Chapter 834

Little Bean was driven out of the hall by his aunt, so he could only play alone in the courtyard.

Auntie coughed and smiled at her nephew. "Um, Ning Yan, I remember that you made a few dishes in the kitchen last time. The style and taste were very unique. Yes, Auntie thought that since Miss Wang is the daughter of the Cabinet Chief, she should be used to eating delicacies from the land and sea, so she should occasionally eat something different …"

"Oh, I'll go to the kitchen and teach the cook."

Xu Qi'an was full of anticipation for the good show later. He would agree to whatever his aunt asked of him.

On the other side, after Little Bean was driven out of the hall, he played alone in the courtyard for a while. He felt bored, so he ran to his sister Xu Lingyue's room.

It was autumn, and Xu Lingyue was making autumn clothes for her beloved brother. She used the brocade that the Yuanjing Emperor had given her.

Xu Lingyue's needlework was outstanding. The robes she made were more beautiful and exquisite than those bought in the shops outside.

Li Miaozhen brought the female ghost Susu to help. Of course, Tenzō Shōnin didn't know how to do needlework, but when Susu was alive, she was a proper lady from a respectable family.

Zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, as well as needlework, were all necessary skills.

All these years, Li Miaozhen's clothes, even her bellyband, were made by Susu and her female ghost subordinates.

Xu Lingyue glanced at her sister, who climbed up to the table to get pastries. While embroidering, she said softly,

"Lingyin, do you want to have a sister-in-law?"

"What's a sister-in-law?" Xu Lingyin started eating again.

"A sister-in-law is my second brother's wife. She'll be in charge of the family's money in the future." Xu Lingyue said softly.

Xu Lingyin replied with an "oh". She hadn't reached the age where she understood the importance of economic power. On the contrary, Susu sneered.

"Miss Lingyue, what are you talking about? Can your second brother's salary support the Xu Family's expenses? Your mother buys expensive flowers and plants, and it costs more than ten taels of silver. Who earned the money? "

Xu Lingyue pursed her lips and smiled, "It's my eldest brother's money."

The Xu Family made a fortune three times. The first time was when Xu Qi'an saved Lin 'an, and the Yuanjing Emperor rewarded him with money. The second time was when he was conferred the title of nobility, and there was also a large amount of money and farmland.

During the two times she made a fortune, Xu Lingyue bought a lot of shops, selling beautiful things, silk and satin, miscellaneous goods, and so on. The shops were managed by her aunt in name, but in fact, Xu Lingyue was in charge.

The third time they made a fortune was when they received a share of the profits from the chicken essence workshop at the beginning of the year. This was an unimaginably large sum of money, and it directly gave the Xu family a mountain of gold.

If it weren't for so much money, the Xu and of a thrifty family, the Xu Xu would wouldn wouldn wouldn 'spend.

Of course, on the surface, the Xu family's assets did not include the money that Xu Qi 'an had hidden in the shard of the Earthly Book.

. Official silver, gold ingots, and Cao Guogong's treasures were enough to pile up a small treasure mountain.

Susu snorted and said, "So, even if the money is to be managed in the future, it should be managed by Xu Ningyan's wife."

Xu Lingyue's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and she said with a smile, "Miss Susu, who do you think is the best match for my eldest brother?"

Susu skillfully avoided Xu Lingyue's question and muttered,

"How do I know? Your eldest brother is dissolute and lustful. He is willing to spend eight thousand taels to redeem himself for the Top Beauty of the Musical House …"

Xu Lingyue's words hit Xu Lingyue's sore spot.

Xu Lingyue suspected that Susu and her eldest brother had an affair. Her intuition was really sharp … Susu was not bad either. She stabbed Xu Lingyue's heart with eight thousand taels … Tenzō Shōnin sat aside, leisurely eating cakes and watching the show.

