Xie Wan didn't take this matter to heart, after all, Wei Xiao was so reckless, with a sheep fat jade hairpin on his head, a turquoise pendant on his waist, and even a pair of small boots with gold and jade inlays, it was clear that he was a walking treasure trove, if not targeted by these people, he would eventually be targeted by others.

  She scolded Wei Jie as soon as she returned home.

  Wei Xiao learned a lesson from her and afterwards became more low-key when going out, but that's a story for another time.

  But then, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Wang's wife received a letter from the capital, saying that Huang would be bringing Xie Yun and Xie Wei back to the mansion soon, accompanied by a group of guards from the Wei family. She was surprised and asked the person who had arrived ahead of time, "What brought them together again?"

  Someone came back to report: "It turned out that Master Wei went out without the knowledge of Mr. and Mrs. Wei, and they have been anxiously searching for him everywhere these past few days. Just two days ago, they received a letter from our mansion and learned that Master Wei was at our place. Fortunately, Third Master has a relationship with Second Master of the Wei family, so Mr. Wei personally came to entrust Third Master with the matter. Third Master immediately arranged for Third Madam to bring back Eldest Miss and Fourth Young Master."

  "So that's how it is." Wang nodded. Xie Rong suddenly brought their mother and children to the capital, although she didn't know why, he rarely mentioned these things to her, but heard that he had contact with Lord Shen now, which was a good thing after all, so she also hastily ordered Zhou Erjia to go and make arrangements, instructing him to prepare accommodations for the people from the Wei manor.

  Xie Qigong received the news and gave her another 500 taels of silver for expenses.

  Xie Hong's voice has become louder these days, and Xie Qi has changed into several autumn outfits.

  Luo Ju has sent a letter from the south, and the purchase went relatively smoothly. Although there were some setbacks in the early stages, things went well later on. He contacted several reputable rice merchants and signed an agreement to sell rice to Xie's Rice Shop in Beijing. The first shipment of rice will arrive around mid-September. Luo Ju and his companion will return by boat at the same time.

  Luo Sheng returned at the end of the month as promised and handed over the deed and map to Xie Wan. They took advantage of this period before the grain arrived to tidy up the shop and start hiring people.

  As more and more outsiders came to the mansion, Xie Wan had no choice but to make her affairs even more secretive, reducing the number of times she went out. Even when Luo Sheng and others came to discuss matters, they all changed to after dinner. Xie Cang also cooperated by spending more time in Yifengyuan, and occasionally asked Luo Sheng to bring account books to pretend to work.

  Huang brought Xie Wei and Xie Yun along with people from the Wei manor back home when Xie Wan had just finished arranging matters in her hands.

  It's been months since they last met. Xie Wei seemed to have grown taller, and her demeanor was more elegant than before. When she saw Wei Yan come in with Xie Wan, she smiled warmly and greeted him just as politely as she had Ren Yun.

  She brought gifts for everyone, the girls were all the same, the young masters were all the same, and Ren Yun was also a single one. But Wei Xiao didn't have any. Xie Wan thought that this approach made sense, because Wei Xiao had come from the capital in the first place. Moreover, Xie Yu had only learned about Wei Xiao's presence at the Xie manor just before departure, so theoretically it was impossible to prepare a gift for him, and if one were prepared, it would seem overly eager.

  However, Xie Qi did not think so.

  "Big sister, why didn't you prepare a gift for Master Wei?" She was wearing her newly made autumn clothes and playfully winked at Xie Wei.

  Xie Wei's face turned slightly red in front of so many people, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she smiled and turned her head to ask Xie Wan about the new bangle on her wrist, pretending not to have heard.

  Xie Qi walked over and asked again: "Big sister, isn't it boring? Wei Gongzi hurriedly came from the capital. You're treating him like this."

  Xie Wei's face sank, and she stood up with a flick of her sleeve: "I'm not bothering anyone, when did you get to intervene? If I were to bother your Young Master at any time, you can ask me then, it won't be too late!"

  Xie Qi didn't expect a joke to earn him his elder sister's sternness, and he immediately became stiff and embarrassed.

  The boys all gathered on the other side of the flower hall talking, hearing a commotion over here, they also came over.

  Wei Xiao hastily said, "Second sister, you're being too serious. Why would eldest sister suspect me? Besides, I came from the capital, and eldest sister gave me gifts to bring back. Wouldn't it be troublesome if I had to take them back with me?"

  Everyone's eyes turned to the little three in his mouth.

  Xie Wan pulled at the corner of her mouth and could only say: "Indeed, that's correct."

  Xie Qi rushed back and sat down with a huff after she glared at her.

  Xie Wei also took a look at her and then looked at Wei Xiao.

  Wang's family hosted a banquet in Yulan Hall for the three families.

  Before lunch, Xie Wan was drinking tea in the side hall when Wei Xiao walked over and tapped her arm with his fan, saying: "I saw that you really liked the rouge from Baoxiang Pavilion that Big Sister sent over earlier. I'll let you in on a secret - the most famous rouge in the capital is actually from Qingcui Pavilion. What scent do you like? Tell me and next time I come, I'll bring some back for you."

  Xie Wan glanced at him and slowly skimmed the tea foam, "Are you sure you still have a chance to get out?" She didn't think he would be safe after going back this time. Moreover, Madam Wei would not give him another chance to escape again.

  Thinking of this, she couldn't help but ask: "Have you done this for the first time or have you done it countless times?"

  "This is the first time!" He frowned at her, as if she had insulted his character. "Didn't I tell you last time when I left that I would come to see you when I have a chance? Recently, I was bored staying in the mansion and thought of you, but I didn't know what illness you got from being frightened by me last time, and I was also afraid my mother wouldn't let me come, so I came secretly."

  It's not to avoid the marriage with Xie Wei, but because of boredom. Xie Wan also thinks that Wei Cuo is unlikely to know about Xie Rong's plan, otherwise, with his temper, he might not even be willing to enter the Xie mansion again. So she says: "Next time you don't have to come either, I'll let someone bring back the rouge from the capital."

  "How can it be the same?" Wei Xiao hurriedly said, "How would they know what's good or bad for women's things?"

  Xie Wanle was overwhelmed with joy and said: "So you're saying, you understand?"

  He was choked with one word and said with a red face: "Actually, I don't understand much either, but I see that the few kinds my mother and sister often use are very good."

  "There's no need to go out of your way to deliver it." He's been running around like this, is he just giving Xie Rong an opportunity for nothing? Besides, after all, men and women are different, neither of them is very young anymore, this kind of private transaction, even if they do it, it's still just a waste of breath. "I'm still young now, I don't need to use it in my daily life, you don't have to bother."

  Wei Xiao thought for a moment and then nodded: "Alright, I'll buy it for you when you grow up!"

  She walked away with a satisfied smile.

  There were eight people in total who came to the Wei residence, four bodyguards, two maids, one steward and one coachman.

  Xie Wan had thought that after they arrived, Wei Jiong would return to the manor, but unexpectedly, he ended up staying here as if he were in his parents' presence. Xie Qigong was overjoyed and felt that even a large household like theirs couldn't afford to support more than ten people. Moreover, such opportunities for socializing weren't something that could be bought with money.

  Xie Wan privately did not want Wei Jiao to get involved in the war between her and Xie Rong, but it was clear that this was no longer something she could control.

  When the people from Wei's residence arrived, it was no longer suitable for Wei Xiao to live in Yifengyuan with his entourage. Wangshi still had someone clean up Xiaoxiangyuan and asked him to move in. Xiaoxiangyuan is adjacent to Cangbaiwan on the north side, but on the south side, it adjoins Fufengyuan, which means that Xie Wei must pass by the door of Fufengyuan whether he goes to Cangbaiwan to borrow books or go to the main courtyard to pay his respects.

  As a result, Xie Wan often met the two of them chatting and laughing together. Because Xie Qigong didn't say anything, no one in the mansion managed them or cared whether they were following etiquette, and sometimes, under Pang Fu's lead, everyone would consciously stand farther away and retreat to a safe distance.

  As this happened many times, Xie Wei and Wei Zuo seemed to get along better and better, but Xie Zhu gradually felt a little worried. Wei Zuo was like a piece of fresh meat sent to the Xie Mansion, and Xie Qigong's mother and son stared at him without letting go. But this piece of fresh meat had once been kind to her, how could she watch him become cannon fodder under her own fire?

  "Seeing them like this, don't you feel uncomfortable in your heart?"

  She sat on the railing, chewing on dried beef, staring at the two people playing chess under the opposite corridor with furrowed brows, when Ren Yun appeared in front of her without knowing when.

  Xie Wan turned her head and looked at him, then turned around and got down from the horse, silently preparing to pass under the camphor tree.

  "Wan Wan!"

  Ren Yun chased after her and stretched out his hand to block the corner door she was about to head towards. "Every time I see you with him like this, my mood is just like yours now."

  His lips trembled slightly in front of him, but his eyes were fiery hot.

  Xie Wan's impression of him was still that shy boy who spoke with a stutter, and she couldn't understand how such intense emotions could be hidden beneath his thin skin.

  She took out her handkerchief and wiped her fingertips, saying: "Ren San really went crazy." Then she turned her head and walked towards the outer gate.

  There is also a path outside the second gate leading to the Huiyi Windyard. The world under heaven doesn't have only one way.

  She had just taken a step, and her wrist was caught. Ren Yun used force to pull her back. "I'm not crazy! I'm telling the truth. Wanwan, we've known each other for almost three years, and we're considered childhood friends. Is my relationship with you even less than that of someone who has only met twice?"

  Xie Wan's eyes suddenly turned cold: "Let go of San Ge!"

  "I won't let go!" Ren Yun's voice trembled, perhaps due to tension, not only his hands were shaking, but even his voice sounded so weak. His chest heaved: "I didn't really mean to offend you, I... I just hoped you'd look at me a bit more, I actually, actually like..."

  "Don't say it!"

  Xie Wan sternly shouted for him to stop, her gaze falling on his face like an icy knife.

  Ren Yun had never seen her so furious before, and subconsciously took a step back, the hand grasping her wrist also loosened automatically.