Chapter 15 News: Xiao Yan picked up the silver notes from the box...

Chapter 15 News: Xiao Yan picked up the silver notes from the box...

Xiao Yan picked up the silver notes from the box and glanced at them. This stack actually contained nearly two thousand taels of silver.

"Mother, why are you suddenly giving me so much money?" Xiao Yan asked, full of doubt.

Although my mother had indeed sent things over from time to time during this period, including quite a few expensive pieces of jewelry, this was the first time she had sent so much cash.

But to his surprise, this question earned him a big eye roll from the First Madam.

"You're being bullied and you don't even say a word. If I hadn't asked you yesterday how your shop was doing, I wouldn't have known you were being forced to retreat step by step by Xiao Quexian because of money. What good is the little money your father gave you! Xiao Quexian can find someone to subsidize you, why don't you come to me?"

The First Madam pointed a finger at Xiao Yan Hui and complained softly, "Are you going to be so polite with your mother?"

The First Madam's words left Xiao Yan Hui completely bewildered.

She did initially have the same business direction as Xiao Quexian, and her investment in the shop was indeed less than Xiao Quexian's, but the claim that she retreated because she didn't have enough money is utter nonsense. Where did her mother get this false information from?

“Mother, although I did initially intend to run a cosmetics shop, I later changed it to a sweet drink shop after careful consideration. However, the reason for the change had little to do with money. Where did you get this incorrect information?” Xiao Yan explained helplessly.

"I asked the servants in the Second Miss's room, and they said that the Second Miss told me herself that you, Third Miss, were forced to change your original plan because you were a step behind the Second Miss and didn't have enough money." Xiangmiao came out to explain with some embarrassment and awkwardness on her face.

"This servant even went to ask the steward outside. I heard that the Second Miss has poached several master craftsmen from shops in the city with a hefty sum, and also bought out several secret recipes. The shops are also decorated very elegantly. All of this costs money..."

Putting all the information together, it seems that the Third Sister retreated before the battle even began, fearing the Second Sister's financial offensive.

"Oh, it's all a misunderstanding. Mother has her own ideas, and my sweet water shop is all ready and about to open. I have no patience to get entangled with Xiao Quexian." After saying this, Xiao Yanhui pulled the small box closer to herself.

"However, Mother's kindness is evident in sending the money to my room. Even if I don't need it now, I won't return it to you."

Hearing her daughter say that, the first wife laughed heartily: "I will not hold this small amount against you!"

As the two were chatting, the gatekeeper's maid led Xiangdai in.

Xiangdai's face was slightly flushed and covered in sweat. She was still breathing heavily after entering, clearly having walked briskly all the way.

However, his relaxed expression, tinged with joy, suggested that his hasty arrival from the First Madam's courtyard did not bring any bad news.

"What's the matter? Why did you come over in such a hurry? If it's something, just ask one of the maids to run errands for you." The First Madam always showed some favoritism towards her personal maids.

"It's the eldest young lady who's back! Of course, I had to come and tell her this good news myself. The eldest young lady heard that you were with the third young lady, so she's on her way here too." Xiangdai quickly explained her purpose.

"Miaomiao is back! Why did she come back in such a hurry? She didn't even send someone to tell us first." The First Madam's face first showed surprise, but then worry replaced it.

The eldest daughter rushed over from her husband's house; could something bad have happened?

"Madam, please don't worry. This servant sees that the eldest young lady's expression is perfectly fine. On the contrary, she's all smiles and happy, as if something good has happened."

Actually, the good news Xiangdai mentioned didn't refer to anything in particular, but the first wife's immediate reaction was, "Could it be that my daughter is pregnant again?"

If that's the case, then that would be wonderful news. My eldest daughter has been married for over five years and has only had one son.

Although giving birth to the eldest son would secure her position in her husband's family, it would be great if she had another child, whether it's a younger brother or sister. If it's a younger brother, the two brothers can help each other when they grow up. If it's a daughter, it would be wonderful to have her by her side and take good care of her. However, she hasn't met the person yet, so all of this is just wishful thinking.

