The guqin in front of me was selected by Xiao Yao, made from ancient golden nanmu wood. The wood was solid, dense, and fragrant, with its beauty preserved. Its antique and elegant appearance, along with its heavenly sound quality, made it a rare treasure. We had to go to the royal palace in Yinri to find such an item, and fortunately, Yu Ran was indifferent to such things, allowing us to choose what we liked.
After the piece ended, everyone seemed reluctant to let it go, while Tang Liu Li’s eyes remained half-lowered, as if hiding something.
“Little Ai’s piece is truly unique!” Tang Liu Li smiled at me, her smile pale yet genuine.
“If you like it, I’ll bring you here often,” Qiao Ruos said, his gentle gaze enveloping Tang Liu Li, showing his affection.
“Okay!” Tang Liu Li’s face reddened as she subtly averted her eyes.
“Ruo Feng,” I asked curiously, “Is your big brother thinking of taking a concubine?” I wondered if Tang Liu Li, attracted to Qiao Ruos, was suffering because she didn’t want to be a concubine.
“How could she be a concubine?” Qiao Ruo Feng laughed and pinched my nose.
Seeing my confusion, he explained, “No wonder you didn’t know. Big brother’s wife passed away two years ago.”
“Oh…” I understood and excitedly grabbed his hand. “When will they get married? Will there be many banquet tables?” A marriage between two great families would surely have many exquisite dishes.
“You…” Qiao Ruo Feng looked at me amusedly. “Big brother hasn’t mentioned it, so we can’t bring it up. It would feel weird!”
Looking at the couple, they seemed very well matched. After a moment, I said, “I have a plan!”
“What plan?” Huo Ling Yun finally spoke up.
“We’ll take the initiative!”
Xie Ying frowned. “Second Sister-in-law, what do you mean?” Qiao Ruo Lan was also confused.
“Hehe…” I looked around. “Even a fool can see that your big brother really likes Liu Li, and Liu Li seems to have some unspoken troubles. We all know that in the Tang family, only the sick old madam remains, and she’s in Chiyan country. As the eldest brother, Tang Yixiu can decide Liu Li’s marriage. Understand?”
Qiao Ruo Lan’s eyes were hazy, seemingly still not comprehending.
“Ai Ai means… we should visit the Tang residence?” Xiao Yao understood.
“Could her unspoken troubles be related to her family?” Leng Ao Hun wondered. “The Qiao family is the richest in Yinri, and the Tang family is prosperous. It doesn’t make sense they would refuse such a marriage.”
“Ao Hun makes a good point,” Nan Gong Mo nodded in agreement. “But if we go rashly…”
“Why not ask her directly? Why make it complicated?” Huo Ling Yun impatiently remarked, sitting down. Xie Ying seemed to agree and joined him.
“Little Ai Ai, let’s not go. It’s not our business.” The little rascal looked worried about me possibly seducing Tang Yixiu.
Sighing, I said, “You guys! Each big man is more troublesome than a woman, thinking too simply. I didn’t say she was leaving for family reasons, just that investigating must start from the root. We’re idle every day, so why not help matchmake and gather some good fortune for the baby in my belly?”
“Xiao Ai makes sense!” Qiao Ruofeng’s face brightened at the mention of the child.
“Alright then!” The little rascal compromised, adding, “But I can’t go alone!” The others shared knowing smiles.
“Don’t worry! I could never go alone; I’m directionally challenged and wouldn’t risk the baby.” Hearing this, the little rascal finally relaxed.
“Second Sister-in-law, when are you planning to go?”
“Hmm…” Looking at the two still lost in thought, she smiled and said, “No need to choose a specific day, let’s go tomorrow!”
“Um… is it necessary for all of you to come?”
Looking at the seven people following closely behind, she felt a headache coming on. Each one was handsome and capable of charming countless young girls. However, they radiated unpleasant anger, just because she insisted on walking.
“Must!” Xie Ying said, looking at the others. “She can’t be this willful, unable to walk a few steps.”
“Mm.” Huo Lingyun approached the carriage driver and coldly asked, “Rent?”
The carriage driver trembled in fear, not daring to look up.
“Speak!” Huo Lingyun grew impatient.
Unable to watch his behavior, she sighed and pulled him aside. “We want to rent your carriage to the Tang Mansion in the East City, understand?”
This time, the carriage driver nodded in agreement.
“Cloud,” she turned to Huo Lingyun, “Are you trying to scare people with that face? How can anyone talk to you like this? Have some patience. You’re not the king of Chiyan Country anymore…” Just then, she was lifted into the carriage by Cold Proud Soul. “I wasn’t finished yet, wait… am I the only one sitting in the carriage?” She noticed the others standing outside.
“Xiao Ai, sit obediently.”
The carriage is too small for everyone,” Nan Gong Mo said as he pushed the little rascal inside. “Han, take care of Xiao Ai.”
“What about you all?” Han asked, noticing those outside. Were they planning to walk?
“Us?” Xie Ying smiled, tapped his toes, and disappeared.
“I’m angry! What’s so great about flying? Once I have this little one, I’ll learn this skill too.”
“We’ll meet at the Tang Mansion gate!” Huo Lingyun said, leaping away, followed by Cold Proud Soul, Qiao Ruofeng, Xiao Yao, and Nan Gong Mo.
“Han, I’m glad you can’t do martial arts, or I’d be lonely,” she said, leaning on the little rascal. “Driver, let’s go!”
“Oh! I not only thought of a good mansion name but also matching couplets, thanks to your reminder!” She was excited about the mansion name. The little rascal looked confused, so she added, “Getting it done early saves us trouble.”
“Madam, we’ve arrived!” The coachman said, stopping the carriage.
“Little darling, wait for me.” The little rascal jumped down first and then helped her down.
“By the way, wait here. I’ll pay extra for the carriage fare.” She turned back to add.
“No problem! Madam, please go ahead,” the coachman replied with a smile.
Only now did she notice that he had been calling her “Madam” all along and never addressed the little rascal. This coachman was quite clever.
As soon as she entered the signboard shop, a strong smell of wood shavings hit her, causing her to cough. The little rascal quickly pulled her out and returned alone, soon bringing back a middle-aged man.
“I’m the shopkeeper here. Madam wants a signboard?”
“Yes.” She glanced at him and asked, “How’s your craftsmanship?”
“Madam can rest assured! We have several branches in the Silver Sun Kingdom, making our living by signboards. We guarantee quality and timeliness!”
“Oh?” She smiled. “Since that’s the case, make a set according to my requirements. Bring paper and brush; I’ll write down the characters. Don’t get it wrong.”
“Madam, don’t worry!” The shopkeeper called for the paper and brush.
“Good! Make it exactly like this!” She handed the written paper to the shopkeeper and left a deposit. “How many days to complete? The fastest possible.”
“Since Madam is in a hurry, we’ll rush the work. We’ll deliver it in three days!”
“Good!” She gave him the detailed address of her residence and then got back in the carriage to head to the Tang Mansion.
“Little darling, what did you just write?”
It feels like…” The little rascal asked as soon as they got in the carriage.
“Don’t ask about that. In three days, all mysteries will be revealed.” She teased, creating suspense. With nothing else to do, she lifted the curtain to observe the coachman. His driving skills were good, and he seemed honest. Since they’d need to use the carriage often, she asked, “What’s your surname?”
“Me, Madam?” He answered, “Zhang!”
“Looking at your age, can I call you Uncle Zhang?” she asked gently.
“This… Madam, I don’t deserve such honor!” the coachman panicked.
