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With the whole family working together and the kindness shown by their owners, even providing new shoes for them, during lunch, each of them was even served a spoonful of chicken chunks.
In the afternoon, Jiang Mixia assigned tasks to the four individuals.
Following her discussion with Liu shi, Ding Fu and Ma Shi were to stay at home, while Ding Cuihua and Ding Mao would accompany her to the county town.
Ding Fu’s family had no objections to these arrangements.
After assigning tasks, it was time to discuss names.
When enslaved individuals entered a new household, it was customary to change their names, symbolizing a fresh start and a complete departure from the past.
Jiang Mixia and Jiang Cheng discussed and decided that since Ding Fu and Ma Shi were older, changing their names wouldn’t hold much significance. However, Ding Cuihua and Ding Mao were given new names as a fresh start.
Zhucui and Chengmao.
Ding Fu’s family felt even more grateful upon hearing their new names.
Just as their bodies are nurtured by their parents, their names are no exception.
Selling themselves into slavery was already seen as highly unfilial for the family of four. It was an act of betraying their ancestors. The kindness of the Jiang family in granting new names while retaining a character from their original names was a gesture to offer them some solace and remembrance.
This gesture filled Ding Fu’s family with immense gratitude, wishing they could bow down multiple times in thanks to the Jiang family.
Ding Fu and Ma Shi instructed Zhucui and Chengmao to work diligently and wholeheartedly when accompanying Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun, emphasizing that any negligence or lack of effort would not be tolerated, even if Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun didn’t address it, they wouldn’t let it slide.
Zhucui and Chengmao naturally nodded fervently.
Over the past year, their family had faced a series of unfortunate events, feeling like they had jumped from one deep pit into another. Just when they thought they had climbed out with all their strength, hoping for a glimmer of hope, they slipped and fell back into the pit, even sustaining injuries in the process.
In such circumstances, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with despair.
Feeling like hope is beyond reach, to the point where even glimpses of hope seem unbelievable – a despair that can consume.
But now, they can eat their fill, stay warm, and are treated with kindness…
All thanks to encountering kind-hearted individuals. The siblings naturally understand how to repay such kindness.
For them, the lady and the gentleman are now their world!
In this world, there is no reason not to devote oneself wholeheartedly to those above.
Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun stayed overnight at home and set off for the county town early the next morning.
Song Jingyun was overwhelmed with academic responsibilities, a fact understood by Jiang Youcheng and Liu shi, who didn’t detain them for long, simply asking them to return when they had free time. Before leaving, they were given numerous items.
Liu shi had prepared various pickled and dried vegetables, along with items like stove covers and arm warmers for Jiang Mixia.
As Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun departed from home, the carriage was filled to the brim with these gifts.
Accustomed to this weighty affection, neither of them refused the offerings. They packed up and got ready to set off.
As the wheels of the carriage began to roll, they set off slowly.
Just as they exited the front door, urgent footsteps and loud calls from behind could be heard, “Wait, wait!”
Turning around, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun saw Jiang Chunhe running towards them, breathless.
Due to his hurried pace, Jiang Chunhe stumbled a few times, almost falling, but he managed to reach Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun unharmed, despite his unsteady gait.
“Is there something you need?” Jiang Mixia raised an eyebrow.
“I noticed a carriage parked outside the house yesterday, and I thought it might be you returning. Seeing many people around, I figured there might be guests at home, so I hesitated to come in,” Jiang Chunhe chuckled, though his smile seemed slightly awkward, tinged with a hint of trying to please.
Offering kindness where there is no need…
Sensing something amiss, Jiang Mixia became more alert. “Just speak your mind.”
“It’s nothing urgent, really. I thought since you and Jingyun are staying in the county town now, your home might lack certain things, so I wanted to bring some items to add to your household.”
Jiang Chunhe then presented what he had brought, saying, “When I went to the market in town last time, I saw some winter plum flowers being sold. Knowing how much you enjoy flowers and plants, I bought these winter plum blossoms for you.”
“These winter plum flowers already have buds. I reckon they’ll bloom all winter, filling the house with a delightful fragrance,” Jiang Chunhe remarked.
Jiang Mixia’s gaze shifted from Jiang Chunhe’s face to his hands.
The pot of winter plum flowers was petite, but as Jiang Chunhe mentioned, it had numerous buds. When they all bloomed, it would be like a tree full of tiny silver bells, quite a sight.
Indeed, Jiang Mixia loved these winter plum flowers.
It had to be said that Jiang Chunhe had chosen a gift she would appreciate.
However…
Why did Jiang Chunhe give her winter plum flowers out of the blue?
After rambling on for a while, seeing Jiang Mixia’s silence, Jiang Chunhe felt a bit awkward. Yet, considering himself thick-skinned, he didn’t feel embarrassed. He continued to chuckle, “You don’t have to worry, Xiaxia. I don’t have any ulterior motives. I just wanted to give you something, and I happened to come across these flowers, so I bought them…”
“Really?” Jiang Mixia still found it hard to believe, her gaze filled with suspicion.
Was this really the same Jiang Chunhe?
Is this really the same Jiang Chunhe who stole her rabbit?
Has he truly not been possessed?
“Xiaxia, you don’t have to look at me like that, but…”
Scratching his ear, Jiang Chunhe continued, “I know our families have a strained relationship, and you don’t like our family members. But, we’re still blood relatives, and things have been awkward between us for too long…”
“Sigh, forget it. Consider this pot of winter plum flowers as an apology for wanting your rabbit last time!”
Jiang Chunhe simply placed the winter plum flowers on the ground. “I have work to do at home. Take your time on the road. I’ll leave first.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
Watching Jiang Chunhe’s retreating figure, Jiang Mixia glanced down at the pot of winter plum flowers.
To accept or not to accept…
This seems like quite a dilemma.
However, Song Jingyun cheerfully picked up the pot of winter plum flowers and placed it in the carriage, saying, “These flowers look beautiful and smell wonderful. Let’s put them in the bedroom.”
Since her husband had spoken, Jiang Mixia nodded in agreement, “Alright.”
But…
Why would Jiang Chunhe suddenly stop causing trouble with their family and give them winter plum flowers?
This sudden change from being difficult to friendly was quite unsettling for her!
Due to this pot of winter plum flowers, Jiang Mixia furrowed her brow throughout the journey and couldn’t resist asking Song Jingyun, “Why do you think Jiang Chunhe gave us these winter plum flowers?”
“Perhaps…”
Song Jingyun pondered for a moment, “Turning over a new leaf?”
Jiang Mixia replied, “…”
It was hard to believe!
“They say a leopard can’t change its spots. Can a person’s character really change just like that?” Jiang Mixia still wore a puzzled expression.