Night fell.
The small courtyard felt even cozier.
With the whole family gathered, it was quite lively.
After the master of the house arrived, the entire home felt more complete, with a pillar of support.
Qin Madam, who had been so capable in managing affairs during the day, showed a hint of girlish shyness after her husband's return, evidence of their deep affection.
The elder daughter became even more boisterous, jumping about, as her father not only listened with a smile but also chimed in with words of praise.
She would occasionally banter with her older brother, creating a playful commotion.
Aunt Yin could see how Elder Sister Yu's personality had been shaped.
The younger daughter grinned happily, also seeming quite content.
One moment she would call out, "Papa, papa."
The next moment, "Brother, brother."
She was very busy indeed.
Her little legs ran about merrily.
The Jiang family's son surprised Aunt Yin.
Observing the two daughters, she felt they were both rather spoiled girls with quite a few flaws.
But Feng was clever without showing it off, greeting with a smile, appearing quite good-natured. He seemed very much like Qin Madam, but more steady and reserved.
He was truly an intelligent young man.
Such people tend to live longer.
Aunt Yin was skilled at observation.
But while she looked at the others, she hardly dared to look at Mr. Jiang.
The information General Zi had relayed to her surfaced in her mind.
Mr. Jiang had borne the reputation of being unfilial for most of his life. Only after they arrived did he learn that neither of his parents were his birth parents, and that he was an orphan of the clan.
When Aunt Yin married her husband, his children were already grown and had families of their own.
Because of her, her husband's business had improved, but she was always very anxious in the Capital City. Seeing her unable to sleep peacefully at night, her husband moved the entire family back to their hometown of Jingzhou.
Life in Jingzhou was quite good. Yet unexpectedly, the children yearned even more for the prosperity of the Capital City, and ended up pressuring her husband to death.
But they didn't consider that the prosperity in the Capital City only came after her arrival. Before that, they had been living miserably in the poorest corners of the city, stepping in filthy water every time they left home.
So family matters are not always as they appear on the surface, but she truly hated those who were unfilial, feeling an inexplicable dislike whenever she heard those words.
She had simply thought those children just disliked her as their stepmother, and she rarely interacted with them, but she never expected they would drive their own father to his death.
Wealth and status can blind people, and hearts can easily change.
But what clan could have such an orphan?
Looking at that face.
Aunt Yin suddenly understood who this Mr. Jiang was.
The nobles in the palace would often mention this Imperial Tutor Jiang, praising him as a man of integrity, rarely seen in this world.
Aunt Yin truly admired Old Lady Jiang, able to seclude herself in this small place for so many years.
Thinking of her own spirited personality in her youth.
She had really believed it was Imperial Tutor Jiang's death that had left her heartbroken.
Yet it turned out there was another reason entirely.
During the day, she had felt this small courtyard was peaceful everywhere, though poor, life here was extremely warm and comfortable.
She could have spent the rest of her life here peacefully.
But seeing Mr. Jiang's appearance at night, watching him return home in coarse cloth and straw sandals, still helping with chores, washing and cutting vegetables.
Aunt Yin truly felt that Old Lady Jiang deserved to die eight hundred deaths.
"The green snake's bamboo mouth, the wasp's tail sting, neither as venomous as a woman's heart."
She, a palace maid who had luckily escaped, to be dragged into such affairs, was truly like an old star of longevity jumping into a manure pit – she had lived long enough.
No, she couldn't stay here.
Jiang Changtian received Zi Lu's letter at the County Government Office, saying he was sending a female teacher for his two daughters. He briefly introduced the teacher as a re-married wife from a local wealthy family, quite talented, now without any family support.
She was a very good candidate.
Jiang Changtian was a person with severe trust issues. He himself was deep and difficult to fathom, not easily trusting others, but seeing the candidate Zi Lu recommended in his letter, he had to admit Zi Lu truly understood people's hearts. He could find no fault with this female teacher.
Moreover, he seemed to have only mentioned it in passing, probably not having discussed it much with Zi Lu, yet Zi Lu had already sent someone.
He did indeed need a female teacher to educate his two daughters.
A girl's conduct is not easy to shape, and the world demands more from women. He hoped his children could live more freely, at least maintaining proper etiquette on the surface. These were all Sister Xia's weaknesses, and he was reluctant to teach them himself.
Upon hearing Elder Sister Yu's affectionate calls of "Aunt", he knew this female teacher was very capable, having won Yu's favor in just half a day.
When he met the female teacher, Jiang Changtian also felt she was indeed good, giving an extremely elegant impression, though her appearance was ordinary.
But he was also certain this was their first meeting. Jiang Changtian found it strange that she seemed very nervous.
A woman who could use rebels to dispose of unfilial children shouldn't be so nervous.
