After leaving the city, the prosperity of the capital was gradually left behind. From the moment Zhao Jingyu got on the car, he had been staring at Xie Nanjia, as if he could never see enough.
Xie Nanjia thought, it is true that everyone loves beauty, but there are not many people who can be so distracted by beauty as he is.
There are bookworms, swordworms, loveworms, and flowerworms in this world. Should people like Zhao Jingyu be called beautyworms
Thinking of this, Xie Nanjia couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you laughing at?" Zhao Jingyu asked.
"Nothing." Xie Nanjia stopped laughing and said seriously, "Can you stop staring at me and look at the scenery?"
"What's so good about being bald?" Zhao Jingyu casually lifted the car curtain, took a glance and put it down again.
"Why not?" Xie Nanjia lifted the curtain on her side, looked at the green wheat seedlings nearby and the rolling mountains in the distance, and said leisurely, "This beautiful land was won by so many people with their blood and sacrifices. To me, every inch of it is beautiful."
"How can a girl like you have such awareness?" Zhao Jingyu said jokingly, "But in my eyes, the mountains and rivers are not as beautiful as you."
“…” Xie Nanjia was almost embarrassed to death. Not knowing how to respond, she pretended not to hear and continued to look at the scenery.
"You and the Duke's wife seem to get along well?" Zhao Jingyu said, "If your mother wasn't at the farm, I would have almost thought she was your mother."
Xie Nanjia was stunned, lowered the curtain and looked back at him: "Why do you think so?"
"Maybe it's because of the eyes!" Zhao Jingyu thought for a moment and said, "Your eyes are almost exactly the same as hers, even more similar than Jinping County Princess's."
"Really?" Xie Nanjia had never paid attention to this matter before, but after he reminded her, she thought it was quite a coincidence. "If that's the case, then it's very similar to the general's wife's, isn't it?"
"Yes, just like an heirloom." Zhao Jingyu said with a smile, teasing her intentionally or unintentionally, "When you go back to see your mother, ask her if you were picked up or bought. Maybe you are also a lost pearl from a duke's or general's mansion!"
Xie Nanjia's heart skipped a beat, then he laughed and said, "How could that be? Not everyone is as lucky as Jinping County Princess."
The car drove forward and crossed the Beisha River Bridge. After several months, the collapsed bridge had been repaired. Listening to the rushing water, Xie Nanjia couldn't help but think of the night when she stayed in the inn. The fourth concubine was almost ambushed by someone. Fortunately, Mrs. Liu acted as a scapegoat and saved her from death.
Now that I think about it, perhaps the assassins that night were Feng Qi and his brothers.
She decided to go to Hou Fengqi to verify it after she came back. If it was true, it would be just one more piece of evidence to bring down Qin. If the Fourth Aunt knew the truth, she would definitely help her.
After crossing Beisha River, they were getting farther and farther away from the capital. An hour later, they arrived at the tea stall and the woods where Xie Nanjia had first met Song Huai.
It was almost dusk and it was the middle of winter. The tea stall was empty except for a shabby shed that was used to provide shelter from the sun and rain.
Thinking of Song Huai, Xie Nanjia's eyes appeared a young man in white clothes, handsome and almost comparable to Zhao Jingyu. In the only two or three times they had met, she had a very good impression of the young man.
After the hunt was over, Zhao Jingyu said that Song Huai had returned to the capital with the emperor. It was a pity that she did not have the chance to meet him in the capital, and she did not know whether he had returned to Nanzhao now.
Zhao Jingyu saw that her features softened visibly, as if she was thinking of someone. He poked her with his finger and asked, "Who are you thinking of?"
Xie Nanjia put away her thoughts and chuckled, "I was thinking about my mother, and how beautiful she would be wearing the wedding dress carefully selected by the Second Young Master."
Zhao Jingyu said: "I don't remember what your mother looks like. Do you look like her?"
"No." Xie Nanjia said, "My mother said I look like my father."
