In a blink of an eye, it was the day before Zhou Niannan's birthday.
During this period, Xie Miao tried to send Baifan back to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, but all efforts were in vain. Zhou Niannan even sent someone to deliver to her a letter, repeatedly emphasizing the promise of seeing her at the East City Gate.
No matter how much time passes, he will never leave until he sees the other person?
How come between them, no matter how much time passes, they will never leave until they see each other?
Looking back on their previous lives, the two of them have always been at odds with each other since they were young, with neither one willing to give in. When he suffered the collapse of his entire family, he infiltrated Beidi alone to seek revenge. Then when he returned to Da Qi to clear away the grievances of the Marquis family, she had become Cui Muli's wife.
He continued to treat her more and more harshly. He made sarcastic remarks to her several times during subsequent encounters, which created an estrangement between him and Cui Muli.
She didn't understand in the past and thought that he really hated her. Even if he came back to tell her his true feelings in the next life, she would never take him seriously.
He has a flamboyant and unruly personality, and he was born to have things go smoothly. Presumably it must be because he was rebuffed by her over and over again, which aroused his rebellious spirit. These childish emotions will dissipate like a tide, and after a while and it will gradually subside.
So be it.
In her previous life, she pursued Cui Muli and had no affection for him. In this life, she is determined to become a monk and does not want to be tainted by any love. At any given time, there was no chance for her and him.
Since it's impossible, she shouldn't give him any thought.
*
In the afternoon of the same day, Shen Yang came to take Lan Xia away on Cui Muli's order. It was said that she was sent to the house of an errands servant, who had worked in the palace, to receive instruction.
Although Xie Miao couldn't bear it, she was even more concerned about Lan Xia's future. She warned her carefully, and Lan Xia tearfully listened to her. Carrying a small bundle on her back, she was slow to leave.
Also reluctant to part is Fu Lu. In the past, she would have begged on Lan Xia's behalf, but after the Meng Yuantang incident, Fu Lu had to harden her heart towards Lan Xia.
Fortunately, the Second Young Master knew about this. He understood the general situation and took into account the overall situation. He also has deep affection for the Young Lady... What would the Young Lady do if it were someone else?
Judging from the Second Young Master's methods, it was a mercy not to send Lan Xia away!
After Lan Xia left, Haihua Yuan suddenly became quieter. Xie Miao returned to the study and sat in meditation for a while. Just as she was about to copy the scriptures, she saw Fu Lu holding Xueqiu in her left arm and Baifan in her right arm, entering the door.
"Miss, the two little guys have eaten enough and are taking a nap with their eyes squinted. They are so cute."
Xie Miao took Baifan and caressed it a few times when she saw Xueqiu poke its head out of Fu Lu's arms. It leapt nimbly and accurately jumped into her arms——
En, it also kicked Baifan, intentionally or unintentionally.
Another object squeezed into the already narrow embrace. Baifan turned around and growled at Xueqiu with its bared teeth. When Xueqiu saw this, it trembled and buried itself in Xie Miao's clothes, looking frightened.
...
Fu Lu laughed out loud, "Miss, they are competing for favour!"
Xie Miao put the two little guys upright on the table and taught them a serious lesson: "Baifan, Xueqiu, your masters are good friends, and you should get along well with each other. Do you understand?"
Baifan turned around and pointed its round butt towards Xueqiu, ignoring it. Xueqiu stood up and stared with round black eyes, feeling aggrieved and cute at the same time.
Fu Lu joked: "Baifan has a bad temper, just like Third Young Master Zhou."
Xie Miao lowered her long eyelashes and did not answer.
"A-Miao." Cui Xining's voice came from outside the door.
Fu Lu went to open the door. Cui Xining came in holding a lacquered mother-of-pearl jewellery box, and saw two cuties on the table with sharp eyes.
"A-Miao, you have pets?"
Without waiting for Xie Miao to answer, she stepped forward and looked at them carefully, "They are a ferret and a snow fox, right? They are really good. Where did you get these treasures?"
