fter cutting off some meat. 。But frugality and diligence in managing one's household are deeply ingrained habits for all the impoverished. 。Even with silver, they wouldn't spend it all on meat. 。Bes...Another round ended, and Baozhu took the paper note. She gestured for a long time but couldn't find a spot on Xixi's face.

Look at Xi, the paper-cutting expert, and then at Baozhu who is completely helpless! The girls are laughing their heads off!

For a time, the garden was very lively.

On the opposite bank, separated by a river, those young masters couldn't help but stretch their legs and peek when they heard the commotion.

Lu Cong was also curious, so he sent a servant to inquire.

When Dai De Ting heard that Jia Yin was playing games with a group of girls, sticking paper strips all over their faces, Lu Cong couldn't help but laugh.

Jia Xu wasn't surprised either, and smiled similarly: "Only the County Princess could come up with such a bizarre way to play!"

Zhimin and Xiujie heard this, but were eager to try it. They thought about asking their sister how to play later. When they took it to the academy, it would definitely be lively.

The rest of the young masters were curious and came to inquire.

Of course, Lu Zong and the others couldn't say that they had just changed the subject in a few words.

In the garden, after the girls had laughed and played, Gu Qingqing took Xu Xi and a few others to wash their faces and freshen up.

Jia Yin was also dragged along, clamoring for her to help hold the rouge box. Even though she, the “culprit,” had apologized to her sisters.

Such a flower viewing banquet is mostly attended by young gentlemen and ladies, so the attic next to the garden has long been prepared with toiletries, lest anyone soil their clothes or smudge their makeup.

Several young women gathered together, washing and re-dressing themselves. They even had some snacks and tea, all of which made them seem a bit lazy.

Gu Qingqing this master not good leave too long, and the crowd a hello just hurried back to entertain the rest of the girls.

Xixi rarely got out, so she excitedly said to everyone: "I've been cooped up at home for a month! My mother finally let me out once, I must have fun."

"Just now I saw a small pond surrounded by flowers in the garden, with koi fish in it. Let's go feed them."

The first to clap was the Pearl, "Great! Great! I just have a few biscuits left. I can crush them into crumbs, Little Fish loves those."

Melanie was a gentle and steady person, but her family was also very strict. Opportunities like this, where she could play with a few like-minded girlfriends, were rare.

Then, she also nodded.

Jia Yin hadn't even finished speaking when Bao Zhu grabbed her and pulled her along...

The Gu family is truly a scholarly lineage, with a rich heritage. Even their garden is beautifully designed.

Especially the garden here, it can be said that every few steps is a different scene.

This small pond for raising fish is located at a quiet corner near the entrance of the garden.

The pond was paved with jade, intricately carved with lotuses.

One doesn't know what techniques the artisan used. Sunlight refracted through the water, illuminating the lotus flowers, making them seem alive. They swayed gracefully with the ripples of the water.

And various koi fish are raised in it, free and easy to swim around, looking good and fun.

Several young girls scattered some cookie crumbs to feed the fish, and then they giggled as they counted them, finding it very joyful.

Jia Yin sat on the side, affected by it, her skirt getting wet. Shui Ling went outside to get a spare dress.

Baozhu, tired from playing, leaned against the edge of the pond and sighed: "It's a pity that I can't make a fire. Otherwise, if I grilled a fish and sprinkled some seasoning on it, it would be delicious!"

Jiayin had already gotten used to this foodie's train of thought. In Baozhu's eyes, almost anything was edible.

But Xu Xi and Mei Lan didn't know, the two listened to Baozhu's sigh, laughing so hard their branches shook.

Mei Lan even pinched Bao Zhu's little hand, chubby and plump, comparable to pig trotters.

She said, "Baozhu, you can't be so greedy anymore, or else it will hinder your growth. You won't grow tall."

Xu Xi also wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said, “That’s right, aren’t koi so beautiful You’re actually going to roast them and eat them!”

The pearl simply scoffed, her tiny nose wrinkled in disapproval as she shook her head.

