Zhang Zhaoci was even more surprised and said, "Xiao Jiu, I didn't expect you to have such insights."

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Mother, I am different from the sisters in the mansion. I have stayed in Hexi with my father for so many years. There are many things I understand that they cannot understand. They only see that this person is good-looking and that the poems he writes are very beautiful, but they do not know that this person does not have any real talent. He is just a pretty face. In my opinion, he is nothing special."

Zhang Zhaoci and Granny Lu looked at each other. Xu Zhi said, "They all think I'm the youngest in the mansion, and since I come from a small place, they often look down on me, thinking I'm ignorant. Mother, before you came, I went with my aunt to those poetry and flower gatherings. They were really meaningless. You can only judge a person by their appearance, what good is that? They were all dressed so extravagantly, it made me feel very annoyed. I feel sorry for these people who live under the sway of their ancestors' wealth. They can only spend their whole lives in the capital, or even in their own mansions. Some people even look down on our guards, thinking they are all uncouth. Little do they know that without these uncouth people, how could they be able to attend those extravagant gatherings in the capital so easily?"

To Granny Lu, Xu Zhi's words sounded somewhat unconventional, but Granny Lu didn't say anything. She felt that Xu Zhi had seen and thought about these things carefully before telling her and Zhang Zhaoci. These were actually the young girl's true thoughts. Granny Lu knew very well that the idea of ​​finding a husband for Xu Zhi in the capital should end here.

Zhang Zhaoci sighed and said, "My child, you are a good child, but you've really dragged everyone down with you. Your mother and father's intention was for you to find a young man in the capital that you like, marry him, and live a good life with him in the capital. But what happened? I don't think you can find anyone in the capital that you like."

Xu Zhi said somewhat embarrassedly, "Mother, that's what I think. I really can't stand these weak young men in the capital. They're all so pale and have no manly spirit at all. Mother, I really can't stand them. I think the men from Hexi are the real men."

Zhang Zhaoci sighed and said, "Alright, your mother knows what kind of taste you have. Since that's the case, there's no point in staying in the capital any longer. Next year, when your brother gets married, you should hurry up and pack your bags and come with us."

Xu Zhi happily agreed, glanced at the water clock placed to the side, and said, "Granny, Mother, it's getting late. I still have to go and supervise the cleaning of the tea set. I'll be going now."

Seeing Xu Zhi dressed in a thick cloak with Bai Zhi and Bai Ji's help, holding a small hand warmer and changing into thick deerskin boots, she then led four maids toward the storeroom.

Zhang Zhaoci said to Granny Lu, "Granny, I think we should revise our plans for Xu Zhi's future."

Granny Lu sighed and said, "That's right, our Ninth Miss is different from other girls. Since that's the case, there's no need for her to stay in the capital any longer."

Zhang Zhaoci sighed deeply and said, "We still have to respect the child's wishes. Since that's the case, if Xiao Jiu doesn't want to attend any poetry gatherings, banquets, or flower parties in the future, then don't let her go. If she doesn't like it, forcing her to go won't make her feel good. If she happens to run into those families who have their eyes on Xiao Jiu, it could cause some trouble."

Xu Zhi led her maid to the storeroom and watched as several rough-working women took out the tea sets one by one, cleaned them carefully, wiped them clean with a clean cloth, and put them back one by one. She was relieved when she saw that the storeroom manager had locked it. Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Zhi led her people back.

As I approached the garden gate, I saw Xu Tong hurrying towards me with two maids.

Xu Zhi stopped and waited for her. Before Xu Tong even reached her, she called out to Xu Zhi, "Ninth Sister, have you finished your errands?"

Xu Zhi nodded, and when Xu Tong came to her, she said, "Fifth Sister, I've finished. Is yours done too?"

Xu Tong was instructed to find the tablecloths that were used to be laid out on the tables for entertaining guests in previous years, wash them clean, and then put them away.

Xu Tong said, "I had someone find all the fabrics, wash them, and hang them to dry. The weather is too cold; how can those fabrics dry so easily? They're all still drying in the yard over there."

Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Zhi said, "Fifth Sister, I have to go home. My mother is waiting for me to come back for dinner."

Xu Tong grabbed Xu Zhi and said, "Hey, don't go yet, Fifth Sister has something to tell you."

Xu Zhi and Xu Tong have a pretty good relationship. They are from the same household and have similar personalities. Xu Zhi also thinks there's something more important: Xu Tong and Xu Yao don't get along. Xu Tong dislikes Xu Yao's arrogance, while Xu Yao dislikes Xu Tong because Xu Tong is disobedient and always finds fault with her. If it were a child from the second branch of the family, Xu Yao could secretly bully her to vent her anger. But it's Xu Tong. Xu Tong is a very perceptive person. Whenever Xu Yao bullies her, she goes to Ning Shi herself and cries until Ning Shi scolds Xu Yao. Xu Tong has been doing this since she was very young, and even now, Xu Yao doesn't dare to bully Xu Tong much; at most, she just ignores her.

Xu Tong glanced at the two maids behind her, then at the four maids behind Xu Zhi, and leaned close to Xu Zhi, whispering, "Let me tell you, our fourth sister got scolded. I heard she was punished by her aunt."

Xu Zhi asked in surprise, "What happened? Why were they punished with a cane?"