Chapter 67: Xiuer’s Big Misunderstanding – Everyone Comforts Her

On the carriage ride back, the two remained silent. After parting with Xu Nian, Wang Pingting did not return home but instead went to the Shen residence.

Shen Yan did not seem surprised to see Wang Pingting return.

“Pingting, why are you here again? Has Sister Xu gone home?”

Wang Pingting did not speak but simply stared at Shen Yan. After about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, she finally asked, “Do you dislike Nian’er?”

Shen Yan withdrew her smile and did not answer.

“What did Nian’er do to offend you so much that you’ve come to hate her?”

“Sister Wang, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t hate her.”

“Fine, Shen Yan. I hope I truly am mistaken. You’d better not do anything to make me regret saving you.”

With that, Wang Pingting strode away. Shen Yan let out a bitter laugh. “How nice… I don’t even have to do anything, and someone will stand up for her.”

After speaking, she picked up the orchid that had originally been placed in the vase by her bedside and threw it to the floor.

Xu Nian returned home and put the matter out of her mind. She had many things to do because, ever since the spring planting of the new grain, she had discovered that the land in her space had expanded several times over. She planned to plant more fruit trees and had also asked her uncle to buy many medicinal herb seeds to experiment with their growth.

Xiuer, seeing that her mistress had kept her door shut and had not come out all afternoon, grew worried. After struggling with her thoughts, she decided to go to Shouzhuyuan.

Madam Wang was sitting on the couch, admiring an embroidered handkerchief made by Xu Ling. She praised it to Aunt Zhang, saying, “That’s why one must have a good teacher. Look at how well Xiao Wu has learned from her two instructors in such a short time. Her embroidery is already quite presentable.”

“The old madam is right,” Aunt Zhang agreed. “But I believe our Second Miss also has natural talent. That’s why she learns so quickly and so well.”

Xu Ling, blushing at the praise, said shyly, “If we’re talking about talent, Big Sister is the most impressive. She learns everything so easily. Even the qin master can’t stop praising her,”—of course, except for her chess skills, which often gave the qin master a headache.

Madam Wang and Aunt Zhang both nodded in agreement. It was the first time they had seen such an intelligent young girl.

Just then, a little maid came in to deliver a message: Xiuer, the servant of the eldest miss, had come to speak with the old madam.

Madam Wang assumed that her eldest granddaughter had sent something again and sighed to Aunt Zhang, “That big girl is the most filial. Instead of enjoying herself outside, she’s always thinking about this old woman.”

Xiuer entered and explained her concerns. Madam Wang, upon hearing that her eldest granddaughter had locked herself in her room all afternoon, became anxious.

“Dongmei, come with me to check on the big girl. Xiuer, tell me everything that happened today in detail.”

On the way, Xiuer recounted everything that had happened at the Shen residence, including the conversations between the young ladies.

Madam Wang quickened her pace. “Let’s hurry. The big girl must be heartbroken.”

Following behind, Xu Ling forgot about propriety and ran along as well.

Xu Nian emerged from her space and called for Xiuer several times, but there was no response. She decided to freshen up first. However, just as she finished washing her face and had not yet wiped it dry, she was startled by the sudden entrance of Madam Wang and the others.

Madam Wang hurried over, looking Xu Nian up and down, her heart aching as she said, “Big girl, are you feeling wronged? Even if you’re upset, you shouldn’t torment yourself like this. Is there anything you can’t tell your grandmother?”

Xu Nian was still holding the handkerchief she had planned to use to wipe her face, a head full of confusion.

Seeing the anxious faces before her, she asked in bewilderment, “I’m fine, really.”

Madam Wang coaxed her as if she were a child, “Alright, alright, if you say you’re fine, then you’re fine. Come, Grandma will take you out for something delicious.”

Madam Wang briskly dragged Xu Nian away. Aunt Zhang quickly went to inform the Lady of the house to prepare a carriage.

Tian Shi found it strange that her mother-in-law, who usually disliked going out, suddenly wanted to leave, so she followed Aunt Zhang to see what was happening.

Before Tian Shi could even ask, Madam Wang began scolding her in a rapid-fire manner.

“I don’t know what kind of mother you are, not even realizing when your own child is feeling wronged. My poor big girl hid in her room and cried all afternoon…”

Xu Nian, who had no idea she had supposedly been crying all afternoon: “…”

Tian Shi looked at her daughter in surprise. Seeing her daughter wave her hands and shake her head, she knew there must be more to the story. Accepting the scolding without complaint, she then sent them off on their way.

On the way, Xu Nian finally pieced together what had happened—it was all a huge misunderstanding caused by Xiuer.

As she took the sugar-coated hawthorn stick handed to her by Madam Wang, her heart swelled with emotion. She took a bite, the sweet and sour taste stinging her eyes, making them unknowingly redden.

Seeing Xu Nian like this, Madam Wang became even more convinced that her eldest granddaughter was truly heartbroken. She spared no expense, buying anything she thought a young girl would like—clothes, accessories, and food. If not for Aunt Zhang and Xiuer being unable to carry more, Madam Wang would have kept shopping.

Even that wasn’t enough—Madam Wang later took them to a restaurant to eat the famous grilled lamb ribs.

On the way back, Xu Nian didn’t let everyone take the carriage but chose to walk instead.

Since no one wanted to waste food, they had all eaten quite a lot, especially Xu Ling, who had snacked throughout the entire outing. Xu Nian was worried they might suffer from indigestion.

Only after escorting Madam Wang back to Shousong Courtyard did Xu Nian return to her own Qingteng Courtyard, where she found her mother already waiting in the room.

Seeing the large chest on the floor, Xu Nian teased, “Did Mother also bring me a comfort gift? What treasures are in there?”

“Your mother doesn’t have that kind of generosity. This was sent by the commandery prince’s people in the evening.”

“Luo Jin’an?”

Tian Shi shot her daughter a glare. “How many times have I told you? You must respect hierarchy. How can you call the commandery prince by name? Have the servants put the gifts away properly. Now, tell me what happened today.”

Xu Nian skipped over the events at the Shen residence and only mentioned Xiuer’s misunderstanding.

Tian Shi chuckled. “Next time, make sure to explain things clearly to Xiuer so no one else has to worry unnecessarily.”

However, Tian Shi was pleased that her daughter’s maid was so dedicated and rewarded Xiuer with two hundred wen.

After sending her mother off, Xu Nian turned to see Xiuer still holding the purse, grinning foolishly. She tapped the silly girl’s head with amusement.

“Haven’t I given you enough good things before? Why are you this happy over just two hundred wen?”

Xiuer carefully put away the purse, beaming. “It’s different.”

But she didn’t explain what exactly was different.

Xu Nian and Xiuer then began sorting through the items in the chest and found that they were very similar to what Madam Wang had bought that day, except Luo Jin’an’s gifts were more expensive. Otherwise, there wasn’t much difference.

She even found a sugar-coated hawthorn stick wrapped in oil paper. The sugar coating had slightly melted, leaving her hands sticky with syrup.

As she ate the hawthorn, Xu Nian was puzzled by Luo Jin’an’s recent actions. Was he interested in her, or was it unintentional? Did they have a romantic connection or not?

Even after finishing the last hawthorn, Xu Nian still couldn’t figure it out.

What she didn’t realize was that deep down, she feared and felt lost when it came to emotions, always trying to use fate’s missions as an excuse to convince herself otherwise.