Xie Lang returned home from school at night and suddenly walked to the backyard, saying: "The old lady of Nan Yuan Ren's family is our madam's niece, and they have been in contact with Xie Fu for many years. On their birthday, we will probably go there too."

  Xie Wan said: "If you want to go, then go, I'm not going."

  Xie Lang couldn't help but ask about the reason. Xie Wan then told him about what happened when Xie Wei and her sister came over in the afternoon, and then said: "I told everyone outside that it was for the sake of the Xie family's reputation, if you go, wouldn't that be proof that I'm lying? I've already prepared a gift for Madame Ren, please have the three aunts bring it over at that time, it can also be considered as showing respect."

  "That's fine too." Xie Lang nodded, "It just so happens that I still have homework to finish and need to ask the teacher for guidance."

  The next day, at dawn, seeing that the rain had stopped, Xie Wan asked Yu Xue to take out a pair of Shu embroidery longevity pictures stored in the box, find a matching box to pack them, and then pack two packages of bird's nest and two boxes of tea leaves to send to Fu Feng Yuan.

  Madam Huang was watching the maids clip flower branches under the veranda when she saw Xie Wan and her entourage arrive, and hurriedly smiled and said: "After all, it's because you're young and full of energy, on a cold and windy day like today, you didn't even wear a wind hat and still came over." At the same time, she instructed Qie Mama to "Quickly brew a bowl of ginger date tea to help Third Miss dispel the chill." Meanwhile, she took Xie Wan's hand and led her into the inner chamber.

  In the copper censer at the corner of the house, charcoal was burning, and from time to time, a faint crackling sound could be heard. Xie Wan sat on the soft couch with a brocade cushion, alongside Huang Shi, and said: "These days have been busy with trivial matters, my heart has been troubled, and I haven't had a chance to come to the Fengfeng Temple to pay respects to Third Aunt. I heard that Third Aunt was exhausted from taking care of her parents' funeral affairs, so today I came especially to thank you."

  As she spoke, she handed over the bird's nest and tea leaves in Yu Xue's hands, saying: "This was brought back by Father when he went to Beijing last spring. It is said to be a product of Guan Yan Zhuang. Now we can't use it anymore, so I'll give it to Third Aunt to nourish her body."

  Huang sighed and took her hand, saying: "It's hard for you to be so young and yet know how to care about me. With this kind intention, I am already more than satisfied. We are all one family, why speak of two households? Your parents have passed away, what else can we do but try our best? Take the things back, as long as you are all well, Third Aunt will be at peace."

  "Third Aunt, don't decline, I still have something to ask of you!" Xie Wan smiled and brought over the box containing the centenarian picture, opening it to say: "Brother said that the Xie and Ren families are old friends from generations past. For Madam Ren's birthday celebration, we were unable to attend in person due to our filial duties, so I must trouble you, Third Aunt, to help us deliver this gift as a token of our good intentions."

  Huang took out the centenarian picture from the box, unfolded it halfway to take a look, and then put it down, saying: "Now that you've entered the mansion, this favor will naturally be borne by Gong Zhong. I'll help you convey the message, so there's no need to send this thing again."

  Xie Wan said, "Originally, my brother also thought so, but because recently heard that the eldest uncle of the Ren family was transferred to the Five Cities Military Command as Deputy Commander last month, we didn't have time to go and congratulate him. This time, let's make up for it and avoid being called slow."

  The eldest uncle of the Ren family was Zeng Mi, the third son of Guang Enbo in Beijing. Xie Wan remembered that it was three months after he took office as the head of the South City Garrison in his previous life that the Ren family began to propose marriage to her uncle, and it was also at that time that Zeng Mi's errand was announced by Mr. Ren.

  The Ren family, although only a landlord comparable to the Xie family, had an imperial concubine in their ancestry. Although she died soon after entering the palace, her reputation still exists. Moreover, they also have relatives serving as officials in the court nowadays.

  From the founding of the country to now, it has also gone through three dynasties. The meritorious families who followed Taizu in battles have mostly declined. Only a few aristocratic families still shine brightly. Those dukes and nobles, relying on their ancestors' prestige, do not pursue fame or achievements, and are far removed from court politics. Some even have to bow their heads three times in front of civil officials.

  When Xie Wan first entered the capital, the Guang En Bo Fu was also left with an empty shell. It is even said that the wife of the son of Guang En Bo was so short of money that she wore autumn clothes to attend banquets in winter. This once third young master was the only one in the mansion who had a decent job and often used his own salary to support the household.

  Now it seems that the Zeng family was already in a tight financial situation when they decided to marry off their daughter to the Ren family's eldest daughter, and had no choice but to lower their standards and form an alliance with them due to the Ren family's wealth.

  When Huang heard Xie Yun's calm and clear words, his heart was like a drum beating violently! The Five Cities Military Governor's Office is an important government agency responsible for managing the security of the capital. If Ren's family's eldest brother-in-law enters the Five Cities Military Governor's Office, it means that the Guang'en Duke's Mansion has risen again! But why didn't they know this news, and how did Xie Yun and his people find out?

  She unfolded the hundred longevity pictures in her hand and took a closer look, praising: "This embroidery is truly divine, especially these one hundred different longevity characters are vivid. Madam Ren must be very delighted."

  Xie Wan happily said: "Brother thought and thought but didn't know what to give, it was me who remembered that we have this thing at home!"

