Chapter 14 Attending a feast with Xie Jing

 Chapter 14 Attending a feast with Xie Jing

"Today, Shen Tanhua came to visit, saying that it was a misunderstanding that day. He spoke sincerely and expressed his desire to marry you and make it up to you."

Jiang Xubai schemed in his heart, planning to marry Jiang Youning to Shen Tanhua and then have Yanran marry into the General's residence to get the best of both worlds.

Jiang Youning blinked her beautiful almond eyes twice, "Father, I am already engaged to General Xie. Besides, I no longer have feelings for Shen Tanhua, and I will not marry him."

Jiang Xubai was momentarily stunned by her words. He hadn't expected the usually naive Jiang Youning to be so clever now. She had chosen General Xie and no longer had any interest in Shen Tanhua?

"Everyone knew about your previous feelings for Shen Tanhua. He misunderstood you and hurt your feelings. I understand you're upset, but don't rush to reject him. Take your time to reconsider."

Jiang Youning said, "There's no need to think about it; I won't marry Shen Tanhua."

"Have you become too headstrong to listen to your father? I'm doing this for your own good. Your temperament doesn't suit General Xie. Marrying Shen Tanhua is the most suitable choice. Think it over again."

After speaking, Jiang Subai stood up and left, his mind already scheming on how to get General Xie to marry Yanran.

Chuntao, who had heard everything Jiang Xubai said just now, said indignantly, "Master knows Young Lady is engaged to General Xie, yet he wants Young Lady to agree to marry Shen Tanhua. Isn't this deceiving General Xie? Young Lady, please don't listen to Master's words."

Jiang Youning understood what Jiang Subai was thinking—he wanted her to marry Shen Tanhua, freeing up the position for Jiang Yanran to marry into the General's residence.

She patted Chuntao's shoulder, "Don't worry, your Young Lady isn't foolish."

She would rather marry Xie Jing than marry Shen Yan.

Xie Jing might be a bit strong and rough as a military man, but he has good character and is a responsible man.

Much stronger than Shen Tanhua, but it was a pity that he was inhumane and passed away at a young age~

Jiang Youning spent the whole day crafting a mudan peony velvet hairpin and carefully placing it inside a wooden box.

Chun Tao saw it and asked, "Young Lady, aren't you selling this beautiful mudan peony velvet hairpin?"

Jiang Yuning chuckled: "Oh, I will sell it, but the time is not right yet."

Chun Tao curiously asked, "When will it be sold? Such an exquisite mudan peony, it's bound to fetch a good price."

In the modern world, Jiang Youning may be a small salted fish, but she couldn't resist having a brother skilled in business. She has absorbed knowledge through her ears and been influenced by what she has seen, so she understands some of it.

"Didn't Miss Nan claim to have had a mudan peony velvet hairpin a couple of days ago? I'm the only one who can make these. Do you think she really has one?"

Chuntao thought for a moment, then widened her eyes, "Miss Nan is lying! She said that to save face, but she doesn't actually have one."

Jiang Youning hooked her finger at Chuntao, "Come here."

Chun Tao, curious, leaned over. After listening, she was extremely excited.

"Nubi understands now. Young Lady, you're truly clever."

Today, Chuntao disguised herself and went to the bustling street to sell the velvet flower hairpins. The target audience for these ordinary hairpins was the common people, and the location was the lively street corner.

After selling the ordinary velvet hairpin, she came back near the Nishang Pavilion.

Nan Mianmian had boasted about having mudan peony-patterned velvet flower hairpins, so these past few days, she has been searching for vendors selling velvet flowers.

She spotted the vendor selling velvet flower hairpins from afar and hurriedly walked towards him, waving her handkerchief excitedly.

"Hey, do you have velvet flower hairpins with mudan peony patterns?"

Chuntao saw Nan Mianmian and smiled, saying, "Miss, mudan peony patterns are more intricate and take longer to make. The price is also..."