"Oh? Then your father must have been a handsome man when he was young." Zhao Jingyu said, and then added, "Although he is definitely not as handsome as me."
Xie Nanjia: “…”
The night enveloped the earth unknowingly, and the number of pedestrians on the official road became fewer and fewer. Only the sound of horse-drawn carriages echoed in the night. Occasionally, a fast horse would gallop past, either with urgent matters or as a messenger.
In order to get to Hongou Manor as quickly as possible, the group did not rest much on the way and ate the snacks they brought with them when they were hungry.
As the night grew deeper, the two excited people began to feel sleepy unconsciously.
Zhao Jingyu's carriage was very spacious, more than enough for two people to sleep. However, as a maid, Xie Nanjia was not entitled to sleep. All she could do was take out the bedding from the secret compartment under the seat, spread it out, help Zhao Jingyu lie comfortably in bed, and then force herself to stay awake and watch over this master.
Zhao Jingyu suggested while picking up the quilt: "When you are away from home, you don't have to abide by these rigid rules. If you want, you can come in and sleep with me."
"..." Xie Nanjia waved her hand and said, "Thank you, Second Young Master. I'm not sleepy."
This man was distracted just by seeing her change her clothes. If he went in and slept with her, wouldn't he be walking into a trap
Zhao Jingyu seemed to see through her thoughts again, and curled his lips and said, "You are judging others by your own standards. It's freezing cold in the wilderness, and I won't do anything you want me to do!"
Xie Nanjia: “…”
After the second watch, the carriage finally turned into the avenue of Hongou Manor.
The guards who had gone ahead had already passed on the news of the second young master's arrival to the manor, so no one, young or old, men, women, or children in the manor had a rest. Led by the chief steward Song Ce, they braved the cold wind to greet him at the intersection.
Xie Nanjia was awakened by Zhao Jingyu while she was in a daze. When she opened her eyes, she found that she had unconsciously fallen into Zhao Jingyu's bed, sleeping close to him with her head resting in his arms.
Xie Nanjia lost all sleepiness and sat up with a start. He stepped back in panic and checked his clothes.
"Tsk!" Zhao Jingyu sneered, "If I wasn't afraid that you would get cold and no one would take care of you, I wouldn't bother to care about you. But now, my kindness is taken for granted."
Xie Nanjia smiled awkwardly, and to hide her embarrassment, she lifted the curtain and looked out: "Where are we?"
Torches were swaying and shadows were moving in front of us, and the car had already arrived at the entrance of the village.
The driver stopped the horses and the carriage stopped in front of everyone. Song Ce immediately took the lead and knelt down, shouting "Welcome the Second Young Master."
Wei Jun stepped forward and opened the thick cotton curtain. Zhao Jingyu got out of the car first. As everyone knelt down, he turned around and helped Xie Nanjia down.
Everyone looked secretly, wondering who the person inside was and why he had to be supported by the Second Young Master himself.
When Xie Nanjia, dressed in her best clothes, got off the car, people didn't recognize her at first. Seeing that she was a beautiful woman, they naturally thought she was the second young master's favorite concubine.
Xie Nanjia stopped and looked eagerly for Xiu'er Niang in the crowd, and soon saw her in the middle of the front row.
"Mom!" Xie Nanjia called out excitedly and walked towards her quickly.
Everyone was startled and looked at each other in confusion, not knowing who she was calling.
Xiu'er's mother was also a little dazed.
Suddenly a girl cried out, "Xiu'er, she is Xiu'er."
The crowd was in an uproar, and everyone's eyes widened in surprise.
Xiu'er's mother finally recognized her daughter and immediately burst into tears uncontrollably, running towards Xie Nanjia with her arms open.
"Sleeve, my sleeve!"
"Mom, I'm back!" Xie Nanjia also opened her arms and hugged her tightly.
