Duobao returned, and Xie Zhinuan asked him to pack up and prepare to go home.
Seeing her carefully protecting the cherries, Duobao guessed that she wanted to take them home earlier.
If there were extra people around, he could carry the cherries and use Qinggong to return home through the rain first, but since it was only Xie Zhinuan, he dared not leave her alone, even though Xie Zhinuan’s martial arts were many times stronger than his.
"Yes!"
Duobao responded.
He had just stepped outside when he saw a plump young woman accompanied by others walking toward him.
The people behind her were also carrying things.
Ning Ning glanced at Duobao, then looked towards the room.
She had seen Duobao before and thus recognized him immediately.
However, Duobao did not remember Ning Ning at all.
"Excuse me..." Ning Ning began tentatively, looking somewhat embarrassed, "Earlier, my younger sister was rude and caused offense. We hope the gentleman will forgive us; this is a small token of our intention, please..."
"No need, take your things back. Watch your own dogs, tie them up properly, and don’t let them bite people randomly!" Duobao said sternly.
Ning Ning’s expression darkened slightly.
She felt a bit annoyed in her heart.
Sun Yiyi, that fool, had a talent for causing trouble, and had offended the apple of the Prince’s eye.
Having a Guard Commander dispatched to ensure Xie Zhinuan’s protection and service indicated that she was greatly valued.
"This, I..."
"Get out, your presence here has disturbed my young lady’s rest!" Duobao said sternly.
"..."
Ning Ning struggled to maintain her smile.
She hastily replied with a "Yes!", turned around with her people, and as she was leaving, she glanced one more time towards the house, just as Xie Zhinuan opened the window.
She saw a beauty standing by the window, with gentle brows and a soft gaze looking back at her.
"..." After hesitating for a moment, Ning Ning gave a slight curtsey towards Xie Zhinuan and said a bit louder, "My younger sister has been rude and offended the young lady. The Ning Family hereby apologizes to you. Once we return home, I will ask my parent-in-law to strictly discipline her!"
Xie Zhinuan heard the words.
She guessed Ning Ning’s identity.
She gave a slight nod, which served as a response.
She had not expected Sun Yian’s wife to be such a person.
Not an exceptional beauty, but with an indescribable charm.
Ning Ning smiled and left.
Duobao went to arrange the carriage.
Although the carriage was covered with oil cloth, he was concerned about rain getting in, so he planned to inquire if there was more oil cloth available.
When Ning Ning returned to the room, Sun Yiyi immediately stood up, "Sister-in-law..."
Ning Ning glanced at her indifferently and gently patted her face, saying, "Think carefully about how you will explain yourself to father upon our return, how the trouble you’ve caused affronted someone we can’t afford to offend!"
"..."
Sun Yiyi’s eyes widened in fear.
She had thought it was just a common folk or possibly a merchant’s family that she offended, never imagining that in Gaocheng County, there were people she couldn’t offend.
She wanted to grab Ning Ning’s hand, but Ning Ning ignored her, ordered people to pack up, and soon they would leave.
"Why must the young lady..." the housekeeper murmured softly.
Tears flickered briefly in Ning Ning’s eyes, "One’s honor brings honor to all, and one’s disgrace brings disgrace to all. When you pull up a radish, the soil comes with it. Once a radish is uprooted, the earth loosens, making it easier to uproot the radishes next to it or to till the land!"
"Old ma’am, I am a daughter of the Ning Family who married into the Sun Family..." Ning Ning took a deep breath.
She sighed, "Go and prepare, also give this peasant family some silver, and instruct the girl on what should be said and what should not be said!"
"..." The housekeeper hurriedly complied.
She wanted to say that things might not be so serious, but her young mistress was always clever and had an uncanny ability to predict outcomes.