PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

Chapter 40.1

An Ruoxi pretended she met him by chance and said, “I just went to the Purple Cloud House to meet my eldest sister, and I didn’t expect to bump into Master Qian.”

“It’s quite a coincidence.” Qian Pei smiled. “How is the eldest Miss An?”

“She’s fine. She’s now a steward of the Purple Cloud House and has maids to serve her, not worse than at home.”

“What did you talk about with her?”

“Just catching up about the situation after our separation.” An Ruoxi answered carefully, weighing every word.

“The eldest miss and the second miss seem to have a good relationship.”

An Ruoxi thought before answering: “I let Master Qian laugh at the joke. My eldest sister took the opportunity to mock and reprimand me. But as instructed by Father and Mother, I replied cautiously. It took a lot of effort to please her, but I finally managed to maintain our sisterhood.”

Qian Pei smiled: “Then it is difficult for the second miss.”

“Not at all, it’s what I should do.”

Qian Pei added: “It’s good that you think so. In the future, it will be good for you sisters to see each other often.”

An Ruoxi nodded. She made a worried expression and sighed. “But my sister has a big temper. It’s not easy to please her.”

Qian Pei smiled: “If the second miss has difficulties, talk to me. I have a good relationship with the eldest girl. We almost got married. The eldest girl does not like me, but I have her in mind. In the future, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask the second miss to speak for me and help me out.”

An Ruoxi said: “Of course, if Master Qian has any instructions, tell me, and I will do my best. The only thing is that ……” An Ruoxi paused and looked at Qian Pei carefully. “I heard a rumor that Father was afraid that Master Qian bore a grudge against the eldest sister’s escape and wanted to tie the knot with Master Qian again to make up for his mistreatment. I will naturally obey my parents’ orders. But if I have a marriage contract with Master Qian, I’m afraid I won’t be able to speak up at my sister’s side. I want to help Master Qian, but I’m afraid I can’t.”

Qian Pei laughed loudly. His laughter made An Ruoxi’s heart tremble.

Qian Pei finished laughing and said. “The An family’s daughters are interesting one after another. I didn’t see it before. Second miss is so smart and makes people happy.”

An Ruoxi was so nervous that she swallowed her saliva.

Qian Pei said: “Please don’t worry. I didn’t care about the jokes Master An said. I will treat you nicely if you help me.”

An Ruoxi smiled and said. “Master Qian is very kind. My eldest sister was insensitive in the past and brought shame to the An family. But Master Qian did not hold a grudge. You have a generous heart.”

“Then today, did you mention the fourth miss’ news to the eldest miss?”

An Ruoxi replied: “The eldest sister does not know the Fourth Sister’s whereabouts. She sounds like she has not given up and will continue to search. If there is any news later, I will tell Master Qian.”

“Good.” Qian Pei nodded contentedly and asked, “I heard Master An dismissed all the people in the eldest miss’s courtyard. Did the eldest miss have anyone else she was concerned about in the residence? Who did she mention today?”

An Ruoxi pondered and replied, “The one who delivers vegetable goods to our An House, Lu Daniang, is the eldest sister’s helper.”

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An Ruochen quietly put “General Long’s New Biography” on the desk in Big Long’s room. She picked this moment to come over since Big Long wasn’t here. She left with a hot face after putting it down on the desk. 

After returning to her room, she did some chores and recounted the accounts Steward Fang had explained earlier. Then, she had nothing to do. The more she thought about it, the more she blushed and felt the urge to go and get “General Long’s New Biography” back.

When she wrote “General Long’s Biography,” she only wanted to create a nymphomaniac impression for her father, An Zhifu, to cover up her nonsense. This new biography was her genuine effort. She carefully recalled the storyteller’s anecdotes of General Long, along with the victories of the General from Zong Zeqing, Lu Zheng, Tian Qing, etc. She composed sentences and added her own exaggerated words of praise. She did the flattery seriously and let the General see what he wanted to see.

After writing it, she was delighted, as if she had completed a major task. But now that she thought about it, did she praise too hard? Not only was the General wise and brave, but also intelligent and witty, funny and cute.

An Ruochen remembered this last word and almost slammed her head on the table. How could she lose her mind and write about the General being cute? What was she thinking at the time she wrote it? 

But honestly, in that one story, when the General passed by several children that got separated from their families due to war, he seriously consoled them. He secretly thought of gimmicks to make the children no longer afraid and sad. When they encountered the enemy, he led his men to protect the children from the siege and finally helped them find their families. 

When An Ruochen wrote the story, her mind was filled with the General’s appearance when he reprimanded her, his stern but thoughtful face, and his solemn but warm expression. It was like a soft heart hidden underneath the cold armor.

What a cute General!

An Ruochen wrote with great excitement and felt she couldn’t have written it better. As a result, now that the book was on the General’s desk, she felt uneasy. No, the General will be back later! He will see that book!

An Ruochen sighed. It was too late to get it back. The guards have seen her take the book into the General’s courtyard. It would be too embarrassing if the General knew she took it back while he was away.

An Ruochen covered her eyes. That was more embarrassing than writing about the General being cute.

An Ruochen decided to go for a walk and visit the Jiang family clothing store to spy on Li Xiu’er and see how she reacts this time. Will Zhao Jiahua appear again?

Well, doing serious matters was the most effective way to soothe yourself.

Jiang’s clothing store was very crowded. An Ruochen had to wait a while before Li Xiu’er paid attention to her.

Li Xiu’er came over to greet her and explained that her clothes were scheduled to be collected the day after tomorrow. They hadn’t finished her clothes yet because there were too many customers at the end of the year and they were busy. She could pick them up the day after tomorrow.

An Ruochen laughed. She said she was strolling around and did not properly remember the date of picking up the clothes. She asked if there were any new materials available, about the year-end business and other small talk. Li Xiu’er answered each time. After that, there were other customers to attend to, so Li Xiu’er hurriedly went to work.

An Ruochen stayed for a while looking at the clothing materials. She noticed Li Xiu’er sneaking a glance at her sometimes, going back and forth to the backyard of the store hall. An Ruochen wondered if she had informed Zhao Jiahua again. Sure enough, Li Xiu’er asked her whether she is busy and invited her to the private room to have tea and rest.

An Ruochen gladly agreed.