Before they met, Xie Nanjia didn't feel that she missed her very much. She thought that her gratitude to Xiu'er Niang was greater than family affection. But when she saw her in person, she didn't know what was going on. She felt that the longing in her heart was surging out like a tide, and she couldn't control it all of a sudden.
Xiu'er Niang was the first person she saw after her rebirth, and also the first person who treated her kindly with all her heart. Although they did not spend much time together, her significance to her was irreplaceable.
"Xiu'er, mother missed you so much!" Xiu'er's mother held her daughter's face in tears, and looked at her greedily in the flickering firelight, asking repeatedly, "Are you living well in the Marquis' Mansion? Are you full? Are you tired from working? Have you been bullied?"
"No." Xie Nanjia shook her head with tears in her eyes, "Mom, don't worry about me. I'm doing well."
"Yes, yes. Just look at the way Xiu'er is dressed and you can tell she is living a good life." A woman behind said.
The girls' eyes were also full of envy.
"You see, I said that this vixen would continue to flirt with the Second Young Master after she went to the Marquis' Mansion!" Chunfang whispered to Hong Xing in the crowd.
"That's because they have the capital." Hong Xing said sourly, "If you have the ability, you can go too!"
Xiu'er's mother took two steps back and looked at Xie Nanjia from head to toe. She said with relief, "It looks good. I'm relieved that you're doing well. This dress is quite expensive, isn't it?"
"It's not very expensive." Xie Nanjia was afraid that she would feel bad, so she brought Zhao Jingyu out and said, "The second young master bought it for me."
The girls became agitated.
But when Xiu'er's mother heard this, her heart sank. She intuitively thought that her daughter had been taken as a concubine by the Second Young Master, and she couldn't help feeling sad.
"Mom, don't think too much." Xie Nanjia knew what she was thinking and hurriedly comforted her, "Second Master bought me clothes not for any other reason, but to reward me for my hard work and willingness to work hard."
Zhao Jingyu: “…”
She is really good at making up stories!
Xiu'er's mother believed in her daughter very much. After hearing her say this, she felt relieved and instructed her, "Then you must work hard and serve the Second Young Master well in the future."
"Yes." Xie Nanjia nodded, "Mother, the Second Young Master heard that the Steward was getting married, so he came all the way to attend your wedding. The Second Young Master even specially selected a wedding dress from Jinxiufang as a gift for you."
The wedding dress from Jinxiufang
The women and girls almost went crazy. They heard that the clothes in Jinxiufang were ridiculously expensive. Any one piece could equal the expenses of an ordinary family for two years. How did Xiu'er bewitch the Second Young Master and make him spend a fortune on her
Xiu'er Niang never thought that she would be able to wear the wedding dress from Jinxiufang in her lifetime. She thanked Zhao Jingyu with great trepidation: "Thank you very much, Second Young Master. I am so humbled that you have to spend so much money on me."
"Madam Song, don't be afraid." Zhao Jingyu said solemnly, "Steward Song has worked diligently for Hongou Manor. I am commending him on behalf of the Marquis' Mansion. At the same time, I also hope that Madam Song will wholeheartedly assist Steward Song in managing Hongou Manor and lead the villagers to live a more prosperous life in the future."
Xie Nanjia: “…”
He is really good at making up stories!
Song Ce took it seriously, and pulled Xiu'er Niang to kneel down and kowtow to Zhao Jingyu in tears of gratitude: "Thank you very much, Second Young Master. I will do my best to manage the manor well, please rest assured."
"That's great!" Zhao Jingyu said seriously, and turned around and threw a coquettish glance at Xie Nanjia when no one was paying attention.
Xie Nanjia: “…”
After a while of pleasantries, as it was getting darker and the wind was getting colder, Zhao Jingyu, surrounded by the crowd, entered the manor and went to the big house to rest.
Xie Nanjia discussed with him and said that she wanted to sleep with her mother tonight.
Considering that Xiu'er's mother was getting married tomorrow, Zhao Jingyu agreed reluctantly.