Her methods were even more sophisticated than his own.
Jiang Changtian felt Aunt Yin had handled things better than he would have.
But she was nervous.
Jiang Changtian noticed that while her facial expression remained composed, it was merely a cover for her nervousness.
Because the way she held Mianmian's hand and swung it had changed.
Jiang Changtian felt things were becoming interesting.
The Aunt Yin before him seemed to have seen him before, or perhaps someone who resembled him.
Aunt Yin's pupils changed, very subtly, for just a moment, but there was a change.
Dinner was as warm and harmonious as ever.
They had chicken for dinner, prepared according to Aunt Yin's method of bleeding. Indeed, the chicken was more fragrant than usual, and the soup tasted better too.
They hadn't made the blood sugar yet due to lack of ingredients, but even the coagulated chicken blood could be used to make soup, which was also very delicious.
Jiang Changtian observed Aunt Yin's every move. Her gestures were naturally graceful, as if etiquette had been infused into her very being. She was amiable to everyone, but there was still some difference in how she treated him. She seemed to unconsciously show more respect towards him.
This kind of respect shouldn't be afforded to a rural Mr. Jiang, should it?
The meal ended with both host and guest satisfied.
In the evening, Aunt Yin participated in the family's after-dinner tea and chat, which was indeed very warm and comfortable.
The family relationships here were simple, and they were extremely united. Among all the families she had seen, this was already exceptionally good.
When the family is harmonious, all affairs prosper. Only such a family can continue to thrive.
She returned to her own room.
The bed she had lain down on and fallen asleep at noon was still dry in the evening, the bamboo in the room still looked beautiful, a touch of green rare in winter.
Closing the window and lighting the lamp, the room again had a sense of peace and warmth.
But she couldn't sleep.
Her inner heart was roaring!
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!
She couldn't.
She had struggled for most of her life just to escape the imperial palace alive.
Now it felt like she had returned to her old haunt.
Such a small courtyard in the countryside, hiding a ravishing beauty who had participated in a rebellion - a beauty with a face even more stunning than the Eldest Princess.
His lips resembled the Emperor's somewhat.
His eyes and brows most closely resembled that person - Aunt Yin had only seen him once, the serene high monk.
Thinking of him made Aunt Yin's heart tremble.
Fortunately, she hadn't unpacked her belongings yet.
With her luggage still packed, she thought about grabbing her bundle and running.
She lay on the bed, waiting.
Waiting for the outside to gradually quiet down.
No more laughter from the elder girl.
No more pitter-patter of the little girl's chatter.
Qin Madam's voice had also faded.
They must have fallen asleep by now.
Poor child, living in such a small courtyard without even a single guard - how had he survived?
But this was no time for pity; who would pity her if she pitied others?
She had to escape.
She must flee in the night.
When she heard everything fall silent, she quietly got up and pushed open the door.
Outside, a crescent moon hung in the peaceful night sky.
Tall trees stood proudly.
The courtyard was clean and tidy.
Harmonious and tranquil.
Although it had only been half a day, she felt a twinge of reluctance to leave.
But she had to escape.
She looked around to make sure no one was there, about to pick up her bundle.
Suddenly, a crisp voice called out: "Great-aunt, where are you going so late?"
Only then did Aunt Yin notice a young man practicing swordplay in a corner of the courtyard.
He held a sword, wearing a thin shirt, his face slightly sweaty despite the cold winter night.
"I couldn't sleep, just wanted some fresh air," Aunt Yin replied naturally, without a hint of discomfort.
The youth smiled and said, "That's perfect, Great-aunt. You can watch me practice my swordplay. I do this every day."
Aunt Yin smiled and nodded, discreetly kicking her bundle back inside.
She sat by the doorway, watching the young man's sword dance in the courtyard.
The cold wind made her face shiver.
She wondered when the youth would finish practicing.
In the moonlight, the young man's moves started out ordinary - moves she had seen palace guards practice before. A few strikes that were useless alone, only impressive when performed by a group of guards.
But this youth was alone, practicing meticulously. The courtyard wind seemed to swirl around him alone. As he finished a set of sword techniques, Aunt Yin realized his sword had been consistently aimed at a leaf on a tree outside the courtyard. The leaf floated gently towards them, transforming into a spray of emerald powder before her eyes.
The youth sheathed his sword and stood there, smiling broadly to reveal his white teeth. He asked innocently, "Great-aunt, what do you think of my swordplay?"
Aunt Yin: ... I'm tired, I'm going back to sleep.
She closed the door.
Aunt Yin's wrinkled face turned slightly pale.
How could a mere youth possess such swordsmanship? Was this something an ordinary person could achieve?
