Nian Jiaojiao got through the awkward three days.
She felt that her husbands were all avoiding her.
Just now, as she was about to ask Yu Chuan to help her grind ink, he told her the ink was already ground and turned to do something else.
When Nan Qing saw her, he was even more displeased, his nose not like a nose, his eyes not like eyes.
He gave a "hehe" in her direction and walked past her as if she weren't there.
Xing Yun also became quieter, saying nothing.
Was she being isolated?
Nian Jiaojiao couldn't figure it out. What had she done wrong?
She had rejected Bai Qingqing, nor had she given her any money to subsidize her, so why did these three have such a strong opinion of her?
Just as Nian Jiaojiao was distressed, the second husband, Xuan Yi, returned with prey, and the courtyard immediately became lively and full of life.
"Eldest brother, what a big deer, you're really amazing!"
Xing Yun squatted beside the lifeless elk, looking at Xuan Yi with adoration.
"Third brother, it's been a while, have you been well?" Xuan Yi asked with concern.
Xing Yun nodded heavily:
"Yes! Eldest brother, don't worry, my second brother and I are doing well!"
Xuan Yi carefully observed the complexions of his two younger brothers. They indeed looked well, and he immediately felt at ease.
At this moment, Nian Jiaojiao walked out.
She saw an adult elk lying in the middle of the courtyard, its hooves tied tightly with rope, looking like it had been carried back by Xuan Yi.
Next to the elk was a cage containing two or three wild rabbits.
"Xuan Yi, you're back?" Nian Jiaojiao greeted Xuan Yi enthusiastically.
Xuan Yi was taken aback by Nian Jiaojiao's sudden enthusiasm, and merely nodded in response.
Nian Jiaojiao didn't care about his attitude. After days of no one speaking to her, she just wanted someone to talk to.
"Xuan Yi, you haven't been back for a few days, were you hunting in the mountains?"
Regarding Nian Jiaojiao's question, Xuan Yi thought she suspected him of being lazy and replied stiffly:
"Yes, always, in the mountains."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded:
"Oh, oh, where do you live on the mountain? Isn't it unsafe to stay overnight on the mountain?"
Xuan Yi paused, realizing he had overthought it earlier, and his tone softened slightly:
"I am a hunter, I have experience, I find caves on the mountain."
Seeing that someone could talk to her normally, Nian Jiaojiao said enthusiastically:
"Look at you, you must be very tired after being on the mountain for so long, go back to your room and rest."
Saying that, she turned to Xing Yun and said:
"Xing Yun, go get a cup of hot water for him to warm his body."
Xing Yun, upon hearing this, no longer cared about "silently treating Nian Jiaojiao" and quickly replied, "Okay!"
After speaking, he trotted happily towards the kitchen, and because his steps were much lighter, even his limp seemed less noticeable.
...
Evening.
Nian Jiaojiao and the others gathered in the living room.
On the table was a plate of fragrant rabbit meat.
As they were eating with relish, Nian Jiaojiao suddenly said:
"This deer is so big, even though the weather is cold now, it probably won't be preserved for long. Xuan Yi, what are you planning to do with it?"
Xuan Yi's chopsticks paused, and he looked directly into Nian Jiaojiao's eyes:
"Does my wife have any plans?"
Xuan Yi didn't know about the events of the past few days. He only thought that Nian Jiaojiao wanted to send something to Bai Qingqing again.
The other three had varied expressions, not worried that Nian Jiaojiao would be overly generous again.
Nian Jiaojiao took another bite of rabbit meat before saying:
"It's like this, the deer skin and antlers will surely fetch a good price. As for the deer meat... I want to divide half of it and send it to the Xu Mansion."
"Xu Mansion?"
Xuan Yi was first surprised to hear Nian Jiaojiao mention it, but without asking why, he immediately agreed.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at the man's chiseled profile, and a good impression of Xuan Yi arose in her heart.
Men should be like this; she, Nian Jiaojiao, really couldn't appreciate those who were hesitant and effeminate.
At this time, the other husbands present also had their own thoughts.
Yu Chuan saw Nian Jiaojiao's unconcealed admiration for Xuan Yi, and a hint of bitterness rose in his heart.
Although Nan Qing could not see clearly, he perceived the situation with a keen insight. He raised his eyebrows slightly, but said nothing at this moment.
Xing Yun's mouth was greasy with meat. Seeing that the others' rate of picking up meat had slowed down, he was somewhat confused.
Nian Jiaojiao, unaware of their thoughts, continued to plan:
"The remaining rabbits can be kept for now, we can eat them ourselves as a food reserve. Now that it's getting cold, it's not as easy to hunt as in the warm season, so we must raise these rabbits until they are plump."
Although Xuan Yi's harvest was abundant this time, thinking carefully, it was only one deer and a few rabbits.
This was the prey Xuan Yi had hunted after staying in the mountains for many days!
Xuan Yi's hunting efficiency had decreased, which meant that prey was now difficult to catch, didn't it?
Xuan Yi also understood the implied meaning of Nian Jiaojiao's words, and his deep eyes gazed at Nian Jiaojiao for a long time.
He really couldn't figure out Nian Jiaojiao's thoughts.
Did getting so sick cause such a big change?
If he had known earlier, he would have taken her...
Still immersed in her thoughts, Nian Jiaojiao suddenly felt a chill down her spine and shivered, sighing:
"Oh dear... it's so cold, I'm freezing even while eating meat..."
...
Moonlit night.
The cold moonlight cast a glow by the window.
The lamplight and moonlight intertwined, adding a touch of brightness to the desk.
After several days of practice, Nian Jiaojiao could clearly feel her writing hand becoming stronger. She gently touched her arms and palms, and could feel a thin layer of muscle.
After practicing calligraphy for about an hour, Nian Jiaojiao put down her brush and picked up a book from the desk to read.
From the moment she started reading this book, Nian Jiaojiao became completely engrossed.
After an unknown amount of time, Nian Jiaojiao was pulled back by the calls by her ear.
"Wife... Wife, Wife? Wife!"
Nian Jiaojiao's thoughts were just coming out of the book, and she was still a little dazed. She looked at Yu Chuan and said:
"Chuan'er, what is it?"
Yu Chuan replied helplessly:
"Wife, you should rest. You can read the book tomorrow."
Nian Jiaojiao put down the book, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples, asking:
"Is it very late already?"
Yu Chuan nodded:
"Yes, it's been about another hour since you practiced calligraphy. I added a lamp in the middle."
Upon hearing Yu Chuan's words, Nian Jiaojiao put the book back in its place, tidying up the desk.
Kerosene lamps were a luxury for her at this time. She couldn't be greedy for a moment and have no light for the rest of the night.
At this moment, Yu Chuan handed her a handkerchief and said:
"Wife, wipe your hands."
Nian Jiaojiao took the handkerchief. Seeing how thoughtful he was, she no longer wanted to continue the cold war and took the initiative to ask:
"Chuan'er, what's wrong with you all these days? Is it something I did improperly regarding Bai Qingqing that made you unhappy?"
Yu Chuan was stunned and lowered his head:
"How could Yu Chuan be angry with his wife..."
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head in disagreement:
"Chuan'er, I think it's best to be clear about things. If it's just a small misunderstanding, and because neither you nor I speak up, everyone keeps it bottled up, it will eventually create a rift between us, and we'll grow further apart. That's not good, is it?"