Before Lu Feng and Xu Moxiu even arrived at the front of the guest house, they heard a sharp, mean-spirited voice from a woman: “Coming out to greet guests, yet you can’t even present yourself neatly? What kind of upbringing does your Xu family have?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Moxiu immediately flared up with anger and turned the corner, ready to stand up for her sister. However, just as she saw Xu Hui’an and the He family, the door of the guest house suddenly swung open, and Lu Lao Furen stepped out.

“How is she lacking in upbringing? Her skirt got dirty just now while helping me. As an elder, you start criticizing a young girl’s appearance without even asking for the details. Do you call that being well-mannered? Being so aggressive, are you here to match your son or to pick a fight?” Lu Lao Furen shielded Xu Hui’an behind her and coldly addressed He Furen.

He Furen, feeling humiliated by Lu Lao Furen’s rebuke, raised her eyebrows and retorted sharply, “What does the He family meeting with the Xu family have to do with you? Who are you anyway?” The He family was aware that Xu Family’s grandparents were no longer around.

Lu Lao Furen ignored her and turned to Xu Hui’an, saying, “Good girl, we won’t continue with this meeting. Look at how rude and unreasonable this woman is, while that young man just stands there silently. Marrying into such a family would be no different from entering a den of wolves and tigers. We won’t pursue this any further, and Zumu will find you a more reliable family in the future.”

Xu Hui’an nodded, tears welling in her eyes.

He Furen, enraged, was about to lash out, “You—”

“Who dares to behave so rudely here!” Lu Feng’s stern voice interrupted.

Everyone was startled and turned towards the voice.

He Xuning, who had been following He Furen closely, saw the two and nervously greeted, “Lu Xiong, Wenlin.”

Lu Feng walked over to Lu Lao Furen, looked at He Furen and her son, and said, “Coming here out of respect for both families’ mutual connections. Even if the meeting doesn’t lead to a match, we should remain on good terms. Behaving in such a manner, is your He family trying to make enemies?”

Just as He Furen was about to speak, He Xuning quickly tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “This is Gongbu Shilang, Lu Daren’s son, Lu Gongzi.”

Upon hearing that he was the son of a third-rank official, He Furen dared not act out further and muttered, “I just asked a question, yet this Lao Furen scolded me harshly. Are we the ones trying to make enemies here?”

Xu Moxiu, with a cold expression, said, “Enough. We understand the He family’s attitude towards us now. Let’s end this matter here. Please leave.”

“Fine, let’s end it then. What’s the big deal!” He Furen huffed, flinging her sleeves as she walked away.

He Xuning followed closely behind, not saying a word throughout the entire exchange.

Lu Lao Furen, still fuming, asked Lu Feng, “Is that He fellow your classmate?”

Lu Feng nodded, “More or less.”

“From now on, don’t associate with him. With such a matriarch in the He family, they’re bound to meet their downfall sooner or later!” Lu Lao Furen said.

Lu Feng couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle, “Yes, I’ll heed Zumu’s advice.”

Under the tree in front of the main hall, Zhao Shuxian watched the He family mother and son leave with their maids and servants, puzzled. “Why are they leaving so soon? Did it work out or not?”

At that moment, the little maid she had sent to gather information returned, panting. “Xiaojie, the Xu and He families didn’t reach an agreement. Lu Lao Furen and Lu Gongzi even helped Xu Guniang scold He Furen.”

Zhao Shuxian furrowed her eyebrows. “Why would Lu Lao Furen and Lu Gongzi help that little hussy from the Xu family?”

The little maid timidly replied, “Nubi doesn’t know.”

Zhao Shuxian, increasingly frustrated, kicked the tree root in anger, only to hurt her toe. As she hopped in pain, she saw the Lu family and the Xu family coming from the guest house and heading down the hill together.

She couldn’t help but feel uneasy, so she and her entourage followed from a distance.

Once the Lu and Xu families reached the foot of the hill, the Xu siblings were about to take their leave from Lu Lao Furen and Lu Feng.

Lu Lao Furen said, “Since we’re all heading back to the city together, why don’t Junjun ride in Zumu’s carriage? Would it be alright if Zumu takes you to your doorstep?”

Xu Moxiu quickly responded, “That would trouble Lao Furen too much.”

Lu Lao Furen smiled and said, “Trouble? Not at all. I get a lovely little granddaughter to chat with on the way. Come, come along.”

Xu Hui’an looked up at Xu Moxiu, who, unable to refuse the gracious offer, said, “You should go with Lu Lao Furen.”

Only then did Xu Hui’an join Lu Lao Furen in her carriage.

Lu Feng also decided not to ride his horse and joined Xu Moxiu in the carriage rented by the Xu family to return to the city.

Behind them, Zhao Shuxian watched the carriages of both families leave, stomping her feet in frustration.

In the carriage, Lu Feng asked Xu Moxiu, “Your Wu Mei is quite young. How does she know acupressure?”

