“Thirdly, Second Aunt cares deeply for Pear Sister. Pear Sister also said Xie Da doesn’t seem like a good person. As long as she refuses, Second Aunt will definitely eliminate the Xie family from consideration.”
Ming Zhouqing recalled Qiao Jingchuan’s appearance and raised his eyebrows. “Qiao Jingchuan isn’t even better-looking than me.”
“That’s exactly why Pear Sister finds it difficult to accept. Second Aunt thought that since he’s at least the nephew from her and Pear Sister’s maternal grandmother’s side, it would be considered taking care of family, making Pear Sister feel more comfortable when returning to her maternal grandparents’ home.” Ming Yuelin spoke while curling his lips. “Who knew some people would be so insatiably greedy.”
“Speaking of which, Third Sister has been at the Farmstead for over ten days now. I wonder if she’s come to her senses yet.”
“Who knows about her? We’ll find out when the time comes.” Ming Zhouqing couldn’t be bothered with Ming Yueshu and asked curiously, “Why doesn’t Li Biao Mei want to marry into a higher status family?”
Most people advocate women marrying up and men marrying down.
“Why do you think? Don’t you notice how restrained Pear Sister is in the mansion? When she first arrived, she deliberately hid her talents. Only after seeing how kind we all were did she gradually reveal her abilities.” Ming Yuelin lowered his gaze.
“Even now, if I didn’t drag her along and we didn’t go to Second Aunt’s courtyard, she would never wander around the mansion, preferring to stay in her own courtyard and entertain herself.”
Then he looked back at Ming Zhouqing. “Two years ago, Grandmother’s grandniece also came to stay with us. Every day she would approach Mother and you, giving this and that – her intentions were so obvious, wanting to marry you.”
Ming Zhouqing coughed, remembering that boundary-crossing girl, and suddenly found Shi Jianli much more likable.
“Later Grandmother sternly sent her back, saying she didn’t know proper etiquette.”
Ming Yuelin understood that even though all the brothers in the mansion were outstanding in appearance and demeanor, Pear Sister wouldn’t give them special attention because of marriage prospects. She knew what she wanted.
She wanted stability, comfort, and freedom.
“Never mind, why am I telling you all this? You wouldn’t understand anyway.” Ming Yuelin waved his hand. “I’m tired too, going back to sleep.”
“What do you mean I don’t understand? I understand quite well.” Ming Zhouqing muttered while watching his retreating back.
“Heir, Second Young Master.” A maid from Ming Hua Yuan came forward and bowed, then said to Ming Zhaohuan: “Heir, Madam requests your presence.”
“Alright.” Ming Zhaohuan collected himself and walked toward Ming Hua Yuan, asking Ming Zhouqing: “Second Brother, would you like to come to Mother’s courtyard with me?”
“I won’t go. I’m tired too.” Dealing with other young masters involves too many complications.
When Ming Zhaohuan entered the courtyard, he saw Yuan Yuhe flipping through a booklet. “Mother.”
Yuan Yuhe nodded. “Sit. You left early today and probably don’t know yet that the Yang family came to break off the engagement.”
She placed the booklet on the table. “This is the betrothal gift list.”
“They came this morning?”
“Yes. Now that the engagement is broken, if there’s any girl who catches your eye, you can let me make inquiries.”
Ming Zhaohuan accepted the tea handed by a maid. Originally intending to shake his head, a figure drawing a bow with cold elegance flashed through his mind, making his heart skip a beat.
After taking a sip of tea to suppress the sudden thought, Ming Zhaohuan smiled and shook his head. “No. Mother, there’s no hurry. Wait half a year or a year before seeking a new marriage arrangement for me. If we immediately start looking for a new match right after the Yang family broke off the engagement, it would inevitably invite criticism.”
“Alright, as you wish.” Yuan Yuhe nodded. “Your aunt and her family will arrive tomorrow. Do you have time to greet them?”
“In the morning?”
“According to the letter, they should arrive in the afternoon.”
“I have time. I’ll go with Second Brother.”
“Alright, you’ve always been reliable. I’ll leave this matter to you.” Yuan Yuhe looked him over. “You’ve been out nearly all day. Are you tired?”
