"My goodness... are you Miss Xie?" A surprised voice rang out from behind Madam Xie.
Xie Li looked up at the other person, who was a woman in her sixties, dressed simply, with a kind face. She stared at Xie Li with her mouth wide open, and then looked at Xie Shiyou standing to the side.
Gradually, his eyes reddened. "Heaven have mercy! We've finally found you!...Madam!"
She turned her head quickly to look at Madam Xie, her face full of excitement: "Look, it's the young lady!"
Madam Xie seemed to snap out of her daze, raising her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Zhang Ma, I have urgent business to attend to today, and I'm afraid I won't be able to entertain you for the time being, butler!"
The middle-aged butler in uniform bowed and stepped forward, "Madam, please rest assured."
Madam Xie nodded and turned to the maid carrying large and small bags: "Sister Wan, let's go."
Xie Shiyou had already cleverly followed, and before leaving, he gave Xie Li a disdainful look.
Tsk tsk, he felt ashamed for Xie Li in this situation.
Xie Li's expression remained calm as he watched the group depart, his eyes clear and unwavering.
Zhang Ma's expression changed instantly, and she raised her foot to chase after him, "Madam..."
The middle-aged housekeeper stepped in front of Assistant Ye and gently reminded him, "Aunt Zhang, Madam is very busy."
Zhang Ma opened her mouth, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.
Busy? Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe that excuse. What could be more important than his own daughter?
Moreover, after being separated from her family for more than a decade, Xie Li had just come to the big city from a small mountain village. No matter what, she was still a young girl, and she must have been very anxious and uneasy. If Madam Xie hadn't returned, that would have been fine, but since she had returned, she didn't even have time to sit down and have a private conversation. How would the servants of the Xie family view Xie Li in the future?
The old lady composed herself, then suddenly raised her voice:
"Will Madam be coming home for dinner tonight? It's the young lady's first day here; shouldn't we prepare a welcome dinner?"
A hint of displeasure flashed in the middle-aged housekeeper's eyes. Wasn't this Zhang Ma being a bit too nosy?
Fortunately, Madam Xie paused slightly upon hearing this and pondered, "We should prepare... Old Wu, you make the arrangements."
His gaze fell lightly on Xie Li's direction, and his brow furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.
"Xie Li, right? You settle in first, I'll try my best to come back for dinner tonight."
Xie Li gave a faint "hmm," his expression calm and his clear eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.
There was no anticipation or excitement, nor any displeasure or sadness.
But Madam Xie didn't see it; she had already turned and left, her high heels clicking rapidly on the ground, as if she were trying to escape something.
Having received the answer she wanted, Zhang Ma turned to comfort the girl, "Young Miss, Madam is busy, so..."
She looked at Xie Li with obvious affection, and with her rough, large hand she grabbed Xie Li's arm and warmly ushered him inside.
"Miss, please come in. Oh, did you bring some local specialties? Let me help you carry them..."
Xie Li hesitated for a moment, then said, "Grandma, I'm afraid you can't lift it."
"Young Miss?" Zhang Ma looked at Xie Li, her expression blank for a moment. "You...you remember me?"
Xie Li nodded: "Yes, I remember."
The girl's face was expressionless when she looked at Madam Xie, but now there was a faint smile in her eyes and brows, as if there was a radiance flowing through them, which made Zhang Ma's mouth drop open.
"Young Miss, you've been exceptionally intelligent since you were little. May the Bodhisattva bless you, and may you grow up to be just as intelligent and beautiful as the old lady..."
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