Yang Mengchen did not refuse, but asked Hai Tang and the others to write down the names and would send someone to return the gifts later.

After lunch at the Shen family's, the group returned home, where several brothers were writing spring couplets in the garden.

Weichi Kong and Old Master Shao offered occasional comments and critiques.

The elders of the Yang family stood by, each of them with a smile on their face, filled with emotion.

In the past, during the New Year, like the other villagers, they would buy red paper and go to the town to find someone who specialized in writing letters to help them write spring couplets. This year, it was written by the grandsons and granddaughters, and the villagers also came to ask for help, especially from Chengyou.

Suddenly seeing Yang Mengchen and Yang Chengrong, Yang Chengbin put down his brush and waved with a smile, "Big brother, Jiujiu, come over and take a look. How do you like our spring couplets?"

The siblings walked over, and the table was already filled with a large number of spring couplets and the character "fu". Yang Mengchen raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Why are there so many?" The academy, the factory, and our home don't need this many.

"These are for the villagers," Yang Chengning explained. "The villagers came to ask the fourth brother for help, and we didn't want to refuse them."

Picking up a pair of spring couplets just written by Yang Chengyou, Yang Mengchen looked at them and praised, "The brush strokes are lively and elegant, yet measured and controlled. Fourth brother's calligraphy has the style of a master, very good, very good!"

"Jiujiu is too kind in her praise, I dare not claim such a title," Yang Chengyou said, his handsome face blushing slightly, but he was very pleased inside.

Yang Chengbin handed over a "fu" character he had written to his sister, his eyes filled with expectation, "Jiujiu, this is my writing."

"Hmm, dragon and phoenix in flight, extraordinary charm, Eighth Brother's writing is truly unique."

Yang Mengchen learned from Old Hai that the most commonly used script in this time and space was regular script, that is, kaishu. Of course, some great scholars or scholars had also created their own styles of writing, but they had not become popular.

Considering Eighth Brother's unrestrained nature, she quietly taught him cursive script. However, externally, she said it was inspired by Eighth Brother on a whim, and no one doubted it.

The praise from his sister thrilled and excited Yang Chengbin more than any compliment from a teacher; his face immediately beamed like a blooming flower.

The other brothers also showed their writings to their sister, feeling that only her approval could prove their good performance.

Yang Mengchen did not play favorites and gave her feedback on each piece. Of course, she gave more compliments than criticisms, but also pointed out the shortcomings, which her brothers listened to with open minds.

Standing by, Weichi Kong and Old Master Shao were astonished at how profoundly Yang Mengchen understood calligraphy, though they did not show it on their faces. They exchanged a glance, seeing the hidden light in each other's eyes. They would have to send someone to strengthen the protection for the Yang family, especially for Jiujiu.

After all, Jiujiu was becoming increasingly prominent, and it wouldn't be surprising if she caught the attention of certain individuals. They regarded Jiujiu as their own granddaughter, and should anyone dare harm her, they wouldn't hesitate to respond, even if it meant rivers of blood.

"Big brother, Jiujiu, there are still many spring couplets and 'fu' characters to write, why don't you join us?" Yang Chengbin handed the brush to his sister.

"Chengbin, stop causing trouble!" Yang Chaowu immediately scolded his youngest son, "Jiujiu just came back from the neighboring village and must be tired. Chengbin, don't bother Jiujiu!"

Before Yang Chengbin could speak, Yang Mengchen had already shaken her head to indicate she wasn't tired, and then picked up the brush to begin writing spring couplets. She wrote in the clerical script that she had taught the third brother, which was simpler than the script with unnecessary parts removed. She also remembered quite a number of couplets well, so her writing speed was quite fast.

Nangong Lingyan, holding the spring couplets written by Yang Mengchen, praised again and again, "Jiujiu writes both quickly and well, truly amazing."

In truth, she did not understand this, but she thought Jiujiu's characters looked very good, and of course, she loudly cheered her on.

"Indeed, not bad!" Weichi Kong and Old Master Shao nodded.

Although Jiujiu and Chengxuan wrote in the same script, one's style was graceful and charming, while the other bold and unconstrained. Upon comparison, Jiujiu's calligraphy was slightly superior.

Everyone praised her in unison.

As the evening approached, all the spring couplets and 'fu' characters were written.

Uncle Heng, Qiao Niangzi, and the stewards from the academy and the factory calculated how many each of their respective areas needed, then took the spring couplets and 'fu' characters to paste them up. For a while, everyone was actively busy, and the sound of laughter and merry voices continued unabated.

"What's all this excitement about?" Just then, Jiang Quan led Nangong Lingfei and Leng Xiao in.

Nangong Lingyan called out cheerfully to her older brother.

Meanwhile, Nangong Lingyao approached slowly, glanced at her older brother, then quickly lowered her head and murmured a greeting as soft as a mosquito.

Sister Duan following her sighed softly to herself, then glanced at Yang Mengchen and saw her shake her head slightly, prompting Sister Duan to press her lips together and say nothing further.

She had never seen any legitimate daughter of a family as unable to hold court as this Miss Nangong; were it not for the prince's command and Ms. Yang's promise to care for her until her last days, she truly would not wish to mentor this Miss Nangong.

Yang Mengchen was calm, her expression serene and her brow clear as water.

In this period, she inadvertently guided Nangong Lingyao, who, after witnessing Aunty Xiao giving birth, began writing letters every few days to Nangong Yelin and his wife. Although the letters were only a few words long, it was clear that Nangong Lingyao had changed somewhat.

"What brings Young Master Nangong here?"

Waving the Brocade Fan in his hand, Nangong Lingfei answered, "My parents were tied up with other matters and couldn't leave, so they sent me to deliver New Year's gifts as a token of their sentiments and also to visit my second and fifth sisters. After the festival, I'll be returning. Jiujiu won't mind my staying, right?"

Yang Mengchen did not object, as Nangong Lingyao's addiction to medicine had only slightly lessened and she still needed to continue with acupuncture; an interruption wouldn't be advisable.

Compared to Nangong Lingyao's silence, Nangong Lingyan was delighted; she wouldn't have to go back and face those hypocritical and pretentious people, and she enjoyed the warm and harmonious atmosphere of the Yang family. Especially since Yang Chengxuan would spar with her every day, never minding her rough and boisterous nature. Here, she felt very relaxed and comfortable.

On the thirtieth of the twelfth lunar month, every household was busy, and soon the village was filled with the smell of cooking meat.

At noon, except for those on duty, everyone gathered in the garden, enjoying a table full of delicious food and fragrant wine, with laughter and conversations lasting a long time.

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