Being a second wife is difficult: I'm busy raising children in the Earl's mansion.

The warm winter sunlight poured into the hexagonal pavilion, dispelling the lingering chill of the morning.

On the stone table, plain paper was laid out, and plum blossom patterns drawn with charcoal pencils were arranged in a neat and orderly manner. Inside the pavilion, there was a lively atmosphere, sweeping away the usual quiet of a winter courtyard.

Everyone gathered around the blueprints, sharing their opinions, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Zhao Tongfang lightly tapped the curve of the plum branch on the paper with her fingertips, her tone somewhat meticulous: "The curves of these petals could be softened a bit. Winter plum blossoms are elegant, so the edges shouldn't be too sharp. Gentle lines would suit them better."

Aunt Liu held the charcoal pencil, subtly adjusting the lines, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "That makes sense. The main body of the hairpin should be simple and elegant, with the scrolling patterns arranged in a pleasing balance of density and complexity. Only then will the finished product be pleasing to the eye and avoid looking tacky."

Lu Hui leaned over the paper, his eyes focused and serious, without a trace of impatience: "I just couldn't get the balance right. I was always afraid that if it was too simple, it would seem perfunctory, and if it was too complicated, it would lose the elegance that my aunts liked. Thanks to the two aunts for their guidance, otherwise I would have pondered it for a long time on my own and still not figured it out."

Lu Wan listened attentively, occasionally adding her own opinion in a lively and playful tone: "That's right, overly fancy styles don't suit Aunt Zhou's temperament. Simple plum blossoms paired with scrolling grass are clean and unique; Aunt Zhou will definitely like them!"

Several children gathered around the table, chattering and offering their opinions. Even the youngest, Lu Shan, obediently lay by the table, her clear eyes fixed on the paper and pen, quietly keeping everyone company as they worked.

Jiang Wan sat quietly to one side, watching with a gentle smile in her eyes, but secretly she was thinking about something else.

She observed for a long time and gradually discerned some clues.

After a series of discussions and optimizations, with continuous additions of details and improvements to the design, the appearance of this winter plum blossom and scroll hairpin became increasingly exquisite and complex, full of beauty, but also invisibly increased the production cost.

Lu Hui was just a child, and his monthly allowance was not much. Even if he saved up for half a year, it would probably only be enough to make an ordinary plain silver hairpin.

Such exquisite designs today, with their intricate craftsmanship and meticulous material selection, would inevitably cost far more than ordinary finished products.

If in the end there isn't enough money, it would be a real shame to disappoint the child's sincere filial piety.

Jiang Wan understood, but she didn't interrupt everyone's interest. She secretly made up her mind—

If the silver was insufficient in the end, she would secretly make up the difference.

This way, Lu Hui's youthful pride can be preserved, and the heartfelt gift can be perfectly presented, fulfilling the child's filial piety.

The atmosphere inside the pavilion grew increasingly lively and harmonious, devoid of the restraint and isolation of a private residence, replaced by the relaxed warmth of a family chatting and discussing.

Jiang Wan couldn't help but sigh. Since she moved here, the East Courtyard had gone through several adjustments and finally shed its initial coldness and oppression.

The people in the inner quarters treat each other with sincerity and openness, and this harmonious atmosphere is the most precious kind of peace and stability.

Just as everyone was engrossed in discussing the hairpin design, a servant's greeting came from outside the courtyard. Qinghe got up and went out to greet him.

A moment later, Qinghe, holding a plain-colored note, quickly walked back to the pavilion and bent down to hand it to Jiang Wan.

"Madam, the doorman just delivered a letter from Young Master Dong Sinian."

Upon hearing this, the children immediately perked up, their eyes lighting up.

Lu Wan was the first to react, her tone cheerful and light: "So it's Brother Dong! It's been so long since I've seen him come to the manor, I really miss him."

Lu Zhao stood quietly to the side, and upon hearing this, she raised her eyes, her gaze brightening slightly.

He gently held a charcoal pencil in his hand, his heart filled with anticipation.

He had carefully read through the books that Brother Dong had given him, accumulating many fragmented insights from reading them, and had been hoping that Brother Dong would come again so that he could learn from him properly.

The youngest, Lu Shan, couldn't understand anything else, but when she heard that an acquaintance was coming, she imitated the other children's reactions, clapping her little hands with an innocent and expectant look on her face.

Aunt Liu and Concubine Zhao sat side by side to the side, watching the children's happy appearance, exchanging a smile, and did not interrupt.

Jiang Wan took the note, her fingertips tracing the smooth surface of the paper, and slowly unfolded it to read it carefully.

The letter was written in neat and concise handwriting. In just a few words, it explained that Dong Sinian had been preoccupied with trivial matters in Beijing for several months and had no time to visit. He said that he would make a special trip to visit Dong's home after the New Year and once everything was settled.

The letter also specifically mentioned that he was very concerned about everyone in the household and looked forward to seeing the children after the New Year. He also inquired about the old lady's health and asked if Jiang Wan was living a stable life recently.

She lowered her eyes to look at the paper, her mind slightly heavy.

As a junior member of Dong Sinian's family, Dong Sinian was meticulous and insightful. His deliberate visit was not a simple casual chat; he must have some information to convey to him.

The fact that the letter explicitly postponed the matter until after the new year is enough to show that although the current situation is fraught with hidden undercurrents, it is not urgent and there is still ample time to make plans calmly, so there is no need to rush.

With her tense nerves relaxing slightly, Jiang Wan put away the note, her expression returning to calm and gentle.

"It's alright, we can meet again after the New Year." She smiled at the children. "Just wait patiently. After the New Year, Young Master Dong will surely come to reunite with you."

The children agreed and returned to the stone table to finalize the details of the hairpin.

