“Will your younger brother be at home when we do Huimen tomorrow?” Zhao Huanxi blinked his eyes and stared at Xu Nian’an.

“Maybe.” Xu Nian’an reached out and rubbed her eyes, feeling a bit sore from lack of sleep.

“Then I will finish the painting today, and tomorrow we’ll ask for his help in finding me a teacher, is that okay?”

“You go ahead and paint first.”

“Oh.” Zhao Huanxi got out of bed, put on his shoes, then turned back and pulled Xu Nian’an, who was preparing to sleep a little longer, “You have to keep watch for me, What if I’m discovered?”

After the two of them got up and had something to eat, Zhao Huanxi diligently went to the study to “practice calligraphy”.

Yin Furen received the news and was almost moved to tears. She said to Nanny Su, “Should we consider adding a small kitchen to Shenhui Courtyard? In the past, when he was by my side, even if I was busy, it was easier to take care of him. Now that he’s living in a separate courtyard, it’s not as convenient.”

Nanny Su said, “Adding a small kitchen should be decided after some consideration. Shenxiu Courtyard is already housing two families with so many children, and yet there isn’t a small kitchen there.”

Yin Furen said, “If anyone is envious, let them ask Guogong Yé. Since Guogong Yé was able to punish the servants of Lingde Hall and Fifth Branch to protect my daughter-in-law, he probably wouldn’t mind me adding a small kitchen to Shenhui Courtyard.”

“How about asking San Nainai’s opinion again during dinner tonight?” Nanny Su suggested.

Yin Furen didn’t take it seriously: “It’s such a good thing, would she refuse?”

Unexpectedly, Xu Nian’an did refuse.

“Since apart from Lao Taitai’s Lingde Hall and the main courtyards of each branch, there are no small kitchens in the courtyards of the grandchildren’s generation, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me and Sanlang to set this precedent,” Xu Nian’an said.

Yin Furen became unhappy. “With Guogong Yé’s protection, what are you afraid of? Moreover, Huanxi is the legitimate eldest grandson of our Guogong Residence. If he has a bit of a privileged, so what?”

Xu Nian’an reached out and personally served Yin Furen a bowl of Sour bamboo-Shoots-and-Old-Duck soup, smiling as she said, “Mom, Guogong Yé’s support this time is because the wrongdoing lies with the Fifth Branch, not us. If one becomes arrogant because of favouritism, it will inevitably make it difficult for Guogong Yé, after all, he is not only Sanlang’s grandfather (but others’ as well). Besides, Mother works hard all day long, and Sanlang and I can’t help much. Isn’t it good to come to you in the evening to have a meal together and chat?”

Yin Furen looked at Zhao Huanxi again. “What do you think?”

Zhao Huanxi’s mind was filled with his unfinished painting. When he saw his mother asking, he hesitated and said, “I think Nian’an is right. I don’t want Zufu to dislike me, and I also want to have dinner with Mom.”

Yin Furen was pleased to see her son being sensible and filial, so she said, “Then it’s up to you two.”

After the three of them finished their meal, Yin Furen said to Xu Nian’an, “When you do Huimen tomorrow, there’s no need to come and greet me in the morning. The gifts are already prepared. When you go back (to their courtyard), go take a look, if anything is missing, have someone inform me.”

“Since it’s prepared by Mother, it must be appropriate. Thankibg Mother for the thoughtfulness,” Xu Nian’an said gratefully.

Yin Furen felt relieved. After exchanging a few words with the young couple, she sent them back.

✦

As the Jing Guogong Residence was almost an hour away from the Xu Residence, the young couple got up early the next day.

Xu Nian’an dressed herself, dismissed the maids, and personally tidied up Zhao Huanxi’s clothes.

For a formal visit like the Sanchao Huimen, the attire needed to be grand.

Xu Nian’an changed into a round-collared jacket with a large red base embroidered with golden plum blossoms. She didn’t wear as many gold bracelets as before, but otherwise, her attire was almost the same as on the second day of the grand wedding.

Zhao Huanxi wore a large red robe embroidered with golden auspicious clouds, with wide sleeves. He cinched his waist with a large red and gold belt and wore a golden crown with red lotus flower patterns. With fair skin like snow, bright eyes, a refined nose, and vermilion lips, he had the appearance of a spring dawn. Regardless of his character, just based on his appearance, he was among the top in the entire capital’s noble families. It’s no wonder Yin Furen cherished him like a precious jewel.

“My Mom is kind-hearted. She heard that you had someone in your heart and were unwilling to marry me off, because she was very worried that I would suffer after marrying into your family. Today, when you go to my home, please be polite to my mother. My younger brother is a filial person. If my mother is pleased, he will naturally look at you in a different light.”

