The 6th generation grandmother, husband and wife, and children, this is a prosperous family

Sheng Changdong is too young to stand steadily; after bumping his head, he was carried away by the maid, and the others sat down in turn

The second speaker is Sheng Changfeng, who bears a striking resemblance to his younger sister, Molan. With a round, fair face adorned with a humble smile, his voice is clear and bright: "Quanzhou is gentle and warm, while Dengzhou is grand and imposing; each place has its own merits. How could there be anything unfavorable in our dynasty? A few days ago, I read a poem by Du Zimei, 'What of Mount Tai? The green of Qi and Lu is yet to fade. Nature has bestowed its divine beauty, dividing yin and yang at dawn.' Shandong has produced sages and boasts Mount Tai; it truly is a wonderful place. If our ancestors are ever inclined, we could also visit that mountain of Fengchan."

Wang's face was indifferent to the sunlight, while Hualan showed a hint of disdain. However, Old Lady Sheng was observing Sheng Minglan, who was staring blankly at Molan, sighing inwardly.

After finishing breakfast, Sheng Hong hurried to the yamen, while Wang Shi returned to her own courtyard. After the children finished eating, they were all picked up by different mothers. The mother responsible for Ming Lan had not yet arrived, so Ming Lan jumped down from the stool and looked out the door. She was hesitant to wander in an unfamiliar place, but taking a stroll along the corridor by the entrance should be fine.

Sheng Hong slightly furrowed his brows and looked at Wang. Wang immediately shot a glare at the mother beside Ru Lan, causing the mother to lower her head in fear

His voice was clear and articulate, causing Sheng Hong to nod repeatedly with satisfaction, while Madam Sheng couldn't help but glance at him a couple more times, saying, "Brother Feng has great knowledge; it is said that Brother Feng's studies are exceptional, and his poetry and essays have received much praise from the teacher"

Yet she can only resign herself to it

The architecture in the north is distinctly different from that in the south. The tall and spacious columns, the square stone benches, lack the exquisite elegance of the residences in Quanzhou, yet they exude a sense of grandeur and clarity. Minglan leaned against the wall, walking and observing, unaware of how many turns she had taken or how many rooms she had passed, shaking her head increasingly. The houses here are spacious, with simple furnishings; apart from the necessary furniture, there are no treasures or antiques to be found. The servants and maids are mostly of advanced age, with only a few young girls engaged in cleaning and washing, appearing more shabby than those in other places. The courtyard is devoid of flowers and trees, merely trimmed back, and the entrance is rather desolate, resembling a poor and cold dwelling.

Although her original life did not have maids or servants attending to her, at that time her life was free. She had already endured the college entrance examination and job hunting, having passed the first difficult hurdle of life. She possessed a good job and a warm family. Two days before the mudslide occurred, Yao's mother even called to say that there were excellent prospects waiting for her to return for matchmaking. As long as no melodramatic events such as a mistress, a second wife, terminal illness, or a car accident occurred, she would live a life as ordinary and fulfilling as most common girls.

If Ruan does not agree, stamping her feet and pouting, the Wang family tries to persuade and coax her. Sheng Hong has already grown stern, while Old Madam Sheng watches with a smile. At this moment, Mo Lan, who has been silent, suddenly speaks: "Fifth sister is still young, and tracing red characters requires great patience, which is naturally uninteresting. However, learning some poetry and principles is beneficial. I think there is no need to hire a tutor; since the eldest sister has such good knowledge, why not invite her to teach? Wouldn't that be perfect?" After saying this, she smiles with her lips pressed together, elegant and innocent.

When breakfast was served, it was unexpectedly simple. Even Minglan, who was not very familiar with the situation, felt it was somewhat meager. A large porcelain plate contained white steamed buns and sesame oil flower rolls, accompanied by a bowl of plain congee made from white glutinous rice, along with a few small side dishes

Mother, how have you been these past few days? The weather in Dengzhou is not as warm and humid as in Quanzhou

Seeing the male and female protagonists die together in the end, Yao Yiyi even maliciously thought that Enxi seemed destined to go to that debt collector. Due to her leukemia, she was certainly going to die. Not only did she gain over a decade of happiness that was not originally hers, but she also dragged along the only son of her adoptive parents into the underworld. In the end, the child who remained to fulfill filial duties for those adoptive parents was left with only the beloved one who had always been unloved.

