Shuse Jinjia

On her way back, Xie Zhaotang stopped at Baohua Village with Aunt Xia. She planned to spend the night with Tian Tian and Aunt Shen before returning to the city the next day.

I had already told Madam Xie before leaving, so I wasn't worried about being scolded by her for not returning home.

Xie Zhaotang and Aunt Xia arrived at the courtyard where Aunt Shen lived. As soon as they reached the door, they saw that the vegetable seedlings they had planted earlier had all survived and were growing well.

With the courtyard gate closed, Xie Zhaotang's heart tightened. Would the villagers of Baohua Village make things difficult for Aunt Shen and the others?

She went up and knocked on the door. After a while, Qiu'er came and opened the door.

Upon seeing her, Qiu'er turned around and called out, "Eighth Miss, Aunt, Fourth Miss is here!"

"elder sister……"

Upon hearing this, Xie Tiantian rushed out like the wind.

Seeing that she was smiling sweetly and showed no signs of fear, Xie Zhaotang felt relieved.

"Tian Tian, ​​did you enjoy your stay in Baohua Village these past few days?"

Xie Zhaotang squatted down, picked up Xie Tiantian, and kissed her little face.

Xie Tiantian hugged her neck and nodded vigorously: "So happy! Sister, let me tell you, I've made so many friends, and they all take good care of me. Brother Dongzi even gave me steamed buns made by his grandmother, Brother Huohan gave me a little bird he caught, and Brother Zhuzi gave me two of his pet rabbits..."

"Sister, put me down, I'll take you to see it, the little bunnies are so cute..."

Xie Zhaotang put Xie Tiantian down, and Xie Tiantian dragged her to the backyard to see the rabbits.

Xie Zhaotang asked Aunt Xia to take the pastries and other things she brought inside first, and then followed Xie Tiantian to take a look.

Qiu'er followed along, smiling as she reported, "Fourth Miss, the shed and rabbit hutch in the backyard were built by Uncle Li and his son next door. They were very friendly to us."

Hearing the commotion, Aunt Shen, who had followed, said, "Tangtang, Aunt Li is very welcoming to us. If we need anything, we just tell her, and she'll have her son bring it to us when he comes to town! Tangtang, don't worry about us, we're doing very well here!"

When Xie Zhaotang saw Xie Tiantian taking grass from the bamboo basket to feed the rabbits, and after hearing what Aunt Shen said, he knew that he had not misjudged Huo Beiyu.

If it weren't for his approval, how could the villagers of Baohua Village have been so friendly to Aunt Shen and Tian Tian?

Seeing that Tian Tian was having so much fun that she didn't want to leave, and that Aunt Shen's complexion was rosier than last time, Xie Zhaotang felt that sending the two of them out was the right thing to do.

The following evening, Xie Shoulai came to pick up Xie Zhaotang and Aunt Xia.

Xie Zhaotang asked Xie Shou to load the two baskets of vegetables and fruits she had bought from the villagers into the car, and then said goodbye to Aunt Shen and Tian Tian.

Unlike last time, Tian Tian didn't cling to Xie Zhaotang and refuse to leave. Perhaps she had made many playmates in Baohua Village and didn't care about parting anymore.

Xie Zhaotang only wished that Tian Tian would grow up carefree in this life, and he did not feel disappointed that she was not clinging to him.

On the way back to the city, Xie Zhaotang told Xie Shou and Aunt Xia about Zhu Feng, asking Xie Shou to learn more about him.

Upon returning to the Xie family home, Xie Zhaotang went to the main courtyard to report to Madam Xie, who greeted him with a smile.

"Mother, my aunt knew I was coming back, so she bought some fresh vegetables and fruits in the village for me to bring back as a token of my respect for you."

"Mother, I've already had Aunt Xia take the vegetables to the kitchen. The mulberries are so juicy they can't be kept for long. I heard from Sister Li that mulberries can nourish yin and blood, and also nourish the liver and kidneys, making the skin more radiant... Mother, would you like some? I'll go wash some for you?"

These vegetables and fruits were bought by Xie Zhaotang on her own initiative as a gift for Madam Xie. She thought that spending a little money would make Madam Xie happy, and that Aunt Shen and Tian Tian would be more comfortable in Baohua Village.

