The male guests were entertained by Mr. Zhou, while Tang Xiaobai followed her elder sister to greet Mrs. Xue in the inner hall.
Miss Tang, without hesitation, began to examine the gift list in front of Mrs. Xue.
As long as Miss Tang is not embarrassed, it's the Second Miss who will feel awkward.
"Please enjoy, madam." Tang Xiaobai offered a plate of pastries to Mrs. Xue, feeling the embarrassment of a child misbehaving in front of guests.
Mrs. Xue, maintaining her composure with grace, remained unfazed by Tang Jiaojiao's arrogance. Instead, she seemed slightly surprised by Tang Xiaobai's actions and nodded with a smile at her. "Thank you, Second Miss."
At this moment, a sudden "thud" interrupted the fragile harmony they had barely managed to build.
Tang Jiaojiao slammed the gift list on the table arrogantly and said, "Well, at least there's some sincerity—"
Tang Xiaobai was taken aback, and quietly leaned over to look at the list.
At once, she saw the "sincerity" Tang Jiaojiao was referring to—a set of Agate Cups boldly listed as the first item!
This…
No need to ask, do they want to extort something? Or is it that the Duke Yan Mansion's arrogance and luxury are already well known to everyone?
Tang Xiaobai couldn't help but shake her head.
No wonder no one offered help when the Duke Yan Mansion faced misfortune, sigh…
With this in mind, she became more eager to hold tightly onto Little Qin's backing!
Just then, a message was passed in from outside the door again—
"Miss, Xue Tenth Son requests to see the Second Miss, wishing to personally apologize for the offense caused by County Captain Xue!"
Why is someone looking for her again? Tang Xiaobai frowned, ready to refuse.
But she suddenly paused, her words stuck in her throat.
Wait! Xue Tenth Son?
She had just heard this title once, didn't take note, and now it hit her.
Xue Tenth Son? Isn't he that heavyweight male supporting character, Xue Shaojian—born of a noble family, ranking high in the imperial exam, talented and handsome, deeply in love with the female protagonist, and even had the fortune to be her fiancé?
Xue Shaojian is quite a prominent supporting character in the book, his role extremely appealing!
He is the only son of the eldest branch of the renowned Xue Family, bright and studious from a young age, not only talented but also graceful in demeanor. At eighteen, he ranked third in the imperial examination, personally noted by the Emperor.
When Xue Tanhua was riding gracefully around the city, he encountered the newly arrived female protagonist in the Capital City, and fell in love at first sight, becoming one of her many admirers. Later, he stood out among the admirers and got engaged to the female protagonist.
Though ultimately the female protagonist ended up with the male lead, Xue Shaojian held significant weight within the main group, and after the male lead ascended the throne, he was treated very well.
At this moment, this character, noted for his striking looks and deep ties with the female protagonist, looking sincere, said, "A gentleman knows what to do and what not to do—my brother definitely would not deceive a young girl. However, there was some misunderstanding due to his lax discipline. Our father has already reprimanded my brother and ordered me to accompany my aunt and brother to come and apologize in person!"
What could Tang Xiaobai say?
She naturally chose to forgive.
Although Xue Shaojian is County Captain Xue's cousin and holds no official position, his status in Tang Jiaojiao's eyes definitely surpasses that of County Captain Xue.
The same Tang Jiaojiao, who was showing arrogance to Mrs. Xue earlier, was now able to reason with Xue Shaojian, saying, "Since Xue Tenth Son vouched for it, we'll temporarily believe that County Captain Xue harbors no ill will towards the Duke Yan Mansion."
Reconciling with Xue Shaojian, Tang Xiaobai felt quite relieved, estimating that this meeting could end smoothly.
Just then—
"Has the origin of the assassin in black been uncovered?" Mr. Zhou's question pulled her heart back from drifting towards the West Wing.
Xue Shaojian's eyes flashed slightly, with a look that said "I know but I just won't tell," as he turned to look at County Captain Xue.
