Yueyao got up as usual and practiced the Five Animal Frolics. Now, she no longer needed to hide; she directly did her routine in the backyard. Of course, when Yueyao practiced the Five Animal Frolics, except for her personal maid, no one else was allowed to approach.
After finishing her exercises, Yueyao took the towel handed to her by Xi Juan and wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead, then walked back to her room to rest and start washing up.
Xi Yu came back laughing after splashing water, saying, "Miss, you wouldn’t believe that the water I just splashed out froze as hard as a rock in the blink of an eye." This indicated that this year’s winter was extremely cold.
Yueyao replied with a smile, "Let’s go see."
Xi Yu pointed to where she had splashed the water, "Miss, it’s right here!" At the spot Xi Yu pointed to, thick layers of ice had already formed.
Yueyao smiled and turned to look at the window pane also covered with thick frost, the roof, the trees, and the ground were all blanketed with white snow. The piercing north wind kept blowing, emitting a sharp howling sound.
After having breakfast, Yueyao dressed warmly and went to Lanxi Courtyard with Tingzheng to pay respects to Lady Mo, also taking the opportunity to offer New Year’s greetings. Lady Mo, stingy as she was, wouldn’t skimp on New Year’s red envelopes.
Yueyao was not one for bustling excitement. Once the formalities were done, she took Tingzheng back to Lanxi Courtyard. Yueyao took out the clothes she had made for Tingzheng, a sky-blue brocaded cotton robe with white fox fur lining the collar and sleeves.
It fit Tingzheng just right, "Thank you, sister." Tingzheng loved wearing the clothes Yueyao made by hand the most.
Yueyao patted Tingzheng’s shoulder with a smile. Without resting even on New Year’s Day, both of them went to the study to practice their writing until noon when they finally left the study.
Xi Yu whispered, "Miss, shall we go and offer New Year’s greetings to the Eldest Miss, Second Young Lady, and Fourth Miss?" Regardless, the Miss was only separated by a room from them and had not lived together for years. According to Xi Yu’s suggestion, they should at least pay a visit.
Yueyao couldn’t be bothered to put on a show with them, "No need."
Normally, one would visit uncles on the second day of the Lunar New Year. However, as Yueyao was in mourning, she chose to visit on the eighth day instead of the second to avoid offending other guests.
On the seventh day, Yueyao had Nanny Hao move the chests that contained her mother’s letters to her room and it took a while before she found several letters Ning Yun had written to her mother.
Yueyao packed the letters, planning to ask her cousin to pass them to Guan Jingshuo during the New Year, thus fulfilling one task. If before she had merely appreciated Guan Jingshuo’s talent and had kindly reminded him out of goodwill, after the last incident, Yueyao had more considerations. If Guan Jingshuo remained in good stead, with his status, he would surely assist her should she ask for help in the future. She was effectively securing a powerful ally. Thinking of this, Yueyao went through the paintings left by Madam Ma and indeed found one depicting Madam Ma with Ning Yun.
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Yueyao took Tingzheng to Ma’s Mansion to offer New Year’s greetings. Yueyao looked at Zhuang Ruolan’s rounded belly; she was now eight months pregnant and had just two months to go until the birth.
Zhuang Ruolan, touching her belly, said with a smile, "Just two more months and I will give birth, then I can finally relax." Compared to others with difficult pregnancies, she was quite fortunate. She only suffered from morning sickness during the third month, and the rest had been smooth, apart from the fact that her belly was too large, making it uncomfortable to sleep at night. However, Ma Peng had been constantly by her side, which comforted Zhuang Ruolan greatly.
Yueyao sat down with a smile.
Zhuang Ruolan looked Yueyao over. In just a few months, Yueyao had grown considerably taller and her complexion was rosier and healthier than expected, "It’s just been a few months and you’ve grown so much, cousin!" They say a child changes by the day, but Yueyao had sprouted up so much in just three months.
Yueyao was all too aware of her own growth. The clothes from last winter no longer fit her and all had to be redone. She responded, "Yes, and I have cousin-in-law to thank for all those wonderful things you sent. Good food makes for quick growth." She often exercised and ate well; not growing would have been difficult.
Zhuang Ruolan felt pleased by this remark. She didn’t expect anything in return for the gifts, but an acknowledgment at least proved Yueyao was appreciative. "You’re too polite, child."
Yueyao didn’t respond to this comment but instead looked at the maids in the room. Her look could not have been clearer; she had something private to say.
Zhuang Ruolan, smiling, dismissed everyone, leaving only Cai Yun. Cai Yun was her trusted maid and there was nothing that needed to be kept secret from her.
Once the room was left to just Yueyao and Zhuang Ruolan, Yueyao smiled and said, "Cousin-in-law, judging by the dress you’re wearing, it must be made by Cai Qi, right?" The honey-blended colored garment Zhuang Ruolan wore was made with Cai Qi’s material.