After giving Zhao Huanxi a hug, Xu Nian’an felt a bit embarrassed herself, so she sat him back down on the stool and tucked his hair with a cloth.

“From now on, when it comes to matters between us, you don’t need to seek advice from others. Whatever you want or want to do, just come and tell me directly. I will give you whatever I can, and if I can’t, I will explain the reason. Isn’t that better than letting others give you misguided advice?” Xu Nian’an said.

“En, I’ll remember it!” Zhao Huanxi, at that moment, was like a little bee filled with honey, exuding sweetness from inside out.

“Tomorrow, don’t tell Biao Ge that you told me everything. Just say that his advice was good, and that I came to please you after you ignored me for just one night.”

“Why?” Zhao Huanxi didn’t understand.

“He gave you advice with the best intentions, yet you revealed everything to me. If he finds out, how will he face me? He won’t confide in you anymore either,” Xu Nian’an explained.

Upon hearing how serious it was, Zhao Huanxi quickly agreed.

“Not just with him, but with other friends too. If someone helps you with good intentions, even if it doesn’t work out, you shouldn’t betray them to achieve your own goals. That’s the behavior of a mean person and will be despised and rejected,” Xu Nian’an said.

Zhao Huanxi asked, “Does that mean I behaved like a mean person this time?”

“This time doesn’t count. I kindly arranged the guest room and living arrangements for Biao Ge, but as soon as he arrived, he egged you on to go against me. He’s the mean one,” Xu Nian’an said, wrinkling her nose and pretending to be angry.

Zhao Huanxi couldn’t help but laugh.

By the time his hair was mostly dry, it was getting late, so the two went to bed without further mention.

The next morning, during breakfast, Zhao Huanxi was smug, as Xu Nian’an kept her head lowered while pleasing him. Together, the couple successfully fooled Yin Luoshen.

✦

A few days later, it was the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Yin Furen took Zhao Huanxi, Xu Nian’an, and Yin Luochen to Zhao Jiashan’s husband’s family—the residence of the Left Censor-in-Chief from the Censorate Office, Duan Daren—to celebrate her grandson’s birthday.

督察院 (Ducha Yuan) - a government office responsible for overseeing local officials and ensuring they carried out their duties properly.
There are two Censor-in-Chief in the Censorate Office:
The Left Censor-in-Chief oversees civil officials and internal government matters, while the Right Censor-in-Chief focuses on military affairs and provincial administration.

The Duan family was thriving with many members; they had five sons from the legitimate wife alone. Zhao Jiashan’s husband was the fourth in line. The Duan Family’s eldest and second sons already had their eldest sons married.

Therefore, although not a grand event, just the Duan Family’s daughters-in-law, granddaughters-in-law, their unmarried granddaughters, and some closer relatives coming over made for quite a crowd.

This meabs that the elder grandsons of this family had already reached marriage age, and since Zhao Jiashan's husband is the younger son, naturally his son is so much younger compared to the other grandchildren, so this event was not held “grandiously”.

Geng Jingxuan’s father is the Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate Office. They have always had a close relationship with the Duan Family. This time, upon hearing that it was Zhao Huanxi’s sister’s son’s birthday celebration, Geng Jingxuan also brought his wife along to join the meal.

As soon as they arrived at the Duan family’s residence, Zhao Huanxi and Yin Luochen were whisked away by Geng Jingxuan and Duan Jun. The ladies then went to the inner courtyard to chat.

Yin Furen first took Xu Nian’an to pay respects to Duan Lao Furen.

Duan Lao Furen was in her early sixties, with a broad forehead, a wide face, and a spirited and dignified appearance, appearing both majestic and kind.

She excused Xu Nian’an from the formal greeting and said to Yin Furen with a smile, “Today you’ve finally decided to show your legitimate daughter-in-law for Lao Xifu to see? Look at this child, she has the look of someone who brings prosperity to her husband and appears so blessed.”

Yin Furen laughed and said, “Lao Furen is too kind. When it comes to blessings, who can compare with you? Look at this hall full of children and grandchildren, truly as blessed as the Eastern Sea!”

They exchanged pleasantries and chatted. Zhao Jiashan took the opportunity to introduce each of the women in Duan Lao Furen’s room to Xu Nian’an.

While chatting with Duan Lao Furen, Yin Furen couldn’t help but keep an eye on her daughter-in-law. Although she knew Xu Nian’an was sensible, her tongue was very sharp. The Duan Family was not like the Zhao family; if someone teased her and she retorted on the spot, the scene would not be good.