Song Ce accompanied him and asked him if he needed two maids to serve him temporarily. Chunfang and Hongxing immediately pricked up their ears excitedly and were eager to step forward and recommend themselves.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Jingyu said, "I have enough people with me, so there is no need to trouble others."
Chunfang and Hongxing felt as if a basin of cold water was poured over their heads, and the restless flames in their hearts were extinguished instantly.
Xie Nanjia returned home with Xiu'er's mother. With the help of torchlight, they found that the dilapidated thatched hut was gone. In its place were three tall and spacious blue brick and tile houses. Even the kitchen on the side was newly built.
"Mom, is this house okay to live in?" Xie Nanjia asked.
"Great, great, great." When talking about the house, Xiu'er's mother was filled with joy. "Thanks to the Second Young Master, we can live in this big blue brick and tile house. This house is spacious and warm. We don't have to worry about heavy rain anymore. The Second Young Master is really our great benefactor. He is such a good person. He will definitely live a long life, be rich and have many children and grandchildren."
Xie Nanjia: “…”
It is said that the common people are simple and honest. The second young master became a great philanthropist and a living Bodhisattva just by talking without spending a penny. He was almost worshipped by the villagers.
Just as she was thinking about it, Xiu'er Niang said, "A few days ago, everyone was talking about making a statue of the Second Young Master and placing it in the temple on the mountain for worship!"
"..." Xie Nanjia didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and hurriedly tried to dissuade him, "Mother, the Second Young Master is just a bastard. If you want to thank him, just keep it in your heart and pray for him in private. Don't offer incense or anything like that. First, it will shorten your lifespan, and second, it will cause jealousy. If the Madam finds out, it will cause trouble for him. Mother, you will be the housekeeper from now on, so you must make this clear to everyone later, understand?"
"Oh, you're right. We thought it was too simple. I'll tell everyone later." Xiu'er's mother nodded repeatedly, "We just need to do our work in a down-to-earth manner and not cause any trouble for the Second Young Master."
The mother and daughter boiled some hot water, washed up, and lay in the same bed, snuggling and talking to each other.
Xie Nanjia asked Xiu'er's mother if everything was ready for tomorrow. Xiu'er's mother said that she and Song Ce were both from other places, had no relatives or friends, and no relatives or friends to come to congratulate them, so everything was very simple. They just had to wait for a few women from the farm to come and dress her up early tomorrow morning, and then the sedan chair would come to take her to Song Ce's house, where they would worship heaven and earth and entertain the villagers from the farm for a banquet. There was nothing else to do.
"Luckily you're back, otherwise I'd be all alone." Xiu'er's mother said, "I never asked for your opinion before, and I was worried that you'd be unhappy. Song Ce sent someone to send you a letter, but you didn't reply, so I thought you didn't agree!"
"How could that be? I'm very happy. I just don't know how the letter got passed around and only reached me this morning," said Xie Nanjia.
"You only received it this morning?" Xiu'er Niang was surprised. "Then you and the Second Young Master must have had a hard time traveling. Oh, I didn't know that, and I didn't thank the Second Young Master properly."
"I've already kowtowed to him, how else can I thank him?" Xie Nanjia said with a smile, "Second Young Master is not someone who sticks to conventional etiquette, so don't take it to heart, mother."
Seeing that she spoke so briskly, Xiu'er's mother was stunned for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Xiu'er, are you in love with the Second Young Master?"
Huangfu, who was ordered to guard Xie Nanjia outside the house, quickly pricked up his ears to hear her answer.
Xiu'er has always been stubborn and reserved, never taking the initiative to express her feelings, which has always troubled the Second Young Master. Huangfu thought that if Xiu'er admitted that she liked the Second Young Master at this moment, he would tell the Second Young Master the good news as soon as possible, and the Second Young Master would definitely reward him handsomely.
Just as I was thinking about it, there was a slight noise suddenly coming from the roof, like someone stepping on the tiles and cracking them.
Huangfu was stunned, then jumped onto the roof.
(End of this chapter)