“Mother, I’ve been to war. How could I be tired from just going out to play?” Ming Zhaohuan chuckled.
“That’s true, but you should still take a nap. Go back and rest for half an hour, then come join your father and me for dinner. I won’t send anyone to fetch you later.”
“Very well, I’ll take my leave then.” Ming Zhaohuan rose and departed.
…
The next day, Shi Jianli rose early and changed into riding attire. She brought Lanxing and Xianyue with her as she headed toward the mansion’s main gate, preparing to take a carriage to the Farmstead.
To reach the eastern main gate, they had to pass through the covered corridor outside the garden. Shi Jianli stood in the corridor with downcast eyes, waiting for Ming Yuesi.
The Duke’s residence didn’t require its young ladies to be expert equestrians, but they were expected to at least know how to drive a carriage, in case they needed to escape danger by driving themselves.
A branch of red apricot blossoms stretched through the window lattice, trembling as it held dewdrops from the spring rain. Shi Jianli reached out and gently poked one with her fingertip. The dewdrop rolled off, and the apricot blossom quivered upward again.
Footsteps approached. Shi Jianli turned to see Ming Zhaohuan in his official robes. She blinked, and the sleepiness in her eyes vanished completely, replaced by clear alertness.
She straightened her posture further and called out, “Heir.”
Ming Zhaohuan looked at her with a smile in his eyes. “You can call me Cousin.”
Shi Jianli’s eyes softened slightly. “Mm, alright.”
“Who are you waiting for?”
“Fourth Younger Sister.”
Ming Zhaohuan nodded, walked past her, and left the mansion.
Soon after, Ming Yuesi arrived. Shi Jianli went with her to the main gate to meet up with Ming Yuelin.
After greeting Ming Zhouhe and the others, the three young women boarded the carriage.
At the Farmstead, the equestrian instructor was giving a lecture and demonstration while the young masters and ladies listened.
Shi Jianli had already learned these skills but needed regular practice to maintain her proficiency. She also helped teach the younger girls.
Equestrian arts referred to the skills of driving carriages and horses, primarily consisting of Ming He Luan, Zhu Shui Qu, Guo Jun Biao, Wu Jiao Qu, and Zhu Qin Zuo.
Ming He Luan meant making the carriage bells ring in harmony without discord while driving.
Zhu Shui Qu involved crossing curved ditches without falling.
Guo Jun Biao required passing the Son of Heaven’s marker position with proper decorum.
Wu Jiao Qu meant driving smoothly through intersections.
Zhu Qin Zuo involved hunting from the carriage and capturing game by shooting from the left side.
When the instructor checked the students’ skills, it was Shi Jianli’s turn. She deftly took her position according to the rules and smoothly completed the routine, earning an approving look from the instructor who then asked her to teach the younger girls.
Shi Jianli took one young girl aside to observe and explained the key points to her. The girl listened attentively but then asked, “Cousin Pear, I haven’t seen Third Elder Sister for a long time. Do you know where she went?”
The girl asking was the Sixth Young Lady of the mansion, one of her uncle’s concubine-born daughters, nine years old this year.
“She made a mistake and was sent by your father to reflect on herself. She’ll return to the mansion soon,” Shi Jianli replied softly, her tone neither cold nor warm.
“What mistake did she make?”
“You can ask your Second Elder Sister or Fourth Elder Sister. It’s not my place to say more.”
“Oh.”
After bringing the girl back to the instructor, Shi Jianli went to stand at the edge, quietly watching the noisy twelve- and thirteen-year-olds learning to drive carriages.
Ming Yuelin came over and whispered, “Pear Sister, I heard Third Younger Sister was sent to this very Farmstead, though she’s in the Dian Tian fields on the other side.”
Shi Jianli nodded and murmured, “Mm.”
Ming Yueshu would naturally be escorted back when the time came for her return; there was no need for her visit. If she went to see her, she might be perceived as someone there to mock her.
Recalling something, Ming Yuelin said cheerfully with a smile, “Yesterday, I heard from my mother that my cousins will arrive today. My eldest and second brothers went outside the city to fetch them this afternoon. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to play with my cousins.”