Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
It wasn’t a test; it was giving him a hard time. But presenting her own plan and hearing his proposal were two separate matters.
Qiao Xuan felt her heart fill with sweetness as she listened to him. She smiled brightly and replied, “Yes, dealing with this matter won’t be difficult at all. Third Sister-in-law, Taotao, Chunyu, and the other girls are skilled at making lipsticks. They can handle the entire task without any problem!”
Dealing with cassavas was much easier. They only needed to plant them, remove weeds during the harvest, and dry them in the sun before informing Yuezheng Xiao to have them collected.
In Zhang Village, Manager Dong and his page boys decided to stay there. Qiao Xuan trusted Ding Erzhu and his family to take care of the lands, tea leaves, and creeping figs.
Business and lands in the province were easier to manage. The Yuezheng
Family was providing assistance, so she didn’t need to worry about anything.
Qiao Xuan continued discussing her arrangements, which uplifted Shao Yunduan’s spirits. His wife had planned everything. She wanted to go to the capital with him. How wonderful!
“We can leave much earlier, well ahead of time. There’s no need to rush, so we won’t get tired.”
“Darling, do you get seasick? We can rent a large ship and travel by sea!”
Shao Liulang also paid a visit to Shao Yunduan upon hearing of his return.
He requested to borrow the study materials that Shao Yunduan used when he was preparing to become a Cultivated Talent.
Shao Yunduan had always kept the materials in good order and well-maintained.
Initially, he had planned to keep them as souvenirs, but if Shao Liulang wanted to borrow them, he was generous enough to share them. The only condition was that Shao Liulang took good care of them and returned them when he was finished.
Shao Liulang nodded and agreed, even expressing his gratitude before leaving.
Ms. Fang was taken aback by Shao Liulangs reaction. She had expected him to cause a fuss.
“Yunduan, what’s going on with Liulang? He’s acting so strangely!” she exclaimed.
Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but suppress her laughter.
Eldest Uncle wasn’t pleased with the comment. “What do you mean? Liulang has made a decision to study hard. What’s wrong with that? It’s a good thing,” he said, surprised and pleased by his nephew’s behavior.
Liulang was incredibly intelligent, and if he applied himself, he would surely succeed in the imperial examination as well. The Shao Family would have two Advanced Scholars and Recommended Men!
Ms. Fang rolled her eyes and had no interest in arguing with him.
She couldn’t shake off the feeling that Shao Liulangs behavior was unusual.
Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan exchanged a glance, sensing the same sentiment as Ms. Fang.
“It’s alright, Mom. I believe my cousin must have thought it through. If he wants to work hard, it’s a positive thing,” Shao Yunduan reassured her.
“Yes, you’re right. It’s good to have you here!”
“You’re just biased against him! How can you think that way?!”
“l have my reasons based on what he has said before! What’s wrong with being cautious?!”
“Let’s wait and see. The fox may grow gray but never good. We’ll see how long he can hold on.’
The couple engaged in a heated argument.
Well, they were free to argue if they wished. Shao Yunduan had no intention of intervening in his parents’ dispute. He held Qiao Xuan’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”
Qiao Xuan smiled and they returned to their own courtyard.
“Do you think your cousin is acting strangely?”