Xiao Xi Que was fine. She still seemed affectionate towards her.
Xiao Liu and Xiao Jiu looked at her with eager eyes, but their expressions were dull. Even their smiles were reserved, covering their lips.
It took her a while to find an opening and realize that they were missing a tooth from changing them. That’s why they were afraid to laugh with their mouths open like before.
"It’s good that Aunt Wen taught you etiquette, but remember, you don't need to be so formal in front of your family.
When you're with outsiders, maintain your composure and follow the rules to avoid any disrespect."
Everyone accepted the advice and rose in unison to bow to Su Xiao Qi.
Here they go again, Su Xiao Qi thought, feeling a bit exasperated.
She truly wasn't used to these once carefree children being so formal.
Just as she was about to persuade them further, Shen Yun suddenly took her hand and shook his head, indicating to let them be. He explained,
"Being overly polite will never hurt. People will only criticize someone for being impolite, not for being too well-mannered."
Su Xiao Qi nodded, realizing it was for their own good.
After the meal, Su Xiao Qi served them milk tea and several new pastries she had developed.
Only then did their true personalities begin to emerge.
Seeing smiles on their faces again, Su Xiao Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She told them to go back to their rooms and check if anything was missing, and to inform Zhao Momo immediately so someone could buy it.
Everyone thanked her and dispersed.
Only Xiao Xi Que lingered, looking at everyone else, hesitant to leave.
Su Xiao Qi beckoned her over. "Xiao Xi Que, come here. Do you have something to tell me?"
Xiao Xi Que nodded, then glanced at Shen Yun, who was holding Su Xiao Qi's hand.
He smiled, knowing that Xiao Xi Que had always been close to his wife, and decided not to be a bothersome third wheel.
As he left, he leaned close to Su Xiao Qi's ear and whispered, "Wife, you should find something to do, so you don't worry yourself sick about the imperial examinations every day."
That was too blatant a tease. Su Xiao Qi glared at him. If it weren't for Xiao Xi Que being present, she would have retorted.
However, with Xiao Xi Que watching, she needed to maintain her image.
Once everyone else had left, Su Xiao Qi waved for Guo'er and Zhang Yu to also excuse themselves.
Xiao Xi Que looked around and tentatively asked, "Sister Xiao Qi, are there no outsiders here now?"
Su Xiao Qi let out a chuckle.
"Silly girl."
Xiao Xi Que then threw herself into Su Xiao Qi's arms.
"Mmm, Sister Xiao Qi, I missed you so much." Xiao Xi Que's voice was tinged with tears, indicating she had held back for a long time.
Su Xiao Qi hugged her and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't cry, don't cry. Sister is right here.
Now that you've come to stay, we can see each other every day."
"Mmm, I, I understand. I just, I just couldn't help it. Sister Xiao Qi, I missed you the moment you left."
Xiao Xi Que's tears and snot were flowing, clearly releasing emotions that had been suppressed for a long time.
Su Xiao Qi didn't mind, wiping her face with her own handkerchief and comforting her for a good while.
After all, she was still young.
Xiao Xi Que was naturally cheerful and adored Su Xiao Qi. Upon arrival, she had been constrained by the rules and couldn't say much to Sister Xiao Qi.
Now, with Su Xiao Qi's encouragement and comfort, she finally opened up.
She sat beside Su Xiao Qi and chattered animatedly for quite some time.
Most of it was about Chen Jin Ji and the supermarket courtyard. Through this, Su Xiao Qi learned a lot about Sister Shen and Chen Jin Niang.
The businesses were doing as well as ever, and both of them missed her as much as she missed them.
"Sister Xiao Qi, do you know, Sister Xiao Mei and Brother Jia An... the two of them..." Xiao Xi Que's expression was rather peculiar as she spoke, even struggling to continue.
However, Su Xiao Qi sensed no embarrassment on her face, but rather an expression of being too engrossed in gossip.
"Xiao Xi Que, leave grown-up matters to the grown-ups. You're still a child," Su Xiao Qi adopted an adult demeanor.
Xiao Xi Que pouted. "Sister Xiao Qi, how am I a child? Besides, Sister Xiao Mei is only two years older than me."
Indeed, Xiao Xi Que was thirteen, and Xiao Mei was just turning fifteen, not yet past it.
The age difference between them wasn't significant, and ancient women generally matured early. Su Xiao Qi knew her words wouldn't hold much ground.
However, subconsciously, she didn't see herself as the original owner who had just turned sixteen, but as herself in modern times, who was twenty-six.
Compared like that, she was more than ten years older than Xiao Xi Que.
"Whether their matter works out or not is still uncertain. Let's not spread it around."
Su Xiao Qi knew that although the Daliang Dynasty was more open than the previous one, and women's social status had slightly improved, the restrictions between men and women were not as strict as before.
However, a woman's reputation was still paramount.
As the saying goes, starvation is a small matter, but losing one's integrity is a great one.
It was acceptable for close acquaintances to inquire privately about matters between the parties involved, but it would be inappropriate to discuss it outside.
Su Xiao Qi was worried that Xiao Xi Que, not understanding these customs, might say something wrong and damage Xiao Mei's reputation.
Therefore, she specifically reminded her this time.
Xiao Xi Que realized she had been too carried away with her excitement and had spoken carelessly seeing her long-missed Sister Xiao Qi.
Those were indeed words she shouldn't have said. She quickly stuck out her tongue to admit her mistake, stating it was unintentional and she wouldn't speak so carelessly again.
Su Xiao Qi knew she wasn't someone who liked to spread gossip, so she didn't dwell on the matter. She smiled at her and beckoned her to drink her milk tea.
Xiao Xi Que glanced at Su Xiao Qi and, seeing she wasn't angry, became happy. "Mmm, the milk tea is delicious."
After finishing a cup, she seemed to remember something. "Oh, Sister Xiao Qi, there's something I think I should tell you."
Su Xiao Qi raised an eyebrow and gently poked her forehead. "Little girl, I told you not to gossip behind people's backs, but that doesn't mean you can't speak normally. What is it?"
"Brother Xiao Ze, do you remember him?" Xiao Xi Que looked up at Su Xiao Qi cautiously, ready to drop the subject immediately if she saw any sign of discomfort.
"Xiao Ze, wasn't he the one who was with you... uh, no, with us?"
Although Su Xiao Qi had taken Xiao Xi Que and the others under her care and provided them with a good life,
deep down, she still couldn't completely identify with the original owner's life.
Xiao Xi Que nodded vigorously. "Yes, Brother Xiao Ze, he's not dead. He sent a message back."
Su Xiao Qi frowned. If she remembered correctly, she had heard from Xiao Yi that the original owner had once framed Xiao Ze to get rid of them, these burdens, and live a wealthy life.
This led to Xiao Ze being arrested by the authorities and then having no contact since.
Therefore, although Xiao Yi and the others were still willing to follow her, this incident had always been a thorn between them.
As long as it wasn't mentioned, everyone was fine, but if someone accidentally touched upon it, they would bleed profusely.
Of course, among them, only Xiao Xi Que had never held it against Su Xiao Qi and had always loved her Sister Xiao Qi wholeheartedly.
So, even after receiving Xiao Ze's letter, Xiao Yi and the others chose not to inform Su Xiao Qi about it.
But Xiao Xi Que was different. She had a pure heart towards Su Xiao Qi and didn't want to hide anything from her.