Xu Lingyin ate the pastries in her sister's room for a while. She didn't understand what the adults were saying and felt bored, so she ran out with a ruler to cut cloth. She waved the ruler in the yard as if she was a swordswoman in Jianghu.

Xu Lingyin played all the way to the gate of the Xu Family's house. Seeing the middle gate, which was usually closed, was open, Xu Lingyin threw away the ruler, climbed the high threshold, opened her arms, and balanced on it.

"Sister Lingyin, go back, go back, there will be guests coming."

The gatekeeper waved his hand.

Xu Lingyin stood on the threshold, trying to keep balance, tilted her head and asked, "Is it my second brother's wife?"

"…" The gatekeeper was speechless and waved his hand again.

Xu Lingyin tilted her head and fell from the high threshold. She patted her butt and ran away happily.

… …

On the other side, Simu Wang's luxurious carriage slowly stopped at the gate of the Xu Family.

A servant girl took out a stool from under the carriage and welcomed the young miss down.

Simu Wang looked at the gate of the Xu Family and nodded slightly. Although it couldn't compare to the imperial mansion of the Wang Family, to be able to buy such a large mansion in the bustling area of the inner city, the Xu Family was still very rich.

Having been in charge of the Wang Family's finances for many years, Simu Wang only needed a glance to estimate that this mansion was worth at least seven thousand taels.

The gatekeeper, Old Zhang, knew that the guests had arrived and hurriedly went forward to welcome them, leading Simu Wang and her personal servant girl into the house.

Simu Wang took a deep breath, adjusted her mentality, and stepped over the threshold …

Suddenly, Simu Wang stepped on something. Looking down, she saw that it was a ruler.

A ruler symbolized rules. The mistress of the Xu Family had left a ruler at the gate, so it was clearly prepared for me. She wanted to set rules for me … Simu Wang's expression changed slightly.

She thought that the mistress of the Xu Family had a domineering temper and was not easy to get along with.

The servant girl saw that she had stopped and asked, "Miss, what is it?"

"Nothing," Simu Wang's tone was calm as she said, "The ruler fell here. Pick it up and give it back to them."

It might not be a warning, but it could be that the mistress of the Xu Family is testing me. My father is the Grand Secretary. If I married Erlang, it would be a marriage of lower status. She was afraid that I was a domineering and unruly person, so she threw a ruler to test me.

If I really was an unruly and unruly daughter, I would definitely be angry, but I am clearly not so shallow …

She didn't plan on fighting with the mistress of the Xu Family today. Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will always be victorious. Today, she came to spy for information.

She had to first understand the methods and temperament of the mistress of the Xu Family before she could decide how to get along in the future. It seemed that the mistress was thinking the same as her, testing her.

As expected, she was an expert.

As Old Zhang led the guests inside, he had the servants of the house go inform Miss Lingyue.

When Simu Wang passed through the outer yard and entered the inner yard, she coincidentally saw Xu Lingyue greet her with a smile.

The younger sister of the Xu Family wore a lotus colored long dress and had her hair combed into a simple and elegant bun. Her oval face was elegant and refined, and her facial features were very three-dimensional. However, she had a softness that made men dote on her.

"Older sister of the Wang Family, after the poetry meet, I didn't have time to invite you to the house. Today, I finally got what I wanted. "Xu Lingyue's smile was clear and sweet.

"Speaking of which, I caused younger sister to fall into the water at the poetry meet. Older sister has always felt bad." Simu Wang's smile was dignified and gentle.

The two women held each other's hands like sisters who loved each other and had deep feelings for each other.

Entering the inner hall, Simu Wang finally saw the legendary mistress of the Xu Family. She sat on the main seat with a smile and looked at her kindly.

She was so stunning. She had a sharp oval face and exquisite facial features. At first glance, she didn't look like Xu Lingyue's mother at all, but more like an older sister.

With regards to the beauty of the mistress of the Xu Family, Simu Wang was both surprised and not surprised. She only had to look at Xu Lingyue, who was beside her, and Xu Erlang, who was in love with her, to guess that this mistress was peerless.

