Chapter Thirty-Two: Temporary Stay at Qin Fang

  Xiao Chengxian, with a mischievous glint in her eye, said with a smirk: "Even if my elder brother opposes it, I'm not afraid of him!" But then she suddenly changed the subject and asked: "Sister, do you know who my aunt's husband is?"

  Yan Dai didn't mind, and casually replied: "Sister's mother should be surnamed Du, right?" She said it without much thought, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly realized and exclaimed: "Sister's uncle's family, isn't it the Huaiyang Du family!"

  She has been living outside since she was a child, and it has not been three years since she returned to the Ling Mansion. There are some things that she knows, but only roughly. Moreover, her personality is actually quite casual, with a hint of arrogance, and she doesn't care about people who don't concern her much. Even Xiang Xingyi was just an unacquainted passerby in her eyes before.

  So she knew that Xiao Chengxian's mother was surnamed Du, but didn't associate it with the Du family of Huaiyang.

  The rise of the Dus of Huaiyang began with Du's way of welcoming Princess Chao Hua.

  At the beginning of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was a time when talents were in high demand. Du Zhidao's abilities were indeed exceptional. In the second year after marrying Princess Chauhua, the Southern Yue rose up in rebellion and invaded. At that time, the Great Zhou was experiencing a disastrous year and had no strength to fight back. Du Zhidao requested an imperial decree to go on a diplomatic mission. With his silver tongue, he not only persuaded the Southern Yue to withdraw their troops but also borrowed 1 million grains of rice for the Great Zhou, allowing them to overcome their difficulties.

  Du's career path rose rapidly from then on, and he was appointed as the Minister of Rites with the honor of being an imperial son-in-law, opening up a new path for officials in the Great Zhou dynasty. The Du family also rose to prominence in the Great Zhou from then on, and over the next hundred years, they repeatedly married into the royal family, becoming a prominent family of imperial sons-in-law in the Great Zhou.

  Xiao Chengxian saw her surprise and couldn't help but smile: "Sister's news is too blocked, and she doesn't even know this!" She said, suddenly thinking of the Du family, but then sighed: " Outsiders think the Du family is a noble family, but who knows the hardships inside?"

  The position of the son-in-law, originally a noble and honorable job, is called "qing gui", which means being carefree and dignified. As a son-in-law, if one does not have the ambition to achieve great things, then it is easy to live a life of wealth and luxury, indulging in pleasure and leisure. However, mediocre talents are difficult for the imperial family to look up to, while men with exceptional abilities often have proud bones and are satisfied with relying on their connections through marriage, and those who spend their lives as parasites are extremely rare.

  The Great Zhou Dynasty is no longer the same as when it was first established, seeking talents like a thirsty man.

  Yuan Dai listened to Xiao Cheng's words and suddenly felt a surge of emotions, but she couldn't help losing herself for a moment. After a while, she smiled and said, "What a pity that I am not a man of the Du family!"

  Although Xiao Chengyan was feeling sentimental about her own uncle's family, she suddenly heard this and couldn't help but burst out laughing: "You... you little girl are really bold, actually able to say something like that..." Before she could finish speaking, she was already laughing so hard she was doubled over.

  But Yuandai understood the meaning of Xiao Chengyan's words at this time. Xiao Chengyan's mother was a daughter of the Du family, and the Du family prospered because of the golden list selection of sons-in-law. Now, it is natural that they cannot forget their roots and openly oppose Xiao Chengyan's selection of sons-in-law. At most, there will be more restrictions.

  Two people were talking, but outside came another extremely clear and pleasant voice: "Ninth sister and Xiao sister, what are you talking about? You're so happy!" Along with this voice, the curtain moved, and Ling Yuexian had already walked in with a smile.

  Yan Dai saw her coming and hurriedly stood up, smiling: "Tenth sister is here! Quick, sit down!"

  Xiao Chengxian saw her stand up, and couldn't help but also get to his feet. He gave Ling Yuansen a faint smile, but there wasn't much warmth in his expression. As the eldest miss of the Xiao family, she was normally very reserved and only showed her true self without any pretenses in front of a select few people.

