After the betrothal gifts were sent, everything went smoothly. Considering that Qin Miaomiao would not come of age until next March, the two families discussed and set the wedding date for March 28th of next year. Before finalizing the date, Old Lady Xie specially asked about Xie Yan's thoughts, but he didn't have any opinions, only saying that everything should be arranged by his grandmother. Only then did Old Lady Xie put her mind at ease, knowing that her eldest grandson was serious this time and wouldn't act rashly.

  Qin Miao has been in the capital for some time, and when she had nothing to do, she would take the maidservants out to stroll around the shops. Now that Qin Lang is back, she takes him out on excursions everywhere. This time they went to Shu, and Qin Miao clearly felt that Lang-ge had become much more mature, whereas in the past he was still willing to accompany her in laughter and play, but this time he was unwilling. This made Qin Miao somewhat angry, as people grow up, their temperament changes a lot, and they become estranged.

  This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the Qin family had a reunion in Beijing, leaving Cui Feng alone in Hangzhou. After spending a few months in Beijing, it was time to return home. Qin Yu missed his wife and unborn child, while Qin Miao missed the Osmanthus fragrans in Hangzhou and her dog Duo Duo. However, Qin Dajie had to stay in Pingyang to take care of business, accompanied by Qin Lang. Therefore, Madam Qin, Qin Yu, and Qin Miao set off on their journey back to Hangzhou three days later. Before leaving, Madam Qin sent a letter to Xie Taigong, not knowing if they would meet again next time.

  The news of Qin's family leaving the capital was told to Xie Yun by Xie Wei one day when she went to Tingyu Xuan to find him.

  "Big brother, you're about to get married, why can't you see even a little bit of happiness?" On the day Qin Miao came to their house, she herself had an appointment with Zhao Huan to go to Fahua Temple for incense, so she didn't have time to meet her and only caught a glimpse of her brother at the door. When she returned that day, she had asked around and the two old ladies beside Old Lady Qin were full of praise for Miss Qin.

  "It's said that Miss Qin is not only beautiful, but also exceptionally intelligent. She took charge of half of the Qin family business at a young age. I'm sure she'll be able to help you manage the Hou estate well in the future." Xie Wei had simple expectations for her future sister-in-law, as long as she could take care of her brother and the Hou estate like their mother did.

  Xie Yan lay in the sunlight with his eyes closed, the fragrance of flowers in the gentle breeze soothing his originally somewhat anxious heart. That day at the Qin family's, he seemed to have caught a glimpse of her. Behind the screen, a stalk of green jade swayed, revealing half of her small face, especially that one eye that rolled around in the crowd with fox-like cunning. Immediately after, she turned her back again, her slightly short stature bobbing up and down as she spoke with the man leaning against the pillar, their mannerisms extremely intimate, and from a distance, he could still hear her bright laughter.

  Such a woman always gives him a sense of familiarity, yet he doesn't know where he has seen her before. The afternoon sun with its white halo draws the image of his future wife in front of his eyes. Before the engagement, he was indeed somewhat displeased, this marriage was not worth his attention, it was just that circumstances forced him to do so. Moreover, he didn't want to pay too much attention to romantic feelings between men and women, those were just poor scholars' nonsense words to make a living. What's all this fuss about love and affection, music and harmony? It's just a good horse with a good saddle, each getting what they deserve.

  Alas, speaking of which, I and that Miss Qin are not even considered neighbors. But the situation being what it is, marrying a merchant's daughter might be the best choice after all.

  "A clever woman may not necessarily be a good thing. Moreover, if she only has petty cleverness, then the household will not be peaceful." Xie Yan was still lying on the recliner, his fingers tapping lightly on his waist.

  Xie Wei listened and felt that her brother's words made some sense. In the aristocratic families, there were many dirty things going on, and which woman in the inner courtyard was not living by relying on a little cleverness? Thinking of her own mother, she felt even more that her brother's words were reasonable.

  Returning to Hangzhou City, Qin Miao felt that she was going to live again. Although the engagement with the beautiful young master could make her feel like she was floating on air, the dryness and dullness of Pingyang City had indeed made Qin Miao have nothing to look forward to for several months.

  As soon as she returned to her own room, she let out a loud shout and rushed towards the bedroom. By the time Zi Xuan hurried in with small steps, she saw Qin Da Xiaojie lying on the glass bed in a state of disarray. Since Qin Miao's engagement was officially settled, Old Madam had assigned Zi Xuan to serve Qin Miao, making her Qin Miao's first maid. Zi Xuan was several years older than her and had been clever and sensible since childhood. Now that she was by Qin Miao's side, it would be more accurate to say that she was taking the place of Old Madam in disciplining Qin Miao rather than simply serving her.

  "Miss, this is not like you. At least change your clothes, otherwise the bed will be covered with dust from traveling." Zixuan ordered the little maids behind her, including Yulu, to pull Qin Miao up and drag her away.

