Jiang Jiulu disapproved of Sun Qiao'er's behavior. She was clearly married to her true love, yet she still hoped that her husband would have a successful career. If that was the case, why did she break off her brother's engagement in the first place?
She casually remarked, "Did you marry him because you thought he would have a successful career in government?"
Sun Qiao'er's face flushed, and she was also very angry: "Who doesn't hope that the person they like can become rich and powerful?"
Seeing that she was unconvinced, Jiang Jiulu retorted, "If that's the case, with your status, it wouldn't be difficult for you to marry a powerful scion of a prominent family. Why bother with someone who climbed up from the bottom?"
Jiang Songlu chimed in, "That's right. Who knows if he's after your high social status or your father's power so he can help you in the future? Are you sure he really likes you?"
Sun Qiao'er was annoyed. She had never thought about this issue before. Since their marriage, Zheng Yiwen had always been accommodating to her requests, trying every means to please her, and doting on her. In order to make her comfortable, he didn't even allow his parents and brothers to come, for fear that his ignorant parents would anger her.
She snorted angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about? He truly loves me."
She glanced at Yuan Qi again: "She's so young, how much ability could she possibly have? She's probably just talking nonsense."
Jiang Jiulu retorted, "That's not true at all! My seventh sister is the most accurate fortune teller. If you don't believe me, go ask her at the big locust tree on Tianshui Street, or ask the third and sixth young masters of the Bai family..."
Jiang Songlu also knew that Yuan Qi was setting up a fortune-telling stall outside, but she had never been there. She nodded and said, "That's right. Fortune-telling is a piece of cake for my seventh sister. Her specialty is catching ghosts and exorcising evil spirits."
Sun Qiao'er's eyes reddened. She had also heard about Yuan Qi's deeds, after all, there had been many rumors about Yuan Qi in the capital in the past year or two.
Just then, a maidservant rushed in with a beaming smile and reported, "Madam, the Ninth Master of the Xiangli family has come to see the Heir Apparent."
Zhao was quite surprised, her face beaming with delight. She stood up abruptly: "Really? When did our young master become acquainted with Ninth Master? How come I didn't know?"
The maid shook her head: "This servant does not know. The young master has already gone to the main gate to greet him, and the duke has gone as well."
Xiangli Mingzhu was also surprised. The Ninth Master looked down on the four major families and rarely attended their banquets. Why did he come to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion today?
Zhao couldn't hide her joy. It was a good thing that her son had made friends with the Ninth Master. Maybe the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion would prosper. She said happily, "I'll go take a look. You all stay here and have some tea. I'll be right back."
Xiangli Mingzhu: "Go ahead."
Before leaving, Zhao instructed Sun Qiao'er: "You stay here and keep the guests company."
Sun Qiao'er agreed: "Okay, Mother, go ahead."
She felt a pang of regret; she really should have let Zheng Yiwen come too. Maybe if he met Young Master Jiu, he could have given her a hand.
Sun Qiao'er was stubborn; she remained sitting next to Yuan Qi, refusing to leave. After thinking it over and over, she hesitantly asked, "Seventh Miss, do you have any way to change my husband's fate?"
Yuan Qi chuckled: "Change your fate? Things destined in life are hard to change. Miss Sun, it's not necessarily better to be rich and powerful. A peaceful and ordinary life is the norm, and it might not be so bad for him. Sometimes forcing things doesn't necessarily lead to good results."
Sun Qiao'er was very disappointed. She asked unwillingly, "But I heard that some people can change their fate."
Yuan Qi explained, "Changing one's fate comes at a price, and it's an evil art, which I don't practice. Miss Sun's life is peaceful and she has no worries about food or drink, which is quite good."
Sun Qiao'er bit her lip. Sometimes she regretted not marrying Jiang Juncai, but the Jiang family was all there. If she spoke up, they would definitely laugh at her, so she held back.
Yuan Qi had said everything he needed to say; as for what Sun Qiao'er did, that was her business.
"Ten coins." Yuan Qi held out his hand to her.
Sun Qiao'er said "Oh," and had her maid bring ten coins, which she placed in Yuan Qi's palm.
Before long, Madam Zhao returned, her face beaming with joy: "The servants said that Young Master Jiu had arrived, but I didn't believe them. I went to check, and it really was him. A few days ago, when my son was eating at Baihelou, he composed a poem, and Young Master Jiu happened to be there at the time. He casually praised it a couple of times, and when he heard that we were having a flower-viewing banquet today, he decided to make his acquaintance. My son is truly talented; to have won Young Master Jiu's favor, oh dear..."
Overjoyed, she told Xiangli Mingzhu about what had just happened.
After chatting for a while, Zhao led everyone to the large flower hall next door, where quite a few guests had arrived.
As soon as Yuan Qi entered, Xiangli Youming saw him. After not seeing him for some time, Yuan Qi was still the same as before, without any change.
Yuan Qi did not look towards the men's section, nor did he notice Xiang Li Youming.
As soon as she sat down, Xiangli Youming came over, stood beside Xiangli Mingzhu, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Aunt."
"Aunt?" Xiangli Mingzhu was very surprised. Although she was also a member of the Xiangli clan, Xiangli Youming was from the main branch of the family, while Xiangli Mingzhu was from a collateral branch, and a distant one at that. They had long been completely unrelated.
She was a little confused as to why Xiangli Youming hadn't acknowledged her as a relative when he visited the Jiang family before. She wondered if it was right for Xiangli Youming to call her "aunt."
Yuan Qi also twitched his lips, thinking that the Ninth Master must have lost his mind today.
She glanced at Xiangli Youming indifferently, said nothing, and showed no emotion in her eyes.
Xiangli Youming said, "Greetings, Aunt."
Xiangli Mingzhu chuckled. "Let Little Ninth Master call me that if he likes it. It's good to get along with him. It'll benefit my father and brother's side too. Maybe her branch of the family will prosper in the future."
"Good nephew, don't be so polite, sit down and let's talk."
Xiangli Youming obediently sat down. She wondered if Yuan Qi's presence at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion meant she could also join in any excitement the Xiangli family might have.
If he arranges for his father's birthday celebration another day, he can then have a legitimate opportunity to meet Yuan Qi.
Yuan Qi was unaware of Xiangli Youming's thoughts, nor did he notice that Xiangli Youming had lost weight.
Jiang Songlu and Jiang Jiulu noticed that he had lost weight.
Although the two admired the young master, they dared not disrespect him or harbor any lustful thoughts; they could only watch him quietly.
Xiangli Youming said, "Aunt, my father's birthday is in a few days. Please bring a few of my cousins to join in the fun."
Xiangli Mingzhu was completely bewildered. The Xiangli family always only invited their own clansmen to their birthday celebrations, and rarely invited outsiders. As a member of a collateral branch, she was not qualified to attend. What was wrong with the Ninth Master today?
After thinking it over, she quickly understood why Young Master Jiu always went to Yuan Qi's place whenever he visited the Jiang residence.
She chuckled and said, "Okay, I'll bring Xiao Wu, Xiao Liu, and Xiao Qi over to join in the fun."
Xiangli Youming finally smiled: "Okay."
Jiang Songlu and Jiang Jiulu had never been to Xiangli Mansion before, and they were very excited.
Just then, a maid rushed in: "Madam, something terrible has happened! The Fourth Young Master has fallen from a height and is unconscious."
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