按法 (àn fǎ) - A traditional therapeutic technique involving applying pressure to certain body parts using fingers or the palm.

Xu Moxiu replied, “Our mother has been chronically ill for years. My eldest sister manages the family’s business, I study at the academy, and our fourth sister, who is two years older than the fifth sister, helps with the household affairs. For many years, it has been our youngest sister who has taken care of our mother. It so happened that the wife of the manager of our silk shop comes from a family of doctors and has some medical skills herself. Since it is inconvenient for her to practice medicine openly as a woman, my youngest sister apprenticed under her and learned many ways to care for the sick.”

“I see,” Lu Feng said thoughtfully, glancing out the window.

The sound of the carriage wheels rolling along accompanied them until they reached the Xu Residence.

Xu Hui’an got off the carriage and bowed towards the inside, saying, “Thanking Zumu, for bringing me home.”

“Wait, wait,” Lu Lao Furen called out, having Nanny Zhang hand out a food box. With a loving smile, she said, “I noticed you enjoy this lotus seed cake. Take it back and enjoy it slowly.”

Xu Hui’an blushed slightly as she said, “Zumu should keep it and enjoy it yourself.”

Lu Lao Furen chuckled, “Nanny Zhang made this lotus seed cake. I can have as much as I want. You take it with you. If you ever crave it in the future, come visit me at the Lu Residence.”

Xu Hui’an reluctantly accepted the food box and thanked Lu Lao Furen once again.

Lu Feng bid farewell to Xu Moxiu and boarded Lu Lao Furen’s carriage. The Lu family’s carriage slowly departed, with the Xu siblings watching it leave.

In the carriage, Lu Lao Furen was still elated. She said to Lu Feng, “There’s really such a thing as affinity between people. I liked that girl, Ah Xiu’s sister, at first sight. The young girl has a round face with plump cheeks, bright eyes, and white teeth. When she smiles, there are even two little dimples at the corners of her mouth. Oh, so lovely! She would make such a good granddaughter for me!”

Lu Feng poured her a cup of herbal tea and said with a smile, “Getting a granddaughter for you is simple, isn’t it? Just ask Father to marry again and have another child.”

Lu Lao Furen glared at him, “You silly child!” She drank half a cup of tea, held the cup, and sighed, “I wonder what kind of girl that Zhao family girl is? I’ll have to find an opportunity to meet her myself. You’re my only precious grandson. Your marriage cannot be decided by your father giving favors to others!”

Lu Feng naturally had no objections.

✦

In the afternoon, Xu Moxiu went to Jing Guogong Residence to report on the meeting process and results to Xu Nian’an.

Zhao Huanxi, oblivious, listened intently on the side with his big eyes wide open. After hearing the report, he was the first to express his opinion, “The He family is too much! Who introduced the He family to our little sister without any discretion?”

Xu Moxiu: “…..”

Xu Nian’an: “Your Si Jiejie’s mother-in-law.”

Zhao Huanxi: “…..”

Xu Nian’an said to Xu Moxiu, “The He Family’s behavior is quite unusual. Wu Furen (Wu Cheng’s mom) had good intentions, so it must be that He Furen has other plans.”

Xu Moxiu nodded, “I thought the same.”

Zhao Huanxi looked at Xu Nian’an, then at Xu Moxiu, feeling dejected: We are not the same.

“Since that’s the case, let’s leave it at that. I’ll visit the Wu Residence another day to explain to Wu Furen. How is our little sister?” Xu Nian’an asked Xu Moxiu.

“She’s fine. Lu Lao Furen gave her a plate of lotus seed cakes, which she loves. She’s at home trying to figure out how to make them,” Xu Moxiu replied.

“That’s good,” Xu Nian’an said, secretly resolving to ensure that Hui’an would not have to endure such humiliation again before thoroughly investigating any future suitors.

Xu Moxiu still needed to return to the academy, so he didn’t stay long before leaving.

In the evening, when the young couple went to have dinner with Yin Furen, Xu Nian’an briefly mentioned the matter, only saying that He Furen did not take a liking to Xu Hui’an.

Yin Furen said, “If it weren’t for Wu Furen’s introduction, we wouldn’t have been particularly interested in the first place. If it didn’t work out, it didn’t work out. After all, your sister is still young. We can keep looking.”

Xu Nian’an nodded.

Zhao Huanxi said, “Mom, I’m almost fully recovered. I’ll go back to the academy tomorrow.”

“Don’t go tomorrow. Ah Chen is coming tomorrow, and you should stay home to entertain him. Mid-Autumn Festival is in a few days, so why don’t you stay until after the festival and then go to the Imperial Academy with Ah Chen?” Yin Furen suggested cheerfully.

Zhao Huanxi initially wanted to object, but then he thought about how if he wasn’t at home, Dong Jiejie would have to entertain Yin Luochen alone. That wouldn’t do.

“Oh,” he replied, sounding unhappy.

