Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 183 - 119: A Wife Should Always Accompany Her Husband

Chapter 183: Chapter 119: A Wife Should Always Accompany Her Husband

The thirtieth day of the lunar year arrived as expected.

The streets were lined with red lanterns, festooned with lights and decorations, exuding a festive air, resembling resplendent fire dragons winding through the streets and alleys.

Last year, Jiang Shouzhong spent New Year’s Eve with his two daughters, and this year was no different, except that the company had changed from Hong’er and Ye to Xia He and the newly acquired servant girl, Er Liang.

Of course, if Mengniang was included, that made three.

Mengniang did not particularly enjoy such festive atmospheres, and she did not want to reveal herself in front of others, so in the end, only three figures were bustling about in the courtyard.

The young servant girl, Er Liang, was responsible for sweeping the yard and cleaning the windows and furniture.

Actually, Jiang Shouzhong did not intend to treat her as a servant, but the stubborn girl insisted that she was indeed the servant he had bought, and kept calling him "master."

Jiang Shouzhong, feeling helpless, let her be.

Of course, the reason he ended up taking in the girl was partly out of compassion, and partly because he thought that if Xia He truly became his wife in the future, he must not wrong her. He needed to purchase a new residence, and having someone to help manage the home would be beneficial.

But the thought of Er Liang being only twelve years old always gave Jiang Shouzhong a sense of guilt, as if he were a capitalist exploiting child labor.

After cleaning the doorframe, Jiang Shouzhong began to paste up couplets, with Xia He assisting by watching.

Originally, Jiang Shouzhong had intended to buy a couple of couplets from a street stall, but that morning, Jinxiu had come over, bringing two couplets personally written by Qingchen, one for the main house, one for the yard gate.

The characters on the couplets were quite dignified and impressive.

Jinxiu revealed that since Qingchen turned thirteen, Lady Ran had entrusted her with handling all the couplets for the doors in the Ran household; afterwards, many families friendly with the Ran family also came asking for couplets.

Even the couplets outside Noble Consort Lin’s sleeping chamber were written by Qingchen.

Listening, Jiang Shouzhong could not help but admire her, thinking that his future wife was truly remarkable, deserving of being called the Capital Pearl.

As she left, Jinxiu once again invited Jiang Shouzhong to spend the New Year at the Ran household, but he still declined, leaving the young lady to depart feeling dejected. She also relayed a few apologetic words from her mistress, mainly about not being able to spend New Year’s together, which didn’t bother Jiang Shouzhong.

Later into the night, the sound of firecrackers echoed through the streets and alleys.

A myriad of splendid fireworks bloomed in the night sky, vivid and radiant, illuminating the entire capital.

Thanks to the gold previously conferred by the Emperor, Jiang Shouzhong had spent a considerable sum on some rather costly fireworks, intending to make this New Year’s Eve a particularly prosperous one.

However, to Jiang Shouzhong’s dismay, neither the firecrackers nor the fireworks were dared to be handled by the two young girls. He thought, it made sense for Er Liang to be scared, but Xia He, a true martial expert, afraid of setting off fireworks?

Yet, seeing Xia He’s sheepish and timid appearance, Jiang Shouzhong did not press the matter.

With each fireworks ascending, they momentarily lit up the secluded dwelling.

Reds and greens blazed against the sky, mingling like a brocade across the heavens.

Er Liang, the young servant girl, looked up in awe, suddenly remembering something, clutched her hands in front of her heart, and murmured to herself.

Xia He leaned against a pillar, gazing silently, her exquisite features rendered even more stunningly beautiful in the glow of the fireworks, her serene beauty coupled with the calmness about her forming a captivating portrait.

Fireworks blossomed in the girl’s eyes, and she too shone brilliantly amidst the fireworks.

Xia He looked towards the man.

His tall silhouette seemed to blend into the fireworks, gradually merging into the young girl’s heart, stirring sweet memories and stirring her naïve affections.

On the rooftop, Mengniang’s red dress fluttered, like the most dazzling spark among the brilliant blossoms of fire.

This year, the humble courtyard was filled with the spirit of the New Year.

Naturally, there was a New Year’s Eve dinner.

Jiang Shouzhong couldn’t make dumpling filling, so he had arranged with We Zhaodi in advance. Once she had prepared it, he went to fetch some dough skins and meat filling.

Then the three of them gathered around the table to wrap dumplings—a sort of New Year’s Eve show.

Neither Er Liang nor Xia He knew how to make dumplings, though Er Liang learned quickly. Jiang Shouzhong demonstrated once, and she was soon wrapping them skillfully, living up to the phrase "clever and nimble-fingered."

Xia He was not so nimble, and after several tries, her dumplings still looked unsightly, either too plump or too flat, making the embarrassed girl wish she could crawl into a crevice.

Then, she began to feel melancholic.

If she couldn’t even wrap dumplings, how could she be a wife?

She really wasn’t suitable.

Perhaps... the eldest sister was the most suitable.

After finishing the dumplings with the two girls, Jiang Shouzhong also filled a separate bowl, specifically for Mengniang on the rooftop.

Mengniang didn’t refuse, and seeing the man sitting beside her, her heart warmed, she softly said, "Do not mind me, I have gotten used to being alone over the years."

Jiang Shouzhong, worried about placing the saucer of vinegar on the rooftop lest it fall, simply held it in his palm, smiling as he said, "Being used to it is one thing, but since you’re with us, consider yourself part of the family. The New Year is about enjoying the festivities."

Mengniang smiled slightly, savoring the dumplings.

For someone like her, a demon, the New Year didn’t hold much significance, but for this moment, it was indeed a bit special.

Someone had warmed up dumplings for her.

Someone was by her side.

This touch of the New Year’s spirit aroused a faint, gentle fondness in her.

The two sat quietly together on the rooftop, silhouetted against the moonlight like a picturesque scene.