  Ling Yuexuan smiled, but didn't look at Xiao Chengyan much either. She just walked over, pulled Yu Dai's hand and said: "My mother heard that Ninth Sister is moving to Huan Cui Pavilion, so she sent me over to take a look. By the way, I'd like to invite Sister to stay at my place for one night, so as not to be disturbed!" Although her personality was straightforward, she wasn't someone who couldn't read people's faces either. Seeing Xiao Chengyan's calm expression, she didn't dare show any weakness.

  Yan Dai was taken aback, and after a moment of stunned silence, she asked in surprise: "I myself just found out about moving to Huan Cui Pavilion, how did Aunt San and my sister find out in such a short time?"

  Ling Yuexuan smiled mischievously and said, "Ninth sister, have you forgotten? I'm currently living in Old Lady's Chunhui Garden!"

  She said that, and Yuandai suddenly realized: "So it is! It was my own foolishness!" Mrs. Lu had intended to let herself move to Huancui Pavilion, so she naturally couldn't help but go to Chunhui Garden to tell the old lady a word or two, and Ling Yuexuan would also soon find out.

  Ling Yu Xuan smiled and said, "Sister just didn't think of it for a moment, how did you say it was foolish!" As she spoke, she shook Ling Dai's hand: "Let's go! It happens that Sister Xiao is also here today. The three of us together will be more lively!"

  Yuan Dai thought for a moment, and still smiling, shook her head: "There aren't many things here, if we want to move them, it's actually quick! Why bother going over to disturb my sister, and also make the old lady uneasy?"

  This is the truth, as soon as she moved into the west wing, she had already thought that it was only a matter of time before she would have to move out. As a result, many trunks in the Miaofeng Mountain villa were not even opened, and if they really wanted to move to Huancui Pavilion, they just needed to find some strong women to move them over.

  Ling Yuexuan refused to agree, but was dragged away by him, and he turned to Xiao Chengyan and said: "Sister Xiao, you also come and persuade Ninth Sister. Her body is originally not good, how can she bear the tossing and turning of moving back and forth like this."

  Xiao Chengxian and Ling Yuexuan were originally strangers, and there was no reason for them to have any familiarity with each other. The reason she was a bit cold towards her was simply because she felt indignant on behalf of Yuexuan. As sisters from the same family, the difference between them was so great that it made her feel uncomfortable. Due to this discomfort, she also didn't have a good impression of Ling Yuexuan. However, seeing how Ling Yuexuan treated Yuexuan at this moment, her displeasure dissipated somewhat, and she followed up by saying: "I think tenth sister is right! As for the disturbance, I don't feel disturbed living in Xinfangzhai, but you sisters are still shouting about being disturbed. It really makes me ashamed!"

  Yan Dai listened to this and couldn't help but feel a deep sense of frustration, while Ling Yuanxuan hurriedly chimed in with a smile: "To be honest, I have a thick face, if Ninth Sister really doesn't want to go, I'll just have to swallow my pride and return home to apologize to my mother, but it's just that Eldest Sister's face will be affected!"

  Yuan Dai was speechless at her words and could only bitterly smile, saying: "Forget it, forget it, I'll go!"

  Ling Yuexuan smiled happily and said, "This is my good sister!" While speaking, she didn't wait for Yuandai to call someone in, but instead called out herself, "Someone come! Someone come! Wenshu, Hui'er, where have you two gone?"

  Hui'er heard Ling Yuexian's cries from outside and hastily came in, looking at the three people with a faintly bewildered expression.

  Ling Yuexuan saw her coming in and said, "In the past few days, you only need to move the things in this house to Huan Cui Pavilion, and also remember to tidy up Huan Cui Pavilion. I will take your mistress away and stay in Qin Fangzhai for a few days. After everything is settled, we will move directly to Huan Cui Pavilion!"

  She spoke these words quickly and urgently, like stir-frying beans, and Hui'er listened with wide eyes, unable to make sense of them for a moment.

  Yan Dai, who was listening on the side, couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. She had to use force to pry them apart and said helplessly: "Tenth sister, you're causing trouble again! Even if I want to stay in Qingfang Pavilion for a few days, I have to go to Aunt's place first and tell her about it. How can I just leave like this?"

  Ling Yu's eyes widened in surprise, and he suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!" He repeatedly apologized, saying: "It was my fault, I had forgotten about Auntie for a moment, it was really wrong of me!"

