Chapter 350 – I’ll Be Good to You from Now On

Chapter 350 - I'll Be Good to You from Now On

Many in the capital knew of the close ties between the Duke’s Residence and the Xie family, though they were unaware of the specifics. Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai, along with their three children, made a grand visit to the Xie Residence, prompting many influential figures in the capital to speculate whether there would be a collaboration between the Duke’s Residence and the Xie family.

What kind of collaboration?

Given the current relationship between Xiao Huai and the Emperor, the answer was self-evident.

Upon hearing that Xiao Huai had taken his whole family to the Xie’s, the Emperor smashed several teacups in the Imperial Study. But that was all he could smash.

Meanwhile, the family arrived at the Xie Residence. As they alighted from the carriage, they were greeted by a man in his twenties or thirties waiting at the gate. The man, clad in a crescent-patterned robe, was fair with a refined elegance—an unparalleled gentleman.

"That is Xie Liu," Xiao Huai whispered to Tang Shuyi.

Tang Shuyi had an epiphany, "No wonder he was bound by the Princess of Rouli. He certainly has the capital for it."

Xiao Huai couldn't help but smile, then he lifted the carriage curtain to alight and assisted Tang Shuyi in stepping down. Xie Liu approached and greeted them respectfully, "Brother Xiao, Sister-in-Law."

Tang Shuyi was momentarily taken aback by his address, realizing the relationship between Xiao Huai and this Xie Liu was indeed extraordinarily close!

Both Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai returned the gesture, followed by the three siblings who also came forward to pay their respects. Xie Liu smiled, bidding them to dispense with formalities, and presented each with a gift of welcome.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone entered the residence together. The ancient family’s estate, centuries old, carried an air of rustic charm and deep heritage, with the servants orderly and well-managed. Reaching a fork in the path, the group split up; Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu went to the rear courtyard, while Xiao Huai followed Xie Liu to the front courtyard with Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming.

Led by a housekeeper, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu arrived at the courtyard of Madam Xie the elder, where they found her and Madam Xie the younger waiting at the entrance. After another round of pleasantries, they went inside. Once seated, the Xie family daughters came forward to greet Tang Shuyi, who then presented them with the gifts she had prepared.

When it came to the second Miss Xie, Xi Hua, her gift was particularly significant. Tang Shuyi placed a flawless white jade bracelet on Xi Hua's wrist and then took a delicately crafted small box from Cui Yun, saying, "I had some head ornaments made for Yuzhu recently, and I had a set made for you as well."

Xi Hua accepted it with a smile, "You shouldn’t have gone to such expense."

Tang Shuyi held her hand with a laugh, "I took a liking to you the very first time we met."

Xi Hua's face flushed with shyness as the second Madam Xie then said, "This girl has often been clamoring to visit your Yuzhu."

"When the weather warms, I'll go riding with Xie Sister," said Xiao Yuzhu.

Xi Hua sat down beside her, "I’m not good at riding, you’ll have to teach me."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded and whispered, "My elder brother taught me how to ride, and he’s a very good teacher."

Xi Hua's face turned redder, and everyone understood the implication of Tang Shuyi's earlier gesture.

After chatting for a while longer, Madam Xie suggested the young ladies go out to play, leaving the adults to converse. Xi Hua took Xiao Yuzhu to play in the Xie family’s garden, where they happened upon several of the Xie family’s young masters, and Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming joined them.

The two groups met and decided to play together. Everyone was aware of the impending marriage alliance between the Duke’s Residence and the Xie family, so they deliberately created an opportunity for Xiao Yuming and Xi Hua to speak privately.

At this moment, Xiao Yuming and Xi Hua stood facing each other beside a rockery. Both were young, one unconstrained by trivialities and the other skilled in pretense, yet both were shy due to their tender age.

Xiao Yuming looked down, kicking pebbles on the ground with the tip of his shoe, at a loss for words. Xi Hua stood there with dignified poise, sneaking glances at him with her eyes. She had seen the unrestrained vigor of Xiao Yuming on horseback and had heard of his fearless reputation, but she had never expected to see him in such a bashful state.

"Pfft."

Unable to hold back, Xi Hua burst into laughter. Xiao Yuming looked up at her and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Xie Xihua composed her features, once again the very picture of a well-bred young lady, "I just remembered something rather amusing."

Xiao Yuming was aware she had just laughed at him, but he didn't dwell on it. The atmosphere between them had become much more harmonious.

Xiao Yuming produced the gift he had prepared, offering it to Xie Xihua, "This is for you, to use for self-defense when necessary."

Xie Xihua: "..."

Such an unexpected gift!

Nonetheless, she accepted the dagger, "Thank you, Second Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Yuming waved a hand dismissively, "No need."

At that moment, Xie Xihua presented a delicate box to Xiao Yuming, "This is my gift to you, Second Young Master."

Xiao Yuming felt the weighty box in his hands. It must have been made from fine sandalwood, as he could detect the subtle fragrance. Just the box itself was quite valuable.

Suddenly feeling that his own gift might have been too casual, he cradled the box in one hand and lifted the lid with the other, revealing an ancient-looking dagger with a jade-embellished hilt and a sheath decorated with intricate patterns. He was taken with it at first sight.

He drew the dagger from its sheath, the blade gleaming coldly. He couldn't help but reach out to touch it.

"Be careful, Second Young Master," Xie Xihua cautioned quickly, "The dagger is very sharp."

Xiao Yuming withdrew his hand, feeling a flush of embarrassment. Xie Xihua's gift was clearly well-considered, whereas his own seemed rather thoughtless.

After a moment's thought, he unpinned the jade ornament from his belt and pressed it into her hand, stammering, "I... I wasn't sure what you would like, so... whatever you desire, I'll find it for you."

Xie Xihua regarded the jade ornament in her hand and then looked at Xiao Yuming, who appeared somewhat flustered. She wanted to laugh but held it back. After pondering, she asked, "I hear you are an excellent horseman, Second Young Master?"

Xiao Yuming nodded, and Xie Xihua continued, "Would you then teach me how to ride?"

Xiao Yuming agreed eagerly and then added, "That's too simple. Ask for something more."

Unable to contain herself any longer, Xie Xihua burst into laughter again, while Xiao Yuming, realizing he might have said something foolish, scratched his head in embarrassment.

"There will be plenty of days ahead for you to discover what gifts I prefer," Xie Xihua remarked, her smile as radiant and sweet as a begonia blooming on a branch.

Xiao Yuming's heart raced as he blurted out without thinking, "I... I'll treat you well in the future."

Xie Xihua hadn't expected such an admission, and her cheeks flushed with color.

"You two, come over and join us." The young master Xie felt it was about time to wrap up their conversation, so he called out to them from a short distance away.

With her heart pounding, Xie Xihua bowed deeply and then hurried away, while Xiao Yuming held a dagger in his hand with a silly grin.

………