Granny Wang sighed and said, "Miss, that dress is a bit too plain. How can it be without embroidery? Why don't you wear this dress with colorful butterflies and flowers?"

Zheng Yuanyuan didn't really care about these things, but seeing that Granny Wang cared a lot, she thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll wear this dress. Granny, I remember I have a set of silver and pearl jewelry. Find that set and wear it tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Granny Wang sighed inwardly. She had already given in on the clothes, and as for the jewelry, she could only listen to her young lady. But wasn't a thirteen-year-old girl at the age when she should be most fond of dressing up? It wasn't like she didn't want to wear those gorgeous clothes and jewelry.

Zheng Yuanyuan was very happy and excited. This was the first time she had ever formally gone out to visit someone's home.

Zheng Yuanyuan thought of something and went downstairs. She saw A-Xia teaching several maids in the house to speak the local dialect. She waved to A-Xia, who quickly came over and asked, "Miss, is there anything you need?"

Zheng Yuanyuan said happily, "Xia, I'm going to visit the Shen family with my sister-in-law tomorrow. Are there any taboos in Yuezhou?"

Ah Xia said somewhat awkwardly, "Miss, I've never stayed in these wealthy and powerful families before. I really don't know what they have to avoid when they hold banquets. Aren't you going with Madam tomorrow? Madam and you both said you came from the capital. But how can the customs of Yuezhou compare to those of the capital?"

Zheng Yuanyuan waved her hand and said, "People say customs vary from place to place. Who knows how things are different here from back in the capital? Besides, guests should follow the host's rules. If we don't follow the local customs, we'll be laughed at."

Xia said, "But you're such a beautiful girl, with such a good personality and gentle nature. Even if you're not following the rules, who would have the heart to laugh at you?"

Zheng Yuanyuan blushed deeply at Xia's blunt words and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Xia, how could I be as good as you say?"

Ah Xia said, "Really, girl, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met."

Zheng Yuanyuan chatted with A-Xia for a while until dinner time, then parted ways with A-Xia and went to the front hall to have dinner with Xu Zhi.

Xu Zhi has been making preparations for her trip recently, and everything is going very well. She can leave at any time, but Zheng Boyuan has not returned yet. Xu Zhi wants to meet with Zheng Boyuan before leaving.

Xu Zhi wondered what news A-Ming had come back from inquiring. They often went out to sea for training like this, but never before had he been gone for so many days without returning. The sea was different from the land. On land, if something happened, you could just find a place to hide. But what about at sea?

On the open sea, no one knows when the storm will come. It may be calm now, but soon it could be stormy. Just thinking about what it would be like for a ship in such a storm is terrifying.

Xu Zhi wasn't too worried at first, but now the more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, and the more she felt restless and unable to eat or sleep. Originally, Zheng Boyuan didn't need to come here; he was doing just fine in Yanmen Pass. It was only because of her that he was sent here.

Xu Zhi felt increasingly guilty. Zheng Boyuan hadn't grown up by the sea, and even his swimming skills were something he had to learn again after arriving. Moreover, he had studied so many military strategies; who knew if he could still use them now?

When Zheng Yuanyuan arrived, she saw her sister-in-law sitting at the table, deep in thought, her face growing increasingly gloomy.

Zheng Yuanyuan leaned closer and asked cautiously, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

When Xu Zhi saw Zheng Yuanyuan coming over, she quickly smiled and said, "I'm fine. Have you packed your clothes for tomorrow?"

Zheng Yuanyuan nodded and said, "I'm all ready, sister-in-law. I just went to find Xia to ask her if there are any taboos to be observed when visiting someone's home here, but Xia said she didn't know. Sister-in-law, when we go to the Shen family tomorrow, are there any taboos to be observed?"

Xu Zhi thought for a moment and said, "It's nothing, I'm not really sure either. We're guests, and when we go to the host's house, we should just do whatever they ask of us."

Zheng Yuanyuan nodded and said, "Sister-in-law, I understand."

After the two finished dinner, it was still bright outside. Xu Zhi thought that she hadn't been out on the street at night for several days, so she said to Zheng Yuanyuan, "I heard it's quite lively here at night. Shall we go for a walk in the street?"

After hearing this, Zheng Yuanyuan hesitated for a moment before agreeing. Xu Zhi could understand Zheng Yuanyuan's situation. The two of them were single women supporting the family here. Going out shopping, especially at night, would be considered unconventional in the capital, but in Yuezhou, it was a perfectly normal thing.

In Yuezhou, many women go out to work, either to help their husbands or to support their families. When Xu Zhi went to the street, she saw that many shops were run by women.

The people of Yuezhou are relatively open-minded. As long as you have the ability, even if you are a woman, no one will say anything if you want to open a shop or set up a small stall on the street to do some small business.

Xu Zhi led Zheng Yuanyuan, followed by Granny Lu, Granny Wang, Hong Gu, and Hong Lian. The five of them left the house.

This alley is inhabited by some well-known families. The alley is quite deep, but there are only a few households, so it seems a bit deserted inside. However, once you leave the alley, the streets become much more crowded, and many stalls are set up on both sides of the road. Some people don't set up their stalls during the day, but at night, so the streets are actually more lively at night than during the day.