Because it was early, there weren't many people in the hall. Chen Zhaoci was accompanied by Bai Mi, and the girl was accompanied by two nannies. However, those two nannies looked sharp and shrewd, so they were probably not ordinary nannies.

Chen Zhaoci was startled and quickly pulled the woman up, saying, "Oh my, young lady, we've never met before, why are you giving me such a grand gesture?"

The girl smiled as Chen Zhaoci helped her up, saying, "Godmother, you don't know, I've been saying I'd like to visit you, but I haven't had the chance yet."

Chen Zhaoci asked with some confusion, "Why do you keep calling me godmother?"

The girl smiled and said, "So that my godmother knows, I am Xu Di's god-sister. We have been sworn siblings for several years."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoci quickly searched his pockets, looking for something suitable to give as a gift, while complaining, "My son never tells me anything. I didn't prepare anything at all. Oh dear, I should at least give you a gift when we meet for the first time."

Chen Zhaoci has never been one to wear jewelry; the only valuable thing she owns is the hairpin in her hair. But she can't just take it off and give it away like that—it would be too inappropriate.

Upon hearing this, the girl immediately took a liking to Chen Zhaoci. She took Chen Zhaoci's hand and said, "Godmother, please don't be so polite. Let me tell you, my name is Ma Pingting. My mother is now the leader of the Cao Gang. Our family's current status is all thanks to the help of my godbrother back then. Originally, my mother wanted to keep Xu Di as my husband, but Xu Di said he was already engaged, so my mother made me become his sworn brother."

Chen Zhaoci took Ma Pingting's hand and said, "Since we're all family, let's go upstairs and into the house. I'll give you something nice."

Ma Pinting was pulled upstairs to a room by Chen Zhaoci. When she saw the two children lying on the bed, she exclaimed with delight, "These must be Xu Di's children! Oh my, they're so good-looking. Godmother, this is a gift for my two nephews and nieces."

Ma Pingting took a rosewood box with intertwined floral patterns from a nanny behind her. Inside were two solid gold locks, exquisitely crafted.

Li Yuexi went for a walk outside in the morning, and when she came back, she heard the voices of outsiders talking in the room she shared with Chen Zhaoci. When she went in, she saw a very beautiful girl talking to her mother-in-law.

When Chen Zhaoci saw Li Yuexi return, he quickly greeted her and said, "Yuexi, this is Xu Di's god-sister from many years ago. She escorted us all the way to Tongzhou this time."

Li Yuexi looked at Ma Pingting in surprise. When Ma Pingting saw Li Yuexi, she said happily, "So this is Xu Di's wife. She's really beautiful. My mother was originally going to take my brother and me to the capital to attend your wedding, but we had something to do in the gang and couldn't leave. We just sent a gift. I was thinking about when to visit you, and then we just happened to run into each other."

Li Yuexi quickly bowed to Ma Pingting. Chen Zhaoci had already taken out a bracelet from her luggage and put it on Ma Pingting's wrist, saying, "Here, this is a gift from your godmother. You must accept it."

Ma Pingting smiled and thanked Chen Zhaoci, saying, "My sworn brother's letter was actually addressed to the head of the Linqing branch. It just so happens that I was nearby, so I rushed over after hearing about it. Don't worry, godmother. Our ditch gang may not have much else, but we have plenty of big ships, and we have many brothers. We can definitely protect you, your brother's wife, and your nephew and niece until they arrive safely in the capital."

Although Li Yuexi wasn't a talkative person, she had been with Xu Di for so long that she was quite good at judging people. After spending some time with Ma Pingting, she knew that her husband's sworn sister was an extremely straightforward person. Otherwise, given Xu Di's personality, he wouldn't have become sworn sisters with her.

Chen Zhaoci had the same thought. How could he not know his own child's temperament? In this era, becoming sworn brothers was a big deal. If the other party had any flaws in their character, would Xu Di still pay them any attention?

After seeing Ma Pingting off, Chen Zhaoci said to Li Yuexi, "Xu Di is the same. He didn't even tell me about such a big thing as becoming sworn brothers with someone, leaving me completely unprepared."

Li Yuexi said with a smile, "Mother, didn't this god-sister just say that my husband wrote a letter to the head of the Cao Gang in Linqing, asking him to find a boat to take us? This god-sister just happened to be nearby, so she came over."

Chen Zhaoci sighed and said, "That's not how it works. I don't even go home to tell my family anything. Forget it, people say that once a child grows up, he/she is no longer under his/her mother's control. I'm meddling too much, and it's annoying."

Li Yuexi didn't know how to advise him anymore. This was a matter between her mother-in-law and husband. They were mother and son, and even if there was a conflict between them, they should find a way to resolve it themselves. Li Yuexi felt that it was better to say less.

Chen Zhaoci was also someone else's daughter-in-law, so how could she not understand the reasons behind this? She was just feeling a bit annoyed and was just venting her frustrations.

After leaving the inn with two maids, Ma Pingting did not take a carriage, but walked along the street towards the office of the Canal Gang located on the bank of the canal.

The two old women glanced at Ma Pingting walking ahead, then at her, wanting to offer some advice but unsure where to begin, and sighed softly.

Ma Pingting's mother, Madam Ma, is the current leader of the Cao Gang. The former leader of the Cao Gang was Ma Pingting's father. Years ago, when there was infighting within the Cao Gang, Ma Pingting's father was seriously injured in the conflict. Xu Di happened to be passing by on a boat and rescued Madam Ma, who was escaping from the Cao Gang headquarters with her injured husband. That's how their connection began.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!