Xu Nian’an gave him some advice while helping him fasten his belt.

“We don’t necessarily have to meet my two sisters when we return home, but since our family is small, it’s more convenient to eat together at one table. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind. It’s just that I haven’t painted in a long time, and my hands are out of practice. I didn’t think the painting from last night was very good. I’m worried that your brother might think my painting is not good enough and refuse to help me find a teacher,” Zhao Huanxi said softly, with his eyes cast down.

“I think it’s quite good,” Xu Nian’an said as she finished fastening his belt. She reached out to smooth his clothes and looked up at him, saying, “Besides, even if it doesn’t work out this time, there’s always a next time. As long as we do our best at the moment, we can be free from regrets. If it doesn’t work out, we can strive to do better next time. There aren’t many things in this world that can be achieve overnight. Let’s take it slowly.”

Zhao Huanxi looked up at Xu Nian’an, his eyes sparkling like stars. “You’re so kind. From childhood to now, everyone around me has only ever pointed out my faults and flaws. No one has ever told me that it’s okay if things aren’t good right now, that it’s okay to take it slowly.”

Xu Nian’an asked mischievously, “Hasn’t your Daixue Guniang ever said that to you?” After speaking, she turned around to call the maids to bring breakfast.

Zhao Huanxi’s face reddened slightly as he followed behind her. “Every time I talk about my dissatisfaction, she comforts me and then talks about her own dissatisfaction. She’s also very pitiful. I guess those with the same illness sympathize each others.”

Xu Nian’an glanced at him and said, “You are the legitimate eldest grandson of the noble and respected Guogong household, while she is a girl from an outsider’s family living under someone else’s roof. How can you two be considered misery loves company?”

Zhao Huanxi choked up for a moment, thought about it, and was about to speak when Xu Nian’an continued, “Clearly, she is the one who is more pitiful, isn’t she?”

At this moment, the maids came in with trays. After they set the breakfast, Zhao Huanxi couldn’t wait to dismiss them and sat beside Xu Nian’an, asking, “Do you really think she’s pitiful?”

“Of course, it’s true,” Xu Nian’an said as she picked up a piece of pea cake with her chopsticks and placed it on his plate. “Otherwise, would I willingly give up my marriage to her?”

Zhao Huanxi felt a blockage in his heart and looked at her without saying anything.

Xu Nian’an picked up her bowl and, seeing that he was not eating, asked, “Why aren’t you eating? It’s a long journey. Finish your meal so we can leave earlier.”

“Oh.” Zhao Huanxi lowered his head to pick up his chopsticks, but he couldn’t grasp them and dropped one on the ground. He then called for a maid to bring him another pair.

After breakfast, Xu Nian’an brought Yisu and Mingli, while Zhao Huanxi brought Nuanxing, Xiaowei, and two other boy servants. They left through the eastern gate of the Guogong Residence and boarded the carriage that had been prepared early in the morning, heading towards the Xu Residence.

Xu Nian’an, rarely taking a carriage ride without rushing to balance the books or manage business affairs, was in a very good mood. She opened a slit in the carriage window curtain and looked at the street scene outside.

Jing Guogong was a first-class duke who helped the founding emperor establish the country. The inscription on the ancestral hall’s iron certificate is about “Founding Supporter of the Heavenly Mandate”. His residence alone occupies an entire street, which is how the estate is able to contain both mountains and waters. Such a ducal household is extremely rare after having endured through four generations of emperors.

铁券 (Tiěquàn): "Iron Certificate" or "Couchant Iron." These were metal plaques granted by emperors to exceptionally meritorious officials, often acting as a "get out of death free" card for the recipient or their descendants.

Despite being the legitimate eldest grandson of such a prestigious Guogong household, Guogong Yé so casually betrothed him to a woman from a less prestigious family like hers. Xu Nian’an couldn’t help but sigh at the thought. She felt that Guogong Yé was truly arbitrary in his grandchildren’s marriage matters.

Zhao Huanxi remained silent throughout the journey, looking heavy-hearted.

Halfway through the journey, Xu Nian’an asked him, “Why do you seem so listless? Do you not want to go to my house?”

Zhao Huanxi hurriedly said, “No.” He didn’t dare to say that he felt upset after hearing Xu Nian’an say she would give up her own marriage for Daixue. Although they had agreed on this before getting married, after spending these days together, he no longer rejected Xu Nian’an at all. Thinking about replacing Xu Nian’an with Daixue, he felt a bit unwilling, because compared to Daixue, he seemed to prefer being with Xu Nian’an.