  Yuan Dai smiled faintly and said, "You two don't need to go over there either. I'll just go over and say a word to Auntie Zhou." As Auntie Zhou was only an aunt by marriage, she couldn't help but feel the need to pay her respects when she saw the two of them. Yuan Dai didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

  She took the initiative to say this, and Ling Yuexuan naturally responded, so they sat in the Far Dai house. After what happened just now, Xiao Xian had a greatly improved impression of Ling Yuexuan and treated her more intimately. Ling Yuexuan was not a petty-minded person, seeing that she was like this, and soon put aside their previous grievances. The two of them didn't take long to warm up to each other and started chatting enthusiastically.

  Yuan Dai went to Zhou Niang's place and told her about Ling Yuanxuan's intentions. Since they lived in the same western courtyard, after Hu Mama came over, Zhou Niang already knew her purpose, and now that she learned that Ling Yuanxuan was here on Luo Shi's behalf, she naturally had no objections. Seeing Zhou Niang's joyful face, Yuan Dai could only nod repeatedly, feeling both helpless and sympathetic in her heart. She also knew that saying anything more to Zhou Niang would be pointless, so she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

  When she came out, she made a gesture to Wang Shi who was standing aside. Wang Shi was a clever and efficient person, seeing this, hurriedly smiled at Zhou Niang and said: "I'll see Ninth Miss off!" Then he sent Dai Yu out of the main house.

  Yuan Dai stepped out of the door, stood still on the corridor, and whispered to Wang Shi: "I will leave Hui'er with Auntie, if anything happens, let her go to Xinfangzhai to find me!" She said, after thinking again, "As for expenses, don't save for me, just use what's needed, if it's not enough, you can go find Wenping, I'll instruct her!" Previously, she lived with Zhou Yiniang in the West Wing, and it was no problem for Cailian to be here. However, now that she is moving out, it's still more appropriate to leave Hui'er with Zhou Yiniang.

  Wang nodded repeatedly in agreement.

  …………

  Ling Yuexuan's residence, Qingfangzhai, is located on the south side of Chunhui Garden. Because there is a narrow and long stream beside the house, with peach and plum trees planted along the creek, when the peach blossoms are in full bloom in spring, the fragrance is elegant and secluded, and there are also flowers falling into the water, so it is named Qingfangzhai.

  She gathered her belongings and brought only Cuiyi with her, then entered the Xinfang Pavilion with Ling Yuexuan and Xiao Chengxian.

  She had already returned the true sale contract of Yuan before entering the Ling family, so she entered the house alone. After recognizing her ancestors and returning to her roots, Xiao Lao Tai Jun saw that there was no one by her side, so she gave Wenping and Cailian two people to serve her. Later, when they moved to the Miaofeng Mountain villa, they also bought Hui'er and Cuīyī two more on their own. Hui'er is slightly older than Cuīyī, already fifteen years old, while Cuīyī is the youngest, only thirteen years old.

  Nowadays, Lian is no longer capable of using it, and Yu Dai uses Hui'er's things more than before. Even the things that Hui'er used to do have been handed over to Cui Yi for the most part. Fortunately, Cui Yi is very clever and knowledgeable, and she handles matters quite reassuringly.

  After putting down their personal belongings, the three of them went together to pay their respects to Old Lady Xiao.

  The old lady saw her coming, and was also happy to beckon her to come up, holding her hand and asking about her recent situation in detail. Then she talked about the frozen tofu that had been delivered earlier, and praised it highly.

  Yan Dai smiled and said, "If the old lady likes it, we can order the flower house to raise some evening primroses. As far as I know, ordinary evening primroses are not difficult to raise at all. They often bloom, and when they do, the person in charge of the flower house will pick them and dry them in the sun. Not only can they be used to make evening primrose jelly, but they can also be used in everyday cooking, and the taste is extremely good!"

  …………

  Pinching his nose, he said, actually I wanted to update more today, but... but...

  Hehe... anyway, it didn't work out...

  So in the end I added this paragraph, it was decided to first put the ducks on the shelf

  Tomorrow, I must update another chapter, gritting my teeth and clenching my fists.

  By the way, I'll be a bit shy and ask for votes. Previously, I didn't even dare to ask for votes because of one more chapter. Tomorrow, there will be an extra update, so can you guys make the data look a bit better?