Chapter 23 Grandma, are you testing me?

Before Si Niannian could react, she was already being dragged away by the enthusiastic Xie Changying.

Jie Changying wasn't just being polite; she genuinely displayed all her treasures, wanting Si Niannian to choose whatever she wanted.

Si Niannian sighed, both amused and exasperated, and rubbed her forehead: "Miss Ying, I really don't need..."

“Changying,” Xie Changying said earnestly, “I want to call you Niannian, but you can just call me Changying.”

In fact, the old lady wasn't the only person Si Niannian saved.

And her mother.

However, due to concerns about the reputation of the women, the people traveling with them were kept in the dark.

If we're really talking about gratitude, it wouldn't be too much for her to kowtow to Si Niannian!

Jie Changying sat down, took Si Niannian's hand, and said earnestly, "I heard from Granny Xi that you had a very difficult time in the Song family."

"But it's okay," Xie Changying said warmly, "I'm older than you, I'll protect you from now on!"

With a pretentious and affected person like Song Qinghan, she could easily whip her away!

I absolutely won't let her bully Si Niannian!

Si Niannian was amused by the sincerity in the girl's eyes and clapped her hands enthusiastically: "Then I'll have to trouble Miss Changying."

“I’ve prepared a gift for you,” Si Niannian said, magically pulling a small amulet from her purse and placing it in Xie Changying’s hand. “Keep it with you and it will keep you safe.”

If Jie Changying were in any danger, she could follow this amulet to find her.

Xie Changying's eyes curved into crescent moons with joy as she took the amulet with both hands and solemnly placed it into her purse, which she never parted with.

Jie Changying's maidservant chuckled and teased, "Why don't you two ladies continue your joking around later?"

"The time is almost up; many distinguished guests are waiting ahead!"

Jie Changying is the main character today, so please don't be late!

Jie Changying stood up, turned around in front of the bronze mirror, and nervously looked at Si Niannian: "Niannian, how do I look?"

Si Niannian smiled, her eyes crinkling, and nodded, saying, "A single glance from her among the crowd makes all other beauties pale in comparison."

"Go, fairy!"

The fairy happily ran out the door, immediately putting on the airs of a noble lady from the Duke's mansion, and even waving to Si Niannian to follow.

The two girls who were on good terms with Jie Changying had obviously received her instructions, and deliberately lagged behind to wait for Si Niannian to join them.

When Si Niannian arrived at the destination, she learned that Xie Changying had actually chosen her to be the one to receive the ceremony on her behalf!

In the crowd, Song Qinghan watched as Si Niannian stood in the most conspicuous high place.

She had originally thought that Si Niannian, who had never experienced such a grand occasion, would definitely be impolite and invite ridicule, and might even turn Jie Changying's coming-of-age ceremony into a joke.

Si Niannian's entire set of movements was so smooth and fluid that she didn't make a single mistake!

Song Qinghan had her trimmed fingertips pierce her palm, and her face looked unusually pale.

Xie Changying's ruthless exposure had already caused her to lose face.

Si Niannian then served as the officiant, perfectly completing the ceremony in front of everyone.

If she stays here any longer, there will only be more people mocking her!

Song Qinghan gently tugged at Madam Song's sleeve and whispered, "Mother, I want to go..."

"We can talk about it later," Madam Song patted her hand dismissively, her words filled with satisfaction for Si Niannian. "Your sister may seem like a block of wood, but she's actually like me; she learns everything very quickly!"

Si Niannian has only been learning the rules for two days, but she is already behaving quite well today!

Song Qinghan forced a smile on her pale face and echoed, "Yes, after all, sister is Mother's own daughter."

Mrs. Qian noticed that Song Qinghan's expression was off, but she didn't dare to speak.

After the spectators dispersed and took their seats, Si Niannian was taken to the inner courtyard by Jie Changying.

Madam Song stood up and said, "Han'er, go find a place to play by yourself first."

Taking advantage of Si Niannian's recent moment of fame, she seized the opportunity to get close to the old lady and bring up Song Mo's entry into the academy!

Madam Song had no time to pay attention to Song Qinghan's expression and hurriedly got up and left.

Song Qinghan stood still, clenching her fists tightly, forcing herself to smile as she walked towards Zhao Feiyan and the others.

Inside the courtyard, Xie Changying went to change her clothes, while her mother and aunts greeted the guests outside.

In the quiet corner of the room, the old lady tapped Si Niannian's forehead and said angrily, "You little brat, all you talk about is nonsense."

"You said you'd come find me once you got to Yujing, but I've been waiting at home for ages, and you still haven't come."

Si Niannian covered the spot where she had been poked, and said with a wry smile, "Wasn't I sick a few days ago?"

"If I don't recover from my illness before coming here, and I accidentally pass on my illness to you, and the ancestors want to punish me, who will I turn to for help?"

"You!"

The old lady couldn't stop laughing: "You have such a sweet tongue, you know how to make me happy!"

The old lady was sharp-eyed and discerning. Today, just by looking at the stark difference in appearance between Song Qinghan and Si Niannian, she knew that the Song family had not treated her well.

However, the old lady didn't say a word, but took an envelope from Granny Xi and placed it in Si Niannian's hand: "Girl, this is a letter of apprenticeship from Qingyang Academy."

"As for what to do with it after you take it, or who you want to give it to, that's up to you."

Qingyang Academy only opens its gates to enroll students once every three years.

Those who didn't pass the exam this year will have to wait another three years.

So after the academy announced the results yesterday, countless noble sons came to the Duke's mansion hoping to get in touch with the family, and Jie Ge'an specially left a note for the Song family.

Si Niannian fiddled with the post and couldn't help but laugh: "Grandma, are you testing me?"

To test whether she's willing to help Song Mo?

"Nonsense," the old lady said with a smile, "I was just thinking, what if you need it?"

"What a pity, I really don't need it."

Si Niannian said lazily, "My good fifth brother recently forced me to jump into the water to apologize, why should I help him?"

What is repaying evil with kindness?

She always seeks revenge!

Si Niannian's words were a perfect example of sibling discord, but the old lady laughed heartily after hearing them: "Good!"

Such a strong and resolute character is what's good!

As they were talking, Granny Xi came in and said softly, "Madam, Madam Song has arrived."

They claimed to be there to see Si Niannian, but their real intentions were elsewhere.

Everyone present knew perfectly well why Madam Song had come.

The old lady looked at Si Niannian with a smile, and Si Niannian said lightly, "The old lady is tired and doesn't want to see guests. If she asks about me..."

"Just say she's mistaken, I'm not here at all."

Seeing that the old lady had nodded, Granny Xi suppressed a smile and went out to give her reply.

Madam Song was utterly at a loss, and asked blankly, "Isn't Niannian here?"

She clearly asked her way here, how could Si Niannian not be here?!

"I thought..."

“The eldest young lady is indeed not here,” Granny Xi said with a smile. “The old lady also went to rest early this morning. Does Madam have other matters to attend to?”

Madam Song shook her head, holding a cloak: "No, nothing else."

"I was worried that Niannian would be cold, so I thought I'd send her a coat."

Finding connections for Song Mo must be done in Si Niannian's presence; otherwise, she won't even get to see the important person, let alone speak up!

She had to find Si Niannian right away!