Heartfelt wishes
The old lady of the Xiao family held a birthday banquet at the old house in the west of the city. Instead of a grand celebration, a few small tables were set up, and only close old neighbors from the old street were invited.
Although the banquet was small, the family's hospitality was never perfunctory. Madam Xiao was in charge of preparing the nine dishes, symbolizing longevity.
Although the Xiao family mansion no longer enjoys its former glory, the furnishings and decorations in Xiao Yin's courtyard are still excellent.
Even in winter, a few chrysanthemums are placed in the courtyard to mark the season, and the charcoal used in the house is different from that of others; it is the finest golden charcoal, which burns for a long time without producing smoke.
Under the eaves, Bai Qi waited for a long time, but the tightly closed door still did not open for her.
From the time Xiao Yin got up until Xu Jingniang entered the room, the two chatted and laughed for quite a while. But when she went to look for him, the servant told her that Xiao Yin was busy and that she should find someone else another day.
"Miss, it's cold today. Why don't you go back first, or find another opportunity to look for Young Master Xiao?" The maid Yu Ling looked at her mistress who had been standing there all morning, stamped her foot, and asked cautiously.
The girl was dressed in thin clothes, and it was freezing cold; she was going to get chilled by the wind.
“Yu Ling, it’s the old lady’s birthday today, and we’re short-staffed. You can go help out in the kitchen,” Bai Qi replied, her words seemingly urging her to do something. But the kitchen was warm, and it was better than waiting here with her.
This was the second time Bai Qi had seen Xiao Yin since returning to the manor. She wanted to seize this opportunity to do something she hadn't finished thinking about. No matter how difficult, no matter...
"Miss Bai, the young master wants you to go back. He says he can't help with this matter." The servant pushed open the door, and as the cold wind rushed in, he shrank his neck, finished speaking in a firm voice, and then tried to close the door.
Bai Qi's face was ashen from the wind. When she saw the servant arrive, her icy eyelashes trembled slightly. She hurriedly moved her hard, aching feet, and used her hand to block the door that was about to close. She said in a trembling voice, "Xiao Yin, please help me. I can break off the engagement and give you your freedom."
As soon as these words were spoken, the noise inside the room ceased, and not a single word was heard. The servant hurriedly closed the door, and in his force, he pushed Bai Qi so hard that she stumbled and fell to the ground. Fortunately, Yu Ling was nearby and quickly helped her up.
"You...you, I'm going to tell the old lady!"
The servant casually apologized, then said a few more kind words before closing the door. After closing the door, he spat and cursed inwardly: What kind of high-society climber is this? Even if the old lady is backing him up, what good is it? This mansion is ruled by the eldest young master.
With a joyful heart, he raised his head and walked towards Xiao Yin. Before he could ask for a reward, he was suddenly hit on the head by a hard object, causing his head to bleed profusely. He was so frightened that he knelt down in a daze, not knowing what he had done to anger the young master.
"Young Master, spare my life!"
A slender hand picked up the scroll with bamboo skewers from the ground and then casually placed it on the small table.
Before Xiao Yin could unleash his anger, Xu Jingniang interrupted, "Cousin, Bai Qi used to look down on our Xiao family. Now that she's in trouble, she's come to ask you for help. What does she take you for? Are you going to stand up for her now?"
These words left Xiao Yin speechless, his mind in turmoil. He sneered, "This dog of a servant disrespects his grandmother. There's probably no place for him in the manor. Get out and kneel down outside."
The servant scrambled outside in a panic, wailing and begging for mercy.
Xu Jingniang's face darkened. How could she possibly respond to her cousin's words? Would he accuse her of disrespecting her grandmother? However, she still mustered her courage and reminded him, "Cousin, the Xiao family cannot afford a second crisis."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yin gave a half-smile, his sarcastic tone tauntingly uttered: "Think about your last name before you speak."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jingniang's expression was no less than Bai Qi's, who was standing outside in the cold wind.
Her lips froze, a flash of jealousy crossing her eyes. Her cousin would never yell at her like that. It was all that Bai Qi's fault! Who knew that down-on-his-luck girl who dared to try and steal her man?
If it weren't for her, Old Madam Xiao would have doted on her the most, and her cousin would have cared about her the most. Amidst Xiao Yin's cold dismissal, she clutched the handkerchief in her hand and ran out angrily.
As soon as she left, another person appeared in the room, still dressed in red. Qingyao held a folding fan and teased, "Your mansion is really lively."
He clicked his tongue twice, making Xiao Yin's face turn pale and then flushed.