It turned out that her worries were completely unnecessary. Here, Xu Nian’an behaved just like an ordinary newlywed bride. When someone teased her, she merely smiled slightly and didn’t say a word.

Before long, Zhao Jiazhen and Zhao Jiaxian also arrived.

Seeing that the room was becoming too crowded, Duan Lao Furen suggested that everyone go to the inner garden to enjoy themselves.

Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an supported Zhao Jiaxian from either side. Zhao Jiaxian laughed and said, “What’s this? It feels like you’re about to carry me. I’m fine, no need to be so tense.”

Xu Nian’an smiled and let go.

Zhao Jiazhen scolded, “Didn’t Mom and Er Jie say you didn’t have to come? Running around with a big belly, who can be at ease?”

Zhao Jiaxian replied playfully, “Think about it from my perspective too. Being cooped up in the mansion all day is so boring. Now that there’s a legit reason to come out and get some fresh air, how could I miss it?”

Zhao Jiazhen looked at her, noticing her much improved complexion and vitality compared to over a month ago. Yin Furen had mentioned the reasons to her, for which she felt very grateful to Xu Nian’an.

“By the way, Dimei, the round fan you gave me recently, the design is really exquisite. Do you know which pattern it is? It’s so beautiful,” Zhao Jiaxian asked Xu Nian’an.

“Indeed, it’s very beautiful. Whenever I take that fan out, everyone who sees it asks me for it. That’s why I didn’t dare bring it today,” Zhao Jiazhen said with a smile.

Xu Nian’an glanced over at Yin Furen, who was not far away chatting with Duan Lao Furen, and whispered, “It’s painted by Sanlang. I had the maidservant copy the pattern, and the embroiderers in the mansion embroidered it. There were only five in total: Mother, Er Jie, San Jie, *Si Jie&, and me, each with one.”

Zhao Jiaxian was startled and said in a low voice, “Does Mom knows? She strongly opposes San Di’s painting.”

Xu Nian’an replied softly, “I think Mom knows, but she pretends not to. So, let’s pretend we’re still keeping it a secret.”

The three couldn’t help but chuckle quietly together.

Zhao Jiazhen sighed, “I think San Di’s paintings are really good. It’s a pity Mom won’t let him paint.”

“With Dimei around, we can rest assured. Mom will eventually allow him to paint,” Zhao Jiaxian assured Xu Nian’an confidently.

“You’re right. I was worrying for no reason,” Zhao Jiazhen chuckled. As she raised her head, her eyes narrowed.

Xu Nian’an followed her gaze and saw Duan Family’s San Furen, Feng Shi, accompanied by her niece, Feng Yonglan. They were with several other female members of the Duan Family, admiring chrysanthemums near the flower garden.

“Let’s go over there,” Zhao Jiazhen suggested, suggesting a different direction to walk, and Zhao Jiaxian agreed without objection.

“Why does San Jie want to avoid San Furen? Is there any conflict between you and her?” Xu Nian’an asked.

Zhao Jiazhen smiled brightly, “There’s really no conflict between her and me, but it seems there might be some between you and her.”

Xu Nian’an: “?” We didn’t even know each other before today, so where would any conflict come from?

Zhao Jiazhen explained softly, “Feng Furen was very eager at that time to marry her niece, Feng Yonglan Guniang, to Huan Xi.”

Xu Nian’an smiled with narrowed eyes, “So that’s what happened.” He didn’t take it to heart.

Who knew she didn’t take it to heart, but someone else did.

In the morning, Furens of the Duan Family were busy preparing for the banquet. Duan Lao Furen pulled Yin Furen and two close relatives to play cards, racing against time. Only the younger generation remained in the flower hall, waiting for the banquet to begin.

Zhao Jiaxian needed to use the restroom, so Zhao Jiazhen accompanied her. Xu Nian’an and Ge Jingxuan’s wife, Song Yazhe, sat together chatting.

Song Yazhe was petite and delicate, speaking softly with gentle eyes, giving her a very gentle appearance.

At this moment, she asked Xu Nian’an in a low voice, “Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the night market will be lively. After dinner, will you come out to play?”

Xu Nian’an replied, “Hard to say, it depends on whether my mother-in-law agrees. Will you be coming out to play?”

Song Yazhe nodded, a hint of excitement in her eyes. “Our Lao Zumu in the residence is very kind. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, after the family dinner, she allows the grandchildren to go out and play.”

Xu Nian’an replied, “Then I’ll ask my mother-in-law tomorrow too. Where do you usually go to play?”

They sat together, whispering and laughing, while others in the hall subtly observed them.

