I smiled at her, and she glanced at me casually, gave a perfunctory smile, and then immediately shifted her gaze to Jiang Chen's face. Her hand naturally took Jiang Chen's hand, shook it back and forth a few times, and she frowned and said coquettishly, "Cousin, you only stayed for half a month when you came back last year. You're not allowed to leave again this time. What's the point of going up on the mountain? It's just a bunch of men from the Xiaoyao Sect, like a monastery."
I lowered my head awkwardly. I had stood out among a group of "monks" for over a decade.
Jiang Chen withdrew his hand without making a sound, turned to look at me, and said with deep affection, "Who said it's not interesting? There are fairies on the mountain."
I was instantly filled with shame and embarrassment, feeling utterly ashamed. I dared not accept the title of fairy; at best, I was a mountain goddess. There's a limit to how much you can compliment someone, isn't there? But then, something even more absurd happened: in front of everyone, he actually took my hand!
My face flushed. I couldn't struggle too hard in front of everyone, so I tried to pull my hand away, but it was too late. With a little effort, he managed to trap my hand under my armpit. I lowered my head and gave in, not daring to move, afraid that if I struggled again, he would press his hand directly against my chest or face. This man was capable of anything; his shocking and unruly behavior was always on full display.
Jiang Chen led me up the steps, with maids and servants following behind Shao Hua. I noticed that when Jiang Chen took my hand, the four maids stared at me with surprise and envy. Shao Rong, however, naturally stood to Jiang Chen's left, tugging at his sleeve and asking him all sorts of questions, completely ignoring my presence. She didn't even glance at me or ask me a question; her gaze was fixed on Jiang Chen's face the entire time, her joy and excitement at the long-awaited reunion overflowing.
A thought struck me. Usually, cousins are childhood sweethearts, inseparable. I wondered if this young cousin, Shao Rong, was the norm or an exception?
I only came to see Lady Qi; I didn't expect to find Brother Qi and Sister Qi here. What I didn't expect even more was that Sister Qi was so beautiful and so affectionate.
Upon entering the gate, one is immediately struck by the magnificent carved beams and painted pillars, pavilions and towers, all exuding an air of grandeur. A profusion of flowers and plants line the corridors, their fragrance filling the air. This Guiyun Manor, in my opinion, is even more imposing than Master Yuanzhao's Shanyin Villa; calling it a manor is truly an understatement.
Ascending the corridor, stepping up nine white marble steps into the main hall, one is struck by its magnificent splendor.
Seated in the center of the hall on a rosewood chair was a middle-aged woman with exquisite features and an air of unparalleled nobility. I suddenly realized that all the breathtaking beauty I had just witnessed paled in comparison to the elegance of this lady before me. I couldn't quite describe her charm; I simply felt comfortable and at ease just looking at her, as if bathed in a gentle breeze.
She must be Lady Qi, the mistress of Guiyun Manor. I've heard of her for a long time, but I never imagined I'd meet her one day, especially in this capacity. Life is truly like a dream, and the world is unpredictable.
Upon closer inspection, Jiang Chen's appearance is about 80% like hers. The remaining 20% of his unruly and dashing demeanor is probably from his father.
Besides Madam Qi, there were maids and servants standing in the hall. As soon as I walked in, dozens of eyes shot straight at me with the force of Jiang Chen's rain of pear blossom needles.
When I saw this scene, I immediately felt a little nervous.
Jiang Chen pulled me forward with a smile and bowed.
"Mother, this is Xiao Mo."
Lady Qi smiled and beckoned, "Xiao Mo, come here, let me take a good look at you."
This was the most awkward moment of my life for an ugly daughter-in-law to meet her in-laws. I forced myself to step forward and greet them, my heart pounding. I knew she would definitely look down on me; I felt that the four maids behind me were more elegant than me.
She stretched out her finger, smiled, and took my hand, praising, "She is indeed well-behaved and adorable; no wonder Chen'er likes her."
This was the first time I'd been praised for being well-behaved and cute, and I felt a little embarrassed. I lowered my head, my gaze falling on her hands. Her hands were fair and delicate, with skin as smooth as jade, but her fingers were slightly cool.
"Auntie, does my cousin like this kind of girl? I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."
I stared at Sister Qi for a moment, wondering how she could have seen me before. Could it be that she meant I looked very ordinary? Or was there really someone who looked like me?
However, it seemed that no one heard her words, and no one answered them.
