The commotion at the Mu family continued into the evening. Everyone had argued themselves hoarse, so Mrs. Mu, the matriarch, suggested they eat dinner first.
Chen Xing’er deliberately sat next to Qin Fenghang. She wanted to get to know her future husband better.
But Young Master Qin wasn’t pleased. In terms of beauty, she couldn’t compare to his cousin; in terms of family background, she was even further behind.
Just seeing Chen Xing’er’s awestruck reaction to a dish of pearl chicken confirmed his suspicions.
She was not only unrefined but also not very pretty; she had a rather thick waist. He’d tried his best not to touch her waist that day. Thankfully, her chest was decent, otherwise he would have wasted that Mongolian sleeping drug.
Mrs. Mu, as the hostess, urged everyone to relax and feel at home.
Despite the earlier near-catastrophic argument, she now displayed perfect etiquette, behaving like a gracious hostess.
The Qin mother and son, accustomed to delicacies, only ate a little, while Chen Xing’er and her mother behaved as if they were at home, helping themselves to everything.
Chen Xing’er not only ate a lot herself but kept piling food onto Qin Fenghang’s bowl, creating a small mountain of food. Qin Fenghang frowned.
Qin’s mother disliked the girl. Aside from the fact that she’d lost her virginity and still had the audacity to show up, she was also incredibly unrefined at the table. If she married her son, it would be a disgrace to the family.
Mrs. Mu, however, was delighted. She thought Chen Xing’er was a perfect match for her nephew; she would surely annoy her sister.
Thinking this, she had a housekeeper explain the preparation of the dishes to Chen Xing’er. Already full, Chen Xing’er, upon hearing how complex the dishes were to make, ate several more bites.
Qin Fenghang finally understood why Chen Xing’er had such a thick waist—she ate more than he did!
He frowned, constantly signaling to his mother: he didn’t want to marry this pig!
Qin Zhou Shi (Qin Mother) was thoroughly irritated by the mother and daughter. If they latched onto the Qin family, they’d be impossible to shake off.
The meal was incredibly unpleasant.
In contrast, the Zhan family of three enjoyed their meal harmoniously, content with simple porridge and vegetables.
His slender fingers picked up a piece of greens, glancing at A Liu. “Speak if you have something to say; otherwise, eat your meal.”
A Liu fidgeted, wondering whether to tell him about Miss Mu’s illness now or after dinner.
Zhan Qiyu, looking slightly tired from a day of studying, made A Liu feel concerned.
Madam Zhan intervened with a smile, pouring more porridge for both young men. “Finish your food before speaking. Eat first.”
Finally, after finishing their meal, A Liu took the bowls and plates to the kitchen. Coming out, he ran into his master, who was heading to his room.
The light blue robe was perfectly complemented by his tall figure, giving him the air of a worldly hermit.
However, A Liu couldn’t appreciate that. He anxiously blurted out, “Shan Cha said Miss Mu caught a cold, but she’s much better these days.”
The young man’s loosely held hands clenched, his brows furrowed slightly. “Did she get caught in the rain that night?”
“That’s likely the case.”
Zhan Qiyu paused, then asked, “What were they looking for that day?”
A Liu had also found this out. “Shan Cha said they were looking for a large red-headed cricket, a favorite of their eldest master.”
His brow furrowed even deeper. She got sick just for a cricket? Did she even care about him?
Just as he was about to speak, A Liu held up a grass woven cage. “I made a trip to Red Flower Mountain today and caught one, a red-headed one.”
The cricket in the cage chirped weakly. A Liu hoped his master would take it to Miss Mu to cheer her up.
Zhan Qiyu looked at his attendant, a look of pride crossing his face. “Well done.”
The praised young man, no longer the naive boy he once was, still grinned happily at his master.
Soon, under the cover of darkness, they went to deliver the cricket.
“Master, I can carry you there; you don’t have to crawl through the dog hole.”
His light skills were now quite advanced; he could easily carry someone over a wall.
Zhan Qiyu wasn’t fussy about it. If Mu Jiaojiao could climb, why couldn’t he?
For her, he could make some compromises.
But since A Liu could carry him, he didn’t have to crawl through the dog hole.
He was in a good mood that night, occasionally smiling while reading.
Normally, mosquitoes loved to swarm his room, drawn to his coolness.
But tonight was different. The aloof young master seemed warmer, and the mosquitoes disliked this change.
Mu Jiaojiao, her illness much improved, still had a stuffy nose and sighed weakly.
