Chapter 170 Madam Xiao
The Xiao residence.
Before the bluestone steps, a large group of servants and maids were already waiting quietly.
Two elegantly dressed women stood in front of the crowd.
One was a woman around forty years old, wearing an ochre-colored silk skirt with gold trim, her hair neatly combed and adorned with a kingfisher feather and pearl hairpin, and her face well-maintained.
She was the daughter of Madam Xiao's younger sister, Wang Heshi.
Since her husband died young and her family fell into poverty, she took her only daughter and went to live with the Xiao family. It has been more than a year since then.
Although he was a guest, he gained a certain respectability by helping the old lady manage the household affairs.
Standing right next to her was her daughter, Yin.
The young lady wore a light blue ruqun embroidered with lotus patterns, over which was a thin, gossamer-thin gauze shawl with silver thread lotus patterns. Her hair was piled up in a cloud-like style, lightly tied with pearls and jade. She had a delicate and pretty face and a slender figure.
At this moment, she couldn't help but tiptoe slightly, gazing intently at the end of the long street, her eyes filled with undisguised anticipation and shyness.
Madam He gently tugged at her daughter's sleeve and whispered a reminder: "Miaoyin, be more reserved and don't lose your composure."
Wang Miaoyin then composed herself slightly, but two blushes had already risen on her cheeks. She replied in a voice barely audible, "Mother, Brother Yeming...is he really coming back to the manor today?"
"The emperor has already sent envoys to welcome us outside the city; how could it be fake?"
Madam He also looked into the distance, her tone filled with expectation and tension, "You just stay calm, and when your cousin returns, we'll see."
As they were speaking in hushed tones, they suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves and wheels approaching from the end of the long street. Someone exclaimed in a low voice, "They're here! It's the general's carriage!"
A slight commotion suddenly arose among the crowd standing solemnly in front of the mansion gate.
All eyes turned to the approaching, imposing procession with its banners waving.
The carriages and ceremonial entourage came to a steady stop in front of the mansion gate.
Xiao Yeming was the first to dismount, his dusty appearance unable to conceal his refined and elegant air, as serene and dignified as a bamboo swaying in the wind.
Wang Miaoyin quietly raised her eyes and looked over, her heart suddenly skipping a beat.
I vaguely remember seeing him a few times when I was a child. I only remember him as a quiet and reserved older brother. I never expected that after so many years, he would grow up to be so handsome and charming.
She felt her ears burning, and hurriedly lowered her eyes, twisting the handkerchief tightly between her fingers.
Xiao Yeming's gaze swept calmly over the welcoming crowd, lingering briefly on Madam He and her daughter before he stepped forward and nodded slightly to Madam He: "Thank you for welcoming me, Aunt."
Madam He immediately put on a warm smile and curtsied in return: "General, you have had a long and arduous journey. Miaoyin and I have been looking forward to your return every day. We are so glad to finally have you back."
As she spoke, she gently pulled her daughter forward slightly.
Wang Miaoyin's cheeks flushed, she lowered her head and looked down, softly calling out, "Cousin."
Xiao Yeming remained calm and politely replied, "Cousin."
Wang Miaoyin was slightly disappointed. Just as she was about to say something more, Xiao Yeming's gaze turned to the carriage behind them.
At this moment, Lu Zhaoruo, supported by Dong Rou, calmly and slowly got out of the car.
Seeing this, Xiao Yeming stepped aside to introduce her: "Madam Lu, this is your aunt, Madam Wang, also known as Madam He."
Then his gaze turned to Wang Miaoyin, "This is my cousin Miaoyin."
He had already learned from letters home that his aunt and cousin would be staying at his house from now on.
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo immediately turned to the two of them, gave a slight curtsy, and said in a clear and gentle voice, "The Lu family of Jizhou greets Madam Wang and Miss Wang."
Lady He had already heard from Uncle Fu, who had rushed back first, that a distinguished guest would be accompanying the general back to the mansion for a short stay in preparation for meeting the emperor.
She made some inquiries privately and learned that she was the daughter of a merchant from Jizhou. Although she was of low status, she had made great contributions by donating military funds and was thus granted an audience.
One must always be mindful of the proper etiquette.
She immediately curtsied in return, her smile warm but not reaching her eyes: "Madam Lu, please don't stand on ceremony! You are a distinguished guest of our Xiao family, you must have had a long journey!"
Wang Miaoyin returned the greeting along with her mother, her beautiful eyes glancing quietly at Lu Zhaoruo, and softly replied, "Greetings, Madam Lu."
She knew that her cousin was bringing a merchant's daughter home for a short stay, but upon seeing her, she found that her simple clothes could not hide her elegance, her face was radiant, and her demeanor was extraordinary, without a trace of the frivolousness of ordinary merchants...
At this moment, Xiao Yeming gestured to Lu Zhaoruo, saying, "Madam Lu, you must be tired from your journey. Please come in and rest." He then said to Madam He, "Aunt, please arrange for Madam Lu's private courtyard. All her needs should be met as if she were an honored guest."
