The Xi family had a huge manor located in the east of Xiangyang City, at the foot of Dahong Mountain, facing the Xiangjiang River, with thousands of acres of fertile farmland stretching as far as the eye could see.
It was midsummer, the roads were well connected, the fields were neatly laid out, water wheels were lined up along the river, drawing water for irrigation, the rice was blooming with small yellow flowers, and it looked like a paradise on earth.
Liu Qi rode his horse leisurely and said with emotion: "I heard that most of Xi's assets are managed by Miss Xi. Is she also in charge of the farmland?"
Manager Xi looked very proud, nodded and said with a smile: "General, what you said is correct. If the young lady were not a girl, I am afraid her ability would be better than that of the third young master. Now, the affairs of the manor seem to be managed by the second young master, but all the decisions and plans are made by the young lady and the master. The master is in Wudang Mountain for several months a year, but in fact..."
The third son is Xi Zhen, who has now been sent to Jiangling to take up his post. The other sons of the Xi family are all managing their own businesses, studying and learning, waiting for their opportunities.
Liu Qi smiled and said, "It seems that the Second Miss is not only talented, but also capable of standing on her own. She is truly an extraordinary woman!"
The housekeeper chuckled, his pride evident in his expression, managing such a large property in such perfect order was something that not only a man but even the old master might not be able to do, as the young lady was quietly controlling everything behind the scenes.
If she could marry Liu Qi, Xi's property would expand again. In the future, not only would the Kuai family be unable to match it, even the Huang family would be unable to match it.
Liu Qi knew that his visit would surely be discovered by Xi, so he did not try to hide it. He handed in his name card and entered the manor. However, he was greeted by a woman in plain clothes, which was unexpected.
Under the two tall weeping willows, like a rolled-up bamboo curtain, the woman was wearing a light goose yellow skirt, her black hair was tied up sideways, and her figure was slender. She seemed to blend into the garden in the manor, neither stunning nor vulgar.
Everything is just like the scenery in midsummer. Amid the green willows and red flowers, a small yellow flower stands out, just right in elegance.
"I, Xi Yuan, come to see you, General. I did not come to greet you. I hope you will forgive me for not coming to greet you."
"I didn't expect that the young lady would come out to greet me personally. Sorry for disturbing you!"
Liu Qi glanced over and listened to the clear and pleasant sound. Just then a cool breeze blew, making him feel comfortable all over.
"My father is not at home, my elder brother is in Changsha, and my second brother has gone to Jiangdong. I have no choice but to entertain the guests myself."
Xi Yuan was naturally beautiful, and her speech and behavior were very calm. She was neither aloof and pretentious as rumored, nor did she show any shyness due to the engagement.
Liu Qi looked at Xi Yuan closely, and Xi Yuan also saluted and then looked up at Liu Qi.
Under the shade of willow trees, the talented scholar and beautiful lady, enjoying the gentle river breeze, were each measuring themselves against their original standards.
Liu Qi was still very confident about his appearance. After all, he inherited Liu Biao's manners, mingled with the upper classes in Luoyang and Jingzhou for many years, and had perfect etiquette.
In addition to the moves he learned in later generations, he stood facing the wind with his hands behind his back, looking at the beauty at a 45-degree angle, and his temperament was perfectly grasped.
This Xi Yuan is actually very stunning. From a distance, she looks like mist on distant mountains, but up close, she makes your heart beat faster.
She had willow-like eyebrows, phoenix-like eyes, a straight nose, skin whiter than snow, and especially a pair of plump red lips, which made Liu Qi want to taste what they tasted like.
In terms of appearance and figure alone, Xi Yuan and Zhao Linger have their own merits. After all, Zhao Linger was born a dancer and has a natural charm, while Xi Yuan is a lady from a wealthy family. However, because she runs a family business, she probably comes into contact with quite a few people. Her purity is accompanied by a hint of shrewdness.
She looked directly into Liu Qi's almost aggressive gaze but did not give in. There was a hint of stubbornness in her pure eyes.
