The male supporting character was actually myself.

I do bear some responsibility for this. If I hadn't been so easily provoked and fallen into their trap, so many tragedies wouldn't have happened. So naturally, I should try to make it up to the sisters.

I can get twenty silver dollars from Zhang Ziqiu first thing tomorrow morning. I can also find a few jade and gold and silver ornaments that my father gave me to pawn to make up thirty silver dollars, so that I can spend a warm and unforgettable start of winter with my sisters!

With this in mind, Li Dongchen became even more motivated and continued to bury himself in copying.

The next morning, after only dozing off for a little over two hours by the kang (a heated brick bed), he got up refreshed, washed up, and tidied himself up. Then he spread all the copied papers on the table for the other party to review.

"Hmm, as expected of Dongchen's calligraphy, it's really beautiful!" Zhang Ziqiu carefully read through the key points and nodded in satisfaction. Then, she took out her money pouch from her pocket, weighed it in her hand, threw it on the table, and said with a grin, "This is a reward for you. Next time you need calligraphy work, I'll hire you again!"

After saying that, Zhang Ziqiu didn't even glance at him again. She took a thick stack of papers, turned around, and went out, shouting that she had the servants prepare a room for her to use as a study and office. She also instructed that after lunch, the mansion should prepare a carriage for her to go to the school for a meeting, and so on.

"Tch, you think you're some kind of principal just because you're using some trivial matter as an excuse?" Li Dongchen sneered as he stuffed the money bag into his pocket, then turned and went inside to rummage through drawers and cabinets for something he could pawn.

Zhang Ziqiu pretended not to see his thieving behavior, and directed the servants to tidy up the room, move the desk and table, and take a thick stack of papers into her private study. She also told the maids and servants not to disturb her work unless it was important.

Li Dongchen was happy to have some peace and quiet. He carefully packed the gold and silver ornaments, which were worth ten silver dollars, into his cloak. However, the west courtyard was under strict surveillance, and he didn't have a chance to sneak out for the time being.

"Heh, let me make you happy first." Zhang Ziqiu saw the whole scene, held the brush in her hand, and a cold smile appeared on her lips. She then lowered her head and continued to write her own words carefully, stroke by stroke.

After lunch and a nap, Li Dongchen, who was as restless as an ant on a hot pan, took advantage of her going to school to sneak out of the Marshal's Mansion. He ran all the way to the pawnshop, got the silver dollars, and then rushed to Qinxiang Xiaozhu to pay the money and set the price for tonight's health care.

Eating dumplings on the day of Lidong (the Beginning of Winter) is considered an important custom in northern Shanxi.

After all, this day marks the official start of winter hibernation. The season of freezing cold and heavy snow is approaching, and families who can make ends meet prefer to rest comfortably with their wives and children in a warm bed, waiting until after the New Year to resume their busy lives in the spring.

In times of war, turmoil, and widespread poverty, eating dumplings was a major event for ordinary families.

The days are getting shorter, and after lunch, many people start busy kneading dough and chopping fillings.

The dough should be soft and moderately soft; the filling should contain as much meat as possible. In the late afternoon, every household would gather around the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) to make dumplings. As soon as it got dark, the firewood in the stove would burn brightly, and the water in the large pot would bubble and boil. The dumplings with large fillings and thin skins would be cooked in the pot, and soon a strong aroma would waft through the house with the rising steam.

"Time for dumplings!" In Qinxiang Xiaozhu, Ruan Xiangyun brought steaming hot meatball dumplings to her younger sister and Yunfei downstairs. "Try them quickly. These are dumplings specially made by the chef of the Paramount Ballroom according to our favorite tastes. Try them and see if they're good!"

Ruan Yunfei was fiddling with a delicate toy gun, jumping up and down as if he were shooting. "Biu! Biubiu! Second sister, look how cool I look when I shoot! When I grow up and get a real gun, I'll shoot that bastard Li Jiangchen to death like this!"

Ruan Xiangyun smiled upon hearing this, "Why did you want to kill Li Jiangchen?"

"He toyed with my eldest sister's feelings and bullied you all. I'm going to kill him to avenge my eldest and second sisters!" Ruan Yunfei said in a childish voice, "And also, after killing Li Jiangchen, the eldest young master can dominate the Marshal's Mansion, and our miserable days will be over!"

