Chapter 1: Delicate

After more than a month of carriage travel, they finally reached the territory of Qingzhou.

It was midsummer, and the cicadas in the trees were buzzing, creating a lively atmosphere that made people drowsy.

Just past the protective moat, a voice, sweet and tender, sounded from the carriage, “Mother, are we going to live here from now on?”

The embroidered golden dark-patterned curtain lifted slightly, revealing a round and delicate chin, but it was covered by someone from inside. The curtain tightly blocked the view inside, and the previously snow-like skin was only briefly glimpsed.

A woman’s voice said, “Don’t move, dear. Open the curtain when we get home.”

The carriage fell silent for a while, and the coachman drove the carriage through the city gate and onto the main street.

Qingzhou was not as bustling as the capital, being a smaller place with narrower streets. It was a bit crowded with two carriages side by side on the road. The coachman maneuvered through twists and turns, finally smoothly exiting the area. The number of carriages decreased on the southern road, where the residences of high-ranking officials were located. Common people dared not casually visit this area.

Willow trees on both sides provided shade, and a gentle breeze brought some coolness to the hot weather.

Inside the carriage, besides a beautiful woman, there was a maid and three children. The spacious carriage easily accommodated them.

All three children were born to the Xie family – a son and two daughters. The one who spoke earlier was the eldest daughter, Xie Zhen, who had just turned five this year.

Xie Zhen inherited her mother’s beauty, looking unbelievably pretty at such a young age. With rosy cheeks, sparkling like jade snow, she resembled a little jade maiden under the seat of Guanyin. She wore a flower bud hairstyle, adorned with twisted silk and small pearl flowers. Her outfit consisted of a cherry blossom-patterned embroidered jacket and a butterfly and flower-patterned gauze skirt. With a colorful enamel Ruyi lock, she appeared innocent, romantic, and charming.

At the moment, she was holding a feather fan, imitating Leng Shi’s way of fanning the wind, and asked, “Mother, when will we arrive?”

Leng Shi glanced at her, and she stuck out her tongue, putting the fan back in its place.

“About another quarter of an hour,” Leng Shi replied, patting her head.

They came from the capital this time to find the second young master of the Dingguo Duke’s residence, Xie Liqing. Xie Liqing had been transferred to Qingzhou to serve as the prefect, arriving a month earlier than them. He had already arranged everything and was just waiting for them to arrive.

Upon hearing that there was only a quarter of an hour left, Xie Zhen, with her watery eyes, raised her arms and cheered, “I’m about to see father!”

She turned to her brother, Xie Rong, who was beside her, “Brother, are you happy?”

Xie Rong calmly nodded, “Yes.”

Xie Rong, five years older than her, was much more mature and steady. He rarely showed emotions, and certainly not as lively as she was, chattering like a little sparrow. He had taken good care of his two sisters throughout the journey, understanding the responsibility of an elder brother.

As the carriage descended from the bridge, it bumped a bit, waking up the youngest daughter, Xie Xian.

The three children gathered together and had endless conversations. When they arrived at the gate of the Xie residence, someone was already there to receive them. Leading the way was Xie Liqing, dressed in green, tall and slim, with a face full of smiles as he looked towards them. Behind him were dozens of servants, bowing respectfully and welcoming them. Some were curious and glanced at the people inside the carriage, eager to see the appearance of the prefect’s wife.

The curtain was lifted, and the first to come down was a teenager of about ten, slim and graceful, giving off an air of elegance.

Then, Leng Shi, holding Xie Xian, descended from the carriage. Seeing them, everyone couldn’t help but exclaim at the family’s exceptional looks.

Leng Shi, at the age of twenty-five, well-maintained, with light makeup, and a delicate complexion, was a beautiful woman. She wore a light red dress with a five-color plum pattern and a sheer shirt on top. In her arms, she held a three-year-old girl. The little girl was even more delicate, with rosy lips and white teeth. Her big, round eyes swept towards the gate, looking exceptionally charming.

Thinking it was all, they were surprised to see another person behind.