This is the taste of a strong business woman!
Liu Qi sighed inwardly, walked onto the wooden bridge, and arrived at the village on the cobblestone road.
After the ceremony and tea, the butler tactfully asked everyone to leave. Only two people were left in the study, a man and a woman sitting opposite each other, and the atmosphere became a little awkward.
Although Liu Qi didn't understand anything about negotiation, he knew that he must not take the initiative to speak at this time, otherwise he would be at a disadvantage. How could a grown man stay at the bottom
Sure enough, after a while, Xi Yuan coughed lightly and said, "General, I wonder if you are here for official business or personal matters?"
Liu Qi asked with a smile: "What is the difference between public and private?"
Xi Yuan replied: "If the general is here for Xi's property, I will offer all the account books and ledgers for you to review. If not, if you are here for personal gain..."
At this point, Xi Yuan glanced at Liu Qi, her big black and white eyes showing wisdom, and she chuckled and said, "My daughter's engagement with the general will probably depend on my parents' decision."
Liu Qi smiled gently: "What if you want to make the decision yourself?"
Xi Yuan looked at Liu Qi, paused for a moment, and said, "I've heard that you are well-read and have excellent poetry. Could you please improvise a poem?"
Liu Qi smiled and said, "I still remember the encounter with the young lady at the Xiangjiang Ferry three years ago. The first glimpse of her is still unforgettable. I am lucky enough to meet her again today. It is fate. I have to show my ugliness!"
Xi Yuan was a little surprised and nodded slightly: "I'm all ears."
Liu Qi coughed lightly, pretending to be reminiscing about the past, and said slowly:
"She is more than thirteen years old, in the early February when she is about to reach the peak of her beauty.
The spring breeze along the ten-mile Xiangyang Road is not as good as the rolled-up pearl curtain. "
Xi Yuan frowned slightly, and as she listened to Liu Qi's casually recited poem, her eyes gradually lit up, and she asked in surprise, "Is this really written for me?"
"What else?" Liu Qi shrugged and said with a smile, "If it weren't for the one time we met back then, how could my father have thought of getting engaged to Xi? It was all because of my repeated requests that he agreed. Unfortunately, I later became ill with the local climate and my health became increasingly depressed. Perhaps... it was also because of my longing for Xi!"
"Lovesickness?" A blush appeared on Xi Yuan's pretty face.
"I will never regret even though my clothes are getting looser and looser, I will become haggard because of her—"
Liu Qi opened his mouth again and said with emotion: "If Cao thief had not been so bullying, I would have come here long ago after getting rid of Cai family."
"Young Master..." Xi Yuan was finally moved by Liu Qi, her eyes shining.
As a strong and shrewd woman, she was always submissive to the young men who came to her house to propose marriage. This was the first time she had seen someone as straightforward as Liu Qi.
The atmosphere was just right. Liu Qi stood up and took two steps forward, about to seize the opportunity, but Xi Yuan suddenly calmed down.
As if she sensed Liu Qi's aggression, she took a deep breath and said, "Sir, if you come for a blind date today, you must agree to one condition of mine."
Liu Qi looked straight at her jade-like face and said with a smile, "Not to mention one, even if it's ten, what's the harm? You and I will be a family in the future, I don't think you will turn your elbow outward, right?"
Xi Yuan looked at Liu Qi calmly: "I have no other request, I just ask that I be allowed to be in charge of the business in the future, instead of living in seclusion in the deep palace and accomplishing nothing. If the general does not mind, I am willing to be your Xiao He!"
Here comes another Xiao He. Isn’t this Xiao He too worthless
Liu Qi knew that Xi Yuan was a strong woman at heart, so he smiled and said, "You may not be qualified to be Xiao He, but you are more than qualified to be my cornucopia."
"Cornucopia?" Xi Yuan was startled, then she understood what Liu Qi meant. She smiled slightly and whispered, "My daughter is full of treasures!"