Chapter 14: Yun Moyi’s Arrangement

“Miss, you didn’t see how ugly Lu Yian’s face was after you left!”

After walking a distance, Banxia finally couldn’t hold it in and started chattering to Bai Jinxi, sharing what she had just seen.

Ever since she found out what kind of person Lu Yian was, Banxia had rolled her eyes whenever she saw him.

Today, he dared to ask Miss out in person. She couldn’t help but speak up for Miss and firmly refuse him. Although it was a bit overstepping, it was truly satisfying!

“Banxia, pay attention to your address. You still need to call him Mister Lu outside.”

Bai Jinxi glanced at her and reminded her in a low voice. But her upturned lips betrayed her current mood—she was also very happy!

“Got it, Miss. Don’t worry, I’ll only call him that when there’s no one else around.”

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“Mother! You didn’t see how unpleasant Bai Jinxi’s attitude was. It’s truly annoying!”

Back in Xilinyuan, Lu Yian complained to Yun Moyi

“You said that I should get her. She won’t even talk to me now. How can I get her?!”

He impatiently gulped down a cup of tea, then slammed the cup back on the table, making a clear clinking sound.

“It’s all your fault. You insisted on being aloof and said we could live in the same courtyard! Now look, she didn’t even consider giving us another courtyard!”

Lu Yian took out all the anger he had received from Bai Jinxi on his mother.

“What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?” Yun Moyi looked at her son with affection as he threw a tantrum. She didn’t get angry. She waited for him to finish before speaking slowly.

“What else?! You said that I should find ways to get closer to her. I invited her to go out for a walk today, and her maid directly slapped me in the face and said something about boys and girls shouldn’t sit together when they’re seven years old. She didn’t say anything! I think that girl doesn’t consider me her future husband at all!”

Lu Yian said angrily, remembering the scene. He angrily drank a few more sips of tea.

“Heh, it’s not a big deal. Why are you so angry, son? The little girl is shy and easily embarrassed. Naturally, she wouldn’t accept your invitation.” Yun Moyi took a sip of tea leisurely and continued.

“In a few days, it will be Qingming Festival. I’ll take her to sweep the graves of her parents and then we’ll go to Luoyun Temple outside the city to meet up and burn incense. Won’t that give us a chance to get familiar?”

“Then I’ll go with you to pay respects?” Thinking about seeing the little girl up close today, Lu Yian felt a little excited. Although she wasn’t very interesting, her face was truly beautiful. She would definitely be a beauty when she grew up!

“Hmph, they’re not worthy of my son going to pay respects?! You don’t need to go. You just need to do this…”

Yun Moyi had already planned everything. She spoke about the arrangements for that day, unhurriedly.

When they got to the key part, both mother and son had ambiguous smiles on their lips…

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“Sister Xi, tomorrow is Qingming Festival. Your uncle sent someone to inform you that the ancestral worship will be held in the Bai family ancestral hall at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Also, I’ve already had the mansion prepare paper money and incense. I’ll take you to pay respects to your parents. Remember to get up early and don’t be late.”

Yun Moyi, who hadn’t appeared for several days, came to Yuxiu Zhai early this morning. She showed just the right amount of concern and told Bai Jinxi about her arrangements in a gentle voice.

“Thank you, Aunt Yun, for remembering about my parents. I’ll definitely get up early tomorrow, have breakfast, and then go to Xilinyuan to find you.”

Bai Jinxi showed a grateful expression in a timely manner, her eyes slightly red as she nodded.

Early the next morning, Bai Jinxi dressed up, wearing a white cotton robe, signifying her status during the mourning period…

Zhang Ze had informed Sun Po in the kitchen last night that all the breakfast in the mansion should be vegetarian.

Granny Sun, who was now in charge of the kitchen, was the same woman who had spoken up for the deceased Lady Bai. After Mother Li was kicked out, Bai Jinxi had appointed her to take over.

She had always kept this favor in mind. Now that the young mistress had given her an order, she naturally wouldn’t refuse.

