After Fu Xin Ci finished washing up, she changed into casual clothes and sat in the main hall, talking with Chun Yu.
“Miss, I saw Sister Han Xue today.”
“How is Han Xue?”
“Sister Han Xue is also about to give birth. Her belly is as round as a big upside-down pot lid. Her mother-in-law smiles so much her mouth can’t close, and she’s been pacing back and forth with her at the doorway.”
“Hmm, she should pace more. I’ve heard people say it makes labor faster.”
“Miss, there’s such a saying?”
“Perhaps.” Fu Xin Ci said ambiguously.
“No wonder Aunt Cheng always paced before.”
Mother Yang, listening to the conversation between Miss and Chun Yu, secretly recorded anything she thought was useful.
…
In the autumn, the sky in the northern frontier was high and the clouds were light. Today was a day off, and the whole family set out early to pick fruit.
Bright red apples, golden pears, and the bright red hawthorn berries that looked like rosy clouds…
However, Madam Fang’s eyes were fixed on a few pomegranate trees.
Xiao Tao Fang, holding Qing Mei, was also eager to try at the side.
Eleventh Master (Meng Qing Huai) also brought his sons to help: Meng Yu Tang, Meng Yu Luo, Meng Yu Lin, and Bao Er, as well as Jin Zhong.
The annual fruit-picking day at the Meng family courtyard was always the liveliest. Grandpa Meng watched the group of children and patiently reminded them again, “Just like every year, put the big ones in one pile, the small ones in another, and the medium-sized ones in a third pile.”
“Second Uncle, don’t worry.” Meng Qi Shan answered first. He had recently gotten married, and Second Uncle had given him twenty taels of silver for the wedding. This money was not only enough for a grand wedding but also left a few taels, giving him and his wife more confidence than others.
Meng Qi Tian, Meng Yu Tang, and Meng Yu Luo, these three energetic fellows, were competing to see who could finish picking one tree first.
Watching them run so fast and pick fruit with dazzling speed, Ning’er lost all desire to do anything and instead pulled Jin Zhong to watch them compete, continuously mumbling cheers for them.
Jin Zhong, of course, was rooting for his brother. When no one was looking, he helped his brother pick a few fruits.
Ning’er wondered if he should also help, but after thinking for a long time, he didn’t know who to help.
Forget it, this question was too difficult. He wouldn’t think about it and would just honestly watch the excitement from the side.
Fu Xin Ci was also watching from not too far away. The three teenagers darted back and forth like flying dragons, truly giving the impression of a harvest rush.
Qi He felt a bit jealous. “Sister Fu, look at me.”
Fu Xin Ci:…?
Qi He glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, spoke his mind.
“Sister Fu, you can only look at me.”
Fu Xin Ci did not answer, only smiled gently and nodded.
Qi He immediately felt as if he could fly, soaring high into the sky.
In his excitement, Qi He started climbing a tree.
“Brother Qi, wait.” Fu Xin Ci saw that this fellow was becoming a bit unhinged again and hurriedly stopped him.
“…?”
“Brother Qi, these are fruit trees, not like the pine trees by the sea. Look where you are.”
Qi He tightened his grip on the branch and obediently climbed down.
“Heh heh.” On the previous step, the branch would have broken under his foot.
Although this height was very close to the ground, it was enough for him to take a big tumble.
“Silly you.”
Fu Xin Ci finished speaking and stopped looking at him, continuing to pick fruit.
Qi He said no more, but followed behind Sister Fu, carrying the baskets full of fruit to the storeroom.
With so many people, the work went by quickly. By the time the sun set, more than half of the fruit on the trees had been picked.
“There isn’t much left. We’ll finish it up tomorrow, and it should be done.”
“Mm, we’ll come again tomorrow, the three of us.” Meng Qing Huai was most grateful to his second brother in this life, so no matter what happened at his brother’s house, he would rush to the forefront with his three sons.
“Alright, come early tomorrow, and we’ll have shrimp dumplings.”
“Okay.” Meng Qing Huai prided himself on this favorite dish, and his second brother truly doted on him.
After all the fruit was collected and stored, and after selection, the large ones were taken away by merchants and sold throughout the northern frontier.
Some of the medium-sized ones were kept at home and put into the cellar for entertaining guests during the New Year, and the rest were sold in town.
The small ones were, as in previous years, divided among the families, to be eaten as snacks when bored, to grind their teeth on, or to pacify children.
When the first snow of winter arrived, Qi He was even happier than Ning’er. Winter was here, and spring was not far away.
“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, let’s build a snowman, a very big one.”
“Okay, when the snow stops, we’ll go.” Qi He was adept at appeasing his two younger brothers-in-law.
Fu Xin Ci stood by the window on the second floor, looking outside. She thought she heard the front gate ring just now. In this kind of weather, she wondered who could be visiting.
In the kitchen, as it wasn’t yet time to prepare dinner, Yin Shi, Zhang Shi, and Granny Han were sitting together, picking vegetables.
“The first snow of this winter is so heavy, I imagine this winter will be exceptionally cold.”
“Mm, Granny Han’s words seem quite accurate.”
“Huh? It sounds like someone is knocking at the door outside.”
“It does, but I wonder who it is, visiting in such heavy snow.”
“I’ll go look.” Since arriving here, Zhang Shi had been eating well, dressed well, and living well, and her whole person had become more cheerful.
“You go look!” Even at the Meng family’s, Yin Shi dared not show herself in front of others, for fear that her bad luck would cause her to be recognized by acquaintances, which would then bring disaster to many.
“Mm, I’ll go look.” Zhang Shi did not dare to go out, but quietly lifted the curtain a crack, peeking outside.
When she saw several figures in the snow, she was so surprised she whispered the news to them.
“It looks like a big shot has arrived outside, with two servants carrying many gifts.”
After Zhang Shi finished speaking, she continued muttering as if she had discovered a new continent, “Oh my, that servant is so tall! He’s half a head taller than the one in front of him.”
… Yin Shi’s usually placid face suddenly changed color upon hearing Zhang Shi’s words.
Grandpa Meng sat on the heated brick bed, watching the visitor take off his fur cloak and insist on performing a junior’s bow. Only then did he somewhat helplessly invite the visitor to sit.
The visitor did not stand on ceremony, took off his boots, and sat opposite the low table.
Grandpa Meng looked at the man opposite him. He was in his thirties, wearing a cotton robe of dark blue, exuding an air of lazy, untamed freedom.
Grandpa Meng smiled faintly, personally poured a cup of tea for the visitor, and pushed it towards him.
“Have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up first.”
The man politely said, “Thank you, Old Second Master Meng,” and then picked up the fine porcelain teacup.
The man seemed to like this teacup very much, tasting the tea carefully while his eyes remained fixed on the cup.