Master Wang recalled the last visit, his eyes flickering, and he laughed awkwardly, "That’s indeed the case."
This girl clearly knew that the relationship between their two families was nothing more than superficial harmony, yet she deliberately came to visit today, probably with no simple purpose.
Cold sweat broke out on Master Wang’s back, and he suddenly felt a little panicked.
How strange, he was nearly fifty years old, and what important person had he not met, or what big storm had he not experienced? How could he feel intimidated in front of a teenage girl?
Ji Xinhe lifted her lips and sat leisurely on a taishi chair. She casually took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and appeared to wipe the sweat from her brow, "Master Wang, did you see the Lantern Festival yesterday? I heard that the Wang Family booked a whole street of flower lanterns. I wish I could be as extravagant as Master Wang someday."
Master Wang’s gaze fell on her handkerchief, his pupils contracted, and the more he listened to her words, the more guilty he felt. His eyes became elusive, and he coughed lightly to relieve his embarrassment, "I did take a look. I am old and don’t like crowds much, so I returned soon after. Miss Ji, did you go and see it?"
Ji Xinhe seemed to casually wipe her sweat, but in fact, she had been closely watching Master Wang’s face, wanting to see his reaction. Seeing his nervous expression, a cold chill rose in her heart.
Ji Xinhe sneered, "Yes, the flower lanterns this year are exceptionally beautiful. It’s just a pity that there was almost an accident midway. Fortunately, everything ended up safe and sound."
Master Wang looked surprised, "What happened?"
"It’s a troubling matter, but not worth mentioning," Ji Xinhe waved her hand, then as if remembering something, she said, "Last time Master Wang came to my house and asked about my mother, I wanted to know more about her as well. After all, my mother passed away eight years ago, and I regret not knowing much about her life now."
Master Wang’s body tensed, and he pursed his lips before saying, "My understanding of her is only limited because it has been so many years. How can I remember clearly?"
Ji Xinhe spread out the handkerchief in her hand, "Is that so? This handkerchief looks exquisitely made. Since the master on it could bestow such a fine handkerchief, their relationship must be quite good, right? Or am I overthinking?"
Master Wang glanced at the handkerchief and found it extremely glaring. He turned his head and said, "Xu Shi used to be a commoner nanny in the mansion. Perhaps it was a gift from that concubine."
"I see." Ji Xinhe nodded thoughtfully, but her doubts grew bigger in her heart.
This handkerchief looked very luxurious. Especially now that she had contact with many wealthy families, she found that some of the handkerchiefs used by the main wives were not better than this one. How could this handkerchief be something a concubine could easily bestow back then?
One couldn’t easily trust what the Wang Family said. She came here today to deliberately probe, and seeing Master Wang’s guarded appearance, her suspicions deepened, and she tightly held the handkerchief in her hand.
She must find out the truth!
"Miss Ji, if there is nothing else..." It was obvious that Master Wang no longer wished to continue the conversation with her.
Ji Xinhe didn’t want to stay any longer either, so she stood up directly, "Then I shall take my leave now."
Master Wang finally let out a sigh of relief, "Someone, see the guest out."
After leaving the Wang residence, Ji Xinhe was lost in thought all the way, her eyebrows inadvertently furrowing slightly. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t even notice the person standing across from her.
It wasn’t until Duan Lan spoke up, "What are you thinking about so deeply?"
Ji Xinhe looked up in surprise, "How come you’re here?"
Why would a noble young master like you be standing at the entrance of Wang Family’s house, acting as a gatekeeper?
Duan Lan smiled, "I’m waiting for you."
"Oh..." What a strange thing was that to say?
Ji Xinhe didn’t pay much attention to it as she walked and laughed, "Young Master Duan, how long do you plan to stay in Lian’an Town? Yesterday, I left in such a hurry that I didn’t have the chance to thank you properly. I’m really grateful for your help last night."
Duan Lan’s laughter was gentle and elegant, as if he was steeped in an air of scholarly fragrance. Different from Mu Houchu, who, even dressed as a scholar, still exuded an indomitable, imposing air that would make anyone feel intimidated. Duan Lan, with his gentle and jade-like demeanor, was much easier to approach.
"Since I’m here, of course, I’ll stay for a few days. If you really want to thank me, why not treat me to a meal and introduce me to some interesting places in Lian’an Town?" Duan Lan laughed.
"I can treat you to a meal, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to show you around. Even though I’ve lived here for years, I haven’t had much chance to go out and play. Do you have any free time now, Young Master Duan? In fact, I can treat you to lunch right away so as to express my gratitude."
Duan Lan laughed, "Alright."
So Ji Xinhe took him directly to Guilin House. As soon as Shopkeeper Wu spotted Ji Xinhe entering, he hurried to arrange a private room and ordered the best food and drink for her.
Seeing the diligence of the shopkeeper, Duan Lan, recalling the news he had heard, asked, "I heard that you run your own business, producing not only pickles and canned food but also grape wine? People told me that when coming to Lian’an Town, a visit to Guilin House is a must, if not for anything else, at least to taste the grape wine here."
Ji Xinhe smiled, "Indeed, I do supply Guilin House with their grape wine. It’s a small business, but Young Master Duan, you seem to know quite a lot about it."
"This grape wine is so rare that even the Palace rarely has it, yet you can produce it here. That’s truly remarkable." Duan Lan’s words were heartfelt. A woman running such a large business, and doing it so well, was most likely only achievable by a talented and capable girl like the one in front of him.
Ji Xinhe raised her eyebrows, "Young Master Duan, you seem to know not only about the grape wine business but also about matters in the Palace, don’t you?"
Duan Lan hesitated for a moment, then laughed, "You saw through me in just a few words. I don’t know whether to call myself stupid or you smart. My family is an official in the capital, so I’ve grown up surrounded by these things. I’m naturally not unfamiliar with them."
Ji Xinhe was taken aback for a moment. In fact, she had guessed Duan Lan’s identity earlier. Only nobility from the capital that had a close relationship with the Wang family could be acquainted with them. And his status, most likely, was not low. Otherwise, how could the power-hungry Wang family make friends with him?
"What’s the matter? Officials in the capital are as numerous as the hairs on a cow, don’t be so surprised." Duan Lan laughed.
"I’m not surprised by that. I just find it strange that after only meeting twice, you so easily reveal your background to me." Ji Xinhe spoke slowly.
Duan Lan looked at her, the corners of his mouth curve into a smile. "Sometimes, when befriending someone, maybe one meeting is enough. It all depends on whether you are willing to genuinely open up to each other and whether that person is worth being genuine with."
In his eyes, she was worth it, and that was enough.
Ji Xinhe forced a smile, her thoughts drifting for a moment. So that was how it was? Was the reason she knew nothing about that man because, in the end, she wasn’t worth his sincerity?
"What’s wrong?" Seeing her unusual expression, Duan Lan quickly asked.
Ji Xinhe shook her head, "It’s okay."
She pulled her thoughts together and, after pondering for a while, handed the handkerchief in her hand to Duan Lan, "You’ve grown up in a wealthy family since you were a child, can you roughly identify the origin of this handkerchief?"
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