Qingyao touched her nose and said, "Pei Jue said he will come today, so be prepared." Since leaving Wu County, it has been Xiao Yin and Pei Jue's loyal subordinates who have maintained the current situation.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yin banished his other emotions and asked with concern, "Lord Pei, are you well?" Within a month, in the southern coastal towns of Wu County, pirates invaded, and the crisis in the south reappeared.
Since returning to Wu County, Pei Jue has declared martial law throughout the southern city and dispatched elite squads of the Southern Feather Army to search for the pirates' hideouts to eliminate any future trouble. During this time, Pei Jue has been working tirelessly in the government, rarely returning home.
As noon approached, the family banquet was about to begin. Because it was a family banquet, the Xiao family members and guests were all surprised and caught off guard when they learned that Pei Jue was coming to the Xiao family to give a congratulatory gift to Old Madam Xiao.
As soon as the banquet began, the Xiao family members and their relatives and friends looked at each other, their eyes gleaming. Some respected elders stood up and celebrated the Xiao family's return to glory. When Madam Xiao heard these people praising her son, she felt quite proud.
During the banquet, Madam Xiao stood up, smiling broadly. At today's birthday banquet, she wore a brand-new blue satin jacket with longevity patterns and sat in the main seat, where one could still vaguely see her former elegance.
"Greetings, everyone. My grandson..." Madam Xiao was quite surprised that Pei Jue could come to her birthday banquet. However, the praise from everyone was not as flattering as Pei Jue's presence, which made her feel even more honored.
Several people went back and forth, and in a short while, the servant who had been waiting outside the gate of the Xiao residence came running, his forehead covered in sweat, and said, "Pei... Governor Pei is here!"
The crowd stopped their verbal conversation and came out of the hall. In an instant, no matter how fierce the wind was outside, it couldn't freeze anyone inside.
A short while later, a man followed Xiao Yin through the courtyard gate and slowly approached. He was wearing a thick, dark, straight-cut robe, with an elegant blue thick velvet crane cloak over it. As he walked, the hem of his robe fluttered, exuding an imposing aura.
Xiao Yin bowed his head and raised his sleeves respectfully, saying, "Lord Pei, please take a seat." Upon hearing this, everyone bowed and stepped aside to make way for him.
Pei Jue raised his hand, his phoenix eyes sweeping over everyone, and said gently, "Those present are all relatives and friends of Chief Secretary Xiao, there is no need for such formalities..." These words made everyone's gaze towards Xiao Yin even warmer, and they all felt that it was an honor to come to the Xiao family today.
For these people, a regional governor is no less powerful than a local leader. If someone were to gain Pei Jue's favor, it wouldn't be impossible for them to rise to prominence in one fell swoop.
After he finished speaking, several more forceful compliments rang out, but only a few bold officials encouraged their wives to socialize with Mei Sheng behind Pei Jue.
Seeing this, Madam Xiao put on a smiling face and squeezed forward: "Madam, it's cold outside, please come with me to the warm room." After saying that, she pretended to be close to Mei Sheng and led her to the warm room where the pampered guest was waiting.
The room wasn't really warm. As soon as Madam Xiao entered, she heard the maid beside Mei Sheng ask if it was cold. She had a sudden idea, so she lowered her head and called to the old woman beside her, giving her a few words of advice.
In no time, the room was spotless, and the old woman replaced the charcoal in the central brazier with fresh, high-quality charcoal that produced no smoke.
Mei Sheng woke up this morning with a sore throat, and remembering the chill from last night, she knew why. She had planned to go to the pharmacy to buy some medicine for a cold, but Pei Jue's suggestion to take her to a banquet disrupted her plans for the day.
Because of the cold, Mei Sheng was wearing a bright red fox fur coat today. The red color suited her well, and besides, Mei Sheng's appearance was already exceptional. As soon as she entered the room, the little maids of the Xiao family all peeked at her.
Madam Xiao joked, "Madam's appearance is truly a natural beauty, a rare find in this world. Look at these young maids, they've all lost their sense of propriety." Upon hearing this, the few young maids who were peeking out quickly lowered their heads, no longer daring to look at Mei Sheng.
Mei Sheng smiled gently and said, "Madam Xiao is too kind. You are the one who is..." On the way to the Xiao residence, she and Tang Yun had carefully inquired about the place, so she wouldn't be unable to recognize the person and look at them blankly.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao's smile grew even more amiable, and she praised, "Miss Mei is truly eloquent; Lord Pei is indeed blessed." The two chatted for a few moments, but the gossip among women was nothing more than matters of clothing and makeup.
