Chapter 40 "What? The Liang family sent someone to deliver..."
"What? The Liang family sent someone to deliver something?" Xiao Fuyan was overjoyed and subconsciously looked at Xiao Quexian.
Given the relationship between the Xiao and Liang families, it was usually the Xiao family that sent gifts to the Liang family, and even then, the prefect might not necessarily accept them. Today's unusual behavior is obvious to everyone involved.
Xiao Fuyan had only been tentatively interested in the matter of Xiao Quexian and Liang Erlang, but the gift from the Liang family greatly boosted his confidence.
When Xiao Fuyan saw that Xiao Quexian's eyes were filled with joy, she didn't seem particularly surprised by the gift.
He was secretly astonished. Had his daughter really managed to get Liang Erlang under her thumb in just the short time they had spent together yesterday?
"It was sent by Miss Liang's maid to deliver to the Second Miss." The steward quickly presented the items.
Although it was nominally a gift from Miss Liang, almost everyone present had already assumed that Liang Erlang was simply using his sister's name.
As for the gift actually being from Miss Liang? No one present had even considered that possibility. They'd heard that Miss Liang was arrogant and had a bad temper; she wasn't the type to stoop down and be subservient.
Almost everyone present turned their surprised gazes toward Xiao Quexian. Xiao Quexian smiled gently and reservedly, but her chin had already been unconsciously raised, clearly enjoying the moment.
"It seems that Miss Liang admires Xian'er's poetry, which is why she specially sent a gift to make friends with her."
Since Liang Erlang sent this gift in Liang's name, the Second Madam naturally had another way to boast about it.
"I've always thought Xian'er was clever and her learning was praised by all the female teachers. Now that she has the opportunity, she has indeed made a name for herself. It's no wonder that I've been urging you to study for so many years."
When the old lady heard the second wife say this, she also praised Xiao Quexian's talent with a big smile, while praising her and adding some embellishments to her own reputation.
"Yan Hui should also learn from your sister. I heard you didn't even pick up a pen yesterday. The banquet hosted by the Prefect's wife was such a good opportunity, and you just wasted it."
As in previous years, praising one and criticizing the other has become a path dependency for the old lady. She praised Xiao Quexian and then casually stepped on Xiao Yan Hui.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Quexian's eyes immediately turned to Xiao Yanhui. She couldn't wait to see Xiao Yanhui's jealous and aggrieved expression, in order to make up for her resentment at being extorted for a large sum of money by the eldest son's family today.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Quexian replied to the old lady with a smile: "If I had seized the opportunity yesterday to take a fancy to a certain Mr. Liang, then Second Sister would have been in a difficult position today. This is just right, what do you say, Old Madam?"
The old lady felt very uncomfortable after being retorted in such a mild but firm way, but she couldn't say anything more.
"Master, now that the matter has been settled, Yan Hui'er and I will head back first." The First Madam looked at the joyful atmosphere floating in the main hall and couldn't help but feel a little stifled. Out of sight, out of mind.
"Go ahead, go ahead!" Xiao Fuyan waved his hand with a smile, he didn't want the two families to stay together any longer.
"By the way, the beaded flower that Second Sister wore yesterday was quite unique and exquisite. I wonder where it was made?" After taking a few steps, Xiao Yan Hui suddenly turned back with a smile and looked directly into Xiao Que Xian's eyes to ask.
"..." Xiao Quexian's heart suddenly pounded, and she gripped the box so tightly that her nails turned white.
What did Xiao Yan discover?
Meeting those eyes that held a hint of cunning and a touch of mockery, Xiao Quexian took a deep breath to maintain her steady tone: "That's the craftsmanship of Jinbaolou in the west of the city. If Third Sister is interested, you can go there and take a look."
"Okay, I've got it. Thank you, Second Sister." Leaving behind a cryptic smile, Xiao Yan helped the First Madam turn and leave.
Watching their departing figures, Xiao Quexian could still faintly hear their conversation carried by the wind.
"Your mother had her eye on a two-courtyard house on Xiucai Street. It was a really nice house, surrounded by respectable families, but the price was a bit high. Now, it's all good... someone has sent us money. Your mother will take you to see it in person when we have time. If you don't have any complaints, we'll just buy it."
"Okay, thank you, Mother. I still need to go to Jinbaolou."
"Alright, go, go, go ahead, but bring plenty of silver."
......
This mother and daughter must be deliberately trying to annoy me. Why do they have to talk about this dilapidated house at a time like this! And Xiao Yan specifically brought up Jinbaolou again... She probably really saw through something.
Using the excuse that she was tired and needed to go back to rest, Xiao Quexian returned to her courtyard and dismissed all the maids before slowly opening the lid of the wooden box that she had been holding tightly in her hand.
Inside, a beautiful hairpin lay quietly, gleaming. It was the very hairpin she had "accidentally" lost at the Liang family's house yesterday.
This was a backup plan she had deliberately arranged, and also a small test. Now things are developing more smoothly than expected, the backup plan was not needed, and the result of the test has satisfied her.
The only thing that displeased her was that Xiao Yan Hui seemed to have seen through her using the lost hairpin to play a game of exaggeration and self-promotion.
But she didn't expose me! Did I really buy her willingness with those 20,000 taels? If I had known she was so easily bribed, why would I have bothered with all this for the past few months?
Despite many twists and turns, she ultimately achieved the results she wanted.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Quexian told herself: Xiao Yanhui, who was about to be bound to Qin Ji and whose future was uncertain, was already half dead in her eyes. Her gaze should be looking forward and upward, and there was really no need to focus on her anymore.
