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After the dinner party, everyone returned to their respective rooms.
The Shen family members felt uncomfortable being served by servants, so they sent back the maids and servants sent by the Bai couple.
In the courtyard where they were staying, there was a separate small kitchen and a well. They had to boil water themselves for washing and other purposes at night.
Just moments after Shen Yu’an returned to her room, there was a knock on the door.
She walked over and opened the door, only to find Madam Bai standing outside.
As soon as the door opened, Madam Bai smiled and asked, “Miss Shen, are you comfortable with your accommodation?”
Shen Yu’an invited her in and replied, “The arrangements for the ladies are thoughtful, everything is good.”
“It’s late, is there something specific that brings you here, madam?”
Madam Bai took two steps inside and said, “Indeed, there is something. The steward has already informed me about what happened here this afternoon. It was our mistake, and I have already sold that maid. I just wanted to inquire if Miss Shen has received any surprises?”
Shen Yu’an understood immediately. So, it was because of that incident.
Madam Bai, as the mistress of the house, personally coming to inquire about the “victim” who had been “startled” showed her sincerity.
Shen Yu’an didn’t hold back and said directly, “It’s all fine now, no need to worry, madam.”
Madam Bai expressed her apologies and left, using the excuse of not wanting to disturb Shen Yu’an’s rest.
…
Early the next morning, everyone woke up early because they had agreed to go shopping in the capital today and then bid farewell to the Bai family tomorrow.
Bai Ji learned about the Shen family’s plan and initially wanted to persuade them to stay a while longer. However, the Shen family was determined, so he could only let Bai Mingxi accompany them on a trip to the capital.
The Bai couple, Bai Ji and Madam Bai, went together to handle some matters in their shop. Bai Mingzhi and Bai Mingjia, the two brothers, went to continue their classes at the school in the capital.
The remaining people, including Bai Wu, Bai Miaqing, and Shen Yu’an, were taken by Bai Mingxi to go shopping in the capital.
Bai Mingxi shyly glanced at Shen Yu’an, happily accepting this arrangement.
Before they left, Fei Yanchen glanced unhappily at Bai Mingxi and then called out to Shen Yu’an.
He lowered his head and whispered, “An’an, I have something to attend to. Have fun while you’re out.”
Shen Yu’an didn’t ask him what he was going to do and nodded, saying, “Alright, take care of yourself.”
The Shen family, dressed in their own clothes, followed Bai Mingxi out of the Bai residence.
Longxian Village was not too far from the capital, but it wasn’t particularly close either. When they returned to Longxian Village, if they needed to buy anything, it would be more convenient to do so in the nearby town.
Therefore, their main purpose of going out was to inquire about the local conditions and experience the local customs.
Everyone felt everything they saw was novel, especially the lively atmosphere on the streets, which surpassed anything they had experienced in the places they had lived before.
Xiao Zhang Shi was at an advanced stage of pregnancy, and they were concerned that she might stumble or bump into things if she came along. So they left her behind, accompanied by Shen Yun, at the Bai residence.
Sanglang, Silang, Wulang, Liulang, Hua Nan, and Hua Ling, the six of them, walked at the forefront, looking left and right in amazement.
Suddenly, a loud shout came, “Candied Hawthorn, oh! Sweet and round Candied Hawthorn!”
Sanglang, Liulang, and Hua Ling, who were walking at the front, immediately ran over to the vendor, asking for a string of Candied Hawthorn.
The vendor, seeing the three children followed by several adults and other children, happily picked three strings of Candied Hawthorn and handed them over.
Then, looking at Shen Rong and the others, the vendor said, “Guests, shall I prepare a string for each of the other children at home?”
Hua Ling took a bite of the Candied Hawthorn and said, “Mmm, it’s sour and sweet, delicious!”
Meanwhile, Liulang’s mouth was watering from the sourness.
The others were also tempted and each got a string of Candied Hawthorn. The vendor’s grass basket, which he carried on his back, was immediately half empty.
A string of Candied Hawthorn cost three cents, and Song Shi had prepared enough copper coins in advance to pay the vendor.
With everyone holding a string of Candied Hawthorn, they continued to stroll to other places.
Along the way, whenever they encountered snacks, they would buy some.
Fortunately, they had a large group, so even though Bai Mingxi didn’t bring any servants with her, they were able to handle everything.
Bai Mingxi was exceptionally enthusiastic and constantly offered to help them buy things.
The Shen family didn’t think much of it. They assumed Bai Mingxi was simply following the instructions of the Bai couple and didn’t consider anything else.
After wandering around, they not only bought plenty of food but didn’t purchase anything else.
When they arrived in front of a jewelry store, Bai Mingxi sneakily glanced at Shen Yu’an and noticed that she wasn’t wearing any accessories on her head.
It was too plain. The girls in the capital city wore gold and silver adornments.
He suddenly stopped in his tracks, and the others behind him also halted.
Shen Dalang spoke up, “Brother Mingxi, why have you stopped?”
Bai Mingxi felt uneasy. He couldn’t simply say that he wanted to go in and buy accessories for Shen Yu’an. No, they would surely think he was being frivolous.
As he turned his head, he happened to notice that Bai Miaqing, who was walking not far from him, also had no accessories on her head.
He cleared his throat and said, “Miaqing just returned, and I thought of getting her some jewelry.”
Then, he glanced back and extended an invitation, saying, “Why don’t you all come in with me and give me some suggestions?”
Bai Miaqing was surprised to hear Bai Mingxi say he wanted to buy jewelry for her.
It was only her second day here, and her great aunt had already prepared jewelry for her. Why did her eldest brother suddenly bring up this matter?
Just as she was puzzled and about to refuse, she noticed her eldest cousin’s gaze constantly shifting behind her.
Bai Miaqing followed his gaze and saw that he was looking at Shen Yu’an.
She couldn’t help but smile secretly. It seemed that her cousin had ulterior motives beyond just the jewelry.
Anyway, she had decided not to marry in this lifetime and would definitely stay in the Bai residence.
She also liked Yu’an very much, and if her eldest brother had feelings for Yu’an and married her, it would be a joyful event.
However, there was also Fei Yanchen, the Crown Prince of Wuding. It seemed that he also had some interest in Yu’an and had taken the lead.
Although he was in trouble now, who knows, someday he might regain his position as the esteemed Crown Prince and the future prince.
Her eldest brother’s situation was not optimistic.
However, if Fei Yanchen truly returned to the capital and reclaimed his identity, and if Yu’an followed him, wouldn’t she have to contend with a group of women and feel jealous all the time?
In just a moment, Bai Miaqing’s mind was filled with various thoughts.