Xie Wan coughed heavily, and only then did he realize that he had misspoken. He hastily pretended to look at the decorations on the walls again. When he saw that the painting of Songgang that he had painted was properly mounted and hung on the wall behind him, he couldn't help but proudly say: "I painted this!"

  Ren Yun's face changed, and he praised: "Meng Qiu is a master of painting! I've been here many times, but I didn't know it was painted by Meng Qiu." After finishing speaking, he turned to Xie Wan and asked: "How are the two fish? I saw them floating on the water surface when it rained two days ago, how about these two days?" His tone was extremely gentle, as if it could melt into his skin.

  Xie Wan's expression remained unchanged: "It was just a couple of afternoons when I felt stifled, but now it's fine."

  "Are you talking about those two fish in the pool?" Wei Xiao heard them say this, and suddenly burst out laughing: "Those two fat fish that are as big as pigs, how could they be bad? Just now I poked them with a branch, and they splashed me all over! I originally thought she was a person of taste, but unexpectedly she's also treating those two broken wild fish like treasures!"

  Ren Yun's smile froze, her face turned half green and half purple, unable to describe what kind of taste it was.

  Wei Jiao took a couple of sips of tea and put down the teacup, seeing his complexion like this, and also saw Xie Wan staring at him, couldn't help but say: "Did I say something wrong?"

  Xie Wan turned her head, beckoned Chun Hui to get on the melon fruit cart and changed the subject.

  Xie Qi arrived after hearing the news and asked Ran Yun, who then whispered behind her fan: "The fish was caught by Zhan Yan himself."

  Wei Cui suddenly realized and immediately covered her mouth, regretting it so much that her intestines turned green.

  Everyone is a friend, but this kind of face-to-face hurt to someone's dignity is really not very decent. How can they get along with others? He reflected that he shouldn't have done so, but didn't think it through. Why was it that when he thought the fish were raised by Xie Zhuang, he could be so unscrupulous and hurt her face-to-face, but when it came to Ren Jun, he had to adhere to the gentleman's code of conduct?

  Wei Jiao yielded to Ren Rui for several days.

  That night, Xie Wan received a letter from Luo Sheng in the capital. The letter said that everything about the shop had been settled and it was estimated that he would be able to return to Qinghe in two days. After reading the letter, Xie Wan also wrote a letter to the Wei Mansion in the name of Xie Cang, telling Wei Bin and his wife about the whereabouts of Wei Zan.

  No matter what, if something happens to Wei Xiao during his stay in Qinghe, it will ultimately fall on the Xie family's head. The Wei family won't care about your internal conflicts or not, when the time comes and they want to deal with you, it'll be a simple matter of turning everything upside down.

  Now that Xie Wan has voluntarily informed them of his whereabouts, if Wei Bin knew what he was doing, he should have immediately sent someone over or taken him back right away. If no one is sent to protect him and he's not taken away, then if something happens, it won't have much to do with the Xie estate. Although Xie Wan wouldn't ignore Wei Zhan since he had saved her before, still, accidents can happen.

  The next day was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and all the rooms in the mansion had a gathering lunch at the main house. Xie Wan went to the shop after breakfast, originally planning to go and come back, but didn't expect Ning Da Yi to bring a large group of followers from Hejian Fu, got a Western music box, passed by Li Zihu and happened to see her mule cart, so he turned in to present his treasure. Stayed for a while longer.

  When she returned to the mansion, Ren Yun was already waiting for her at the second gate.

  "It's been so long since you've returned, I thought something unexpected had happened to you." He walked up and stretched out his hand, ready to help her down.

  Xie Wan stepped back half a step without changing her expression, and said with a faint smile: "Why is Brother Ren San alone here?"

  Ren Yun felt her resistance. Both hands fell down dejectedly. "I see you haven't returned, so I especially waited for you."

  "It's no use." Xie Wan's tone became increasingly indifferent, "Third Brother Ren doesn't need to bother with me anymore." After speaking, she went up the stone steps and onto the corridor leading to the Yifeng Pavilion.

  Ren Yun caught up, his pale face grasping her sleeve. "You... why are you treating me like this? Is it because of Wei Cai?"

  Xie Wan's lips curled up slightly as she turned her head and said, "From the moment I first met you until now, I've always been like this. It's not because of Qi Jie or Wei Gongzi that I'm this way. From now on, perhaps even until my death, no matter who else I meet, I'll always be like this to you."

  "Wan Wan!"

  His voice trembled and his shoulders shook violently.

  Xie Wan stepped back two steps, bowed his head in respect, and turned to leave.

  Yu Xue and Qian Zhuang, who were standing not far behind him, exchanged a glance and sighed silently.

  The banquet at noon is naturally a joyful occasion for those who are happy and a sorrowful one for those who are sad.

  Xie Wan was as taciturn as usual, but a quiet smile always lingered on her face. The boys formed their own table, with osmanthus flowers inserted in the middle of the flower holder, and Wei Zuo and others were drinking according to the wine rules. Xie Qi walked over to Ren Yun's table, entwining him to drink, but he brushed off his sleeves and pushed her away, returning to the house.

  In the evening, you can go out and see the flower lanterns.

  Xie Wan changed into her clothes, and Yu Xue helped her re-braid her hair.

  Wei Xiao looked at her walking out with double buns and wearing pearl hairpins, saying:

  "It's only in places outside the capital that you can enjoy such benefits. For us girls in the capital, from one to ten years old, it's not just difficult to go out and see the flower lanterns, even going out to buy flowers or powder is a challenge. We're always afraid of being seen and losing face. But for someone like you, it's indeed better to stay indoors less often, otherwise, if people see you, there will be matchmakers coming to your door nonstop, it's so annoying!"

