Two sandalwood boxes (above)

  On February 22nd, the frost and snow have melted away, spring is in full bloom, and all kinds of grasses are newly grown.

  Xin Yi Wu is located on the east side of the garden in Fu Cha Fu, because Yun Zhu loves yulan very much. The whole Xin Yi Wu is full of various colors of yulan flowers, not to mention that many yulan flowers have also been planted in the garden. It's unknown whether it's because of Yun Zhu's love for these yulan trees and careful care, or because Fu Cha Fu's land is suitable for growing yulan trees. The flowers that should bloom in March are already visible in late February, with a few buds appearing among the fresh greenery. In the refreshing air of Xin Yi Wu, one can occasionally catch a whiff of delicate fragrance like orchids in the gentle spring breeze, which is refreshing and pleasant.

  "Wishing the young lady a happy birthday, may all her dreams come true." With a smile, she brought out a newly made pale green cheongsam for Yunzhu to wear. This cheongsam was embroidered with a branch of jade orchid from the hem to the left waist and chest, with fresh green leaves and apricot-yellow orchid flowers layered and spread out like a blooming lotus, half-opened and shyly revealing its beauty... The collar, cuffs, and hem were trimmed with a thin pale yellow edge, making the entire cheongsam look even more elegant and full of spring spirit. Worn on Yunzhu's 15-year-old (nominal age) body, it was like a sprig of spring orchid, an ethereal heavenly maiden, perfectly matched. "Thank you, this cheongsam is very well made."

  "That's also a good painting of the girl's style." Jin Xiu didn't dare take all the credit.

  "The magpies were chirping non-stop this morning, and when I went out to take a look, I saw that the two white yulan flowers that Miss loves the most had bloomed. The white petals with a hint of green had fully unfolded, just like lotus flowers. They must have known it was Miss's birthday today and were congratulating her too." Su Xiang also chimed in, beaming with joy on her face, but not slowing down her hair-combing movements one bit. When she finished, she opened the jewelry box, took out a butterfly-shaped hairpin with embedded pearls, and helped Yunzhu put it on. She then gave her a pair of eastern pearl earrings. Originally intending to apply some makeup, she couldn't bear to touch Yunzhu's delicate and tender skin, so instead followed Yunzhu's usual habit and applied some fragrant oil and lightly swept her eyebrows, finally completing the task.

  "The white jade orchid is indeed a flower that welcomes spring, and the jade orchids in our Xinyi Valley have always bloomed earlier than elsewhere. It's not strange that they're blooming today." Although she said so, Yunzhu was still very delighted. "Later, after I finish my breakfast, Guo Mama and Suwen will accompany me to the main courtyard to pay respects to Mother, while Jinxiu and Lingzhao stay behind to tidy up the courtyard. Later, I'll invite the family members over to admire the flowers. Hmm, let Linglong help Yiyu prepare some food."

  "Yes."

  Last night, Yunzhu suddenly remembered his birthday and thought that having a casual dinner with his family would be enough, but unexpectedly, the jade orchid bloomed, and he couldn't help but be moved by its elegant charm.

  "Big girl An." As soon as she entered the main courtyard, all the maids and servant girls met her with smiling faces and greeted her. Yunzhu seemed to have realized something, and a faint smile floated onto her gentle face.

  "Hey, our little longevity star has arrived." Second Auntie Ma Jia shouted as soon as she saw her enter the house, "Come in quickly, we've been waiting for you."

  Yunzhu walked up to Li Rongbao and Guwalgiya, and sincerely knelt down to greet them: "Daughter greets Ama and E'niang."

  "How can you perform such a great ceremony." Guwalgiya hastily helped her up and scolded: "Today is your birthday, after all."

  "Isn't a daughter's birthday also her mother's Mother's Day? Ama and E'niang's kindness in raising their daughter is higher than the sky and deeper than the sea, what does it mean for the daughter to kowtow to them a few times?"

  Her words made Madame Guan's eyes redden instantly. Those sitting below, not only as children but also as parents themselves, were all moved by her words, especially Yunzhu's sisters-in-law, whose eyes became moist, seemingly reminded of their own mothers. Only Hui Zhu, seated at the far end, pouted slightly, though she too had been touched, but upon seeing Li Rongbao's pleased and moved gaze, she felt that this sister was indeed skilled at putting on a show to win people's hearts.

  Li Rongbao stroked his mustache and smiled, nodding repeatedly. "Alright, today is Yunzhu's birthday, so let's be happy. Yunzhu, your uncle's mansion and the Duke of Town's mansion sent gifts two days ago, take a look."

  The receipt is on the table.

  Yunzhu smiled and took the list, browsing through it. She saw that the three aunts had sent some fashionable hair accessories and bright silk fabrics, as well as some excellent paintings and stationery from her elder brothers. Her sister had given her a pair of green jade bracelets, a pair of glass makeup boxes, two pieces of Song brocade and cloud-patterned brocade, but what was strange was that there were also two large purple sandalwood carvings in the shape of boxes that were not on the list, and she didn't know why they were included.

  Yunzhu thought for a moment and didn't say anything. She handed the note to Guo Mama beside her, letting her take care of it.

  Then Li Rongbao, Guajia and Yunzhu's brother and sister-in-law, as well as Fu Heng and Hui Zhu, also presented their carefully prepared gifts, including books, calligraphy, paintings, stationery, new-style headwear, jewelry, sachets, handkerchiefs... Yunzhu thanked them one by one and put them away.

  After a sumptuous lunch at Zhengyuan, Yunzhu invited everyone to her Xinyi Valley to admire the flowers.

