Xu Hengyi blushed and struggled, "It's not the kind of sleeping you're thinking of. We, we... we didn't even take off our clothes!"
Although he wouldn't mind adding such a glorious stroke, he'd be beaten to death if his father heard about it!
After Yongxin Hou finished speaking, he turned back to ponder his next move.
What difference did it make whether they took off their clothes or not?
Xu Hengyi shyly glanced at Xie Jiang.
Xie Jiang feigned sudden realization, "We merely borrowed Liu Yingying's room to sleep. Others saw it in such a sordid way? It seems Hao Wei also misunderstood."
There were many rooms available for sleeping in the vast Qunfang Pavilion. Why did they only borrow Liu Yingying's room?
Of course, it was to create a beautiful misunderstanding.
If Hao Wei wasn't provoked, how would he come knocking on their door?
Could it be that they were too poor to afford another room?
The Duke of Qian reminded Xie Jiang a few words and then stopped.
After all, they were not Xie Jiang's elders. They couldn't manage it, nor was it their place to do so. The topic was thus dropped.
The Duke of Qian then asked Xie Jiang if he planned to host a banquet for his move to the new residence.
Xie Jiang replied, "I don't know many people in the capital. You can come over and eat and drink anytime. I won't be holding a formal banquet."
The Duke of Qian nodded, "Since that's the case, we won't be polite. We have nothing else to do anyway, so we'll have dinner at your place again tonight."
Xie Jiang said, "Since the esteemed lords and marquises have already sent their gifts, you must eat and drink well."
Yongchang Hou, who had been silently focused on the chess game, temporarily withdrew his gaze from the chessboard upon hearing Xie Jiang's words. He pointed to the potted plants that had just been arranged nearby, "Consider these as a celebration of your move. My wife and third daughter just love fiddling with these."
"It just so happens that my new residence is rather bare, and it needs some flowers and plants for decoration. The old madam and third young lady are very thoughtful."
On the way over, Tian Kangtai had mentioned that Yongchang Hou had brought over a cartload of potted plants.
Tian Kangtai immediately instructed the servants to place them in Fuyun Xuan and Wanshi Tang respectively, and a few pots were also brought to Yilan Xie.
Xie Jiang had a pot placed beside her. It was a type of chrysanthemum, and it was clearly well-cared for.
Xie Jiang's eyes were filled with smiles. Her future sister-in-law had sent her a gift! How could she not be happy?
Although her sister-in-law had sent the gift in the name of Yongchang Hou and his wife, she had received her sister-in-law's kind intentions.
Xie Jiang looked at the purple chrysanthemums that had bloomed out of their pots and happily instructed Tian Kangtai, "Have the kitchen make a few more types of pastries. After dinner, ask Marquis Xu to take some back for the old madam and third young lady to try."
Upon hearing this, Yongxin Hou, unwilling to be outdone, said, "Why are Old Xu's flowers and plants to your liking, but you don't appreciate our gifts?"
Xie Jiang replied, "How could that be? I like gifts from everyone, and they all suit my fancy. Everyone gets pastries, including Xu Hengyi."
Only then did Yongxin Hou seem satisfied.
Like a child, he was afraid of missing out on a single bite.
"Then the three of you please sit here for a while. You can also go for a walk if you wish. I see the lake view is quite nice, and there's also a decent-sized forest over there. This residence has been vacant for so many years, perhaps we can even catch a few rabbits or foxes. I'll go see Old Duke Qin first. Ruan Ziji seems to have something to tell me as well, so I'll excuse myself for a moment. If you need anything, please instruct Tian Kangtai."
After admiring the lake view from various angles, Xie Jiang wanted to slip away.
While she wasn't as intimidated as Xu Hengyi in front of the elders, her scalp still tingled from time to time.
She wanted some peace and quiet.
The Duke of Qian waved him away, "You go and attend to your business. We don't need you to keep us company."
He had come today to accompany Old Lu to see a doctor.
Old Xu and Old He had tagged along under the guise of congratulating him on his move, just to get a free meal.
If Old Gao heard that they were all at Xie Jiang's place, he would probably rush over before dinner.
"You've just moved in today. Do you have enough ingredients? More people might come tonight," the Duke of Qian reminded Tian Kangtai, lest they be unprepared.
Tian Kangtai smiled and said, "Today is the joyous occasion of our relocation. The ingredients were ordered yesterday and delivered early. We have enough even if more guests arrive tonight."
The Duke of Qian was then reassured.
As Xie Jiang and Xu Hengyi descended from the second floor, they vaguely overheard the conversation between the Duke of Qian and Tian Kangtai. Xu Hengyi whispered to Xie Jiang, "Those elders who went to Ninghe to dig sweet potatoes, won't they all be coming tonight?"
It seemed the elders quite liked Xie Jiang.
Even though Xie Jiang always had an impatient look on her face.
Even the obedience she displayed could be seen through at a glance; she was actually very unwilling.
If it were any other junior besides Xie Jiang, they would have their heads bashed in and their legs broken for such behavior.
However, besides Xie Jiang, it seemed no other junior dared to act so brazenly.
Yet, the elders simply favored Xie Jiang.
Although the elders often scolded Xie Jiang harshly, anyone could tell they weren't truly angry.
Xu Hengyi found it very difficult to understand.
The women, regardless of Xie Jiang's behavior, adored her because of her good looks.
But the elders didn't care about appearances.
What did they like about Xie Jiang?
Could it be that, like him, they enjoyed Xie Jiang's delicious cooking?
Were they afraid of offending Xie Jiang and having nowhere to get a free meal?
Xie Jiang nonchalantly replied, "It's the same whether one person comes or ten or eight. As long as the elders are happy, we don't lack food for them."
Xu Hengyi said, "If so many Dukes and Marquises are coming, will my uncle and my father also come?"
Xie Jiang glanced at him, "I'm not that close to your uncle and your father, so don't overthink it."
Xu Hengyi: "...But you're quite close to their sons."
Tian Kangtai stayed in the waterside pavilion to serve the elders. Xie Jiang beckoned a young servant and asked him to lead the way to Fuyun Xuan, where she resided.
The Emperor, worried that the residence was too large and her staff insufficient, had also bestowed dozens of servants. The Emperor's good intentions left her no room to refuse.
However, she didn't need to worry about it. Tian Kangtai would arrange for these people.
Moreover, the presence of these people was not without its uses.
Before reaching Fuyun Xuan, she encountered Ruan Ziji.
Ruan Ziji ran towards her along the lake shore. He had likely been walking around the mansion for a while, as sweat beads dripped from his scattered hair on his forehead.
"Young Master Xie, you're back!"
Jin Haolin and Han Zhao, along with several others, followed behind, panting.
"Young Master Xie, your new mansion is truly magnificent!"
"Yesterday, Hao Wei brought people to cause trouble at the Xie residence. Why didn't you call us, Young Master Xie!" Han Zhao was full of regret, as if he had missed out on a mountain of gold and silver. He loved fighting alongside Young Master Xie.
Xu Hengyi said, "Hao Wei, that weakling, needed us to make a move? Luo Tie knocked him down with two punches. He's still in the Shun Tian Prefecture prison counting mice right now."
Ruan Ziji said, "I guessed you might not know about this. Hao Wei was picked up from the Shun Tian Prefecture prison by his family last night."