Chapter 133: Many Changes in the Xie Family

After leaving Xie Anyi with Datou and Jin Xiuyi, Wen Yao walked through the door with Qiu Rongrong.

Qiu Rongrong, whose elegant, luxurious appearance practically radiated the message "I am expensive," immediately drew everyone's attention. As they approached, the crowd silently cleared a path for them.

"Your house is built quite nicely," Qiu Rongrong remarked, surveying the space after entering. Although the courtyard lacked flowers, plants, or the elaborate rockeries found in the homes of the wealthy, it was clean and spacious.

"I’ll have someone send over some bonsai and rockery stones for decoration later," she added as they walked.

Wen Yao linked her arm with hers and laughed, "I wouldn't have the money to pay for those."

Qiu Rongrong nearly burst into laughter. She raised a hand to tap Wen Yao’s cheek, chiding, "You little miser. Who asked for money? I’ll have them sent from my estate. I see you’ve left spaces on the ground—are you planning to plant trees? I have plenty at my estate; I’ll have someone dig them up for you."

Wen Yao pointed to a large, circular flower bed in the center of the yard. "Right there, I’m planning to plant a ginkgo tree. It will be beautiful when the leaves turn yellow and fall, and the nuts are edible too. My grandfather also planted a persimmon tree for me in the backyard. Once they ripen this year, I’ll invite Sister Qiu over to try them."

"I’ll hold you to that. I’ll be waiting for those persimmons."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked, and soon, Madam Luo, having received word, came out to greet them.

"Madam Xie," Madam Luo said, leading her two daughters-in-law in a bow to Qiu Rongrong.

Qiu Rongrong quickly stepped forward to catch Madam Luo, taking her hand affectionately. "Grandma Wen, you are Yao Yao’s grandmother, and Yao Yao and I are sworn sisters. You mustn’t humble me like this."

Madam Luo rose, neither coy nor argumentative, and simply asked with a smile, "I didn’t know you were coming today. As you can see, the house is in a bit of a mess. Why don’t you let Yao Yao take you to the backyard? Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu are back there."

Then, seeming to think of something, she added, "Actually, that’s fine. I’ll have my daughters-in-law accompany you."

Qiu Rongrong understood that Madam Luo was trying to help her avoid any rumors.

"Grandma Wen, there’s no need for such trouble. Yao Yao and I will just wander around. You go attend to your business. Oh, Qiaoyan!" Qiu Rongrong called out, and her maid immediately stepped forward.

"Where are the gifts we brought?" Qiu Rongrong asked.

Qiaoyan replied, "My Lady, they are right here," gesturing to the coachman and a small manservant following behind, their arms laden with items.

Qiu Rongrong signaled them over. "Look at my memory, I was so busy looking at the new house that I forgot the gifts. Grandma Wen, please accept these meager offerings."

Madam Luo’s mouth twitched slightly as she looked at the many bundles and rolls of fabric. This was the eldest branch’s moving day; it had nothing to do with her. However, with so many eyes on them and the gifts presented right in front of her, refusing would only satisfy the gossips. Not wanting to cause herself trouble, she immediately smiled. "Oh, you are too kind. You shouldn’t have brought anything. Yao Yao, make sure to take good care of Madam Xie. Second and Third, help these young men take the things to Yao Yao’s room."

Li and Cai immediately stepped forward to assist and led the servants away.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was watching, Madam Luo pulled Wen Yao aside. With a smile on her face but barely moving her lips, she whispered, "What is going on? I couldn't very well refuse the gifts in front of everyone, but you aren't angry with me, are you?"

Wen Yao smiled back. "It’s fine. I’ll settle it with Sister Qiu privately."

Madam Luo breathed a sigh of relief, her smile widening. She told Wen Yao to show Qiu Rongrong around properly, praise the house design, and keep her company. Once they left, Madam Luo finally relaxed.

Her sister-in-law, younger Madam Luo, dared to lean in and whisper, "Sister, who was that?"

"The lady of the Xie household. Now, go look after the guests and keep an eye out—don't let anyone who doesn't know their place wander into the backyard," Madam Luo replied quietly.

Younger Madam Luo looked on in astonishment. Goodness, watching her grandniece walking arm-in-arm with the Lady of the Xie house, a stranger would think they were real sisters. "How did Yao Yao get so close to Madam Xie?" She couldn't fathom how two people from such different worlds had come together.

"I’ll tell you later," Madam Luo said. Just as she finished, someone else approached to pry about Qiu Rongrong. Madam Luo had to play the card of Qiu’s status as the Xie family mistress, using the opportunity to warn others not to get any ideas just because they saw a wealthy lady.

Inside the backyard, Qiu Rongrong noticed the spaces left along the base of the walls and asked curiously, "Are you planning to plant flowers there? Do you want me to help you find some seeds?"

Wen Yao gestured for her to sit. "I am planting flowers, but I’ve already prepared the seeds. I guarantee they will be both beautiful and delicious."

Over this past period, the success of the Zui Xian Lou restaurant was largely due to Wen Yao’s new dishes, so much so that Qiu Rongrong’s eyes lit up whenever she heard Wen Yao mention food.

"What kind of food? What have you been cooking up behind my back again? I’m telling you now, no matter what it is, you must supply Zui Xian Lou first. Don’t you dare forget your sister," Qiu Rongrong urged.

Wen Yao burst into laughter, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Qiu Rongrong. "Sister, do you know who you look like right now?"

Qiu Rongrong paused. "Like who?" She touched her face, asking, "Is there something wrong with my makeup? This is the most fashionable style right now."

Wen Yao shook her head. "That’s not it. It’s just that you look like a completely different person from when I first met you. The first time I saw you, you were a mother I admired—a mother willing to defy dogma for her child. The second time, you were a high-and-mighty wealthy lady, noble yet tinged with helplessness. But now, Sister Qiu, you are a total elite businesswoman, with nothing but business on your mind."

Qiu Rongrong froze at her words, then smiled with relief.

"Yes, you're right. I used to think my life was destined to be confined to that small world, at least until I met you. You’re right—they eat my food, use my things, and even come to me for money to subsidize their own relatives. Frankly, if they want to live off a woman, they’d better have the attitude to match it."

Wen Yao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? It seems you’ve changed quite a bit in the Xie household lately."

Qiu Rongrong laughed, and even Qiaoyan couldn't help but chuckle. "Miss Yao Yao, you don't know—the Master and the Old Madam have been furious lately, but they can't do anything about the Mistress. Whenever they give her a hard time, the Mistress claims she's ill and stops managing everything. No one else knows how to handle the household expenses, so they have no choice but to come and coax her."