On the first day of the New Year, the sound of firecrackers could be heard early in the morning on the long street. The children in the farmstead came out one after another to set off 'firecrackers to open the door'. After the firecrackers were set off, the ground was covered in red, shining like the clouds. It was called 'Mantang Red'.
Everyone in the manor began to get busy. It was unknown whether it was intentional or if they had forgotten about Jiang Ruan and her two servants, but after the New Year's Eve dinner, no one came to the three people's courtyard.
Bai Zhi lit a brazier next to the door and used half of her body to block the door. She fanned out the choking smoke so that there was a little warmth in the room. The sunlight from outside shone into the courtyard. The courtyard was the most remote and dilapidated one. Not only did the eaves leak all year round, but there were also voles that often scurried about. The quilts sent by the manor were thin to begin with, and many of them had been bitten by the mice. Bai Zhi sighed and could not help but turn her head to look at Jiang Ruan, who was sitting on the bed hugging the blanket.
Jiang Ruan leaned against the horse-brown pillow that was sewn from a coarse cloth. The quilt covered her chest as she hung her head in a daze. After being sent to the manor for four years, Zhang Lan's family had been short of food and clothing. As a result, she had matured later than the average girl, and her hair had a withered yellow color. At this moment, the sunlight shone in through the window, giving her long hair a flowing luster. Her slightly pursed lips seemed more rosy than usual, and her facial features appeared delicate and regular. The most unique thing about her was that she was sitting quietly, but she was quieter than usual, as if she was a different person, strangely strange.
Baizhi fiddled with the firewood in the brazier and recalled how Lian Qiao had told her everything about Qiu Yan last night. In the end, she said, "Why do I feel that something is not quite right with Miss? The change is simply too great. Could it be that the meekness you showed in the past was all a lie?"
Bai Zhi did not know how to answer her. Actually, what Lian Qiao had said was right. Jiang Ruan had changed too much, especially as her personal maids. Ever since Jiang Ruan had been sent to the rural residence four years ago, she had always been washing her face with tears. Zhang Lan's family had made things difficult for her in every possible way, but in the end, she didn't even have the energy to shed tears. She could only silently endure it, but the sadness and depression in her heart made her even more cowardly and taciturn. Yesterday, his attitude towards Qiuyan was like that of a different person. Bai Zhi was puzzled. After a serious illness, could it be that a person's temperament would change as well?
However, no matter how much she had changed, Jiang Ruan was still their master. Jiang Ruan's current attitude was completely different from the past, which was perhaps a good thing. While he was lost in thought, Lian Qiao had already walked in with an oiled paper bag, almost knocking over the brazier.
"Be careful," Baizhi reprimanded him softly. "Why are you being so rash?"
"I went to buy some New Year's goods." Lian Qiao was not annoyed and continued to smile as she stepped into the room. She placed the oiled paper on the table and opened it. She said to Jiang Ruan, "Miss, come and eat some too. The spring cakes are still warm."
Baizhi felt strange: "Where did you get it?" In all likelihood, Zhang Lan's family would not be so kind-hearted. Because of Chen Zhao's matter, Zhang Lan was rather resentful towards Jiang Ruan. The servants would not take the initiative to touch this bad luck, and they did not have any money to buy snacks on hand.
"It seems that an important person from the Manor is about to arrive. Everyone has been making preparations these past few days, and there are more snacks prepared. I have some friendship with the new yuri in the kitchen, so I asked for a few." She smiled, "Although we are a little rough, we still have to celebrate the New Year. Miss, take a look, there is also this." She took out a bracelet made of copper coins from her bosom. "When I came back, I spent ten copper coins to buy this. It's a good omen, and the coming year will be smooth sailing."
Baizhi snorted, "What's the use of buying copper coins for? Could it be that you are praying that Miss will be rolling in wealth in the coming year?"
"What's wrong with rolling in wealth?" Lian Qiao said, "Money makes the world go round. What's wrong with having silver? If there was silver, these people would definitely not dare to bully Miss like this."
Baizhi hurriedly gave Lian Qiao a look, reminding her that Jiang Ruan was still there and that she should stop talking. Lian Qiao knew that she had made a slip of the tongue, so she quickly shut her mouth and carefully glanced at Jiang Ruan.
However, Jiang Ruan shook her head and slowly lifted the quilt to walk down. Lian Qiao hurriedly came over to support her. Jiang Ruan walked to the table and sat down. She looked at the bracelet on the table and reached out to put it on. She gestured and said, "It's a good omen."
Lian Qiao's heart turned sour. She thought to herself, "Which family's young miss doesn't have a pile of jewels and accessories of all sizes for the New Year? Yet, my Miss only has a copper coin bracelet worth ten copper coins. Even in an ordinary family, it is not worth mentioning." Turning her head to hide the sourness in her eyes, Lian Qiao smiled and said, "Miss, have another spring cake."
Jiang Ruan shook her head, "I can't eat it, you guys go ahead." She paused and said, "I don't have any silver to reward you guys. Follow me to the zhuangzi. These four years, you guys have suffered a lot. Fortunately, this year, we don't have to suffer anymore."
"Yes, yes, yes," Baizhi hurriedly said, "This year, Miss has been blessed with good fortune. Everything has been very smooth!"
Jiang Ruan knew that she had misunderstood her meaning. She did not explain and only looked out the window, "The weather outside is very good, let's go out for a walk."
Baizhi and Lian Qiao looked at each other in surprise. On normal days, besides working, Jiang Ruan was not willing to take the initiative to go out for a walk. The servants of the zhuangzi would always ridicule the three of them when they saw them. Lian Qiao's temperament was shrewish. She could manage to subdue some people, but it was to no avail. After a long time, Jiang Ruan became unwilling to meet people and always stayed in her courtyard.
"Good, good, good," Lian Qiao smiled and went to rummage through the chest of clothes, "Miss, which clothes do you want to wear?"
Jiang Ruan laughed in her heart. In reality, it was all the same no matter which clothes she wore. When she came to the zhuangzi, she had brought a lot of accessories with her. However, not long after, those accessories and clothes were swindled away by Zhang Lan and Chen Fang. In the end, she did not even have a piece of her own clothes left. Chen Fang took away all her clothes and replaced them with coarse and tattered old clothes. Not to mention the appearance and the material of the clothes, in winter, the cotton inside the cotton-padded clothes was extremely thin. It was difficult to even resist the cold.
"You choose," Jiang Ruan said.
Lian Qiao and Baizhi picked for a long time before they finally chose a dark green, round buttoned cotton-padded jacket. Underneath it was a wide, yellow, thick cotton skirt that Baizhi had made smaller, and a beige cloak was draped over her head. Fearing that her exquisite hair would not match the clothes, Baizhi combed the simplest bun for her. Because she was young, it looked surprisingly suitable. This outfit could not be considered festive. However, Jiang Ruan's skin was fair and her clothes did not appear rustic. Coupled with her calm and indifferent temperament, she was like a different person from her usual self.
After tidying up, the three of them walked out of the courtyard. Lian Qiao suggested to walk on the streets. Just as they walked out of the large courtyard of the zhuangzi, they bumped into a few people. A surprised voice called out, "Younger Sister Ruan!"
Lian Qiao frowned. Baizhi also quietly shielded Jiang Ruan behind her. Jiang Ruan raised her head and the other person's shadow was clearly reflected in her eyes.
It was Zhang Lan's youngest son, Chen Zhao.
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