Time flies like a horse dashing past a window. Three years have passed in a blink of an eye, and Xiaojiao, Qi Jiayan, is already five years old.
On a cold morning in the twelfth lunar month, Qi Jiayan was used to sleeping in.
Qi Jiao had already finished her breakfast while her daughter was still sound asleep.
After rinsing her mouth and wiping her lips with a handkerchief, Qi Jiao walked to the bedside, held her daughter's face, and gave her a kiss. "Jiayan, it's time to get up."
Since Xiaojiao and Ahu had reached the age to start school, Qi Jiao began to call them by their formal names to avoid any jokes at school.
The little girl's face was rosy from sleep. She opened her hazy eyes, took a look at Qi Jiao, then closed them again, wriggled in the quilt, and refused to get up.
Qi Jiao found it funny. She reached into the quilt and tickled her daughter. Jiayan immediately burst into laughter and became mostly awake.
Seeing this, Qi Jiao quickly lifted the quilt, picked up the clothes beside the bed, and began to dress her daughter. "If you keep sleeping in after school starts in spring, aren't you afraid of being laughed at by your teacher and classmates?"
Jiayan had been a clever girl since childhood. Although she was a bit naughty on weekdays, she was very motivated. She quickly assured Qi Jiao, "I won't! Mom, please supervise me. I'll go to bed early and get up early starting tomorrow."
Qi Jiao smiled and agreed. After Jiayan was dressed, she held her daughter's hand and went out.
Just as Qi Jiao was setting out three sets of chopsticks and bowls, Pei Xia and Yixing came in.
Pei Yixing had been dragged by Pei Xia to practice martial arts in the yard early in the morning so that he could build a good physique.
Twins were often of different strengths. Yixing had been in poorer health than Jiayan since childhood. Qi Jiao had been giving him medicinal food to improve his health, and with Pei Xia's daily martial - arts training, he no longer looked frail.
Qi Jiao loved both her daughter and son. She wiped the sweat off Yixing's face with a handkerchief and said softly, "Our Yixing is really great. You practiced for half an hour longer than usual today."
Pei Yixing's little face looked like a smaller version of Pei Xia's. Even at a young age, his eyes were cold, looking like he didn't want anyone to approach.
Only in front of his mother did he show his childlike nature. A smile appeared on his baby - fat face, which melted people's hearts.
Qi Jiao stroked his face and then pulled Pei Xia to sit down. "Come and have breakfast quickly."
Qiongzhi and Lvfang brought in the cooked green - glutinous - rice porridge, two plates of steamed buns, and three bowls of steamed rice cakes. Everything smelled delicious.
Although Jiayan and Yixing had a mother with excellent cooking skills and were born with good fortune in terms of food, they were not picky eaters at all. They ate whatever was given to them.
Seeing that the children were enjoying their food, Qi Jiao turned to look at Pei Xia.
Pei Xia was still the same Pei Xia. He had changed, yet seemed unchanged. His profile was handsome, elegant, and upright, just like the cold - looking man who had saved her in Biwu Village in her memory.
The difference was that Pei Xia had been promoted several times in the past few years. Now he was a sixth - rank official, wearing a crimson robe and carrying a fish - shaped pouch. There was more calmness and an air of authority about him.
Everyone in the capital knew that Lord Pei was not only a genius at solving cases but also a rare and devoted man. He only had Lady Qi in his heart and eyes and didn't even glance at other women.
Pei Xia put down his porridge bowl and reached out his big hand to cover Qi Jiao's soft one. There was a smile in his eyes. "What are you looking at, wife? So lost in thought?"
Qi Jiao smiled gently. "I was thinking that when the weather clears up in a couple of days, our family should go to Phoenix Mountain for fun."
"Okay."
**
After the New Year, Jiayan and Yixing went to school as scheduled.
Although Qi Jiao was a female official in the Imperial Workshops, she was on a special imperial mission. She only had to serve in the palace for half a month each month and spent the other half outside the palace.
This time, she received a mission to buy silk fabrics in the south.
Thanks to the Yin family, Qi Jiao knew most of the silk merchants in the four southern prefectures. Lingle County in Yulin Prefecture was a must - pass stop. It was like a business trip back to her hometown.
Although Qi Jiao had bodyguards with her when she was going back to her hometown, Pei Xia was still worried. He specially asked for a one - month leave from his superior in the Court of Judicial Review to escort her.
The couple traveled day and night and returned to Lingle County.
It was not a grand return, but they could be said to be returning in glory.
There were not many people on the street in the county town, but it had a unique charm of ordinary life. There were peddlers walking through the streets, flower - selling girls, and long - drawn - out cries in the distance... which made Qi Jiao feel as if she had returned to a few years ago.
When they reached Pomegranate Alley, Aunt Hua and A Le at the door were shocked.
"Boss! When did you come back?"
Ye Pa, such a showy person, was the first to jump out, putting down his work. He seemed to be laughing and crying at the same time. "Jiaoniang, you're finally back!"
Suddenly, he felt a chill on the back of his head. He looked back and, sure enough, Pei Xia had also come back.
For a moment, all the customers in the shop turned to look. Everyone rushed to shout, "Lady Qi and Constable Pei are back!"
Someone else said, "Wrong, wrong. Now we should call them Lord Pei and Lord Qi."
Qi Jiao greeted everyone with a smile. "It doesn't matter. Everyone, enjoy your meal slowly."
