051
Xie Wu was growing increasingly fond of Qin Sang; this was truly a case of instant connection.
In fact, the two of them should have met when they were young, but Xie Wu acted as if he didn't remember her at all. He only thought that she was the orphan of his grandmother's close friend, and he felt sorry for her because she had no father or mother, so he took extra care of her.
Moreover, Qin Sang is not only beautiful, but also generous and open-minded. She is not coy or pretends to be inferior, unlike the others in the family who eat more politely than cats.
In high spirits, she ordered someone to call over a singer, and then tapped her wine glass with chopsticks to join in. She continued until she was drunk, her face flushed, and she started rolling up her sleeves and banging on the table. Only then did Xie Sui'an, looking utterly miserable, pull her away.
Qin Sang also drank some wine, her face slightly flushed. However, her alcohol tolerance was much better than Xie Wu's; she had brewed her own wine back in Li County and enjoyed drinking with her grandmother under the moonlight.
Xie Sui'an had Jinyun call a carriage, and then helped the drunk Xie Wu into the carriage. Qin Sang followed closely behind, glanced at Lingding, and seeing that Lingding looked normal, didn't ask any further questions.
After returning home, Xie Sui'an escorted Xie Wu back to her courtyard, and Qin Sang then told Ling Ding about what she had been asking earlier.
Lingding said, "According to that woman, her child was kidnapped by her neighbor and then sold to this matchmaker, Song."
Qin Sang asked, "How long have they been abducted? Boy or girl?"
Lingding replied, "It was a boy, supposedly two months ago. She searched for a long time before finding out that it was her neighbor who was behind it. But she was a widow, all alone, and she had to threaten the neighbor with her life to get this information. Song the matchmaker was the most generous matchmaker, but she also had high requirements. If it was a boy, he had to have red lips and white teeth, and be as beautiful as a woman."
Qin Sang smiled faintly, "Wealthy families usually don't want servants who are too stunningly beautiful, whether male or female, otherwise trouble is likely to arise. The child that this matchmaker Song bought must not be someone who does business with ordinary families. Go and call Uncle Qin."
Since Qin Sang entered the Prime Minister's residence, Qin Baoyun has been living in seclusion in a side courtyard. He has many acquaintances in the capital, and he has grown a beard and disguised himself since entering the capital.
He received the Prime Minister's instructions that his duty remained to protect Qin Sang and to serve her.
After receiving the summons, he waited on the corridor connecting the backyard and the frontyard. Soon, he saw Qin Sang gracefully approaching.
"Young lady." He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
Qin Sang said, "I would like Uncle Qin to help me with two things."
Qin Baoyun: "Please speak, young lady."
"We have just arrived in Kyoto and are outnumbered and outgunned. We need manpower for many things. I wonder if Uncle Qin could recruit some reliable people and secretly train them?"
Qin Baoyun nodded: "I will take care of this matter."
Qin Sang added, "I've only just arrived, so there's no rush. Uncle Qin can take his time to prepare. There's just one person I think might be useful; could you please investigate him for me first?"
So she told Qin Baoyun about the matchmaker, and Qin Baoyun accepted the task and left discreetly.
Qin Sang walked back to her courtyard along the corridor. She had just drunk some wine and felt a little hot. The breeze in the corridor was cool and refreshing, which made her feel very comfortable. The slight effects of the wine had also dissipated.
At the end of the corridor, there was a splendid and flourishing rose bush. The gardener had ingeniously arranged the flower racks into undulating waves, which then suddenly rose into the air and spread overhead. Qin Sang couldn't help but stop and admire them closely.
Just then, she heard a clear male voice coming from across the flower stand: "Hey newbie, don't get too close to the flowers, or the bees will sting you and ruin your pretty face."
Qin Sang carefully discerned the source of the sound, and finally, through the gaps in the bustling crowd, she vaguely saw the pavilion opposite, and a person sitting on the pavilion railing.
She wasn't interested in who the person was, simply thanked them, admired the flowers for a while, and then led Lingding back. However, after turning the corner, she was able to see the person's face clearly.
