Shen Guqing nodded, "During these months, whenever I had some free time, I would go to the valley with the locals to play. Sometimes I’d get lucky and find small pieces of raw stones.
There are people in the village who can cut stones, but everyone knows it’s not openly discussed. So, I followed everyone to get the stones I picked cut by that person.
I was quite lucky; although they were small, quite a few were cut. I brought them all back this time."
Mrs. Du poked Shen Guqing’s forehead with a bit of reproach, "You say your courage is getting bigger, no wonder your master criticizes you, serves you right."
Shen Guqing pouted, "Master, Mistress, I was wrong, your criticisms are right, I won’t be reckless in the future."
Mrs. Du slapped her hand away, "Alright, let’s see if you learn your lesson from now on."
After speaking, she added, "The food is hot, go eat first."
Shen Guqing hugged her mistress, "I knew it, Mistress is the best."
At this remark, Mr. Du lightly coughed.
Shen Guqing quickly corrected herself, "Of course, Master is also the best."
Mr. Du was even more displeased, "You really know how to talk, but where did the ’also’ disappear to?"
Xinyan and the senior disciple couldn’t hold it anymore and burst into laughter.
Seeing her master about to speak again, Shen Guqing quickly pulled her mistress to the dining room.
After she finished eating, she returned to the living room, handed the purple gemstone to her mistress to keep, and then urged her master and senior disciple, "Master, Senior Brother, choose the ones you like quickly. The remaining two pieces are for the second senior brother and fourth junior brother."
Mr. Du didn’t hold back, selecting a piece of bloodstone, intending to have it engraved later.
The senior disciple also chose the piece he liked, which was just right to make four smaller Jade Pendants, one for each family member. He thanked his junior sister before putting it away.
Seeing that they had taken their pieces, she then said to Mr. Du, "Master, you can keep the ones for second senior brother and fourth junior brother. I’m afraid I’ll be busy for a while and won’t have time to come over soon."
Mr. Du nodded.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Mr. Du quickly signaled to his wife with his eyes, "Put these away."
Mrs. Du was swift, taking the items back to the bedroom.
Mr. Du then said to the senior disciple, "Go open the door, see who it is so late."
When he opened the door, he discovered it was He Jinxuan standing outside, "So late, why are you here?"
He Jinxuan called out following Xinyan, "Senior Brother, I came to pick up Yanyan."
The junior sister is so pretty, yet she found such an unimpressive partner. Ma Chengxi was a bit critical, but at least this guy is really attentive to her, "Come in."
When Xinyan saw who it was, her eyes lit up with excitement, "Why did you come here?"
He Jinxuan’s eyes were full of affection, "I came to pick you up."
Xinyan thought to herself, she hadn’t told him when she’d arrive at the Ministry of Commerce, so how did he find her: "Have a seat."
He Jinxuan first greeted Mr. Du and Mrs. Du before sitting down.
Seeing there was someone he didn’t recognize in the room, he quickly looked towards Xinyan.
Xinyan introduced, "Jinxuan, this is my third senior sister, Shen Guqing, who’s just back from medical support in Yunnan."
After speaking, she looked at Shen Guqing, "Senior Sister, this is my partner, He Jinxuan."
The two exchanged a few simple pleasantries and got to know each other slightly.
Mr. Du then asked, "Jinxuan, have you eaten?"
He Jinxuan quickly replied, "Mistress, I’ve eaten."
Seeing he had truly eaten, everyone resumed their conversation.
Shen Guqing then learned that He Jinxuan works at the city transportation company.
Her thoughts differed from her senior brother’s; this man had served in the military, exuding righteousness. While he wasn’t particularly handsome, he was reliable. Good looks in a man often lead to trouble.
Seeing the doting look in this man’s eyes when he gazed at the junior sister, she knew how much he liked her, and the junior sister had a good eye.
Xinyan initially hadn’t planned to stay overnight at her master’s place, thinking of how to explain this to her mistress later, but now she didn’t need an excuse.
After chatting for quite a while longer, Xinyan finally got up to say goodbye, as He Jinxuan had to return to the transportation company’s family quarters after taking her back.