Then she pulled Aunt Hua and Ye Pa inside and told them the reason for her return. "We received this mission suddenly and rushed here all the way, so we didn't inform you."
Everyone was extremely happy because Jiaoniang and Pei Xia had come back. They closed the shop after the last customer left.
Over at the Zhuoxiang Restaurant, Lady Lin also closed the shop early and brought Sanyue over to meet Jiaoniang.
Zheng Huier and Leng Yao cooked a full table of dishes themselves.
When Qi Jiao went into the kitchen, she found that she couldn't even get a chance to help.
Huier and Leng Yao each had their own strengths, and they had newly taken on female apprentices as kitchen helpers. The few of them were working in an orderly manner.
Qi Jiao leaned against the door frame, smiling with satisfaction. "Ayao and Huier have both improved a lot. Given time, they will surely surpass me."
Huier walked over and stuffed a piece of honey yam cake into her mouth. She said with a smile, "It would be great if we could surpass you. I've only learned a little bit. If I get a chance later, I must ask Sanlang to take me to the capital. Then I'll follow you to learn cooking skills. I've heard that there are many famous chefs in the capital. I'll look so insignificant standing there."
Qi Jiao thought the honey yam cake tasted very good. "Huier, don't underestimate yourself. Given time, you will surely achieve something, and so will Ayao."
Leng Yao walked over with a big smile. "That would be great. I'll take your good word for it."
Just then, two girls in pink shirts walked over, one gentle and the other lively.
Qi Jiao didn't dare to recognize them at first glance. After looking again, she said, "So it's Yindie and Sanyue! Girls really change as they grow up. I almost didn't recognize you."
Sanyue said with a smile, "Boss, Yindie and I miss you so much."
Yindie was two years older than Sanyue and taller. She curtsied to Qi Jiao. "Boss, go to the front hall and rest. We'll come and help Sister Zheng and Sister Leng."
Qi Jiao smiled. Yindie had gotten married to Ge Fan last year.
Yindie was sixteen and Ge Fan was nineteen. They both came from poor backgrounds, relying on each other for support.
The two children were both very good. Qi Jiao was happy to see this and had even sent a generous wedding gift.
Qi Jiao held Yindie's hand and asked with concern, "If Ge Fan treats you badly in any way, just come to me. I'll stand up for you."
Yindie nodded, half - shy and half - grateful.
Just then, Huier, who had returned to the stove, shouted, "By the way, where's A Li? It's mealtime, and this kid still hasn't come back."
Sanyue quickly said, "I guess he was delayed at the academy. I'll go and look for him."
Huier said casually, "Okay, be careful on the way. Come back quickly."
After Sanyue trotted away, Leng Yao slapped her forehead. "Look at my memory!"
She said to Qi Jiao with a beaming face, "Jiaoniang, A Li passed the imperial examination and became a scholar!"
"Really?"
"Yes. We sent a letter to the capital early this month. It probably hasn't arrived yet... A Li ranked first among the government - supported scholars. The government will also give him money and grain."
It was not easy to produce a scholar at that time. Qi Jiao was also extremely happy. "Come on, I'll add a couple of dishes to celebrate for A Li."
Qi Jiao quickly cooked two delicious dishes. Just then, A Li was called back by Sanyue.
The young boy and girl stood together, looking very good - looking. It was really a pleasing sight.
Qi Jiao felt something flash through her mind. Pei Li had already walked up. He smiled before he spoke. "Brother and sister - in - law are back! You didn't even say a word about such a big thing. I could have gone to the pier to pick you up."
Pei Xia punched Pei Li in the chest and said with a smile, "Good boy, you didn't let your sister - in - law down when she worried about you before."
A Li said of course. Then he bowed to them and said in a serious manner, "I'll have to rely on you two adults in the future. I'm not very talented. Please remember to give me a hand, two adults."
This made everyone burst into laughter.
Qi Jiao stayed in the county town for two days and then returned to Yinwan.
She wanted to visit Uncle Ye and Aunt Zheng, and there was also an important matter - to finalize this year's orders at several factories.
The carriage quickly drove into the village.
Qi Jiao looked out of the window with the bamboo curtain rolled up. Summer came early in the south. The big, green trees provided shade. Yinwan was like a beautiful painting. The sea was blue, and the surging waves happily crashed against the soft beach.
Qi Jiao thought of Little Pearl and Le Bao. She asked Pei Xia to stop the carriage. The two of them held hands and walked towards the sea.
After calling out a few times and waiting for a while, they finally saw some movement on the sea in the distance. Qi Jiao shouted, "Le Bao - Little Pearl -"
Qi Jiao got excited and started running. Pei Xia quickly squatted down to help her lift up her skirt. "Slow down. Don't fall."
Qi Jiao stopped in her tracks and saw the man seriously tying a knot in her dark - golden skirt.
Qi Jiao was speechless but also found it funny.
Facing the sea breeze, she said, "Pei Xia, stand in front and a bit farther away."
Pei Xia didn't understand but still did as she said.
Qi Jiao took a few steps and ran towards him. She jumped onto Pei Xia and wrapped herself around him like a little fox. "This way I won't fall."
Pei Xia felt a sweetness in his heart. A glimmer of light appeared in his deep black pupils. Then he tightly hugged her.
The beautiful sea - sky glow was intoxicating. Not far away, two killer whales were playing with each other.
Pei Xia carried her towards the shallow blue sea. Qi Jiao leaned on his neck, smiling with her eyes bent.