The next day, early morning.
For the first time, Xia Yixin wore the traditional Chinese long robe with a curved hem, a style often worn by women in Nanyu. It was plain with red embroidery, wide sleeves, and a high waist that perfectly showcased her curvaceous figure. Her hair was slightly tied up, and her slender hands were very skillful. In no time, she completely transformed into a different person.
"Madam, you are so beautiful!" Xiaoman couldn't help but exclaim.
Looking at herself through the bronze mirror, Xia Yixin couldn't help but marvel at the power of appearance enhancement. Before, she was always dressed in a tight-fitting outfit with a bare face, looking elegant and heroic. But now, she looked like a beauty who had stepped out of a painting, exquisite in every way. Her originally overly charming phoenix eyes had also changed because of her own calm and otherworldly temperament.
Even Chu Mubai, who had seen her many times, was stunned for a moment before slowly approaching and taking her hand amidst Xiaoman's amused expression. "You look beautiful today, Madam."
Since they were going to the old lady's place, and she didn't know the local customs, she didn't dare to pull away from his hand since he wanted to hold hers, and followed him out of the West Garden.
She couldn't help but ask playfully, "So you mean I wasn't pretty before?"
This was a problem that used to cause headaches for many men in modern times.
Chu Mubai glanced sideways, meeting the woman's cunning eyes, and spoke his true feelings: "When we first met, you were as beautiful as fire in your red dress. When we met again, you were stunningly elegant in your smart outfit. And now, you are my wife, Chu Mubai's wife, so beautiful that I want to keep you as a treasure."
The tenderness in his deep eyes as he spoke made Xia Yixin's heart skip a beat, even though she had only meant to joke.
Was he doing it intentionally or unintentionally? Did he even realize how ambiguous the act of "keeping a mistress in a golden house" was?
Her dazed expression perfectly pleased Chu Mubai, who held her small hand in his palm, his smile deepening.
The old lady was over seventy years old, with gray hair but still vigorous. She came from a family of military generals in her youth, so she naturally exuded authority. Because she once took a sword for the late emperor, even the current emperor had to show her some respect.
The old lady was unruly her whole life, but she adored her eldest grandson, Chu Mubai. So when she saw Chu Mubai leading her daughter-in-law along with a smile on his face, all her complaints about her granddaughter-in-law vanished.
It wasn't in vain that she prayed to Buddha at the temple for so long; Mu Bai's luck had finally turned around.
Today, Grand Tutor Chu got up early to wait here to meet the special daughter-in-law that Madam Li had mentioned. After all, while people in the inner quarters could still move around freely, he felt a little awkward.
At first glance, Grand Tutor Chu was somewhat startled. It wasn't that Xia Yixin was bad, but rather that she was too beautiful. Her appearance was comparable to that of the one in the palace, and yet Minister Xia had kept her hidden in his mansion for so many years. As far as she knew, if the Chu family hadn't intercepted her, this Miss Xia would likely have been married off to a butcher.
Grand Tutor Chu recalled that five years ago, General Xia suddenly died in battle in the desert, and all the property of the general's mansion was divided up by his relatives. Minister Xia also occupied a lot of fertile land, saying that it was to be used as a dowry for General Xia's orphan, Xia Yixin. However, as far as she knew, those were not included in the dowry sent by Minister Xia.
Thinking of this, Grand Tutor Chu's eyes darkened slightly. He already disliked Minister Xia, and now he felt even more that he was despicable and shameless.
Chu Mubai guided Xia Yixin to greet everyone in the room one by one, and also made up for the tea ceremony that should have been performed on the second day of their marriage.
Xia Yixin observed everyone: the dignified and loving old matriarch, the refined tutor Chu, the dignified and kind Li Shi. Apart from Chu Qin's birth mother Wang Shi, who seemed like a green tea bitch, the other elders all seemed quite easy to get along with.
As for Grand Tutor Chu's concubines and the people in Chu Qin's courtyard, none of them were qualified to be here. She had seen them one after another yesterday; they were all petty women with no real influence.
Just then, a system notification sounded in her mind: "Ding, side quest triggered: max out the old lady's favorability. Current favorability is 60. Quest completion reward: 100 points!"
Maxing out the old lady's favorability? That shouldn't be too difficult.
The old lady took the tea Xia Yixin handed her, took a sip, and looked at her with an air of authority without anger. "I am not unreasonable. Let's just consider that day's matter over. But from now on, you must abide by the rules of the Grand Tutor's Mansion and live a good life with Mu Bai. Now that he has obtained the prescription from the Divine Doctor Valley, and you know some medical skills, if you can really help him recover and return to his original state, I will grant you one request."
The old lady was clear about her grudges and favors. Chu Mubai had been bedridden for so many years, and his recovery to this extent was an unexpected joy for all of them. Chu Mubai protected her and did not mention to the old lady that the prescription was related to her. He also only said that she had "a smattering" of her medical skills. Therefore, the old lady and the others did not know the truth.
Xia Yixin met the old lady's gaze calmly and said, "Thank you, Old Madam."
"Good, good, I like this granddaughter-in-law!" The old lady smiled and said meaningfully, "I know you have an agreement with my grandson, but as an elder, I still have to give you some advice. It is fate that you can get married. You should cherish it. My grandson is such a good person. You should hold on to him. Otherwise, you will regret it later."
The old lady's words drew laughter from everyone in the room. Li Shi even playfully said, "The old lady is urging you to hurry up and give us a big, fat great-grandson."
Xia Yixin blushed instantly, but she could tell from the old lady's words that she knew about her bet with Chu Mubai, which explained why she agreed to let her live in the West Garden.
After paying her respects, she was pulled aside by the old lady for a chat. She gradually discovered the old lady's wisdom and the family's tradition of loving fathers and filial sons. Of course, there was no exception for Chu Qin, who was currently locked in the ancestral hall copying the family precepts and could not come out to cause trouble for the time being.
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