The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 28

Chapter 028 Xiao Min Plotted
The next day, Xiao Xiwei went to the Tranquil Garden as usual to pay his respects to the Matriarch. It was time to find that Xiao Min and Zhou Shumei had already arrived.

Compared to the goose-yellow dress Zhou Shumei had worn when she first arrived, today she wore a long dress with golden butterflies and a pair of golden tassels on her head. Her long tassels hung by her ears, making her look bright and charming.

Seeing her come in, Xiao Min smiled and said, “I was just talking about you to mother, but coincidentally, you came.”

Seeing that Xiao Min treated Xiao Xiwei more kindly than she treated him, Xiao XiLe coldly snorted in displeasure and turned her face away as if she didn’t see him.

Xiao Xi smiled and sat to the side. He accompanied Old Lady Jun and Xiao Min for a few words. Soon, a girl came to report that Old Master had come.

Xiao Xiwei stood up and glanced at Xiao Min and Zhou Shumei without a trace. She only saw that Zhou Shu Mei’s face was a little nervous, and Xiao Min’s eyes flashed with a trace of light.

Xiao Xiwei pursed the corners of his lips.

As expected.

Because today was Hugh Mu, Xiao Yan wore a long robe embroidered with dark purple cloud patterns. As soon as he entered the room, he greeted the Matriarch.

“Big brother.” After Xiao Yan greeted him, Xiao Min couldn’t wait to shout.

Xiao Yan turned around. Seeing Xiao Min, a smile appeared on his face. He said indifferently, “Mm. You came back with great difficulty. Live longer!”

Xiao Yan did not like but did not hate this half-sister.

“Yes.” Xiao Min smiled and blessed her body. Then, she pulled Zhou Shumei to Xiao Yan’s side and said, “Shumei, this is my big brother.”

Zhou Shumei hurriedly blessed herself and lowered her head as she whispered, “Greetings, Lord Xiao.”

Xiao Yan was stunned. He didn’t expect that there was a delicate beauty in the room, so he couldn’t react for a moment.

“Father, Auntie Shu Mei is Auntie’s little aunt. This time, she came with Auntie to congratulate Grandmother on her birthday.” Xiao Xi introduced Xiao Yan with a smile.

“Oh.” Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze and answered casually. Then, he walked to the side of the Matriarch and sat down.

Seeing that Xiao Yan didn’t express anything, Xiao Min’s eyes couldn’t help but flash with a trace of disappointment. Zhou Shumei saw that Xiao Yan didn’t see her, and the tension on her face faded slightly.

The corner of Xiao Xiwei’s lips curled up.

It seemed that Xiao Min would have to expend more effort to push Zhou Shumei to her father. However, she didn’t know if Zhou Shumei was willing to do this on her own, or if her aunt was wishful thinking? Unexpectedly, if Zhou Shumei wanted to enter Marquis Mansion, she could only be a concubine! Speaking of which, the Zhou Clan’s disciples weren’t that low. If it wasn’t for this incident, it wouldn’t have been difficult for Zhou Shumei to marry a rich family as her first wife.

It was rare for Xiao Yan to take a rest, so the matriarch left everyone to have breakfast together.

After using it, the servant brought some fruits and fruits for dessert.

Xiao Min’s eyes lit up as she smiled. “Speaking of which, I haven’t eaten the dessert in the capital for many years. Today, when I see this dessert, I feel a little greedy. Don’t laugh at me!” As she spoke, she picked up a snack and took a bite.

Xiao Xiwei smiled and then said, “Looking at aunt’s appearance, I didn’t know that Ping Cheng didn’t have any snacks to sell. Uncle is hungry for you.”

Hearing Xiao Xiwei’s teasing words, Xiao Min not only wasn’t angry, but laughed instead, “Wei’er, you guessed wrongly. Although our Pingcheng dim sum isn’t as exquisite as the capital, it has a different taste! Furthermore, my Shu Mei is the best at making dim sum!”

“Really? Aunt Shu Mei can make snacks?” Xiao Xiwei looked at Zhou Shumei in surprise.

Not only was Xiao Xiwei surprised, even Xiao Yan’s gaze towards Zhou Shumei was filled with curiosity.

The Zhou Clan had a reputation in Ping City. How could the dignified young miss of the Zhou Clan be good at making snacks?

Xiao Min smiled, “Because my mother-in-law’s stomach used to be bad, Shu Mei thought of a way to make some stomach-nourishing pastries with yam, and she became familiar with it.”

“Sister-in-law, stop talking.” Zhou Shumei’s face flushed red as she pulled at Xiao Min’s sleeve embarrassedly.

“Aunt Shu Mei is really filial.” Xiao Xiwei smiled and then changed the topic, “I’m not afraid of auntie laughing. Actually, I’m also a greedy person.”

“That’s not easy. I’ll ask your aunt Shu Mei to make some for you later!” Xiao Min smiled.

“How dare you …” Xiao Xiwei said embarrassedly.

“Why are you being so courteous as a family?” Xiao Min laughed loudly. Finally, she turned to look at Old Madam Jun and Xiao Yan and said, “Mother, big brother, do you want to try it too?”

The matriarch couldn’t help but nod in disdain for Xiao Min.

When Xiao Min and Zhou Shumei left the Tranquil Garden, Zhou Shumei immediately pulled down her face and angrily shook off Xiao Min’s hand as soon as they returned to the Rain Listening Pavilion.

No matter what, she was still the young miss of the Zhou Clan. Normally, it was filial duty to cook snacks for her mother at home, but Xiao Min suddenly asked her to cook them for Xiao Xiwei and the others. It was inevitable that people felt that she was deliberately trying to please Marquis Mansion.