With everyone contributing their thoughts, fine-tuning the curves of the petals and comparing the density of the scrolling grass, after a series of meticulous discussions and refinements, the final design of the hairpin was finally finalized.

On the paper, the sparse and vigorous branches of the winter plum blossoms stretch out naturally, and the outline of the tender yellow stamens is elegant and refined, abandoning all the bright and complicated designs.

The hairpin handle is entwined with graceful and flowing scroll patterns, creating a balance between solid and void, and a proper density. This not only fills the monotony of a single winter plum blossom but also suits Aunt Zhou's simple and gentle nature, making it elegant and unique.

Aunt Liu put down the charcoal pencil, gently stretched her fingertips, and nodded in satisfaction: "This style is just right, neither too complicated nor too simple, and it suits your mother's temperament perfectly."

Zhao Tongfang also chimed in with a smile: "The pattern is gentle and pleasing to the eye, the craftsmanship is exquisite and unique. Aunt Zhou will surely be delighted to see it."

Everyone agreed, and this drawing became the final version of the congratulatory gift design.

Looking at the completed design, Jiang Wan smiled and suggested, "Now that the design is finalized, Hui-ge'er, have you chosen a shop to make the hairpins?"

Lu Hui was startled by what he heard, his cheeks flushed slightly, and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

Just now, I was so focused on the details of the petals and scroll patterns that I completely forgot about the important matter of finding a silversmith, and I was in a moment of embarrassment.

She paused slightly, then looked at Lu Hui, who looked embarrassed, and said, "If Brother Hui hasn't decided on a silversmith shop yet, you might as well let me arrange it."

She pondered to herself that she had been exchanging letters and chatting with Mrs. Shen and Mrs. Xu these past few days, and that Mrs. Xu had specifically recommended this silver shop to her during their correspondence a few days ago.

This shop is particularly famous among the ladies of aristocratic families. It is best at capturing the latest popular hairpin patterns and produces jewelry of excellent quality. It is a long-established shop frequented by the local noblewomen. The only drawback is that the prices are relatively high.

Thinking of this, she continued, "It's an old shop with an excellent reputation, specializing in silver jewelry for women from aristocratic families. Their craftsmanship is exquisite and reliable, making it perfect for making this hairpin."

Upon hearing this, Lu Hui's eyes lit up at first, but then the light dimmed slightly.

He lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on the wooden blank in his hand, then moving to the blueprints spread out on the table. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of the wooden blank, and a thin blush slowly crept onto the tips of his ears.

He himself does wood carving on a regular basis, and he knows that the more intricate and exquisite the design, the more effort the craftsman has to put into polishing it, and the corresponding cost of materials and labor will naturally increase.

He had initially only estimated how much it would cost to make an ordinary silver hairpin, but the design on the paper now far exceeded his initial expectations. The silver he had saved for half a year might not even be enough to buy it.

Lu Hui opened his mouth, his throat tightening slightly.

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam, but such a fine workshop must be very expensive. I..."

For a moment, he almost blurted out about how he used to earn money by helping his classmates with wood carving at the school, but he quickly swallowed those words and continued speaking.

"I don't know if the silver I have on hand is enough. If it's far short, and there's still some time before my birthday, I'll try to find a way to save up more..."

Jiang Wan understood what was going on when she saw his flustered appearance.

He probably planned to continue taking on carpentry jobs from his classmates to save money, but these kinds of jobs were both mentally and physically demanding, and even if he did a few more, he wouldn't save much money.

"Brother Hui, there's no need to worry too much."

Jiang Wan gently reassured her, glancing at the blueprints on the table. "The blueprints look complicated, but the actual materials used are not extravagant. The money you've saved should be enough, so don't worry."

While she offered these words of comfort, she had already made up her mind that if there was a shortfall in wages, she would secretly make up the difference herself, so as not to let the child's good intentions be tied up in money.

Several people nearby overheard the conversation and chimed in.

Lu Shan tilted her head, blinked, and tugged at the embroidered ribbon on her clothes with her small hands.

"Brother, I also have a monthly allowance, I can give it to you." Although she was young, she spoke earnestly.

Aunt Liu sat to the side. When she heard her daughter speak, she gently patted her head with a hint of approval in her eyes. Then she looked at Lu Hui and said softly, "Brother Hui, everyone is thinking of you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Lu Hui looked at the two of them, tears welling up in his eyes: "Thank you, Sister Shan! And thank you, Auntie!"

Lu Wan also pulled Lu Zhao half a step closer to Lu Hui: "Brother Hui, I have some spare change saved up. If it's not enough, feel free to take it!"

Lu Zhao nodded slightly.

"Me too, we also have a surplus over there, which can help out some of it."

Looking at the group of people surrounding him, Lu Hui felt a surge of warmth in his heart as he saw their genuine concern in their eyes.

Tears streamed down his face, but he didn't care about appearances. He raised his hand and wiped his cheeks haphazardly with his sleeve before gently shaking his head, his voice slightly hoarse.

Thank you all for your kindness.

He then turned to his younger siblings beside him, "You should keep all the money for yourselves. You've saved it up little by little, and you'll need it someday. I appreciate your kindness; I'll find a way to get the money myself!"

The pavilion was quiet for a moment. Lu Zhao stepped forward, raised his hand and gently patted Lu Hui on the back without saying a word. Jiang Wan also took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to Lu Hui.

Just then, a noise came from the moon gate—

It is Qiutang.

"Mrs!"

Before Qiu Tang could even stand up straight, her voice came through, her eyes filled with urgency, "I just delivered the food back to the kitchen, and on my way back I ran into Aunt Zhou and we even met face to face."

"Look in that direction, Aunt Zhou must be heading this way. As soon as I saw that, I hurried back to inform her."