Chapter 75: Expressing a Stance

Mrs. Tong didn’t come alone this time. Following her was a shy and bashful little boy, slightly younger than Xiao Yao.

“Ah, Jiabao is here! Come to Auntie and let me see if you’ve grown taller,” Tong Mingyu greeted the rare little guest with genuine surprise.

“Hello… Auntie,” the little boy murmured softly, then quickly hid behind his grandmother in embarrassment.

“Jiabao, you’re such a rare guest. For lunch today, Auntie will have the kitchen prepare your favorite steamed pork. Would you like that?”

“Will Sister Yao be there too?” the boy asked, eyes filled with anticipation.

“You think Jiabao came to see you?” Mrs. Tong teased her daughter. “He’s obviously here to see Ping An.”

“Mother, since there are no outsiders here today, let me be frank with you. I don’t think they’re a good match,” Tong Mingyu stated, glancing meaningfully at her nephew.

“Could it be true, as the rumors suggest, that you’re planning to send Ping An to the palace?”

“Where did such talk originate?” Tong Mingyu stood up in agitation. The Xiao family had never entertained such an idea. Who was spreading such malicious rumors?

“Since you brought in Nanny Ruan for Ping An, those with ulterior motives are bound to interpret it that way.”

“The reason I hired Nanny Ruan is simple. Aunt Wen knew her personally and praised her discipline and diligence. I thought she could help refine Ping An’s character. There’s truly no ulterior motive,” Tong Mingyu explained earnestly.

Hearing her daughter’s clarification, Mrs. Tong felt relieved. If the Xiao family had no intention of sending Ping An to the palace, her grandson still had a chance.

“Forget it. Let them spread whatever they like. Soon enough, something new will capture the city’s interest, and they’ll forget all about Ping An.”

Tong Mingyu could only console herself in this way. When she had hired Nanny Ruan, she hadn’t foreseen such complications. Now, to think it was even linked to the palace! The imagination of some people was truly boundless.

“Mother, I haven’t finished speaking. I can tell that Father-in-law and my husband have never considered a marriage alliance with the Tong family. You know the Xiao family’s ways. Without Father-in-law’s approval, no one has the authority to make decisions about Ping An’s future.”

“Then we’ll wait until Ping An is older, and your father and brother can personally propose the match.”

“What if my father-in-law disapproves?”

“If the Xiao family agrees, they’ll become a couple. If not, they’ll remain cousins. Don’t worry. No matter how things turn out, we won’t blame you.”

“Remember your words, Mother. If that day ever comes, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Got it, we won’t blame you.” Mrs. Tong swiftly ended the topic. “The future can be dealt with in the future. For now, let’s just let the children spend more time together. Isn’t it said that success is in human hands, but fate rests with the heavens? If even proximity doesn’t help, then it’s simply not meant to be.”

Upon hearing that her cousin had arrived, Xiao Yao, pulling Xiao Yuan along, handed their books to the maid and hurriedly rushed to Ya Garden without even changing clothes. Their objective? To eat and drink…ahem…to entertain their cousin.

“Jiabao, why do you always blush when you speak? Teach me how to do that!” Xiao Yuan asked sincerely, feeling a little self-conscious that a boy could blush while she, a girl, could not.

Jiabao turned his head, ignoring Xiao Yuan. Apart from Xiao Yao, he had no interest in engaging with anyone else.

Xiao Yuan stuck out her tongue at Jiabao, feeling dismissed. “So much for being lovable and charming! No taste, doesn’t appreciate good things.”

Xiao Yao quickly inserted herself between them to play peacemaker.

“Let’s eat first! For lunch, we have Jiabao’s favorite steamed pork and Ruyi’s favorite crystal pork knuckle. Eat up!” She served her younger cousin and sister, playing the role of a gracious host.

“Sister Yao, you eat too,” Jiabao said shyly.

Xiao Yuan, her mouth full of food, tried to laugh but felt a bit embarrassed. Her cousin was too amusing—she had never met someone who blushed so readily.

After lunch, Mrs. Tong took the reluctant Jiabao home, and the two sisters took a nap.

By evening, the Tong family had sent over the deed to the hot spring villa.

The plan for Ping An and Ruyi to live at the villa required family approval. Before informing everyone, Tong Mingyu first sought her husband’s support.

“I don’t object to the sisters staying at the villa, but we can’t accept the property from Mother-in-law. Tomorrow, I’ll look into purchasing a suitable hot spring villa ourselves,” Xiao Jingkang said as he changed clothes upon returning home.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you. But we must act quickly. Nanny Ruan said waiting until Ping An feels unwell to use the hot spring would be too late.” Tong Mingyu didn’t mention she had already accepted the deed.

Let her husband handle it. If he succeeded, she would return the deed to her mother. If he failed, he’d naturally support her decision.

“I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”

Over the next two days, Xiao Jingkang busied himself with the task. However, finding a suitable villa wasn’t easy. Hot spring villas near the capital were rare, especially spacious and well-located ones. Those who owned such properties were unlikely to sell.

After two fruitless days, Xiao Jingkang found himself reprimanded by Minister Tong.

“Are you looking down on my family’s possessions now? The villa is for my granddaughters. If you don’t want it, fine—return my daughter and granddaughters to me!”

Apologizing profusely, Xiao Jingkang conceded his mistake, resolving not to mention buying a villa again.

General Xiao learned about the sisters’ plan during an evening chat after dinner. Before anyone else could comment, he firmly opposed it.

“Why the sudden interest in a hot spring villa? Ping An rarely goes out in winter. She should stay home.”

“Grandfather, Ruyi and I will only stay for a while and then return. Please?” Xiao Yao, catching her mother’s signal, tugged at her grandfather’s hand, pleading coquettishly.

“Wouldn’t you miss me if you left? Oh, how heartbroken I am!” General Xiao lamented theatrically. Though he often reminded himself to stand firm against his granddaughters’ sweet talk, his resolve always crumbled.

“Grandfather, please agree,” Xiao Yuan joined in, eager to visit the villa.

“Fine, I agree,” General Xiao relented, his tone tinged with defeat. Why did it always end this way? Why couldn’t he hold out just a little longer?

The outcome surprised no one. Had General Xiao stood his ground, that would have been shocking.

“Being a girl is so nice!” Xiao Rui, the sisters’ brother, grumbled for the nth time. He, too, longed to visit the hot spring villa!

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