“Shu Mei, I’m doing this for your own good.” Xiao Min swept her eyes and the girl in the room tactfully retreated. “Shu Mei, you heard what Xiwei said yesterday. Do you really plan to marry a small family?”

“What do you mean?” Zhou Shumei knitted her eyebrows and looked at Xiao Min suspiciously.

“Shu Mei, I originally wanted to bring you to the capital to borrow Marquis Mansion’s voice to avoid the Ni family’s forced marriage, and secondly, I also want to help you choose a good family in the capital, but yesterday Xiwei’s words made me pour a basin of cold water. “She’s right. Paper can’t wrap fire. Even if you end up marrying a good family, if this matter is exposed, have you ever thought about what will happen?”

“If it really doesn’t work then we can just wait for that sick seedling to die before we go back!”

“Shu Mei, don’t let sister-in-law pour cold water on you. The matter of the Ni Clan forcing a marriage has already been stirred up. Even if you return to Ping City, who else would dare to hire you?”

Zhou Shumei’s chest was stuffed, and she looked at Xiao Min speechless for a moment.

Seeing that Zhou Shumei didn’t say anything, Xiao Min felt a hint of joy in her heart. She probed and said, “Shumei, have you seen my big brother today?”

Zhou Shumei’s pupils shrank as she suddenly raised her eyes to look at Xiao Min.

What did she mean!

“Shu Mei, rather than marrying into a humble family and receiving words from others, why don’t you …”

“Sister-in-law!” Before Xiao Min could finish her sentence, Zhou Shumei interrupted her harshly, “What do you think I am!” With that, she waved her long sleeve and rushed out of the room.

She really didn’t expect Xiao Min to have such an idea! Now, after thinking about it carefully, she had sworn in front of her mother and brother that she would find a good family in the capital. Perhaps it was all a lie! Perhaps she had made up her mind early in the morning to let her be a concubine in Marquis Mansion!

After being angry for a long time, Zhou Shumei gradually calmed down. At this time, she involuntarily recalled Xiao Min’s words.

Even though she had returned to Ping City now, she could not change the matter of her reputation being damaged. Could it be that she really wanted to find a small family to marry in Ping City? In terms of background, appearance, and talent, she was not inferior in any way. If she were to marry into a humble family, she would really be a little unwilling! At this moment, Xiao Yan’s shuttle-horned face suddenly appeared in her mind.

To be fair, Xiao Yan had a handsome appearance and a high official position. In the future, he would continue to be a loyal and valiant noble. He was truly a rare son-in-law. Unfortunately, he already had a wife! Thinking of this, Zhou Shumei couldn’t help but feel a little distracted! She raised her eyes and looked around. She saw pavilions, rockery, and strange stones everywhere. She thought about the wealth and dignity she had seen in Marquis Mansion these past few days, and couldn’t help but hesitate.

After thinking for a long time, she finally returned to the Rain Hearing Pavilion and nodded to Xiao Min.

Seeing that Zhou Shumei had figured it out, Xiao Min was overjoyed and hurriedly asked Zhou Shumei to make desserts.

In the evening, a girl named Yun Cai beside Xiao Min delivered the pastry to Xiao Xiwei’s Sparse Shadow Pavilion.

Xiao Xiwei opened the food box and saw that the plate of cakes inside was like chrysanthemums. He reached out to pick a piece and put it into his mouth. The taste was sweet, but it wasn’t greasy at all.

It seemed that Xiao Min wasn’t exaggerating at all. Zhou Shumei really made a good snack.

“Miss.” Zi Yan pushed open the door and walked in from outside.

Xiao Xiwei raised his eyes.

“As Miss expected, Miss Zhou personally brought the snacks to Master’s study.”

Xiao Xiwei’s lips curved into a faint smile.

In the next few days, Zhou Shumei would personally deliver the snacks to Xiao Yan’s room.

Xiao Yan was not an idiot, and he could tell what was happening after a while. He wasn’t very feminine, but recently he had an affair with Madam Li, and Third Concubine’s temperament had become more and more arrogant because of his favor. For a moment, he felt that there wasn’t anyone around him who knew the cold and the warm. At this moment, a beautiful woman showed him goodwill with embarrassment and timidity. Xiao Yan couldn’t help but feel that it was very useful.

After a few more days, Xiao Min personally came to check on Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was naturally happy to accept a concubine of a decent and gentle background. However, he was worried that the Matriarch might not be able to say anything.

Xiao Min saw Xiao Yan’s worries and turned her gaze to Xiao Xiwei.

“What? Daddy wants Auntie Shu Mei to be his concubine? Auntie, does grandmother know about this?” Xiao Xiwei looked at Xiao Min in astonishment.

Xiao Min looked at Xiao Xiwei with hope in her eyes, “Wei’er, aunt didn’t treat you as an outsider, so I won’t hide this from you. No matter what, Shu Mei escaped from her marriage and is now living in the Marquis Manor. I’m afraid that Old Lady Jun will be unhappy if I bring this up.”

“So, Auntie wants me to open this mouth for Father and Auntie Shu Mei?”

As expected, Xiao Xiwei did not disappoint Xiao Min.

“Xiwei, we all know the Old Lady’s temperament. She loves you the most now, so she would rather listen to your words.” Xiao Min said gently.

“Since father and aunt Shu Mei are in love, then Xiwei is naturally willing to be beautiful.” Xiao Xi replied with a smile.

I wonder what kind of expression Madam Li, who was grounded in Hua Jin Garden, will have when he hears this news?

Things are getting more and more interesting!