"Hmm, little brother is indeed very obedient." Ruan Xiangyun nodded in satisfaction, patted his head and laughed, "Then eat more, grow taller and stronger quickly to kill that bastard Li Jiangchen."

Ruan Xiaomei has recently been able to clearly sense her older sisters' favoritism, and she sits on the sofa silently eating dumplings.

"Pah! Why isn't it filled with beef? It's all greasy meat, who would eat this garbage!"

Ruan Yunfei was pleased with the praise and knew that she could get more pocket money to buy what she wanted. She happily took a bite of the dumpling, chewed it twice, and then spat it out. She pushed the plate on the table to the ground with a slap and pouted unhappily, saying, "Second sister, I want to eat beef dumplings."

Steaming dumplings and shattered plates lay scattered on the ground, but Ruan Xiangyun's expression remained unchanged. She casually pulled the bell to summon servants to clean up and told them to inform the kitchen that the young master of the Marshal's Mansion wanted to eat dumplings filled with fine beef, and to have them quickly make them and send them over.

"Second sister, I want to eat beef dumplings too." Seeing this, Ruan Xiaomei put down her chopsticks and pouted, trying to win favor.

Ruan Xiangyun was a little impatient. "How old are you? Your younger brother is still young and doesn't know any better, so don't you know any better either? Didn't you see or hear your older sister being beaten?"

Do you really think we have it so easy here?

"This is just an excuse to order an extra plate of beef dumplings under the guise of being a customer. Enjoy your meal!"

"You're all biased! I'm only three years older than him, and he's already nine and still doesn't know any better!" Ruan Xiaomei angrily slammed her chopsticks down.

With a doting smile, Ruan Xiangyun rubbed her younger brother's chubby head and said in a more serious tone, "How can you compare to him? My little brother is the only male heir and the only hope of our Ruan family! He will carry on the Ruan family line in the future."

"If he's the only hope, why are you teaching him to take revenge? Li Jiangchen is a young marshal, protected by so many soldiers with big guns. Even if you could kill him, you'd be riddled with bullets. Aren't you hoping he'd carry on the family line? What's the point of carrying on the family line if he's dead?"

"Pah! I won't die!" Ruan Yunfei raised his head, patted the fake pistol tucked in his waistband, and said smugly, "I'm going to help my brother-in-law take command of the army and become a general in the future!"

Ruan Xiangyun laughed even harder, made a shushing gesture, pointed up and whispered, "Shh, don't let him hear this. We'll keep our plans to ourselves. Okay, I have to go upstairs and bring them dumplings. You guys eat your food."

Carrying two large plates of dumplings, she swayed gracefully upstairs. When she reached the front door, she composed herself, letting the steam moisten her eyes and give them a slightly teary look before pushing the door open and entering. "Big sister, young master, let's eat dumplings for the Winter Solstice reunion!"

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Marshal's Mansion Was in Turmoil

Li Dongchen and his dream lover, whom he had been longing for day and night, were speechless as they held hands tightly, staging a sentimental scene.

"I know you must be homesick today, I'm sorry..."

"No, don't say those things!" Ruan Xiangqin covered his mouth, her eyes filled with tears, and shook her head aggrievedly, "I don't want to hear it. I'm already very happy that you came today."

"Xiangqin..." Li Dongchen felt his heart melting. In this situation, facing such a gentle and understanding woman, he felt that he was the luckiest man in his life!

Ruan Xiangyun placed the dumplings on the table, pouting and saying, "Young Master, you haven't been here for the past few days, so you don't know what happened to my sister that day..."

"Xiangyun, stop talking!" Ruan Xiangqin pretended to be angry and quickly stopped her, saying, "Brother Dongchen has taken time out of his busy schedule to spend the Beginning of Winter with us and eat reunion dumplings. Let's not talk about those unpleasant things."

Li Dongchen immediately sensed that the two sisters were hiding something from him, and hurriedly asked, "What happened?"

"It's nothing, don't listen to Xiangyun's exaggerated talk."

Ruan Xiangyun, looking displeased, stopped talking after her sister's instruction and slowly and deliberately started fiddling with the dumplings.

He immediately became serious and, holding his dream lover's soft hands, said in a deep voice, "I've been so busy these past few days hosting a grand banquet at the Marshal's Mansion that I haven't been able to spare any time. I've finally managed to find some time to be with you all today."