These thoughts only crossed the mind of the First Madam briefly. Now, upon hearing that her eldest daughter was already on her way to Qingnuan Courtyard, she stood up and ordered someone to prepare the flower hall.

Turning her head, she saw Xiao Yan Hui still sitting there, so she hurriedly went to urge her on: "Yan Hui'er, why are you still sitting there? Go and change your clothes and comb your hair."

Her clothes, her hair, and her disheveled appearance were simply unbearable to look at. As her mother, she naturally wouldn't hold it against her daughter, but it would be impolite to see her married sister returning home like this.

After a flurry of activity, Xiao Yanhui, who was pulled away to redo her clothes and makeup, entered the flower hall almost a step earlier than Xiao Luanmiao.

"Mother, Third Sister, I'm back." Along with the voice, a strikingly beautiful woman entered the room.

Xiao Luanmiao was just over twenty years old, the prime of a woman's life. Unlike the gentle and demure First Madam, she had a bright and beautiful face. She appeared slightly fuller than Xiao Yanhui remembered, but her relaxed features and bright, sparkling eyes, along with her elegant clothes, suggested that she was living a comfortable life in her husband's family.

After Xiao Luanmiao finished bowing to the First Madam, she turned her gaze to Xiao Yan Hui, who also hurriedly went up to bow, saying "Sister, are you well?" before falling silent.

“It’s been a while since we last met, and my sister has become distant from me,” Xiao Luanmiao said, feigning anger.

Before Xiao Yan could say anything, she pulled him around in a circle and nodded with satisfaction: "You've grown quite a bit taller this time, your complexion is better, and you're even more beautiful."

"Why did you come in such a hurry?" the First Madam asked after her two daughters had sat down.

"I have some big news to tell my mother and sister," Xiao Luanmiao said, her voice radiant as if she had been waiting for the First Madam to ask.

Upon hearing this, the first wife thought her secret suspicion had come true, and her gaze immediately fell on her daughter's lower abdomen.

She looks a bit plumper, and her waist is wider than before. Could it be that she's really pregnant?

Seeing her mother shift her gaze to her stomach, Xiao Luanmiao blushed and said coquettishly, "Mother, don't look, there's nothing there."

She had simply eaten a little more recently, and she never expected it to cause such a misunderstanding. However, the little awkwardness between mother and daughter passed quickly.

"Mother, I have important business to attend to today." After saying that, Xiao Luanmiao's gaze swept over the maids serving around her.

The First Madam immediately understood and waved for them to leave.

When only the mother and her two daughters remained in the flower hall, the First Madam asked Xiao Luanmiao, "What important matter do you have that you're making such a secret of?"

"Mother, you know about the new governor's arrival, right?"

"Of course I know." She not only knew that the new governor had taken office, but also that the governor had sent out invitations to many people.

Originally, my master had some expectations, but unfortunately, the other party looked down on merchants like my family. Not only did we not see a single piece of paper, but we also had to rush to send them generous gifts to congratulate them on their arrival.

"His family is going to hold a big banquet for guests."

“I know that too, but the Xiao family has no chance of getting the governor’s invitation, and I suppose the Lin family is in the same boat.” The Lin family is Xiao Luanmiao’s husband’s family.

“Mother, those are men’s social engagements and have nothing to do with us. What I want to talk about is the Prefect’s wife. I heard that the Prefect’s wife is going to hold a grand flower viewing banquet. Her flower banquet is not very restrictive of social status. We merchants’ young ladies and gentlemen of suitable age will also have a place. My eldest uncle said that this lady used to like to play matchmaker when she was in Liyang County.”

After speaking, Xiao Luanmiao's gaze fell on Xiao Yan Hui again: "This is a great opportunity for my sister, and I also have inside information."

"Is your information accurate?" After receiving the news, even the First Madam's eyes fell on Xiao Yan Hui with a burning gaze.

Under their gazes, Xiao Yan forced a stiff, obedient smile. Oh no, it seemed an unavoidable, large-scale blind date was about to begin.