Madam Xie smiled when she saw Xie Zhaotang looking at her expectantly with bright, sparkling eyes.

"Your aunt is so thoughtful, even when she's copying scriptures she still thinks of me! Alright, you must be tired from the journey, go and rest. I'd like to eat something, I'll have Granny Wang wash it for me later."

Xie Zhaotang nodded and took the opportunity to tell him about her trip to Prince Chen's residence the next day, while she smiled ingratiatingly.

"Mother, I really didn't ask to go because I'm greedy. It's just that Prince Duan said his mother was very interested in what I said and insisted on inviting me... My aunt told me to listen to you, Mother. If you don't think it's appropriate, then I won't go!"

Madam Xie was somewhat taken aback, and a question arose in her mind.

In just a few days, Xie Zhaotang first attracted the attention of the young marquis, and now even the young master Duan has taken notice of her.

Is this what they mean by "fools are lucky"?

After a moment's hesitation, Madam Xie asked, "How did Young Master Duan invite you?"

Xie Zhaotang then told Madam Xie everything she had said at Hexi Garden last time, as well as what Prince Duan had said today.

Madam Xie had already heard about the earlier events from Xie Linzhu, and upon hearing the later ones, she suddenly understood.

Although this was a connection brought about by Xie Zhaotang's gluttony, whatever the connection may be, as long as Xie Zhaotang gains Madam Duan's favor, it will not be a bad thing for the Xie family.

"Since Prince Duan has invited you, then go, Zhaotang. Remember, don't speak recklessly and don't cause trouble!"

After giving a few instructions, Madam Xie dismissed Xie Zhaotang and then called Aunt Xia in.

Aunt Xia and Xie Zhaotang had already discussed it; they would say what needed to be said and refrain from saying what shouldn't be said.

Seeing that the two gave the same answer, Madam Xie did not suspect anything and asked Aunt Xia to accompany Xie Zhaotang to Prince Chen's residence the next day to keep a close eye on Xie Zhaotang so that he would not cause any trouble.

When Granny Wang brought over the washed mulberries, Madam Xie ate them and found them to be very juicy. After thinking for a moment, she said to Granny Wang...

"Wang Mama, go and pick out a simple and elegant hairpin, and a pair of earrings to give to the Fourth Miss. I think that girl's jewelry is not presentable. She can't be too shabby when she goes to Prince Chen's mansion as a guest..."

Granny Wang agreed and went to fetch a pure silver twisted plum blossom hairpin, along with a pair of pure silver openwork plum blossom earrings, for Madam Xie to inspect. After receiving Madam Xie's approval, she delivered them to the Bamboo Courtyard.

Xie Zhaotang was washing up when Aunt Xia answered the phone.

Granny Wang handed the hairpin and earrings to Aunt Xia, relayed Madam Xie's words, and finally said something meaningful.

"Xia, you have excellent taste... I hope your wish comes true this time!"

Aunt Xia smiled and said gratefully, "Sister Wang, this is all thanks to you. Don't worry, if our wishes come true, we will never forget Sister Wang's kindness..."

Granny Wang smiled and left. It wasn't a bad thing to have made a good connection with someone with such a small act of kindness. Even if she couldn't enjoy the blessings herself, it was good if the benefits could extend to her descendants.

……

The next day, at 9:00 AM.

The Prince Chen's residence sent a carriage to pick up Xie Zhaotang. Aunt Xia came in to report, and Xie Zhaotang dressed and went out with Aunt Xia.

She wore the hairpin and earrings that Madam Xie had given her.

Madam Xie didn't want her to go to Prince Chen's mansion in a shabby manner and get a reputation for mistreating a concubine's daughter, so she gave her a reward. She had to give her the face she deserved.

Upon exiting, they saw Li Qin in the carriage, accompanied by Dong Jie and Xue Jintong.

Aunt Xia went to the back and sat with Li Qin and the other maids, while Xie Zhaotang sat with Li Qin and the others.

Since Xue Jintong was mute and could not speak, she smiled and nodded slightly to Xie Zhaotang as a greeting.

Dong Jie sat next to Xie Zhaotang and whispered, "Tangtang, I heard from Aqin that Prince Duan invited us because of you, but I'm a little scared. I don't know why Prince Duan invited us?"