"I... I just said it offhand, I didn't mean it that way, second cousin, don't take it to heart, I wasn't calling you a slut."
"Hmph, watch your mouth, or my worth will be ruined by your foul mouth."
"Yes, yes, I'll be careful and won't say it again." An Xian covered her mouth obsequiously, smiling ingratiatingly.
"Second cousin, when are you going to the city to take the exam again?"
"Um...could...cough, could you take me with you to the exam?"
Wu Qiaolan glanced at An Xian with disdain, then looked her up and down and sneered.
"Someone like you wants to take the exam? Do you even know anything about playing the piano? Just stay home and behave yourself."
"Going there will only make you look foolish, and you'll ruin my reputation as Wu Qiaolan."
An Xian quickly shook her head.
"No, no, how could I?"
Even if you don't take the exam, it would be good to go and see for yourself!
Second cousin, when you go, please take me with you.
I promise I won't embarrass you!
I'll stay by your side, serve you tea and water, act as your maid, and help you, my second cousin, to make a good impression.
Don't other people's young ladies always have maids accompanying and serving them?
Just treat me like I brought a maid with me, okay?
Anle clicked his tongue and tsk tsk. Look at his servile manner. He can be arrogant with his own family, but outside he's just a bootlicker who flatters others!
Upon hearing this, Wu Qiaolan was somewhat moved, a glint of intelligence flashed in her eyes, and a smile appeared on her face.
"Alright then, since you've said so, how can I not take you with me?"
You can be my maid and come with me.
"I'll invite you along when I go in a few days." With a maidservant by his side, he put on airs and made a grand entrance. He certainly had face; now that's what you call respectable.
Anle's lips twitched. What kind of bizarre relatives are these?
but--
"Dad, is the Jincheng Mingmen (a prestigious family in Jincheng) really that powerful?" Anle tugged at An Mancang's sleeve, asking with the 'innocent' curiosity of a child.
An Yizhong laughed heartily and preemptively took over An Le's question.
"Of course they are powerful! They are a prestigious family in Jincheng!"
"Our entire Jin City is under the jurisdiction of the prestigious Luo family. They are the lords of this city, how could they not be powerful?"
Wu Qiaolan glanced at Anle with a look of disdain, as if she were a country bumpkin, and said with an air of superiority.
“Cousin Anle, let me tell you something to broaden your horizons.”
Our Luo family of Jincheng is one of the thirteen great families of Tianqi!
Among the many prestigious families, that was the most prestigious of all, a great family ranking above all the other noble families in Tianqi, the family of the great lord who ruled over Jincheng.
Anle couldn't stand Wu Qiaolan's behavior and said with a 'naive and innocent' smile.
"Cousin, what's your connection with this prestigious family in Jincheng?"
Wu Qiaolan casually chimed in.
"No!"
Anle feigned a listless expression and drooped her eyelids.
"Oh, so there's no connection. I saw the proud look on your face, and anyone who didn't know better would think you had some kind of connection with this prestigious family?"
The implied meaning is obvious—
It's not like we're from a prestigious family, why are you showing off like this? Acting like it's your own home.
Wu Qiaolan, a woman with a cunning mind, could not possibly fail to understand Anle's meaning. Her face immediately flushed red with embarrassment and indignation.
"Our town is so prosperous thanks to the Jin family!"
If it weren't for the Jin family's jurisdiction, we would probably be living the same miserable life as other towns. Why can't I share in their glory?
As a citizen of Jincheng, I am naturally proud.
Anle raised an eyebrow slightly. Wow, this cousin of hers is quite eloquent and knows how to defend herself.
However, this arrogant peacock-like posture is truly disgusting to look at.
"Yes, that's right. The Luo family, a prestigious family in Jincheng, is very popular and respected by the people."
"Lewa is still too young. He lacks in this aspect. He'll understand when he grows up." An Yizhong glanced approvingly at Wu Qiaolan, who was arguing with An Le.
She's a pretty good girl, sensible and reasonable, but she's a bit arrogant.
Anle remained silent. Fine, it's just that she, an outsider, doesn't understand the times. A prestigious family in Jincheng?
What the heck?
Are you part of a clan that ranks high?
What kind of world is this?
She's so clueless about this world; she needs to gather some information to learn more about it.
At the very least, you should learn about the town you live in!
Not only that, she also needs to see and understand the place where she lives firsthand, as this will also help her in doing business.
Okay, it's decided. She's going to the city to see the world, and not be a narrow-minded country girl like a frog in a well.
I just don't know how far this city is from the small town where she lives.
Anle asked with a smile, trying to get the information out of him indirectly.
"So, cousins, if you go to the city for the exam in a few days, when will you be able to come back?"
The journey there and back must have been very tiring, right?
Wu Qiaoxin covered her mouth and smiled, "That's not necessarily true, although this town is indeed a bit far from the city."
But compared to those more remote towns, we're actually quite close.
If you use a horse-drawn carriage, it will only take half a day to get there.
We'll hire a horse-drawn carriage then, enjoy the scenery along the way, and have some tea and chat before we're done."
Anle was surprised. "Oh, I didn't expect it to be so close!"
That's really convenient.
A horse-drawn carriage?
Hmm... for convenience, she might as well buy a carriage too.
Whether it's going to the city or traveling back and forth between towns and villages, it will be much more convenient and faster than an oxcart.
Having ridden in He Yusheng's carriage before, I could already feel the difference in speed.
Wu Qiaoxin looked at Anle, whose little head was drooping and whose eyes were darting around, and smiled.
"Little cousin Anle has never been to the city before, has she?"
If you'd like to go, you can come with us in a few days and see the sights.
Anle snapped out of her daze, looked up at Wu Qiaoxin, and shook her head with a smile.
"No, I've been quite busy at home lately, and the shop isn't all set up yet, so I can't get away."
Wu Qiaoxin smiled.
"Look at what my little cousin Anle is saying, acting like a little adult. With her uncle and aunt around, how could this shop possibly grow legs and run away?"
Qiao Qiuniang smiled awkwardly, "This shop really can't do without Lewazi right now. We need her to take care of everything. We'll wait for a chance later."
"I'll go out and have fun with you girls when I have more time later."
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