him.

As for why he ended up on the street, Yue Zirui was unwilling to mention it, as it might involve family privacy. Yu Jingyan did not ask, as the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. When A-li was busy, he asked Yue Zirui to play chess with him.

"Your Highness, I'm grateful for this game." Yue Zirui put down the chess piece in his hand and bowed to Yu Jingyan.

This is the third game. The first game ended in a draw, Yu Jingyan won the second game, and Yue Zirui narrowly won this game. All three games were very intense and dangerous. It was really a great match.

"Zi Rui has bid farewell to His Highness today. After the festival, I will return on the 16th. I will go back to Shu." Yue Zi Rui stood up and bowed to Yu Jingyan. "I cannot thank Your Highness and the Crown Princess enough for their kindness. I will repay them in the future."

“Don’t mention whether we’re in good terms or not, it will tarnish our friendship. If you want to go home, I won’t keep you. Have a safe journey. I’m sending you a letter again. If you come back someday, I’ll go out of the city to welcome you and prepare a bed for you.” Yu Jingyan was born in the royal family and grew up in Yunmeng Lake. He was born aloof and held a high position, so he didn’t have many friends. He and Yue Zirui hit it off at first sight. Yue Zirui was young and had great literary talent. After the two got to know each other, they felt that they had met too late.

"Zi Rui has made a note of it."

Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival, reunion is imminent, but so is separation.