Xie Qiaoyu was in his boudoir embroidering a handkerchief. His skills were learned from Feng Su, and the finished products were lifelike and exquisite, earning him quite a bit of extra money.

“Young master, the lao furen is calling for you.”

Xie Qiaoyu tried to avoid Xie Laofuren as much as possible in the mansion, but he still had to go. He put down his work and headed to Fulu Courtyard.

On the way, he saw many outsiders busy with their tasks, and there were actors in costume with painted faces. As Xie Qiaoyu approached Fulu Courtyard, he heard the laughter of Xie Qian and Xie Laofuren, which disappeared as soon as he entered to pay his respects.

“Greetings, Grandmother.”

Xie Laofuren said coldly, “Today, your father invited an opera troupe to perform. You younger ones should come and listen.”

“That’s because Mother loves Weixia and the others,” Xie Furen said, bringing Xie Weixia along, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha. Xie Qiaoyu frowned, stepped back behind Xie Furen, and obediently greeted, “Grandmother is a good person.”

Xie Laofuren: “…”

This grandson always had a way of speaking that was a bit off-putting.

“Alright, let’s go take a look together.” Xie Laofuren enjoyed watching opera, especially since it was a gesture of filial piety from Xie Yuan, which made her feel even more at ease.

Xie Qiaoyu sat on one side. He also liked listening to opera. The stage was filled with singing, and he listened intently while enjoying the snacks on the table. There were many snacks in Fulu Courtyard that he hadn’t tried before, and he ate them with great satisfaction. He took a few sips of tea and even asked the maid beside him to refill it.

He was having a great time eating. After the opera ended, he clapped like a seal.

If it weren’t for the people around, he would have shouted out loud.

Xie Laofuren: “…”

She had been enjoying the performance, but now it felt a bit tasteless.

Was this meant to make me happy or to make you happy?!

The handsome actor on stage blushed slightly, bowed, and retreated.

“Qiaoyu, mind your manners,” Xie Furen chided.

“Isn’t listening to opera supposed to be enjoyable? Furen, I’m sorry for being so thoughtless.” Xie Qiaoyu lowered his head, looking dejected as he listened to the opera.

“Forget it, I also enjoy listening to opera. You younger ones can choose a play.” Xie Laofuren changed the subject, “In a few days, it’s the county magistrate’s fulang’s birthday. You should take Xie Qian and go together.”

Xie Furen’s expression stiffened, but she quickly put on a smile, “Of course, we’ll listen to Mother.”

The county magistrate’s residence had many young talents, and she was thinking of finding a suitable husband for Xie Weixia, and also wanted Xie Weixia to make friends with other girls and young men to expand their network.

The younger ones were being modest, and Xie Qian said, “Let’s let the cousins choose first.”

Xie Weixia didn’t like watching opera, so he gave the choice to Xie Qiaoyu, whose eyes lit up as he chose a play called “The Heartless Man.”

Xie Weixia was disdainful, “What kind of play did you choose?”

Xie Qiaoyu didn’t answer, secretly imagining beating up a scumbag.

He knew that Xie Laofuren was putting on this show to take Xie Qian to the county magistrate’s fulang’s birthday. Xie Weixia also had Xie Furen making plans for him, but his own father’s status was too low, and now that he was sick, he couldn’t take care of him as much. He had to rely on himself. He wasn’t afraid of much, but he was most afraid that Xie Furen would randomly marry him off to someone. If he got married, he feared he would be doomed.

He didn’t believe Xie Furen would find him a good husband.

In Xie Furen’s eyes, she would either marry him to her relatives to control and mistreat him, or marry him off far away, unable to return to Ningjiang County for two years, or marry him as a concubine to someone with vested interests.

He had interacted with Wan Mingji and found him to be different from the rumors. Moreover, marrying him would mean one less father-in-law, and he could slowly get along with the mother-in-law. If Wan Mingji came to marry him, Xie Furen would certainly not stop it and would even send him off with fanfare.

But whether Wan Mingji was reliable or not, Xie Qiaoyu sighed.

He just wanted to live a wealthy life. A thin foundation was fine, but if it was like mud that couldn’t be supported, it would be difficult.

“Young master, didn’t you used to like Xie Gongzi?” Yao He asked in the corridor.

“You don’t know, that famous courtesan of Ningjiang County left the county every other day. If it weren’t for the county magistrate’s fulang’s methods, I wouldn’t believe it.”

“I don’t want to suffer in front of my mother-in-law, and possibly as a concubine. Besides, Xie Gongzi is a gentleman, always polite and courteous to everyone, hard to read.”

“Wan Gongzi, young master can’t read him either?”

Xie Qiaoyu puffed his cheeks, “Who says that? I’ve seen him fight twice. He looks cold, but he’s actually very strong. Look at his great physique.”

