Chapter 29: Reunion with Xiao Zhengyan

  This time, Hui'er went to the second house of the Ling family, where Ling Hui lived. Old Lady Xiao had three sons in her lifetime. The eldest son, Ling Zhao, was the heir of the Ling family and will not be mentioned for now. The youngest son, Ling Yun, was exceptionally talented and one in a million. After careful consideration, the second son, Ling Hui, became the most mediocre and unnoticed among the three brothers.

  Ling Hui's original wife, Ding Shi, was also born into a prestigious family. The two were married for many years, and after Ding Shi gave birth to a son, she soon passed away due to illness. Ling Hui had never been very fond of Ding Shi, and less than a year after her passing, he took the several personal maids who had accompanied Ding Shi as concubines. Although Old Lady Xiao had long since lost hope in this son, seeing him behave in such a manner still made her furious, and she summoned Ling Hui to scold him severely.

  Ling Hui was naturally servile in front of Xiao Lao Tai Jun, but once he left Chun Hui Garden, he returned to his usual self. Xiao Lao Tai Jun couldn't do anything about it. In desperation, the old lady could only discuss with Old Hou Ye in private, thinking of arranging another marriage for her second son, also to control this son a bit better. However, although the Ling family was good, Ling Hui's reputation outside was really not good, let alone he would be taking a secondary wife, and there were already several concubines in the house.

  The matchmakers came and went, but the marriage was delayed. Old Lady Xiao must have known the reason why. In desperation, she had to lower her expectations. As a result, Ling Hui's marriage was finally settled, with the other party being the Zhao family of Gusu.

  The Zhao family was originally a merchant family, and after making some money, they managed to buy an official position. With both wealth and official status, they naturally thought of their descendants. So the children and grandchildren all studied hard, hoping to pass the imperial examination and become officials. For several generations, although no high-ranking officials emerged, as merchants, they were quick-witted and knew how to curry favor, and surprisingly, they managed to establish connections within the palace. Over time, they solidified their position as official-merchants and became nouveau riche.

  Xiao's family was a wealthy and influential one, and after a brief visit, the marriage was settled. However, it was not until later that it was revealed that the daughter being married off was actually a concubine's child, who had only been raised by the mistress for a year or two. When Old Lady Xiao heard this, she felt dizzy on the spot, but since things had already been decided, there was nothing to be done about it, so she could only endure and pretend not to know about the matter.

  However, although Madam Zhao was a concubine's daughter, if one were to compare her beauty, she far surpassed the first wife, Madam Ding. Therefore, although Old Lady and Old Master were angry at the Zhao family's deception, the two old masters were still satisfied with this marriage. The only thing was that Madam Zhao was not too bad in other aspects, but she was extremely meticulous when it came to money matters. Once silver and coins fell into her hands, they would never come out again.

  Xiao Lao Tai Jun saw her like this, and couldn't help but feel helpless. Thrift is good, but it's really not very dignified to be like Madam Zhao. For this reason, she also tactfully reminded her several times, but Madam Zhao responded well on the surface, yet still did as she pleased behind her back.

  It's strange to say, after Madam Zhao entered the house, although she herself didn't seem to have any joy, but the several concubines in Ling Hui's room were like they were racing to pass on good news one after another. In a few years' time, they actually gave birth to seven daughters and two sons, making Old Lady Xiao cry and laugh at the same time.

  Perhaps for this reason, Madam Zhao became increasingly stingy with money, and it was truly a case of only seeing money coming in but not going out. All the servants in the household who had dealings with the second house would complain bitterly, and there were many whispered criticisms behind her back.

  The people of the second house, however, were the most numerous among the three main houses of the Ling family. In the past, when several misses had not yet married, countless big and small things had been stirred up. As for why Old Lady Xiao ordered the third house not to come every day to pay their respects after moving into Chunhui Garden, it was also because of this reason. Since the second house was like this, it was not surprising that Hui'er gained nothing.

  Still, she would send Rui to be sent off to Zhou Yiniang's place. Yuan Dai smiled and said to Hui'er: "Today they all ran errands for me and got benefits, but you are the only one who made a trip in vain! Never mind, I have a hairpin with red gold and blue jade in my dowry box, I'll give it to you!"

