daily

When the carriage arrived at the Cen residence, Xu Lanxin lifted the curtain and got out, and then heard a familiar voice.

"girl."

Looking up, I saw that it was none other than Xiao Xi.

His eyes welled up with tears, tinged with excitement, and he rushed down the steps to the carriage.

He reached out and helped her down from the carriage.

"Xiao Xi, did you miss me?"

She hadn't seen this girl for a long time, and she missed her terribly.

"think."

"Okay, let's talk about it when we get back."

The master and his servants walked back to Qingzhu Garden, chatting about interesting things that happened in Jinling along the way.

Someone, forgotten in the background, looked at the group in front of them with a hint of resentment.

"throat"

Xu Lanxin turned her head to look after hearing the sound.

"Hey, big brother, you haven't gone back to the courtyard yet?"

After saying that, she suddenly realized that her elder brother had just been to the outer courtyard and might not be able to find his way. So, she beckoned to Qinglu beside her and said:

"Could you take my older brother back to the courtyard? He might not be able to find his way back to the house."

Someone frowned and pressed the tip of their tongue against their back molars.

He stood there for a moment, then turned and walked towards the outer courtyard.

This person is so unpredictable.

Was he angry just now?

Xu Lanxin continued talking to herself, not expecting anyone to answer her, and turned around to lead her people back to Qingzhu Garden.

She then asked Xiaoxi to prepare hot water. Although the swill didn't splash on her, she still felt uncomfortable all over.

Instead of getting hot water, we were greeted by Xu Mama, who was with my mother-in-law.

"Young Madam, Madam requests your presence."

No need to guess, it must have been that little cousin Qiufeng who complained.

Xu Lanxin followed her mother-in-law to her mother-in-law's courtyard. Before they even entered, they could hear intermittent crying coming from inside.

To be honest, she didn't regret it; Li Yunshi was always bouncing around in front of her and Cen Yan.

It wasn't that she was worried Cen Yan would be seduced by her, but rather that it felt like there was a fly constantly trying to swarm around a sweet cake in front of her, which was disgusting.

As soon as she entered, a pungent, sour smell wafted over, but Xu Lanxin walked forward without changing her expression.

This little cousin of mine is really something, she didn't even go back to her room to get rid of the smell first.

It seems they're heading straight for their mother-in-law.

"You, Xu Lanxin, what did my Yun'er do to you? How could you be so ruthless?"

After scolding Xu Lanxin, Li, the third aunt of the Cen family, turned to look at Wang, who was sitting in the central hall.

"Sister-in-law, you have to stand up for my Yun'er! Your wife has made Yun'er the laughingstock of the whole capital. How will she ever find a husband in the future?"

After saying that, he started wailing and crying loudly.

"Oh dear, how can I face Yun'er's parents!"

"Alright! Just shut up for now!"

Wang frowned, her head throbbing from the noise.

"Xin'er, tell me, what exactly happened?"

Xu Lanxin looked at Wang Shi gratefully, and then said:

"Reporting to Mother, today my daughter-in-law's cousin hosted a banquet at Ya Fang Pavilion. However, my cousin Yun'er, without any explanation, made unwarranted and slanderous remarks about my daughter-in-law in public."

My cousin has lived in the Cen family for many years and must be grateful to them. She could have asked me privately, but instead, without asking any questions, she loudly proclaimed that her daughter-in-law had done something improper, trying to make the Cen family the laughingstock of the whole city.

The crying suddenly stopped, and the younger cousin raised her tear-streaked face, looking at her resentfully.

"You're talking nonsense. Why is that masked man also there?"

“Brother Ye is new to Kyoto and not very familiar with the city. Since Cen Yan isn’t here, I’ll take him to meet my cousin so he can have someone to look after him and help him get acquainted with Kyoto.”

What? Am I wrong? Am I supposed to take him sightseeing in Kyoto? Doesn't my cousin know the meaning of 'avoiding suspicion'? Then I suggest she copy down 'female virtues' a few more times.

Xu Lanxin stopped looking at her and instead addressed Wang Shi:

“Mother, I am doing this for the sake of the Cen family’s reputation. If I don’t stop my cousin, who knows what she will do to the Cen family. After all, the Cen family has raised her for several years.”

Li suddenly stood up excitedly.

"Nonsense, Xu Lanxin, you've ruined Yun'er's reputation. How can she ever marry someone else in the future?"

At this moment, Madam Wang spoke up: "What does Third Sister-in-law want?"

A sly glint flashed in Li's eyes before she finally smiled.