She was surprised that this mistress took care of herself so well. She didn't look like a mother of three at all.

"Mistress Xu!"

Simu Wang bowed.

"Miss Wang, don't be so polite. Please sit."

The aunt had a reserved smile on her face and indicated for Simu Wang to sit.

Of course, she couldn't be too enthusiastic. After all, this was her future daughter-in-law, so she still had to have the airs of a mother-in-law.

After Simu Wang sat, she looked at her personal servant and smiled warmly. "When I entered the house just now, I saw a ruler at the door, so I had the servant pick it up."

After the servant put the ruler on the table, the aunt was stunned.

"Hey, Lingyue, this is your ruler, right? Why did you throw it at the door?"

Xu Lingyue looked at it. It was indeed her ruler. She exclaimed, "It must have been Lingyin who threw it there. Just now, she took my ruler and played with it."

What a powerful method, it actually made me speechless … Simu Wang forced a smile. She couldn't say anything bad about a child.

Following that, Simu Wang had the retainers bring up gifts. Because they were going to eat here, they brought some expensive pastries and some jewelry for the aunt and Lingyue.

These weren't ordinary jewelry. They were the work of the craftsmen who specialized in making jewelry for the concubines in the imperial harem.

Of course, Simu Wang wouldn't deliberately point out the identity of the craftsman. That would be too low, and it would only make her seem like a superficial girl who liked to show off.

She only said that the jewelry was made by the craftsmen in the imperial harem. What this meant was clear to the daughters and wives of wealthy families.

"Miss Wang is thoughtful."

When the aunt received the jewelry, she was quite happy.

When the di daughter of the Wang family saw this, she understood that her little trick wasn't enough to surprise the mistress.

… …

Outside the hall, Xu Lingyin found her brother sitting on a bench in the corridor, listening to something. She ran over eagerly, "Big pot, what are you doing?"

"Big brother is watching a show … No, listening to a show." Xu Qi 'an patted her head.

"I want to listen too." Xu Lingyin waved her arms.

Xu Qi 'an carried his sister and put her on his lap.

Xu Lingyin also pretended to listen attentively.

Miss Wang's fighting strength was just this? Oh, since she didn't marry into the family, it's understandable to be polite and reserved, but isn't this too amiable …

Based on my understanding of Miss Wang, she should be a very opinionated and strong person. It's impossible that she didn't test aunt's level …

Why hasn't she made a move yet, I'm waiting for her to choke aunt …

… …

Inside the hall, Simu Wang chatted with the mistress of the Xu family and Xu Lingyue without any flaws.

After a period of probing, Simu Wang was shocked to find that this mistress of the Xu family wasn't as unfathomable as she had imagined.

Simu Wang was an expert in fighting inside the house, she had a keen sense of smell for her own kind, but she didn't find any characteristics of her own kind with the mistress of the Xu family.

Her personality was more straightforward, and she turned a blind eye to her probing, as if she didn't know how to scheme and scheme. Moreover, it seemed that because of her identity as the daughter of the Grand Secretary, she was especially polite to her, as if she was afraid that she didn't treat her well.

For example, when talking about rouge and cosmetics, she immediately lost the airs of an elder and chattered endlessly, like a little girl.

She even complained that she couldn't understand the accounts of the shops outside, and could only let Xu Lingyue help manage it, revealing her own shortcomings.

No matter how she looked at it, she didn't look like a woman with superior means.

Simu Wang was deeply confused.

After that, her aunt suggested that Xu Lingyue take Simu Wang around the house.

Because she couldn't figure out the depths of the mistress of the Xu family, Simu Wang also wanted to go out and relax, change her mentality, and wait for an opportunity to fight again.

The Xu family wasn't as large as the Wang family's, but it was still a large courtyard with three entrances. The inner and outer courtyards were equipped with gardens and ponds, and her aunt was a flower lover.