Sheng Hualan was born at the best of times, when the Wang family and Sheng Hong were newlyweds, and the relationship between Sheng Laotai and her daughter-in-law was harmonious. Not long after, a younger brother was born. Sheng Hualan, beautiful and charming, was truly the favored daughter, receiving countless adulations as the legitimate eldest daughter. She spent some time under the care of Sheng Laotai, but due to Wang's reluctance, she was sent back. Nevertheless, she had already formed the strongest bond with her grandmother among the grandchildren. In contrast, her younger sister, Rulan, born of the same mother, did not enjoy such favorable circumstances at her birth.

How could Yao Yiyi possibly be content with such a challenging life

Minglan's summary: obscure units, low efficiency, meager benefits, leadership lacking ambition, and employees lacking motivation

She recited the Buddha's name and adhered to a vegetarian diet, isolating herself from the world. The servants of Shou'an Hall also seemed to have renounced worldly life, living in simplicity with plain meals and tasks devoid of any benefits. For a period, even the main gate of the courtyard was closed, as if completely separated from the bustling human activity. The servants were reluctant to endure hardship at Shou'an Hall, thus those who were tasked with duties here were all elderly individuals who had originally accompanied the old lady as part of her dowry.

Unfortunately, Mr. Wang has not performed this job for a long time, and his tone is neither familiar nor awkward, making it difficult for him to gauge what to say to Madam Sheng. Therefore, today, classmate Sheng Hong has specially accompanied him to pay respects, acting not only as a mediator but also taking the lead in breaking the ice.

Sheng Hong, upon hearing his daughter speak thoughtfully and with a gentle demeanor, could not help but praise her, saying: "Mo'er speaks well. A girl does not need to pursue the imperial examination or an official career, so there is no need to rigidly practice calligraphy. However, reading some poetry and literature to cultivate one's character is certainly beneficial. Hua'er, when you have the time, it would be good to teach Ru'er as well. As the elder sister, it is your duty to guide your younger siblings"

Minglan stood in the last position on the left, looking ahead, secretly pondering whether this couple had rehearsed all night last night. Their duet was perfectly coordinated, with one singing and the other responding, so much so that it brought tears to her eyes out of envy. Minglan's suspicious gaze inevitably drifted towards their sleeves; could it be onions? Just as she was thinking, the three boys across from her and the girls on this side had already knelt down in unison, earnestly pleading with Old Lady Sheng. Each one spoke with heartfelt sincerity, as if they would immediately die of heartbreak if Old Lady Sheng did not agree to their request for a greeting. The young girl, Rulan, was a beat slow and was pushed down by her mother from behind, also kneeling. Seeing this, Minglan, belatedly aware, followed suit and knelt down as well, unsure of what to say.

The Wang family's flour and noodles have turned red, indicating that they likely slept well last night: "Look at what the old lady said, fulfilling filial piety in front of you is the duty of the younger generation. A few years ago, I was ignorant and neglected my filial duties. The other day, I was scolded by the master, and the daughter-in-law has already recognized her mistake. I hope the old lady, considering the daughter-in-law's foolishness, will not hold it against her. The daughter-in-law is here to apologize to you."

Hua Lan glanced at the Wang family and turned to the esteemed elder, playfully pouting, "Grandmother, you keep praising Third Brother, but it seems you are neglecting us girls."

Minglan, that is classmate Yao Yiyi, woke up in a daze early in the morning, having not even eaten breakfast. She was carried out of her room and led by a maid of about fourteen or fifteen years old to pay her respects. Being second to last in line, she was still somewhat groggy when it was her turn to bow. As soon as she bowed her head, she immediately became fully awake and stammered, "I pay my respects to the ancestors."

