The Cheng family had arrived, and it wasn't convenient to target Xu Zhuohua in front of outsiders. The First Madam sat down angrily, intending to teach Xu Zhuohua a lesson after the Cheng family left.
Zhang Qi was dressed in a neat dark blue military uniform, followed by two soldiers, each carrying a large box.
“Mr. Xu, the young marshal said that Miss Xu forgot some things at the Cheng residence and sent me to deliver them.”
Upon learning that Cheng Muyun had not come in person, Xu Shinong breathed a sigh of relief; it made things easier since the Great Demon King wasn't coming.
"Oh, this is really troubling you, Lieutenant Zhang."
Zhang Qi said, "It's no trouble at all."
Then, he had someone place the box next to Xu Zhuohua. "Here are Aurora University's new school uniforms and textbooks. The young marshal said that Miss Xu will definitely need them for her classes tomorrow, and asked me to deliver them as soon as possible."
The First Madam bit her lip and frowned as she looked at Xu Zhuohua.
In this way, Xu Zhuohua cannot be confined, otherwise Cheng Muyun will definitely come to the Xu family to ask if he knows that Xu Zhuohua did not go to Zhendan.
Zhang Qi said, "There are also records that Miss Xu likes. The young marshal said he would personally deliver the phonograph tomorrow, as well as the clothes that Miss Xu had made at the tailor shop a few days ago, which will also be delivered tomorrow."
When Xu Zhuohua heard that Cheng Muyun would be coming tomorrow, she frowned slightly, but then her expression relaxed as she thought that the First Madam couldn't do anything to her before then.
This is the method Cheng Muyun mentioned, right? It's alright, it's acceptable.
But when did he become so mild-mannered?
After Zhang Qi finished speaking, he bowed to Xu Shinong and said, "Mr. Xu, I have completed the task assigned by the young marshal. I will be leaving now."
Xu Shinong stood up and politely saw Zhang Qi out.
Everyone at the table was looking at Xu Zhuohua, and the concubines were especially eager for gossip.
The seventh concubine asked first, "Miss, is the Second Young Marshal really that good to you? He even sent you to school and had a tailor make you new clothes?"
Xu Zhuohua smiled wryly. Cheng Muyun sent Zhang Qi here as if to assert his sovereignty. "Well... it's alright. He probably thinks I'm unsophisticated and uneducated."
The seventh concubine shook her head. "I don't think so. Look at me, I'm illiterate and have never been to school. But the master likes me and often teaches me to read. Isn't that great? That's favoritism."
Xu Zhuohua stole a glance at the First Madam, only to see that the teacup in her hand was about to shatter.
The First Madam said, "Seventh Brother, keep your words to yourself. What kind of behavior is this?"
The seventh concubine brushed a stray hair behind her ear. "Alright, I won't say anything more. I'll talk to the master tonight. The first madam doesn't like me talking, but the master does."
Xu Zhuohua finally realized that this seventh concubine was no ordinary woman; she dared to challenge the first wife.
Seeing that the Seventh Concubine ignored her, the First Madam continued to target Xu Zhuohua, "Don't think you have someone backing you up. Go to the ancestral hall tonight and kneel as punishment. It won't interfere with your studies tomorrow."
Xu Zhuohua pursed her lips, knowing that the First Madam would only escalate her behavior if she couldn't save face, so she simply stopped arguing back.
Smart people don't create trouble for themselves.
The ancestral hall was a small room behind the Western-style building, built like a temple. The hall contained the ancestral tablets of the Xu family ancestors. There were no lights, only a faint candlelight, which made it look very gloomy.
Standing at the entrance of the ancestral hall, Hu Niang said, "Young Miss, Madam ordered you to kneel in the ancestral hall. What makes you think you're sitting on a chair?"
Xu Zhuohua leisurely crossed his legs, but because he was too full to do so, he gave up and slumped back in his chair.
"I won't kneel, so what are you going to do about it?"
Hu Niang clenched her fists, her face slightly flushed. "I'll go tell the First Madam."
Xu Zhuohua chuckled lightly, "Heh, go ahead, I'll kneel when the First Madam arrives."
Hu Niang turned and walked back to the Western-style building.
Xu Zhuohua chuckled disdainfully. Anyway, she would definitely be sent to Zhendan early tomorrow morning. Whether she knelt in the ancestral hall or not, she could leave in the morning, so why make herself suffer?
She wasn't afraid even if Xu Shinong came, let alone the First Madam.
Although I slept in the ancestral hall on my first night back at the Xu family home, I will inevitably be punished many times in the future, so I'll just treat it as getting used to the environment.
Xu Zhuohua hummed a little tune leisurely.
Although it was April, the night was still a bit chilly. Xu Zhuohua hugged herself tightly, rubbed her hands, and couldn't fall asleep.
Someone walked over; the footsteps were especially clear in the night.
It's a man.
Xu Zhuohua looked towards the door, which was slightly ajar. The door was pushed open, revealing Xu Jiyi.
He was tall and slender, casting a long shadow on the floor of the ancestral hall, and he was holding a thin blanket in his arms.
"Excuse me... Zhuohua, are you cold?" The voice was gentle, with a faint sadness lingering between her brows.
A gloomy boy.
This label immediately popped into Xu Zhuohua's mind.
She looked at the thin blanket in Xu Jiyi's hand, hugged herself, looked at Xu Jiyi with her bright eyes, and said aggrievedly, "It's cold."
Xu Jiyi walked over, unfolded the blanket, and wrapped it around Xu Zhuohua's body, making her feel incredibly warm instantly.
"There are a lot of rumors going around lately, and Mother got a little angry when she heard them, but she'll be fine in a few days."
Xu Zhuohua smiled and said, "That's your mother, not mine. Can't you tell she's trying to mess with me?"
Xu Jiyi looked up at the memorial tablet. The candlelight was dim, and a girl alone here would surely be afraid, so he simply sat down in the chair next to Xu Zhuohua.
Xu Zhuohua frowned, "Aren't you leaving?"
Xu Jiyi's eyes were bright, reflecting the firelight. "I'll stay with you."
"Isn't it inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone together in a room?"
Xu Jiyi blinked. "We are siblings."
"We're not related by blood, everyone knows that. If Aunt Hu sees this, the First Madam will punish me again. You should leave."
Xu Jiyi thought about it and agreed with Xu Zhuohua. "Alright, I'll call a maid to come and keep you company."
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