  Huang smiled and stroked her head: "Wan sister is really brother's interpretation flower, even San aunt heard it can't help but get excited. Ren family's backyard has planted many beautiful flowers, this time you don't go, it's a pity. In these years when you went to Nanyuan County to see your uncle, did father take you to play at the Ren's house?"

  "No." Xie Wan shook her head with bright eyes and complained: "Every time we went to Nanyuan County, my father and mother scared me by saying that the neighbors had raised many big vicious dogs, so we could only play at home and didn't go anywhere. The ant nests on the Qi family's land were all dug up by me and my cousin!"

  Huang's laughter echoed, pulling her hand to Qi's mother and saying: "Let Cai Xia take Wan sister to the backyard to play with Wei sister, bring some fruit over." Then she said to Xie Wan: "You go with your elder sister to the backyard to see if there are any ant nests! Third Aunt will ask the big kitchen to make something delicious, today you'll stay here for lunch!"

  Xie Wan happily agreed and followed Qi Gu to find Cai Xia to lead the way.

  When Qi Nian's mother returned, Huang Shi was still staring at the door in a daze, with a hint of a smile lingering on her lips like ripples on the surface of a lake.

  "After all, she's still just a child." Qie Mama sat on the stool, picked up the unfinished needlework and said: "Even if she had the guts to provoke Master and make Mistress lose face, it's nothing more than being slightly bolder than ordinary children, can't be considered clever at all."

  Huang's gaze returned, but he seemed to have not heard her speak, staring at the ground as if talking to himself: "Since they haven't been to Ren's residence, where did this news come from?"

  Qie said: "Perhaps it was the second young master who heard rumors outside, but it's not certain. The Guang'en Duke's mansion is now so declined, where can they still get the position of deputy commander?"

  Huang's expression turned solemn for a moment, then he straightened his back and said: "If it were in the past, it would not be very possible. But Ren Daguang brought nearly 10,000 taels of silver into the Zeng household, seeing that her husband's family was in such a state, Zeng Mi was neither a clan heir nor had any official business, and this Ren Daguang was not foolish either, it's not impossible for her to take out some money to help her husband with his official duties."

  Madam Qi saw her frowning and deep in thought, so she advised: "Maybe it's just a rumor, tomorrow when you go to the Ren Mansion, you'll know. You're thinking about it so much, but you can't figure out what's going on, and it's affecting your body."

  Huang sighed softly and put down his hand. His eyes fell on the hundred-year-old picture placed on the table, and he picked it up with a smooth motion.

  "Isn't this embroidered silk expensive?"

  Huang nodded silently, looking for a moment before suddenly saying: "Go get the 'Step by Step High' ivory carving that Third Master brought back from Beijing last time. We'll give it to Madame Ren tomorrow."

  Xie Wan stayed in Fufengyuan until late afternoon before taking his leave.

  Although it's not necessary to pay respects morning and evening at the mansion, since I've arrived here, I should naturally go and pay my respects to the madam.

  Fengyuan Yard is very close to the upper house, which is also because Xie Qigong loved Xie Rong extremely. In the past, for convenience, he often summoned him to the study to talk.

  Huang's family heard her say that, and also got up and said: "It just so happens that I haven't gone to ask Tai for a few days, so let's go together." Then she called out to Ai'er to bring some homemade fruit leather, packed in two plates, and also brought some pickled yangmei that Xie Yu loved to eat, and put on a cloak to head upstairs.

  Wang was playing cards with Ruan and Zhou when Xie Qi watched from the side. Seeing them arrive, Wang put down his cards and smiled: "I was just saying that on a rainy day like today, I didn't know what Yuansister was doing alone in the courtyard, but I didn't expect her to be playing with you all instead. This is good too, you can all visit each other more often, and it saves me from worrying about both sides!"

  Xie Wan bowed and said: "Thank you, madam, for remembering! Third Aunt asked me to come and play often."

  Huang's hand stroked Xie Wan's head and said, "Wan sister is both clever and lovely, San Shu likes her very much." Then she smiled and handed over the dried fruit to Wang Shi, saying, "The daughter-in-law is unfilial, it has been several days since she came to visit you, I know that you like to eat this dried fruit, so I specially brought some over."

  Wang shouted at Xie Wan, beckoning her: "Sister Wan, come over here!"

  Xie Wan raised her hand with a jar of pickled bayberries and said: "I don't want it! San Aunt gave me this too!"

  Wang burst out laughing, "No wonder you weren't staring at my cabinet today and asked if you could have some sweets! It turns out that Third Aunt gave you something delicious!"

  Ruan's family sat silently for half a day, seeing that they couldn't get a word in edgewise, so she stood up and smiled: "Hua Ge Tong Ge will be finishing school soon, it's raining so heavily, I'm afraid their clothes will get wet, I'll go take a look."

  "Go back! The children are in danger."

  Ruan Shi nodded with Huang Shi and pulled Xie Qi back into the house.

  Xie Qi pushed open the gate and shook off his mother's hand, saying: "I also like to eat San Shu's dried fruit, why do you have to drag me back at this time?!"

  "Glutton! All you know is eating! Your Third Aunt clearly knows that there's a Second Sister in the household, but she only thinks of giving food to Wan's sister and not to you?! Speaking of which, your father and your Third Uncle are brothers born from the same mother! Yet she still goes around currying favor with others! It's really something that you still call her Third Aunt, if I were you, for the sake of arguing, even if they gave it to me, I wouldn't eat!"