The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 27

Chapter 027 Visitors From Pingcheng
After Xiao Xiwei knew that Xiao Xiyang was going back to the capital, Xiao Xiwei looked forward to it day and night. Unexpectedly, before Xiao Xiyang returned, her aunt, Xiao Min, who had married into Ping City, came to visit.

By the time she arrived at the Tranquil Garden, there were already many people sitting in the room.

In the middle of the couch sat an old granny dressed in a dark red robe with happy patterns on her lifespan. Beside her sat Xiao Min, who was married to Ping Cheng and was dressed in a dark purple silk robe. Beside Xiao Min sat an unfamiliar beauty. She wore a goose-yellow waistband skirt, and her jet black hair was tied in a bun. There was a pale yellow bead on it, which made her look clean and gentle.

“Grandmother.” Xiao Xiwei walked over to the matriarch and blessed himself.

“Xiwei is here.” Since she knew that Xiao Xi Yang was coming back, the matriarch had been quite close to Xiao Xi Le. Seeing her coming, she hurriedly waved her hand and said, “Come, quickly meet your aunt.”

Xiao Xiwei walked over to Xiao Min and blessed her. He smiled and called out, “Auntie.”

Speaking of which, Xiao Min wasn’t born to the Matriarch. Her biological mother said that she had a competitive temperament. When she was young, she gave the old lady a lot of trouble. Unfortunately, she got sick and left when Xiao Min was two years old. A person died like a lamp was extinguished. The matriarch thought that the child was innocent, so she took it from Xiao Min and nursed it to her knees.

“What a good child. When I got married, you were only a tiny bit older. In the blink of an eye, you became a big girl.” Xiao Min smiled and took out an emerald bracelet from her sleeve and stuffed it into Xiao Xiwei’s hand. “Come, this is a token of aunt’s gratitude.”

“Auntie, this” Xiao Xiwei was a little embarrassed as she subconsciously looked at the old lady.

“Since your aunt wants to give it to you, then you can accept it!” The matriarch said.

Xiao Xiwei accepted the bracelet and blessed Xiao Minfu. “Wei’er thanks aunt.” With that, she turned her gaze to the beauty beside Xiao Min and said, “Auntie, this is …”

“Oh, this is my husband’s sister, Shu Mei.” Xiao Min hurriedly introduced Xiao Xiwei.

Zhou Shumei hurriedly stood up and blessed Xiao Xiwei, “Second Miss.”

Xiao Xi slightly pursed her lips and smiled, “Quickly, farewell. According to my seniority, I should call you aunt.”

She finally remembered who Zhou Shumei was. She was the younger sister of Xiao Minfu’s family. She had been a big family in Pingcheng since she was young. Unfortunately, that big family was seriously ill. Seeing that she couldn’t make it, she wanted to welcome Zhou Shumei into the house to celebrate. The Zhou Clan was naturally unwilling, but Xiao Min had thought of a way to borrow the Matriarch’s longevity to bring her to Marquis Mansion, wanting to avoid this marriage.

In her previous life, she was ignorant and did not have any impression of Zhou Shumei. She only vaguely remembered that Madam Li seemed to be extremely displeased with her and was forcibly sent back to Pingcheng by Madam Li not long after she lived there. She remembered that her father, Xiao Yan, had a big quarrel with Madam Li because of this. At that time, she felt that it was inexplicable, but now that she thought about it, the reason behind it was somewhat intriguing.

Without saying a few words, Xiao Xile led the girl over.

“Grandmother, I heard that aunt is here.” Xiao Xile said as he bowed to the matriarch.

The matriarch nodded in agreement.

Only then did Xiao Xile turn around and greet Xiao Min. Xiao Min also gave her a bracelet.

“Le’er, why didn’t you see your mother?” Xiao Min said.

Xiao Xile’s face stiffened, not knowing how to answer.

“Oh, mother is not feeling well these days, so grandmother let her rest.” Xiao Xiwei answered with a smile.

Xiao Min nodded. Her eyes turned and a gentle smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

“Auntie, you have to stay in the capital for a while after coming to the capital with great difficulty. I have already ordered this servant to tidy up the Tingyu Pavilion. If Auntie is dissatisfied with anything, just let this servant look for me.” Xiao Xiwei looked at Xiao Min and smiled.

Why was she taking care of all this? Recalling the embarrassment on Xiao Xile’s face and Xiao Xi’s calm expression when she asked Li shi, Xiao Min’s eyes flashed with surprise.

“Alright, then I’ll have to trouble Wei’er.” Xiao Min quickly concealed the surprise in her eyes and gave Xiao Xi a gentle smile.

In the evening, the woman sent by Xiao Min to inquire quietly returned to the Rain Listening Pavilion.

“How is it?”

“Indeed, as Madam expected, the current Marquis Manor is under the care of Second Miss. As for Uncle and Madam … she has already been grounded by the Old Grand Lord.”

Xiao Min frowned.

She had grown up with Madam Li, so she knew what Madam Li was up to! But now, not only had she been robbed of her butler’s rights, she had also been grounded. It could be seen that Xiao Xiwei’s methods were not simple!

“Do you know why?” Xiao Min said.

The woman shook her head. “The people in Marquis Mansion are very taboo about this matter. They won’t say anything. However, they did say something else …”

“Oh, what is it?”

“They said that Second Miss was scratched on her forehead by a cat not long ago. It seems that her injury is not light.”

“Is that so?”

Xiao Min raised her eyebrows. No wonder she had left behind a thick bangs in the Tranquil Garden today, presumably to cover up her scars.

