Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

On the way back home, Tao Jiuxi looked normal and did not show any abnormality at all.

However, her heart was full of doubts.

How did Shen Zhiyi know that she would want to leave Xie Mansion half a month ago?

Since Shen Zhiyi believed that she came to the Xie family of her own will, based on Shen Zhiyi's personality, he should not want her to stay in the Xie family for a long time.

But why isn't she allowed to move out?

Tao Jiuxi pondered over this problem all the way, but still couldn't find the answer.

She thought over and over again, perhaps there was something about the Xie Mansion that she didn't know.

The last time they met, Shen Zhiyi was so angry, and she was sure that his current actions were not out of kindness.

After returning home, Tao Jiuxi went to look for Tao Qingwan anxiously, hoping to get some inspiration from his sister.

"Why did you come back so early today?" Tao Qingwan was deeply surprised.

"Brother Jinghuan's imperial examination is coming soon, and he should focus on his studies, so we didn't stay outside for long." Tao Jiuxi quickly came up with an excuse.

"Have you mentioned the house search to Shopkeeper Li today?"

"I was thinking, my uncle has invited us so kindly. If we move out hastily, people outside will definitely speculate when they find out. Today, only Xie Yuhua has annoyed me. Everyone else in the mansion has treated us with great courtesy. We can't move out just because of her."

Tao Jiuxi had already thought of this statement on the way back. After all, he couldn't tell Tao Qingwan directly that Shen Zhiyi was threatening them with their father.

"Well, since you said you don't want to move, let's continue to live here."

Tao Qingwan thought that her sister had gone out with her cousin today and was persuaded by her cousin.

Thinking of this, Tao Qingwan couldn't help but feel a little happy. In this way, she no longer had to worry about her sister being sad all day.

"But sister, you know that I have a quick temper. Is there anything in the Xie Mansion that requires special attention?" Tao Jiuxi wanted to know the situation in the Xie Mansion, so he could only ask Tao Qingwan first.

"My aunt's family has been very kind to me. I've met the old lady a few times, and she's also very kind. However, there are more people in the Xie Mansion. I heard from the maid that the eldest brother of my uncle's family seems to have some... There are seven or eight concubines in the room. We just need to avoid him when we see him."

"Nothing else?" Tao Jiuxi frowned slightly, and the doubts in his heart grew stronger.

Thinking about what happened today, the three branches of the Xie family live in one house, and the family is large. Xie Yuhua said in the hall today that there are more than 30 people, which should not include maids and servants.

She estimated that there were more than a hundred people living in the Xie Mansion. With so many people living together, the expenses must be extremely high.

Thinking about it this way, because there are so many people in the family, the food, clothing and other expenses for the younger generation should be limited.

Therefore, even though Xie Yuhua was the daughter of a third-rank official of the current dynasty, he still wanted to blackmail her for the one thousand taels as compensation for the vase.

"You seem to be attentive today. How come you have changed after going out with Brother Jinghuan?" Tao Qingwan joked.

Tao Jiuxi knew Tao Qingwan's thoughts and said frankly: "That's naturally to avoid getting into trouble and reassure my sister."

"But sister, don't you think there's something strange about the Xie Mansion? My uncle is a third-rank official, and Xie Yuhua is a legitimate daughter. Why would they try to extort the one thousand taels from me for the vase today? Also, they've been so nice to us, so nice that it feels like they're doing it on purpose, as if they have some ulterior motive."

Tao Qingwan was slightly startled, then said: "Sister, don't think too much. They may be sincere to us, after all, they are relatives."

"Sister, you are my aunt's blood-related niece, but I am not. My aunt is too nice to me." Tao Jiuxi felt more and more uneasy as he spoke.

Tao Qingwan was silent for a moment, then said, "Aunt is a kind-hearted person. You must be overthinking it. However, what you said does make sense. We really need to be more careful in the Xie Mansion from now on."

Tao Jiuxi was feeling uneasy and thought about it all night. Since he couldn't move out of Xie's house, he had to learn more about the place. He couldn't lock himself up in the yard like this and be impolite.

The next morning.

Tao Jiuxi got up early and went to Cixinju to pay his respects to the old lady.

When she and Tao Qingwan arrived at Cixinju, all the female members of the mansion were already standing in the hall in an orderly manner. Tao Jiuxi was surprised to find that there were so many female members of the Xie family.

"I am very happy to meet you, old lady. May you be blessed with good health."

"Qingwan pays homage to the old lady. May the old lady be blessed with good health."

Tao Jiuxi had consulted Tao Qingwan, and now his posture of saluting was very dignified and appropriate.

When the old lady saw Tao Jiuxi, her eyes were filled with fondness. She said kindly, "Miaofu said earlier that you two sisters were both extremely beautiful. Wan'er was already stunning, but I didn't expect Xi'er to be even more beautiful. Come forward quickly and let Grandmother take a good look."

Tao Jiuxi responded politely to his aunt's praise and came to the old lady.

The old lady took Tao Jiuxi's hand very warmly. Tao Jiuxi felt that the old lady in front of her was so gentle that she felt as if she had seen her deceased grandmother.

Tao Jiuxi has always been sweet-mouthed, and because the old lady was as kind as her grandmother, she only said nice things in front of the old lady. Before long, the old lady was coaxed into laughing by her.

At this time, Xie Yuhua, who was standing in the hall, had a bad look on his face, and his silver teeth seemed to be bitten to pieces.

"Xi'er, grandma really likes you so much. You must come and accompany grandma more often in the future."

"If grandma likes it, Xier will come whenever she is free." Tao Jiuxi felt as if her grandma was right next to her, and she didn't reject it at all.

Afterwards, Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan were left to have dinner together, while the others left one after another.

In the next few days, Tao Jiuxi would be summoned to Cixinju from time to time to accompany the old lady.

Her aunt also took good care of her, saying that she only gave birth to Xie Yuhua and Xie Jinghuan, and felt lonely with her children, so she treated her and Tao Qingwan as her own daughters.

Gradually, Tao Jiuxi became more tolerant of Xie Yuhua's various provocations. As long as they were not too excessive, she would not care.

As the days passed, although life was a bit dull and boring, Tao Jiuxi had gradually adapted to the rhythm of the Xie Mansion.

After observing for a while, she felt that she was really overthinking it. Apart from the occasional quarrels among the younger girls, the Xie Mansion was indeed a place of joy and happiness.

However, she was still confused and had no idea what Shen Zhiyi's intention was.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky, casting a silver glow. The trees in the yard cast mottled shadows in the moonlight.

After dinner, Tao Jiuxi returned to his yard early.

Tomorrow is the day when Xie Jinghuan goes to the Imperial Examination Hall to take the imperial examination, and the whole family is busy with this matter.

Everyone was busy preparing at their respective posts, packing their bags, preparing stationery, or praying silently. The whole mansion was filled with an atmosphere of both tension and expectation.

"My second cousin, the young master is asking to see you in the courtyard." Tao Jiuxi and Tao Qingwan had just stepped into the house when a voice of notification came from outside.

"Invite him in."

"The young master said that we can invite the second cousin to the courtyard to chat."

Tao Jiuxi glanced at his sister, then stood up and walked into the yard.