Chapter 59: The Girl’s Good Days Have Arrived

Zhao Xufeng had no idea what was going to happen today.

He had been enthusiastic about horse racing for the past few days, and he had actually lost a bit of weight.

This made Duke Zhao happy to the point of tears.

If he wasn’t pulling his golden crown off his head and playing with it like a ball right now, Duke Zhao would be even happier.

“Young Master, your hair is messed up, what kind of appearance is this?”

“Young Master, please bear with it, don’t pull, don’t pull your belt!”

The maids’ pleas echoed through the room.

Duke Zhao had to use his walking stick to tap the ground forcefully, and said in a deep voice, “Afeng, today is a big day!”

Just as things were in chaos.

A servant rushed in, shouting, “Miss Xue… Miss Xue…”

“What about Miss Xue?” Zhao, the head steward, asked anxiously.

“Miss Xue has arrived.” The servant stood firm, gasping for breath, finally managing to get the last half of his sentence out.

Zhao, the head steward, almost slapped him.

Duke Zhao suddenly stood up from behind, and laughed loudly, “Good, good! Open the gate and welcome her!”

Duke Zhao’s mansion had a hall specifically used for banquets, inscribed with the words “Hongyan Hall.”

At this moment, the Hongyan Hall was almost full of people, old and young, all with solemn faces, without a hint of a smile.

Those present were all Duke Zhao’s clan elders and relatives.

When Xue Qingyin was led in by Duke Zhao himself, the first thing she saw was the crowd of people.

In that instant, the gazes they cast upon her were not friendly.

Before Xue Qingyin could react, Madam Xue frowned.

Duke Zhao’s voice sank, “What are you all standing there for? Eating and drinking all day, have you eaten yourselves stupid?”

These words were quite harsh.

But those people seemed to have woken up from a dream, and they all stood up, quickly putting on warm smiles.

“This must be Miss Xue?”

“She’s truly a lovely girl.”

“At first glance, she actually does resemble Afeng a bit…”

They squeezed out a few dry words of praise, which were not even as good as not praising her at all.

Duke Zhao didn’t care about these fools, they were just there to fill the seats and show that this wasn’t a trivial matter.

Duke Zhao turned his head, thinking to himself, “It’s okay.”

While Madam Xue’s face didn’t look very good, Xue Qingyin’s expression was relaxed and composed.

Duke Zhao walked forward, passing through the crowd, and finally sat in the main seat.

Zhao, the head steward, then led Madam Xue to sit in the position to the left and below Duke Zhao.

Madam Xue’s expression immediately softened. Duke Zhao’s mansion had indeed shown them great respect.

Following that, Zhao Xufeng took his seat, to the right and below.

Xue Qingyin followed closely behind.

After the main figures of the day were all settled, Duke Zhao said, “Have a seat.”

The Zhao family members sat down with strange expressions, their hearts filled with a bit of dissatisfaction.

How old were they? And how old was this little girl?

Now it was good! This little girl was actually ranked ahead of them!

“Serve tea.” Duke Zhao said in a deep voice.

The servants standing by the steps immediately carried tea trays and brought forward steaming hot tea.

Duke Zhao smiled, “Considering Qingyin’s weak physique, and also because this is not an adoption, all other formalities will be omitted. We will simply have Qingyin offer tea to Afeng, and change the address, with all the clan members present as witnesses, that’s all.” He paused, and asked in a kind voice, “What do you think, Qingyin?”

He didn’t ask Madam Xue, he only asked Xue Qingyin.

With the status of Duke Zhao’s mansion, he could even ignore Xue Chengdong. In the entire Xue family, only this Miss Xue could catch his eye.

“Duke Zhao has made such thoughtful arrangements, Qingyin is overjoyed.”

Xue Qingyin smiled sweetly at him.

Her most vivid impression of Duke Zhao was from the last time she was at the Peony Garden.

At that time, Duke Zhao was like a lion with its fur standing on end.

Today, he was more like a kind old man.

To be able to do this for his son, Xue Qingyin couldn’t help but admire him, and naturally, she had nothing to criticize.

Duke Zhao laughed heartily, “Good! Bring the tea to Qingyin.”

The servant was about to bring the tea to Xue Qingyin.

But Zhao, the head steward, suddenly stepped forward, “Wait.” He stopped the servant’s action.

Then he took the teacup with both hands and respectfully presented it to Xue Qingyin.

Zhao, the head steward, was also quite old, and this gesture made Xue Qingyin feel a little embarrassed.

Zhao, the head steward, smiled and said, “Miss, please, from today onwards, you are also my master.”

These words naturally further solidified Xue Qingyin’s position in Duke Zhao’s mansion.

Xue Qingyin blinked lightly, acknowledging his words, and didn’t say anything like “we’re not master and servant.” This was Duke Zhao’s mansion deliberately creating momentum for her, and rejecting it would mean not understanding the situation.

So she smiled and accepted the teacup, getting up and walking to Zhao Xufeng.

Zhao Xufeng was much more well-behaved now, with a bit of a serious demeanor.

If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was a normal person.

The maids quickly laid down a soft cushion.