There were many precious flowers and trees planted in the flowerbeds.

As the daughter of a top family, Simu Wang knew that only families with real wealth would have the leisure and financial resources to cultivate precious flowers and plants.

Thus, she had a higher opinion of the Xu family's financial resources.

In the courtyard, the little bean was practicing boxing while Lina sat on a stone chair, gnawing on a pork shoulder while instructing her disciple.

"That's my sister Lingyin," Xu Lingyue introduced with a smile.

She had only heard Erlang mention her, but he didn't seem willing to introduce this child … Simu Wang nodded slightly and said, "Sister Lingyin practices martial arts?"

"Yes," Xu Lingyue sighed, "Second brother is the only scholar in the family, but he's too busy with school and has no time to teach her. When I send her to school, she gets bullied. Mother can't do anything about it, so she just let her practice martial arts. "

Miss Wang frowned. This wasn't good. Women still had to be educated. The more educated they were, the better they would be able to marry into a good family in the future.

She thought for a moment and said, "If you don't mind, I can help teach Sister Lingyin."

Xu Lingyue smiled sweetly, "Thank you, sister Si Mu."

Simu Wang smiled lightly. If she could become Xu Lingyin's first teacher, she would definitely gain some respect from the Xu family and show off her talent.

Xu Lingyue continued, "In this family, mother's biggest headache is Lingyin. I can't do anything about her."

Xu Lingyin was the mistress of the Xu family's weakness … Simu Wang quickly extracted the core elements.

Since the mistress of the Xu family is unfathomable, I'll understand the enemy from the Xu family.

At this time, she heard Lina scolding her disciple, "You're so stupid. You can't even learn a few fist techniques. When can you lift the stone table?"

Lift the stone table? Such a young child wants to lift the stone table?

Then, she saw Lina 'pinching' the stone table with two fingers, effortlessly and casually.

"…"

Simu Wang forced a smile, "That girl is …"

"Oh, she's called Lina. She's a girl from the southern border's Gu tribe. She's temporarily living in the residence and teaching Lingyin martial arts. "Xu Lingyue said.

"She's a strict teacher with real ability." Simu Wang said.

The two turned the corner of the corridor and saw Xu Qi'an and Zhong Li sitting on the eaves. They were basking in the sun and talking.

Simu Wang's heart moved. She probed, "I heard that Xu Yinluo's parents died early. In order to raise him up, Madam Xu must have racked her brains and put in a lot of effort."

"That's right."

Xu Lingyue sighed lightly and said, "When I was young, my father insisted that my eldest brother learn martial arts. My mother didn't agree and wanted him to study like second brother. Because of this, my father and mother fought for many years. "

Amazing! Simu Wang exclaimed in her heart.

The whole of Daibun knew that Xu Ningyan was a scholar. Even her father, Wang Zhenwen, had sighed with emotion, "If only this child was a scholar."

But because the second uncle of the Xu family wanted Xu Qi'an to learn martial arts, it was a waste of a talented scholar.

Unexpectedly, the mistress of the Xu family had a discerning eye for talent many years ago.

Xu Lingyue continued, "When I was young, my eldest brother and mother didn't get along. They quarreled from time to time. In a fit of anger, he moved out of the residence and lived in the neighboring courtyard for five years. It wasn't until they moved to the inner city that the family continued to live together. "

What?!

Even Xu Qi'an couldn't beat the mistress of the Xu family?

Even the unruly Xu Yinluo, who blocked the Meridian Gate and scolded the Dukes at the entrance of the market, was forced by the mistress of the Xu family to move out of the Xu family when he was young …

Only then did Wang Simu realize that everything before had been a facade. The so-called frankness, the so-called not good at fighting, everything just now had been deliberately shown to her by the matriarch of the Xu family.

Simu Wang's breathing suddenly quickened. Her face was unprecedentedly serious.