  Hui'er shook her head repeatedly: "I was originally a maid bought by the young lady, and it's only right for me to run errands for the young lady, how can I do this!"

  It was Wenping who smiled and said, "Miss has already given it to you, just take it, don't worry about what's right or wrong!" As she spoke, she walked over to the dressing table, opened the distant ink cosmetic box, took out the hairpin, and forcibly inserted it into Hui'er's hair.

  Yan Dai couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her, and with a wave of her hand, she pointed at Wenjing's screen and scolded with a smile: "You're really getting out of hand now, actually daring to take charge for me!" On the side, Hui'er saw this and also couldn't help but burst out laughing, after all, she hadn't pulled that hairpin out again.

  Wen Ping was even more nonchalant about Yu Dai's words and just smiled, saying: "This matter is clearly the young lady's intention, so why are you blaming me again?"

  The three were chatting and laughing when they heard a flustered voice from outside: "Miss, Miss! Xiao Jie has arrived!"

  Yuan Dai was taken aback, but before she could even get up, the sound of rustling clothes and clinking jade pendants came from outside, accompanied by Xiao Cheng's clear and crisp voice: "I'm already here, no need for you to come out and greet me, sister!" Yuan Dai couldn't help but laugh at this.

  It was slow to speak, but fast to act. Before long, Yuandai had just heard Xiaochengyan's voice, and Xiaochengyan had already lifted the curtain and walked in. After getting up, Yuandai smiled and said: "Sister Xiao, why did you come today? I thought you wouldn't be able to come for a few days!"

  Xiao Chengxian is such a clever person. As soon as she heard this, her slender eyebrows rose involuntarily: "You know?" There was a hint of unexpectedness in her tone.

  Yan Dai invited her to sit down, and at the same time replied: "The other day, Sixth Brother sent someone to call me to talk, I saw that his face was haggard, and his expression seemed to have a sense of loss, so I asked him several more questions, and he told me!"

  Xiao Chengxian tilted her head and thought for a moment, but unexpectedly said: "I didn't expect him to really look at you with different eyes!"

  Yuandai smiled and shook her head, saying: "Sister, what are you talking about?"

  Xiao Chengyan gently shrugged her fragrant shoulders, and after waving away the people beside her, she said: "I used to think that Ling Laosix was a soft and spineless person with no personality, always being indecisive and only knowing how to be a good-for-nothing. But I didn't expect him to have a day where he would stand up for someone!"

  This remark was somewhat strange, and Yu Dai couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Sister, what are you talking about?"

  Xiao Chengxian blinked her mischievous eyes and smiled, "I thought you didn't know about this!" After saying that, she didn't wait for Yuande to ask questions, but instead told the story of how Ling Yuancheng and Xiao Chengye had argued on that day. Afterwards, she also laughed and said, "My older brother came back to the manor and complained to me about you, saying that you have a deep mind and are good at stirring up trouble, which is why things turned out this way. He even advised me not to get too close to you, or else I would definitely lose out in the future!"

  She never thought she would say such a thing, and after being stunned for a moment, she sighed and said: "But it wasn't until today that I heard my sister's words that I realized Sixth Brother actually valued me so much!" For a moment, she really didn't know what kind of feeling was in her heart.

  Xiao Chengxian heard this and smiled to herself: "Why did you only mention Ling Laosix, but not me? Am I inferior to you?"

  Yan Dai couldn't help but smile when she said that, and she didn't want to say too much on this topic, so she changed the subject: "Speaking of which, sister, you came just in time today. I was thinking that if you hadn't come, I would have had to trouble Sixth Brother again!"

  She said, and then loudly called out: "Wenping, bring me the frozen Begonia I had you put in a crystal bowl yesterday!"

  Wenping, who had just left, hastened to respond with a "yes".

  Xiao Chengxian didn't notice these, but instead said to herself: "Yesterday my brother came back to the mansion and then went to my place, had a conversation with me, and made me regret until my intestines were about to turn green. If I had known earlier, I would have come with my brother yesterday, no matter how Ling Lao Liu was! Xiao Chengxian said this, took a long breath, and sighed: "It's been two days since it opened, but the fragrance still hasn't dissipated, who knows what it smelled like when it first bloomed?"