Minhu also glanced at his daughter, who was smiling sweetly in front of him, and said, "I have to thank Miss Xu for this. Your appearance not only solved the mystery of Shishi's death, but also changed the life of both us father and daughter."
Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "Master Min, you are too kind. It's not that exaggerated."
Minhu glanced sideways at Xu Lanyin, a tenderness welling in his heart. He wasn't exaggerating; Miss Xu was even better than he'd said. Once Shishi's affairs were settled, he'd inform his father and grandmother and ask Guard Xu for her hand in marriage.
He had already seen that Zhao Wu's feelings for this sister were more than just brotherly. Although he regarded Zhao Wu as a brother, such a good girl had not yet become his brother's fiancée, so he had to get there first.
Zhao Wu was chatting animatedly with Chai Jun when he noticed Min Hu was gone. Turning back, he saw him chatting happily with Xu Lanyin. Min Hu, usually quite serious and dignified, was grinning so hard that his eyes curved.
Zhao Wu's alarm bells rang, and he stood down to wait for them.
Chai Jun pulled him and said with an ambiguous smile, "Brother, you seem to be quite smart, but why don't you have good sense? Come on, let's go first."
He had lived in the Min Mansion since arriving in Ningzhou Prefecture, and drank and chatted with the Min household almost every day. Even if the Min household didn't say it directly, it was obvious that he had a very good impression of Miss Xu. Chai Jun felt that Miss Xu was smart and beautiful, and even if her family background was a little low, it was not impossible for her to marry a Min household.
Zhao Wu's eyes darkened, and he forced a smile, "I suddenly remembered an official matter that I must attend to. I must report it to Lord Min before he leaves."
Chai Jun shook his head and explained more clearly, "Lord Min was talking to Miss Xu alone, there must be something he didn't want others to hear." Seeing that Zhao Wu was still stubbornly waiting, he reminded him, "Silly brother, sometimes official business is not as important as personal matters."
Zhao Wu seemed not to hear what he said and continued to wait.
Chai Jun thought to himself, what a foolish boy with strong limbs and a simple mind. He and his father had always wanted to keep Zhao Wu in the Imperial Guard. With his father's support and his past service to the King of Wu and Grand Tutor Zhou, he was sure to have a bright future. But who knew what this kid was thinking? He insisted on being a minor inspector under the Min Hu. He could be a position, but he had no sense at all and was always trying to ruin the good things of his superiors. How could he have a future...
Min Hu and Xu Lanyin came over. Zhao Wudao said, "Master Min, I just remembered that I have something important to report to you..."
As they discussed official business, Chai Jun and Xu Lanyin walked forward together. Chai Jun reiterated his gratitude to Xu Lanyin and invited her to visit the Nanyang Princess's residence upon her return to the capital. He also hinted that upon returning home, he would speak to his grandmother and grandfather, asking them to speak favorably of Xu Qingyan to the King of Wu. Xu Lanyin smiled and thanked him.
Everyone played until the sky was filled with stars, and then they walked back.
Xu Lanyin and Chai Zixiao were still resting in the west wing. The little boy knew this was his last night with his aunt. He hugged Xu Lanyin's neck and repeatedly urged her not to forget him, saying he would come back and she would come back too. If he felt uncomfortable staying in that house, he would send a message to Qian Mama, saying she would quickly get him out...
Words like "It's very important, very important" were said many times.
Xu Lanyin's heart was almost melted by his cuteness, and she was extremely reluctant to part with the child, so she agreed repeatedly.
The next day, at the beginning of the morning hour, just as the sky was getting light, Xu Lanyin and others got up and woke up the children.
As soon as Chai Zixiao woke up, he started crying while hugging Xu Lanyin.
Xu Lanyin held him, Minjia and Xu Lanyue held her jacket, and Xu Lanting followed them like a little adult. They went to the front yard together and got on the same carriage again. It was still early and no one had even eaten breakfast.
Many carriages and horses went to the dock outside the palace. Wang Sanni and her family of three were already waiting there. They would go to the capital with Chai Jun.
Xu Lanyin and the others walked to the front of the boat and stopped. She kissed Chai Zixiao first, then handed him over to Chai Jun.
Chai Jun carried the child onto the boat. Chai Zixiao burst into tears, and Xu Lanyin also shed tears.
Xu Lanyue said to Chai Zixiao, "Look at me, I didn't even cry when I left my sister."
Min Jia also said, "Little Star, you are not alone because Aunt Yue and I are with you."
The big ship slowly left the dock, going farther and farther away until it was out of sight. Feeling lost, Xu Lanyin returned to the city with Zhao Wu and Xu Lanting.
Zhao Wu asked He Dong to take Xu Lanting on horseback, while he got into the carriage that Xu Lanyin was sitting in.
Seeing Xu Lanyin still wiping her tears, he pulled her sleeve and said, "There are many errands in the government office that lead to Beijing. If you really miss Xiao Xingxing, I can find an errand and accompany you to Beijing to see him. You can also see Uncle Xu."
Xu Lanyin nodded silently.
Zhao Wu pondered for a moment and continued, "Lord Min was born into a noble family. He is both virtuous and talented, and holds a high position of power, admired by many young ladies. However, the Min family has four generations living together, and the population is large. Every master has many wives and concubines. They believe that many children bring happiness, and if the wife cannot give birth, the concubine will give birth. Therefore, Lord Min is not suitable for my sister. My sister will not be happy if she marries into the Min family."
Xu Lanyin raised her head and looked at him blankly.
Zhao Wu continued, "Sister, you are beautiful and virtuous, well-educated, and intelligent beyond compare. But you also have a significant flaw. You appear gentle, but you are actually quite stubborn, strong-willed, and jealous. Therefore, Lord Min is not suitable for you. If he marries you, he will suffer under the pressure of the elders, and he will not be able to give you the happiness you long for."
This was his true feelings. Min Hu and Xu Lan Yin were both good, but they were not suitable to be husband and wife.
Xu Lanyin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She reached out and grabbed his ear, spun him around, and said, "When did I ever say I wanted to marry Lord Min?"
Zhao Wuxi said, "You don't mean that?"
Xu Lanyin said, "Of course not."
"Then I feel relieved." Zhao Wuxi smiled and stopped the horse. He wanted to ride the horse to the yamen.
Xu Lanyin first sent Xu Lanting to the private school before taking the bus home.
Xu Lan felt relieved but also empty at the same time, as she was suddenly free of so many annoying little demons. Qin Shi also couldn't bear to part with Chai Zixiao. She hadn't been close to the child since she came to the provincial capital.
The Xu family became completely quiet, and Qin could finally walk around in the yard every day.
The next day was June 12th, which was also Xu Lanyin’s seventeenth birthday.
After breakfast, Qin made a list and sent the servants to buy ingredients to prepare a good birthday banquet for her daughter. She didn't have many acquaintances in the provincial capital, so she only invited Zhao Wu's brothers and Xu Dashi's family.
Qin was both sad and anxious. Most girls of her age had already married, and some had even become mothers, but this girl hadn't even found a husband yet.
Seeing Xu Lanyin laughing heartlessly, he scolded her again.
In the afternoon, the steward Hao from the Min Mansion unexpectedly arrived to deliver a gift, saying it was the master's last request. The gift was a valuable pair of large, half-man-high pink porcelain vases from the imperial kiln. After delivering the gift, he left, saying he had urgent business to attend to.
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