Chapter 63: Preparations

---

In front of Ninghe Hall, General Xiao paced back and forth. “Why does it take so long to pick up the children? These people are getting slower by the day.”

“Grandfather! Grandfather! I missed you so much. My sister and I are here!” Xiao Yuan cheerfully exclaimed. With her grandfather around, she could let loose for a few days. Staying indoors all the time wasn’t good for her sister, so for the sake of her health, they had to thoroughly enjoy themselves outdoors over the next few days.

“Ruyi, come here and let Grandfather hold you,” General Xiao said, smiling warmly as he reached out for his younger granddaughter. He glanced at the maid carrying Xiao Yao, silently berating her for not bringing the child over sooner. Couldn’t she read his expression? Useless!

General Xiao personally picked up Xiao Yao. The difference in weight between the two granddaughters was evident, which made him quite upset. Among the family, Ping’an was the skinniest, and no one seemed to be doing their job properly to take care of her.

Heart aching, General Xiao rubbed his chin against his granddaughter’s head. He resolved to find ways to nourish her properly. Everyone said that Doctor Sun was a pediatric expert, yet after several years, there was no noticeable improvement. It might be time to find someone else to take care of Ping’an’s health.

Back inside Ninghe Hall, General Xiao sat on a wide chair with both granddaughters perched on his legs. This was the life he envisioned: granddaughters bringing him joy, family gathered by his side.

Perhaps it was because of his age, but things like competition, fame, and fortune seemed insignificant compared to the importance of having his family together.

In another corner of the room, Tong Mingyu and her two sisters-in-law chatted with their mother-in-law about local gossip and household matters. Initially, General Xiao was quite pleased, having his granddaughters all to himself. However, the girls quickly began whispering to each other, leaving him feeling forgotten.

“Big sister, I haven’t decided what gift to give Grandfather yet. How about you?” Xiao Yuan leaned close to her sister’s ear to ask.

“I’ve already prepared mine,” Xiao Yao replied proudly.

“Can we share it? Hehe, let’s team up.”

Xiao Yao knew her sister wouldn’t ask without a motive. As expected, she had her own agenda.

“But I painted a picture. How do we split that? Cut it in half? Then piece it back together? That sounds like some kind of secret code!”

“I can paint too, you know,” Xiao Yuan added in what seemed to be a self-assessment.

If that stick-figure tree counted as a painting, Xiao Yao didn’t mind voting in favor.

“You paint, and I’ll add the calligraphy. It’ll be, uh…what’s that term…‘a match made in heaven,’ right?”

Xiao Yao wanted to apologize to the phrase “a match made in heaven.” Her sister was still learning and clearly didn’t understand the full meaning.

“Fine,” she agreed quickly, fearing her sister might come up with something even more unsuitable.

“Ahem, ahem.” Watching the sisters’ animated expressions and their increasingly engrossed conversation, General Xiao cleared his throat to remind them of his presence.

“Grandfather, can we go out tomorrow for some sightseeing?” With her pressing issue resolved, Xiao Yuan’s restless heart started to stir again.

Finally being remembered, General Xiao was nearly moved to tears. It wasn’t easy; the two of them had finally thought of their lonely and desolate grandfather.

General Xiao was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly remembered he had lessons to teach those mischievous boys tomorrow. His mood plummeted from joy to despair. Realizing there were still two years left before he could escape this thankless task, General Xiao felt an overwhelming urge to curse.

Even though one son, Xiao Jingmin, was absent, the lively and joyful atmosphere of the family gathering remained unaffected.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, look at Ruyi. Does she have the demeanor of a proper young lady? She’s more like a wild child! Whenever she sees her father practicing martial arts, she insists on joining him, shaking her little chubby body all the way,” Yuan Yutong commented, seemingly forgetting her own bold and daring past as a chivalrous heroine. She conveniently overlooked her daughter’s lack of ladylike behavior.

“Ruyi is still young. She’ll grow out of it,” Tong Mingyu offered in consolation, though she knew it was merely to comfort herself. After all, people often say, “At three, you see the future; at seven, you see the old age.” Judging by her daughter’s behavior at three, she was unlikely to grow into a docile and gentle lady. Now that Ruyi was past three, her mischievous nature rivaled Ping’an’s. Why couldn’t the Xiao family produce a proper lady?

