Su Xiaoqi thought for a moment and came up with a bunch of things. Du Yiyi was already waving goodbye to her.
Although she really wanted to play with Sister Xiaoqi all the time, it was impossible.
Didn't she see that Shen Yun's gaze had turned a little strange after she had occupied Sister Xiaoqi for such a short time.
Thinking that they would see each other tomorrow anyway, Du Yiyi became happy again.
Then, she thought of her own marriage. With Sister Xiaoqi helping her look out for it, she couldn't help but feel a little more anticipation.
As Du Yiyi's carriage gradually went further away, Su Xiaoqi went back and found Shen Yun, who was waiting for her at the second gate.
"Eh, aren't you going back to read, husband?" Su Xiaoqi thought he had gone to the study.
Shen Yun was confident that he would pass the imperial examinations, so shouldn't he be preparing for the final palace exam at this time?
"My wife actually has confidence in your husband," Shen Yun said with a smile. Was she so sure he would be on the list of successful candidates?
Su Xiaoqi gave him a sideways glance. "It's my own husband, don't I know him?" I know what official you'll be in the future.
Shen Yun smiled gently, enjoying her harmless glare. He put his arm around her waist and helped her inside. Looking at the disappearing carriage of the Duke's mansion, he said with a hint of jealousy,
"You even got hurt just to send her off, and then you ran out." Du Yiyi has been here so many times, can't she find her way out?
Du Yiyi's understanding was not wrong. Shen Yun was grateful for her concern for Su Xiaoqi.
However, he was very unhappy about her coming here to visit every now and then and staying for half the day.
It was only now that he had ample time to spend with his wife. Once the list of successful candidates was released, he would be busy.
Su Xiaoqi looked at him in surprise. Tsk tsk, Shen Yun was really scary when he was jealous.
She gently stroked the back of his hand and playfully tickled it with her fingertip.
Shen Yun looked at her in confusion.
"Husband, my sexual orientation is very normal." So no matter how close I am to Du Yiyi, I can't be with her.
"Hmm?" Shen Yun was a little unfamiliar with the term "sexual orientation."
"Uh, how should I put it, uh, I like you, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life." Su Xiaoqi was not a shy person, and she bravely confessed to reassure Shen Yun.
As expected, this move was very effective. Shen Yun's earlier sullen face immediately brightened, and he was filled with smiles.
The couple walked back hand in hand, talking and laughing.
The two maids following behind had their own thoughts.
"The master and madam have such a good relationship," Zi Yu said softly, looking at their clasped hands, her voice filled with unconcealed envy.
Upon hearing this, Zi Cao's expression tightened, and she advised, "Zi Yu, this is the masters' business. We are servants and cannot speak ill of them."
"Oh, I, I wasn't speaking ill of them, Sister Zi Cao, why are you saying that." Zi Yu's face turned pale, afraid that her words would reach the masters in front and that she would be driven away. She quickly defended herself.
If she were driven away, she would never see the talented, handsome, and gentle master again.
Zi Cao didn't say anything, but just gave her a steady look and shook her head as she followed.
She had seen through Zi Yu's obvious thoughts.
Madam was so smart, how could she not know?
Moreover, she knew that Madam had a secret: her hearing was extremely sharp. Zi Yu's words must have reached Madam's ears.
Alas, I hope she will listen to my advice, otherwise, she will have to suffer.
Su Xiaoqi did hear the conversation behind them, but she didn't look back.
She turned her head to look at Shen Yun. His profile was well-defined, his chin was sharp, his eyes were deep, and his long eyelashes made one want to swing on them. He looked very much like a male actor she liked in modern times.
A demon, so handsome!
However, Zi Yu's words did not make her feel threatened. It wasn't that she said it, but Shen Yun might not even fancy someone like Zi Yu.
It was the words "Madam" in their conversation that she found quite annoying.
She was only sixteen years old, and she was already called Madam.
Alas, this damned etiquette of wealthy families.
The next day, Su Xiaoqi first went to the Duke's mansion to visit the Old Madam.
Seeing that she was unharmed and smiling, the Old Madam finally believed Du Yiyi's words that Su Xiaoqi was not injured or sick.
The reason she hadn't visited her for the past two days was that she had been busy with the shops.
Since she would be going to Gan Quan Temple for the Bathing Buddha Festival in a couple of days and would be away for several days, she had to arrange all matters in the shops first.
"You, you, although you recognize my eldest child's mother, your personality is most like my third daughter's." Every time the Old Madam saw Su Xiaoqi, she would mention her third daughter.
Her youngest daughter, who had left home thousands of miles away when she was young.