He did not dare say it, fearing that if Xu Nian’an found out, she would scold him for being a “little turtle”. He hadn’t figured out what was going on himself. They had only been together for two days, but he seemed to prefer being with her.

小王八 (Xiǎo wángba): Literally "little soft-shelled turtle." In Chinese culture, this is a common derogatory term or insult. While it can be quite offensive in some contexts, here it functions as a sharp, scolding labels for someone who is being naughty, cowardly, or "shifty".

He regretted it a bit. If he had known she was like this, he wouldn’t have made a scene with her before their marriage.

“Why are you so gloomy then?” Xu Nian’an asked.

“I… I’m still thinking about the painting,” Zhao Huanxi replied, his cheeks slightly flushed.

“My younger brother is mature for his age and may seem difficult to approach, but he is the most honest person. If he says it’s not possible, you can ask him why and we can make changes when we get back. It’s okay,” Xu Nian’an reassured him.

Zhao Huanxi nodded, gathering his thoughts and no longer indulging in random thoughts.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the entrance of the Xu Residence. Before Xu Nian’an could even get out of the carriage, she heard the excited voice of the servant Baokang, getting farther away: “Da Xiaojie is back! Da Xiaojie is back!”

The words were not very refined, but it made Xu Nian’an smile slightly.

Finally home. Although she had been at the Guogong Residence for the past two days, her heart had always been at home.

Before Zhi’er could properly place the low stool for getting off the carriage, Zhao Huanxi had already jumped down, startling Zhiyi, who hurried over to support him, saying, “Yé, please be careful!”

Zhao Huanxi didn’t mind, saying, “It’s not that high.”

“No matter how high, if you bump into something, we servants will get a good beating from Taitai when we return,” Zhiyi said, frowning.

“In the future, whenever San Yé and I go out together, I will handle any matters with Taitai. You can rest assured,” Xu Nian’an said, noticing Zhao Huanxi’s displeasure, as she got off the carriage with Yisu’s help.

Zhiyi and Zhi’er were delighted. “Thanking San Nainai for the consideration.”

Without someone constantly reminding him of how valuable he was, Zhao Huanxi was also very happy. The two of them entered together and met Xu Moxiu who had come out to greet them.

Seeing Xu Nian’an, Xu Moxiu’s eyes lit up with genuine joy. He stepped forward and greeted, “Da Jie.”

When his gaze then fell upon Zhao Huanxi—who stood beside Xu Nian’an, as ostentatiously wealthy and flamboyant as a flowering peacock—the light in his eyes dimmed once more. He performed a salute toward him: “Jiefu.”

“We’re all family, no need for formalities,” Zhao Huanxi said, his tone unconsciously trying to please.

Xu Moxiu frowned slightly and stood up straight. The pair of Jiefu and Xiao Jiuzi looked at each other up and down.

On the day of the grand wedding, Zhao Huanxi had actually met Xu Moxiu, but the occasion was so crowded and bustling, and he himself was feeling unwell and lacking in spirits, so he didn’t pay much attention and didn’t remember him. Seeing Xu Moxiu again today was like meeting him for the first time. He noticed that this Xiao Jiuzi of his was slightly shorter than himself, with a thin and narrow face, a handsome appearance, except for his thick, jet-black eyebrows, which were sharp and gave him an unfriendly look. And it seemed that Xu Moxiu’s gaze towards him was not very friendly.

Zhao Huanxi couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy and leaned towards Xu Nian’an’s side.

“Is everything well at home?” Xu Nian’an noticed Zhao Huanxi’s slight movement and glanced at Xu Moxiu. Xu Moxiu restrained his demeanour and made way, saying, “Everything is fine. Da Bomu is with Xu Hai’an in Mother’s room, and Xu Mojing has also arrived and went to relieve herself. You and Jiefu should go and greet Mother first.”

As they arrived in the courtyard, a young man in a brocade robe came over from the back courtyard. Upon seeing Xu Nian’an and Zhao Huanxi, he greeted them warmly, saying, “Tang Mei, Tang Meifu, One has been waiting for you two.”

堂妹 - younger female Tang cousin (cousin on father’s side)
堂妹夫 - husband of a Tang Mei

“Tang Xiong.” Xu Nian’an greeted him calmly, neither cold nor overly warm, and made a courteous gesture.

Beside her, Zhao Huanxi followed suit.

Xu Mojing reached out to pat Zhao Huanxi’s shoulder and said, “Come, let’s go and greet Si Shenshen first.”

Unexpectedly, Zhao Huanxi quickly dodged to the side, avoiding his hand, and said, “Don’t touch me. You haven’t washed your hands after relieving yourself.”