"My mother said that since I'm not yet ten, I don't have to be afraid of these things. When I'm twelve or thirteen, maybe I'll catch up to your height in a year."

"Then, hmph, I'll be the eldest daughter! I can go wherever I want and eat whatever I want!"

Mei Lan and Xu Xi laughed even harder.

Xu Xi said, "It turns out you've been looking forward to growing up so that you can eat whatever you want, well, you might be disappointed!

"

"You'll find out soon enough, the older you get, the less free you are.

"

"Let's just talk about food. You can't eat cold food, it will give you a stomachache; you can't eat spicy food, it will ruin your voice; and you can't eat soy sauce or other dark-colored foods, or you'll get spots on your face..."

"Oh, that's so much trouble!" Baozhu seemed unable to believe it, holding her chin and widening her eyes.

She quickly said, “Then I’d rather not grow up. I’m fine just the way I am now. Even if I’m being watched by my mother at home, and go to Sister Jia Yin’s place, I can still have a good meal.”

Mei Lan envied her innocent nature. At first glance, she seemed to be pampered at home and had no worries.

She couldn't help but have a hint of melancholy between her brows, and she agreed: "That's right, growing up doesn't have much good about it. There are more and more rules, and you're afraid to make a mistake even when you take a step."

“We have found a good husband, and after getting married we leave our home. But it's just like changing from one square courtyard to another.”

Xu Xi didn't know what she was thinking about, her face also darkened, "Yes, it is today that I came out to admire the flowers. I was just chosen by others, like cattle and horses being bought and sold."

Seeing this trend, Jia Yin thought to herself, "This isn't right. This supposed gathering of good friends is turning into a complaint session."

So, she quickly teased, "Sister Xi don't worry, everyone else might be chosen, but you only made a trip for nothing today!"

After all, you plastered your face with notes; no one even knows what you look like!

Mei Lan and Bao Zhu were stunned for a moment, then they remembered Xu Xi's previous humiliation and burst into laughter, tears welling up in their eyes.

Xu Xi blushed and, clutching her skirt, began chasing Jia Yin, pretending to want to pinch her.

Jia Yin got up and ran, the two of them laughing and playing around the edge of the pond.

Bao Zhu and Mei Lan spitefully tripped Jia Yin, helping Xu Xi catch someone.

Just as things were getting lively, a sudden *plop* sound came from not far away.

Then, someone cried out, "Help! Help!"

Several people quickly went to take a look, and saw a young maidservant in green clothes standing on the small bridge about ten steps away. She was anxiously stamping her feet while holding tea and snacks.

And beneath the bridge, there was a blue-clothed maidservant struggling in the water!

Actually, in the Gu Family Garden, this small river that runs through the garden is very shallow.

Only here under the bridge, in order not to expose too many bridge piers, water was intentionally held back, making the depth over five feet.

If he were a tall man, he could simply stand up and be out of danger.

The blue-clothed maid was young and short, struggling as she might, could not surface from the water.

Jiayin and the others were startled and quickly ran over.

The maid in green threw the tray down and knelt, crying, begging Jia Yin and the others.

"Sob sob, Miss please help! Sob sob, my sister fell in! Help!"

Jiayin has always been out of her depth, both in her past and present life. She wants to help people, but she's powerless to do so.

Baozhu, Xixi, and Meilan were even less likely to learn how to swim. They were quintessential ladies of high society.

They were all anxious and helpless.

Occasionally, Jia Yin saw some shrubs by the bridge. Vines as thick as fingers were entwined around them. She ran over and pulled down two, throwing them into the water.

Even the young maidservant in blue was determined to survive, clinging to the vine with her last ounce of strength.

The four of them didn't have time to worry about much, Baozhu stepped on the edge of the water and pulled the blue-clothed maid out of the deep water with all their might.. The only way he expressed filial piety was by helping his grandmother with chores. 。He actually thought Grandma liked his older brothers more, he didn't expect Grandma to protect him like this, eve...