“Sister-in-law, my Yun’er can’t get married. Your daughter-in-law is mostly responsible. So let Yan’er marry my Yun’er and make her his concubine.”

Alright, so this mother and daughter were waiting here all along!

Xu Lanxin looked at the person in the main hall. She listened to Li's answer and her expression remained unchanged.

However, there was a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.

Indeed, all her previous groundwork was worthwhile; she wanted Wang to assume from the outset that Li Yunshi was a brainless troublemaker.

"Third sister-in-law, your niece has been living in my Cen family for many years and is well past marriageable age. I think you should ask a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for her as soon as possible."

My grand Cen family mansion cannot tolerate an ingrate who tarnishes its reputation.

Upon hearing this, Li was stunned, and the smile instantly vanished from her face.

"Sister-in-law, you can't say that..."

"Mrs. Xu, see the guest out."

Wang didn't allow her to continue speaking and urged Xu's mother, who was standing next to her, to speak.

After the two women left, Madam Wang waved to Xu Lanxin.

"Xin'er, come here."

Xu Lanxin approached Wang Shi, her expression turning serious, though her eyes held no authority.

"Does Xin'er know where she went wrong?"

There was no blame in her tone; instead, there was a hint of expectation.

“I, Mother, I went a bit too far in how I handled my cousin’s situation.”

Wang chuckled, shook her head, and took Xu Lanxin's hand, placing it over hers.

“Xin’er, you are too hasty. In the future, you must never leave any handles in your actions that could become weapons in the hands of others to turn against you.”

Xu Lanxin, who was hanging her head, raised her head in shock upon hearing this.

Is Wang teaching her?

Unexpectedly, Cen Yan's mother treated her like her own child, not only being tolerant and protective of her, but also teaching her how to protect herself.

"Mother."

It would be a lie to say that Xu Lanxin wasn't moved at this moment; she simply didn't know how to express it.

She only blurted out the word "mother," her eyes glistening with tears.

Wang gently patted the back of her hand.

"Go back! Copy the Heart Sutra three times and calm your mind."

"Yes, Mother."

Inside Qingzhu Garden.

After returning from the Wang family's courtyard, Xu Lanxin became obsessed with the Heart Sutra. Although she could draw, she was not very good at using a brush, and her writing looked like a dog scratching its paws.

"Young lady, why did Madam punish you by making you copy the Heart Sutra?"

Xiao Xi stopped grinding ink and asked with concern.

"My mother didn't punish me."

Xu Lanxin poked her forehead.

"Your daughter, I just want to practice my handwriting."

Just then, Qingyu walked in from outside, interrupting their conversation.

I handed her a letter.

Tell the messenger to meet at Yuanfulou in three days.

She should just stay home quietly for three days, ostensibly to cultivate her character.

The next day, while Xu Lanxin was still struggling with the Heart Sutra, Xu's mother came to Qingzhu Garden again to announce that her mother was looking for her.

After delivering the message, she left. Confused, she walked towards the Wang family's courtyard.

I wonder what happened?

As I approached, the sounds of laughter and conversation coming from the flower hall sounded very familiar.

It's Cousin An. What brings him here?

"My cousin is here."

After exchanging greetings, the two took their seats.

"Xin'er, your cousin from the Lin family has come to visit with generous gifts. You are too kind."

“Madam Cen, please don’t be so polite. Xin’er is my aunt’s only daughter, and also the only daughter of the Lin family.”

She deserves it.

"Madam Cen, I have a favor to ask."

Lin Yun'an stood up and bowed.

“Nephew Yun’an, don’t be so polite, sit down and let’s talk.”

"After I came to Kyoto, the house I bought needs to be repaired. Since you are here at your residence, I thought it would be good for me to stay here as well. This way, I can keep you company and put my cousin and her husband at ease."

Xu Lan looked at him in surprise, not understanding what he meant. This excuse even matched the one she had made up yesterday.

What a coincidence!

"Since my nephew Yun'an has no place to stay, let him stay at the Cen residence for now!"

"Thank you, Madam Cen. How about we arrange for my nephew to stay in the same courtyard as Brother Ye?"

Afterwards, Madam Wang instructed a servant to lead Lin Yun'an to Ye Lanyi's residence.

Xu Lanxin was so stunned by his series of amazing actions that she couldn't come to her senses for a long time. Could it be that she had misunderstood, and that her cousin might have other plans?

Is her cousin from the Lin family secretly in love with Ye Lanyi? The atmosphere between them is always strange when they meet.

It seems she's figured out the truth.