Xiao Xi was taken aback. Why was her brother back so early in the morning? Before she could think about it carefully, Nan Yi added, "He didn't look too good when he came back."
Xiao Xi's heart skipped a beat. His instincts as a constable sank, fearing something had happened.
“Brother, come out,” Xiao Xi called out directly, “Brother, come and have breakfast together.”
Xiao Ran slowly walked out, stood in front of the table with his head down, and Xiao Xi pressed him down to sit down, then said to Nan Yi, "This is my brother Xiao Ran, and this is my good friend, Nan Yi."
The two, who had met before, nodded to each other. Xiao Xi then served breakfast to Xiao Ran. "Brother, you're back so early, is something wrong?" Xiao Xi didn't try to hide anything from Nan Yi and asked directly.
Xiao Ran glanced at Nan Yi, then lowered his head again. Xiao Xi looked at his brother and advised, "It's okay, there's no need to avoid Nan Yi. If you speak out, the three of us can discuss it."
Nan Yi is a woman from a wealthy family. She is knowledgeable and experienced, unlike Nan Yi, who only knows how to solve cases and arrest people. She doesn't know anything that women can do.
Just as Nan Yi was about to speak, there was another knock on the door. Xiao Xi glanced at Nan Yi.
“Yes, they’re my people. Qiaoqiao, go open the door,” Nan Yi explained.
Qiaoqiao cheered, "There's something delicious to eat!"
After the door opened, Xiao Shunzi cautiously looked around the small courtyard. "Little sister, what's this?"
“Shunzi, come in,” Nan Yi interrupted him.
“Yes, sir—no, yes, master,” he almost let slip.
Xiao Shunzi walked in, and Qiaoqiao tugged at his sleeve, staring at the gift box in Xiao Shunzi's hand and swallowing hard. She could smell the aroma of the food.
"Master, everything has been bought. Would you like to take a look?" Xiao Shunzi reported to Nan Yi, glancing at the others as well.
Xiao Xi, he knew who she was. This woman had a great reputation; she was the only female constable in Shuntian Prefecture, and everyone in the capital knew her.
"Yes, thank you for your hard work. Put the things on the table. Greetings to Xixi, Brother Xiaoran, and Sister Qiaoqiao," Nan Yi introduced with a light smile.
Xiao Shunzi bowed and said, "Greetings, Young Master Xiao, Miss Xiao, and Sister Xiao."
Xiao Ran stood up and returned the greeting.
Xiao Xi pulled Qiaoqiao onto his bench and offered her to Xiao Shunzi, but Shunzi waved his hands repeatedly, as he dared not sit with his master.
"Alright, Shunzi, I told you to sit down, so sit down. This is outside, not at home, so let's not stand on ceremony." Nan glanced at him and then pulled him to sit down.
Before Xiao Shunzi could refuse, Nan Yi asked, clutching the box, "What did you buy?"
Shunzi stood up and said, “Reporting to Master, there are the Four Treasures of the Study from Zhizhenzhai, the Pastries from Jinfulou, the Roast Duck from Huikeju, and some small ornaments.”
“Great, let’s sit down and eat together,” Nan Yi praised.
Shunzi stammered, "Master, there's still... there's still a lot of silver left, we haven't spent much money."
Nan Yi was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and said, "I didn't say I'd give it all to you. You honest kid, eat it." Nan Yi handed him a large meat bun.
"Thank you, Master," Xiao Shunzi said with a beaming smile.
The other three were quite surprised. Xiao Xi understood but didn't take it to heart. Xiao Ran, however, was alarmed. He worked in the prince's residence and had seen a lot of things. The man who came later was obviously a eunuch. Eunuchs only appeared in the royal family.
In this world, only the imperial palace and the residences of the princes have eunuchs. And when he called that woman "master," their identities were obvious. I just don't know when my sister met such an extraordinary person.
"You all eat too," Nan said, seeing the three of them staring blankly at her and her servant.
Looking at the table full of gifts, Xiao Xi said softly, "Nan Yi, don't spend so much money in the future." She felt embarrassed to accept so many things from him.
Nan Yi glared angrily, "Are we even friends?"
“Of course,” she quickly replied.
Nan glared at her, "Then let's eat!" Everyone laughed and started eating.
******
"Brother, are you saying that you were framed for embezzling money? Did you embezzle it or not?" Xiao Xi asked urgently.
Xiao Ran stood up, his face flushed, and loudly retorted, "Of course not! You don't believe in my character? It's just... it's just..." He was too embarrassed to finish his sentence.
"What is it? Just say it!" Xiao Xi was getting impatient. Xiao Ran muttered softly, but Xiao Xi didn't hear her. "Speak louder, I can't hear you."
Xiao Ran choked up and said loudly, "He wanted me to be his son-in-law, but I disagreed, and this happened the next day."
Nan Yi chuckled upon hearing this, understanding the reason. Her words and actions were startling, and with a flick of her slender finger, she said, "That's why I'm forcing you into marriage."
To be honest, upon closer inspection, Xiao Ran really is a handsome young man.
Xiao Xi glared at her, "Nan Yi," noticing her brother was so embarrassed he was hiding his head in his chest, she said to him, "Now you're being kicked out, and you still want to pay me back?"
Xiao Ran nodded, feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and resentful, with suppressed anger on his face.
Xiao Xi angrily said, "Is there no law anymore?"
"Is that girl pretty?" Nan Yi was more concerned about that one.
"Nan Yi, that's not the point."
Nan Yi ignored her and only looked at Xiao Ran, who nodded with a blush. He was indeed handsome. However, he was a proper man and only wanted to marry an ordinary, virtuous wife to continue the family line; looks were secondary.
"She's beautiful, and her father is the steward. That's quite good. Why not agree?" With his current status, he's considered to be marrying above his station. Even for commoners, the steward is a figure of importance.
Xiao Shunzi hesitated for a moment, then reminded him, "Master, I'm afraid there's something wrong with that girl."
He spent ten years in the inner palace, in the prince's harem, chatting and exchanging gossip with the eunuchs, and was quite knowledgeable about certain matters.
Xiao Xinan looked at Xiao Ran for confirmation and saw that he nodded with a bad expression.
Nan Yi pulled Shunzi aside and whispered, "Tell me, what's wrong with that girl?" She was really curious; it wasn't just a girl, why was Xiao Ran treating her like a major enemy?
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