Xie Miao was thinking of words to respond, "Uh..."
Cui Xining understood, "I know. My second brother must have worked hard to find it for you."
This is only half true.
Xie Miao was vague, "It's just two days of foster care, that's all."
Cui Xining covered her lips and snickered, saying meaningfully, "I understand." But she said in her heart: Second brother is really different towards A-Miao. He has such a proud temperament, and unexpectedly, he can throw it off after being slapped by A-Miao. In addition, he eagerly sends treasures to please her...you know, he has always been indifferent to Su Panyan's attentiveness.
This is simply called badgers are afraid of bobcats, one thing subdues another!
(t/n: badgers are afraid of bobcats means that one thing will bring down another)
"Can I touch them?"
Xie Miao nodded. Although the little guys didn't like each other, they are docile. They played with the little animals for a while and started chatting.
Cui Xining pushed the jewellery box on the table, "My eldest sister sent me a box of Eastern pearls from Fanyang. Come and pick some. When the time comes, add some gemstones and agates to make a necklace to wear."
She opened the jewellery box and saw that it was filled with smooth, round, and well-proportioned Eastern pearls. She knew that a necklace made from such top-quality Eastern pearls would be exquisite and eye-catching.
Xie Miao pushed it and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but I don't like wearing jewellery."
"Yes, yes, I know that you are empty of all four things and love nothing except scriptures." Cui Xining said: "How about you help me pick some of suitable sizes to give to others?"
The two picked out the Eastern pearls together. This one is bigger, that one is smaller, this one is dotted, that one is flatter...
While picking and choosing, Cui Xining sighed quietly, "A-Miao, Shen Lang came to see me yesterday."
Xie Miao said: "What's wrong?"
Cui Xining said: "You know, my parents dislikes Shen Lang's humble background. Even if my grandfather wants it, they refuse to relent and agree to our marriage. Shen Lang was afraid that something might change if he waited another two years, so he thought of not participating in the imperial examination at all, and directly asked Chief Minister Luo to recommend him to become an official..."
Officials in Da Qi entered the officialdom through both the imperial examination and the inspection and examination system. Due to various reasons, Sun Shenyuan could only take the imperial examination route in the past. Now that he is a disciple of Chief Minister Luo, he had another way to enter the officialdom.
However, the imperial examination system brings together talented people from all over the world. If you can stand out among them and win the praise of the Emperor, it will be of extraordinary significance.
But Xie Miao also understood Sun Shenyuan's thoughts, "He can't wait to marry you."
It was rare for Cui Xining to blush. She looked worried, "A-Miao, I can't think clearly either. What should I do?"
Xie Miao said: "With your Shen Lang's talent, he can obviously shine in the imperial examination, so why should he enter the officialdom under the name of his mentor?"
Cui Xining paused and said bitterly: "To tell you the truth, my father went to him in private several times and made all kinds of mocking remarks..."
Thinking of the tragic ending of Cui Xining and Sun Shenyuan's previous life, Xie Miao couldn't help but feel angry.
This Cui Shida is really stubborn. If Sun Shenyuan didn't have Chief Minister Luo as his backer in this life, she's afraid he would end up with his hands and legs broken again!
She thought for a while, then waved to Cui Xining, "Come here, let me give you a trick."
Cui Xining leaned over and listened to her whisper, then hesitantly said: "Can it be done?"
Xie Miao said: "Whether it works or not, you will know once you try it."
*
Cui Xining came out of Haihua Yuan with a thoughtful expression on her face.
Is it really possible to do what A-Miao said? Or should she ask her second brother for his opinion again?
She changed direction and went straight to Minglan Yuan. Halfway there, she bumped into Cui Xijun who had just come out of Minglan Yuan.
"Xijun."
"Second Sister."
The two greeted each other, and Cui Xijun asked, "Are you here to see my second brother?"
"Yes." Cui Xining said, "Is he here?"
Cui Xijun said: "No. He was supposed to take a rest day today, but the servants in the courtyard said that he transferred it to tomorrow, saying that he had very important things to do."
