Chapter 71: The Embroidered Pavilion

Once in the carriage, Xiao Yao snuggled up to Tong Mingyu, affectionately wrapping her arm around her mother’s. With her big eyes sparkling mischievously, she asked, “Is there something you’re hiding from me? Come on, tell me already!”

Tong Mingyu, in a cheerful mood, explained to her daughter, “The elegant lady we just met is Nanny Ruan. Back in the palace, she taught etiquette and various talents to high-ranking princesses. She’s truly accomplished. Now that she has left the palace, she’s looking for a suitable official’s daughter to teach and a place to spend her later years.”

“So?” Xiao Yao sat upright, a possible answer forming in her mind.

“You might have been chosen. In two days, she’ll decide if our family is to her liking, and everything will be finalized.”

Xiao Yao: ……

She really wanted to whine and say she wasn’t interested in learning. What could be more painful than seeing her precious free time shrink right before her eyes?

If only there were some magical elixir to freeze her in childhood forever, how wonderful that would be.

“You don’t know how worried I was earlier. If Nanny Ruan hadn’t agreed, I was relieved that I hadn’t told you the true purpose of today’s visit. Otherwise, you’d surely have been upset,” Tong Mingyu said, assuming her daughter would feel as disappointed as she had imagined.

Xiao Yao wanted to loudly reassure her mother that she had overthought. She would’ve been thrilled to have one less person monitoring her! Since they weren’t planning to send her to the palace to marry a prince, what was the point of laboring over tedious etiquette and rules? Just watching Nanny Ruan’s fluid movements made it clear that mastering such skills would take years, if not a decade. Xiao Yao had no intention of enduring such hardship!

“Fortunately, things turned out well in the end. From now on, you must listen to Nanny Ruan, learn as much as you can. It’ll be crucial for the kind of life you’ll have in the future. Maybe you can’t understand what I’m saying now, but remember that everything I do is for your own good.”

Moved by her mother’s heartfelt intentions, Xiao Yao reflected on how her carefree years as a young girl at home were the best and most relaxed times for a woman. After marriage, much of one’s happiness depended on upbringing and character. It was clear her mother had been planning for her future all along. Truly, the heart of a parent is the most selfless.

“I’ll do as you say,” Xiao Yao replied, leaning into her mother’s embrace, feeling a deep sense of happiness as her mother softly spoke beside her ear.

“I knew my sweet Ping’an would be the most obedient,” Tong Mingyu said with a smile.

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The next two days flew by. To welcome Nanny Ruan, the Xiao family made thorough preparations, presenting an impressive display. All the women of the family, except Madam Qin, came to the front gate. Xiao Jingkang even took a day off from work to greet their esteemed guests, highlighting the family’s respect for the occasion.

Even General Xiao had initially planned to take the day off. However, much to his dismay, the visit coincided with the day he had to train a few mischievous students at the National Academy. With a sigh, he wished for these troublesome days to end soon.

When the carriage carrying Madam Wen and Nanny Ruan stopped, Xiao Jingkang and Tong Mingyu, accompanied by Xiao Yao, hurried forward.

“We pay our respects to Aunt Wen and greet Nanny Ruan,” the couple said in unison.

“Jingkang is here too. Look at this turnout. It seems Sister Ruan is even more popular than I am,” Madam Wen said with a smile, signaling how much the Xiao family valued this meeting.

Nanny Ruan smiled but said nothing, her eyes instinctively scanning the crowd for the girl she had been thinking about for days.

“It’s been a while, Aunt Wen, and you remain as elegant as ever. I’ve long admired Nanny Ruan, and it’s an honor to meet you today,” Xiao Jingkang said politely.

“I like that!” Madam Wen replied with a laugh. Who would have thought that the son of Xiao Hu, born of humble origins, would grow into such an outstanding man with an excellent reputation? Truly, her old friend had a sharp eye.

Feeling Nanny Ruan’s gaze on her, Xiao Yao quickly stepped forward and curtsied gracefully. “Greetings to Grandmother Wen and Nanny Ruan.”

The young girl’s radiant smile lit up her face, leaving a favorable impression.

Meanwhile, Li Jiaoying and Yuan Yutong stepped forward warmly to assist Madam Wen, while Tong Mingyu and her daughter accompanied Nanny Ruan toward Ninghe Hall.

After escorting everyone to the main room, Xiao Jingkang excused himself. As the host, father, and a man, there wasn’t much more for him to do.

Madam Qin personally welcomed the guests at the door. After all, these were no ordinary visitors—one was the wife of a renowned scholar, and the other, a well-known tutor in the capital.

After a brief rest, the group, led by the women of the Xiao family, toured the large residence. Compared to the estates of true nobility, the Xiao residence wasn’t the most luxurious or expansive. However, it exuded a warmth and harmony often absent in such households. The affection between the women and the content expressions of the servants showed that life here was fulfilling and pleasant.

Nanny Ruan stopped in front of a newly built embroidered pavilion and curiously asked Tong Mingyu, “May I ask, Madam Tong, what is this place?”

“This is the embroidered pavilion, personally commissioned and overseen by my father-in-law. It’s intended for his two granddaughters to move into when they’re older,” Tong Mingyu explained.

“Is it finished? May I take a look inside?”

“Of course. Please, go ahead.”

The pavilion was indeed complete. The first and second floors were shared spaces, including a study and a reception area. The third floor was divided into two large suites, each equipped with a small study, living room, and even a sewing room.

One suite was elegantly decorated in soft purples, with huanghuali furniture, an ivory screen carved with auspicious patterns, and a marble table by the window holding writing supplies and books. The other suite had a pink theme, filled with playful decorations. Strings of beads tinkled melodiously when touched, and a cozy little bed for Xiao Yuan’s pet sat in one corner.

The contrasting styles reflected the distinct personalities of the two young girls.

“What’s this place called?” Nanny Ruan asked, noting the lack of a nameplate or inscription.

Xiao Yao hesitated. Naming the pavilion seemed beyond her authority.

Tong Mingyu considered asking Nanny Ruan to name it but felt it was inappropriate given their still-formal relationship.

“Miss Xiao, why don’t you name it yourself?” Nanny Ruan suggested. A name, after all, could reveal a lot about a person, such as their preferences and aspirations.

“Ping’an, since you’ll be living here, you should name it yourself. Second Aunt supports you and believes in you,” Yuan Yutong encouraged.

Second Aunt! Sometimes Xiao Yao felt her trust in her was misplaced. Was this really support, or was she just throwing her into the fire?

“But my sister has a share in this too. Shouldn’t we discuss the name together?” Xiao Yao reasoned. After all, they were both going to live here.

“Ruyi will agree with your decision. You can take charge,” Yuan Yutong quickly replied, eager to prevent Ruyi from coming up with an overly ornate name.

“Can I?” Xiao Yao hadn’t expected to be given such responsibility. Seeing everyone’s serious expressions, she began to rack her brain.

“How about calling it ‘Yaoyuan Pavilion’?” Xiao Yao eventually suggested, though she knew it wasn’t the most elegant name. She had simply combined a character from her name with one from her sister’s.

“Why that name?” Nanny Ruan asked curiously.

“Because my name is Xiao Yao, and my sister is Xiao Yuan. Since we’ll both live here, the name should reflect both of us, don’t you think?” Xiao Yao explained.

“How lovely,” said Li Jiaoying, ever the supportive fan of her niece.

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