Although they were far apart, the man seemed vaguely familiar. After thinking for a moment, he realized it was Xie Xiao, the youngest son of Xie Zhongxu, whom Xie Sui'an had called Fourth Uncle at yesterday's family banquet.
Those are elders.
Since the younger generation had met the elder, they couldn't pretend they hadn't seen him, so Qin Sang gave a respectful greeting from afar: "May Fourth Uncle be blessed."
Xie Xiao said, "Come here, let me take a closer look."
Qin Sang: "..."
Lingding glanced at his daughter, his eyes filled with worry.
Qin Sang also found it strange, but she still took a few steps closer along the path.
Xie Xiao was only in his early twenties and looked only two or three parts similar to Xie Sui'an. He was more handsome and refined, but the carefree and unrestrained look between his brows was exactly the same.
He had set out some tea and snacks in the pavilion, along with a zither, and seemed to be playing the instrument and admiring the flowers, but was taking a break for now.
Qin Sang then recalled the clear, melodious sound of the zither she had heard when she came out, and said with a smile, "Fourth Uncle has such refined tastes. You played the 'Floating Wine Cup' piece very well just now."
Xie Xiao then laughed: "Did you hear that?"
Qin Sang nodded.
Xie Xiao stared intently at her: "You can play the piano?"
Qin Sang pursed her lips: "I know a little."
Xie Xiao smiled wickedly: "If that's the case, then you know how. Now, play a tune for me."
Qin Sang thought about it for a moment, then actually went over.
Actually, she hadn't played the zither in a long time, and her skills were quite rusty. However, hearing Xie Xiao play the zither just now had piqued her interest.
He casually played a tune unlike any other in the world, and Xie Xiao sat beside him, listening intently. When the piece ended, he clapped his hands and laughed, "Not bad. Although you are young, your musical skills are quite good, even better than the daughters in the family." Then he asked, "Where did you come from? You just returned to the capital and don't know anyone. Why aren't you resting in your room? Why are you wandering around the courtyard?"
Qin Sang didn't want to say anything more to him, so she immediately stood up and said, "Fourth Uncle is right. I'll go back now."
Xie Xiao paused, then said softly as if questioning himself, "A lesson? Was I very harsh just now?"
Qin Sang pretended not to hear and quickly left with Lingding.
Upon returning to the courtyard, they found Xie Sui'an already sitting in the main room waiting for them.
"Where have you been?" he asked as soon as he saw me. "Your legs can't stay still, can they? I brought someone back, and I've already had a cup of tea..."
Qin Sang glanced at him, picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Are you going to keep an eye on me all the time? Now that you've sent them away, hurry back to your studies. I'm tired and need to rest."
He then went into the inner living room, leaving Xie Sui'an alone in the main hall, staring in disbelief.
He got up and walked to the beaded curtain. He saw that Qin Sang had removed her hairpins and washed her hands. Several maids took turns serving her. She closed her eyes slightly and let the maids serve her. She seemed to be tired.
Xie Sui'an suddenly realized that Qin Sang, who had been brewing tea around the stove in the tea garden that day, was gone.
The current one adapted to the ways of a wealthy young lady in less than a day, so familiar with it as if she had never left Kyoto and was born to be served.
Xie Sui'an lifted the beaded curtain, went inside, and bowed to examine Qin Sang closely.
Lingding, Ying'er, and the other maids were all startled by his action. The younger maids lowered their heads, looking away. Only Lingding mustered the courage to remind him, "Second Young Master..."
Xie Sui'an's breath was almost blowing on Qin Sang's face. How could Qin Sang not know that Xie Sui'an's face was right in front of her?
The moment he drew near, she caught a whiff of his familiar scent, and her heart skipped a beat; her eyelashes trembled slightly involuntarily.
Seeing this, Xie Sui'an smiled and reached out to pinch her eyes: "Pretend to be asleep," then straightened up, "Alright, you get some rest, I'm going back to study."