Xue Qingyin held the cup, knelt down in front of Zhao Xufeng, kneeling right on the soft cushion, which didn’t hurt at all.

“Greetings, Father-in-law.” Xue Qingyin said crisply.

Zhao Xufeng’s face lit up with joy.

Just as everyone thought he understood what was going on, he stood up and was about to kneel down to Xue Qingyin.

After Xue Qingyin realized his intention, she quickly pressed down on Zhao Xufeng’s knee.

She said, “Sit down.”

Her tone was slightly stiff, but Zhao Xufeng was very receptive to this, and quickly sat back down.

Duke Zhao let out a slow breath.

Thank goodness, no jokes were made.

But this scene, seen by the other clan members, was quite extraordinary!

This Miss Xue could actually control Zhao Xufeng?

Then it was over.

Zhao Xufeng, such a fool, even listened to this junior, then their days would naturally be difficult!

“Drink your tea.” Xue Qingyin pushed the tea towards Zhao Xufeng.

Zhao Xufeng didn’t care what Xue Qingyin was giving him, he quickly took it, lifted the lid, and gulped it down.

Xue Qingyin hurriedly grabbed his sleeve, “It’s hot, you have to blow on it.”

Zhao Xufeng then lowered his head and blew a few times, before gulping it down in one go, and then smiled at Xue Qingyin, “Delicious, delicious!”

Then, he quickly picked up another cup for Xue Qingyin, “You drink, you drink too, drink, it’s delicious.” He was afraid that Xue Qingyin wouldn’t be able to drink enough.

Xue Qingyin also took a sip.

The maids at Duke Zhao’s mansion quickly helped Xue Qingyin stand up.

Madam Xue couldn’t help but smile.

She saw that Zhao Xufeng, although hulking and scary, and seemingly foolish, even knew to think of Qingyin when drinking tea, and her heart suddenly relaxed.

Moreover, she was a loving mother, and thinking about Duke Zhao’s actions today, it was just out of love for his son, so she couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth towards the people of Duke Zhao’s mansion.

Xue Qingyin smiled and looked at Duke Zhao, “May I also offer you a cup of tea?”

Duke Zhao said, “Good!”

He wouldn’t be able to drink tea from his wife in this lifetime, nor would he see his grandchildren surrounding him.

Xue Qingyin still took the tea from Zhao, the head steward, and finally presented it to Duke Zhao with both hands.

Duke Zhao said, “From now on, just call me Grandfather.”

Xue Qingyin agreed.

Madam Xue watched this scene, and for some reason, she suddenly wanted to laugh.

Today’s events, Xue Chengdong was furious.

But it was probably nothing compared to the anger of the Xue family’s main branch when they found out, especially her pedantic father-in-law, if he had the misfortune of hearing Xue Qingyin call someone else “Grandfather,” how ugly would his face be?

Yet he wouldn’t dare to argue with Duke Zhao’s mansion.

Madam Xue thought about it, and she really started to laugh.

Seeing Xue Qingyin’s mother so happy, Duke Zhao was also happy.

For a while, everyone in Duke Zhao’s mansion was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

This tea was really as delicious as Afeng said!

Not bitter.

It was sweet.

Duke Zhao laughed happily.

The Xue family.

Xue Qinghe was woken up by a maid.

Qiuxin’s face was full of excitement.

As soon as Xue Qinghe saw her expression, she knew it wasn’t good news.

The last time about the imperial physician, Qiu Xin made a fool of herself. What was it this time?

“Second Miss, someone from Ruixiangji came to make new clothes for you.”

Ruixiangji?

Xue Qinghe was stunned.

The Xue family also had their own tailor shop, but it was not well-known in the capital.

Ruixiangji was different, they had two famous embroiderers in the capital. One was skilled in double-sided embroidery, with exquisite craftsmanship; the other was skilled in turning inanimate objects into “living things,” if they embroidered flowers, it was as if you could smell the fragrance, if they embroidered butterflies, it was as if you could see them fluttering their wings.

Many noble ladies in the capital bragged about wearing their clothes.

Xue Qinghe had one piece of clothing from Ruixiangji.

Only one.

It was given to her by He Songning, and she couldn’t bear to wear it, so she kept it at the bottom of her chest. He Songning saw that she didn’t wear it, and he didn’t buy any more after that.

But today, Ruixiangji came to make clothes for her?

That meant they were taking measurements and making custom-made clothes?

“Usually, such matters should be reported to the family?” Xue Qinghe asked in confusion.

How could Madam Xue allow it?

Qiu Xin smiled, “This was personally ordered by Master.” She became even more excited, “Miss, your good days are coming! Master is going to pamper you like a treasure from now on.”

Xue Qinghe’s heart beat faster, but she still remained calm and asked, “Why?”

Her father had always ignored her.

But he didn’t seem to show much tenderness towards Xue Qingyin either.

So Xue Qinghe didn’t feel particularly sad.

Qiu Xin couldn’t hide her pride, “Because Xue Qingyin is going to acknowledge that fool from Duke Zhao’s mansion as her father, Master is furious. He even hit Xue Qingyin yesterday, not even giving Madam any face. The two of them had a big fight, even tearing up the invitation from Duke Zhao’s mansion!”