"Miss Mei's fox fur coat is incredibly expensive," Madam Xiao said, touching the fabric with obvious envy.
Mei Sheng nodded her thanks, but before she could catch her breath, Madam Xiao said in a low, teasing voice, "I've heard that Governor Pei once hunted a fire fox. It must have been delivered by the Governor himself, right?"
The clothes were brought by Tang Yun early in the morning. Pei Jue said that it was cold and added some more clothes for her.
He hunted it himself?
Seeing Mei Sheng remain silent, Madam Xiao smiled knowingly, then stared at the charcoal fire and nodded in satisfaction. The gold charcoal was well spent. No matter how precious the object, it couldn't compare to the sentiment behind it.
Besides, that person is none other than Governor Pei, who wields great power!
Suddenly, Pei Jue saw Mei Sheng being swept away by a group of women. He thought she would rush to his aid like other weak women, but Mei Sheng left without even leaving him a word.
Xiao Yin: "Sir?"
Pei Jue regained his composure, gave a soft "hmm," and chatted with Old Madam Xiao. He sat at the banquet for a while before leaving amidst the flattery of the crowd. He had come to the Xiao family today not only to celebrate but also to ask Xiao Yin about important matters.
As soon as they entered the house, they were struck by a chill. Xiao Yin frowned and questioned the servant outside, "Who touched the charcoal fire inside?"
The servant boy, trembling with fear, timidly replied, "Madam."
Just then, the wind picked up and Xiao Yin didn't hear him. Not daring to look at Pei Jue's expression, he said, "Speak louder."
"The madam ordered the move; she said a beautiful young lady has arrived and we must serve her carefully." The servant knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging for forgiveness: "My lord, please spare my life..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yin bowed with remorse and said, "It was my mother's fault." He then went to punish the servant, fining him a month's wages. Although this was a small matter, Xiao Yin dared not let Pei Jue see that the Xiao family was not strict in managing its subordinates.
Pei Jue smiled and casually lifted his punishment. Under Xiao Yin's shocked gaze, he said gently, "It's nothing." Afterward, the group went inside and didn't come out for a while.
Xiao Yin: Hasn't Your Excellency always placed the utmost importance on these rules and etiquette?
In the warm room, Mei Sheng responded half-heartedly, occasionally taking a sip of water to soothe the itching in her throat. Madam Xiao assumed Mei Sheng liked the tea and served pot after pot.
Mei Sheng put down her teacup, but before she could utter her words of refusal, she heard a noise from a hidden spot outside, followed by a gasp of surprise.
Madam Xiao frowned and scolded, "Which unruly little maid is it? Come out here right now! You're doing such shameful things!"
The maidservant inside spoke quickly, saying, "Madam, it must be that new lady who's trying to freeload in our household. Who else could be so shameless as to act like that!"
Madam Xiao remained noncommittal, saying, "You're right. Go and kick her out, lest she offend Miss Mei's eyes."
After hearing this, the maid swung her large arms and stepped out of the threshold, walking to that corner. Suddenly, she heard her questioning voice: "Cousin...cousin?"
The girl, dressed in pink, shrank back as she entered the room: "Auntie, I..."
Upon seeing this, Madam Xiao's expression changed drastically. She slammed her teacup down on the table with a loud thud. Just as she was about to scold someone, she realized that Mei Sheng was still there. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she said, "Miss Mei, my niece is still young. Look at her, all she does is fool around. Why doesn't she come and greet Miss Mei?"
"Speaking of which, Miss Mei and my niece are about the same age, aren't they?"
Mei Sheng pondered for a moment. When it came to age, even she herself was a little unsure, but she could still tell who was older and who was younger: "A bit older."
Madam Xiao smiled and said, "It's obvious that Miss Mei is much younger than my niece." She thought to herself, "No woman in this world dislikes talking about her youth."
“You recently acquired a box of tea oil, why didn’t you go and give it to Miss Mei? Perhaps you were so taken aback by her beauty that you lost your composure. Miss Mei, please forgive me.”
Madam Xiao spoke with a beaming smile, while Mei Sheng listened with utter exhaustion.
Mei Sheng thought to herself: This Madam Xiao is eloquent, and that unruly girl she mentioned is probably going to suffer. When she looked up and her gaze fell on the hand that handed her the tea oil, her heart skipped a beat when she saw the woman's face clearly.
Is Bai Qi related to the Xiao family?
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