Even if she didn't say much, Xu Yunci could guess that Liu Shi's true colors would be quite unpleasant after receiving the invitation.
The day after the group moved in was the Double Ninth Festival. When they woke up early in the morning, they heard lively noises outside, probably because people were preparing things for the Double Ninth Festival.
The weather was getting colder. Qingji Hall had been renovated and was now open to the main house where Madam Xu lived. The stone paths on both sides led to the back pavilion.
Li Shiyue led Chunling around the side of the main house, which was the most common type of building. Apart from the gap left for walking at the entrance, there was a row of railings under the front corridor, and on the stone steps below, there were potted plants carefully maintained by servants.
However, with the frost starting to fall these past few days, the potted plants were taken away, and some new items were placed under the eaves. Combined with the tall pine trees on both sides, it didn't look so empty.
However, the location was cleverly chosen; the pine trees were lush and green, even in the depths of winter, and their dense branches perfectly shaded the empty space on both sides. Li Shiyue had just turned the corner with Chunling when the person entering the courtyard finally noticed her.
"cousin!"
Xu Lingqing, who was bundled up today, called out happily when she saw Li Shiyue, abandoning Xu Yunyao beside her and running over.
Li Shiyue didn't speak. When she turned around, she saw Xiangzhi, who was dressed as a woman, standing next to Xu Yunyao. She was an orphan and no one knew her name. After being taken in as a concubine, she was only called Aunt Xiang.
However, she wasn't indulging in any lavish feasts. Her narrow-sleeved jacket was made of plain brocade, and her hair was simply styled with a silver hairpin. Standing behind Xu Yunyao, she timidly observed everything, but when she saw Li Shiyue, a hint of smugness appeared in her eyes.
However, he glanced at Li Shiyue and nodded slightly, as if to greet Xu Yunyao, completely ignoring the coquettish Aunt Xiang.
She kept adjusting her hair and then flicking her handkerchief to cover her lips. Even Xu Lingqing couldn't help but show her displeasure, but she seemed oblivious, continuing her little fidgeting.
"Cousin, you have no idea, I didn't sleep well last night because I'm not used to sleeping in new beds. But my second brother is so thoughtful, he prepared a comfortable and spacious courtyard for us, so I didn't feel too tired at all last night."
“I was looking for my cousin, but I didn’t expect her to live in Qingji Hall with my grandmother. I was afraid of disturbing my grandmother’s peace, so I waited until now to come over.”
With her back to Xu Yunyao, Xu Lingqing grabbed Li Shiyue and started walking forward, talking as she went, completely forgetting about the two people behind her.
Xu Yunyao glanced at them without saying a word. After watching the two sisters in front of her enter the house, she cautiously took a step forward, intending to go inside. She had only taken one step when her sleeve was grabbed.
Xiangzhi had a grumbling in her heart, but seeing the obvious displeasure in Xu Yunyao's eyes, she quickly let go of her hand: "This is too rude. I am a perfectly healthy person standing here, and Miss Biao has not said a word. This is simply not taking the Fourth Branch seriously."
"Do you think that you, a mere concubine, can represent the face of the fourth branch of the family?" Xu Yunyao's displeasure grew more obvious as he looked at the woman in front of him, whom he hadn't touched since that night.
Thinking that a virgin would have no good end even with money if she lost her virginity, he took her in out of pity. Who knew she would be so restless? Even when he practiced martial arts and calligraphy, she would always obediently crowd around him, which was very annoying.
Xiangzhi pouted, her eyes brimming with tears, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice: "My lord, I became your concubine all for your sake. I'm just feeling resentful. Ninth Miss never gave me a kind look, even though I'm her half-sister-in-law. She's all smiles in front of Cousin."
"Besides, the young master was supposed to be discussing marriage with his cousin, but who knows if he still has feelings for her now that they see each other every day?"
——”
"Shut up!" Xu Yunyao was a martial artist, and when he got angry, he was like a fierce tiger, his brows furrowed with rage.
"Becoming a concubine was your own choice. I didn't want to pursue the matter of that night. I gave you face by accepting her as a concubine, but what makes you think you can represent the four families? A concubine's sister-in-law? Just because a lowly concubine gave you face doesn't mean you're taking advantage of me. What marriage? If you keep talking nonsense and accusing others, I'll hand you over to my mother to deal with."
Xiangzhi's face flushed red, whether from fear or embarrassment, and looking at the three characters "Qingjitang" in front of her, she felt even more like leaving immediately.
"Your grandmother wants to see you. The fact that she brought you to the other courtyard this time is an honor for you. It is your good fortune that your grandmother wants to see you. If you dare to turn your back and leave, your happy days will be over."
Xu Yunyao's voice was cold, and her icy expression clearly showed that she was furious. She strode into the door without waiting for Xiangzhi to catch up.
She was just a lowly concubine and shouldn't have been brought before Old Madam Xu. However, Old Madam Xu genuinely loved the fourth branch of the family and she was Xu Yunyao's first woman, so she thought she would bring her along to meet him. She would just keep her from running around normally.
When Xu Yunyao and Xiangzhi, who followed quickly in, entered the house, the young men and women of the first and third branches of the family were already there. Even Xie Yizhi was sitting next to Xu Yunxu, talking about something, and the two of them exuded harmony.
When Xu Yunyao entered with his entourage, everyone stopped talking and their gazes fell in twos and threes on the incense stick that Xu Yunyao had reached out.
"Oh, fourth brother, who is this lady?" Xu Yunbo had been staying at the manor for the past six months. His skin was even darker than Xu Yunyao's, and he had a mischievous look in his eyes. He had never gotten along with Xu Yunyao since childhood.
Xu Yunyao thought he was all show and no substance, only interested in pleasure. He used to laugh at Xu Yunyao for being a brute. Now he was a brute too, having given up those bad habits.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yunbo looked like he had received a warning from his elder brother, and quickly suppressed his smile and sat up straight.
Xu Yunci withdrew his gaze with satisfaction, not even looking at Xu Yunyao, and picked up the teacup beside him without saying a word.
"Grandmother, your grandson and his concubine pay their respects to you."
This is the downside of being a concubine; if the principal wife were present, she should be respectfully addressed as "Young Madam."
Lian Chun and a maidservant placed soft cushions in front of the two of them. Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Yunyao lifted his robe and knelt down, kowtowing to Old Madam Xu.
Xiangzhi felt uneasy. With so many eyes on her, she swallowed hard and knelt down like Xu Yunyao, her voice trembling slightly: "Xiangzhi greets the old lady. May the old lady enjoy good health and longevity."
"whispering sound!"
In the quiet atmosphere, a soft chuckle was particularly noticeable. Xiangzhi, her nerves on edge, was caught off guard by the chuckle and lost her balance, falling headfirst to the ground.
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