The house where the Xie brothers lived was rather far away. After all, Xie Niushan was an official, and his house was surrounded mostly by other official residences.
However, the house that he bought for the Xie brothers was not too bad. It was a house with three courtyards, and some servants were living with them.
Xie Niushan had gotten his brothers jobs as well.
Xie Mangshan was an official too, but he had no ranking. He was merely considered to be a subordinate, a supervisor at the city defense, who took care of the armyâs dying wishes. The job was easy.
Meanwhile, Xie Congshan had received education, so he obtained a position as a messenger.
Although Xie Mangshan and Xie Congshanâs sons had grown up now, they relied on Xie Niushan to help them with their careers.
Chun Er had heard that from the house.
Xie Qiaoâs father was dumbâthe pig that was waiting to be slaughtered.
Ms. Lu patted Xie Xiâs head and sighed. âXiâer, look at your sister. Itâs the academyâs rest day, but sheâs running everywhere instead of staying home. Itâs rare that both of you are together now, but she refused to let you be in a carriage with her to tighten your relationship.â
Xie Xi was quiet and a little glum, staring at the accessories she was wearing.
She was dressed pleasant today. She wore aqua blue silk clothes and precious stones on her neck, which made noise when they were clanging against each other. She had a jade hairpin mounted with gold on her head, two white jade bangles on her wrist, and a jade tassel on her waist. She looked pretty and proper.
To put it simply, what she wore today was quite valuable.
Ms. Lu sighed and played with the piece of jade on Xie Xiâs waist, noticing that she said nothing.
âThis piece of jewelry is from last year. We have a new member at home this year, but nothing has improved. Nobody bought you anything new,â said Ms. Lu.
Xie Xi lifted her head to glance at her, saying nothing.
Soon, they arrived at their destination.
As soon as they got off the carriage, someone got out of the house.
Xie Mangshan and Xie Congshan stood there and welcomed Xie Niushan happily. The servants behind stepped forward immediately and began to take care of the things they brought along.
Xie Qiao was dumbstruck to see them being so shameless.
The two brothers patted Xie Pinghuaiâs shoulder. âYouâve grown taller, kid? Letâs go, letâs go in!â
Xie Pinggang glanced at the brothers and scoffed. âAre you guys blind?! If you are, Iâll leave with my sister now!â
As soon as Xie Pinggang spoke, the two brothers jolted and looked stiff. âEldest Nephew is here too?â
The duo was absent-minded when they spoke. âHey, is that my Eldest Niece⦠Sheâsâ¦â They only turned their heads to look in Xie Qiaoâs direction as they were halfway speaking and were stunned for a second. âNot badâ¦â
âI guess thereâs something wrong with Eldest Uncle and Youngest Uncleâs eyes. My sister is beautiful, and you said sheâs not bad? Oh yes, the two rotten things at your house canât compare to her. You guys have little experience of the world. It makes sense that youâre poor with your words.â Xie Pinggang did not hold back at all.
He walked into the house in big steps as soon as he was done speaking.
He had paid for a portion of the house, so he felt no pressure when saying that at all.
Xie Qiao followed close behind, glanced at her uncles, and said nothing.
All she had to do was to follow her eldest brother.
She looked at the houseâs structure as soon as she got in.
It was proper. Nothing was wrong with it.
Someone was already waiting at the main house.
Xie Qiao saw that old lady, the master of the house, as soon as she entered.
The old ladyâs face was quite sunken and dark while her eyes were very cloudy. She was in her 60s. Unexpectedly, she did not have the stability and dignity an Imperial City old lady should have. She seemed a little out of place to be wearing the expensive and sophisticated clothes.