Holding a secret meeting, Liu Xiahui
I looked at Jiang Chen, who seemed not to have heard what Sister Qi said. He only smiled at Madam Qi and said, "Mother, when you praise Xiao Mo, are you actually praising my good taste?"
Lady Qi looked at me with a smile: "You are graceful and elegant, with a refined and refined appearance. You are like a lotus emerging from the water, making you likable at first sight. No wonder even a picky person like Chen'er has been won over."
I was not only ashamed, but my back was also sweating. The praise I received today was more than in the previous fifteen years, which I was truly unworthy of, and quite... well. As for subduing Jiang Chen? I never even considered it. I understand the meaning of "do what you can," and only a yaksha could handle someone with his personality. My ideal is to be a virtuous wife and loving mother, and I have never thought of becoming a yaksha, mainly because I feel I don't have the talent for it.
Lady Qi then asked with a smile, "Are you tired from the journey?"
"I'm not tired, just a little seasick."
I thought Jiang Chen's mother would be just as difficult to deal with, given his personality. I was truly flattered and surprised by her gentle and peaceful demeanor. With her noble and elegant family background and outstanding appearance, one would expect her to be arrogant and demanding of her daughter-in-law. Why didn't she show the slightest dissatisfaction towards me? Is she too calculating, or is she genuinely satisfied with me?
Lady Qi pointed to the four women below the hall and said, "Plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum are the maids I prepared for Xiao Mo. Chen'er, take Xiao Mo to Lanze Garden to wash up and rest. I will have someone prepare a meal immediately."
Four beautiful women stepped forward to greet me. Were these beauties meant to be my maids? I quickly replied, "Madam, I... I have a maid with me."
I turned around and saw Xiao Hebao standing timidly behind Shao Hua. Compared to these four beauties, she looked like a little sparrow.
Madam Qi said, "One is not enough. These maids have served Chen'er since they were little and I have trained them very well. Just give the orders. Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju, go and greet the young mistress. In the future, they will carefully follow the young mistress's orders."
I was startled. She's calling me "Young Mistress" before we're even married? Is this all it takes for an ugly daughter-in-law to meet her in-laws? It seems too easy to get through this. This is completely different from what I imagined. I'm not here to please her; I'm here to disgust her. I'm hoping she'll be unhappy with me so she can cancel the marriage. What am I going to do?
Jiang Chen happily pulled me out, and I followed him into the back garden, feeling dizzy. I asked in bewilderment, "Jiang Chen, is your mother always this kind and gentle?" Madam Qi's reputation was well-known in the martial arts world, and I had always thought she was a formidable and fierce character. I never expected her to be such a beautiful and kind noblewoman.
Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Normally, she's only nice to me, but because she loves me, she's naturally nice to you too."
"oh."
Along the way, he encountered many maids and servants, all of whom bowed to Jiang Chen. He noticed that all the maids at Guiyun Manor were exceptionally beautiful, and they all appeared shy and timid when they saw Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen led me and Xiao Hebao to Lanze Garden. He had his own courtyard, but he insisted on squeezing in Lanze Garden with me, living next door to me, and even claimed that he wanted to protect me every step of the way.
Xiao Hebao whispered in my ear, "Miss, it's better to live with the young master. All the maids in this mansion are too beautiful, and there's also a cousin named Shaorong. You'd better keep a close eye on her."
I sighed. If a man only behaves when you stare at him, what's the point of living?
After taking a fragrant bath, I was sitting by the window combing my hair when Jiang Chen leisurely stepped into the room.
My eyes lit up. He had bathed and changed his clothes, putting on a brand-new bright blue long robe and a jade belt. He looked refreshed and dashing. He was also idly waving a sandalwood fan in his hand, the fan surface of which resembled the misty mountains and rivers of Jiangnan. He was truly elegant in demeanor and charming in his glances.
"Is Xiao Mo hungry? Mother will have someone prepare food; it will be ready soon."
I said hello. I had tried on several outfits at "Yi Yi Bu She" before coming here, and after all that fuss, I was really a bit hungry.
I ran my fingers through my hair, intending to hastily tie it into a bun, when Jiang Chen snapped his folding fan shut and tucked it into his waistband. He stepped forward and said with a smile, "Wife, let me do it."
I jumped back like a startled bird, stammering, "I... I can do it myself."
He frowned and said, "Xiao Mo, this is called bedroom fun. I was thinking of drawing your eyebrows later!"
I panicked even more: "No, no, thank you."