Accompanied by a soft “Mother, wait for me,” a small figure walked down with a maid’s assistance. Everyone’s eyes brightened as they saw Xie Zhen holding her skirt, hopping down from the footstool. In three or two steps, she arrived at Leng Shi’s side, tilting her face up with a sweet smile, “Father.”

Despite being only five or six years old, she possessed an extraordinary beauty.

Examining her facial features, every detail was exquisite—beautiful nose, enchanting eyes, and skin fairer than snow. When she smiled with her eyes bent, she could capture the hearts and souls of anyone. The little girl was stunning, almost otherworldly at first glance, and it remained uncertain if it was a blessing or a curse.

The Xie couple didn’t think too much about it. Xie Liqing, seeing his daughter so happy, lifted her up high above his head, “Does little lamb miss daddy? Were you obedient on this journey? Did you listen to your mother?”

Little lamb was Xie Zhen’s nickname, given because she was born with poor health, often sick, resembling a little lamb, eliciting both pity and affection.

Xie Zhen giggled, not afraid at all, “Missed father, I’m very obedient, and I listened to mother!”

As the family reunited, Xie Liqing embraced the three children, smiling uncontrollably.

He looked at his wife, reached out, and held her hand, “You’ve endured a lot on this journey.”

The couple had been together for many years, and their feelings had not only remained strong but had deepened due to various trials. Not seeing his beautiful wife for over a month, Xie Liqing naturally missed her a lot, but considering the presence of others, he held back his emotions.

Following their father into the main hall, Xie Zhen looked around curiously.

The courtyard had three sections, not as grand as the Dingguo Duke’s residence, but every corner reflected meticulous care, indicating Xie Liqing’s thoughtful arrangement. This place had a more homely atmosphere than the Dingguo Duke’s residence, and Xie Zhen liked it at first sight. She ran around the Chinese scholar trees with Xie Xian, and laughter filled the air.

Xie Liqing laughed along with his two children. Leng Shi shook her head indulgently and asked Xie Rong to intervene.

Xie Rong brought his two sisters back, holding one in each hand, “Don’t run around, so you won’t fall later.”

Xie Zhen tightly held her older brother’s hand, nodding happily.

However, she was never one to stay still. In no time, she broke free from Xie Rong’s grip and ran to the edge of the pond to see the colorful carp inside. Xie Rong and Xie Liqing couldn’t control her, and only when Leng Shi sternly called her name did she obediently follow the adults. Afraid that Leng would be angry, she approached and held Leng’s hand, tilting her little face up, “Mother, don’t be angry.”

With a pout, she looked pitifully cute.

Even if Leng Shi had a big temper, seeing this scene melted her heart. Her daughter was just too adorable; it was hard to discipline her.

She sighed and flicked her nose, “Mother is not angry.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhen’s eyes lit up again, and her lively and cheerful demeanor returned. However, this time she behaved, following the adults to the main hall without making any mistakes on the way.

The steward in the residence prepared tea, considering that children don’t usually enjoy it. Additionally, he arranged steamed sweet pastries and some cakes, showing meticulous attention to detail.

Xie Zhen and Xie Xian finished a whole bowl, alternating between sips of tea and bites of sweets. Xie Xian smacked her lips, “Not as delicious as at home.”

The home Xie Xian mentioned was the Xie family in the Dingguo Duke’s residence in the capital. Being young and moving from one place to another, she couldn’t quite adapt.

Xie Zhen bluntly pointed out, “Then why did you eat so much?”

Three-year-old Xie Xian blushed, unable to come up with a retort. After puffing her cheeks for a while, she finally mumbled, “Well, well, I was hungry…”

Xie Zhen tiptoed to pick up a piece of cream roll from the table and handed it to her sister, “Here.”

Although the journey wasn’t too exhausting, the children looked visibly thinner due to the wear and tear of travel, and the meals were not as exquisite as usual. Leng Shi felt distressed and suggested to Xie Liqing, “Let the kitchen prepare lunch first, don’t let the children go hungry.”

