Feng Wan'er said, "What you say is absolutely right, sister. It's just a pity that I'm currently ill and weak. Otherwise, I would definitely go out with you for a walk and to see the world."

Xu Zhi said with a smile, "When I make money in the future, I'll be counting on my sister to help me manage the orphanage."

Feng Wan'er said, "I have no way to repay your trust, sister. I will do my best to help you in the future."

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Then I hope that Sister Wan'er can recover soon."

After the two laughed for a while, Feng Wan'er sighed and said, "If we hadn't met Sister Xu on the way, I might have been sick at that post station for a long time, and I wouldn't be able to chat and laugh with my sister at my maternal grandfather's house like this now."

Xu Zhi said, "We sisters are destined to be together."

Feng Wan'er said, "My parents wanted me to stay in the capital, but I didn't want to. My mother said it was for my future. Who knew I would encounter something like this? Sister, you don't understand how I felt at the time. Being betrayed by my own family, I really didn't have any will to live."

Xu Zhi didn't show it on her face, but in her heart she thought, how could she not know? Back then, she was also schemed against by her closest relatives. She was forced into a marriage, exiled, and later sold. Wasn't every one of these things due to the schemes of her closest relatives?

Seeing Xu Zhi's calm expression, Feng Wan'er smiled and said, "Look at me, why bring this up on such a wonderful day? Sister, it's getting late. I'll take you to Grandma's house up ahead. After we wish Grandma a happy birthday, we can find a place to sit and chat. When the banquet starts at noon, we can drink and eat together."

Xu Zhi quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sister."

There were already groups of people strolling around the garden, but not many people came to Feng Wan'er's place. After leaving Qingxin Xiaozhu, walk a little towards the front yard, and there is a small moon gate. After passing through the moon gate, you will find the mansion's large garden, which is not only full of flowers, but also has a sizable pond with ducks swimming in it.

The pond was protected by railings, and in some places shaded by flowers and trees, there were stone tables and benches. On the tables were some snacks and tea, and maids and servants were going about their business. The ladies and young women who came to attend the birthday banquet were chatting and laughing together.

Sometimes, people come to celebrate the birthday of the host not only, but also to meet with old friends and acquaintances and reconnect with them.

An old woman who seemed to be of some status in the mansion had been serving at the moon gate. When she saw Feng Wan'er and Xu Zhi coming over, she quickly went up to them and said, "Third Miss, the old lady instructed me to take you and Madam Zheng to the old lady's courtyard to talk."

Xu Zhi smiled and called out, "Granny Zhou." Then she said to Xu Zhi, "This is Granny Zhou, who serves my grandmother. Granny Zhou, thank you for your trouble."

Xu Zhi smiled slightly at Granny Zhou, who gave a slight curtsy and said, "Please follow this old servant, Madam Zheng and Miss Zheng."

Along the way, they would encounter some people who knew Granny Zhou. Granny Zhou would greet them with a smile and then introduce Xu Zhi and Zheng Yuanyuan.

They arrived at the courtyard of the old lady of the Shen family.

The old lady of the Shen family's courtyard is a large courtyard with five sections. After entering through the main gate, there is a screen wall. Turning past the screen wall, there is a square courtyard with a main house, east and west wing rooms, and a rear house. After entering the main house, there is a large eight-panel carved sandalwood screen. Turning past the screen, there is a hall for receiving guests.

The matriarch of the Shen family was seated in the main seat of the hall, with the heads of the respective families seated on either side.

Seeing Granny Zhou arrive with her entourage, Old Madam Shen smiled as she looked at Xu Zhi and Zheng Yuanyuan standing in front of her.

Xu Zhi led Zheng Yuanyuan to pay their respects to Madam Shen and said, "Madam, may your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain pine."

After thanking her, Madam Shen gestured for Xu Zhi and Zheng Yuanyuan to come closer, and said with a smile, "This must be the Zheng family's wife, right? She's quite beautiful."

Xu Zhi repeatedly said she dared not accept such a gift. Afterwards, Granny Lu brought over the birthday presents, and Xu Zhi presented them, saying, "Madam, this is a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it with a smile."

Madam Shen had someone specifically assigned to receive and record birthday gifts. Madam Shen said, "Madam Zheng is so kind. You are so chivalrous and helpful. You helped our third daughter on the way, which allowed her to return smoothly to attend my birthday celebration. We really want to thank you properly."

Xu Zhi said, "It's also because of this connection with the older sister from the Shen family."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, some people came over to wish the old lady a happy birthday, so Granny Zhou took Xu Zhi to meet the ladies sitting in the room.

Everyone was interested in this seemingly young Madam Zheng, who had reportedly come from Ganzhou with her husband.

The garrison in Yuezhou consisted mainly of sailors, which was a very dangerous military branch. Moreover, apart from the wives of some officials in the Yuezhou government, the rest of the people in Yuezhou were wives of local merchants. There were very few wives of military generals, since not many wives would come to such a far place with their husbands. In the eyes of many northerners, Yuezhou was a wild and uncivilized place. The wives of generals usually stayed in their hometowns to serve their parents-in-law, while sending two concubines to accompany their husbands here.

Therefore, everyone is still very interested in Xu Zhi.

The ladies sitting in the old lady's room were all from prominent local families or government offices. They were all quite old. The younger ones had been taken outside to stroll in the garden by the Shen family's daughters and young grandmothers.

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