Yu Changfeng felt his face repeatedly, but couldn't discern anything unusual. He scratched his head and explained that he had been operating in the Nanyue region lately.
The weather there was truly hot, and he might have gotten a bit tanned, but it shouldn't be this amusing. He asked Su Xiaoqi with a sincere expression:
"Little Qi sister, why are you laughing?"
Su Xiaoqi's smile hadn't faded, and before she could speak, the Old Madam beside them chuckled and lightly hit Yu Changfeng:
"Silly boy, if you wanted such fine clothes, you should have asked your Little Qi sister.
You insisted on going to Ni Chang Fang, so you deserve to be over a thousandth in line."
Yu Changfeng was intelligent. Upon hearing this and seeing the clothes Su Xiaoqi placed on the table, he immediately understood.
"Oh, is Ni Chang Fang your business, Little Qi sister?"
Su Xiaoqi chuckled, "Not exactly, but it's just a few pieces of clothing, I can make decisions about them."
She then explained her cooperative relationship with Yun Nishang.
Yu Changfeng let out a long "Oh."
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is. No wonder Yun Wei quietly told me that this suddenly appearing Ni Chang Fang had something unusual about it. It truly was Little Qi sister's idea."
Listening to Yu Changfeng's lengthy discourse, Su Xiaoqi noticed that he repeatedly mentioned Yun Wei, who was Qi Yunwei.
Su Xiaoqi knew everything about Qi Yunwei; he was also a person who had encountered fortune.
When she met him in Mianzhou City, Su Xiaoqi already knew his background was unusual.
However, at that time, she was very cautious about her own identity and didn't want anyone to see through her.
But now, she no longer felt that way.
After all, she had been toughened up too many times by Zhao Xiaohua; she had become resilient.
"Here, second cousin, try these clothes on and see if they fit." Su Xiaoqi said, handing him the clothes.
"They fit perfectly, they fit perfectly. Anything from Little Qi sister's hands must be exquisite, and these fit better than anything."
A thousand flatteries may be uttered, but none are as effective as those that appeal directly.
Especially the flattery from Yu Changfeng.
His large eyes stared at people, and with his youthful appearance, he seemed particularly sincere when looking at someone.
His flattery was highly appreciated.
The Old Madam laughed heartily at his antics, "Hahaha, this monkey, he's never serious."
Su Xiaoqi also smiled, picked up the clothes, and personally helped the Old Madam change.
The Old Madam turned around, overjoyed, "Mmm, it's indeed warm, and soft too. Little Qi, you truly have such a thoughtful mind."
Su Xiaoqi explained, "It wasn't entirely my idea. I saw a method written by someone in a book before.
Coincidentally, many Shaoxing ducks were left behind when Gan Jin dealt with the locust plague.
That's why I thought of using their down to make clothes."
"That's wonderful. Little Qi sister, do you have any more of these clothes?
And, um, that Yun Wei brother, he was number one thousand and one in line, could you spare one for him?"
Su Xiaoqi chuckled, thinking that Yu Changfeng was truly an exceptionally straightforward young man.
"Changfeng, for Little Qi sister to give you one is a favor. How can you ask for more..." Madam Wen, afraid of displeasing Xiaoqi, quickly stopped him.
Xiaoqi, however, smiled and replied, "Aunt, you don't need to worry. I believe second cousin speaks to me as family, which is why he's willing to ask.
Second cousin, as long as you ask, let alone one, ten or eight would be fine."
Su Xiaoqi then turned to the Old Madam and Madam Wen, "Grandmother, Aunt, if you find these clothes suitable for you.
Tell me what colors and patterns you like, and I'll have someone make them for you accordingly."
The Old Madam patted her hand and praised her for being sensible, then said to Madam Wen:
"You, as an aunt, are being too distant.
Xiaoqi is a sincere person, and she knows we genuinely like her, so she treats us as family.
Why are you being like this? You are all close relatives. If you feel indebted and uncomfortable, then just dote on her a little more in the future."
Madam Wen didn't treat Su Xiaoqi as an outsider; she just subconsciously felt her son's behavior was improper.
How could he ask for something the moment he saw he liked it? Even with family, one shouldn't act like this.
This was something Xiaoqi could give, but what if it was something Xiaoqi couldn't give in the future? Wouldn't that be awkward?
