Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

The next day, as soon as the sky began to turn pale and the morning light gently spread across the earth, Shen Zhiyi ordered his men to start working early.

Servants rushed back and forth like swimming fish, placing several carts of carefully prepared gifts. These gifts were very rich, including high-quality tea shipped thousands of miles from the south of the Yangtze River, valuable porcelain, and various rare medicinal herbs. They were all carefully prepared by Shen Zhiyi for his visit to the foreign Xie family.

After everything was ready, Shen Zhiyi took Tao Jiuxi on the carriage.

Before setting off, he had already sent someone to inform the Xie family. As the carriage slowly drove towards the Xie family, he could see from afar that the Xie family's magnificent gate was already full of people.

Everyone in the Xie family was dressed in their best clothes and lined up neatly, waiting.

The younger ones, especially the younger ones, stood on tiptoe, craned their necks, and stared at the end of the road, their eyes full of curiosity, chattering in low voices. The elders beside them would occasionally gently scold them to be quiet.

The Xie family is a well-known wealthy family in Jiangning Prefecture.

During his lifetime, the Xie family's master held the rank of Third-Rank Minister, enjoying considerable prestige within the court. However, time took its toll, and the master, growing old and frail, retired to his hometown, passing away several years ago. Today, the Xie family is headed by Xie Shiyuan, the brother of Shen Zhiyi's mother, Xie Ningqiu.

Although no one from the Xie family held official positions, they achieved remarkable success in business, primarily trading in brocade and fabric. Their exquisite craftsmanship and excellent reputation were highly sought after, even receiving orders from the imperial court, making them one of the wealthiest families in Jiangning Prefecture.

The carriage stopped steadily in front of the Xie family's gate, and Shen Zhiyi got off first.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, and his fine clothes made him look even more majestic. He turned around, gently extended his hand, and helped Tao Jiuxi out of the car.

Tao Jiuxi dressed up carefully today, but when she saw a group of people waiting to greet her at the door, her heart still skipped a beat. She was so nervous that her palms were sweating, and she could only hold Shen Zhiyi's hand tightly.

Tao Jiuxi's maid Mu'er followed behind him. She was also shocked by the scene at the Xie family and was very nervous.

Shen Zhiyi took Tao Jiuxi's hand, walked forward a few steps, and bowed deeply to the Xie family members, saying, "Greetings to my grandmother, mother, uncle, and aunt."

Although he held a high position in the court, he showed the humility and courtesy of a younger generation at his maternal grandfather's house.

Because Shen Zhiyi was not wearing court attire, there was no need for the others to kneel and bow. The younger generations of the Xie family bowed respectfully and said in unison, "Greetings, cousin."

"My brothers and sisters, please don't be polite."

When Xie Ningqiu saw Shen Zhiyi, tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly stepped forward and hugged Shen Zhiyi in her arms, choking with sobs as she said, "My son, you're here."

Shen Zhiyi patted his mother's back gently and said, "Mother, I am an unfilial child. I have kept you waiting for so long."

Xie Ningqiu let go of Shen Zhiyi and looked at him carefully, his eyes full of love.

She felt that her son seemed to have matured. In the past, Shen Zhiyi was just polite and distant towards his elders, but now he has become much gentler.

Shen Zhiyi turned sideways to look at Tao Jiuxi and said gently, "Mother, this is the Jiuxi I mentioned in my letter. The emperor has already granted her marriage, so I brought her here to meet you today."

It turned out that Shen Zhiyi had made full preparations before going south, and he needed a legitimate reason to bring Tao Jiuxi with him, so he had already discussed the reasoning with the emperor, but he did not tell Tao Jiuxi. After all, the date of the wedding depended on Tao Jiuxi's wishes.

"Axi, this is my mother and grandmother."

Tao Jiuxi was startled when she heard Shen Zhiyi introduce her, and her face flushed slightly. She took a deep breath, forced herself to walk forward, bowed slightly, and said in a clear voice, "I am Tao Jiuxi, greeting everyone."