Yao He: “…”

“Right now, I’m quite satisfied with him.” Thinking of Wan Mingji, Xie Qiaoyu’s mood soared, “I think he’s a good man.”

The last person Xie Qiaoyu thought was a good man was Wei Bowen, so Yao He was a bit skeptical of his young master’s judgment.

*

On the day of the county magistrate’s fulang’s birthday, Xie Qiaoyu dressed very youthfully. He wore a light purple robe, with a jade pendant and sachet at his waist, and his hair was adorned with a jade crown. But his appearance was so outstanding that he stood out in the crowd.

Xie Weixia snorted coldly.

The county magistrate’s fulang was a young man in his thirties, dressed festively for his birthday, surrounded by women and young men, with a slightly arrogant expression.

“Xie Furen is here, this must be Weixia, come sit by me,” the county magistrate’s fulang called warmly, completely ignoring Xie Qiaoyu and Xie Qian.

“It seems Xie Furen is closest to you.”

“The county magistrate and the county magistrate’s deputy have a good relationship, which is why our Ningjiang County is doing well,” a woman praised both of them.

In Ningjiang County, the county magistrate was the biggest authority, and the county magistrate’s deputy was the second biggest, so how could they not try to curry favor?

“This is Weixia, he’s grown so handsome, he should find a good guye,” the county magistrate’s fulang teased.

Xie Weixia blushed with embarrassment.

“The county magistrate’s deputy’s legitimate son is quite precious in Ningjiang County. If my useless son weren’t already married, I’d want Weixia to marry into my family,” the county magistrate’s fulang said.

The county magistrate’s son was a playboy, looking quite frail, with bulging eyes. Xie Weixia’s smile was a bit forced, and he quickly lowered his head. How could such a debauched man compare to his brother Wei?

Xie Qiaoyu and Xie Qian told Xie Furen they wanted to leave.

Xie Furen grabbed Xie Qiaoyu’s hand, “Look, our Qiaoyu is also very pretty. If you have suitable sons in your family, do let me know.”

Xie Qiaoyu felt as if a cold, slimy snake had crawled over his hand. Seeing Xie Furen’s smiling lips, he knew she was humiliating him.

The atmosphere started to become awkward.

He smiled slightly, “Furen, today is the county magistrate’s fulang’s special day, let’s not talk about my matters and break the rules.”

Xie Furen’s grip on his hand tightened instantly.

Old witch, small skills, but strong hands.

“Indeed, let’s drink and eat, let the younger ones go play. There are also male guests over there,” the county magistrate’s fulang, being a good host, specifically mentioned the male guests, making the unmarried girls and young men brighten up.

After they politely excused themselves, they consciously headed towards the male guests, occasionally adjusting their attire. After the county examination, some scholars emerged, and they were all paying attention.

“Wan brother, look, they’re all looking at me.” Xue Zian became nervous, even ruffling his hair.

Wan Mingji was dragged here by Xie Jiuling. He originally planned to continue asking questions at Dongtian Academy, but Xie Jiuling said, “Give Tan Fuzi a break.”

Wan Mingji: “…”

He thought it made some sense, so he came to the county magistrate’s residence to enjoy the food and drink.

“Oh, anyone can come to the county magistrate’s residence now. Wan Mingji, let’s have an archery contest.” Qian Yi, though uneducated, was obsessed with martial arts. Last time, he was beaten by Wan Mingji, and today he wanted to regain his face and trample Wan Mingji underfoot.

Zhu Jiu shook his head. Wan Mingji looked like someone not to be messed with, and if Qian Yi provoked him and got humiliated, it would be his own loss of face.

Wan Mingji: “Is there a prize?”

He was short on money lately, and someone was offering it up.

“If you win, I’ll give you twenty taels of silver, otherwise you give me,” Qian Yi said arrogantly.

Wan Mingji: “Tsk, that’s so little.”

“Fifty taels!” Qian Yi glared, thinking if Wan Mingji hadn’t taken his money, would he be this poor? That damned wastrel!

“Alright.” Wan Mingji reluctantly agreed, casually shooting an arrow that hit the bullseye, politely saying, “Qian brother, please.”

Please, my foot!

“Is that the young master of the Wan family?” A young man nearby was full of admiration, as Wan Mingji had already hit three bullseyes on the field.

Xie Qiaoyu suddenly felt a sense of vigilance. This young man was known for liking handsome men.

“His family background isn’t good, nothing to look at,” said another young man arrogantly, yet his eyes were glued to Wan Mingji.

If you’re going to say that, then stop looking at him! Xie Qiaoyu’s heart was in turmoil, but he spotted Xie Jiuling nearby and said with a smile, “Xie Gongzi is here too.”

The remaining girls and young men all turned their attention to Xie Jiuling.

Satisfied, Xie Qiaoyu thought, you all go after Xie Jiuling, I’ll keep Wan Mingji to myself.

