Yi Xin as a concubine

The Xin family had been feeling aggrieved for so long, and finally the problem was resolved. It was a blessing in disguise, and sales at all stores hit new highs. The conflicts at home were resolved, and everyone was beaming with joy, and the meetings went exceptionally smoothly.

In order to celebrate the Xin family's successful turnaround, Master Xin decided to take the whole family out for a trip, bringing the concubines and children along to get some fresh air and broaden their minds and horizons, so that they wouldn't have to think about trivial things all day and cause trouble for the family.

The next day, the weather was sunny and breezy, perfect for going out.

Early in the morning, just as the sky was getting light, several carriages were parked in front of the gate of Xin Mansion. They looked similar from the outside, but their interiors were very different and unique.

Not long after, the vermilion door creaked open, and a group of men and women in gorgeous clothes walked out and boarded the carriage in order of age and status.

The eldest brother Xin Chengfeng, who was riding a tall horse and walking in the front, saw that everyone had already got on the car, so he gave an order and the convoy headed towards the city gate in a mighty manner.

Xin Baoer and several sisters of the same age were in a carriage. Along the way, there was the lively Xin Linger, who made Xin Miaoer and Xin Dieer laugh constantly, so they didn't feel lonely at all.

The Xin family had a farm outside Shengjing City. As it was relatively close to Shengjing City, they did not grow much food. Instead, they dug a pond for raising fish, planted many fruit trees, and seasonal vegetables and fruits. Every two days, they would deliver some fresh vegetables and fruits to the mansion to supply the Xin Mansion with daily food needs.

Another convenience of this manor is that the pond in the mansion is connected to the lotus garden.

Speaking of the Fuqiu Garden, it is known to everyone in Shengjing City, simply because there is a large natural lake in the Fuqiu Garden. When viewed from a high vantage point, the outer edge of the entire lake looks like a lotus leaf, hence the name.

When the Chu royal family was in power, the imperial concubine, who was the most favored concubine in the harem, loved to appreciate lotus the most. So the emperor ordered people to plant lotus flowers in Fuqiu Lake, enclose the entire lake, and build a temporary palace inside. Every year when the flowers bloomed, the emperor would take the imperial concubine to stay for a few days to please the beauty.

After the Chu royal family was destroyed, the new emperor valued military power over literature and hated those pretentious things the most, so the Fuqiu Garden was gradually abandoned.

But because there was no one guarding it, it became an ownerless land. Every summer when the lotus flowers are in bloom, it attracts many people to visit.

The Xin family walked out of the city for about half an hour and then arrived at the gate of the manor. The sun had just risen at this time, and the manager of the manor had already been waiting at the gate for all the masters, big and small.

As soon as everyone arrived, he ordered someone to bring out the meals that had been prepared earlier. The food was not as exquisite as the ones usually eaten in the mansion, but it was more "fresh". The ingredients were fresh, and the occasional porridge and side dishes were also fresh. In short, everyone was very satisfied with the meal.

After dinner, everyone rested for a while and then went to the Lotus Garden together.

Because no one takes care of it, the garden has lost some of its refinement, but instead has a bit of unbridled wildness.

The lotus leaves grew wildly and from a distance they seemed to cover the entire lake. As it was still early, there were not many visitors and the lake looked very quiet.

There were several black-sailed boats moored by the lake. Xin Ling'er was clamoring to take a boat tour of the lake, and Xin Bao'er was also eager to try. The environment here was really so beautiful. She could imagine how comfortable and relaxing it would be to go boating on the lake, shuttling among the red flowers and green leaves.

Xin Chengzhi was also a playful person. He quickly responded to his sisters' suggestion and jumped onto a small boat first. He paddled the boat twice in a very professional manner. Seeing that the boat was relatively stable, he called on his sisters to get on board.

As soon as one person set the example, others followed suit. Soon, several small boats left the shore one after another and headed happily towards the center of the lake.

The girls sang sweetly, the boys spoke wittily, and the children used their hands and feet to compete to see who could pick the biggest lotus pod. The servants were so scared that they screamed in fear. The originally quiet environment was suddenly full of life.

The younger ones went about their own business, while the older ones found a pavilion to cool off, set out some tea and snacks, and while enjoying the scenery and listening to the children playing and laughing, they chatted about the past, family matters, and the future. It was a rare moment of leisure.

