Xu Lanyin asked, "You must have asked Wang Sanni about this first, right?"

Chai Jun nodded and said, "I asked her, but she refused, saying that her mother told her before she died that she couldn't be a concubine with anyone else. I wanted to explain it to her again, but she ran away. Cousin, she has a good relationship with you and listens to you. Tell her that there's nothing wrong with being a concubine, especially with me. I will treat her well, and Ma is kind-hearted and won't make things difficult for her..."

Xu Lan looked at Chai Jun, who looked like a hero in love with a beautiful woman. She asked, "Do you know why Wang Sanni's mother told her that? Do you know what kind of environment she grew up in?"

Chai Jun shook his head.

Xu Lanyin sighed and said, "From childhood, Wang Sanni has witnessed her mother and sister-in-law being bullied by her father and eldest brother. Her sister-in-law was bullied to the point of being stupid, and her mother was bullied to the point of being mentally disturbed. In the end, she killed her father and framed her sister-in-law. This major case and its reversal caused a huge uproar in Nanping County at the time..."

"Her mother and sister-in-law were still the legal wives, but they were bullied like this just because they married bad men. A concubine without any freedom would not only be bullied by men, but also by the main wife. That's why her mother made that promise before she died, and this is also Sanni's understanding. She wouldn't even agree to marry a strong man as the main wife, let alone a concubine. She was so scared that she even wanted to never marry again..."

"After her parents died, her sister-in-law was stupid, her nephew was young, and her brother remarried and wanted to seize the family fortune. To support the family, she became a tough and aggressive person, so as not to be bullied. She went to the town every day to set up a stall, braving and quarreling with those hooligans without fear of death...

"I brought her out not only because she's capable, but also because I admire her self-respect, self-reliance, and independence. I want to give her a chance to change herself..."

After hearing about Wang Sanni's family misfortune and her own experiences, Chai Jun's expression turned serious. He said, "I understand. She is a pitiful woman."

Xu Lanyin continued, "Cousin, I don't want her to be a concubine to any man, no matter which man. This is not the original intention of bringing her out..."

Chai Jun said hurriedly, "Look at you, what do you think of your cousin? After hearing Sanni's past, I also admire her ambition. Don't worry, I will respect her more and will never look down on her again. Have that kind of thought."

Xu Lanyin smiled. This cousin was a really nice guy. He added, "Besides, even if she really wanted to, I think she would object. You said she's strong, independent, and willing to work hard for her family. If a girl with that kind of personality were to become someone's concubine, it would only be a temporary solution, a stepping stone. That man's first wife and her son would be in trouble. Think about how pitiful Little Xingxing was back then."

Thinking of his son's past tragic experience, Chai Jun shuddered. Thinking of the ambitious Xiao Shen, Chai Jun's heart felt like it had fallen into an ice cave.

Xu Lanyin looked at Chai Jun, whose soul was touched, and got up and went to the living room. Xu Lanzhou and Xu Lanting also came.

After dinner, the two families said goodbye and went home.

The next morning, Xu Lanyin went to Xinyu Teahouse.

Today wasn't a holiday, but business was surprisingly brisk. Most of the customers came to play chess, not just Western chess and military chess, but also Go.

On the second and third floors, every room was packed. Among the guests, Xu Lanyin spotted a familiar face—Old Master Zhou. He was playing chess with an elderly man with white hair and a white beard, equally imposing. Ding Xiaoran sat nearby, watching the game, and occasionally the two elders would discuss chess moves with him.

Looking at the other guests, there were quite a few imposing old men, as well as quite a few gentle and elegant young and middle-aged men.

Xu Lanyin was very satisfied. People flock together, creating an atmosphere that many people who enjoy it are willing to immerse themselves in. Over time, this atmosphere becomes more intense, attracting even more people who enjoy it.

Because there are so many customers at Xinyun Tea House and it cannot be too noisy, the fees here are surprisingly high. Not to mention the poor, even people with average incomes dare not come here to spend money.

To justify the money spent, everything here was of the finest quality. Not only the chess pieces, tea, and utensils, but even the water was sourced from the mountain springs.

The Xinyue Teahouse in Beijing now earns much more than the teahouse in Ningzhou Prefecture. At the end of last year, the Xinyue Teahouse in Beijing earned 2,300 taels of silver, while the Xinyue Teahouse in Ningzhou earned 1,100 taels.

Wang Sanni saw Xu Lanyin and happily came forward and said with a smile, "Sister Lanyin, I heard from Xiaoran that you came to Beijing. I have been looking forward to seeing you."

The day before yesterday, Xu Lanyin returned to the Xu family and did not see Ding Xiaoran. The Ding family now has their own small courtyard on the back street, so Ding Xiaoran would not go to the Xu family when she returned home. Ding Xiaoran must have heard about her coming to Beijing from the Ding Gu couple who had returned home.

Wang Sanni had completely grown up. She didn't look like a seventeen-year-old girl at all. She felt closer to twenty, about the same age as Xu Lanyin. She was also more beautiful, more capable, and exuded confidence.

Xu Lanyin likes girls like this. Seeing her is like seeing those capable and confident female white-collar workers in her previous life.

The two went to the backyard room, and Wang Sanni gave a detailed report.

Xu Lanyin was very pleased and gave Wang Sanni another verbal praise. She didn't give her a silver reward, as she had been awarded 200 taels of silver at the end of the previous year. However, she did bring her gifts from Ningzhou Prefecture, including some Nanping County snacks.

Xu Lanyin looked her up and down and said with a smile, "You are seventeen years old this year, and you haven't thought about getting married yet?"

Wang Sanni blushed, but didn't shy away from saying, "I guess Sister Lan Yin has heard about that from Master Chai, right?"

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "I said I refused, and I also told you the reason for my refusal. Don't worry, although my cousin has some of the faults of a nobleman, he is not a bad person. He understands you and won't think about it again. However, there must be many people who are interested in you, so you should think about your lifelong affairs."

Wang Sanni breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Thank you, Sister Lan Yin. As for my business," she blushed even more, and said, "I actually have my eye on someone, and Sister Lan Yin knows him."

Xu Lanyin wondered, "Do I know him?"

He Xi's dark face appeared in front of her eyes. Xu Lan had instructions for Xinyu, so sometimes she would send letters through Ma Zi, and He Xi would give the letters to Wang Sanni, so they had the opportunity to meet often.

She hesitated and said, "He Xi? He is indeed capable and is valued by my master. Not to mention that he is a slave, he is a bit strong-willed. If you are together, you must accommodate each other..."

Wang Sanni laughed and said, "Why are you thinking of He Erge? It's not him anymore."

Xu Lanyin thought for a moment and said in surprise, "Could it be Xiaoran?"