As expected, on the field, Wan Mingji hit all five bullseyes, winning fifty taels of silver. Wan Mingji unceremoniously took the fifty-tael silver note from Qian Yi’s hand.

“Hand it over.”

Qian Yi: “…”

Qian Yi almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

He had earned some pocket money for the family again.

Having made money, Wan Mingji wasn’t interested in staying. He put down the bow and arrow and chatted with Xie Jiuling and the others, showing no sportsmanship. He didn’t even bother to comfort the losing side, only saying, “Hand it over.”

Xue Zian poked Wan Mingji’s shoulder with the butt of an arrow, “A lot of people are looking at you.”

“They’re looking at old Xie, not me,” Wan Mingji replied casually.

“You’re such a blockhead,” Xue Zian exclaimed.

Wan Mingji was super unhappy, “Why are you insulting me?”

Xue Zian: “…”

Alright, with this attitude, no wife for you in the future.

*

Xie Qiaoyu found a place to rest, and a man approached from not far away. Yao He became vigilant, “What can I do for you, young master?”

Xie Qiaoyu looked at him in confusion.

“Xie Gongzi, I want to propose marriage, but I don’t have enough betrothal gifts. I truly like you, could you marry me?” The man, dressed as a scholar, had slightly worn sleeves and a face that looked indulgent, with eyes that made people uncomfortable.

“You’re joking, young master. I don’t know you,” Xie Qiaoyu forced a smile.

“Xie Gongzi, from the first moment I saw you, I liked you. You let me…”

“Young master, please mind your words. If your character is questionable, I will have to tell my father to examine your scholarship, which might not be good for you. My father loves to critique people’s scholarship.”

If he got a bad review, let’s see what he would do!

The scholar’s face stiffened, “I was just expressing my feelings to Xie Gongzi, with no other intentions.”

Xie Qiaoyu suppressed his disgust, “Then please leave quickly, young master.”

The scholar looked unwilling but reluctantly left, “I’ll talk to Xie Gongzi again later.”

“What bad luck!” Xie Qiaoyu was so angry he was about to explode.

“Don’t be angry, young master.”

“He doesn’t even look at his own conduct and dares to be presumptuous in front of me. Seeing me once and liking me, am I a gold ingot? Does everyone who sees me love me uncontrollably? It’s just his greed at work.”

Xie Qiaoyu was still not satisfied, “The person I marry must be a high official, must give me a wealthy life, otherwise how can they match me? I, Xie Qiaoyu, was born not to suffer in this world. If others can live a good life, so can I.”

These words completely exposed his vanity and ambition. Why should he not live a wealthy life and be trampled underfoot? He just wanted to live well.

“Not here, Yun Lang.”

“Little demon, there’s a pavilion over there, let’s go.”

Two voices came, and there was no way to avoid them, so Xie Qiaoyu quickly thought to hide in the rockery. But as soon as he got halfway in, he bumped into a wall, making his nose red and his eyes teary.

A wall: “…”

Yao He was still outside, struggling to squeeze in, pushing Xie Qiaoyu inside and hiding in the rockery himself.

Before Xie Qiaoyu could cry out, a large hand covered his mouth, and another hand instinctively supported his waist as he was about to fall.

Xie Qiaoyu had a great waist-to-hip ratio. He had practiced dance for a while, so he was very flexible. His slender waist was held in someone’s hand.

In the dark rockery, faces were indistinguishable, and the sound of breathing and the rustling of clothes became more pronounced. Xie Qiaoyu bit the hand covering his mouth, biting hard into the tiger’s mouth, the taste of blood spreading in his mouth, and he kept moving around, causing the person’s hand to accidentally slip to his hip.

Xie Qiaoyu’s mind buzzed, feeling so wronged he was about to cry.

“…Don’t bite.” Wan Mingji felt stifled, “There are still people outside.”

He hadn’t realized he had placed his hand in the wrong spot. Hearing Wan Mingji’s voice, Xie Qiaoyu’s body went limp.

Wan Mingji felt like he was holding a limp noodle.

He planned to lift Xie Qiaoyu up, but hesitated and let him lean against him instead, as the space was too cramped to move.

Outside, the two people were passionately engaged, probably because the location was too stimulating, both were very excited.

Yao He shrank into a corner, trembling, his ears turning red.

It was Wan Mingji’s first time eavesdropping on others, and he felt slightly awkward. He had just wanted a quiet place to rest for a moment, not expecting to hear Xie Qiaoyu’s words and encounter a pair of wild lovebirds.

And it was a pair of male lovebirds.

Xie Qiaoyu stopped moving, a light sweat forming on his forehead. The scent on him mixed with the soap scent on Wan Mingji, his ears turning bright red, and the waist encircled by Wan Mingji felt scorching hot.