The maids breathed very softly as they respectfully saw off this young master, who was known for his unruly, capricious, and woman-averse nature.
Two girls who were close friends couldn't help but exchange a glance, their eyes filled with unspoken meaning.
What's going on?
Why are the second young master and this new lady so close?
But wasn't there a rumor in the manor that this new girl was to be taken into the master's room as his adopted daughter?
So the next day, the rumor that the second young master had a close relationship with the new young lady spread almost throughout the entire inner courtyard of the Prime Minister's mansion.
***
The next morning, an old maid came to deliver a message, saying that the Second Madam invited Qin Sang over for a chat.
It took Qin Sang a while to realize who the Second Madam was—Cen Biyun, Xie Sui'an's mother.
She had intended to have a quiet breakfast, but the old servant was waiting at the door, glancing at her every now and then. Qin Sang felt uncomfortable eating, so she hastily drank a few mouthfuls of porridge and followed her.
Upon arriving at Shian Garden, one finds no flowers in the courtyard, only many different varieties of daylilies, each a vibrant green, arranged in a pleasing and elegant manner.
However, the inner hall was different. Dresses of various colors, including flowing gauze gowns and pomegranate skirts, adorned with white jade, gold, silver, and rubies, set off the ebony-lacquered hall with a vibrant spring-like atmosphere. These were all the women of the manor.
Qin Sang always dressed demurely, and she did the same when she came to the Prime Minister's residence. Her clothes were mainly moon white, and her black hair was not adorned with pearls or hairpins, but it still couldn't hide her stunning beauty that surpassed all others.
Upon entering the main room, she followed her memory and bowed to everyone in turn before taking her seat.
Then Madam Cen asked softly and with concern, "Qin Sang has been here for two days. Is there anything you're not used to? If the servants are lacking in any way, please tell me. Don't be afraid."
Qin Sang nodded, her demeanor gentle and shy, like a demure and cautious young lady: "There's nothing lacking, everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Madam."
Madam Cen continued, "However, your courtyard is full of young maids, and it's not good to have a nanny to discipline and guide them. The nanny who came to invite you earlier is surnamed Liu. She is a reliable and steady person. I thought I'd give her to you as well. With her guidance in many matters, you won't lose your manners and propriety. What do you think?"
Qin Sang didn't like that Granny Liu. She always felt that Granny Liu's eyes were calculating, and her appearance wasn't easy to deal with. However, as a newcomer, she didn't want to offend her too much. As the saying goes, it's better to guard against a scoundrel than a gentleman. If she refused now, she would offend two people. That Granny Liu might cause her a lot of trouble. So, she suppressed her displeasure and obediently agreed.
At this moment, Xie Lin gently wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, but Qin Sang clearly saw a fleeting hint of mockery on her lips.
She then realized that Cen Biyun had indeed done it on purpose.
This Granny Liu wasn't trying to lighten her burden at all; she probably just didn't trust her and sent someone to monitor her.
She has only been here for two days and has not overstepped any rules. She has followed their regulations in everything she does, so why did she still cause trouble?
For a moment, she couldn't figure it out.
At this moment, she noticed that Xie Lin had a beautiful crimson gemstone hairpin in her hair, so she naturally steered the conversation towards it: "Sister, that bead in your hair is quite pretty. I wonder what it's made of?"
Xie Lin reached out and adjusted the hairpin, saying casually, "It's just a worthless stone, nothing precious. If you like it, I'll have someone send you one."
Qin Sang was taken aback, only then realizing that her words had caused another misunderstanding, as if she were an ignorant country girl who was deliberately asking for favors.
Although she didn't care, if she were looked down upon, all the maids and servants in the household would despise her and treat her with contempt, which would lead to many troubles and misfortunes.
She smiled neither humbly nor arrogantly and said, "Yesterday I heard from the servants that Aunt Tan's family is extremely wealthy, and everything they eat, wear, and use is of the highest quality. It's true, and you are very generous, sister. In that case, I will shamelessly accept it."
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