Mrs. Qin sipped her tea and did not directly respond to the handkerchief exchange.

  She naturally knew what Lady Xie meant, which was also why she had to bring Qin Miao this time when coming to the capital. When An Nuan was very young, Old Lady Xie and Old Lady Qin had joked about becoming relatives through marriage. Although many years had passed, even though they were bosom friends who shared all their secrets in their youth, Old Lady Qin still hadn't forgotten Lady Xie's current status and the responsibilities she couldn't avoid shouldering for the Weiyuan Marquis Manor.

  The Qin family, although a large and wealthy merchant in Hangzhou, is still far from the Wei family's manor. The Xie family has been loyal for generations, producing many famous generals, and just talking about Old Lady Xie's husband, Old Master Xie, who had the merit of driving away the Qiangdi three times, his military achievements are unparalleled. Such a martial family is indeed not something that a second-rate merchant like the Qin family can aspire to.

  But she still decided to bring Qin Miao over, not for anything else, just wanting her own granddaughter to have a better choice. Scholars, farmers, workers and merchants, even with a wealth of millions, aren't they all just the dregs of society?

  Of course, it would be best if Xie Taijun still remembered the past engagement. If not, Old Lady Qin wouldn't blame her good friend either, after all everyone has their own difficulties and considerations, and she might not have made that joke from the start if she were in her shoes.

  Mrs. Xie gazed at Mrs. Qin, who seemed a bit distracted, and softly called out: "Xiūjuān, didn't you forget about that matter?" At the time, her words sounded like a joke, but they were actually sincere. After waiting for Anuā to grow up, only to have their own grandson encounter such a thing, she really couldn't help but take action.

  "Wan Ying, I haven't forgotten. It's just that..." Old Lady Qin stopped herself, realizing it wasn't suitable to continue. There were still members of the Xie family and servants sitting in the hall, not to mention Ah Nuan was already looking at her suspiciously.

  Xie Taijun also dispelled her concerns, turned around and whispered a few words to Xie Mama. Xie Mama quickly took out a brocade box from the inner room and handed it to Old Lady.

  The old lady smiled and looked at Qin Miao, took out the jade bangle from the brocade box, and put it on Qin Miao's hand.

  It was an ordinary-looking bangle, which would not have caught anyone's eye if it were placed in a jewelry store. But now it has caused the women in the hall to whisper to each other, revealing various complex expressions, with some showing resentment, astonishment, and more incomprehension.

  Sun's hands were secretly clenched in her sleeves, and her lips turned pale. Everyone in the Xie family knew what that bangle represented, but Old Lady Xie had given it to a young girl who was visiting their house for the first time, and whose family was just a merchant household. Thinking about how she had been married into the Qin family for almost ten years, managing all the big and small affairs of the Hou estate, and doing her best. She didn't dare to covet that meaningful bangle, but it shouldn't have been given away so casually either. To say she wasn't resentful would be a lie!

  The old lady looked at Qin Miao while also taking in the expressions of the other women. However, she didn't mind and just comfortingly patted Qin Miao's hand before turning to Old Lady Qin and saying: "My intentions are all in this bracelet. Whether it succeeds or not, please give me a straightforward answer."

  "Look at you, even those who are eager to make a deal don't rush as much as you do." Old Lady Qin couldn't help but smile and say, this Ruan Ying truly values An Nuan.

  However... she turned to look at Qin Miao, and still had some thoughts in her mind: "Let me think for a few days, whether or not I will send someone to deliver the message to you." As she spoke, she kept nodding her head towards Qin Miao.

  "Got it! Don't keep me waiting for too long." Old Lady Xie smiled knowingly, seemingly certain that the matter was all but settled.

  Qin Miao lowered her head, deliberately not getting involved with the elderly, but in her heart, she was bright and clear. They were talking about her own marriage to Xie Xiao Houye, and as soon as she thought of him, she felt like she was floating on clouds and riding on mist, her whole body feeling unreal.

  The side room of Yang Yi's residence had already been set with lunch as instructed, and the two elderly ladies supported each other to go and have their meal. The female servants who had been guarding against the shock of the morning were still not fully recovered, but they accompanied the two old people with their own thoughts. After lunch, they chatted for a while, and then Qin Lao Tai Tai and Qin Miao Cai bid farewell and left the residence.

  In a house west of Pingyang City, Xie Yun sat expressionlessly on the stone bench in the courtyard, staring blankly at a pot of tea on the stone table.

