Annual Ceremony

Chapter 26 Grain in Ear (I)

Wang Jie comforted Zhenyi: "When I left, I saw that my second aunt was fine, and with my second uncle taking good care of her, everything will go well. Second sister, just rest assured."

Zhenyi nodded.

My father has privately read so many medical books about female fertility, so nothing bad will happen this time, right?

Zhenyi tried to comfort herself, but she couldn't control her wild thoughts.

After that, she looked forward to receiving letters from home in Jinling every day, but was afraid that the letters would bring bad news.

This matter was like a sword hanging over Zhenyi's head. She would occasionally lose focus in class and go to the horse farm less often. After every class, she would take the oranges and return home as soon as possible to ask if there was any news from Jinling.

Until this day, Zhenyi finally received her grandmother's affirmative nod.

"The letter said that she was born after the Dragon Boat Festival in May." Mrs. Dong, who was standing in the corridor, said in a gentle and calm tone: "Don't worry, your mother is fine."

Zhenyi's heart suddenly relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders. However, she quickly realized what was happening and could not help but calculate: "It should be June... Why did my mother bring it forward by a month?"

Medical books call this premature birth and say it will have an impact on the health of both the mother and the child.

So, this time A Niang's delivery was still dangerous, right?

Zhenyi felt a little distressed, feeling both fortunate and distressed for her mother. She stood in front of her grandmother with her head lowered, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

Mother Zhuo didn't notice the girl's delicate emotions, she just laughed in surprise: "Miss, you are just a little girl, how can you know how to calculate the due date of a woman? If you tell others, you will be laughed at."

As he spoke, he smiled and helped Zhenyi take off the bookcase that was still on her back.

Old Mrs. Dong raised her hand to help her granddaughter tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and said with a smile: "She is just caring and considerate of her mother. If you dare to make fun of her again, be careful that she will throw golden beans at you."

Mother Zhuo: "Oh, then I have to thank you for the reward!"

Zhenyi was embarrassed and couldn't help but laugh. She held back her tears and then raised her head to ask, "Grandmother, is it a boy or a girl?"

Mrs. Dong: "It is a precious pearl just like our Deqing."

Zhenyi then knew that she had a younger sister.

Always the eldest sister, eldest brother and second brother have younger sisters, and now she finally has a younger sister too!

Zhenyi was very happy, but Juzi, who had been squatting beside Zhenyi and listening, felt a little discouraged.

Cats don't like boys more than girls, but Orange couldn't help but think of Yang Jinniang's weak but shameful and firm promise. This time she must have said the words that cats hate: [After you recover, have another child.]

Zhenyi had not yet figured this out, and she asked her grandmother with anticipation whether her sister had been named.

Mrs. Dong nodded: "Yes, your father gave her the name Jingyi."

"Jingyi, Jingyi..." Zhenyi repeated it twice, then ran happily into the house: "Grandmother, I'm going to write a letter!"

She wanted to write a letter to greet her mother, and also to "greet" the little and new Jingyi.

When Zhenyi was spreading paper to write a letter, Juzi jumped lightly onto the desk and acted as a paperweight as usual.

Although Juzi was illiterate, he tilted his head and stared at Zhenyi seriously while she was writing the letter. When Zhenyi was about to stop writing, Juzi stretched out a front paw and meowed.

Juzi also wanted to say hello to Jingyi who had just come into this world.

Zhenyi took a brush and applied a light amount of ink on the pad of the orange flesh. Then she held the furry paw and gently pressed it on the signature, leaving a blurry cat paw print.

"All right!"

Zhenyi smiled and picked up the letter for Juzi to look at.

Orange is quite satisfied.

Zhenyi took a cotton towel, dipped it in water, and carefully wiped Orange's paws clean, then said, "All right!"

Now that her sister A'niang was safe, Zhenyi's mood brightened up again.

At this time, voices were heard in the courtyard. It was Chen Ningtian who came over with the maid of the Chen family.

