utation, your reputation, even our entire family's reputation! I really don't know who gave her such guts!""Second Sister-in-law, don't be so cryptic! Just speak plainly!" Madam Jia was quite annoyed...Before a reply could be heard, the Marquis spoke first, "Funiu'er will come once every five days, coinciding with your mother's trip into town."
"Since your godfather is away, you will be in charge of handling his social affairs. At the end of each month, check the shop's income and expenses once. If the shop needs adjustments, feel free to make bold arrangements."
"Uncle, I won't!" Jia Yin quickly waved her hand.
This time, it wasn't that she wanted to shirk her responsibilities. Honestly, she had no experience managing such a large estate and business!
Thinking back to the earlier conversation about the shop's ownership, she added, "Also, Godfather, please don't transfer those shops into my name. You've already given me so much!"
The Lord shook his head and insisted, “Managing a household isn't difficult. If you don't understand something, the steward can teach you."
As for the shop, it's under your name for convenience. If I need it later, it's not difficult to change it back.
What else could Jia Yin say Her stepfather was determined to "strong-arm" the sale!
The head steward was quick to act, immediately bringing over the fabrics bestowed upon the palace. He warmly greeted Jiayin, "Your Grace, please take a look and choose some. I think this Cloud-Crimson brocade would make a lovely lining for a quilted jacket."
"Although it's still hot now, in two months it will be cold. The old servant asked the embroidery room to put in some effort and make a few sets of dresses for the county princess to receive guests!"
Women can't resist beauty, especially when it comes to clothing and jewelry.
Jia Yin was attracted by the silk fabrics all around her, and she couldn't help but walk forward and say to the housekeeper, "Uncle Butler, I have drawn some different styles of clothes. Please call over two embroiderers for me. I want to discuss them with them."
"Good!" The head steward hurriedly called a maid to the sewing room and summoned two lead grandmothers.
This time, Jia Yin's design is a pipa collar with a semi-standing collar. She plans to make a set of cheongsam and skirt for her grandmother.
When the two grandmothers saw the Master in attendance, they couldn't wait to show off their skills!
After all, there was only one master in the house, and he was often away. They were terribly bored and afraid that they might be sold off at any time...
Three women make a play, the Marquis was getting a headache from it, so he ordered the head steward to go to the storeroom and bring over half of the fabrics suitable for women. Let Jia Yin pick whatever she wanted and use it as she pleased.
If there is any left, send it to Li's house by car.
The steward obeyed, and the Marquis went to his study to attend to some paperwork.
When the sun rose to its zenith, the two grandmothers, carrying a large pile of silks and fabrics, happily returned to their embroidery room.
Jia Yin rubbed her rumbling tummy and hopped excitedly to find her godfather.
Just then, the Lord had finished his business, and after the father and daughter reunited, they went straight to Xianke Lai.
This time, it was lunchtime, and the Xi'an restaurant was at its busiest.
But perhaps because Li Zhensheng wasn't there, or maybe it was the heat, Xianke Lai’s occupancy rate was a little lower than usual.
There were ten tables in the hall, but only seven were occupied. There were also empty private rooms upstairs.
Jia Huan paced anxiously in the hall, a troubled expression on his face.
My uncle wasn't home, he didn't look after the business...
At this time, the Marquis brought Jiayin into the gate.
The lord wore a jade-green silk robe, the color of rain-washed skies after a storm. He had a jade belt around his waist and his black hair was tied back with a jade hairpin.
He was naturally tall and handsome, with a composed expression. Wherever he stood, he was an instantly noticeable presence.
Today, Jiayin wore a peach-colored slanted collar blouse paired with an ivory pleated skirt. The collar and hem were not embroidered, but instead adorned with small pearl beads the size of soybeans, making it both unique and beautiful.
She had two little flower buns on her head, with two strings of pearls each. Around her neck was a necklace of red gold and eight treasures, which set off her fair and round face. She looked so cheerful and lovely.
Everyone instinctively put down their chopsticks and looked over, all wondering who this distinguished guest could be...
"My goodness, it's so wonderful to see you both! I'm overjoyed. Hurry forward, "Lord Hou, Fu Niuer, how did you get here"
Jia Yin smiled and held onto her brother's hand, saying, "My godfather said Uncle wasn't home, so he brought me here to support Second Brother and see if anyone was bullying him!"
With a smile, Jia Huan patted his younger sister's head and told the Marquis, "Don't worry, everything is fine. It's just not as busy as before. I'm thinking of launching two new dishes!"
The Lord nodded and replied, "Let's make a few dishes first, Fu Niuer is hungry."
"Alright, Lord Hou, come with me to the back garden wing room. It's quiet there."
Jiahuan quickly led his younger sister and guided the marquis back.
The Lord looked around at everyone in the hall, gave a slight nod as a greeting, then went to the backyard.
In the hall, a moment of silence was broken by a sudden burst of noise.
"Who is this person I've never heard of them. Have we in our new community always had such outstanding individuals"
One guest shouted first, then was ridiculed by his companions.
"You don't know Marquis Xinting That's Marquis Xinting, just returned in triumph!" his companion exclaimed excitedly, lowering his voice.
The ridiculed person retorted indignantly, “Wasn’t it said that Marquis Xinting was unmarried This man just brought his daughter here!”
His companions were already unwilling to associate with such a fool, weakly saying, “Lord Xinting has no sons, but you forget he has an adopted daughter She's Princess Kangle, Princess Kangle!”
The bystanders also chimed in, "Yes, that's Princess Kang Le. She's called the second brother of Boss Li! It couldn't be wrong!"
"Everyone says that the Marquis and the Li family are very close, but I didn't believe it until today. Now, seeing this with my own eyes, I realize that this isn't just ordinary closeness! The Marquis has such a cold and hard temper, yet he came to support young Master Li…" An old man stroked his beard and said in a strange tone.
It's unclear whether it was envy for the Li family or a feeling that the Marquis had lowered himself by doing this.
Of course, what they think is their business...
The backyard had a small annex, which was very clean and served as the daily residence for Jia Huan and Li Zhen.
Visitors often come here to rest.
Inside the house, as you walk in, there is a small kang against the back wall that can accommodate four or five people sleeping.
A large square table was placed by the window. It was used for keeping accounts, reading and writing on a daily basis. When tidied up, it could even be used to set out meals, making it very convenient.
In the corner stood a stool, upon which sat a pot of tea flowers in full bloom. Though not some rare variety, they were bursting with blossoms, a riot of color and beauty.
Jiahuan took the box of snacks and called for a young boy to bring tea. Then, she went to the stove herself.
At this time, it happened that Li Lao Er also came.
It turned out he had just come back from the relief agency, thinking that Baihuayuan didn't have much to eat, so he came over for a stroll.
"Second Uncle, how did you come My mother and my stepfather were just saying that we'd go see the flowers after lunch!" Jia Yin greeted Second Uncle and hurriedly poured him tea and brought two pieces of long white cake.
Li Lao'er was truly starving. He ate the two bites of Changbai Gao, then smiled and said to the Lord Hou, "Lord Hou, if you hadn't come, I also wanted to find an opportunity to talk to you."
"Coincidentally, so am I." The Marquis smiled. "This morning, I went to the palace and discussed two things with the Emperor. I was just about to tell you..."s a small path through the woods that led all the way to the summit.The summit is relatively flat. To the south, there are two giant rocks: one standing upright and the other lying horizontally.The up...