I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 357 The Beauty of May

At this moment, the chirping of cicadas rose and fell from the depths of the woods, "Zhi-liao—zhi-liao—", they sang tirelessly, their voices long and loud, adding a touch of liveliness and vitality to this May afternoon.

The cicadas' chirping, accompanied by the gentle breeze, rises and falls in harmony, weaving together a summer symphony.

It reminds one of the saying, "Farmers have few idle months, and May is a time of great busyness." In this beautiful season, life's busyness and hope are hidden everywhere.

The gentle breeze dispersed some of the sun's warmth, making people feel pleasant and comfortable.

It gently caressed the faces of passersby, taking away the fatigue and heat of the day, leaving behind inner peace and tranquility.

Sun Qingzhuang and his younger brother Xiaodong were gesturing with wooden swords in the yard.

The older brother, Sun Qingzhuang, was slightly taller. He gripped the wooden sword tightly, his feet firmly planted on the ground, his eyes focused and resolute, as if he were facing a real battlefield.

His face was full of seriousness, and sweat slid down his cheeks, soaking his collar, but he was completely unaware of it.

The younger brother, Sun Qingdong, was a little shorter. His face was flushed with excitement at the prospect of defeating his older brother, and his eyes sparkled like two glittering gems.

The wooden sword in his hand reached just to his chest. The blade was made of a smooth piece of ash wood, with delicate and clear grain and a warm luster.

The hilt of the sword was wrapped with several layers of cotton cloth embroidered with subtle patterns. It was specially wrapped to prevent the little hands from slipping. The edges were worn, showing that it had been used frequently.

Sun Qingdong tried his best to imitate his brother's movements, waving the wooden sword in a very professional manner, and occasionally shouting "Hey ha!"

Although their movements were a bit clumsy, they were full of energy and drive, moving nimbly as they tried to gain the upper hand in the "battle".

The two exchanged blows, their wooden swords clashing and making a crisp sound, which, along with the chirping of cicadas in the breeze, added a unique liveliness to this May evening.

Just then, Sun Qingzhuang heard a familiar voice and shouted, "Jingye and Xiaohui are back!"

Shen Qihui ran over when he heard Sun Qingzhuang's shout: "Brother Xiaozhuang, Brother Xiaodong, let's go home!"

Upon hearing Shen Qihui's voice, Sun Qingzhuang's eyes immediately lit up. He threw down his wooden sword with a "thud" and shouted back, "Coming!"

After shouting, he grabbed Xiao Dong and dashed off towards the outer courtyard as if his feet were greased.

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Shen Qihui, his face flushed with excitement, hopping around like a cheerful little sparrow, shouting, "Brother Xiaozhuang, Brother Xiaodong! I'm back! Did you miss me?"

Sun Qingzhuang smiled and agreed, then his eyes darted around and he saw Gu Jingye behind Shen Qihui.

Goodness, he's grown so tall in just three months!

The light blue cloth shirt that had previously fit him looked a bit too short, revealing his wrists, and he was wearing a brand new indigo belt around his waist, making him look extremely energetic.

Just as he was looking around, Sun Qingzhuang saw Lin Ziyao slowly strolling over.

He wore a moon-white robe, his hair was neatly tied up and adorned with a wooden hairpin, making him look like a young scholar, exuding an air of refinement.

Sun Qingzhuang hurriedly greeted him, "Ziyao, we've been waiting for you! Why didn't you come with Uncle Lin today?"

Lin Ziyao smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, looking every bit the scholar: "You know I've been staying in the county recently. It's been a long time. How have you all been?"

Shen Qihui pulled Lin Ziyao up and down, looking him over: "I didn't expect you to have become so much more composed after not seeing you for a while."

What? Living in the county seat, are you planning to take the imperial examination for children next spring?

"Brother Ziyao, is it true?" Gu Jingye walked over and asked with a smile.

Lin Ziyao touched Gu Jingye and said, "Jingye, thank you for the review questions. Otherwise, I wouldn't have decided to take the exam next year."