"Why are you walking so fast? Why didn't you wait for me?" Chen Ningtian walked into the house: "Didn't we agree yesterday that I would come back with you today?"

Zhenyi went forward and grabbed her friend's arm: "It's all my fault. I forgot!"

Chen Ningtian: "You seem absent-minded these days..."

"Never again!" Zhenyi's voice was bright and joyful. She showed Chen Ningtian the letter she had just written and shared the good news that the family had a new sister.

Chen Ningtian was surprised. After congratulating her, he vaguely knew what had happened to Zhenyi during this period. Was she waiting for this news?
The two girls were talking in the room, and Orange was squatting in the chair licking his wet paw.

Chen Ningtian suddenly thought of something: "Oh, by the way, when I came here just now, my brother——"

She was talking halfway when she suddenly heard Zhuo's mother's voice in the courtyard: "The young master is back..."

Chen Ningtian immediately turned his head to look out the window, and saw that it was Wang Jie who had just returned from outside with his servant.

Chen Ningtian followed Zhenyi out, hurriedly tidying up her clothes and hair.

Recently, Wang Jie occasionally teaches the children of military families on behalf of his grandmother.

At first, the military households were not very happy, thinking that Wang Jie was too young and naughty. However, when they learned that the young man had already achieved the title of scholar, they instantly changed their attitude and called him "great scholar" and "little master", which made Wang Jie very frightened and embarrassed.

After teaching more than ten classes, Wang Jie became much more calm, which can be regarded as a kind of training.

Zhenyi shared the good news at home with her second brother, and Wang Jie breathed a sigh of relief after hearing it.

Then, Chen Ningtian took out a note from his sleeve and handed it in front of him with both hands.

Wang Jie looked down and said, "This is..."

"The young general asked my brother to pass it on to Brother Wang Er." Chen Ningtian looked at Wang Jie: "The young general is going to celebrate his sixteenth birthday. He has sent out many invitations and invited many people to the general's mansion!"

Wang Jie took it and unfolded it, only to see that it was written by Ertu himself. There were Chinese characters on it, and the handwriting was a little rough and flying, but for a Mongolian child living on the border, it was already very good.

Chen Ningtian said from the side: "Baoyin also mentioned this yesterday, Deqing, let's go there with Second Brother then!"

Wang Jie had only met Ertu a few times and they were not familiar with each other, but Wang Jie was polite and since Ertu had formally invited him, there was no reason for him to refuse.

That night, Wang Jie asked his servant to take out a piece of unused Hui ink and put it in a brocade box as a gift three days later.

Ertu had never held such a grand birthday party before, and Zhenyi had no experience, so she asked her grandparents whether she also needed to prepare a gift.

Mrs. Dong shook her head: "The invitation is for your second brother and the young man from the Chen family. It's a matter between them... You and Wanyu and a bunch of other girls should just join in the fun. There's no need to give individual gifts."

Although the atmosphere here is not as strict as that in Jinling, Zhenyi is already thirteen years old, and she should avoid troubles that may easily lead to gossip. Zhenyi didn't know what her mother was thinking, but she had admired and believed in her mother's way of doing things since she was old enough to understand things, so she obeyed her mother's words.

Three days later, after class at Madam Bu's private school was over, Zhenyi and Chen Ningtian followed Baoyin on horseback to the general's mansion, while Wang Jie had gone there with his grandfather early in the morning.

The General's Mansion was exceptionally lively today, with young people gathering together. Some spoke Jilin Han, some spoke Mongolian, and more spoke Manchu. Most of them were cheerful and unrestrained. Wang Jie, who had always been introverted, inevitably felt a little awkward among them.

"Brother, hasn't father always told you recently to have more opportunities to consult Wang's second brother about articles? Go quickly." Chen Ningtian saw Wang Jie from afar and reached out to push his brother.

The elder brother of the Chen family walked forward, and with someone to talk to, Wang Jie seemed much more relaxed.