Lady He readily agreed: "General, rest assured, I understand and will make the arrangements properly."
Xiao Yeming nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Wan Wanning and Sun Jing, who were standing quietly to the side, and added to Madam He: "These two are Madam Lu's family members, and they also need to be properly taken care of."
Madam He respectfully replied, "Yes."
His gaze swept quickly over Wan Wanning behind Lu Zhaoruo for a moment.
Xiao Yeming said no more and took the lead, guiding Lu Zhaoruo into the mansion.
Wan Wanning lowered her head and followed closely behind Lu Zhaoruo.
She tried her best to suppress her amazement and longing for this grand mansion, but out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but greedily capture the flying eaves, painted beams, and jade-carved railings.
Sun Jing followed silently at the back, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily, fulfilling his duty as a guard.
Madam He quickly stepped aside with her daughter to make way, watching the group pass through the many doorways.
After they had walked away, the dignified smile on her face slowly faded, and her brows furrowed slightly as if she were deep in thought.
Wang Miaoyin gently tugged at her mother's sleeve and whispered, "Mother, this lady seems to have an extraordinary air about her..."
Madam He withdrew her gaze, glanced at her daughter, and said indifferently, "In the end, she's just a merchant's daughter."
Her gaze swept over the direction where Wan Wanning had disappeared, and recalling Wan Wanning's envious and envious look, a sneer appeared on her lips: "As for the one following behind... just look at her limited vision and demeanor, and you'll know she's ultimately not up to par."
As Xiao Yeming led the group into the inner courtyard, before they had even stood still, a long spear shot out from the shadows under the corridor, aiming straight for his face!
Sun Jing immediately pressed down on his sword and stepped forward to protect Lu Zhaoruo.
Lu Zhaoruo was only slightly taken aback, but did not show excessive fear.
After all, this is the Xiao residence.
Dongrou shrank back in fright, pressing herself close to her side.
Wan Wanning gasped softly, "Ah..."
At this time.
Xiao Yeming, however, had already slightly shifted his body, his right hand swiftly reaching out to precisely grasp the gun barrel in an instant, and then threw it to the ground.
Before he could speak, a figure pounced forward, his palm strike fierce, aiming straight for his shoulder.
Xiao Yeming remained stationary, using only one arm to block and deflect the attacks; several moves had already been exchanged in the blink of an eye...
He found a sliver of space, and with a light pat of his left hand, he steadily pushed the person back several steps.
The attacker steadied himself, and instead of being angry, he laughed and cursed, "You unfilial son! I am your own mother, yet you have no sense of restraint!"
Before she finished speaking, her gaze suddenly froze, fixed on Xiao Yeming's left hand.
That hand, which should have had all five fingers, was now missing a finger!
Your hand...
The smile on Madam Xiao's face vanished instantly, her voice filled with shock, anger, and heartache, "What happened?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo, who was standing to the side, subconsciously lowered her head slightly, her fingertips clenched, and a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes.
Xiao Yeming remained calm, as if the injury was not on his own body, and said lightly, "It's nothing serious. I encountered some remnants of Japanese pirates on my way back and was caught off guard, so I got a minor injury."
Madam Xiao took a deep breath, and when she looked up again, the shock and pain in her eyes had turned into a stern expression.
She stepped forward and patted her son's shoulder heavily, her voice as firm as metal: "Good! A man's ambition lies in all corners of the world. To win glory for the country is an achievement, not a disgrace! Your mother doesn't care about that!"
After saying that, she suddenly changed the subject, a hint of playfulness and worry flashing in her eyes: "Oh, I'm afraid... when I'm going to find you a husband, which good girl won't look down on my four-fingered son?"
As she spoke, her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Lu Zhaoruo and her group behind Xiao Yeming.
Uncle Fu had already informed her of everything.
She knew her son's character all too well—cold-hearted, aloof, and utterly clueless about romance. The courtyard was so quiet that not even a female sparrow could be seen. Yet, he had, for the first time ever, personally brought a woman back to settle down…
Moreover, when Brother Xian came back a few days ago, he said that this "blockhead" seemed to have found someone he loved in Jizhou.
Could it be... this is the person standing before me?
At this moment, her gaze fell squarely on Lu Zhaoruo, scrutinizing her closely.
The woman was dressed simply, yet she possessed exquisite features and a graceful figure. Her demeanor was calm and composed, and the sudden scene of swords and shadows did not faze her in the slightest.
Standing among the servants, she did not appear cramped at all; on the contrary, she seemed like a solitary orchid standing tall against the frost in a secluded valley, graceful and elegant, with her own unique charm.
With such looks and appearance, not to mention her own shallow-minded cousin Miaojin, even the noble ladies of the capital, and even the arrogant Lady Yunxiu under the Grand Princess's tutelage, would probably be outshone.
Madam Xiao couldn't help but secretly admire: His demeanor and elegance were truly... the more she looked at him, the more pleasing he became.
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