Minglan's small body lay on the mat, her heart filled with an unprecedented tranquility and peace. She sincerely and devoutly whispered a prayer, wishing for the compassion of Avalokiteshvara to illuminate the emptiness of the five aggregates, to relieve all suffering and hardship, wishing for a heart free from attachments. With no attachments, there is no fear, far removed from inverted dreams, ultimately attaining Nirvana

A long time ago, when I watched "Winter Sonata," my friends cried endlessly for Eun-hee's tumultuous fate, but Yao Yiyi uniquely sympathized with the character of Shin-ae. Under the narrative of the female protagonist, Eun-hee appeared so beautiful and kind, while Shin-ae was cunning and harsh. Everyone's emotions were directed towards Eun-hee, yet they overlooked one issue: Shin-ae, born into a wealthy family as a young lady, was meant to belong to that warm and comfortable household. Eun-hee, on the other hand, was destined to grow up in that filthy, miserable little shop, bullied by her older brother and enduring her mother's temper.

As she reached another corner, Minglan suddenly caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance, and she was momentarily stunned. This scent seemed to emanate from the deepest recesses of her memory, a past she had intended to forget. Following the aroma, she arrived at a door and pushed it open. Inside was a small room, directly opposite was a long zitan table, upon which lay a few scrolls of scriptures. To the left were two square stools adorned with ruyi patterns, next to a square table of zitan featuring a lingzhi motif. Venturing further inside, Minglan spotted a small Buddha shrine, draped with an autumn-hued, black-gold embroidered veil, beneath which was an incense table. At the center stood a white jade, four-legged, double-eared pixiu incense burner, from which fragrant smoke was slowly rising. The scent she had detected was indeed sandalwood. On either side of the incense platform were two stands, and in the middle below was a meditation cushion. It turned out this was an inner Buddhist hall.

Upon entering the main hall of Shou'an Hall, Sheng Hong and the Wang family paid their respects to Elder Sheng, and then took their seats on the square benches on either side of the luohan bed. Following this, they had the maid lead several children to pay their respects in order, starting with the three legitimate children, followed by the four illegitimate ones, with no concubines present

The atmosphere in Shou'an Hall became harmonious for a moment, and Sheng Hong was particularly pleased. The younger ones also breathed a sigh of relief, but Wang's smile appeared somewhat forced. Minglan glanced over and noticed that she was tightly clutching her handkerchief, as if trying to choke Sheng Changbai to make him say a few more words.

After a long silence, and fearing to say something wrong, Minglan's voice came out weak and unsteady as she spoke, immediately provoking a few soft chuckles. Minglan turned to look, and saw the young girl Rulan standing to the side, gently covering her mouth. Beside her stood a delicate-looking girl, seemingly a bit older, likely Miss Molan, the fourth in line. She wore a pair of jadeite white jade earrings and was dressed in a lake green fine-patterned gauze, standing upright with her head slightly bowed, exuding a gentle and respectful demeanor.

She imitated her mother's way of worshiping Buddha, respectfully kneeling before Guanyin Bodhisattva, her hands pressed together, sincerely praying for the safety and well-being of her mother and brothers in that world, asking them not to worry about their daughter; from today onward, she would also care for the grains and vegetables, the rivers and mountains, and live diligently and earnestly.

As she spoke, she knelt down before Old Lady Sheng. Wang wiped her face with a handkerchief, her eyes reddened, and said, "Mother, I truly realize my mistake. In my family, I learned that filial piety is of utmost importance. However, since entering the Sheng family, I have been blinded by my own desires, lost my temper, and neglected my duty of filial piety towards you. Please feel free to punish me, but do not take it to heart. If you are worried about the noise from too many people, we can take turns to pay our respects in the future."

Comrade Sheng Hong, upon assuming his new position, is determined to create a positive image of the foremost family in Dengzhou during his new term. He aims to set a good example of filial piety and family harmony for the people of the entire state, contributing to the establishment of a commendable social atmosphere in the newly envisioned Dengzhou. Therefore, after completing the handover of duties, he chose a fine and sunny morning to lead the Wang family along with his three sons, four daughters, and several maids and servants to pay respects to the elderly matriarch, Madam Sheng.

In affluent families, it is customary to eat in silence and to refrain from speaking while resting. Moreover, the six siblings come from three different production houses, and prior to this, they had hardly exchanged a few words. At this moment, the only sounds heard are the gentle clinking of spoons and chopsticks.