  "Good sisters, good younger sisters, I haven't been intimate with my bed for several days. It's really strange to think about it, let me get close to it again, okay? Anyway, now that it's already dirty, it doesn't matter if it gets dirtier. Is this the logic?"

  Zixuan and Yulu exchanged a glance, both seeing in each other's eyes the look of being convinced by Qin Miao. As Zixuan was older, she naturally knew that Miss was again deceiving them with her words, but having just returned to the mansion, there were still many things to settle, so she could only temporarily leave Yulu behind to accompany and serve Miss. She herself led the maids in the courtyard to carefully put away the items purchased in the capital, and then busied herself washing and cleaning, finally stopping after a long while.

  Qin Miao had already fallen asleep on the bed, and when she woke up, her stomach was growling with hunger. The old lady had already sent someone to urge them to eat, and tonight they would all go to the old lady's Vigorous Wind Hall for dinner.

  "Big Sister!" Qin Miao rushed into the side hall of Jingfeng Hall and quickly ran towards Cui Feng.

  Cui Feng's belly is now very prominent, bulging like a small mountain bag. Qin Miao looked left and right, feeling fresh no matter how she looked at it.

  Old Lady Qin watched as Qín Miào fluttered about in front of Cuī Fèng, afraid that she would accidentally cause trouble. She immediately put on a stern face and said to Qín Miào: "You say you're like a mischievous monkey, can't you just sit properly for once? Be careful not to bump into Fèng."

  "Ancestor, you have no idea how fun sister's belly is." At this time, she was sticking her hand to Cui Feng's belly skin. "Look! Little nephew is moving!" From time to time, the movement of the little guy in sister's belly came from under her hand, and every time she touched him, he would touch back, it was so much fun.

  Madam Qin pouted, complaining to Auntie Xie beside her: "She's only thinking about having fun and doesn't care that I'm starving! When can we have dinner?"

  The aunt saw the old and young ones arguing again, smiled and said to the old lady: "Let's not care about them. Love to eat or not." After finishing speaking, she gave the old lady a bowl of stewed duck soup with green bamboo shoots for dinner.

  Qin Miao was still playing, her little nose twitching as she had already caught the delicious smell of the old duck soup. "Xie Ayi, I want some too!"

  "Oh, have fun then. Don't forget to eat." Old Lady Qin sipped her warm soup with narrowed eyes, still teasing Qin Miao.

  Qin Miao rolled her eyes, took the soup from Xie's hands, and gulped it down in one go. The little maidservants waiting on them didn't bat an eyelid, but Zi Xuan noticed the intense gaze the old lady cast at her, and still pushed Qin Miao to hand over the spoon to her.

  "No need, no need, using this spoon is a hassle, isn't it more convenient like this?" As she spoke, she flipped the small bowl over and showed Zi Xuan that there wasn't even a single drop left inside, all of it had gone into Qin Miao's stomach.

  "A'Nuan, in six months you'll be marrying Master Xie. That's the manor of a marquis, and as the wife of a marquis, you must follow the rules. Every move, every gesture has its own measure, no room for carelessness." Old Lady Qin looked at her foolish expression and couldn't help but become serious.

  "Turn back and ask a nanny to teach you some manners." Not taking drastic measures, it's impossible to tame her. Although the old lady didn't want to restrain her personality, after all, that was the Weiyuan Marquis Manor, not an ordinary household. If she were to make a mistake, at best, the servants would laugh at her, and at worst, it would be a scandal for the manor.

  Qin Miao pouted, feeling somewhat sulky. From a young age, her father had hired various governesses to teach her etiquette, including one who was said to have worked in the palace. However, she never took to these traditional feminine pursuits, and instead preferred to follow her older brother and Qin Lang on adventures like bird-catching and climbing walls to visit the Shen family's new puppies. As she grew older, her favorite pastime became visiting various shops, especially newly opened ones.

  Cui Feng had been married to the Qin family for many years and had always gotten along well with this young girl. She also understood that Qin Miao didn't love those feminine red decorations and rules. She put down her chopsticks, gently grasped Qin Miao's hand, and softly persuaded: "An Nuan, what Grandmother said makes sense. You are someone who will stand beside Marquis Xie, if your behavior doesn't have some decorum, won't that be making things difficult for the Marquis? Isn't that right?"

  Qin Miao nodded slightly, seeming to understand. Yes, she was supposed to stand together with the beautiful young master, and indeed shouldn't lose his face. Alright, alright, it's just some rules, she'll learn them properly herself.

  This meal, Qin Miao ate somewhat tastelessly. Thinking that in a few days she would be locked up in the garden, her heart couldn't feel at ease. After dinner, she didn't sit for long before returning to her own courtyard, chatted with the little dog DuoDuo for a while, and went to bed early.