Tao Jiuxi tried her best to behave dignified and generous today, hoping to leave a good impression on everyone in the Xie family.

Xie Ningqiu looked at Tao Jiuxi and smiled gently: "Good boy, you have worked hard on the road."

After a few greetings, Xie's grandmother tapped the ground with her cane and said, "Don't stand at the door anymore, let's go in and talk." Everyone walked into the house.

Entering the Xie residence, the courtyard is breathtakingly beautiful. Pavilions and towers are scattered across the grounds, rockery stands tall, and brooks flow gently. Lotus flowers bloom in the pond, their pink petals delicately set against the green leaves. Walking along the corridor, one arrives at the Xie family's main hall. The hall is lavishly decorated, with thick carpets on the floor, precious calligraphy and paintings on the walls, and tables and chairs crafted from precious woods and intricately carved.

After everyone took their seats in the main hall, servants immediately served tea and snacks. The tea was top-grade Longjing, its fragrance filling the air. The snacks were also exquisitely crafted and beautifully presented.

Xie Ningqiu took Shen Zhiyi's hand and asked with concern: "Yier, are you all right out there?"

Shen Zhiyi smiled and replied, "Don't worry, mother. Everything is fine."

Xie Shiyuan picked up the teacup, took a sip, looked at Shen Zhiyi and said, "Yier, you have achieved some success outside now, but remember to come home often."

Shen Zhiyi responded respectfully: "Uncle's teachings are true, and I will remember them."

Everyone was chatting with Shen Zhiyi.

Tao Jiuxi sat in the living room, feeling very cramped. She didn't like this kind of occasion very much. Although the people around her were chatting with Shen Zhiyi, they kept looking at her.

Many people probably have this feeling when a woman visits a man’s house for the first time.

Tao Jiuxi also looked around the room from time to time. Shen Zhiyi's mother was beautiful and elegant, and her speaking style was completely different from Ji Miaofu's. She was not worldly and smooth, but straightforward and decisive, and was obviously a person with strong opinions.

Behind Xie Ningqiu stood a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a light pink dress, and followed Xie Ningqiu obediently.

Judging from her clothes, she doesn't look like a maid.

Her eyes would occasionally look towards Shen Zhiyi, but as soon as she met Shen Zhiyi's gaze, she would quickly lower her eyes, not daring to look any further.

When the girl in pink realized that Tao Jiuxi was looking at her, she smiled innocently. Tao Jiuxi could only pull the corners of his mouth awkwardly in response.

Some of Shen Zhiyi's cousins ​​were also present. Their gazes would occasionally inadvertently look at Shen Zhiyi and Tao Jiuxi, but perhaps because they were concerned about Shen Zhiyi's identity, they did not dare to stay on them for too long.

Tao Jiuxi felt like she was being watched in a zoo. She just hoped that everyone would pretend she didn't exist and not focus their attention on her.

"Grandma, Ah Xi and I have been traveling all the way and are really exhausted. Please, aunt, help prepare two guest rooms so that we can take a rest." Shen Zhiyi noticed Tao Jiuxi's embarrassment and asked.

Tao Jiuxi was secretly delighted when he heard that he could retreat.

"It has been prepared for you a long time ago. Yi'er, you will live in Qingshanju with Heng'er and Lei'er, and this girl will live with Mei'er. How about it?" asked the aunt with a smile.

Her face was filled with a warm smile, and her eyes glanced back and forth between Shen Zhiyi and Tao Jiuxi.

"Aunt, Ah Xi and I have a marriage contract granted by His Majesty. There's no need for you to separate us. Is there any room available in the Mother's Courtyard? We'd like to stay separately there."

Shen Zhiyi's tone left no room for doubt, so Xu naturally had no choice but to do as he said.

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away." After Aunt Xu said this, she quickly left with the maid beside her.

When Xie Ningqiu heard this, his brows furrowed slightly, but the expression disappeared in an instant and he soon regained his composure.