Madam Sheng set down her teacup, glanced at Sheng Hong and Wang, and then looked at the remaining children. Sheng Hong showed little reaction, while Wang appeared somewhat embarrassed, secretly shooting a glare at her son

He then stood up and knelt before Old Lady Sheng. Old Lady Sheng glanced at Sheng Hong, who immediately added, "Mother, do not say that this morning and evening service is enough; even serving you tea and water at all times is her duty. If you do not permit it, I will take it that you are still angry with your daughter-in-law. The laxity in the household is my fault, and I shall go to my father's spirit to plead guilty."

Minglan looked up and saw that her elder brother Changbai appeared somewhat apologetic, while Changfeng and Molan maintained their usual expressions as they began to eat. Hualan and Rulan both pouted in unison; although the degree of their actions varied, the angle was strikingly similar.

"I, an old woman, am not bothered by it, but I wonder how the younger ones feel about it. Is there any discomfort?" said Old Lady Sheng, her eyes scanning the rows of her grandchildren.

Of course, Enxi is very pitiable; is not the beloved also pitiable

I believe that Dengzhou is better than Quanzhou, with its grand mountains and vast waters, spacious and open, and its coastal climate is not dry. I say, sir, you have been assigned a good post, neither cold nor hot.

Visiting is a significant activity in the ancient inner household, where the managing daughter-in-law reports to her mother-in-law about recent work situations or seeks approval for future work plans. If the children are raised in the presence of their grandmother, it is a good opportunity to take a glance at their own child, lest they later fail to recognize which child belongs to which mother. If the children are raised nearby, they can be brought out to show to their grandparents, creating moments of familial joy or engaging in light-hearted family discussions to amuse the elderly.

As for the young lady Minglan now, her biological mother was a concubine who has already passed away, presumably waiting to be reincarnated. Her father has three sons and four daughters, and it seems he does not particularly favor this illegitimate daughter of his, along with a stepmother who has no intention of being a saint. The advantage is that she does not have to take exams for civil service or professional titles; the downside is that she has no say in the selection of her future husband, and her future life is left to chance. In cases of domestic violence, she cannot call the police, and must make do with some ointment. If there are mistresses or even multiple partners, she cannot raise a fuss and must act 'virtuously' as if they are her sisters. If her husband is truly incompetent and lewd, she cannot take the matter to court.

"Did Father teach my sister? Then why didn't he teach me? I want to invite the teacher too!" Indeed, as expected, Rulan jumped down from the low stool, ran to Sheng Hong's side, and tugged at his sleeve, acting coyly.

After a few casual remarks, the Wang family gradually steered the conversation towards Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony. Before long, Old Lady Sheng spoke up, instructing Mama to set up breakfast here, arranging two tables: one in the main room for the three adults, and another in the adjoining room for the children to eat together

Now recalling the moments before losing consciousness, she vaguely remembers someone outside prying open the car door, seemingly the people who came to rescue them. She wondered whether Judge Lao Tai and the other colleagues had been saved. Was she the only one to have died in the line of duty? At this thought, she was suddenly filled with grief and anger; after the grief and anger came numbness, and after the numbness came negativity. She had no particular will to live.

And here, it is not a world suitable for women to survive

Wang scolded Ru Lan, pulling her close: "No more nonsense. Your father is currently burdened with official duties and cannot play with you. You can't even sit still for tracing characters, so why ask for a tutor?"

Wang's eager gaze immediately turned to Sheng Changbai, who stood up properly and slightly bowed, saying, "In response to the elder's words, I believe it is very good."

Minglan had always been somewhat unclear about the nature of the formal greetings. Literally speaking, a formal greeting is simply asking the elderly lady, 'how are you,' perhaps adding a couple of phrases like 'will you die' or 'are you ill.' However, after observing the young maidservants serving the young masters and misses with round stools, Minglan felt that she should revise her understanding.

Old Lady Sheng smiled warmly, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about, child? When you were young, it was the master who personally taught you to read and write, and he even specially hired a tutor for you. Who would dare to look down on our young lady? As Hua has grown up, she has become even more mischievous."