Before he could finish speaking, Nan Mianmian interrupted, "Money is not an issue. As long as you can make it, I'll pay twenty taels of silver. If that's not enough, I can add more."

With the mudan peony velvet flower hairpin, she gained confidence to attend Du Huilan's birthday banquet. What does spending a little extra silver matter?

Chuntao was shocked to hear the offer of twenty taels of silver, almost rendered speechless.

Twenty taels!

"Miss, since you are willing to pay, I'm more than happy to work overtime to create the hairpin for you."

After hearing this, Nan Mianmian thought for a moment and said, "If you can make it within five days, I'll give you an additional five taels of silver."

Chuntao's eyes lit up at the mention of an additional five taels of silver. "Alright, I will work hard to make it."

Seeing that he agreed, Nan Mianmian felt a bit relieved. She just needed to wait for five days to get the peony-patterned velvet flower hairpin. (T.n. Chuntao disguised herself as a man)

Upon her return, Chuntao couldn't wait to tell Jiang Youning about the deal she had made.

Jiang Youning also felt excited upon hearing this, "Rich people are indeed different."

Chuntao nodded vigorously, agreeing completely.

Five days later, Chuntao went to the street with the mudan peony-patterned hairpin.

Just as she left, Xue Yi arrived right after.

"My master invites Miss Jiang to join him at Fujiang Restaurant for a feast."

Jiang Youning had previously spent a considerable amount at Fujiang Restaurant to treat herself. The food there was excellent, so she agreed without much thought.

"Okay."

Jiang Youning followed Xue Yi out of the gate, where a carriage was parked.

As she was about to board the carriage, she heard someone calling her.

"Ning'er jiejie."

Jiang Youning turned around and saw Jiang Yanran walking over with a smile on her face.

"Where are you going?"

Jiang Youning said: "Going to eat."

Seeing Xue Yi, Jiang Yanran immediately guessed that Jiang Yuning must be going to meet General Xie. She stepped forward, taking Jiang Youning's hand. "Ning'er jiejie, can you take me with you?"

Xue Yi smiled faintly, "My master only invited Miss Jiang to come, he didn't mention bringing an outsider."

Jiang Yanran stunned for a moment and said with a hint of reluctance, "I'm Ning'er jiejie's younger sister, so I shouldn't be considered an outsider, right?"

Jiang Yuning lowered her gaze to the hand on her arm and gently pulled it away.

Xue Yi still smiled and said: "My master only mentioned inviting Miss Jiang."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Jiang Yuning and said, "Miss Jiang, please board the carriage."

Jiang Yuning nodded, and the stable boy had already placed the mounting block. She lifted her skirt and stepped onto the mounting block, then into the carriage.

When she entered the carriage, she found that the interior was quite spacious, with a table inside. She sat by the window.

Xue Yi only entered the carriage after Jiang Youning had gone inside.

Jiang Yanran clenched the handkerchief in her hand, watching the carriage depart from her sight.

Jiang Youning is not as skilled as me in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and she is not as understanding as me.

What did Xie Jing see in Jiang Youning?

Jiang Xubai, coming home from his socializing, saw Jiang Yanran standing at the doorway and asked in confusion, "Yanran, what are you doing here?"

"Dad, I saw Ning'er jiejie going to meet General Xie, and I wanted to follow her, but Ning'er jiejie..." Jiang Yanran hesitated, her voice filled with frustration.

Jiang Xubai snorted coldly, "That Ning'er, it's fine to take you along, what's the harm?"

Fujiang Restaurant, crowded with people.

Jiang Youning followed Xue Yi and went upstairs to the private room on the second floor. Xue Yi pushed open the door, and she entered to find not only Xie Jing but another man inside.

The man was dressed in a blue brocade robe with golden trim, his ink-black hair held in place by a golden crown. His narrow eyes carried a faint, elusive smile.

He held a jade bone-folding fan, exuding an air of nobility that was impossible to ignore.

Jiang Youning withdrew her gaze and greeted, "General."

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