What happened? I won't allow you to keep this from me like this!

Look at Xiangyun, she looks like she can't keep anything to herself. Is there some secret that you sisters can't share with me?

"Don't ask anymore," Ruan Xiangqin said, but tears welled up in her eyes, trembling slightly on her long eyelashes, as if they might fall at any moment.

Before Li Dongchen could press her further, Ruan Xiangyun threw down her chopsticks and angrily declared, "I don't care anymore! I don't care what you're saying about being considerate and putting the big picture first! I have to say it today!"

She rolled up her sleeves, revealing her snow-white arms, and said bitterly, "The owner of the Paramount Ballroom thought that my sister and I weren't earning enough money, so he used silver needles finer than embroidery needles to prick us all over our bodies, leaving us covered in wounds, yet you can't even see a single scar."

The manager thought I was talking back, so he had people stab my mouth! Waaah... My poor sister was so weak that she fainted from the pain, and those devils woke her up with cold water and continued stabbing her.

Young Master, we may look like we're living a life of luxury and elegance here, but we're actually not living a life fit for human beings!

That day, my sister couldn't help but beg you to redeem us from our servitude, but a perverted client overheard them..."

She stepped forward and pulled open Ruan Xiangqin's silk clothes, revealing her snow-white back, which was covered with shocking marks from being bitten and beaten. "He abused my sister like a madman! That night, that perverted guy almost played with my sister to death. The people at the Paramount actually said that customers who paid money should have their fill, and if someone really died, they would have to pay compensation."

They... they don't treat us like human beings at all!

"Young Master, please find a way to redeem us quickly, otherwise we'll be beaten to death soon!"

Mentioning her painful memories, Ruan Xiangqin could no longer hold back and covered her face, bursting into tears. "Brother Dongchen, I don't want any titles or anything. I just want to be by your side. Even just playing the zither and singing a song to relieve your boredom, grinding ink and cutting paper for you, or adding fragrance to your life, would be a million times better than being here!"

I never want another man to touch me again.

Although my body is no longer pure, my spirit and my thoughts are. I love only you, with a love that runs deep in my bones. Brother Dongchen, please, please take me away from this sea of ​​suffering!

Li Dongchen gently stroked her wound, his heart aching as if someone were squeezing it so hard he could hardly breathe.

It's tough for him too!

Despite being the eldest son of the Marshal's Mansion, he was bullied by Li Jiangchen and had no power to fight back. He couldn't afford to redeem the woman he loved from suffering.

With bitterness in his heart but nowhere to confide in, Li Dongchen could only take a deep breath and nod heavily in agreement when faced with the expectant eyes of two beautiful and delicate women who were suffering a thousand times more than himself. "I will hurry up and get it done. Believe me, I can definitely get you out of this hellhole and never have to suffer this kind of oppression and humiliation again!"

"Lieutenant Li came by that day and chatted with the guards downstairs for a long time... Wasn't he sent by you, young master?" Ruan Xiangyun was finally reassured after hearing the promise, and then asked.

Li Dongchen was in a state of unease when he heard that Lieutenant Li had come by, and he was immediately taken aback, feeling puzzled.

What is he here for?

He even chatted with the guard for a long time? Could it be...?

Could it be that his father sent him to find out what happened?

Li Dongchen felt uneasy and anxious. If Lieutenant Li had the ability to get the people at the Paramount to tell the truth, and his father knew that the Ruan sisters had had a hard time and that he had been manipulated by Li Jiangchen, it would be a great thing.

But what if Lieutenant Li isn't able to get the details out of him?

Wouldn't that mean everyone would assume that the pure and innocent Xiangqin is a promiscuous and wicked woman, and that no matter how he marries her as a concubine, she is still a bad woman?

"The dumplings are getting cold, let's eat quickly." Ruan Xiangqin was secretly delighted. She got up, grabbed a bottle of celebratory wine, opened it, poured some, and smiled sweetly as she said softly, "This is the first time we've spent the Beginning of Winter together, it's worth celebrating and commemorating."

This bottle of wine was specially sent by the manager, who said it had excellent effects and that my sister and I must use it on our distinguished guest so as not to waste it. To me… you are the most precious and special one, so why don’t we…”

Li Dongchen was so captivated by what he heard that if his ears weren't covering his mouth, he would have grinned from ear to ear. He immediately banished all his random thoughts and focused on enjoying the happiness before him.