Oh, by the way, it could be worse; she may not even be able to secure a legitimate wife position. A concubine is typically a suitable role for a legitimate daughter.

Conclude with twelve words, succinctly, then take a seat

She believes that fate has been unkind to her. If death is predetermined, then she should have been reborn in a better body. Why is it that Hualan, Rulan, and even Molan can be cherished and adored, while she must start her life anew and struggle? She has to familiarize herself with this unfamiliar world, to please the Wang family, who are not her biological parents. It is likely that she will have to endure and swallow her grievances, and it is normal to suffer some injustices. She must learn to read people's expressions and relearn the survival skills of ancient women.

As she spoke with quiet sobs, Sheng Hong's eyes also turned red

Minglan thought to herself: It seems the rumors are true

"It is a bit cool, but it is not a problem," said Old Lady Sheng

Now, Yao Yiyi is in the same situation; her originally fulfilling life has been stolen, replaced by that of a pitiful girl. If she had been reborn as a cherished and pampered girl, she might have felt guilty, but after a bit of pretentiousness, she would have accepted it. However, the current situation is a regression of history

Seeing this, Old Lady Sheng let out a long sigh, no longer insisting, and waved her hand for the maid to help Sheng Hong and his wife up: "Since it is thus, we shall go along with you." As she spoke, she cast another glance at the dazed Minglan, the frail young girl being the last one to stand up on her own.

On the incense table was a small statue of the white jade Guanyin. Minglan raised her eyes and saw that the Guanyin was dignified and solemn, yet her eyes were filled with compassion, as if she had witnessed all the suffering in the world. Suddenly, Minglan felt a warmth in her eyes and could not help but shed tears. She remembered how Mama Yao had specially bought a jade Guanyin pendant for her before she went to the countryside, had it consecrated at the temple, and earnestly instructed her daughter to wear it for protection on her journey. At that time, Yao Yiyi had been impatient with her mother's nagging and hurriedly climbed onto the carriage, but now she wished she could listen, yet it was no longer possible.

Scalding tears streamed down in large droplets, as she choked back her sobs in silence. The tears flowed down her slightly frail little face, dripping onto the pale green mat, some seeping away, while others rolled onto the ground, merging with the dust. The morning light filtered through the lotus-colored gauze window into the Buddhist hall, bright and clear, with a soft and radiant glow

Observing Ru Lan and Mo Lan, Old Madam Sheng sighed inwardly. She then glanced at the dazed Ming Lan, who, unaware of being the subject of ridicule, stood foolishly in the middle with a bewildered expression. She took a sip of tea without changing her demeanor, her brows lowered. Once the youngest, Sheng Changdong, had completed his greetings, she said, "I am accustomed to a quiet life and do not enjoy large gatherings. We are all family, so there is no need for formalities. Let us continue as usual, just come to pay respects every ten days."

This esteemed matriarch of the Sheng family hails from the noble house of the Yongyi Marquis. She possesses a naturally proud disposition and, in her youth, was unyielding and carefree. In her early years, she was known for her penchant for causing disturbances, reportedly offending both her in-laws and her own family. After the passing of the late patriarch of the Sheng family, she entered widowhood and underwent a change in character. By the time Sheng Hong reached adulthood and took a wife, she had relinquished all the family assets to him, retaining very little personal wealth for herself.

Minglan, attended by her maid, slowly savored her meal, reminiscing about the breakfasts she had enjoyed in the madam's quarters over the past few days: lotus root honey cake, cream puff pastry rolls, fried cakes, meat floss garlic flower rolls, honey-glazed sesame balls, jujube congee with glutinous rice, red rice congee, steamed eggs with cured meat, bird's nest steamed eggs, stir-fried beef jerky with shredded vegetables, sesame oil cold mixed smoked meat, and a treasure box of assorted pickled vegetables consisting of sixteen different small dishes...

In Yao Yiyi's view, her beloved has been treated unfairly. If her beloved had grown up in a warm environment where everyone cared for her, she might not have developed a petty and harsh temperament. Due to this unfortunate experience, even if she later returns to her parents, there will be a rift with her mother, preventing them from being as close as biological mother and daughter. Who, then, can she hold accountable for this grievance?