Shen Qihui patted Lin Ziyao on the shoulder: "In the end, it's because you have a solid foundation. There's still a year left, so you must keep up the good work."

Lin Ziyao said modestly, "Don't talk about me, do you guys have to take exams next year?"

Shen Qihui nodded with a smile: "The teacher does have this plan, but my aunt wants us to wait another year before taking the exam."

Uncle Jun said that Auntie was overthinking it; things are different now, and all the textbooks are brand new.

"As long as we pass the preliminary examination, we can study for several more years by taking the higher examinations."

Sun Qingzhuang looked at them with a smile: "What are you waiting for? You should all take the preliminary examination, so that you can study in the same academy in the future."

Shen Qihui punched Sun Qingzhuang in the chest: "There's still a year left, don't you want to take the exam?"

That way, we can all be together.

Sun Qingzhuang jumped back a step in horror: "You're kidding me, my brain only has so much stuff, it can't hold that kind of knowledge."

I still prefer doing business. I'm currently learning mathematics from Master Song Qing, and I'm going to be a big manager someday!

His words made everyone burst into laughter.

Lin Ziyao stepped forward, tapped his forehead, and said with a look of disappointment, "What a disappointment! Your dream is to be a shopkeeper?"

Don't you want to be your own boss? A boss is much more powerful than a shopkeeper.

Sun Qingzhuang pouted: "So what if I want to be the head manager? I just like being the manager, is that a problem?"

Be a boss?

He decided against it, thinking the boss was too overworked.

My aunt is right. It's better to use that time to learn more skills. It's never a bad thing to have more skills.

Being a boss offers fewer opportunities to learn; being a shopkeeper is better because you have more time.

Little did he know that once he became the manager of the Sun family, he would be even busier than his father, the boss.

Shen Qihui chuckled and said, "Okay, whatever you like is fine."

Just as they were having a lively conversation, Lin Ziyu ran over and said, "Caiwei, Wenwen, you're back!"

"Didn't Pearl, Spring Rain, and the others come back?"

She was wearing a light pink silk skirt embroidered with small flowers, and when she walked, she looked like a flower blooming in spring.

Her hair was styled into two buns and adorned with pretty pearl flowers, making her look even more charming than before.

Gu Caiwei was wearing a light yellow short-sleeved outfit, her hair tied in a high ponytail. She looked dashing and full of energy.

She stepped forward with a smile and took Lin Ziyu's hand: "Hello, Sister Ziyu. None of them came back with us. They're all learning embroidery from Aunt Xiu'e."

Gu Xiaotao followed behind: "Caiwei, Wenwen, hello."

Yang Wenwen wore a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a light purple ribbon tied around her neck. Her smile was sweet, like the warm spring sun.

She stepped forward and took Gu Xiaotao's arm: "Hello Xiaotao, you've grown taller."

After saying that, the four little girls walked over to Lin Ziyao and the others, and greeted them one by one: "Hello, Brother Xiaozhuang, Brother Xiaodong, Brother Ziyao."

Sun Qingzhuang looked at Gu Caiwei and Yang Wenwen, scratched his head sheepishly, and replied with a smile, "Hello... you two."

……

Everyone gathered together and started chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.

Gu Jingye looked at these long-lost companions and listened to their familiar and warm voices.

I was so happy. I felt a different kind of warmth when I came back from this holiday.

Looking at the smiles on Wenwen and her sister's faces, and at what they were wearing, compared to the other children... all of this was given to them by their stepmother.

In a corner nearby, Aunt Gu's granddaughter Xiaoping and grandson Xiaoyong were gazing longingly in this direction.

Six-year-old Xiaoping was wearing a floral jacket and had two pigtails with red ribbons tied to the ends of the pigtails that swayed slightly with her movements.

She held tightly to her younger brother, Xiaoyong, who was not yet three years old. He was wearing a blue jacket with a rosy face and chubby little hands clutching the hem of his clothes. He mumbled softly, "Sister, I want to play with my older brothers and sisters too."

Xiaoping swallowed hard and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, let's take a look first."

Their eyes were full of envy; it was the first time the siblings had come here with their grandmother.