Xu Zhi was speechless for a moment. Granny Lu said with a smile, "Our Seventh Young Master is a man of his mind. But what you said makes sense. If you don't pay attention, you can develop bad habits without even realizing it. But when the time comes, you might do it unconsciously and be laughed at by others, which would be bad."
Xu Bai quickly said, "Sister, thank you for teaching your brother. I will definitely listen to you from now on."
Xu Zhi said, "Okay, you just need to be obedient."
The courtyard had been cleaned early on, and the servants had already put the luggage they brought back in the courtyard. After Granny Lu brought the two siblings back, the servants separated Xu Zhi's luggage from Xu Bai's luggage and put them in their respective rooms.
Xu Bai shared a room with Granny Lu. Bai Kou had already placed Granny Lu and Xu Bai's luggage in the east wing. The main purpose of bringing Xu Zhi and Xu Bai back this time was to plan Xu Zhi's marriage. The old lady's explanation to the outside world was that she missed her grandchildren and wanted the children to come back and see her.
In fact, many families in Beijing do this: when their children reach a certain age, the parents take them back to participate in various flower and poetry gatherings. If they find a suitable match, they arrange a marriage, and the children get married when they reach the appropriate age.
It wasn't surprising at all that Granny Lu brought Xu Zhi and Xu Bai back. On the contrary, many families sent invitations to gatherings after they learned that Xu Zhi was back, just to see if she was a good match for their children of the right age.
Although Xu Zhi is currently only a sixth-rank prefectural assistant magistrate of Ganzhou, those in the capital who know the family well know that this low-key third master of the Xu family has unlimited potential for future achievements.
Xu Rao was a proper Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). He started as the magistrate of a county and, in just a few years, transformed the impoverished and backward Hexi County into a stable and prosperous one. In particular, he helped the young general of the Wei family defeat the Northern Di people, ensuring that there would be no major wars between Daliang and the Northern Di for more than ten or even several decades. This was a remarkable achievement.
Although Xu Rao has never returned since going to the Northwest, many people know that Jian is on the Emperor's side. Now, Xu Rao's daughter is returning from the capital with her nanny, and she will officially appear in the circle of ladies in the capital with the Xu family's wives.
Madam Ning had already been instructed by the old lady to take the ninth daughter of the household, Xu Zhi, with her when going out to meet people. Madam Ning naturally understood what this meant. Now it seemed that Xu Zhi's father, Xu Rao, had outstanding political achievements, and Xu Zhi's brother, Xu Di, was not only exceptionally learned but also very capable. He was almost a genius, if not a Midas. It would be easy for such a girl to find a good husband.
After summer, there were more gatherings in various households. If you wanted to go out, you had to make new clothes and jewelry. Wearing new clothes when you went out to meet people was also a sign of respect for the host.
After Xu Gao got married, Xu Quan's eldest daughter and Xu Tao, the second daughter, were the eldest among the young ladies in the mansion. Xu Tao's wedding date was also set for the following spring. The young ladies in the mansion went out together because Xu Zhi had been staying in Hexi. Many families in the capital had never seen this ninth daughter of the Yongning Marquis's mansion, whom they only knew by name but never by face.
The invitations for the upcoming gatherings at the manor need to be prepared, and then it's necessary to decide which young ladies will attend. If they do attend, the household's seamstresses will be asked to make clothes, or a tailor from a famous clothing shop in the capital will be invited to come to the house to take their measurements and select materials. They will also need to buy one or two pieces of jewelry. These are all outfits that need to be prepared for going out to meet guests. If they go out wearing clothes or jewelry that they have already worn, people will recognize them and think that the family's financial situation must be problematic. Otherwise, who could not afford to buy clothes and jewelry for their children with a few dozen taels of silver?
Ning was looking at the fabric delivered by the clothing store when Xu Yao stormed in and said, "Mother, why did you take Xu Zhi out with you? I don't want to go out with her."
Upon hearing Xu Yao's words, Madam Ning gave a wink to her personal attendant, Granny Li. Granny Li quickly led the servants out of the room. Madam Ning then frowned and said, "Yao'er, what are you saying? What do you mean you don't want to go out with Ninth Miss? As her older sister, how can you be so insensible?"
Upon hearing Ning's words, Xu Yao's eyes reddened, and she said, "I just don't like her. She's always putting on airs and speaking to me in such a pretentious way. Mother, wouldn't it be better if we went out happily? Why do we have to bring her along?"
Ning took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and said patiently, "Yao'er, you are all sisters in the same family. Wouldn't it be better to go out and meet people happily together? You are already twelve years old. You should know that when you all leave home in the future, these sisters will be the ones who can watch over you and support you."
Xu Yao shook Ning Shi's arm and said, "Mother, I just don't like Xu Zhi. I don't know why, but I get angry just looking at Xu Zhi. I just don't want to be with her."
Madam Ning said, "Yao'er, at your age, you need to learn to be sensible. How can you not be sensible? Listen to what your mother is saying. Ninth Miss is just going out with me. I won't interfere in anything else. You know, our family has made a lot of money thanks to Ninth Miss's brother. Because of this, Ninth Miss's mother entrusted her to me. I must do my best to take care of this matter."
Xu Yao said, "Mother, can you not give her the best fabric?"
Upon hearing this, Ning realized that someone beside her was gossiping about Xu Yao.
Because of Xu Di, and because Xu Rao was indeed doing very well in Ganzhou, it was only beneficial for Ning Shi to be on good terms with the third branch of the family. Yesterday, when she instructed her people to invite the tailors to come over, she mentioned that the Ninth Miss had hardly ever had clothes made in the mansion, and that this time the best materials should be given to the Ninth Miss. She didn't know who overheard this and told Xu Yao.
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