The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and it was almost noon when I called the children who were having fun to come back for lunch.

The village head was also a wise man who was knowledgeable and interesting. He understood the thoughts of these nobles very well, so he didn't prepare any conventional meals for lunch.

Fresh fruits were placed on ice and arranged on plates, fresh vegetables were skewered, there was pickled mutton, rabbit and venison, about a pound of newly caught carp with the freshest and most tender meat, cakes made from lotus, chilled sweet soup made from lotus seeds, side dishes made from young sprouts of wild vegetables, and a few jars of peach blossom wine brewed in early spring.

There were many boys in the family. The older ones had followed their parents across the country and were no problem for them to prepare their own meals. So they sent the servants away and started to work on their own to be self-sufficient.

The kids were arguing over a skewer of grilled meat, and a few girls were eager to try grilling the meat themselves. However, no one expected that Xin Baoer, who looked the most fragile and the most out of touch with the world, could grill meat so well.

Xin Baoer, who received unanimous praise, gained a sense of recognition she had never felt before, so she worked very hard and was willing to take on the barbecue for everyone.

When the family was enjoying their meal and having fun, a group of uninvited guests came to the door of the village.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Princess, His Royal Highness the Concubine Xi, and to the eldest son, the second son, and the young princess."

After receiving the report, everyone in the Xin family immediately put down their food and rushed to the door to pay their respects and welcome the emperor.

"Get up, I hope I didn't disturb my father-in-law and his family from having dinner!"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked the question even though he knew the answer. He ignored the presence of the Crown Princess and the legitimate son and directly called the father of a concubine his father-in-law. The Crown Princess and the Second Young Master also acted as if they were used to it but were angry but dared not say anything, and looked distant.

The eldest son and the little princess were both well brought up by Xin Huang'er. When they heard their father calling them, one of them walked towards their grandfather while the other supported Madam Xin.

After everyone stood up, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince walked into the farm like a king inspecting his territory, commenting on everything.

The three masters and three mistresses of the Xin family followed closely behind the nobles, and even though they were unwilling in their hearts, they dared not show the slightest bit.

As everyone left, the concubines and illegitimate sons and daughters slowly retreated, trying to return to the backyard from the path on the other side. After all, there was no place for them in front of the nobleman.

Xin Baoer was also among the crowd. Just as she turned around, a cold yet gentle voice suddenly came.

"Your Highness, I see that Concubine Xi's sisters are all as beautiful as flowers, and they make people happy just by looking at them. Why don't you stay together and accompany Concubine Xi and me to relieve our boredom."

When everyone heard this, they were all shocked. The most impulsive Master Xin clenched his fists. He did not forget that it was the Crown Princess who suggested that Bao girl be included in that stupid autumn selection list.

The second wife, Hua, who had been paying attention to her husband, saw that he looked very angry, so she hurried forward, pulled his clenched fist, and spoke with a smile.

"It is an honor for us girls to be favored by the Crown Princess. However, these monkeys just went boating and had a barbecue. They are all covered in smoke. I am afraid that they will pollute the cigarettes of the nobles. Can we allow them to go back and wash up before coming back to entertain the two ladies?"

The second wife kept a very humble attitude, and her words were just the right amount of humility and flattery, which made people feel very comfortable listening to them.

"It's okay, I think everything is fine!" The Crown Princess was relentless and insisted on letting the people stay.

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xi, who was walking on the other side and supporting her mother, frowned slightly, let go of her mother's hand, and turned around to look at the Crown Princess with displeasure.

"They are just a few useless concubines in the family. We merchants are very crude in raising children. It is very hard for my sister to teach me every day. Let them go. It won't tire my sister. Besides, our eldest brother, second brother and sister Xin are still here. We don't want them to tire us out."

Unfortunately, Concubine Xin Huang'er's first words were open praises and secret criticisms, blocking all the Crown Princess' words.

Xin Baoer lowered her head and behaved like a quail again, but her big round eyes were always looking at the prince and his entourage intentionally or unintentionally.

As soon as Concubine Xi finished speaking, Xin Baoer keenly noticed two malicious eyes falling on her second sister. They flashed by so quickly that she thought she was dazzled. If she hadn't been extremely sensitive to people's emotions, she really wouldn't have noticed it.