Only then did Chen Ningtian go to look for Zhenyi who had been taken away by Baoyin.

In July, most of the summer heat in Jilin has gone away, making it a perfect time to play horse riding and archery. Young people gallop and chase each other on the horse farm, waving whips, shouting and laughing.

Zhenyi had not practiced riding and archery for a while, and was being tested by Madam Dolan. On the bumpy horseback, Zhenyi drew her bow and shot three arrows in succession, all of which were close to the center of the target. Baoyin exclaimed in surprise, and Madam Dolan smiled and nodded in praise.

Riding his horse past here, Ertu, who was reining in his horse, nodded his arrogant chin and said, "Very good!"

As he said this, he glanced at Baoyin and said, "I learn much faster than you did back then!"

Baoyin glared at him: "Today is your birthday, so I will spare you the punishment! Just wait until tomorrow!"

"Can you beat me?" Ertu snorted contemptuously, shouted "Go", and rode away.

Today he was wearing a brand new riding uniform with red satin and black edges, embroidered with large golden Mongolian totems. The boy had a straight back and a straight posture, and was the most majestic and flamboyant one in this wide horse farm.

Copper basin bonfires were lit everywhere, and the swaying flames seemed to merge with the sunset glow in the sky.

The sound of cheerful and unrestrained drums and music was heard everywhere. On the food table were placed goat milk barbecue and fruits. Young men were singing and dancing around the campfire on the grass. Some were barefoot, while others took off their upper body clothes and tucked them around their waists, playing wrestling.

Wang Jie had never seen such a scene of unbridled play and was very surprised and shocked.

Orange lay on the grass at Zhenyi's feet, and even the deafening cheers and drums did not disturb his sound sleep.

Baoyin pulled Zhenyi to dance and ran around the campfire. When she was in high spirits, she coaxed Zhenyi into drinking a glass of fruit wine. Zhenyi had never drunk alcohol before, and her throat felt spicy and burning, and she choked to tears. Baoyin and the other girls laughed so hard that they couldn't straighten their backs.

Zhenyi didn't bother to chase Baoyin to fight. She took the tea handed to her by a maid holding a tray and quickly drank half a cup. Only then did she feel better.

Zhenyi thanked the maid and put the teacup back on the tray. When she turned around again, she found that Baoyin had run away, but Ertu had come over and stood behind her.

The young man had also drunk some wine, and smelled of it, but he asked Zhenyi, "Why haven't I seen the birthday gift you sent?"

Zhenyi was stumped by this extremely straightforward question, and couldn't help feeling guilty and uncomfortable: "I forgot..."

When the other party asked her, she couldn't say that her second brother had prepared it, so she didn't need to prepare any more.

Ertu frowned and looked unhappy.

Young people also need to maintain their dignity when they get along with each other. Zhenyi felt extremely rude and said hurriedly: "I will definitely give it to you another day!"

Ertu suddenly raised his hand.

He always had a bad temper, and Zhenyi subconsciously wanted to hide. By the time she reacted, the pearl flower on one side of her bun had disappeared.

The pearl flower fell into Ertu's hands, and he still said arrogantly: "No need to wait for another day, this is it."

Having said that, without caring about Zhenyi's reaction, he held the pearl flower in his hand, turned around and strode away. When he turned his back, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

As the bonfire flickered, Zhenyi touched the half-bun and looked at the young man's departing back, feeling puzzled.

On the way back, Zhenyi was tired and listened to her grandfather and second brother discussing academic matters. Before she knew it, she fell asleep leaning against an orange in the carriage.

This time, it was not the barking of a dog that woke Zhenyi up, but the sound of an old man coughing.

The weather is dry in autumn, and Wang Zhefu had a history of lung disease.

That night, Zhenyi wrote down the recipe her father had used before and asked Taoer to use the ingredients on it to boil water. If anything was missing, she would ask Qisheng to buy it back.

