"Madam, you, you..."
Mu Yunniang stammered, mainly because she was too surprised, besides being amazed by Yan Xiao's real appearance.
Anyone who thought the other person was ugly one second, and then found out the other person was not only not ugly but also very beautiful the next second, would have the same reaction.
Yan Xiao roughly knew what she was thinking, and without any intention of hiding it, she directly explained using the excuse she had prepared beforehand:
"Actually, the rumors outside are not entirely false. Before I came to Jiangbei, I had some problems with my appearance because I tested drugs on myself. My skin was very dark and hard to spot at night."
Everyone in the general's mansion saw what I looked like back then, and the news was spread by those with ulterior motives. But it's alright, I recently found a solution, and my skin color is slowly returning to normal.
Mu Yunniang hadn't expected things to turn out this way, which made her feel a bit of admiration for Yan Xiao.
"Madam dared to do such a dangerous thing as testing medicine on herself. No wonder she has such remarkable medical skills at such a young age."
However, drug trials are inherently risky. Even if Madam is incredibly passionate about medical research, she can't afford to neglect her own health.
Yan Xiao could tell that Mu Yunniang was genuinely worried about her. Despite her thick skin, she felt a little guilty, as if she were deceiving someone's feelings.
She coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject:
“I know what I'm doing, Yunniang, you don't need to worry.”
"Well, Yunniang, it's getting late. I've had the kitchen prepare some food beforehand. Just have a simple home-cooked meal here tonight, and I'll have Guard Zhao escort you home later."
Mu Yunniang was a little embarrassed and originally wanted to refuse, but Yan Xiao didn't give her a chance to refuse at all:
"May the kitchen serve dishes for a thousand autumns and ten thousand generations."
Seeing Yan Xiao's reaction, Mu Yunniang didn't refuse again.
"Then I'll trouble you, Yunniang."
"Yunniang, there's no need for you to be so polite with me."
As the two were talking, they walked toward the dining room. Just as they sat down, Shen Qiyue, who had heard the commotion, rushed in.
"Sister-in-law, why didn't you invite me to dinner? I heard you had guests, why didn't you introduce them to me?"
“I didn’t invite you, but you came anyway. This is my friend, the manager of Duobao Pavilion, Mu Yunniang, whom I’ve mentioned to you. You can just call her Sister Mu.”
As Yan Xiao spoke, she asked Qian Qiu to add a bowl and chopsticks for Chen Qiyue.
Shen Qiyue obediently greeted Mu Yunniang, but Mu Yunniang quickly stood up and bowed in return.
"So it's Miss Shen..."
Mu Yunniang had just stood up, before she could finish her sentence, when Shen Qiyue slapped her back down, saying quite righteously:
"Like my sister-in-law, I dislike these formalities. Since Sister Mu is my sister-in-law's friend, she is also my friend, Chen Qiyue."
So don't be so formal with me. Just call me July like you would your sister-in-law. Come visit us often when you have time.
Shen Qiyue was so enthusiastic, her still-childish face was full of bright smiles, it was hard not to like her.
Mu Yunniang loved children, so she naturally took a liking to this enthusiastic, endearing, and unpretentious young maid.
She glanced at Yan Xiao, and seeing Yan Xiao nod at her, she relaxed a lot and smiled in agreement:
"Okay, I'll come often in the future. I didn't expect to see July today. I'll definitely give her a gift next time I come."
Upon hearing that there would be a gift, Shen Qiyue's smile brightened even more. She quickly moved her stool closer to Mu Yunniang, her face full of anticipation.
"Sister Mu, are you serious? You're not kidding me, are you?"
Mu Yunniang was amused by the child's reaction and quickly nodded in assurance:
"Of course it's true. With your noble status, it's really my honor to be called 'sister.' I must give you a gift."
If there's anything you want in July, just let me know. If it's within my power, I'll definitely bring it to you next time.
Shen Qiyue had no concept of politeness. She secretly glanced at Yan Xiao, and seeing that Yan Xiao wasn't paying attention to her, she quickly pointed to the hairpin and headdress on her head:
"My sister-in-law told me that this was bought from your shop. It's really beautiful, and I love it. Since you're giving me a gift, could you give me a few more nice ones?"
Seeing her earlier demeanor, Mu Yunniang assumed she wanted something, but it turned out she only had this one request; she was truly just childish. She readily agreed.
"No problem, I'll have someone bring it to you later."
Shen Qiyue's eyes lit up upon hearing this, but before she could even smile, Yan Xiao suddenly asked:
"Have you finished your homework? Weren't you kept after school by the teacher today? And you actually dare to come and loiter here?"
The moment homework was mentioned, Shen Qiyue's bright smile vanished, and she sighed.
"Oh! Sister-in-law, please don't mention it."
"I don't know what my brother was thinking. Don't girls usually learn things like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and flower arranging? Why am I learning the Four Books and Five Classics, and even things like horsemanship, archery, and military strategy? What's going on?"
Shen Qiyue's words stunned Mu Yunniang, and she looked at Yan Xiao with surprise. She had never seen any girl learn these things before.
Yan Xiao remained calm, glancing lightly at Shen Qiyue until Shen Qiyue felt guilty before saying indifferently:
"Don't complain to me. I don't know who said they had no interest in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but only wanted to practice swordsmanship all day long. They made several female tutors cry and drove them away."
Your brother was having a headache and didn't know what to do with you, so he came to ask me for advice.
I watched you grow up, and I love you and don't want to restrict you, so naturally I'll side with you. Just let your brother do what you like, and don't stifle your nature.
Are you feeling tired and regretful now, or do you feel that you are not cut out for this, and have resigned yourself to being a stay-at-home woman, getting married and raising children when you reach a certain age?
If that's the case, I'll agree with you. I'll dismiss these teachers immediately and hire a female tutor for you. However, this is your last chance.
Yan Xiao's tone was calm and even, without the slightest hint of anger, yet Shen Qiyue lowered her head in shame.
"Sister-in-law, don't be angry. I don't regret it. I just feel a little tired. Also, that teacher is too strict with me. Now, the first thing I think about when I open my eyes is homework."
Perhaps I'm too stupid; my husband seems to dislike me. Whenever I do something even slightly wrong, he uses my gender as a pretext to criticize me, saying I'm unrealistic and have unrealistic ambitions. It makes me feel incredibly stifled.
Yan Xiao's eyes gradually turned cold upon hearing this.
She really didn't know about this. She originally thought the young girl was trying to be lazy, but now it seems that some old scoundrel looks down on women and is subtly bullying the young girl with his words.
The little girl was young and only knew that she was upset but didn't know why, but she understood the mentality of this kind of person all too well.
On the one hand, they agreed to teach because of their status or interests; on the other hand, they were prejudiced against women due to their outdated ideas and looked down on them from the bottom of their hearts, thinking that women should stay at home to be good wives and mothers, and secretly made some underhanded moves.
Such a despicable person, how could he possibly teach Shen Qiyue well?
This is the little girl I've protected with so much effort all this way. Letting outsiders bully her is just slapping her in the face, isn't it?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com