Chapter 109: A Talented Needlework Master

Upon arriving in the county, Xiang Xinyao planned to first visit the county office.

She had initially intended to wait until after the New Year to purchase the entire mountain, fearing that her available silver might not be enough for the transaction. However, now that she had several thousand taels in silver notes, it was better to act quickly. If she waited too long and someone discovered the hidden treasures in the mountain, she would regret it.

Xiang Xinyao spoke up, “Father, Mother, let’s stop at Fumanlou. You two can rest there, and I’ll go to the county office to handle the mountain purchase.”

Xiang Taifu nodded. “Alright, I’ll have your three older brothers accompany you. I’ll stay out of sight.”

When the carriage arrived at Fumanlou’s backyard, Xiang Xinyao jumped out.

The innkeeper had already noticed the three luxurious carriages and ran to the back to greet them.

Upon seeing Xiang Xinyao, the innkeeper shouted into the main hall, “Master, Miss Hu has arrived!”

Han Dongsheng, who had been chatting with the innkeeper at the counter, immediately ran to the back.

“Zhaodi, you’ve finally arrived! We’re running low on seasoning here.”

Xiang Xinyao smiled. “Brother Han, I’ve been too busy today, so I didn’t bring any seasoning. I’ll bring it next time.”

“By the way, let me introduce you. This is my biological father…”

Han Dongsheng stepped forward and warmly greeted Xiang Xinyao’s family before leading them upstairs to the private room.

Xiang Xinyao spoke again, “Brother Han, I’m no longer Hu Zhaodi. My name is Xiang Xinyao now. Please don’t call me that anymore.”

“I’ll remember. You’ve severed ties with the Hu family and should’ve changed your name long ago.”

“My parents will stay here and rest for a bit. I’m going to visit my little uncle. Please take good care of them for me.”

“No problem. Don’t you need me to go with you to the county office?”

Before Xiang Xinyao could answer, Mo Jinnan coldly spoke, “No need. I’ll accompany her.”

Han Dongsheng shrank back. The man was so cold! How could such a handsome man be Xiang Xinyao’s fiancé?

He suspected that this imposing figure would eventually end up abusing Xiang Xinyao. However, he dared not voice his thoughts. The aura around this man was too overwhelming, far stronger than his little uncle’s.

Mo Jinnan glanced at Xiang Xinyao, his eyes and tone softening. “Let’s go. We’ll head to the county office now.”

“I’ll go too,” Xiang Yanzuo said, getting up.

Xiang Yanlin started to rise, but Xiang Taifu grabbed him. “You stay here.”

Xiang Yanlin reluctantly sat back down.

Xiang Xinyao, along with her brothers Xiang Yanzuo, Xiang Yanchen, and Mo Jinnan, headed to the county office.

After some negotiation and signing of documents, Xiang Xinyao was about to take out the silver notes when Mo Jinnan handed them to her.

Xiang Xinyao froze for a moment. “What are you doing?”

Mo Jinnan smiled slightly. “Giving the silver. I like that mountain too. You’re buying land to build a house, and I’ll buy the mountain. That way, when we return, we’ll have a place to settle down, right?”

Xiang Xinyao was speechless. Those were her assets, and yet he had to get involved.

Well, since he was her fiancé now, it wasn’t a big deal.

If they ever broke the engagement, she could always give him the silver and reclaim ownership of the mountain.

As a prince, he shouldn’t be too greedy for such a small amount of property.

After purchasing the mountain, Xiang Xinyao returned to Fumanlou with the three men.

The carriage was still parked in the inn’s backyard. The family then started to walk around the town, shopping for various goods—bedding, vegetables, meat, fabrics, and more, piling up quite a lot.

Throughout the day, every time Xiang Xinyao attempted to pay, her brothers or Mo Jinnan beat her to it.

She didn’t spend a single coin.

After finishing the shopping, the family returned to Dawai Village.

At this time, Aunt Ji and Ji Chunhua were already busy cooking, while Ji Chunlan had gone back to her husband’s family.

Xiang Xinyao took out the vegetables and meat they bought and went straight into the kitchen to help.

Xiang Xinyu hesitated for only a moment before following her into the kitchen, eager to assist. However, since she had grown up in the Taifu mansion, she had never done the work of picking or washing vegetables.

So, she grabbed a small stool and sat opposite Xiang Xinyao, trying to learn how to prepare the vegetables, and she was very focused on the task.

Xiang Xinyao patiently taught her. Although they were living in comfort now, she would eventually establish her own family. It was good for Xiang Xinyu to learn these skills, even if she never needed to use them. It was better to be prepared.

After learning to pick and wash the vegetables, Xiang Xinyu’s face lit up with excitement.

When Xiang Xinyao began to stir-fry the dishes, Xiang Xinyu stood beside her, carefully observing how much salt to add, which seasonings to use, and how to control the heat. She kept everything in mind.

Once all the dishes were ready, Xiang Xinyu, along with Aunt Ji and Ji Chunhua, set the dishes on the table.

The dinner was even more sumptuous than lunch, and everyone ate with their eyes wide and their mouths full of delicious food.

As soon as the meal was finished, Xiang Xinyu pulled Xiang Xinyao into the bedroom.

“Sister, come quickly and try the clothes I made for you. If they don’t fit, I can adjust them.”

She then opened the two bundles she had brought with her.

Inside were all sorts of neatly folded dresses.

There were outfits for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, almost all in colors that young girls loved.

Xiang Xinyu opened one after another, and Xiang Xinyao’s eyes grew wider and wider with surprise.

“Sister, did you really make all of these dresses for me?”

“Of course. I’m a bit heavier than you, so these dresses won’t fit me at all. Go ahead and try them on.”

Saying that, Xiang Xinyu handed her a light green dress. “I think this one should fit well.”

Xiang Xinyao took the dress and carefully examined the craftsmanship and the embroidered patterns on it. The more she looked, the brighter her eyes became.

The work on this dress, both the stitching and the embroidery, was even more delicate than the dresses made by Ji Chunhua and her sister.

The design of the dress was also more modern. It was clear that Xiang Xinyu had her own unique ideas when it came to dress styles.

She was truly a genius at needlework!

Xiang Xinyao changed into the light green gown, and Xiang Xinyu’s eyes almost popped out in awe.

“Wow! You look so beautiful, sister! This one doesn’t need any changes; it fits perfectly. The color makes your skin look even better, and you’re stunning.”

“I think it fits perfectly too. I really like the color and the style. Sister, your needlework is amazing.”

Xiang Xinyu blushed a little from the compliment and pushed Xiang Xinyao out of the bedroom.

“Mother, look at how beautiful sister looks! The dress fits her perfectly.”

Everyone in the living room turned to look at Xiang Xinyao.

Xiang Xinyao twirled around and mischievously asked, “Mother, do I look good?”

Taifu’s wife smiled with joy, “You look beautiful, my daughter looks beautiful in anything. You’re like an immortal fairy.”

Mo Jinnan was stunned for three seconds, a flicker of joy passing through his eyes.

This girl had no makeup on, and her delicate features were so striking. She was a natural beauty, far surpassing the daughters of the officials in Bianjing.

Well, as expected of my fiancée.

Xiang Xinyu then dragged Xiang Xinyao back to the bedroom to try on the dresses. Except for the ones that were obviously too small, she had Xiang Xinyao try on every single one.

By the end, Xiang Xinyao felt numb, like a puppet, as she allowed her sister to change her into each dress.

But Xiang Xinyu was having the time of her life. In the end, she set aside the dresses that didn’t fit and prepared to make adjustments.