Wang Yan and Zhao Congbo were now ‘mingling’ with Wang Qing almost all day long. Wang Qing had no friends of the same age before, but now he has two older brothers, Wang Yan and Zhao Congbo, who were also his good friends. The three of them studied and played together every day. When playing, Wang Qing would also pull Jiang Moxi along. But if Nizi was playing zither at the same time, Jiang Moxi preferred to listen to the zither. At such times, Wang Qing also didn’t force him.

Both Wang Yan and Zhao Congbo understood that they had greatly benefited due to Wang Qing. Otherwise, why would Dean Cen and Mr. Kang look at them differently and teach them painting and chess personally? As a result, Wang Yan and Zhao Congbo treated Wang Qing even better and took better care of him.

Since even Wang Yan and Zhao Congbo did it, Wang Shuping’s family and Zhao Yuande’s family would do even more so. Shao Yunan said once that he wanted to make sheep skewers and asked for a sheep backbone, so Zhao He also took it to heart. Just after slaughtering a fat sheep, Zhao He asked Zhao Congbo to tell Shao Yunan to pick it up. 

Shao Yunan’s family was big now and the children usually studied and played over there. The three boys took a nap in Wang Qing’s room after practicing painting, while Nizi also took a nap. Jiang Moxi, who liked to listen to Nizi playing the zither, would sit at the end of Nizi’s bed and play with the Rubik’s cube while Nizi was asleep. All while Nizi’s two little personal maids were quietly watching. After playing for a while, Jiang Moxi would also get sleepy and rub his eyes.

Xia Chun cautiously stepped forward, “Master Jiang, are you going to rest?” All the new servants at home knew that Young Master Jiang, the magistrate’s nephew, was not talkative and didn’t care much about people. Naturally, Jiang Moxi would not have any reaction to their question, as he climbed directly onto the bed and laid down next to Nizi. 

With Shao Yunan’s previous explanation, Xia Chun didn’t make a fuss about it. Together with Xia Qiu, she just helped him take off his shoes and brought another quilt to cover him up. This was Nizi’s boudoir, so the servant Wang Shijing assigned to Jiang Moxi would only stand guard outside.

When Nizi and Jiang Moxi fell asleep, Xia Chun and Xia Qiu also went outside to rest. With a modern soul like Shao Yunan in the house, Xia Chun and Xia Qiu, who were not yet adults, would never be treated harshly. When their master was resting they could also rest and when their miss was eating they would also eat. The heavy work of laundry and other things were all done by others. 

Before Jiang Kangchen left, he still told Shao Yunan that he would let Eunuch An find a nanny from the palace. With Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing’s characters, the family’s servants still had to have a disciplined person to teach them to avoid a possible slaves bullying the master situation. Especially Wang Qing and Nizi, who were still young and were of poor origin, it would be easy for them to be bullied by the servants around them.

While all the children were asleep, the adults were either studying behind closed doors in the study or going out, so the whole mansion was quiet. It was then when four carriages appeared at the entrance of Xiushui Village and went straight to the Wang mansion. The villagers who saw it immediately muttered, what kind of big family came this time?

Knock knock knock, the door of the study was knocked again. But none of the three people in the study paid any attention to it. The knocking started again and Guo Ziyu’s voice came from outside.

“Elder Cen, Your Excellency, someone came, saying they are from the Hengyuan Marquis’ residence in the capital.” Elder Cen, Jiang Kangning ,and Kang Rui raised their heads at the same time. Elder Cen rubbed his eyes and frowned at Jiang Kangning, who got up and walked quickly to the door and opened it.

Guo Ziyu, outside the door, showed an anxious expression. “My lord, someone from the Hengyuan Marquis’ residence is looking for Shijing and Yunan. Shijing is escorting Madam Cen to the county town, while Shao Yunan is at Zhao Lizheng’s house. I already asked Su Chi to call him.”

“Do you know who the person is?”

“They said that he is the second son of the Hengyuan Marquis Mansion. Shopkeepers Xu and Zeng also came with him. Shopkeeper Xu said that this person was the big boss behind him.”

Jiang Kangning already knew who it was and Elder Cen also walked over and said, “Kangning you go over first while Kang Rui and I will come afterwards. They must have come for Shao Yunan’s tea and wine.”

“Then I’ll go over first.” Jiang Kangning flicked his sleeve, signaling Guo Ziyu to follow, and asked, “Has the tea and snacks been served?”

“Zimu already prepared them. I’ll have Aunt Zhou send it over.” Jiang Kangning nodded his head and quickened his pace.

Kang Rui walked to Elder Cen’s side and watched Jiang Kangning walk away, before he said, “The Hengyuan Marquis Mansion is truly in a hurry, to make the second son of Wei come here in person. I’m afraid they won’t give up easily. Did Teacher already warn Yunan and Shijing?”

Elder Cen said, “I mentioned it to him and also told him about the situation of the Hengyuan Marquis Mansion. Kangchen also mentioned it.”

“Then what is Yunan’s plan? The Marquis of Hengyuan’s residence is not something that can be easily dealt with.” Elder Cen said worriedly, “Yunan said he already thought of it, but he didn’t tell me what he was planning. I also did not expect the Hengyuan Marquis’ residence to come here so soon. Since this matter also involves the Empress, the Marquis of Hengyuan’s residence will also not dare to act tough.” 

“I am afraid that if Yunan does not handle this matter well, he might offend them, which will inevitably cause trouble in the future. A villain is hard to guard against, not to mention that the other party is from the Marquis of Hengyuan’s residence. Let’s go, let’s meet this second Young Master.”

Kang Rui turned around and locked the door of the study, before going out to meet the second son of Marquis of Hengyuan’s residence with Elder Cen. For them, who worked previously in the court, the reaction of the Marquis of Hengyuan’s residence was within their expectations. 

The Great State of Yan was in ruins and the new Emperor has not long since ascended the throne. He also lacked both money and people, so these people from big clans showed contempt for the Emperor, let alone for the heirless Empress, which was also why the Marquis of Hengyuan’s second son dared to come here. Although Kang Rui has left the court for many years already, he was not afraid to face the second son of the Hengyuan Marquis Mansion directly.

At this time Shao Yunan was chatting with Zhao He at Zhao Lizheng’s house. During this winter and  New Year, Zhao Lizheng’s family made a lot of money relying on red date jam and hawthorn jam. On the third day of the New Year, Zhao Lizheng had also called his two sons to formally propose the separation of the family. The old couple would live with their eldest son, Zhao Yuande. While Zhao Yuanqing and his wife Li Caijuan would go out to live alone. 

Zhao Lizheng also did not plan to share the family land and house, directly compensating his younger son with money, so his younger son and his wife could buy land and build a house. Zhao Yuande and Zhao He also didn’t care, since Zhao Yuanqing had no children yet and Zhao Lizheng also announced that the children of his two sons, whether they would be grandsons or granddaughters, he would cover all their future schooling expenses. 

He and his wife didn’t need to spend much money, so all the money they earned would be given to their grandchildren to spend. Their sons and daughter-in-laws also didn’t care about it. Due to that, even though the New Year celebrations were not yet finished, Zhao Yuanqing was already busy choosing the foundation and finding someone to build his house.

While chatting happily, Li Caijuan came in from outside and hurriedly called, “Yunan, someone has come to your house. You should go back quickly.”

“Huh?” Shao Yunan got up from the kang and put on his shoes while asking, “Do you know who came?”

Edited by: Jaisland

Proofreader: 

Support translation: