Chapter 163: Frankly Speaking

  In front of Shen Zhen, Shen Muqing didn't dare to question Xiao Sa either.

  If I had known this earlier, I should have asked him privately...

  Shen Zhen seemed very interested.

  "To be honest with you, uncle. These two are actually accompanying maids brought over by my birth mother from the Zheng family in Jinzhou..."

  Shen Zhen's eyes flashed with surprise: "Jinzhou Zheng family?"

  Shen Muqing was also very surprised.

  The four major merchant families of the Great Zhou Dynasty are ranked as follows: first is the Zheng family of Jinzhou, second is the Yue family of Lincheng, third is the Wang family of Huzhou, and fourth is the Xiao family of Lincheng.

  Unexpectedly, Xiao Xiao's biological mother turned out to be a daughter of the Zheng family from Jinzhou?

  "It's true." Xiao Sa laughed, "The Zheng family in Jinzhou is my maternal family. I think I've introduced you to Pang Debao before. Not only did he help the Xiao family take down the Jiangnan silk business, but he also managed the Xiao family's shipyard business in Guangdong... As for strategic tactics, whether it's among the Zheng family in Jinzhou or our own family's managers, he's one of the best!"

  Shen Zhen listened, and his face showed a few signs of emotion.

  Shen Mu Qing saw that the situation was not right, Shen Jian was moved by Xiao Xiao's few words... She hurriedly said: "Master, this is a small business of mine, killing a chicken doesn't require using an ox knife..."

  Xiao Xiao glanced deeply at Shen Muqing and said, "To mention it, this Manager Pang was entrusted by my birth mother to take care of me by my side, and also helped me with some private matters. He's a very close person to me. However, after I went to Gansu and sold out the business in my hands, he has been idle at home. Being able to come here to help is also to find something for him to do."

  Shen Mu Qing listened and suddenly didn't know what to say anymore.

  It's really unbearable for busy people to suddenly become idle.

  It turned out that Shen Zhen was somewhat unexpected: "You have your own private property?"

  Xiao Xiao looked a bit embarrassed: "I haven't had a family of my own yet, and relying on my meager salary and some monthly allowance from home, I'm really struggling to make ends meet."

  Shen Zhen seemed to agree with Xiao Sa's private property arrangement and nodded his head in approval.

  Xiao Xiao continued: "Only when the descendants of the Xiao family have grown up can they divide the family property. Although I am the eldest grandson of the main house, among my brothers and cousins, I am ranked seventh...". He poured out his story of being adopted, "...from a young age, I followed my grandfather growing up, my biological parents were not good at taking care of me, and my father and mother didn't know how to take care of me either. On the contrary, it became like no one was in charge. Later, when I won the title of Wu Shuangyuan, the elders in the family became even more difficult to deal with. My grandfather even wrote a letter specifically for this matter, saying that marriage is up to me to decide." At this point, he quickly glanced at Shen Muqing, "I just want to find someone according to my own wishes, regardless of their background, as long as our personalities match!"

  Shen Muqing's heart skipped a beat as he was stared at by him with that one glance.

  This guy won't be still not giving up yet!

  She puckered her lips.

  It's better to find an opportunity to have a clear talk with him.

  On the other side, Shen Zhen also didn't speak up, lightly saying: "Since that Pang De Bao doesn't have anything going on, you can call him over." Then looking at Shen Mu Qing said: "You're a girl, and competing with those men for benefits is never good. Some things are more suitable for men to take care of. This matter will be settled like this."

  Whether it's a relationship or business, having Shen Zhen's support allows one to do as they please, and Shen Zhen's worries are also reasonable.

  Shen Mu Qing could understand her father's worries and smiled warmly in response.

  "It's getting cold, you should head back too!" Shen Zhen urged Shen Muqing, "As for the shop's matters, I'd like to hear Xiao Xiao's thoughts on it."

  Shen Muqing gave them a blessing and then quietly left.

  Xiao Xiao involuntarily straightened her back and watched as she walked away with a gentle swaying motion.

  Shen Zhen smiled slightly and bowed his head to take a sip of tea.

  ******

  That night, Shen Zhen kept talking to Xiao Sa until midnight, and even woke up Shen Muqing, asking her to bring out the Liaodong Gaoliang wine sent by Shi Zi Mo for them to taste. Shen Muqing had a lot on her mind but could only suppress it in her heart.

  The next morning, Chen Ayi came over to deliver a fur-lined jacket to Daxia and also brought her a rabbit-shaped pillow.

  Shen Mu Qing gazed at the rabbit made of sable fur and said in confusion: "This is..."

  Aunt Chen smiled and explained: "The fur that the young lady gave me, I made a fox-fur coat for Master, and a sable one for Brother. This is what's left over, so I made you a rabbit-fur jacket. The only thing is that I don't have any good gems on hand. If you think it's too plain, setting an emerald would be best."

  Shen Mu Qing smiled slightly.

  At first, Li gave her several pieces of jadeite jewelry... and she didn't expect to be treated like Li herself... this distance is just right.

  "Thank you so much." Shen Muqing sincerely thanked her.

  "No need to thank me, no need to thank me!" Chen's aunt was also very happy.

  Being able to live a peaceful life without making a fuss is already a rare thing.

  The two of them chatted with Dashu for a few more sentences, and then Chen Yinniang excused herself on the grounds that she still had some family matters to attend to.

  After seeing off Chen Yiniang, Shen Muqing had someone put away the rabbit fur coat: "Wear it when we have reunion dinner on the 30th."

  "Black and gloomy, what's so good-looking about it? If you want to wear that rabbit fur, there's still a white fox fur in your closet with cat-eye stone trim, I don't know how much more beautiful it is than this!"