  Fourth Sister-in-law Nalan said in surprise: "So the jade orchid flowers have bloomed so early?"

  "It's not just our big girl who has a special affection for the magnolia, but this magnolia also treats our girl with favor. I know that magnolias in other places don't bloom until March or April..." Ma Jia said with a smile, she was not like Nian Nu Lu, the new daughter-in-law, she had been married to Fu Qing for six years and had entered this mansion, from initially envying and resenting the pampering of Yunzhu by the people in the mansion to now being part of it. This wasn't because Yunzhu's temperament was particularly good or her talent was particularly outstanding, making Ma Jia willing to submit, but rather because she had been married into the Fu family for four or five years without becoming pregnant, which was why Yunzhu had prevented Fu Qing's mother He Yi and Guwalgiya from urging Fu Qing to take a concubine.

  She remembered asking her why she spoke up for herself, and with a hint of a smile, she said: "Even if it's just a matter of courtesy, it's hard to be at peace. With the example of Eldest Sister-in-law, how can we let Second Brother's wife suffer too? Brother and sister-in-law are still young, their bodies are fine, they will have children sooner or later. Besides, whether or not to take a concubine depends on Second Brother himself, if he doesn't have that intention towards his wife, no matter how much I say it won't make a difference." Her words were both emotional and reasonable, and they made Madam Ma feel relieved in body and mind. Sure enough, after the New Year, she gave birth to her first son, Mingren.

  From then on, she was grateful to this little girl and felt that she was a lucky person.

  "Diligent farmers can also increase the yield of their own fields, where is the orchid flower treating me differently, I just paid out my efforts and got a return."

  Fu Guangcheng nodded in agreement. The children of the Fu family knew that every bit of sweat was matched by a corresponding gain, and their military achievements and official positions were all earned through hard work.

  Fu Wen also nodded with a smile. He was the fourth among his brothers, and as the eldest son of the legitimate wife, he was not as outstanding as Fu Guangcheng and Fu Qing in terms of talent, but he was well-versed in both literature and martial arts. However, he was warm and introverted, and his demeanor was dignified and proper, very much like Li Rongbao's style.

  Yulan originally had the name of "shouldering spring", and Yuzhu's birthday is also in early spring. Every year when the yulan flowers bloom, Yuzhu would invite her family to admire the flowers, whether in Chahar or in the capital. As for Xinyiwan, apart from the yulan trees transplanted by her family members, she also had small potted yulan plants that she had cultivated over the years, including white yulan, red yulan, yellow yulan... and Yutangchun (purple yulan flowers). When March arrived, it was truly a sight to behold, with fragrance filling the garden.

  Arrived at Xīn Yí Wù, only to see among the lush green trees, dots of flower buds visible, on the sunny egg stone paved path, there were two particularly tall and striking ones. In a sea of green, one tree alone had burst forth with half its branches bearing large white flowers. The flowers occupied a high position, swaying gently in the breeze, radiant and resplendent, as if the heavenly maiden was scattering flowers. The intoxicating fragrance wafted on the spring breeze, making everyone feel as if they had entered a paradise, truly experiencing the unique and indescribable aura of the Jade Orchid, refreshing and captivating.

  "No wonder Wang Shiying of the Ming Dynasty said in 'Xue Pu Za Shu' that 'Yulan is early with Xinyi, so Song people named it to welcome spring, and now Guangzhou still retains this name. Thousands of stems and millions of stamens, no leaves but flowers, when they are in full bloom, can be called jade trees.' This Yulan flower is really beautiful!" Xilin Jueluo couldn't help but praise, "Now I finally understand what 'Elegant new makeup with jade radiance, thousands of teams of snow surround' means!"

  Inside Xinyi Wu, the stone tables and chairs were more than in other courtyards. At this moment, they were all covered with elegant silk brocade, thin cushions, and on top of them were placed honey-soaked jasmine petals and various dried fruits made from flowers and fruits that had been prepared long ago. Although it was a family gathering, to distinguish between men and women, Ling Shuo still moved a five-panel screen of yellow rosewood carved with embroidered landscape paintings from the warehouse to be placed among the flowers.

  At this time, Fu Ning, who was sitting behind the screen, heard his wife's words and laughed: "You're being sarcastic again, or there won't be any pastries left on the table..."

  Huizhu was eating a piece of jade orchid petal fritters fried in sesame oil, and upon hearing this, she smiled and said: "Third sister has just learned well, but unfortunately married to Third brother, the martial artist. It's really like a beautiful flower inserted into cow dung."

  Shu Mu Lu and others lost their smiles, feeling that if she hadn't eaten a few snacks before saying this, it would have been somewhat more believable.

  Fu Heng retorted with a smile: "But cow dung is good fertilizer, isn't it? With it, flowers can bloom even more beautifully!"

  Everyone is deceived by this kind of sophistry, which must have been learned from Yunzhu.

  "No wonder Third Sister has become more and more beautiful since she married Third Brother." Yunzhu winked at Ma Jia's group in a low voice, it's really effective.

  Ma Jia and others were taken aback, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Guar Jia's eyes narrowed at her daughter, thinking she was really not like a young lady, daring to say anything. Xilin Ju Luo's face turned red as she chased after Yunzhu, wanting to scratch her, and Yunzhu saw that she had rarely shown such ferocity and ran around the tree edge begging for mercy...

  Pitifully, behind the screen, there was a head full of fog who hadn't perked up his ears to listen. Those who had paid attention looked at Fu Ning with an eerie gaze, making him feel uneasy and decided to go back home and interrogate his wife about what she had said about him.