The next evening, Wang Zhefu returned home from the general's mansion and drank the lung-moistening drink. He exclaimed in amazement: "How come our Wang family has produced two miraculous doctors who can bring people back to health? This is incredible!"

This was naturally an exaggeration to amuse the child, and Zhuo's mother also joined in the fun. Wang Jie was listening nearby, but he looked at the second sister with some envy.

Since he was a child, he has envied his second sister's smart brain that can learn anything quickly.

And this autumn, Zhenyi learned a lot.

Wang Zhefu, who only taught half a day in the general's mansion, would return home after noon every day and no longer stay in the general's mansion as before.

After returning home, the old man gave Zhenyi and Wang Jie lessons. He did not teach them in a casual manner, but used a rigorous teaching method with requirements.

For a moment, Zhenyi felt as if she had returned to the days when she was a child studying in the Jifang Book House, but her grandfather treated her and her second brother much more strictly than he did then.

Zhenyi liked this kind of strictness. From July to winter, Zhenyi made a lot of progress in her studies, especially in planning.

During these few months, Chen Ningtian came to sit in every now and then, but she was really not cut out for it and didn't want to slow down the Wang siblings' studies, so most of the time she just sat quietly cutting paper. She could cut out many patterns, starting with the word "Fu", and later she could cut out rabbits, cats, and dogs, all of which were lifelike.

Zhenyi didn't just attend classes all the time. Occasionally, she would play with the cat, swing on the swing, play hopscotch with Chen Ningtian in the yard, or call a few more girls to throw sandbags.

When the persimmon tree in the yard matured, Zhenyi and Chen Ningtian chased each other around the tree, tickling each other, and then fell into rattan chairs, laughing so hard that they couldn't breathe.

Wang Jie, holding a book in his hand, watched the scene through the window. He shook his head helplessly, but there was a hint of smile in his eyes.

After the red persimmons were picked, Mother Zhuo wrapped the persimmon tree with a layer of old clothes early.

The first snow of this winter was not heavy. While the road was still passable, Chen Ningtian cut a lot of blessing characters for Zhenyi out of red paper and asked Zhenyi to paste them up during the New Year.

Jilin's New Year's Festival was lively and simple, and Wang Jie wrote many poems for it. The nearby military households brought red and green paper to his door, asking him, the "great scholar and little teacher", to write Spring Festival couplets. Juzi yawned and watched Wang Jie write as soon as he opened his eyes every day, and his right forearm became much stronger.

On Zhenyi's birthday, Baoyin wanted to give her another gift, a set of very valuable jewelry. Zhenyi was one year older and had a clearer understanding of interpersonal relationships. She didn't think she had the ability to return such a valuable gift. And if she just accepted it and didn't return it, even if Baoyin didn't care, she couldn't take other people's kindness for granted.

So Zhenyi refused to accept it no matter what. After making many excuses and explaining it to Baoyin, she finally managed to appease Baoyin and stop being angry.

What Zhenyi didn't know was that Baoyin threw the things back to Ertu after she went back that night.

Ertu was puzzled: "Why didn't she accept it? Did you tell her that it was from me?"

Baoyin shook her head and explained Zhenyi's original words. Ertu frowned and thought deeply.

At the same moment, fourteen-year-old Zhenyi was standing beside her grandfather, looking up at the changes in the stars in the night sky on the evening of the Beginning of Spring.

This year, Zhenyi began to carefully and orderly record the arrangement of the stars on the day of the beginning of spring. And every day thereafter, as long as there were stars to be seen at night, she would sit in the courtyard for at least half an hour, comparing and recording the trajectories of the star changes she observed.

Spring passed and summer came. One afternoon, in a small courtyard with a breeze, Zhenyi, who was sitting on a swing, put down the Book of Jin and Astronomy written by Li Chunfeng, and swung the swing. Suddenly, she thought of something and asked her grandfather in the rattan chair:
"Father, why is the period after Xiaoman not Daman, but Mangzhong?"

　A big chapter, good morning~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)