Thinking about it this way, I immediately felt very happy.
......
As time goes by, autumn colors deepen.
Autumn is supposed to be a bleak season, but this autumn, many people seem to feel that everything is going smoothly and they are in a good mood.
When the Xiao family brought up the matter of changing the betrothed to the Qin family, the Qin family agreed unexpectedly readily. The First Madam specially invited the Qin couple and Qin Ji to the Qin residence for a meeting, and the Qin family's attitude was very sincere.
They even bluntly stated that Qin Ji and Miss Xiao were indeed incompatible, because after the Qin family consulted a fortune teller again, it was also said that the two were not a good match.
"Our eldest son and your third daughter are a match made in heaven. Since that's the case, we certainly can't let them waste this destiny."
These were Mrs. Qin's exact words at the time.
These words almost convinced the First Madam that the Second Wife's fabricated story about incompatible fates was indeed true.
......
On the desk in the Qin family's study, a letter wrapped in bright red brocade and embroidered with mandarin ducks and a picture of harmony stood out against the dark desk.
Qin Ji casually opened the thick post, and his eyes were met with rows of neat handwriting.
[Submitted by:]
Poems inscribed on red leaves convey auspicious wishes;
A red thread ties their feet together, a joyous union is formed.
Now, thanks to Mr. Qin Shangming of the Qin family for not disdaining our humble origins, and through the introduction of matchmaker Wu Qiniang, we wish to arrange a marriage between the eldest son, Qin Ji, and the youngest daughter, Xiao Yanhui.
The birth chart of my daughter, Xiao Yanhui, is listed below: ...
Having received Your Majesty's decree, how could I not offer my thanks? I will respectfully obey Your Majesty's command and cherish this friendship forever.
......
Looking at the perfectly formatted letter in front of him, Qin Ji's gaze swept over the lengthy, formulaic phrases before finally settling on the three bold, ink-rich characters: Xiao Yan Hui.
As his fingertips traced the name written on the sticker, Qin Ji felt a sense of peace, as if the dust had finally settled.
This is the engagement letter sent by the Xiao family again. With this marriage certificate, his marriage with Xiao Yanhui is finally settled.
"My lord, the medicine you mentioned some time ago has been prepared and sent from the south." Wei Sa looked at his lord's still smiling face and brought up another thing that could make him happy, hoping to make his lord even happier.
That was a rare and precious medicine whose main ingredient was extremely rare and could only be prepared fresh. This time, the pharmacist even made a special trip to the Southern Barbarian region for this medicine.
"Okay, bring it over later." Qin Ji replied calmly.
"Huh? The Lord urged us a few days ago, so why does he seem less anxious now?" Wei Sa wondered.
Qin Ji's mind was still on the marriage contract. He carefully read it over again before closing it and putting it away.
Then he took out paper and pen and started writing a post, asking as he wrote: "How are the baby iron-eating beasts that were brought back before doing?"
Speaking of this, Wei Sa's face showed a strange expression. Recently, the master's preferences have been really unpredictable.
"I specifically found someone skilled in raising cats and dogs to take care of it. It eats and sleeps well, but it can't be used as a mount or taken out hunting. Its clumsy and silly appearance makes it difficult to guard the house. Apart from its round shape, which is somewhat cute, I really can't see what use it is. My lord, what is the point of bringing it back and raising it like this?"
"Ahem!" Qin Ji was unusually embarrassed.
His subordinates asked why he had brought back a panda cub. Well... he hadn't really thought much about it at the time. He just bought it when he saw it being sold on the street alongside rabbits and wild boar meat by hunters.
Perhaps it's because the concept of national treasure is so deeply ingrained!
"Have someone deliver the invitation to the Third Miss, saying that I'm inviting her to admire the exotic beast." Qin Ji simply ignored Wei Sa's question and directly gave him the order to do it.
However, this is no different from giving an answer.
"So it's because the Third Miss likes these adorable cubs." Wei Sa blinked thoughtfully. Perhaps he should also go and collect some cute little leopards or tigers to please his future mistress.
"What have you been busy with these days, Third Miss?" Qin Ji asked casually, quickly finishing writing the invitation in his hand.
“…” Wei Sa was silent for a moment.
"Is there anything you can't report?" Qin Ji looked directly at Wei Sa, his gaze no longer gentle as before.
"Third Miss has been busy with her shop lately, and it's slowly starting to penetrate the inner courtyards of aristocratic families and officials. Several nourishing and beautifying stews in her shop are especially popular. Some other shops have even tried to steal the recipes, but her subordinates have conveniently taken care of preparing them for her."
Furthermore, Madam Xiao was taking her third daughter all over town to prepare her dowry. I also heard from several merchant caravans that the Xiao family had given them lists, asking them to help scavenge for good local timber, medicinal herbs, and rare items when they went out to trade.
"Anything else?" Qin Ji's voice turned cold.
"Also, Su Mingyue has run into the Third Miss several times recently." Upon seeing the master's gaze, Wei Sa quickly got to the point.
......
"Miss Xiao, what a coincidence."
At Qian Wulang's pancake stall, Su Mingyue greeted him with a smile, marking the fourth time she had bumped into Xiao Yanhui.
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Author's Note: The original engagement letter was sourced from online materials and used in a simplified form. The full version would include the bride's birth date, place of origin, and a list of the bride's dowry. The dowry list has been slightly modified here.
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