Chapter 21 The Banquet 1 "I can find someone else to accompany me"
Gong Shirao woke up the next day.
Perhaps because it was a rare occasion for her to get drunk, when she woke up, the moon was high in the sky again, so much so that Gong Shirao almost thought she had only slept for an hour.
The family didn't distribute spirit stones to the children, otherwise she wouldn't have been so meticulous.
Even if she had the money, she couldn't guarantee obtaining enough of these Spirit Nourishing Liquids; it was far less convenient to get them from the Xie family.
Gong Shirao went to Chu Xingjin first.
Chu Xingjin was resting at the time.
Gong Shirao handed over the items: "Chu Xingjin, the Xie family and the Chu family have a connection from their ancestors. Since the Chu family is now in decline, the ancestor has personally spoken to allow you to stay with the Xie family. The Xie family will not treat you poorly and will allocate resources to you according to the standard of dual spiritual roots. This is your spiritual cultivation liquid for this month."
She even took out a sum of spirit stones from her own pocket: "The younger generation of the Xie family all receive a monthly allowance, and I have prepared one for you as well."
After saying that, she showed consideration for Chu Xingjin's background and even gave him a special lesson on how to use it.
When Chu Xingjin heard the first sentence, he was full of anticipation. But when the second sentence started, his expression turned unpleasant. When he heard the standard of "dual spiritual roots," his face turned as dark as the night sky. As for what came after that, he hardly paid any attention to it.
What does "temporary residence" mean? It is an honor for the Xie family that he can temporarily reside there!
He possesses a Heavenly Spiritual Root! Why is the Xie family treating him like this?
"Do you have any complaints?"
Chu Xingjin asked, "Since I am finding a husband for Xie Jiaoyue, am I not considered a member of the Xie clan?"
Gong Shirao said, "Those who cultivate immortality usually only consider marriage after the age of thirty. Before that, they are not considered."
Before the age of thirty, everyone is busy cultivating themselves; who has the mood for a marriage contract?
Gong Shirao said, "If you are willing to make a vow to Heaven, give up the surname Chu and become Xie Xingjin, and be loyal to the Xie family for the rest of your life, then you can be considered a member of the Xie family."
This was practically like signing a contract of servitude, so Chu Xingjin naturally refused.
Undeterred, Chu Xingjin asked, "How many resources will Xie Jiaoyue get?"
Gong Shirao said, "Jiaoyue is the only daughter of the Xie family's eldest branch. She also has the talent of a Heavenly Spiritual Root and a special physique. Naturally, she is being nurtured by the family with all their might according to the standards of a Heavenly Spiritual Root."
Chu Xingjin pressed for details: "How many times mine?"
"Seven times."
"She's nothing more than a furnace."
With a soft slap, Gong Shirao's hand gently landed on Chu Xingjin's face.
“Chu Xingjin, my daughter likes you, and I don’t want any conflict between you and her, so I’m allowing you to stay here. But that doesn’t mean you can ride roughshod over my daughter.”
She rubbed her hands together: "If I hear such remarks again, I will not let you off easily."
To her, Chu Xingjin was nothing more than an accessory to her daughter, a playmate to make her daughter happy.
This is perfectly normal. She had no relation to Chu Xingjin; they only became connected because of her daughter.
Chu Xingjin collapsed to the ground, completely distraught.
He thought he was a guest of honor in the Xie family, and that at least the members of the main branch of the family would recognize his value. However, he never expected that in the eyes of the first wife, he was just Xie Jiaoyue's plaything.
He felt no gratitude whatsoever for the resources provided by the Xie family; only resentment.
These people are so high and mighty, yet they treat him like this.
Gong Shirao didn't take this little incident to heart; she turned around and went to Xie Jiaoyue's room.
Nobody's here.
Is he still cultivating?
Gong Shirao felt very gratified; her daughter had grown up. She would come again tomorrow.
The next day, Gong Shirao got up very early.
Still no one.
She went again that night, but still no one was there.
The next day.
Nobody here?
She checked the records of Peach Garden and found that Xie Jiaoyue arrived at five in the morning and did not finish her cultivation until ten at night!
So what's left each day besides cultivation and sleep?
I'm afraid my daughter won't work hard enough, but I'm also afraid she'll work too hard.
She secretly staked out Taoyuan and noticed that her daughter's face had become noticeably thinner, which broke her heart.
We should still balance work and rest, and let our daughter go out to relax, such as having a meal and fun with other children her age.
Gong Shirao picked through the various invitations, and after a long time, she finally found a suitable one. She then took it to find Xie Jiaoyue.
"Jiaoyue, there are only two days left until the day you enter the clan school."
Gong Shirao seemed unable to directly express her love for her daughter, so she came up with a high-sounding reason: "Your mother thinks you need to get to know more people your age before entering the clan school, so you can adapt to life in the clan school in advance."
She handed over a silver invitation card with the name of the banquet host outlined in gold thread.
Xin Xiuying.
They're really rich and powerful, and they love to show off even more than their family.
Gong Shirao gave a brief introduction: "This is the daughter of the Xin clan chief. Tomorrow is her birthday. I remember you know her."
Xie Jiaoyue exchanged a few words with the system and learned about her relationship with Xin Xiuying. To put it simply, their relationship wasn't very good.
Her mother loved her, so she knew everyone she knew, but that love wasn't much; she couldn't tell if those people were her best friends or her enemies.
Gong Shirao added, "With such high talent, wouldn't it be a pity if you didn't go out and let them see it?"
Got it, this is to let her show off in front of her rival.
She was wrong. Her mother's love was not only meticulous but also incredibly considerate.
Xie Jiaoyue accepted the invitation without hesitation.
