Ye Guixue stood up to pay his respects to the lady of the house.
Su Rong, with her keen sense, noticed the subtle wrinkles on the cuffs of his sleeves. A smile formed in her heart as she thought about the renowned Second Young Master Ye, who seemed to be nervous upon his first encounter with the lady of the house, just as he was with her.
The lady of the house hurriedly waved her hand, "Guixue, no need for formalities. We are family, after all."
Even though it was their first meeting, the lady of the house did not feel like a stranger. She, following Su Rong’s lead, addressed him as Guixue.
It was only a slight difference in address, but Ye Guixue could sense the lady of the house’s approval of him.
Relieved, Ye Guixue looked at Su Rong and nodded with a smile, "Auntie is right."
The lady of the house sat beside Mrs. Shen, and Su Rong sat next to Ye Guixue.
After everyone had taken their seats, the lady of the house looked at Ye Guixue and Su Rong. Upon seeing them together, they seemed to be a perfect match. Her smile deepened, and she began talking about how Su Rong stubbornly refused to get up this morning. After sharing the incident, she laughed and turned to Ye Guixue, "I’ve long heard of your talents and good looks, Guixue. I knew you were outstanding, but I didn’t expect you to handle even small matters like this so competently."
Ye Guixue smiled, "Coming to pay respects to Auntie is no small matter. In my heart, it is a great event. Auntie has travelled a long distance, feeling worried and scared. Anyone, faced with such circumstances, wouldn’t want to disturb Auntie too early in the morning."
"Not anyone would be as considerate," the lady of the house waved her hand with a smile, then asked Ye Guixue, "Are your parents well?"
Ye Guixue replied with a smile, "They are well."
The lady of the house nodded, "My husband just took charge of Jiangzhou and is busy with official duties, and Master Xie couldn’t spare time. Otherwise, they both would have loved to meet you. Some time ago, my husband and Master Xie received a letter from Xiaoqi. They couldn’t stop praising you."
Ye Guixue responded, "I’ve already discussed it with Xiaoqi. After meeting you in Capital City, I plan to pass through Jiangzhou on my way out of the city and pay a visit to my uncle and Uncle Xie."
The lady of the house chuckled, "If you have the time, you could certainly make a trip. If not, you can always visit next time."
Ye Guixue said, "I do have the time."
After all, Nanchu and Daliang are far apart. If they didn’t meet this time, who knows when they might next see each other.
The lady of the house nodded in response to his claim, and continued the conversation. Ye Guixue answered all her questions politely and elegantly. His manner of speaking and acting was not only pleasing to the eye, but he was also skilled in interpersonal interaction. He never allowed the conversation to stall. Every word he spoke was comfortable and pleasant to the ear.
Watching from the side, Su Rong noticed that the lady of the house had a constant smile on her face. She was clearly very satisfied.
Eventually, the Shen Residence invited Ye Guixue to stay for lunch.
Accompanying them, Su Xingze noted the constant smile on his mother’s face and her more affectionate manner toward Ye Guixue than her own son. He couldn’t help but remain speechless.
After dinner, Ye Guixue excused himself. Before leaving, he suggested, "If Auntie isn’t tired, I’ll come pick her up tomorrow. We can explore Capital City together."
The lady of the house agreed enthusiastically, "I’m not tired, not tired at all. I’m still very energetic."
Thus, on their first meeting, they quickly formed a good rapport, and even planned their outing for the following day.
The lady of the house personally escorted Ye Guixue out of the residence. She told him that they had taken advantage of the Shen Residence’s hospitality today, but they would move to Xie Residence in Dongsi Hutong tonight. She told him he needn’t arrive too early when picking them up the next day.
Ye Guixue tried to refuse her kind offer to walk him out a few times, but in the end, he had no choice but to let her escort him to the doorstep.