County Captain Xue was forthright, shaking his head: "We haven't found the origin yet, but we discovered bloodstains in Xuanyang Village's Jingyu Temple and on the walls in Northeast Village. From this, it's inferred the assassin probably came from the northeast, and as for escaping, likely towards the west or south."
Tang Jiaojiao furrowed her brow at these words: "West is Changxing Village, southwest is Yongle Village, and to the south is Yongning Village. Have those places been checked?"
County Captain Xue hesitated for a moment but still shook his head: "Others are manageable, but Changxing Village poses some difficulties."
At these words, everyone present showed meaningful expressions.
"What difficulties does Changxing Village have?" Tang Xiaobai couldn't help but ask.
As soon as she spoke, all eyes focused on her.
Tang Xiaobai felt her scalp tingle under their gaze.
What's going on? Isn't it normal for a child not to understand?
The room fell silent.
Xue Shaojian coughed lightly and stood up to bow: "Thanks to the hospitality of the two Misses and Mr. Zhou, we shall not impose further."
Mr. Zhou glanced at Tang Jiaojiao, saw her nod, and exchanged courteous words as he saw the Xue family out.
Tang Xiaobai, puzzled, asked, "Did I say something to drive them away?"
Tang Jiaojiao laughed at her: "We've sent the gifts and finished our conversation, are we to keep them for a meal?"
Is it like this?
Tang Xiaobai was half-convinced, half-doubtful, then asked, "Then what's the difficulty in Changxing Village?"
"How would I know?" Tang Jiaojiao replied straightforwardly.
Tang Xiaobai was baffled: "Didn't you just act like you knew well?"
"They all knew, could I afford to lose face?" Tang Jiaojiao said with self-righteousness.
Tang Xiaobai sighed and turned to ask Mr. Zhou, who had just returned from seeing off the guests.
As Mr. Zhou walked back in, he said slowly, "There are some places in Changxing Village where county officials can't enter."
Tang Xiaobai was surprised: "Is there something even more overbearing than our Duke Yan Mansion?" The Duke Yan Mansion allowed them inside.
Mr. Zhou paused, then laughed heartily.
"What are you saying!" Tang Jiaojiao, laughing and crying, patted her on the head, then raised her head with a thoughtful look, "What Mr. Zhou refers to is…"
"Zhenzhou Imperial Court." Mr. Zhou's gaze was pointedly meaningful.
Tang Jiaojiao nodded in realization.
"What is the Zhenzhou Imperial Court?" Tang Xiaobai wasn't sure if her sister was pretending to understand again, but she truly didn't know.
Mr. Zhou slowly said, "Zhenzhou Imperial Court is the Capital City residency for Zhenzhou's Military Government, managing dispatching of reports and receiving orders."
Tang Xiaobai roughly understood, the Imperial Court is like a local office in the Capital City.
Involving military and political affairs, no wonder everyone is so secretive about it.
"What's so special about the Zhenzhou Imperial Court?" Since she was already in the middle of it, Tang Xiaobai wanted to understand the situation more.
Mr. Zhou leisurely stroked his beard, and smiled: "That's a long story to tell—"
"Please take your time, sir!" Tang Xiaobai leaned back on the armrest, looking up with eyes full of expectation.
Mr. Zhou laughed heartily and said, "This matter can't be covered in just a few words. I have a few letters to reply to on my desk. If the Second Miss is really interested, why not come find me in the afternoon when I'm free?"
Tang Xiaobai pondered over it.
Is it Mr. Zhou's summarizing ability that's a bit lacking, or is he purposely dragging it out, not wanting to say?
...
"Mr. Zhou really loves to keep people in suspense! What's so hard to explain?" Back in the courtyard, Tang Jiaojiao showed her disapproval.
"Oh?" Tang Xiaobai, hearing there might be more, encouraged her sister to continue with her eyes.