Oh no, she had only four days left, and her brother’s wedding wasn’t settled yet. Without the cricket, she couldn’t do anything.
Shan Cha brought her medicine, noticing her melancholic expression. “Miss, is there anything troubling you?”
Mu Jiaojiao leaned against the bed, propping her chin on her hand. “Nothing much, I just don’t particularly like my future sister-in-law.”
This surprised Shan Cha. Miss Mu was usually cheerful and rarely expressed dislike for anyone.
To directly say she disliked someone meant that person must be truly awful.
“Then why don’t you tell the young master?”
“What if he asks me why?”
Mu Jiaojiao felt that words weren’t enough; she needed to show him the facts.
So, she still needed the cricket, but her frail body couldn’t handle another trip to Red Flower Mountain.
Shan Cha was at a loss, leaving with the empty bowl.
Late at night, two carriages left the Mu estate, everyone leaving unsatisfied.
Chen Xing’er was dejected, tearfully complaining to her mother.
Mrs. Chen was also upset; the Qin family refused to acknowledge her daughter as their future daughter-in-law, insisting nothing had happened.
Mrs. Qin stated that she wasn’t afraid of going to court; she wasn’t afraid of accusations about things that didn’t happen.
Thus, the Chen family was at an impasse.
Passing an alley, Mrs. Chen thought of her sister and diverted the carriage.
If she was unhappy, others shouldn’t be happy either.
So, just as A Liu and his master scaled the Mu family’s walls, Mrs. Chen knocked on a door.
Madam Zhan answered and saw her sister, whose frequent visits she found irritating.
Before she could speak, Mrs. Chen preempted her. “Sister, I heard some news, and I had to come at this late hour.”
Madam Zhan hadn’t reacted yet when she heard, “The only daughter of the Mu family is remarkably blessed! She’s been chosen as a court lady and will soon enter the palace.”
Then she got back into her carriage and left.
The woman at the door turned pale, feeling heartbroken for her son.
Her son, Zhan Qiyu, had suffered greatly since childhood.
She was merely a servant at the Zhan household when, one night, Master Zhan, drunk, had a child with her but refused to acknowledge her.
He even sent her to the countryside to give birth, ignoring them both thereafter.
Later, when the Zhan family faced trouble, they were spared, but they weren’t left with a single coin.
They had suffered so much, and finally, her son was about to succeed, he had a girl he loved, and then this happened.
Tears streamed down her face as she slowly sank to the ground.
When she went to find her son, she discovered that both were gone, probably to the Mu household.
As a mother, she selfishly wanted to delay the truth, letting him enjoy his happiness for a few more days.
In the neighboring Mu family courtyard, a figure in white and black moved stealthily.
Zhan Qiyu noticed the exquisite carvings on the upper part of the elegant corridors, surrounded by rare flowers and plants.
Mrs. Mu loved gardening, so the entire house was exquisitely decorated, which required considerable money.
But for a man struggling to make ends meet, it was a blow to his pride—she lived so luxuriously.
Even A Liu walked carefully, afraid of damaging anything, his usual youthful energy subdued.
Luckily, Mu Jiaojiao’s room was nearby, and they ran into Shan Cha.
“Young Master Zhan, A Liu, how did you get here?” She was mainly surprised, not thinking their arrival inappropriate.
An arm extended, offering a small grass cage. “I caught a cricket; I don’t know if it’s the one you’re looking for.”
Her face, still slightly chubby, held disbelief. She didn’t hesitate to lead them inside. “Miss will be overjoyed!”
The room of a Mu family’s young lady was beautifully decorated, from the screens and furniture to the silk cushions on the daybed, everything was of the finest quality.
That’s why Mu Jiaojiao possessed such delicate skin and snow-white complexion.
Zhan Qiyu silently noted everything, promising himself he would give her even better things in the future. He could always provide her with better things.
The girl, in a pink undergarment, saw his tall figure and blushed slightly.
She reproached Shan Cha for bringing them in so readily.
But Shan Cha couldn’t wait a second, quickly offering the cage. “Miss, look, is this what you wanted?”
Mu Jiaojiao recognized the clear chirp of her red-headed cricket.
The girl’s eyes sparkled, her happy dimples captivating Zhan Qiyu.
The already charming girl, with her dimples, was both innocent and alluring.
He realized that if he weren’t strong-willed, other men would surely want to keep her hidden.
He felt grateful to have met her early but was also anxious about others coveting her, his emotions a complex mix as he was lost in thought.
“Brother Zhan, thank you, this is so important to me.”
