She had considered the option of pursuing Zhao Sixing directly, but the best opportunity had passed. If Feng Yuli were to pursue Zhao Sixing now, not to mention how Xu Shao would treat her, even the Jiang family would likely not let her off easily. Feng Yuli was well aware of this.

From a young age, Feng Yuli was adept at reading people's expressions. She understood that the Jiang family raised her not out of any affection, but simply because they didn't want to see the Jiang family experience more conflict because of her. Feng Yuli had also lived in the Jiang family for a few years and was very clear about their current situation. In the entire Jiang family, only the eldest brother-in-law was pursuing an official career. If the Jiang family was in turmoil, it would affect the eldest brother-in-law's career. And the Jiang family was the Jiang family's backer. Based on this consideration, the Jiang family brought Feng Yuli from the Jiang family to the Yongning Marquis's residence.

As for Feng Yuli's marriage, Jiang once said that a suitable candidate should be chosen from among the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). Feng Yuli was unwilling. Although she was a cousin of the Marquis of Yongping, she was not close to the relatives in the Marquis's household. If she married such a person, his family background would be very low, and she would have to endure hardship with her husband for a long time. Most importantly, even if she endured hardship, her husband might not go very far in the future. The examination is held every two years, and so many Jinshi are produced every year. Not everyone can rise to the top.

Feng Yuli had thought about it for a long time. At first, she wanted to marry Zhao Sixing. In this household, Zhao Sixing was the only one of her age. However, Xu Shao kept a close eye on Zhao Sixing. Feng Yuli always felt that Xu Shao was wary of her. Now that Zhao Sixing's marriage was settled and he was about to get married, Feng Yuli wanted to become his concubine.

Feng Yuli couldn't bring up the matter of becoming a concubine herself; she wanted to persuade Zhao Sixing to do it.

When Zhao Sixing saw Feng Yuli standing in front of him, he took two steps back and said, "So it's my cousin. It's getting late, I need to go back to study. See you later, cousin."

Seeing that Zhao Sixing was about to leave, Feng Yuli quickly said, "Cousin, Yuli has something she would like to ask you for help with."

During his years in Tai'an, Zhao Sixing did more than just study. He went with his classmates to help out at various county offices and saw all sorts of things. Because of these experiences, Zhao Sixing developed a deep-seated fear of women in the inner quarters of the house.

Hearing Feng Yuli's words, Zhao Sixing nodded and said, "It's getting late, cousin, we can talk about it tomorrow."

After Zhao Sixing finished speaking, he nodded to Feng Yuli, turned around and left in a hurry.

Seeing Zhao Sixing's behavior, Feng Yuli's personal maid tried to tug at his sleeve. Zhao Sixing was wary of this, as it was getting late and he knew that getting involved with a woman in the mansion could cause trouble. So, when he saw Feng Yuli's maid making a move, he quickened his pace, managing to avoid being caught. Once he was a distance away, he glanced back at the two of them standing in the distance and headed straight for his own courtyard.

As Feng Yuli watched Zhao Sixing's figure disappear into the darkness, she felt a surge of bitterness. Her maidservant quickly came over, took Feng Yuli's arm, and said cautiously, "Miss, what is the young master doing? Why did he leave before you finished speaking?"

Feng Yuli was saddened and remained silent, only gently shaking her head as she was helped by her maid to her own courtyard.

Zhao Sixing returned to his courtyard, where a maid served him hot tea. He took two big gulps and finally felt relieved. He now understood what his distant cousin meant. But with his marriage just around the corner, did she come to him at this time to become his concubine?

Thinking of this, Zhao Sixing broke out in a cold sweat. Feng Yuli had lived in his house for over ten years, so Zhao Sixing knew the situation very well. Zhao Sixing actually liked going to his maternal grandfather's house. He felt that the atmosphere there was much better than at his own home. Only recently did Zhao Sixing begin to consider whether a man should take concubines in addition to his wife. Gradually, he realized that some seemingly ordinary things could actually leave many troubles behind.

Xu Shao learned about Feng Yuli blocking Zhao Sixing's way that very night. When a servant came to report it, she smashed a teacup and gritted her teeth, saying to the nanny who served her, "Does she think I'm good-natured and can be trampled on by anyone? Does she not even know her own background? She throws all sorts of fragrant and foul things at our Xing-ge'er. Does she have no sense of shame?"

After thinking for a moment, Xu Shao sat down, sneered twice, and said, "You all need to cheer up. Xing'er's wedding day is just around the corner. Don't cause any trouble at this time. I think that little slut wants to sleep with our Xing'er without even asking me, his mother, if I'm willing."

After thinking for a moment, he said, "You must keep this matter a secret and not let a word of it leak out, lest someone find out and use it to make a fuss, especially those people over there."

The old woman nodded, and seeing that Xu Shao didn't say anything more, she turned and left.

Xu Shao sat alone at the kang table, thought for a long time, gritted her teeth, took out a booklet from the kang table, carefully read it, and circled several items in the booklet with a pen.

After Zhao Sixing had breakfast, he was invited over by the people in Xu Shao's courtyard.

Xu Shao opened the storeroom early in the morning, took out a few items, and when she saw Zhao Sixing coming over, she said to him, "Brother Xing, these are things I found in the dowry. They're going to be given to you anyway, so I might as well put them in your wife's dowry for now."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sixing quickly declined, saying, "Mother, this is unacceptable."

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