Most of the people here were relatives and acquaintances of the Duan Family, familiar with each other, except for Xu Nian’an and Song Yazhe, who were here for the first time. Naturally, everyone was curious about them.

Feng Yonglan gazed at Xu Nian’an with a mix of envy and bitterness, from the large pearl-studded butterfly hairpin on her head down to the elaborate golden embroidered sleeves on her attire. She clenched her handkerchief tightly, thinking to herself: If it weren’t for her, she would have been Jing Guogong Residence’s legitimate eldest granddaughters-in-law now.

Back then, unlike others who looked down on Jing Guogong Residence’s First Branch and the seemingly useless and weak Zhao Huanxi, she had genuinely wanted to marry him.

What if he’s weak and useless? He’s handsome! Besides, isn’t it easier to control someone with a softer temperament?

Even if he can’t compare to the one in Fifth Branch, unable to inherit the title in the future, Yin Furen holds so much prosperity, all of which will belong to her only son. Plus, as the legitimate eldest grandson of a Guogong Residence, he’ll surely receive a good share in any future division of the family property. How could life not be good?

It’s hateful that Jing Guogong, doesn’t know where his mind went wrong, insisting on favoring this Xu Family girl over someone from the more prestigious Feng Family like her.

The more Feng Yonglan thought about it, the more resentment brewed within her. Just then, as others started discussing marriages from different families, she loudly interjected, “If you ask me, a woman getting married is truly like a game of chance. There are those who hit the jackpot; no matter how petty or lowly a household she comes from, she can put on a ‘monkey in a crown’ act and come to a relative’s house to put on airs.”

沐猴而冠 (Mù hóu ér guàn): A sharp idiom (chengyu) that literally means "a monkey bathed and dressed in a hat/crown." It is used to describe a person who is worthless or low-class but tries to look respectable or powerful by wearing fine clothes.

Her words instantly quieted the room. The Duan Family’s young ladies looked at her in surprise, but she only had eyes for Xu Nian’an.

The crowd followed her gaze and looked at Xu Nian’an. With over a dozen pairs of eyes staring at her intently, it was difficult for Xu Nian’an to ignore.

Song Yazhe looked somewhat flustered. Coming from an ordinary background and now sitting next to Xu Nian’an, she wasn’t sure if they were looking at her or at Xu Nian’an.

Just as she felt uneasy, the one beside her spoke with a teasing tone, “Is Feng Guniang talking about me?”

Feng Yonglan taunted, “If you say so.”

Xu Nian’an calmly adjusted her sleeves and sighed, “Feng Guniang has a discerning eye indeed. I have indeed married well. Look, I’ve only been married into the Zhao family for a short while. My mother-in-law has arranged three sets of headpieces and made eight outfits for me. Every day, various delicacies are sent to my room. I don’t have to manage the household or serve anyone, just like my own mother. My Gujies are also very kind, giving me jewelry and helping with needlework. Even Er Gujie has given me a Guanyin pendant. As for my husband, there’s no need to mention—he only has eyes and heart for me. He never forgets to bring back treats and gifts whenever he goes out. Aiya, how did I marry so well?”

She was stunning and confident as she spoke, straightforward and unabashedly showing off. Yet, surprisingly, her words didn’t offend anyone.

After she finished, all the young ladies in the flower hall looked at her in astonishment. Amid their surprise, some found it amusing, never having encountered someone so unabashedly proud.

Song Yazhe was briefly astonished, then lowered her head, quietly covering her smiling lips with her handkerchief.

Seeing that her remark had not only failed to embarrass Xu Nian’an but had instead prompted her to boast, Feng Yonglan turned red with anger. “Don’t embellish yourself too much. Who knows if it’s even true!”

At that moment, a maid of the Duan Residence entered the flower hall, holding a beautifully blooming purple camellia. She timidly asked, “Dear Guniangs and Nainais, is Xi San Nainai of Jing Guogong Residence is here?”

Xu Nian’an looked over and asked, “What’s the matter?”

The maid, seeing her response, approached respectfully and presented the camellia to her. She said, “Xi San Nainai, Xi San Yé and the others are in the front hall admiring the camellias. He said this one bloomed the best and asked me to bring it to you to have a look.”

⟡ Aewoo’s Ramble ⟡

In the snippet:

徐怼怼 (Xú Duìduì): A nickname for Xu Nian'an. The character 怼 (duì) means to retort, roast, or push back. Doubling it makes it a playful title for someone who never lets an insult slide without a sharp comeback.

秀恩爱 (Xiù ēn'ài): A very popular modern term (literally "to show off grace and love"). It refers to couples performing "Public Displays of Affection" (PDA).