However, Madam Wen wouldn't say these things and readily admitted her mistake.
She even patted Su Xiaoqi's hand and asked for her forgiveness for her momentary lack of foresight as an aunt, which had created distance between them.
Su Xiaoqi generally didn't dwell on such minor matters and quickly said it was fine and it was all in the past.
But what she had just said was true.
She didn't think it was wrong for Yu Changfeng to ask such a question.
On the contrary, she believed that his ability to say this in front of her showed he truly didn't consider her an outsider.
Otherwise, in front of others, Yu Changfeng was still quite principled and mindful of propriety.
Once she said this, Madam Wen was relieved, and her gaze towards Su Xiaoqi became exceptionally gentle.
She silently envied her elder sister-in-law, Yu Wan.
It was indeed her good judgment and quick action.
Such a wonderful daughter, though not her own, had become her daughter.
Madam Wen sighed and mentioned Yu Wan, "That's right, speaking of which, Elder Sister and Elder Brother-in-law should be returning after the new year."
Ever since Su Xiaoqi parted ways with Yu Wan, they had maintained correspondence.
Although the two women had no mother-daughter relationship in reality, their affection for each other, through mutual respect and effort, was very harmonious.
Their correspondence was also the most frequent.
Basically, three to four letters a month.
Therefore, Su Xiaoqi was very familiar with the situation of her godparents in Mianzhou City, and she naturally picked up the conversation, saying:
"Yes, Godmother said that after the new year, when the snow on the roads melts, they can set off."
In fact, Mr. Gu originally wanted to return earlier.
But Shen Yun advised against it.
This was because Mr. Gu had angered Emperor Xingzhao.
Originally, according to the old plot, Emperor Xingzhao would have passed away at the end of the year.
Although his dragon body was not well, with the elixir keeping him going, it could be delayed for some more time.
This was the time when the Crown Prince and Prince Duan were vying for power, and it was not advisable for Mr. Gu to return to the capital at this time.
To avoid provoking Emperor Xingzhao's suspicion.
However, although he himself had not returned, he had not stopped offering advice.
Prince Duan had previously been rendered powerless by the Crown Prince's faction.
Fortunately, Mr. Gu provided advice in his letters, which allowed him to resolve the crisis.
This was how, under the management of Shen Yun, Wang Chengyi, and others, he gradually began to show signs of resurgence.
Su Xiaoqi had previously inquired about the Gu family's old residence, but the people there had long since become estranged from Mr. Gu and his wife.
Moreover, due to the repercussions from him back then, most of them did not wish for the couple to return to the Gu family.
Therefore, Su Xiaoqi had already prepared a residence for them.
It wasn't large, just a standard three-courtyard residence.
Su Xiaoqi directly purchased it under Yu Wan's name as a gift to them.
She hadn't had the chance to inform them about this matter yet.
She had only informed Yu Wan in a letter, saying she had found a place for them and that they should come to the capital without worrying about anything else.
Everything would be taken care of by her.
Yu Wan had discussed these matters with Su Xiaoqi in their letters.
And Yu Wan had also made arrangements in her letter to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam had nothing more to say, only that Yu Wan, as a goddaughter, had chosen wisely. It was no different from her own daughter.
After delivering the items, Su Xiaoqi, worried about Shen Yun, didn't feel like staying any longer.
She took her leave from the Old Madam.
The Old Madam was initially reluctant to let her go, but upon hearing that Shen Yun had returned late last night and left early today, she knew that as his wife, she was worried about her husband and wanted to wait for him at the palace gate.
She kindly agreed.
She even asked Yu Changfeng to accompany her to wait.
Du Yiyi, who had nothing to do at the moment, was left behind.
As they walked out of the second gate, a person walked towards them. He first saw the very tall Yu Changfeng.
Only then did he notice Su Xiaoqi walking beside him.
One was tall and sturdy, the other petite and delicate, creating a stark contrast.
Yu Changfeng also saw him and greeted him happily:
"Hey, Brother Yunwei, you're here!"
Su Xiaoqi followed the sound of his voice and saw Qi Yunwei's heroic face, and his gaze, which was inexplicably directed at her.
As Qi Yunwei's gaze met hers, Su Xiaoqi felt an inexplicable discomfort in her heart. What did he mean by that?