Inside the carriage, Hong Xiaoduo looked at the pastries and dried fruits on the small table beside her, as well as the freshly brewed tea, and said with a smile, "Master Jiang, it's not far from here to your residence, is there any need for this?"

"Yes, yes, it's a rare find." Jiang An, who had been secretly observing Hong Xiaoduo, was sure she was quite satisfied, and quickly responded with a smile.

"Mr. Jiang, my surname is Hong, and my given name is Xiaoduo. Hong is the 'Hong' in 'wild goose,' Xiao is the 'Xiao' in 'small,' and Duo is the 'Duo' in 'flower.' You can just call me Xiaoduo." He was already a guest in someone's home, and he hadn't even told them his real name yet, which was already a bit... inappropriate.

She guessed that Mr. Jiang might be overthinking things and was too embarrassed to ask her directly, so she decided to just tell him directly.

Anyway, I'm not wanted by anyone, it's just a name, what's the point of keeping it a secret?

"Xiaoduo, right? Then I'll call her that." Jiang An was actually also worried about what to call the girl in front of him, so he was very happy to see that she had taken the initiative to tell him.

It's really strange, she's clearly a junior, and a girl at that, yet we get along so well.

It is said that people who travel the world are straightforward. Logically speaking, since he had given birth to such a scoundrel son and offended her, she should hate him.

But they didn't. There wasn't a trace of disgust or contempt in their eyes when they looked at me, and they didn't look down on me at all.

Jiang An was confident that at forty-six years old, he could judge people well and discern their true attitudes towards him.

Just like his old friends, they actually look down on him. What's the use of making money if he can't even discipline his only son? He's not only useless, but also a scoundrel!

Jiang An could even imagine what they would say about him behind his back. They would say that while he was alive, he could still keep that good-for-nothing son in check, but once he got older, or when he passed away, the family business would soon be squandered and ruined by that unfilial son.

"Master Jiang, I'm here empty-handed today, just bringing my mouth to eat," Hong Xiaoduo joked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang An laughed heartily and said, "Xiao Duo, we are both honest people, there's no need for such formalities. It is an honor for my Jiang family that you have come to my residence."

"We'll be staying at Manager Yang's courtyard until around the fifteenth of the first lunar month. We'd also like to invite you, Master Jiang, to join us for a meal. My second son is a very good cook." Hong Xiaoduo's invitation wasn't just casual.

If her guess was correct and Mr. Jiang's son really had a problem, then she would definitely have to go to Madam Pang's family home to investigate and confirm it. Therefore, she probably wouldn't have time to host a banquet for Mr. Jiang before the New Year.

It's not that Hong Xiaoduo is possessed by a saintly spirit and meddling in other people's business.

She simply got along well with this Mr. Jiang, and besides, she had a naturally chivalrous heart, so she couldn't just let it go.

Of course, if this Mr. Jiang isn't a very good person either, then that's another story. But if he really isn't a good person, then there's no follow-up.

When Mr. Jiang brought his son to their house, they were definitely demanding an explanation, which led to a fight. They wouldn't let Mr. Jiang into the courtyard, wouldn't have any conversation, and therefore wouldn't raise any questions.

This, perhaps, is what is called destiny, allowing her to encounter it and to take charge!

Hong Xiaoduo felt many times that the task Luo Laotou's family sent her here was actually to uphold justice and rid the people of evil!

Inside the carriage, they chatted and laughed for a few moments before the carriage stopped. Master Jiang got off first and turned to wait for Xiao Duo.

Outside the mansion gate, the steward was already waiting with his men.

"Master, this must be our distinguished guest." A man who also appeared to be around forty years old stepped forward and greeted Hong Xiaoduo.

Even if the guest was just a young girl, the steward would not dare to neglect her if the master himself personally brought her back.

"Who is this?" Hong Xiaoduo looked at the other person's clothes and had already roughly guessed his identity, but she still asked deliberately.

"This is Steward Wu from my household," Jiang An introduced with a smile.

The manager was very satisfied with Hong Xiaoduo's attitude.

"Xiao Duo, please." Jiang An invited Hong Xiao Duo into the mansion.

Hong Xiaoduo looked away from Manager Wu's face and followed him into the courtyard.

The Jiang family is wealthy, but the grandeur of their gate is far inferior to that of the Wei Minister's Mansion or the Marquis of Fu'an Mansion in the capital.

Hong Xiaoduo naturally knew that their social statuses were vastly different and could not be compared.

Manager Wu, who was following behind, wondered if he was overthinking it, but when that blond girl looked at him just now, he felt a chill down his spine.

As they walked further in, the servants they encountered all secretly and curiously sized up Hong Xiaoduo.

After Hong Xiaoduo passed by, a maidservant quickly slipped away and ran to Madam Pang's room: "Auntie, the person has entered the mansion. This servant saw clearly that she is an unmarried young lady, looking about fifteen or sixteen years old. Her appearance, her appearance..."

Sitting in a chair, with her handkerchief torn out of shape, Madam Pang said in a low voice, "Just say what you look like."

The maid trembled with fright and hurriedly said, "She is indeed beautiful, but she bears no resemblance whatsoever to the portrait of the lady I saw in the master's study."

"Oh? Are you sure?" Pang asked, somewhat surprised.

"This servant is certain. If you don't believe me, you'll see for yourself later. If I'm wrong, I'm willing to accept punishment." The maid was uneasy, but she still forced herself to speak.

Madam Pang fell into deep thought. Her appearance bore no resemblance to the deceased lady. What was the reason that the master had taken a liking to her?

Could it be because that young lady can keep Cheng'er in check?

Suddenly, Madam Pang remembered that her husband had mentioned before that he wanted to find a wife for Cheng'er who could keep him in check.

Thinking of this, Madam Pang breathed a slight sigh of relief and called her personal maid to help her change her clothes.

As the only lady of the house, she naturally had to entertain the guests invited by the master.

Especially since the guest isn't a man, it wouldn't be inconvenient for him to go alone; in fact, it would be more appropriate for him to be present!

Go see that young lady, find out her background. Cheng'er said she's from out of town, and we don't know anything about her. She'd be fine as a concubine for Cheng'er, but definitely not as his wife.

"Do you know where the young master is?" Madam Pang asked, remembering the question.

The maid who was helping Madam Pang straighten her skirt immediately replied, "I heard from Xiao Lan that the young master wanted to go out and avoid seeing that person today, but he was discovered by the master and locked in his room. The door was locked and there were guards outside the window."

Upon hearing this, Madam Pang sighed. She had been pondering what Cheng'er had said last night, and was completely lost today, neglecting the child who was locked up without her even noticing.

"Never mind, it's better that he doesn't show up today. Go tell the kitchen to prepare a few dishes that the young master likes and send them over." After giving her instructions, Madam Pang got up and walked out to see the young lady whom the master valued so much...