“I’m also afraid of those decaying old fellows’ verbal attacks!”

“Calm down! Mother, I’m afraid, you’re not.” Xie Wanyu calmed Huo Shi down and slowly said, “Mother, I, Xie Wanyu, can remain unmarried and have no descendants, but I absolutely…”

“…absolutely cannot remain stuck in a fifth- or sixth-rank official position for my whole life.”

Within the clan, blood was thicker than water. If one person’s conduct was flawed or they committed a mistake, it could very well damage the reputation of their relatives.

Moreover, Huo Shi was Xie Wanyu’s biological mother; their fates were intertwined.

Huo Shi calmed down. She stopped shouting and, looking at her eldest daughter’s determined gaze, deflated, muttering, “I was just too angry.

Actually, I know what to do. Okay, I understand. I won’t make a scene in front of others about Xiaobao’s matter. I’ll find another way.”

Actually, solving this matter was simple: go to Headmaster Li of Jixian Academy and ask him to change Xiaobao’s class. Huo Shi knew what to do; she was just momentarily angry and wanted to vent her anger. She was also afraid that Ning’er would feel uncomfortable.

“Thank you, Mother, for understanding.” Xie Wanyu turned to Yu Ning, slightly apologetic. “Thank you, little sister, for your understanding. Little sister, rest assured, Xiaobao is my niece. I won’t let her suffer any grievances outside. I’ll take care of this.”

“Okay, thank you, elder sister.”

Until Xie Wanyu’s figure disappeared in the courtyard, Yu Ning was still staring at the direction she had left.

“Elder sister is truly the kind of noble lady I imagined: rational, clear-headed, and talented. I really like elder sister.”

“Ning’er is also very good. You don’t have to envy your sister. You each have your own strengths.” Huo Shi patted her daughter’s head, feeling a little distressed.

Not having grown up in the Hou Mansion, Ning’er’s knowledge and vision were not as good as those of the noble ladies in Kyoto. Huo Shi felt heartbroken when she thought of how her daughter had been diligently studying these things these days.

During those years she was lost, Ning’er must have had a hard time, growing up wild, so she would envy and admire well-educated and capable ladies of prominent families.

“Female officials are prevalent in Daye. You can take the female civil service examination to enter the court or serve as a female official in the palace. Ning’er, if you like, why don’t you try?”

“Me? No, Mother. I’m not cut out for studying. I’ve been free and easy outside for so long. If I really get a proper job, I probably won’t be used to it.”

Becoming an official wasn’t something one could achieve simply by talking about it.

A few days later, Ruan Qinghe was transferred away from Jixian Academy, and Xiaobao stopped complaining about not wanting to go to school.

At the end of the month, Ning Yun Ting sent a calling card, inviting Miss Xie San to leave the mansion and meet at Kyoto’s largest pleasure boat entertainment district.

There were countless entertainment districts and brothels in Kyoto, frequented by both men and women.

However, when young men and women met to consider marriage and exchange affections, they usually chose elegant places. It was the first time someone had arranged a meeting at an entertainment district.

Huo Shi accepted the invitation on behalf of her daughter, planning to have Xie Wanyu accompany Yu Ning when they went out. However, on the day of their departure, Xie Wanyu had an urgent matter and couldn’t go, so she asked Xie Yu Hua, the fourth daughter of the second branch, to accompany her instead.

The two cousins took Yongning Hou Mansion’s carriage and got off to walk when they neared the bustling market, heading towards the agreed meeting place, Chang Le Fang.

“This champion scholar is really interesting. Instead of going to a quiet place by the river for a boat trip, he actually made an appointment at a bustling place like Chang Le Fang. It’s so noisy and crowded here, you can’t even have a private conversation. It doesn’t seem like a date; it’s more like avoiding suspicion.” Xie Yu Hua spoke frankly.

Yu Ning and Xie Yu Hua weren’t familiar with each other; they only met when the Hou Mansion’s family members gathered.

Xie Yu Hua wasn’t popular in the Hou Mansion. Yu Ning originally thought it was because Xie Yu Hua’s personality was rather arrogant and difficult to get along with, but after today’s interaction, her opinion changed. Xie Yu Hua wasn’t close to her brothers and sisters in the Hou Mansion, probably because she was outspoken.

“I really don’t know what a date should be like. According to fourth sister’s words, doesn’t it seem like Ning Yun Ting doesn’t have any intention of getting married? It doesn’t seem like a date; it’s more like a clarification, to find another match?” Yu Ning thought for a moment and felt that Xie Yu Hua’s words made sense.

“Anyway, I think so. If he really had feelings, he should have taken the initiative after the palace banquet. Why drag it out? It’s been more than a month since he sent the invitation. It’s really insincere.”

Yu Ning took the initiative to ask and was very polite. Xie Yu Hua said a few more words, speaking freely.

Seeing Yu Ning nodding repeatedly, agreeing, Xie Yu Hua felt that this new cousin was quite nice and happily chatted with Yu Ning.

As Xie Yu Hua said, Ning Yun Ting did come to clarify and ask Yu Ning to find another match.

“I’m going to take up a post in another province. These two years are crucial for my career. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to clarify things with Miss Xie San. I don’t dare to delay the young lady’s youth.”

Ning Yun Ting was well-educated. Perhaps his actions made him feel ashamed, so he spoke hesitantly.

They didn’t have much affection to begin with, and they had only met once. If it didn’t work out, it didn’t work out. Although Yu Ning wanted to use marriage as an excuse to leave Kyoto, she couldn’t force him if he didn’t want to. She could only express her understanding.

Although she had forcefully taken a husband before, but… she had already realized her mistake and vowed to be a good person and reform herself.

“Since the date is off, why don’t we… have some fun here before going back?” Xie Yu Hua suggested.

Chang Le Fang was the largest entertainment district in Kyoto. The buildings were brightly lit, and people came and went endlessly. There were countless luxurious carriages and horses on the roadside. The scene was like a dream, making people linger.

“What a strong smell of alcohol.” Yu Ning sniffed, her appetite piqued.

“It’s Zuixian Brew, Chang Le Fang’s signature drink. This wine is fragrant and mellow, a top-grade brew, but…” Xie Yu Hua rubbed her fingers and said, “It’s a bit expensive.”

Although she was a daughter of the Hou Mansion, her allowance was limited, and she had already spent this month’s allowance. Her purse was empty, and she couldn’t afford the wine.

“No problem.” Yu Ning took out a purse from her sleeve. “Want some?”