“Mother! What’s for breakfast today?! There’s not a single bit of meat. How can we eat this?!”

Lu Yian complained loudly as he fiercely stabbed the vegetarian bun in front of him with his chopsticks.

“Quiet! Be careful not to let that little brat hear you. I didn’t expect her to have the kitchen prepare vegetarian food. If you don’t like it, then don’t eat it. We’ll go out later, and you can eat whatever you like at Qiao’s Restaurant.”

Yun Moyi frowned, reluctantly ate a vegetarian bun and drank some millet porridge. Feeling a bit full, she had Qingdai take it away.

Now, there were two senior maids in Xilinyuan: Qingdai and Tiandong.

Qingdai, because she had served Lin Rong for a long time, was not trusted by Yun Moyi She only handled miscellaneous chores and rough work.

Tiandong, on the other hand, was bound to her by their shared interests, so Yun Moyi was more comfortable using her to do things that couldn’t be seen in the light. She was her personal maid.

After breakfast, Yun Moyi had the servants count the things prepared for the ancestral worship. Although she hated Bai’s husband and wife, she had to make sure that everything was done properly so that no one could find fault with her.

Qingdai, carrying the leftover food box, walked out of Xilinyuan and happened to meet Bai Jinxi coming towards her. She quickly bowed and said a few words before continuing towards the kitchen.

Bai Jinxi looked at Qingdai’s departing figure thoughtfully. After a moment, she stepped into the gate of Xilinyuan.

“Sister Xi would like to thank Aunt Yun and Brother An. It’s fortunate that you’re willing to accompany Sister Xi to pay respects to Father and Mother. Otherwise, Sister Xi…”

Bai Jinxi stopped talking, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at the two of them with gratitude. She bowed deeply.

?！！

Lu Yian was initially confused when he heard Bai Jinxi thank him. But when he heard the phrase “accompany you to pay respects,” he almost couldn’t contain his anger.

Who wants to go with you?!

“Ah, it’s like this, Sister Xi. Your Brother An has something to do today and can’t accompany us.”

Yun Moyi quickly replied before Lu Yian could speak.

Bai Jinxi was clearly taken aback. Disappointment flashed in her eyes. Her little face, which had been held high, instantly drooped. Her whole body radiated her sadness and heartbreak…

“Oh, okay… It’s alright… Brother An, if you have something more important to do, then go ahead. Sister Xi… It’s okay…”

She said it was okay, but tears had already welled up in her eyes, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

“Sister Xi just thought that Brother An will be Sister Xi’s… family in the future. I wanted to let Father and Mother see Brother An and also let them rest assured.”

Hearing Bai Jinxi say “family” and seeing her pitiful appearance, Lu Yian was a little shaken. Should he go? After all, the Bai family’s property was worth some effort.

He turned to Yun Moyia nd asked for her opinion with his eyes.

Yun Moyi was overjoyed when she heard Bai Jinxi’s words and heard her say that she wanted to introduce An’er to her parents.

Seeing that her son didn’t object, she immediately stepped forward, took Bai Jinxi’s hand, and patted it gently.

“Sister Xi, don’t be sad. We’ll go together today. Alas, your Brother An actually has some things to do at the academy, but you’re right. We’ll be a family in the future. An’er should also go and pay respects to his elders.”

“But…”

Seeing that Bai Jinxi hesitated to speak, as if she wanted to refuse, Yun Moyi quickly winked at Lu Yian.

“Yes, Sister Xi, I’m very willing to accompany you to pay respects to Uncle Bai and Auntie Bai. Brother An wasn’t thinking clearly just now. Please forgive Brother An, okay?”

Lu Yian quickly explained. He couldn’t miss this opportunity to get closer to Bai Jinxi.

“Okay!” Bai Jinxi nodded, her eyes red. But she was disgusted in her heart.

Anyone with eyes could see that they were insincere. In her previous life, she must have been blind to be tricked by them…