  The tea water had just been brewed, and the spout was still emitting a thread of steam. A pair of slender hands grasped the tea handle, lifted it lightly, and poured tea into Xie Yan's teacup in front of him.

  "Master Hou, this is the Junshan Yinzhen tea that you had someone bring over last time. I couldn't bear to drink it myself. Now that you're here, I've brewed some. Try some..." The sound of Yu Ying's voice was like a gentle brook, enough to make one's heart melt, not to mention those bright eyes and white teeth, with a hint of tenderness and charm, how could it not captivate one's soul?

  The tea in front of him rippled slightly in the wind, but the man's eyes remained cast down and he didn't respond. After a long time, Xie Lin moved his fingertips, picked up the teacup and drained it, without looking at the woman again from start to finish.

  Xinxiang's heart was a bit flustered, unsure of how to react. The man in front of her had just been gentle and considerate the moment before, but now he was pushing her away with an air of rejection. As she watched him get up and walk towards the door, she hastily got up and chased after him.

  "Master Hou?!"... She followed Xie Yun's footsteps, and stood still at the door. Only to see Xie Yun stop in his tracks, turn his head to reveal half of his cold and stern profile, and say emotionlessly: "You can rest assured, I keep my promises." After that, he hastily left.

  Liao's mother came out of the house with a kettle in her hand and saw that her own daughter was leaning against the door.

  "Miss, the tea has gone cold, let me add some more."

  Xin Xiang listened, unmoving, and softly said into the air: "In the end, he still doesn't care enough about me."

  Liao's mother was used to seeing her self-pity, so she put down the teapot and came over to support her. "Master Hou is a decent person, since he could stand up for you like that back then, now even more won't abandon you. Don't worry, we'll wait till that day comes."

  Yes, after drifting for so many years, it's time to stop and take a break.

  -------------

  Just after passing the second gate, a young servant came forward and blocked Xie Yan's way.

  "Your Lordship, Old Madam said that as soon as you return to the manor, you should first go to the Nurturing Harmony Courtyard."

  Xie Xuan threw the whip to the young servant and asked him sideways: "Have all the guests in Yang Yi Temple left?"

  The young servant put away the whip and replied clearly: "They will all be sent away after lunch."

  "Alright, let's go." Xie Yun had been feeling annoyed and depressed all day, but upon hearing that everyone had left, she felt much more relaxed. Her pace quickened as she headed towards the Nurturing Harmony Courtyard.

  Wang's wife was leading a young servant girl to clean the courtyard when she saw Xie Yun hastening along, and hurried forward to pay her respects.

  "Grandma has worked hard, can grandma wake up?" He knew that the old lady had a habit of taking a nap, so he asked clearly first.

  The old woman nodded and gestured with her mouth towards the inside: "Today, I was so happy that I drank a few more cups and just woke up. Just now, I asked if you had returned to the mansion, hurry in and take a look."

  She knew the old lady's mind, and today it was clear that she was showing off to the young master. But this young master is good, early in the morning he didn't even come to pay his respects, not to mention he made up an excuse to go out. Now he's also timing his return, probably sulking.

  Xie Yu slowed down her pace and entered the main hall, while Wang continued to lead the maids in cleaning. The sun was still scorching hot, and the potted plants in the courtyard were likely to wither away. She instructed the maids to move the flowers and plants to the corridor, inspect each pot carefully, and then move them back when the sun became milder. Usually, these matters outside the main hall were under her care, but today, since Old Lady Hou was angry with Master Hou, she had to be extra careful.

  As expected, the flowers and grass had just been moved halfway when Wang's wife heard the sound of cups and saucers falling to the ground coming from inside the house, followed by the loud voice of Master Hou. The old lady was already weak with anger, but she only faintly heard some complaints.

  Half a time later, Wang's nanny saw the young master come out from inside with a slightly red face, meeting her somewhat inquiring eyes.

  "Auntie, I accidentally broke a teacup just now. Please clean it up later."

  When Mr. Xie said this, he had already walked far away. Wang's nanny hurriedly called the maid to come in and clean up, seeing that the old lady was leaning on the couch with a huff, and Xie's nanny was rubbing her back up and down.

  "Alas, why is he just like his father!" The old lady said helplessly.

  Auntie Xie remained calm as ever, taking the new tea from the maid's hand and handing it to Old Lady: "You first drink some tea to calm down. This Prince has already agreed to this marriage, who knows what will happen in the future."

  The old lady sipped her tea while listening and suddenly felt that what Thankful was saying made perfect sense.

  "Who knows what will happen later? Never mind him, come on, let's go take a look at the warehouse and see if there are any good things!"