He eagerly picked up his wine glass and took a sip. "A moment of bliss is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Tonight, let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"

The cold wind blew through the streets, causing red lanterns to sway gently. Fireworks occasionally burst into the sky above the city, and the atmosphere of family reunion and peace filled the air with a gentle warmth.

The Marshal's Mansion was also preparing for a reunion dinner. Li Tianxing's newly acquired concubines were dressed in bright colors, vying for attention and creating a lively scene.

Jiang Chen, along with Zhang Mingyuan and her father, sat at the largest round table. In addition to dumplings, a must for the Beginning of Winter, the maids were serving various dishes.

“Mingyuan can’t reunite with his parents this year, but it’s the same for him in our family.” Li Tianxing raised his wine glass and said with a smile, “We’re all family, so don’t be shy.”

Your sister is very sensible and a good daughter-in-law who handles things properly. I entrusted the school to her management before, and the vice principal said she did a great job! I guess she's still dealing with school matters right now. Dongchen can also lend her a hand. We'll all work together when they come over..."

Before he could finish his polite words, he heard Zhang Ziqiu's panicked voice from outside, "Father! Father, come and see for yourself!"

The atmosphere in the restaurant was lively, and the many concubines stopped their insincere flattery when they heard the shouting and all looked towards the door.

Fearing that his younger sister might do something inappropriate or absurd during the festival, Zhang Mingyuan nervously stood up and wanted to go forward to see what had happened.

"Father, please take a look and see if this is Dongchen's handwriting?"

Zhang Ziqiu, who hadn't even put on a coat, rushed in anxiously, lifting the curtain. She almost tripped over the threshold because she was so nervous. She stumbled over, clutching a letter in her hand. Her face was pale, and she no longer cared about etiquette. She shouted, "I just got back from a meeting at school this afternoon. I was thinking of calling Dongchen over for a family reunion dinner, but I searched the whole courtyard and couldn't find him!"

Then, the maid found the letter in his study. "You're more familiar with Dongchen's handwriting; quickly check if it's his!"

A thin envelope was handed over. Li Tianxing looked down with a puzzled expression and his face changed immediately when he saw the four big characters on it!

No wonder the eldest son's wife was so flustered and lost her composure, shouting and yelling. The handwriting on the envelope was indeed Dongchen's, written with extreme determination—Dongchen's last words.

"A final letter?" Jiang Chen, the best supporting male character, immediately asked with a serious expression, "Sister-in-law, has Brother done anything unusual these past two days? Has he said anything strange?"

Li Tianxing tore open the envelope with a "rip" and pulled out the letter inside. The few strokes on it were clearly a suicide note.

"Waaah... How could Dongchen be so foolish!" Zhang Ziqiu couldn't wait to glance at him, covered her face with a handkerchief, and burst into tears. "Ever since he was scolded by his father that day, he has been hiding in his room sighing and lamenting."

I tried to comfort him, but instead I got scolded, so I could only try different ways to cheer him up. But who knew…

"Stop talking nonsense!" Li Tianxing never expected his eldest son to be so easily discouraged, to be so desperate over a prostitute. He was both anxious and angry, his head practically spinning. "Send more people to look for her!"

Zhang Ziqiu cried uncontrollably, "We've searched the entire Marshal's Mansion, but we can't find him anywhere."

The fluffy little thing perched on its host's shoulder and patted its chest proudly, "Don't worry, host. I personally covered the protagonist's escape. Apart from Zhang Ziqiu, it's impossible for anyone else to find out."

Jiang Chen slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice, "Have you checked the well and the secluded courtyards? Brother's message was resolute, clearly indicating that he was prepared to die. We don't know exactly when he disappeared. Quickly send more people to search again!"

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Mingyuan and ordered, "Just in case, brother, you take my personal guards and search outwards from the Marshal's Mansion. Anyone who can provide definite clues will be richly rewarded!"

"Yes, yes, hurry up and mobilize everyone. Turn the house upside down and find him as soon as possible." Li Tianxing was stunned for a few seconds before calling over Lieutenant Li and ordering him to lead everyone in the mansion to search every corner thoroughly, making sure to find him alive or dead.