Chapter 45's original words told her that she could endure it.
Half an hour later, the flower maid personally saw the distinguished guest out.
Jie Ge'an strolled leisurely at the front, while Hua Niang cast a curious glance at Si Niannian, as if asking what was going on.
Jie Ge'an had been following her the whole time, but she hadn't found a chance to speak to Si Niannian alone!
Si Niannian felt utterly exhausted and said with a blank face, "Anyway, if you need anything, send someone to the Duke's mansion to find me."
She is going to visit the Duke's mansion for a while.
I have to go.
Jie Ge'an's unwavering presence clearly indicated that he did not agree.
She wasn't sure what Jie Ge'an really wanted to do, so her current strategy was to cooperate for the time being.
Even the wealthy Si family of Nanjiang couldn't afford to offend the powerful and influential Jie Ge'an.
Jie Ge'an walked to the carriage and stood still, looking back as if he was waiting for Si Niannian.
Si Niannian pouted, overwhelmed with mixed feelings, and got into the car without hesitation.
When the old lady learned that Si Niannian had arrived, she was so happy that she immediately called Granny Xi to come and fetch her.
Jie Ge'an watched her walk away, his expression growing increasingly narrow: "Tell the old lady I'll be coming over for dinner tonight."
Upon learning that Jie Ge'an was also staying there, the old lady immediately smiled and said, "That's rare."
"Doesn't he find it too noisy here?"
After Jie Ge'an established his own Marquis's residence, he basically stopped living in the Duke's mansion.
Fortunately, the two residences were not far apart, so it was convenient for the old lady to send someone to call him over.
Gu Yu smiled innocently and said without a care in the world, "The Marquis is thinking of you. Of course, he will stay and keep you company when he has time."
The old lady laughed uncontrollably: "Alright, I have Niannian with me, I don't need him."
"Go back and tell your Ninth Master that there will be his favorite sweet lotus root with osmanthus for dinner, and remind him not to be late!"
After sending Gu Yu away, the old lady anxiously called Jie Changying over and asked her to accompany Si Niannian to the guest courtyard.
Unlike the Song family's open and covert meanness, the old lady genuinely hoped that Si Niannian would come.
The spacious and bright courtyard is located in a quiet place, and it is exquisitely decorated inside and out, obviously it has been maintained by someone all along.
Jie Changying affectionately took Si Niannian's arm and teased, "Grandmother knows you grew up in Guanbei and was worried that you wouldn't be used to the food in Yujing, so she specially ordered someone to find a chef who can cook Guanbei dishes."
"I've never tried their food before, I'm so glad I did today because of you!"
Si Niannian sighed and rubbed her forehead, saying, "Actually, it doesn't have to be so complicated. I'm not picky."
She goes along with the host's wishes; she really doesn't discriminate when it comes to other people's homes.
Xie Changying chuckled and said, "How can that be?"
"Just treat this place like your own home. If you need anything or anything, just tell me, and I'll make sure to take care of it for you!"
Jie Changying also knew about Song Mo's case and didn't want Si Niannian to worry about it, so before leaving, she warned the servants not to talk too much.
Once she was sure Si Niannian had everything she needed, Jie Changying said with a bitter face, "I still have my schoolwork to finish. I'll come find you again tonight."
Although women were not required to take the imperial examinations, the coursework at Yujing Girls' School was always very heavy.
If Si Niannian hadn't come today, she probably wouldn't have had a chance to come out for some fresh air!
Si Niannian suppressed a laugh and agreed. She had just seen Xie Changying off when she was immediately greeted by a constant stream of people bringing her gifts.
The masters from all over the Duke's mansion were busy, but they all showed their welcome to Si Niannian through their actions.
Brand new clothes and accessories, toys and trinkets that Si Niannian might use, and even books to pass the time and a Jiao Wei guqin.
Granny Xi smiled broadly: "If you find it boring, young lady, you can go to the back mountain to ride horses and relax."
Horse racing?
Si Niannian asked in surprise, "The Duke's mansion also has a horse farm?"
Is such a large-scale project really possible in the prime location of the Imperial City of Yujing?
“It’s not the Duke’s manor’s horse farm,” Granny Xi explained with a smile, “it’s Ninth Master’s own.”
Jie Ge'an was young and accomplished, and was highly regarded by the emperor.
When the Marquis's mansion was built, the emperor, considering that he was used to being on the battlefield, simply designated a hilltop as a horse ranch for Jie Ge'an to use for leisure.