Without hesitation, Xie Liqing instructed the steward, Wang, to arrange it.

In the meantime, Xie Xian enjoyed several pieces of honey three-bladed cakes and cream rolls. Concerned that they might not be accustomed to the local cuisine in Qingzhou, Xie Liqing specially hired a chef from the capital to prepare authentic dishes. After a long time without a proper meal, all three children ate quite a lot, and even Xie Rong had an extra bowl of rice.

Leng Shi was overjoyed, caressing one child after another, feeling overwhelmed with love. After having lunch, the children were tired, so Xie Liqing had someone take them back to their rooms for a rest.

Leng Shi, not at ease, followed along to check the condition of the backyard. The backyard had ample houses, with the main house occupied by Xie Liqing and Leng Shi. Xie Xian and Xie Zhen stayed in the eastern side room, and Xie Rong in the western side room. Besides, there were several side rooms and ear rooms, which could be used as studies and embroidery rooms. After inspecting, Leng was quite satisfied.

Everything in the room was well arranged, fully equipped, and there was nothing for her to worry about.

Tables and chairs made of yellow pear wood, rosewood wardrobes, a few antiques displayed on the antique rack, and behind the twelve-pane magpie perching on the branch folding screen was the bedroom.

In the new place, Xie Zhen’s sleepiness disappeared completely. She looked inside and outside the room three times, finally remembering the appearance of their new home. Later, Leng Shi assigned two maids to take her and Xie Xian to the eastern side room and let them rest for a while. Xie Xian fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, while Xie Zhen tossed and turned on the bed for a while before finally falling asleep peacefully.

Leng Shi gathered all the servants at the entrance of the main house, praising each one individually. Including the maids she brought from the Dingguo Duke’s residence, there were a total of thirty to forty servants in the residence.

As the yard had just been set up, the servants were all newly employed, and there had been no strict rules without a lady of the house in the past few days. Now that Leng Shi was here, they understood that they couldn’t be as lax as before. It was time to tighten up.

Sure enough, Leng Shi reorganized everyone’s assigned tasks, established a few rules, and made it clear that any violation would be severely punished.

Leng Shi has always been a meticulous person, not given to frivolity, only becoming somewhat gentle in front of her husband and children. It is precisely because of this that the ancestors of the Duke Dingguo’s residence do not like her, believing that she naturally has a stern face and lacks good fortune. In reality, she is not unkind, just too indifferent, often giving off an air of aloofness.

Coincidentally, Xie Liqing likes her cold and aloof demeanor. While she appears indifferent in front of others, in the quiet of the night, only he knows about her warmth.

The couple hasn’t seen each other for a long time, embracing each other tenderly for a considerable period. If not for the fact that all three children are present, they would’ve forgotten the world around them.

As the night deepens, Xie Zhen suddenly feels the brightness of the day breaking in, a gleam of light piercing through the window. She rubs her eyes wearily and gets up from the bed, asking, “What’s happening?”

Maid Shuangyu is also awakened and hurries to put on her shoes before approaching her. “Second Miss?”

Xie Xian is still asleep, looking sweet and peaceful.

Xie Zhen intends to get out of bed, and Shuangyu helps her put on embroidered soft-soled shoes, leading her out of the room.

Outside, they realize it’s not their residence that is lit up but the neighboring courtyard. Xie Liqing and Leng Shi hastily put on their clothes and instruct servants to find out what’s happening. Could it be that the neighboring house has been burglarized?

Xie Liqing has recently moved here and is usually busy with official matters, not very familiar with the neighbors. So much so that when Leng Shi asks him about the family next door, he can’t even provide an answer.

Before long, the servants return with information: “It’s the young master of the Li family who is sick, running a high fever. The Li family is busy getting a doctor for him.”

Relieved that it’s not a burglary, everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

Rubbing her eyes, Xie Zhen returns to her room, feeling drowsy.

In a daze, she thinks that it’s just a fever, yet they are making such a fuss. It seems the young master is even more delicate than her.

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