“Madam, it is said that the wild cat was raised by the fourth young miss who just returned to the manor. At that time, my uncle was furious and said that he wanted to drag the fourth young miss out and beat her heavily. But strangely, the second young miss stopped my uncle and pleaded for the fourth young miss.”

“How could that be? Did you hear wrongly?” Zhou Shumei, who was standing at the side, felt that this was unbelievable.

One had to know that the most important thing for a woman was her appearance! If it was her, even if she killed the fourth young miss, she would not be able to calm herself down enough! How could he plead for her? Moreover, just now, I heard from that woman that this Second Miss was clearly a powerful person, so how could she let that Fourth Miss go so easily and coincidentally? Unless, this fourth young miss is being used …

“Sister-in-law, is this killing two birds with one stone?” Zhou Shumei turned to look at Xiao Min.

Xiao Min smiled. “She thought it was quite beautiful. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fooled!”

“In that case, this Second Young Miss is truly extraordinary! Which woman has hurt her appearance, and she can think of this in her fury and grief!” Zhou Shumei praised.

The corners of Xiao Min’s lips curled up as she looked at Zhou Shumei, her eyes flashing with an undetectable glint.

The next day, Xiao Min took Zhou Shumei to Xiao Xiwei’s Shadow Pavilion.

Xiao Xiwei sat on the chair while drinking tea and listening to the housekeeper’s report. Seeing that Xiao Min was here, he waved his hand and told the housekeeper to leave.

“Xiwei, is aunt disturbing you?” Xiao Min smiled.

“How could that be? It’s just a trivial matter.” Xiao Xi smiled and stood up, “Aunt, sit down quickly. Zi Yan, don’t make tea yet.”

Xiao Min smiled and said, “I shouldn’t have disturbed you. I just heard the girls say that your needles and threads are excellent. Coincidentally, my Shu Mei also likes needles and threads, but her hands are clumsy. She likes them but she can’t embroider them well. I thought that if Xiwei is free, I would give her some pointers!”

“Why are you interrupting me? It’s boring for me to be alone in my room.” Xiao Xi smiled and then turned his gaze to Zhou Shumei. “Speaking of which, I have never been to Ping City before? I heard that Ping City’s scenery is the best for raising people. Today, I believe this after meeting my aunt.”

Zhou Shumei was a little embarrassed by Xiao Xiwei’s words, but she was extremely happy in her heart. She thought to herself that the second young miss had such a sweet mouth.

“Oh right, why did aunt come to the capital?” Xiao Xi said with a smile.

The smile on Zhou Shumei’s face stiffened.

Xiao Min was thinking about how to bring up this topic, I didn’t expect Xiao Xiwei to suddenly ask, At this moment, she hurriedly followed her words and said, “Xiwei, actually aunt won’t hide anything from you. My Shu Mei is a bitter one …” She told Xiao Xiwei about how Zhou Shumei had been forced to marry by a large family. Finally, he sighed heavily and said, “I also have no choice. I can’t just watch helplessly as this good girl gets married and becomes widowed. That’s why I brought her to Marquis Mansion to avoid this marriage. Secondly, I also want to find a marriage in the capital for her.”

“Sister-in-law” Zhou Shumei tugged at Xiao Min’s sleeve, a trace of embarrassment flashing across her face.

“Then, did aunt mention this matter to grandmother?” Xiao Xiwei said.

Xiao Min’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. “I also mentioned this matter to Matriarch, but Mother didn’t say anything.” After Xiao Min finished speaking, she paused and looked at Xiao Xiwei, “Wei’er, what do you mean by this old lady?”

Xiao Xiwei covered the corner of his lips and coughed softly, “If I say something wrong, please don’t blame me, aunt.”

“Just say it.” Xiao Min hurriedly said.

‘”Auntie, I don’t blame grandmother for not helping me. After all, Auntie Shu Mei is engaged. What the nobles in the capital care about the most is the background and innocence of the woman. Once they discuss marriage, they can’t hide it. However, if they find an ordinary family … I’m afraid they will have wronged Auntie Shu Mei again.” Xiao Xiwei looked at Xiao Min and pursed his lips.

Zhou Shumei’s face turned pale. She twisted her handkerchief with both hands and lowered her head without snorting.

Although Xiao Xiwei’s words were not pleasant to hear, they were indeed the truth! No matter what, she was still engaged. Not to mention that the sick man was still alive, even if he died, he would still slander her reputation. Originally, he wanted to say that if he married the capital far away, then these rumors would not spread to the capital. But hearing Xiao Xiwei say this, could it be considered futile to believe all of this?

“This, this is good! No matter what, you can’t jump in even though you know that the Ni Clan is a fire pit!” Xiao Min was so anxious that she didn’t know what to do.

“Auntie, don’t be anxious. This matter won’t come in a hurry for a while. Stay in the manor and slowly think about it!” Xiao Xiwei said. Seeing that Zhou Shumei still had a gloomy expression, he changed the topic and said, “Has aunt seen father?”

Xiao Min’s eyes flashed with an inexplicable light. Then, she pulled the corner of her mouth and smiled, “Speaking of which, I’m not afraid that Xiwei will laugh at you. It’s been so long since I went into the manor to greet my brother.”

“Daddy has been busy with the affairs of the court recently. He has been resting in the study room in the front yard for the past two days. No wonder Auntie did not see Daddy. However, Daddy will be off tomorrow.” Xiao Xi said with a smile.

Xiao Min pursed her lips and smiled, “I see.”

After the three of them talked for a while, Xiao Min took Zhou Shumei away.

Xiao Xi looked at Xiao Min’s back and smiled faintly.