  "Stop being so sarcastic." Shen Muqing laughed and scolded her, "This is someone's kind intention."

  Ying Fan was about to say something, but Shen Muqing had already said: "You'll go to Ci'an Temple later and give the incense money to the masters. Also bring some oil and rice over there to thank the masters."

  She lit an eternal lamp for Li at Ci'an Temple.

  Although he knew it was just a formality, having this formality made Shen Muqing feel a little better.

  She sighed and said: "It's almost time for the anniversary of Madam's death, let the masters prepare, I want to hold a Buddhist ritual for Madam."

  Yingfen nodded with tears in her eyes.

  A young servant beside Shen Zhen came over and said: "Young lady, the master asks you to go to his study."

  Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but laugh and asked Liu Chun: "Didn't Young Master Xiao go out today?"

  Liu Chun nodded: "Today is a rest day, Xiao Gongzi said he would go out again in the afternoon."

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and went to Shen Zhen's place.

  Shen Zhen was painting facing the Taihu stone.

  Seeing Shen Muqing enter, he smiled and put down his brush, saying: "Come over and take a look, how's my painting?"

  Shen Muqing shook her head and talked to Shen Zhen about painting for a while. The father-daughter duo also exchanged some experiences on calligraphy, and before long, it was noon. Shen Zhen invited Shen Muqing to stay for lunch and chatted with her for a good while longer before sending her back to Tingyu Pavilion.

  Xiao Xiao should not be at home anymore...

  Shen Mu Qing smiled secretly for a while before going to bed for her afternoon nap.

  In a daze, someone pushed her: "Lady, lady, you'd better wake up?"

  "What's going on?"

  "Is Xiao Gongzi looking for you?"

  Shen Mu Qing suddenly sat up: "Where is he?"

  "Wait in the living room."

  Shen Mu Qing took a look at the light in the house.

  How come you're back so early?

  What's wrong?

  She was anxious in her heart and hurriedly called Mingxia to come and comb her hair.

  Unexpectedly, it was Qing Bi who came.

  She smiled and said: "Mingxia sister is not feeling well..."

  Shen Muqing was not a strict person either, and upon hearing this, he hastily asked: "Have you invited the doctor?"

  "Perhaps it's just a case of food poisoning..." She thought for a moment, then added, "But since you're not like others, who would first abstain from food for two days before saying anything, and instead, at the slightest headache or foot pain, would immediately call for a doctor, I've already sent someone to fetch one."

  Shen Muqing finally felt at ease.

  After helping her dress and wash up, Shen Muqing went to the main hall.

  Her eyebrows were tightly knitted, and her face still carried a hint of anger, with her hands behind her back pacing in the main hall.

  As he saw her come out, his eyebrows furrowed even more tightly, pointing to the armchair beside him: "Sit down, I have something to say to you!"

  It was fine yesterday, but how did everything change today?

  Shen Mu Qing sat down on a nearby armchair with a puzzled expression and asked anxiously, "But what's wrong?"

  Xiao Xiao looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitating.

  Shen Muqing felt a bad premonition rising in her heart. She said urgently, "Xiao Sa, if you have something to say, just say it directly. As long as I can do it, I will."

  Xiao Xiao's gaze suddenly became soft and gentle, with a hint of pity.

  "It's nothing, I'm fine!" He suddenly became gentle and calm all over.

  "Is everything settled for you?"

  Xiao Xiao nodded: "I'm using Uncle's name, the people in the Ministry of Revenue will give me some face. Just wait until tomorrow to get the documents!"

  Since things went so smoothly, why did he look so angry just now?

  Shen Mu Qing gazed at him with a bewildered expression.

  Xiao Xiao saw him and suddenly smiled, saying: "I'm looking for you, indeed there's something. It's just that I don't know how to start."

  Shen Muqing dismissed the servants by her side.

  "Go on and say it!"

  Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, then said: "There's a little maid named Ying Xiu by your side, I think she looks pretty good. It just so happens that I'm short of someone by my side, so I'd like to ask you to give her to me."

  Deeply moved and stunned into silence.

  A fire in his heart had been burning all the way from his heart to his face.

  She suddenly picked up the teacup beside her and threw it at him.

  "Xiao Xiao, get out of here and don't come back. I never want to see you in front of me again."

  The teacup flashed past his ear, landing about a yard behind him with a crisp shattering sound.

  He stared at Shen Muqing in shock, who was flushed red and trembling all over.

  "You...... you......"

  Xiao Xiao's mouth corners twitched, and her calm and clear eyes slowly climbed up with a smile.

  "So much money, borrowed just like that... I only asked you for a servant," he said lightly, his hand clenched into a fist, "What's gotten you so angry?"

  The crisp sound of shattering porcelain, and the rustling of shocked gasps... had already made Shen Mu's heart a jumbled mess.

  Why am I so angry? And when I heard him say that he wanted to wear a sleeve, the first thought that came up in my mind was "even he thinks that sleeves are the most beautiful"...

  Shen Mu Qing raised her head and looked at Xiao Sa, a fine sweat had already appeared on her forehead.

  Xiao Xiao took a step forward, looking down at her sitting in the armchair, and said sternly: "What's with the big attitude?"

  Shen Mu Qing gazed at his bright eyes and slowly lowered her eyelids: "...... They are all human beings, not objects. If you want them, I'll give them to you..."

  The sound is unprecedentedly weak, like the wind in early spring, soft and powerless.

  (Tomorrow morning 8 o'clock update! O(_)O haha ~)

  Mind, first launch of handwritten text version, new domain name and new starting point! Update faster, all e-book formats are free to download.

  New thinking, first launch of handwritten version. New domain name new starting point! Update faster, all e-book formats free download.