Yin Furen asked, “What’s with that expression? Are you not happy that Ah Chen is coming?”

Forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Zhao Huanxi bared eight teeth and said, “I’m happy.”

Yin Furen: “…..”

After dinner, on the way back to Yifang Garden, Xu Nian’an noticed Zhao Huanxi was still downcast. She said to him, “Since Biao Xiong is coming and will be staying in the same courtyard with us, you should call me Dong’er instead of Dong Jiejie.”

Zhao Huanxi’s spirits lifted immediately, his eyes brightening. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Dong’er.”

“En.”

This seemed to unlock his conversational enthusiasm.

“Dong’er, do you think this little pomegranate is cute?”

“Dong’er, have you seen my blunt knife?”

“Dong’er, Huanrong and I went to Zufu’s courtyard to learn swordsmanship.”

“Dong’er…”

“Dong’er…”

“Dong’er…”

Xu Nian’an: “…..”

✦

The next morning, it was very foggy.

Zhao Huanxi went to practice martial arts. Xu Nian’an got up to pay respects to Lao Taitai. Just as she reached the side of Lan Lake, she encountered Zhao Shuxian.

“Morning,” Xu Nian’an greeted her with a smile.

Zhao Shuxian frowned and stared at her for a while. It wasn’t until Xu Nian’an was about to turn and leave that she said, “Wait a moment.”

Xu Nian’an turned back.

“You all step back, I have something to say to her alone,” Zhao Shuxian said to Yisu and Mingli, who were following behind Xu Nian’an.

The two maids looked at Xu Nian’an, who nodded to them. Only then did they step aside.

“Everyone has leave. Tangmei, feel free to speak your mind,” Xu Nian’an said, fanning herself with a round fan.

“Xu Nian’an, I warn you, don’t use your brother and Lu Feng’s friendship to let your sister seduce him. If this happens again, I’ll spread the news and see how your sister can still face people!” Zhao Shuxian, anxious over what she saw at Zhaohua Temple, couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out.

Xu Nian’an paused her fan and her gaze turned cold. She looked at Zhao Shuxian, saying, “Tangmei, you’re not young anymore. I hope you can understand a principle.” She took two steps closer to her, facing her directly. “If you can’t benefit yourself, don’t harm others. My Xu family has no intention of stealing someone’s husband. But if you dare to tarnish my sister’s reputation because of Lu Gongzi, I will ensure you never marry him.”

“Hah! Who do you think you are?” Zhao Shuxian’s expression changed, mocking Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an remained expressionless. “Don’t believe me? Try me.”

Zhao Shuxian hesitated, glancing at Lan Lake behind Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an noticed her movement and sneered, “Are you planning to push me into the lake? Do you really not care about your reputation?”

Unexpectedly, Zhao Shuxian bypassed her and ran to the lake. She slipped into the water, grabbing onto a flower branch on the bank. Splashing in the lake, she shouted, “Help! Someone, help!”

Xu Nian’an was briefly stunned, then she shook her head in disbelief, using her fan to cover her face as she watched Zhao Shuxian’s performance.

The two girls’ maids quickly ran over. Zhao Shuxian’s maids rushed to pull her up from the lake.

“Go and inform Zumu, tell her that Xi San Nainai pushed me into the lake to drown me,” Zhao Shuxian, in a sorry state, gasped for air as she instructed her maids.

“Oh.” One of the maids hurried off.

“Xiaojie,” Yisu and Mingli looked anxiously at Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an watched as Zhao Shuxian, assisted by another maid, stood up. She smiled and said, “Nowadays, to make a false accusation, you even resort to such tactics as faking distress. Compared to before, you have indeed improved a bit. However, since you’ve made this false accusation, I can’t just bear this bad reputation. Yisu, Mingli, hold onto the maid next to Shuxian. Let me experience what it feels like to push someone into the lake.”

“Yes!” Mingli rolled up her sleeves, looking fierce as she walked towards the maid, with Yisu following behind her.

“What are you trying to do? What are you trying to do? Xiaojie!” The maid panicked, struggling and shouting.

Looking at Xu Nian’an approaching her, Zhao Shuxian’s face turned pale. She gritted her teeth and said, “What are you trying to do? I warn you not to mess around.”

“You said I pushed you into the lake, and you’ve sent people to complain to Zumu. If I don’t really push you this time, won’t I be unfairly accused? I’ll be punished either way.” Xu Nian’an approached her, speaking leisurely.

Backing away, Zhao Shuxian kept looking back at the water’s edge, where the other maid was being held by Mingli and Yisu, unable to help her. Meanwhile, Xu Nian’an was closing in on her.

Feeling scared and helpless, she started crying and shouting, “If you dare to push me, I’ll tell Zufu!”

Xu Nian’an paused, looking at the girl in front of her who was crying without any dignity: Is this all the courage she has?

“Hahahaha!” At that moment, a very young and pleasant male laughter suddenly echoed in everyone’s ears.