Cui Xining said: "Okay, then I will go find him tomorrow."
Cui Xijun walked up to her and said, "Second Sister, can we go for a walk together?"
Cui Xining said: "Okay."
Ever since Cui Xining became friends with Xie Miao, Cui Xijun had been spending time with Su Panyan, and the two sisters have become quite estranged.
Cui Xijun wanted to reconcile. She held her hand, and said angrily: "Second Sister, you haven't kept company with me for a long time. Is it possible that now that you have Xie Miao, you don't want me as your sister?"
She mentioned Xie Miao without hesitation, and Cui Xining said calmly and honestly: "I know you don't like A-Miao. Rather than getting together to make you unhappy and making A-Miao feel wronged, it would be better to separate."
Cui Xijun let go and said angrily: "Second Sister, what do you mean by this? Am I deliberately trying to make things difficult for her?"
Cui Xining said: "Yes."
Cui Xijun was extremely depressed, "Have you and second brother been tricked by Xie Miao? You always speak for her."
Cui Xining said earnestly and sincerely: "Xining, A-Miao did something wrong in the past, but since last year, you should have seen her drastic change in temperament."
Cui Xijun couldn't refute. Even if she wasn't happy, she had to admit that Xie Miao couldn't make a mistake now, but, but...
"Second Sister, I don't want her to marry my brother." She lowered her head and said in a sullen voice: "Mother likes her, father likes her, and now even you and brother like her."
Cui Xining hit the nail on the head, "Xijun, we like A-Miao, but that doesn't mean we ignore you, and it shouldn't be a reason for you to target her."
Cui Xijun remained silent. First, Cui Muli gave a serious warning, and then Cui Xining spoke sincerely. Mother, father, Third Young Master Zhou... they all thought Xie Miao was good.
Cui Xining held her shoulders and said softly: "Put aside your prejudices and treat A-Miao fairly, okay?"
Cui Xijun bit her lower lip, feeling sour and depressed. How could she not know that the second sister was right? Xie Miao clearly did nothing wrong. It was because she is jealous of Xie Miao stealing everyone's attention and love.
Seeing this, Cui Xining didn't try to persuade her anymore, and slowly walked out with her.
Several people were walking towards them, working together to carry two large boxes. Qiao Mu was directing them and reminding them to avoid collisions.
Cui Xijun put aside her worries for a moment, her attention drawn to the activity, "Qiao Mu, what are you carrying?"
"Second Miss, Third Miss." Qiao Mu ordered the people to stop and said respectfully: "Young Master went to Baochang Pavilion to order something, and it was delivered to the door today."
"Baochang Pavilion?" Cui Xijun circled the box, "It looks quite heavy. What's in it?"
Qiao Mu said: "This slave doesn't know either."
Cui Xijun was used to being casual and ordered: "Open the box, I want to take a look."
Qiao Mu's smile turned stiff. Right, you know...
He skilfully frowned and said in extreme distress, "Second Miss, the Young Master told me that no one is allowed to open the box except him."
After hearing this, Cui Xijun became more excited and reached out to open the box, "I am his biological sister, so what if I open it? Can he still put me in the prison of the Ministry of Justice?"
Qiao Mu stopped her from opening the box and insisted: "Second Miss, I don't dare to disobey the Young Master's order."
Cui Xijun was already depressed. After being stopped by the servant, she became even more angry. She sneered and said, "The more you don't let me see it, the more I want to see what is going on!"
Luckily Cui Xining was there. She frowned and stopped her, "Why do you have to embarrass a servant? If you really want to know what's inside, just wait until second brother comes back and ask in person."
Cui Xijun became aware that it was inappropriate and said: "Okay, for the sake of second sister..."
Qiao Mu turned sideways and secretly wiped sweat with his sleeves.
If the Third Young Lady knew that the Young Master wanted to use these two boxes of treasures to please the Second Lady and ask her to allow him to marry Miss Cousin, she would probably be so angry that she would go to heaven, right? !