After Ye Guixue’s horse carriage left, the Madam turned around, rubbed her face, and squinted at Su Rong’s silent gaze, "You cheeky girl, what kind of look is that?"
Su Rong immediately put away her silent gaze, reminding her, "Mother, you were too intense, Guixue is a smart person."
The Madam reached out and poked her forehead, "What do you know? You were born into a good family, just be content. Otherwise, how could you be worthy of such a person?"
She poked Su Rong’s forehead until it turned red before withdrawing her hand, lamenting, "He is indeed a good person, too good in fact."
Su Rong rubbed her forehead, muttered quietly, "What’s wrong with being too good? How am I not worthy of that?"
The Madam was annoyed, "Such good people are like clouds in the sky, pure and flawless, and you, who have been rolling in the dirt since you were little, how could you be worthy?"
Su Rong was indignant, "Underestimate me."
The Madam laughed in exasperation, "It’s not about underestimating you. You’re this reckless girl who’s been rolling around in the mud, but your heart is in the high heavens. Although he is like the cloud in the sky, he can bring precious rain that can nourish the earth. Pure as white jade, can it keep its original shape when thrown into the mud? You have been cold-hearted since childhood. If we go by appearances, you’re not his match, but in terms of substance, I’m afraid you might damage this piece of beautiful jade."
Su Rong understood the Madam’s meaning instantly and ceased her laughter, "Mother, it won’t go that far."
The Madam shot her a look, turned her head away, and continued her quiet lament, "If only the first person you met was him. Everything would have been perfect."
If Su Rong had first met Ye Guixue, a man like him, who wouldn’t fall for him at first sight?
But where in this world is everything perfect? Just by chance, there was a military uprising in Nanchu at that time, and Ye Guixue happened to arrived a little bit late.
The young master of Duke Residence, while not so outstanding, was indeed stunning at first sight, although he was like a piece of unpolished jade, step by step, he subtly became an irresistible presence in Su Rong’s heart.
The Madam murmured again, "This is really the mockery of fate."
The one who came first, and the one who came later, it’s hard to say who has the advantage.
Seeing the Madam muttering to herself, Su Rong linked her arm and teased her, "Mother, whom will you choose?"
The Madam did not hesitate, "Of course it’s Ye Guixue."
Su Rong smiled.
Su Xingze followed behind, thinking that his mother often spoke contrary to her heart, and his sister was often heartless and careless.
Once they returned to the Residence, the Madam said goodbye to Shen’s wife. Despite her repeated plea to stay, the Madam firmly insisted on leaving. She said that her son, daughter, and guards had been imposing on Shen Residence for so long. She felt ashamed of continuing to live, eat, and even cost Shen Residence so much. She intended to stay in Capital City for a while longer and would continue to disturb Shen’s wife for their daughters’ marriage choosing in the future. She felt embarrassed to impose now, for her face would blush even though she often shamelessly took advantage.
Shen’s wife reluctantly agreed, laughing as she ordered the prepared carriage to send the Madam and others to East Fourth Hutong.
She really liked Su Xingze and Su Rong, and tentatively asked if she could keep one of them. The Madam couldn’t help laughing, saying that her dear sister should probably let go. These two pesky kids were better off going with her. She needed to discipline them. How could they impose on Shen Residence for so long! Especially eating so much and causing so many burdens, it was too shameful.
During Su Xingze’s stay in Shen Residence, Shen’s wife prepared many things for him. All kinds of supplies were packed into the carriage for him to take away. As for Su Rong, Princess Qingping Residence gave her many things, and she added plenty more because she didn’t have a daughter. Thus, she wholeheartedly bought things for Su Rong to adorn her. This little girl, who usually dressed simply and modestly, and often climbed walls and fought, had been dressed up by Princess Qingping, Duanhua, and Shen’s wife upon coming to Capital City. Adorned with gorgeous accessories, the Madam almost didn’t recognize her at first sight.
Thus, this moving entourage was truly grand.
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