After parting ways with Yan Feng, Zhu Jiayu originally intended to take Lüzheng back to the Zhu residence, but was invited to go by the Ning family halfway there.
Zhu Jiayu thought that her aunt probably knew that she had gone to the Yu residence for a banquet today, so she wanted to ask about the situation.
This was, after all, her first time attending a banquet among young ladies from prominent families alone, so it was understandable that Xiao Wan was worried about her.
Sure enough, upon arriving at the Ning residence, Xiao Wan took her hand and asked, "How was your day at the Yu residence? Were the young ladies treating you well?"
Zhu Jiayu smiled at her: "I'm doing well at the Yu residence, Aunt, you don't need to worry. You're pregnant, so you should focus on resting and recuperating."
She had already heard from Qinluo that her aunt had also been pregnant in her early years, but she lost the baby because she was too weak.
So now that she is pregnant again, everyone in the household is very worried about her, fearing that something might happen to her again.
Zhu Jiayu didn't want her to worry too much because of him, so he advised her in this way.
Xiao Wan smiled and said, "That's true, but you are my own niece and you've never experienced anything like this before, so I can't help but be a little nervous."
She grew up in Yujing and has held the title of the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family since she can remember. She has always been sought after in the circle of noble ladies. Although she has never been belittled or looked down upon, she has seen a lot of the coldness and warmth of human relationships and the fickleness of the world.
She already felt sorry for her niece who lost her mother at a young age, and now that her niece had come to Yujing because of her, she would be furious if anyone was bullied under her nose again.
Zhu Jiayu didn't want her to be angry, which is why she didn't tell her everything that happened at the Yu residence today.
She thought for a moment and said, “Aunt, you don’t need to be nervous. Even if the noble ladies don’t like me, they won’t go too far for your and Grandma Xiao’s sake. At most, they’ll just say a few sarcastic things. If I can’t stand it, I will naturally tell you, Aunt, and cut off all contact with them from now on and stay away from them.”
"But it's not a big deal, I can handle it. Besides, since my aunt is trying to elevate my status, I should naturally broaden my horizons and not get caught up in a petty squabble between young girls."
Hearing Zhu Jiayu say this, Xiao Wan nodded: "I'm relieved that you think this way. The scenery outside looks nice, why don't you help me go for a walk?"
The Ning family was a distinguished family, but its members were few. By the time of Ning Han's father, the family was actually quite lively. In addition to Ning Han's mother, he also took two concubines and had a son and a daughter.
However, Madam Ning was a shrewd woman. In her early years, she kept a low profile. After her illegitimate son and daughter grew up, she arranged for her son to be transferred to Dingling and her daughter to be married off to a distant place. She used their future prospects to control the two concubines in the mansion, and in turn, she used the two concubines' situation in the mansion to control her illegitimate children. She used a method of mutual restraint.
Later, when Master Ning got old, he fell and suffered a stroke, leaving half of his body paralyzed. Madam Ning then took the servants back to her hometown to take care of her husband's daily needs, and also took the two concubines with her. Therefore, now only Ning Han and Xiao Wan remain in the Ning family.
There was no need to worry about encountering anyone in the garden or offending her aunt. Zhu Jiayu naturally agreed and got up to help Xiao Wan walk out.
The two walked in the garden for a while. Because Zhu Jiayu often embroidered patterns when she ran an embroidery shop in Suiping, she knew a lot about plants. In order to relieve Xiao Wan's fatigue, she began to talk about the plants that she knew that had special characteristics or special appearances. Xiao Wan listened very attentively and did not even notice when someone came into the garden.
It wasn't until that person walked up to them and bowed to Xiao Wan that Xiao Wan came back to her senses.
The newcomer was dressed in a gray-blue long robe, with long eyebrows that reached his temples, eyes like blue lotuses, and a handsome face with a scholarly air. He looked to be no more than twenty years old.
He said, "I heard that my sister-in-law has found her niece. I was busy with other matters a few days ago and was unable to come and congratulate her. Today I have come to congratulate my sister-in-law."
After he finished speaking, he looked at the beautiful young woman beside Xiao Wan, and after a moment of distraction, he took out a plum blossom-shaped box engraved with eight auspicious symbols from his sleeve:
"I suppose this must be my niece? I wonder what she likes? I specially ordered someone to find a piece of green jade. She can ask a jade craftsman to carve any patterns or objects she likes... Speaking of which, my elder brother has a jade craftsman he knows well, so it's easy."
His expression was earnest, and he seemed genuine, not at all obsequious, which made people feel comfortable.
Zhu Jiayu glanced at Xiao Wan, who nodded and said, "This is your uncle's brother-in-law, he's family. You should accept the things he gave you."
Zhu Jiayu then stepped forward, took the box containing the jade, and curtsied to thank him.
Xiao Wan then said to him, "Since you rarely come here, why don't you have a meal at the mansion today? Your elder brother was talking to me yesterday, saying that he hadn't seen you in a long time."
He smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, sister-in-law, but the affairs at the yamen are too complicated to handle in a short time. I came to your residence today to deliver a gift to my niece, and I only managed to steal a moment of peace. I can't stay long. Please tell my elder brother that I will definitely come to your residence to drink with him when I have free time next time, and we will drink until we are drunk."
Hearing this, Xiao Wan naturally smiled and said, "Alright, since you have important matters to attend to, I won't keep you any longer. Just remember to come often when you have time. I also remember that you like to eat crabs. We recently acquired a basket of Yangcheng Lake crabs. I'll have the cook prepare them and send them to you."
"In that case, Ziyu thanks you very much, sister-in-law."
Ziyu is his courtesy name.
He came in a hurry and left in a hurry, as if he had indeed said that he had only taken a break from his busy schedule to deliver a gift to Zhu Jiayu and congratulate Xiao Wan.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com