Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
When they saw each red packet containing a hundred silver taels, the two sisters were quite surprised, but they refrained from commenting. Instead, Zhou Ying focused her attention on the boys, urging them to dedicate themselves to their studies.
Just then, Gu Ziyi came in, carrying a child. Gu Ziyi smiled warmly. âItâs been a few years since weâve seen each other. You look more mature and settled now, but you havenâ t aged a bit!â
âSister, you flatter me,â Zhou Ying replied. âPlease, come and sit down.â Her gaze then landed on the child. âIs this the little one you and my brother-in-law had later?â She inquired after Gu Ziyi had settled in.
âThatâs right,â Gu Ziyi confirmed. âHis name is Zhangjinsong. Come on, great your aunt.â
âGreetings, Aunt,â Zhang Jinsong echoed with a smile.
âThere you go, a good boy,â Zhou Ying patted him. She then observed him closely. âYou resemble your father quite a bit. You have the build for martial arts.â
With that, she called Huanhuan and Lele over, handing each of them a red packet containing one hundred taels of silver.
âHuanhuanâs not a child anymore,â Zhou Ying remarked. âHas a wedding been arranged yet?â
âYes, actually,â Gu Ziyi responded. âSheâs betrothed to the son of County Magistrate Bai, Bai Jingping. Their wedding is scheduled for April.â âMagistrate Bai? The son of Bai Jingping?â Zhou Ying echoed in surprise.
âYes,â Gu Ziyi confirmed. âHe passed the preliminary examinations last year and seems like a reliable young man. We know the family well, so we decided it would be a suitable match.â
âThatâs wonderful news,â Zhou Ying declared. âMagistrate Bai is a well- respected man.â
âBy the way,â Gu Ziyi asked, âwhere are Chengrui and the children?â
âChengrui went to the village chiefâs house to handle some matters,â Zhou Ying explained. âAs for the children, theyâre back by the stables, tending to the horses.â
âThey can handle horses already?â Gu Ziyi asked, surprised.
âYeah,â Zhou Ying confirmed. âBoth Guoguo and Chenchen know how to ride, so I taught them the basics of horse care.â
âThen can Songâer go back there and take a look?â Zhang Jinsong piped up, eager to see the horses.
âOf course,â Zhou Ying agreed with a nod.
Zhang Jinsong wasted no time, turning and dashing out of the room. Huanhuan and Lele exchanged glances before following suit.
Gu Ziyi chuckled, shaking her head.
âI actually think itâs a good thing,â Zhou Ying countered. âIf girls are too well- behaved all the time, they can come across as stuffy and unlikeable.â
âI suppose so,â Gu Ziyi conceded. âThough I figured you might change after becoming a noble wife. Seems like youâre still the same Zhou Ying I know.â
âThereâs no need to put on airs,â Zhou Ying scoffed. âBesides, I prefer a more simple life. Speaking of which, is your brother-in-law still working as a constable?â
âYes, he is,â Gu Ziyi replied. âItâs not the most prestigious position, but it allows us to be together as a family every day, and thatâs what truly matters.â âAbsolutely,â Zhou Ying agreed.
They continued chatting for a while before Guoguo and the others returned. Gu Ziyiâs eyes immediately lit up upon spotting Third Fatty. âOh my!â she exclaimed. âThis must be your third son! Such a handsome and lively child! Heâs simply adorable.â
âTell Eldest Aunt how old you are today,â Zhou Ying instructed Third Fatty, lifting him into her arms.
âThree years old,â Third Fatty announced, holding up three fingers.
âSuch a clever boy!â Gu Ziyi gushed, promptly adorning his wrist with a small silver bracelet.
She then bestowed gifts upon the other children, presenting Guoguo with a pair of pink hairpins and Chenchen with a nice inkstone.
âThankyou, First Aunt,â Guoguo said politely, bowing in gratitude. Chenchen and Third Fatty followed suit.
âHave a seat. Iâll get some snacks for the children.â After Zhou Ying finished speaking, she went to the west room and took out a plate of nuts, dried fruits, and jerky from her interspace.
âGuoguo, please help me entertain your elder cousins.â
âYes, Mommy.â Guoguo greeted them and invited them to sit by the brick bed before making them chrysanthemum tea.
After a while, Gu Chengrui rushed back, and the siblings chatted for a while. Gu Chengrui asked,â Why didnât brother-in-law come over today?â