Chapter 34

Li Ru's smile blinds Yue Diu's eyes.

"My village is not far from here. Take your horse and let's go together first." The sun shines on Li Ru, making him look so charming and this make Yue Diu blush. She wants to agree but the older servant interjects.

"Absolutely not! Young Master, our Young Miss has her reputation to be held. What will people say if they see Young Miss recklessly riding a horse to meet her in-laws."

"Mama Li, it is not a problem if Xiao Diu rides a horse to meet my parents." Li Ru shakes his head, "The tradition of my village is to show off our fiancée or beloved. It is to prevent others from coveting our women. So, many young men will crack their heads to show off their beloved. It is also a part of love declaration."

Mama Li is speechless hearing the Xiao Village tradition but Yue Diu is happy and whistles to call her horse. A strong and tall horse arrive a few minutes later.

"Young Miss, you better think again. I suggest you stick to normal etiquette."

"It is okay Mama Li. Like Brother Ru said he needs to show off his beloved." Saying that Yue Diu blush once again but her movement did not stop and valiantly ride the horse.

Seeing that her Young Miss already riding the horse, "Young Miss! Cover your face. Yi Yi! Grab a cloth for Young Miss to cover her face."

Yue Diu cover her face and Li Ru nodded at her. Li Ru asks the servants to tie colourful ribbons at their horses and when they ride the ribbon will float and create a colourful scene. The couple set off and ride towards Xiao Village.

The ribbon floats cheerfully and attracts the villagers. They can see colorful ribbon from afar.

"Which family is showing off now?" They burn their pocket to rent to horses."

"I did not hear any news of marriage yet. Who is so good at keeping secrets? " An old man said while caressing his beard.

"Grandpa Ling, you just want to eat a free meal at the wedding banquet. That is why no one is going to tell you."

"What did you say?" Grandpa Ling pulls the young man's ear.

"I know! It's probably Li Ru! I heard that their third son brings a daughter-in-law from the Imperial Capital.

"A real Young Miss. Woah!"

Li Ru and Yue Diu slow down their horse and stop at Xiao Village entrance. Both of them dismount from their horses and greet the villagers. The villagers welcome and tease Li Ru. Li Ru jokes around with the villagers and walks towards his house with them.

Mother Qing comes out with a smile and gives sweet to the villagers that come. Yue Diu did not know how to express her feeling. She is happy, excited, scared, and shy. Why did she did not listen to Mama Li, to come here normally using carriage? Now, she did not know how to greet her future in-laws.

Yue Dui sits on the chair in the living room. Li Ru sits beside her and he introduces her to his family. Mother Qing can see that Yue Diu is shy and awkward so she speaks gently to her and shows her to Li Zian's room to get some rest.

Li Ru goes out with his first brother and father to arrange the carriages to the nearby empty land. Those servants have to camp there because all of them can't stay at Li Ru's house.

Their New Year is full of smiles and laughter. Everyone is listening to the third brother tell them stories about the Imperial City. Jokes fill the house and even Yue Diu is unable to restrain herself. Mama Li shakes her head seeing her Young Miss laugh out loud but she also approved that Li Ru's family is a good in-law.

On the New Year morning, everyone wakes up early and puts on new clothes. Li Zian helped her nieces to get ready and chat with Yue Diu. It is a novel experience for Yue Diu to share a bed with other people. Last night, she did not get the best sleep since she has to squeeze with Li Zian, second sister's children and second sister have to sleep on the floor. It is hard for her but she did not disdain it. Li Ru's family regards her as family and did not pretend to be polite to her.

Everyone greets Father Qi and Mother Qing with a great New Year spirit. The children are getting red packets are excited including Li Zian. After that, Li Ru brought Yue Diu to tour the village while Li Zian and her nieces is visiting other houses to get red packets.

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Happy New Year! Well, someone is not happy. Hong Lian is eating breakfast before vomiting. Her vomiting cause great upset among the family. A perfect day has been a ruin. Grandpa Hong asked people to check the dishes if they are poisonous, if not why did Hong Lian suddenly start vomiting? He also asked the servants to call the doctor.

The doctor comes and check on Hong Lian but after a few times reading her pulse, he did not find any anomaly. Right now, she is only weak because lack of nutrients, there is no poison detected in her body.

Grandpa Hong did not believe the doctor, so he asked the servants to find another doctor. Hong Hua quietly sips tea beside Grandpa Hong, "Father, could Lian er has hidden illness?"

"Impossible! I make sure she is free from any disease. Everything from her food to her cloth has been strictly supervised." Grandma Hong beside Grandpa Hong hurriedly refute.

"Mother, I am just asking. No need to be anxious." Outside Hong Hua said like that but in her heart, she sneered at her mother. Just because Hong Lian and Hong Li are the children of the first brother, she favours them more than her children. It escalates when the main family wants to nurture Hong Lian and Hong Li.

"Could she have contracted with anything from the village?" Grandpa Hong slams the table in front of him and the tea is spilled.

Grandpa Hong quickly tells Father Hong to investigate if there is any disease spreading in the village. His heart is filled with worry. Hong Lian is the key to their success. They had planned for a long time to send her to be the next empress.

The Hong Family is busy investigating while other people busy celebrating New Year. The Hong Family did not get satisfied answer because most of the people is on vacation and did not want to help them.

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At night, Li Zian returns to the Fang Valley. The valley is filled with lanterns and fireworks can be heard. All servants are celebrating. The day after tomorrow the test will begin. Li Zian walks towards the dining hall. The spirits are happily chatting and eating.

"Master! You have come." Greet Chu Ju.

Li Zian nodded at him. She is searching for Zhong. He usually sticks to her like glue. Every New Year he will sit quietly on the roof of her house and drink alone.

"Where is Zhong?" Li Zian sits with the spirits. They pour drink for her.

"He is in the pavilion with Ling Min Zhe." Chu Ju points his finger towards the pavilion near the pond. Li Zian drinks the tea and tastes a few snacks on the table before walking towards the pavilion. She grabs a basket of fireworks with her.

"Want to play with me?" Li Zian lifts the basket higher and asked Zhong and Ling Min Zhe.

Ling Min Zhe laughs seeing Li Zian. His eyes are full of mirth. He takes a firework, lit it, and throw it into the sky. The firework explodes and takes a shape of a flower before slowly losing its shape and falling like rain. Li Zian and Ling Min Zhe are betting on who can throw fireworks further in the sky.

Seeing Zhong did not participate Li Zian takes a stick of firework and lets Zhong hold it. The firework ignites and burns slowly. Zhong eyed Li Zian with annoyance thinking this is so childish. Li Zian and Ling Min Zhe chuckle and continue to play.

Midnight, the valley is quiet. Li Zian is walking in the valley. Most of the slaves already go to sleep. There are a few of them that is secretly training. Li Zian knocks on the door and a small head appears. It is Little Fang An. Little Fang An did not stay with the spirits or Ling Min Zhe, he prefers to stay with the slave. They are several children nearing his age here and it is easier for him to learn together with them. So, unless he is following Ling Min Zhe or Chu Ju, he will stay here.

"Want a walk with me?" Fang An jumped happily towards Li Zian, "When did you come back?"

"Just now." Li Zian holds Little Fang An's hand and takes a stroll together.

Little Fang An is chatty, he told her everything that he has learned. He also told how they decorate the valley together and make a lot of food. He eats until he cannot eat anymore and then he plays fireworks with the others.