Because she came home early today, Ji Xinhe thought of preparing a rich dinner. Ever since the wedding fiasco, both her big brother and Xiao Bei had been down in the dumps with her. She felt quite guilty about it.
This was her problem. Regardless of how much she suffered, why should her family be involved and worry about it with her?
"Why don’t I make Chicken Stew with Mushrooms for dinner today? Doesn’t Xiao Bei love that dish the most?" Ji Xinhe smiled, grabbed the big rooster she bought from the town market today, and killed it swiftly in the courtyard.
Xiao Bei, who was standing at one side, watched without blinking. "Xiao Bei loves watching sister kill chickens the most."
"Why?"
"Sister kills chickens so beautifully." Xiao Bei sincerely said.
Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but laugh a bit disdainfully. "Where did you learn to sweet talk?"
"I’m not lying. Sister’s method of killing a chicken is so swift and clean, it’s pleasing to the eye! Before, sister would never dare to do such bloody work. Now she’s getting more and more proficient," Xiao Bei said cheerfully.
Ji Xinhe just smiled and didn’t comment further. "Now that we’ve moved to this new house, why don’t we buy a few chicks and ducks to raise in the empty backyard? We can get eggs directly from their nests every day. When Chinese New Year comes, we can slaughter and eat them. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Bei eagerly nodded in agreement. "Good! I want to personally select the baby chicks!"
As they were talking, a large horse carriage stopped at the gate of their courtyard.
Ji Xinhe lifted her gaze, her eyebrows furrowed instantly. Wasn’t that the horse carriage of the Wang Family?
The gate of Ji Xinhe’s house wasn’t closed. Master Wang and Lady Wang alighted from the carriage and stepped right into the courtyard.
Xiao Bei looked at Ji Xinhe confusedly. "Sister, who are they?"
Ji Xinhe signaled Xiao Bei. "Go back to your room and do your homework. I will check it later."
Xiao Bei could only obediently nod and went back in.
Ji Xinhe looked coldly at the elderly Wang couple. "What are you here for?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Lady Wang, still somewhat pale, looked at Ji Xinhe with a hint of speculation and a touch of... fear.
Master Wang gave a dry cough, glanced at Ji Xinhe, then asked, "Are you Ji Xinhe?"
"Yes." Ji Xinhe casually threw the chicken she just killed into a nearby basin. Her hands were still stained with blood. It was a somewhat creepy sight.
Master Wang’s brows furrowed slightly, but nonetheless, he said, "I heard that Miss Ji has mastered the technique of brewing grape wine. Our Wang family also runs a distillery business, so we purposely came to visit."
Ji Xinhe raised an eyebrow. Hasn’t the Wang family known about her wine brewing activities for a long time? Why only think of visiting her now?
They must have a hidden agenda, yet she was not afraid. If she could bring down their house once, she could do it a second time!
"Please come in." Ji Xinhe offered a faint smile, hinting at a trace of sarcasm, and gestured for them to enter.
The smile was somewhat creepy, giving Master Wang a chill down his spine. He had been in business for many years and unlike Lady Wang, who was short sighted due to her sheltered life, he immediately noticed from the moment he stepped in. This sixteen-year-old girl was a formidable adversary!
Lady Wang and Master Wang entered the house, and Ji Xinhe followed them after washing her hands, she also served them tea.
"Master Wang personally paid a visit, your sincerity is appreciated. What merit do I have for a distinguished royal merchant to personally come to my door?" Ji Xinhe’s smile was chilly.
Lady Wang’s face darkened. If not for Ji Xinhe, how could their family have lost the title of royal merchant and be reduced to this state? This girl even dared to brazenly mock them!
However, Master Wang solemnly stated, "It’s nothing much. Actually, I heard that your mother, Xu Shi, used to be a nanny at our manor. This is a kind of predestined relationship. If your mother were still alive, seeing you so successful, she would surely have been very gratified."
Mentioning her late mother, Ji Xinhe’s provocativeness subsided a bit. This prematurely departed and pitiable mother always held an important place in her heart, which she was not willing to let go easily. Of course, Ji Xinhe herself could not have such deep feelings for a "mother" whom she had never met. Instead, the previous host deeply missed this mother.
Ji Xinhe’s expression darkened slightly. "My mother was a simple woman in her lifetime. Her only wish for her children was that they live a peaceful and healthy life. Even if I was not as successful as I am today, as long as her children are happy and healthy, she would be equally gratified."
Master Wang closely examined Ji Xinhe’s expression. Finding her words seemed sincere, he stroked his beard and continued, "Speaking of Xu Shi, I do have some recollections."
Ji Xinhe gave a cold laugh. "Indeed? But as far as I know, my mother was merely a wet nurse to a minor daughter. She hardly had any chances to see the main child of the Wang family. Master Wang, you even have recollections of her?"
This Master Wang’s attempt to curry favor with her was too obvious. Did he think she was a fool?
Master Wang’s face flashed with momentary embarrassment, but he quickly said, "Although we had a brief encounter, your mother Xu Shi was simple and honest. I have a vague impression of her."
"So, Master Wang specially visited today to discuss my mother with me?" Ji Xinhe’s patience was running thin. She lost interest in dealing with this wily old fox. She idly played with the handkerchief in her hand, thinking that if they did not reveal their true intentions soon, she could simply throw them out.
Lady Wang noticed the handkerchief in Ji Xinhe’s hand. Her eyes widened in interest. She quickly asked, "This handkerchief looks really nice. Where did you get it?"
"It was left to me by my mother. She said it was a gift from the master of the Wang family. Lady Wang, could you recognise it?" Ji Xinhe was somewhat curious about this handkerchief. Upon hearing Lady Wang’s question, she asked one of her own.
Lady Wang forced a smile. "I think it looks a bit familiar. Can I take a closer look?"
Lady Wang’s sudden change in attitude made Ji Xinhe cautious and puzzled, but she still handed over the handkerchief.
The moment Lady Wang touched the handkerchief, her hand involuntarily trembled. The handkerchief was made of top-quality Shu brocade. Where in small Lian’an Town could one buy such precious material?
Looking closely at the embroidery on the handkerchief, it was also very exquisite. It was a rare, familiar workmanship.
Lady Wang’s heart was in her throat and she almost couldn’t breathe. When she looked at Ji Xinhes, a touch of horror seeped into her gaze.
Although she tried to suppress her emotions, Ji Xinhe still saw some signs of unease.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
The Wang couple, who had made a special visit, were always circling around the topic of her deceased mother, and now upon seeing the handkerchief, they showed such an expression. Could there be something wrong with this handkerchief?
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