Gong Shirao looked at Xie Jiaoyue's worn-out clothes and said, "You don't need to cultivate today. Go out and buy yourself a couple of new outfits. My daughter has such a beautiful appearance; she cannot be wasted."
She didn't care if she stole someone else's thunder; she just wanted to give her daughter the best.
She thought of the drab clothes in her daughter's closet and added, "Moyu has good taste, how about she comes along too?"
Normally, Gongshi Moyu would not refuse, but he calculated the time: "Madam, Moyu's leave period is about to end."
This means it's time for him to leave.
In fact, he had already received several reminders yesterday.
Gong Shirao sighed: "If you feel too tired, you can go home and rest."
Xie Jiaoyue was very understanding: "Brother Moyu, I can find someone else to accompany me."
Gongshi Moyu turned his head and asked, "Who? Could it be Chu Xingjin?"
Xie Jiaoyue said, "Of course, he will be entering the clan school in a few days, but he doesn't even have a single piece of clothing without patches, so we should buy him a few sets."
If she didn't bring Chu Xingjin, she would have to use her own money balance; if she brought Chu Xingjin, she might be able to fool the system.
Gong Shi Moyu's mental radar went off, and he immediately said, "I've thought about it carefully. I can leave tonight. I can accompany my cousin Jiaoyue to buy her robes."
He came up with an even more suitable reason: "Moreover, I have been in the tribal school for several years and have a good understanding of its needs, making me suitable to accompany Jiaoyue on her outings."
Gong Shirao recalled what had happened a few days ago and realized she really didn't want her daughter to be alone with Chu Xingjin, so she agreed with Gong Shi Moyu's suggestion.
"That's fine then. Jiaoyue, when you're out and about, you should listen to your cousin Moyu. Especially since you and Chu Xingjin are not yet married, you shouldn't be alone with him."
In Gong Shirao's mind, Chu Xingjin might be a spirit who had deceived her daughter.
On the one hand, she felt she should respect her daughter's choice, but on the other hand, she also wanted to subtly sow discord between the two.
Xie Jiaoyue nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, Mother, don't worry."
So, after settling Gong Shirao in, the four of them—one man, two women, and the maid Hua Yi—went out together.
Chu Xingjin stood on the street, looking at Xie Jiaoyue with a displeased expression: "Why did you call me out?"
The thought that Xie Jiaoyue was merely a furnace cauldron yet received several times more resources than him made him unable to swallow his anger.
In traditional novels, the furnace and cauldron are the lowest level of existence in the cultivation world, and are playthings of other cultivators. But now, they are valued more than him.
It's pointless, truly pointless. He didn't want to see Xie Jiaoyue at all.
Xie Jiaoyue was as affectionate as ever: "Brother Chu, your clothes are worn out. Shall I take you to buy some?"
She mentally submitted a request to the system: "The male lead can't be left out; you have to approve this."
Chu Xingjin's response was even faster than the system's; his dejected mood instantly turned positive: "Since Jiaoyue has such intentions, I naturally will not refuse."
He had been too attached to appearances. What did it matter if the other members of the Xie family disliked him, or if the First Madam looked down on him? Their most precious Xie Jiaoyue was his possession, and she was devoted to him and obeyed his every word.
He even felt a sense of pleasure, as if through Xie Jiaoyue's love, he could rise above the rest of the Xie family.
The system's approval came shortly afterward; Xie Jiaoyue's reasons were flawless, so it naturally wouldn't refuse.
Only Gongshi Moyu remained silent. He had not seen Chu Xingjin for the past few days and had never witnessed Xie Jiaoyue's "infatuation".
When he first faced the "devoted" Xie Jiaoyue, his brows furrowed as if they were the undulating Danxia landform.
He secretly made up his mind that he must take good care of Xie Jiaoyue, otherwise he would be letting down not only his neighbors in his previous life, but also Lady Gongshi in this life.
Among the group, the only one with experience shopping in Jinling City was Gongshi Moyu, but he was usually very busy and his needs were simple and direct, so he was not good at buying a gorgeous set of magic robes.
In the end, it was Hua Yi who had to save these young masters and ladies.
Hua Yi knows all the religious clothing shops in Jinling City like the back of her hand.
“Our Xie family’s shop is located at the east end of the city, which is managed by the First Madam. It’s more suitable for attending formal occasions.” She didn’t dare to say it directly, as the First Madam’s taste was really dull and uninteresting.
"Xin's shop is very close to Xie's, and the clothes there are rather fancy."
Xie Jiaoyue rejected the suggestion: "We're going to the Xin family's banquet, and wearing their clothes would make us look less imposing."
"Of those major families' shops, only the Wang family's remains. This one is nearby, over there. Miss, shall we go take a look?"
Xie Jiaoyue nodded in agreement. A large family's shop might not have any special features, but it's good for getting a basic understanding.
Xie Jiaoyue didn't have high hopes before entering Wang's store. In her impression, some big brands, in order to be "practical" and "play it safe," did nothing interesting.
But when she actually stepped into the Wang family's shop, her eyes lit up.
The bright red and gold color scheme, the sparkling decorations, and the flamboyant and unconventional cuts—weren't they tailor-made for her?
However, the system only approved the budget for buying things for Chu Xingjin.
Xie Jiaoyue picked up a bright red dress and looked at Chu Xingjin sincerely with her big eyes: "Brother Chu, I think sometimes people can change their style."
Chu Xingjin:? ? ?
A note from the author:
Today's update is at exactly 9 PM~
I watched a fashion show video the other day. The brand was Celine, and it looked a lot like Zara, haha. It was very wearable (but I couldn't afford it).
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