"Of course it's accurate! My daughter said I have inside information, and I've also heard that the second and third sons of the Liang family are still not engaged!" Xiao Luanmiao became more and more excited as she spoke.

Unlike Xiao Luanmiao, the First Madam was not enthusiastic about this: "Even the invitation from Prefect Liang didn't reach your father. I don't expect to use your sister to climb the social ladder."

"Oh dear, Mother, this is just a friendly chat at home. It's obvious that our family is far inferior to the Prefect's family. We would never want to associate with them."

“But if we’re talking about marrying up, there’s another family that’s truly marrying up!” Even though there were only the mother and her two daughters in the house, Xiao Luanmiao still lowered her voice, looking mysterious.

“Nonsense! Where in this prefecture is there anyone more powerful than the prefect?” the first wife retorted.

"Third Sister, do you want to guess who it is?" Seeing that Xiao Yan Hui seemed uninterested in such important news, Xiao Luan Miao couldn't help but try to pull her into the conversation.

After all, this flower-viewing banquet is most important to the third sister who is of marriageable age.

"Sister, I've hardly met any outsiders, how could I have guessed this?" Xiao Yan was still thinking of getting married a few years later. At her age, in the original society, if she were to date, it would still be considered puppy love and her parents would be called in by the teacher. But here, she was going to have to participate in a group blind date.

Thinking about Xiao Quexian at home, who is determined to push her marriage onto him, sigh, I can feel the gap between the two worlds more and more. I'm so tired!

Xiao Yan's lack of cooperation did not dampen Xiao Luanmiao's interest at all. She raised her index finger and pointed upwards, whispering, "Mother, Third Sister, have you both forgotten about that person?"

"That one, who is it?" Xiao Yan was still completely confused, but the First Madam understood.

Her eyes widened in surprise: "Him?"

As soon as he uttered those words, the First Madam immediately lowered her voice as well: "Prince Cheng? Impossible, he has never shown his face before."

"It's true, my daughter heard rumors that Prince Cheng will also be attending the flower viewing banquet this time," Xiao Luanmiao said confidently.

"Where did this baseless claim come from?" the First Madam muttered to herself, clearly still unconvinced, but she didn't argue with her daughter further.

Whether or not the imperial relatives attended was merely fodder for gossip among ordinary people like them. The real targets were other families of equal or slightly higher social standing – those were the primary focus of the First Madam's attention. After all, opportunities to meet most of Jiangzuo's young talents at once were rare.

"I've long heard that the eldest son of the Shen family is quite accomplished, and the son of the Huo family is also promising, but I've never had the chance to meet him, and I don't know if the rumors are true or false..."

"And there's also Scholar Chen..."

"I should get some new clothes made, and I also need some jewelry..."

Xiao Yan, who was sitting with her, saw her mother and sister having a very passionate discussion. The topic ranged from the various young men to the arrangement of clothes, and they even tried to get her to join in the discussion.

She could almost foresee that this flower-viewing banquet would be even more painful than the old lady's Buddhist ceremony.

......

Now that the news has been released, it's clear that Xiao Luanmiao won't be the only one who gets it.

While they merely mentioned figures like Liang Jialangjun and Prince Cheng as legends, Xiao Quexian was extremely excited.

Finally, I'll get to meet Liang Erlang. I never expected that Prince Cheng, who never appeared in my previous life, would be able to participate this time.

"I wonder what kind of person this young member of the royal family, who was enfeoffed so early, is?" Xiao Quexian couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Actually, Xiao Quexian was a little worried because the time in her memory had come, but the invitation to the Prefect's wife's flower viewing banquet had not yet been sent out. Now, combined with the news that Prince Cheng would also attend the flower viewing banquet, the postponement became reasonable.

"This time I'm sure I'll make a name for myself." With this expectation in her heart, she couldn't help but start counting down the days until the old lady's Dharma assembly. The more she counted, the more it felt like there were still many days to go, and the days seemed to be passing too slowly.

Now everything is ready, and the only thing left to do is to break off the engagement.