However, Jie Ge'an usually didn't like to socialize, and few people dared to say they wanted to use his horse farm.
Perhaps out of consideration for Si Niannian's life-saving grace to the old lady, she actually took the initiative to send someone to pick it up today.
Granny Xi didn't mention that this was Jie Ge'an's idea, but said gently, "Then this servant will go back and report to the old lady first, and will come to pick up the young lady for dinner later."
Ignoring Granny Xi's objections, Si Niannian personally escorted the person to the door, and soon Lai Mama arrived with a look of trepidation on her face.
It was Jie Ge'an who sent people to bring her here.
Lai's mother knew nothing, but seeing the courtesy Si Niannian received at the Duke's mansion, she seemed even happier than she was.
“It’s good for the young lady to come out and hide for a few days,” Lai’s mother paused before whispering, “After the master came back, the madam cried for a long time and had a huge argument with the eldest young master.”
Now everyone in the manor is saying that Song Chenghu Si's heart is truly fervent, even to the point of defying his parents for it.
However, these words had a different, ironic meaning when they reached Si Niannian's ears.
Song Cheng's actions weren't for her at all.
Si Niannian leaned back on the chaise lounge, closed her eyes, and said lazily, "Don't worry about it."
The real excitement at the Song family's house is yet to come...
Si Niannian and her mother Lai settled down at the Duke's Mansion.
He ate and drank well every day without being disturbed. Apart from the constant worry about Jie Changying being worn down by her studies, he had no other troubles.
Although Jie Ge'an appeared at dinner every day, he remained silent at the table, like a meticulously sculpted, handsome statue, showing no intention of making things difficult for Si Niannian.
But while she enjoys a peaceful and carefree life, there are always others who are not doing well.
After lunch that day, in the courtyard where the plum blossoms were sparse.
Xie Changying lay on the table, looking bitter and resentful, and said, "I really don't understand why I have to suffer like this."
There are only three days left until the deadline for submitting her assignments. She has been struggling with this for more than half a month, and she still hasn't finished!
Si Niannian held a carving knife the size of a finger, smoothly gliding it across the dark block of wood in her hand. Taking a moment to glance back, she asked, "Is the drawing still not finished?"
“It’s not just paintings,” Xie Changying said with a bitter face, “there are also inscriptions.”
"This painting needs an inscription, but I can't paint well now, and I can't write large characters well either..."
She didn't understand the question the teacher had given her at all, and the thing she forced herself to put together was neither fish nor fowl and was completely unreadable.
If she submits something like this, a mess of paper, she's definitely going to get a scolding from her husband again!
Si Niannian found her resentful expression amusing and leaned over to take a look: "Something's not right."
Jie Changying blinked blankly: "Huh?"
“The lonely mountain in the empty shadow should flow freely,” Si Niannian pointed the carving knife towards her palm and tapped the canvas with the handle. “The idea is wrong.”
Xie Changying was really grasping at straws; she suddenly stood up and grabbed Si Niannian's arm: "Will you help me?"
Si Niannian chuckled: "How could I..."
"Niannian," Xie Changying pleaded pitifully, "I'm begging you."
"I'm begging you, please help me, okay?"
Si Niannian couldn't resist her persistence for a moment, so she simply stood behind her, grasped her wrist, and guided the pen strokes: "I think this could actually be like this."
Jie Changying moved along, half understanding, her blankness gradually replaced by shock, and finally her expression froze on ecstatic joy: "Niannian!"
Si Niannian was so startled that her hand trembled, while Jie Changying jumped up excitedly: "How can you know everything!"
"You're amazing!"
Si Niannian couldn't help but chuckle and twitch her lips: "I was just saying a few random things, why did you take it so seriously?"
"Hurry up and get it done. Aren't you in a rush to finish so we can go play at your Ninth Uncle's horse farm?"
Jie Changying suddenly realized something and let out a shout, then rushed off to catch up on her studies.
Si Niannian picked up the small carving knife again, her gaze drifting almost imperceptibly towards the shadows of the trees not far away.
The blade sliced through the wood, sending splinters flying; the force was so great it seemed to be venting its anger on someone's face.
Not far from the garden, Jie Ge'an smiled meaningfully, turned around and left: "Bring Changying's painting over tonight so I can take a look."
Gu Yu said in a low voice, and readily began to explain the situation of being blocked outside the Duke's Mansion.
After speaking, he hesitated and asked, "My lord, should the young lady know about this?"
"Just tell her the exact words," Jie Ge'an said lazily. "She can handle it."
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