She had heard from Du Yiyi that Su Xiaoqi now had two shops in partnership with her.
But her businesses in the capital were not just two.
She also co-owned a grain shop, sold slides and instant noodles, and had several businesses in the Bashu region.
She was truly capable.
"That's right, my aunt also liked doing business. When she was ten years old, she helped the family manage shops and estates while still in the boudoir.
She earned a lot of money, and many of the Duke's mansion's industries were acquired during her time." Du Yiyi quietly told Su Xiaoqi about these past events.
Su Xiaoqi was very eager to meet this legendary aunt.
After staying at the Duke's mansion for a morning, since Madam Wen had already gone south, Su Xiaoqi accompanied Du Yiyi to have lunch with the Old Madam. In the afternoon, according to the previously submitted calling card, she went to the Princess's mansion.
She met the Princess, who had been thinking of her.
"Oh my, girl, you're here." As soon as the Princess saw her, she excitedly pulled her and asked Granny Xu to immediately send someone to invite Bao Ge'er and Hui'an.
Su Xiaoqi went to support her and asked about her health.
The Princess happily said that her health had improved a lot since she took her medicine. Before, she felt pain everywhere when she got up, but now she didn't. Instead, she felt like she had endless energy every day.
Her medicine was truly a miracle cure.
"Even Hui'an's mood has improved a lot these past few days. Fortunately, there's you, girl. Alas, why didn't I meet you first? The Duke of Yu's mansion beat me to it."
The Princess beat her chest and stamped her feet, regretting not having met Su Xiaoqi before the Duke of Yu's mansion, otherwise, she would have recognized her as her adopted daughter.
Wouldn't this relationship be closer?
Su Xiaoqi could only smile apologetically.
Could she say that between the Duke of Yu's mansion and the Princess's mansion, she preferred the Duke of Yu's mansion?
Although the gardens there didn't have exquisite decorations or ever-changing scenery, only stones and pines, she just liked it.
It made her feel very comfortable. Everyone in the entire mansion felt close to her.
Unlike the Princess's mansion, although the masters who were in charge were kind to her, she still couldn't like it here. She didn't feel a sense of belonging.
Soon, Bao Ge'er and Princess Hui'an arrived.
The siblings were very happy to see Su Xiaoqi.
Especially Bao Ge'er, who pulled Su Xiaoqi to look at the slide the Princess had newly bought for him.
A slide?
Su Xiaoqi looked at the small, log-colored slide in the courtyard. Wasn't it the drawing she had made for He Qiulei?
She didn't expect him to have already done business with the Princess's mansion so quickly.
Bao Ge'er slid down once and then pulled on Su Xiaoqi's clothes, saying happily, "What do you think, Sister Xiaoqi, isn't this fun?"
Su Xiaoqi nodded repeatedly. It was fun, of course it was fun. She had copied the graphics of various modern kindergartens and parks, which had been verified by millions of children in modern times. How could it not be fun?
Su Xiaoqi said, "It's fun, but it's a bit small. I'll make you a bigger one when I get back."
She decided to give He Qiulei the drawing she had just finished at home later, so that he could specifically make one for Bao Ge'er that was different from everyone else's.
Bao Ge'er clapped his hands happily. He knew that Sister Xiaoqi was good to him.
"Girl, look at you, you're spoiling him," the Princess said with a doting smile on her graceful face.
"Children need to be taught and spoiled, otherwise they won't have a sense of security," Su Xiaoqi said as if casually.
After saying that, she saw the Princess's expression change slightly. She pretended not to notice and held Princess Hui'an, who was leaning against her, tighter and invited her to play on the swing next to the slide.
The Princess took a deep breath and said, "Girl, you're right. I know what to do from now on."
Su Xiaoqi's eyes curved.
On the first day of April, the results of the imperial examinations were announced.
Su Xiaoqi got up early in the morning. She pulled Shen Yun to go and see the list, but Shen Yun pulled her back and made her sit down.
"My wife, do you not have confidence in your husband?"
"Ah?" Su Xiaoqi was confused.
How could she not have confidence in Shen Yun?
"My husband is the best." She said loudly.
Shen Yun chuckled, feeling very satisfied.
His little wife had truly opened her heart to him since they had cleared the air that time.
She spoke sweet words without restraint.
She prepared the best food, drinks, clothes, and necessities for him.
This feeling was so blissful that he sometimes felt dazed, afraid that it was all a dream.
When the dream ended, his little wife would disappear, and no one would be so good to him, so concerned about him.
Whenever this thought came to mind, he wanted to hold her in his arms, embrace her tightly, and not let anyone, not even fate, take her away.