Tianliangyuan

Chapter 153 Xu Junting has come looking for me.

Xu Zhaozhao arranged everything perfectly.

Xu Zhaozhao even invited Wang Ruolan and her aunt Li Qingmei to the estate to escape the summer heat.

Xu Zhaozhao's second sister-in-law, Princess Anhe, her cousin Wang Wenxiu, and her two half-sisters from the second branch of the family also came along. As for the heir apparent's wife and the second wife, Madam Li, they stayed at home to take charge of affairs.

Xu Zhaozhao had considered inviting the old lady to come along, but the old lady was too old and didn't want to move around, so she declined.

With so many people, all women, including elders, Li Mingya brought her seven-year-old younger sister along.

This was also Madam Li's idea; she was worried that Mingya would feel uncomfortable going alone.

Having a younger sister around will make you feel less unfamiliar with the place.

Xu Zhaozhao's house on the mountain was started last year.

The repairs were intermittent and weren't completed until March of this year.

Because it was located on a mountain, the outermost perimeter was still built with high walls, and more than a hundred guards were stationed in the front yard, which was also Xu Han's idea.

"Sisters, you must come again in the fall! We'll go hunting together then, and I'll treat you to a delicious feast of authentic wild game. Besides, in the fall, there are beautiful red maple leaves to admire!"

Wang Wenxiu said with envy, "Zhaozhao bought this estate well, built it well, and now she manages it well! Look at it, it has everything for eating, drinking, and entertainment. I'm so envious!"

Xu Zhaozhao chuckled, while Princess Anhe, standing beside her, took a sip of fruit syrup and said with equal envy, "It's strange, both are estates, but how come Sister Zhaozhao's place is so well-organized? Whether it's grain or fruit, she has everything. I'm impressed!"

"That's right, I'm envious too. Second sister is so amazing. If I ever have any private property in the future, I'd like to hand it over to her to manage."

The speaker was Xu Tingting, and her sincere gaze seemed genuine.

Li Mingya took a bite of a grape and looked satisfied: "They're all grapes, but why do the ones grown on your farm seem sweeter to me?"

Xu Wanwan nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes! I also think that none of the food I've had before has been as sweet as what Second Sister eats here!"

Xu Zhaozhao smiled without saying a word. Of course, these people didn't know that she had combined the advantages of multiple grape varieties to cultivate the one she was most satisfied with.

Dingxiang came over to report: "Miss, the head steward just came to say that the second young master finished his shift early today and will come over with Xie Sanlang. Tonight, he and Xie Sanlang will stay in the outer courtyard and be in charge of the security of our estate."

Xu Zhaozhao glanced at Princess Anhe: "Are all these hundred-plus people on our estate just for show? Second Brother clearly misses Second Sister-in-law, but he just won't tell the truth!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and Wang Ruolan and Li Qingmei also chuckled.

Princess Anhe, now a married woman, is no longer as shy as she was before her marriage, though she still blushes slightly.

"Zhaozhao, if you keep talking nonsense, believe me, I'll use some tricks to make sure you and Xie Sanlang can't see each other until the end of the year?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the laughter from the crowd grew even louder!

Xu Zhaozhao wasn't afraid of her threats, but she still had to give her some face.

"Second sister-in-law, why are you in such a hurry? Second brother came all the way here to see you, which shows he cares about you. If you ask me, when he arrives, you should just go back to the manor with him. Why make him go through all that trouble?"

Princess Anhe blushed even more, feigning anger as she said, "If you dare to talk nonsense again, see how I deal with you!"

After saying that, he left with his servants.

The laughter grew louder, but there was even more envy in the air.

Xu Wanwan sighed, "Second sister-in-law is really good-natured. She left in such a hurry, she must be going to arrange a room for second brother. My second brother is such a reckless person who only knows how to fight, yet he was able to find such a considerate and gentle wife as second sister-in-law. Tsk, I don't know if it's because he's lucky or because my aunt has good taste."

Xu Zhaozhao chuckled. She certainly knew how to talk, and even flattered the lady in the process.

Wang Wenxiu's marriage has been arranged, and the wedding will take place in the autumn.

She now only hopes that her husband's family can be as kind and generous as the Xu family; otherwise, it will be difficult for her to act so recklessly in the future.

It wasn't until evening that Xu Zhaozhao noticed that her third brother had also arrived.

However, Xu Junting's expression was not good.

"Third Brother, is something on your mind?"

"Excuse me, could you please bring Miss Li out?"

"You just wait."

Xu Zhaozhao didn't let the youngest sister of the Li family come with her. Instead, she came out alone with Li Mingya, accompanied by Princess Anhe.

"You can talk here, and we can enjoy the moon under the eaves over there."

Li Mingya was a little shy because she didn't expect him to talk to her alone.

"Why is Sanlang looking for me?"

Xu Junting bowed first, then said in a low voice: "On my way back from the yamen today, I saw a woman who looked very much like your half-sister. I saw her getting along intimately with a scholar. I was worried that your sister would be deceived and that the reputation of the Li family would be tarnished again, so I specially sent someone to follow her to prevent your sister from suffering any more losses."

Unexpectedly, I overheard their conversation and learned that they addressed each other as cousins. However, the young man looked unfamiliar and wasn't from the Ji family, which explained my suspicions. After confirming your sister's return, I left immediately. But after much thought, I felt something was amiss, so I rushed to the estate to inform you.”

Li Mingya's face turned deathly pale. She never expected that it was about Li Mingshu!

What she didn't expect was that she was discussing marriage with Xu Sanlang when he caught her half-sister being intimate with another man in the street. How was she supposed to face this?

Xu Junting noticed her pale face and quickly comforted her, "Miss Mingya, please don't panic. I haven't mentioned this to anyone, not even my sister. I came to tell you in a hurry because I heard that your sister is discussing marriage with the Liu family. I'm worried that if this gets out, it will affect the reputation of the Li family."

I know you have a good nature and impeccable character. I only spoke out of consideration for the relationship between our two families. I hope Mingya won't take offense.

These last words calmed Li Mingya down considerably.

Xu Sanlang's words make sense.

They only paid more attention to the matter because they were certain that they were related to the Li family by marriage.

"Thank you, Sanlang. I will go back and report this to my mother. I also ask the elders in the family to investigate thoroughly."

"Hmm, maybe I'm just overthinking it. By the way, this is a snack I bought when I passed by Baoxingzhai. I heard from Zhaozhao that you like their mung bean cakes, so I bought some for you to try."

Li Mingya regained some color in her face and shyly accepted it, saying, "You're so thoughtful."

Xu Junting looked up at her, grinning like a fool, and chuckled, "Yeah, if you like, I'll buy you more in the future."