The grandchildren whispered amongst themselves about the gifts they had prepared for their grandfather.

“I found a military manual!” Xiao Rui boasted, describing it as a rare and valuable treasure—a must-have for any general.

“Ahem.” Xiao Yi wanted to remind his fourth brother of a crucial point: Forget about the gift for a moment; their grandfather couldn’t read. Did Xiao Rui really think a military manual would make him happy?

Of the six grandsons and two granddaughters, most had chosen thoughtful gifts, except for one who insisted on collaborating with her sister and another who wanted to gift a military manual to their illiterate grandfather.

General Xiao’s four sons had also carefully prepared their gifts. Even Xiao Jingyan, usually laid-back, treated the matter with seriousness.

General Xiao, however, didn’t care whether his children and grandchildren prepared gifts. As long as the Xiao family remained harmonious and united, that would bring him more joy than any present.

Preparations for the upcoming celebration progressed smoothly under Tong Mingyu’s management, with Yuan Yutong assisting her. Li Jiaoying, dissatisfied with her sisters-in-law’s choice of clothing for her nieces, decided to visit the family’s fabric shop to personally select more refined outfits.

The Xiao family’s fabric shop, Xuancai Fang, was located in the heart of the capital.

It was spacious and prominent. Though not an old establishment, its inventory and designs were no less impressive than century-old stores. It was a favorite shopping spot for the capital’s wealthy ladies and young women.

From her carriage, Li Jiaoying spotted a crowd gathered outside the shop. She instructed the driver to park across the street and sent Liu Mama to investigate.

Half an incense stick later, Liu Mama returned to report, “Two young ladies are arguing over a piece of fabric inside the shop. It seems there’s only one roll left.”

“What’s the situation now?” Relieved that it wasn’t anything serious, Li Jiaoying figured the shopkeeper should be able to handle it.

“Miss Yu has intervened. The argument between the two has escalated into a three-way confrontation. Things are getting more chaotic.” Liu Mama stifled a laugh, knowing the matter involved the Xiao family’s shop.

“Miss Yu truly manages to be everywhere,” Li Jiaoying remarked before descending the carriage and heading towards Xuancai Fang.

“This shop doesn’t belong to the Yu family. Miss Yu, isn’t your tone a bit overbearing?” A young woman in pink spoke with a mocking tone.

“You don’t need to know whose business this is. Put the fabric down and leave!” Yu Qianrong sat primly, exuding an air of authority, as if she were the rightful owner.

“You think we’ll leave just because you say so? Who do you think you are?”

The other girl, no longer arguing with the first, joined forces to confront Yu Qianrong.

“If you don’t leave, what do you plan to do? Don’t delay our business.”

Li Jiaoying glanced up at the shop’s sign to confirm it was indeed Xuancai Fang. For a moment, she wondered if she had walked into the wrong shop. Miss Yu, since when were you part of the Xiao family?

“Ridiculous. ‘Our business’? Are you a member of the Xiao family?”

“Exactly! Even the shopkeeper wouldn’t dare say such a thing. Who do you think you are?”

“None of your concern. Leave now!” Yu Qianrong felt frustrated. Without any formal position, her words lacked authority. If only she were officially Xiao family’s fourth daughter-in-law, these two insolent girls would already have been dealt with.

“Ladies, as our shopkeeper has already explained, all items here are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. If you can’t resolve the dispute, I’m afraid we’ll have to withdraw the fabric from sale altogether.” Li Jiaoying stepped forward, her calm tone carrying authority. As an actual member of the Xiao family, she couldn’t let an imposter outshine her.

Neither girl backed down, so ultimately, the fabric was withdrawn as per Li Jiaoying’s instructions.

After selecting a few bolts of fabric in the inner room, Li Jiaoying passed by Yu Qianrong and mused how the latter was doing everything she could to ingratiate herself with the Xiao family. During her father-in-law’s birthday celebration, she’d have to remain vigilant, ensuring Yu didn’t find—or create—an opportunity to scheme her way in.

Meanwhile, Yu Qianrong could only gaze enviously at the Xiao family’s wealth, status, and, most importantly, the man she longed for. The upcoming celebration presented a perfect chance, one she couldn’t afford to miss.

---