She lay back down on the bed, closing her eyes to rest for a moment. When she opened them again, it felt like only an instant had passed, but another hour had gone by.
Now it was truly quiet outside. She got up.
Pushed open the door.
She picked up her bundle, ready to leave.
"Great-aunt, where are you going? Are you hungry too? Here."
From the pitch-black kitchen, a fair-skinned young girl's plump hand extended, holding a greasy chicken foot...
Aunt Yin was scared out of her wits.
Even in the imperial palace, she had never been so frightened.
Who could imagine the feeling of a chicken foot suddenly appearing from a dark window in the middle of the night?
It turned out to be the elder girl sneaking a midnight snack. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Then tensed up again.
For heaven's sake!
Why would a young lady sneak out for a midnight snack?!
You ate plenty at dinner, I was worried you'd choke!
"Eating late at night is bad for your health, hard to digest," Aunt Yin said sternly, her tone slightly reproachful.
Jiang Yu stuck out her tongue. Great-aunt was really something, catching her sneaking food in the middle of the night.
"It's fine, Great-aunt, don't worry. I digest everything well, I can handle anything. I'll go back to bed after I finish this. Would you like some too, Great-aunt?" Jiang Yu said obediently.
Aunt Yin: ... No need, go to bed soon.
Aunt Yin lay back down on the bed once more.
This time she tossed and turned, back and forth. No, she couldn't stay. She had to leave.
She estimated that by now, the elder girl must have finished both chicken feet.
She got up again and pushed open the door.
This time she was smarter - she didn't dare take her bundle. Instead, she looked around carefully. The courtyard corners and kitchen were empty. Everyone must be asleep. It should be safe now.
Go!
"Aunt! Can't sleep?"
Aunt Yin was so startled by this sudden call that she almost wet herself.
Looking up, she saw someone standing on the roof.
"Qin Madam, what are you doing on the roof in the middle of the night?"
Aunt Yin was on the verge of tears.
Qin Luoxia raised her hand to show two squeaking rats she had caught, whispering, "My husband wasn't sleeping well tonight, kept hearing noises above. I guessed it must be rats. Finally caught them. Did I disturb you?"
Aunt Yin: ...
Her legs trembling.
Tired, truly tired now. Going back to sleep.
What kind of decent person catches rats on the roof in the middle of the night? o(╥﹏╥)o
Aunt Yin returned to her room, heaving a long sigh.
Her old back really couldn't take this strain, and her heart couldn't handle these shocks.
This time she decided to rest properly and set out just before dawn.
By then, everything would be quiet. Surely no one would be practicing swordplay, sneaking snacks, or catching rats.
In the palace, Aunt Yin had mastered the ability to sleep for exactly as long as she planned without an alarm.
She closed her eyes, perhaps not fully asleep, but resting nonetheless.
Time passed slowly yet swiftly.
She opened her eyes.
Got up.
Picked up her bundle.
This time she must leave.
Leave without hesitation.
She must succeed.
She pushed open the door.
Jiang Changtian and his daughter were standing right outside.
Her bundle fell to the ground.
They were about to push open the courtyard gate.
Hearing the noise, Jiang Changtian turned around.
The infant in his arms was yawning, with sleep in the corners of her eyes.
The baby said slowly, "Good morning, Great-aunt."
Aunt Yin: ...
What morning? The sky hasn't even brightened!!!
Why are you freakishly beautiful father-daughter pair up before dawn???
"Morning," Aunt Yin forced a tired smile.
"Great-aunt, are you also getting up to watch the sunrise?" The infant yawned again.
Tears welled up in her eyes, glistening.
She nuzzled her face against her father's chest, content and comfortable.
"Master Yin, good morning. Did you sleep well?" Jiang Changtian stood there with his long hair flowing, looking full of energy.
Aunt Yin felt like she was about to faint.
She managed a difficult smile.
"Early morning. As you get older, sleep becomes less restful," she said. Then, quite rudely, she yawned right in front of Mr. Jiang.
Aunt Yin quickly covered her mouth.
...
Like a wandering spirit, she stood beneath the large tree, watching a red sun slowly rise in the distance.
The clouds on the horizon transformed in a dazzling display.
Time moved slowly.
The sunrise was unexpectedly beautiful. In most of her life, she had never taken the time to truly appreciate one like this.
Her hand was tightly gripped by a small one, swaying back and forth.
"Great-aunt, isn't it pretty?" Jiang Mianmian said with a yawn.
"It is," Aunt Yin replied, also yawning.
The sunrise was indeed beautiful.
But the man beside her, bathed in the golden light of dawn, was even more captivating.
Oh well, she was tired. Another yawn, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Let's go to bed," Aunt Yin said, turning to head back inside.
...