  Xie Wan thought of Xie Rong also being afraid of asking someone to act as a matchmaker and going to the door, so she couldn't help but laugh.

  As for those girls he mentioned, they are actually just daughters of families with status. Ordinary people, regardless of gender, have to work hard every day when they reach a certain age, who has the qualifications to be spoiled? In her previous life in the capital, she walked through streets and alleys many times, and there were no shortage of young girls on the road every day.

  They met under the second gate, and a group of seven people with their respective attendants set off in a grand procession.

  Wei Jia brought only a small servant, Tian Ci. Xie Wan was afraid that there would be accidents at night with many people around, so he let Wu Xing follow him to take care of things.

  The flower street in the county is in Qinghua Hutong, usually a market for selling lanterns and umbrellas. Tonight, the whole street has become an ocean of flower lanterns. People of all ages from the city and nearby villages have flocked here.

  Qian Zhuang's eyes were sharp, and as soon as he entered the street, he saw his neighbor, Auntie from the village. After exchanging greetings, he hadn't taken two steps before he saw his parents, Qian Laobo and his wife. The old couple was carrying a pole with lotus roots to sell in the city. When they saw Xie Juan, Qian Dama quickly wrapped several packages in paper and handed them to Qian Zhuang, instructing him to give them to Xie Juan to eat.

  Xie Wan said: "Does Qian Zhuang give you all the money he receives every month?"

  Old Qian was overjoyed, his mouth stretched to the back of his ears, and he nodded hastily: "Given! Given! Every month, he will definitely pay us six taels of silver. He said that being by Miss's side, nothing is needed, just leave some money for pocket change. Now, thanks to Miss's care, our lives are also much easier. I'm also bored at home, so I came to see the excitement!

  Xie Wan saw them happy and was also very happy in her heart.

  Wei Xiao looked at him strangely, "Why are even the parents of your bodyguard treating you with such courtesy?"

  Qian Zhuang said with a serious expression: "If there was no Third Sister, there would be no me today."

  Yu Xue smiled and said, "Because our girl is pretty."

  Wei Cang thought about it and still felt that Yuxue's words were more reliable. A person who looks good naturally has many people who like them! He fixed his eyes on the lantern stall across from him and rushed over, saying: "You all go first, I'm going to pick out a lantern!" As he spoke, he slipped into the crowd in a flash.

  Xie Wan hastily called Wu Xing and Tian Cai to follow up, but was also afraid that they would not be able to find their way back, so she let Xie Qi and the others go first. Ren Yun originally stopped in his tracks, but after hesitating for a moment, he picked up his pace and followed Xie Hua again. Xie Qi naturally went wherever Ren Yun went, and seeing that he had left, also said to Xie Wan: "Then you be careful yourself, I'm afraid with so many people, it's better to follow Brother and the others."

  As a younger brother's servant, Xie Liang naturally had to accompany Xie Wan, and thus the group split up.

  Xie Wan picked a few flower lanterns, but Wei Cai hadn't returned yet, so she was getting a bit worried. Just as she was looking around, Wu Xing suddenly came running over shouting: "Miss! Something's wrong! Young Master Wei has run into trouble!"

  When Wu Xing shouted this, Xie Wan's heart suddenly sank, "What happened?"

  "Wei Gongzi was choosing lanterns by the river when he was surrounded by several people!"

  It's really what you fear will come, Xie Wan immediately called Xie Liang Qian Zhuang and rushed to the riverbank together.

  Wei Zhan was surrounded by three or four rough-looking men, one of whom was clutching his shoulder and groaning. They seemed to be saying something to Wei Zhan, who had turned bright red with anger. The young master of the third-grade official's household, who usually got his way, now looked helpless in front of these men.

  "What's going on?"

  Xie Wan walked forward and spoke, several people looked over at the same time. Wei Xiao exclaimed: "Little San'er, hurry up and save me!" The people beside him, however, looked her up and down with a gaze full of unclear meaning, their eyes slanted to one side. Among them, there was a man with a big mole on his chin, who stared at Xie Wan's face without any restraint.

  Xie Wan turned her back. Xie Liang pulled her behind him, staring at those people. Qian Zhuang walked straight over and grabbed Wei Zhan's arm, pulling him over. Those people didn't know where he got the nerve from, and they immediately exchanged glances and surrounded them: "Where did this guy come from? Our brother was injured in the arm, do you think you can just walk away like that?"

  Passersby saw this momentum and quickly ran far away.

  Qian Zhuang first sent Wei Jiong back to Xie Lang's side, then walked over: "What do you want to do?"

  "What's going on? Are you kidding me?"

  Qian Zhuang said: "There is no compensation for money, but there is one life to compensate. Do you want it?"

  Those people suddenly changed their faces, spat on the ground, and surrounded them from all sides.

  Wei Tong's face turned red as he said to Xie Wan, "I just wanted to pick a nicer lamp for you, I didn't mean to cause trouble." However, feeling ashamed and looking at the situation again, he became very anxious, fearing that Qian Zhuang would suffer a loss. But before he could even blink, all that was left on the scene was Qian Zhuang, while the others were all lying on the ground crying out for their fathers and mothers, unable to get up.

  Gasps of amazement came from all sides.

  Qian Zhuang walked back, nodded at Xie Wan, and Xie Wan let out a sigh of relief, saying: "Let's go."

  From then on, Wei Xiao didn't dare to wander around anymore. He followed Qian Zhuang closely, step by step, until they finished strolling through the flower lanterns and returned to the Xie residence.

  ps: Thanks to gfdhhugh, cs168111, Xiaoyu, Jianxiaoxiaojie, April light rain, fragrant crispy potato chips for the pink votes~~~Thanks to April light rain, ne7's pame's fragrance sachet, thank you all~~~!