The Story of a Spoiled Daughter Raising a Husband

Seeing her like that, Tong Qian was filled with many thoughts, but she didn't keep her in suspense any longer. "Go back to your room, I'll bring her in."

Kui'er was always timid, so she didn't say anything more at this moment and just paced into the house.

After the person left, Tong Qian frowned unnaturally, her almond-shaped eyes filled with worry.

She could still vaguely sense unease from Kui'er, though she wasn't sure if she was just overthinking it.

Tong Qian shook her head to stop thinking about those things, and then led Yun'er into the house.

At this moment, Yun'er was only wearing a simple linen dress, which was quite different from what she had worn in the teahouse.

But even in a maki outfit, she looks even better.

"Yun'er?" Upon seeing the person who came, Kui'er was first taken aback, and then said in surprise.

"Qian'er asked me to keep you company." Yun'er's eyebrows curved slightly, her lips lifted, and her joy was written all over her face.

Kui'er thought the teahouse would definitely not let her come, but she didn't expect that she would actually come. For a moment, she didn't know whether to be more happy or more surprised. She just sat there in a daze and couldn't even say a word.

Tong Qian didn't want to disturb the two sisters' time together, so she simply left with a smile, giving them their private space.

As soon as she stepped outside, Tong Qian spotted Ji Xiuping, and her heart warmed. She slowed her pace considerably.

"How is it?" Ji Xiuping asked calmly, sensing the person behind him.

Tong Qian didn't expect that he could guess that the person who came was her without even turning his head.

"They've just met and should be having a good time, so I didn't want to disturb them and came out." Tong Qian took a step forward and stood next to him.

The two were standing right next to the rockery in the courtyard, where a few fish were swimming in a small pond.

Ji Xiuping was preoccupied and had no desire to say anything more. He simply frowned as he watched the swimming fish, feeling quite annoyed.

After a long silence, Tong Qian looked at him in confusion, only to see obvious worry on his face. For some reason, she suddenly felt a tightness in her heart, and even her voice became much softer and more unnatural. "Brother Xiuping, is something troubling you?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiuping stared at her for a while, hesitated for a long time before saying, "The provincial examination will be held in a few days, and I will be leaving here tomorrow."

He paused after speaking, his lips twitching slightly, but he didn't say anything more.

He feared he wouldn't see her for quite some time after this departure, and he found himself somewhat reluctant to part with her.

Tong Qian was also slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "This is a good thing, Brother Xiuping. You've prepared very well. You're sure to pass the imperial examination this time."

It was already dusk, and the sunset glow scattered across her body, making her face, without any makeup, look as exquisite as a fairy.

Ji Xiuping's voice was slightly hoarse, but he didn't say anything more.

The surroundings fell silent instantly, and a unique kind of sorrow lingered in the air. Tong Qian secretly wiped away the tears that had just fallen when he wasn't looking.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking and the air was still thick with mist, Tong Qian got up very early.

She couldn't sleep well last night, and the dark circles under her eyes are still there.

Tong Qian took out some face powder she had never used before and rubbed it on the dark spot before heading to the kitchen.

Today is the day Ji Xiuping is leaving. Although she is unwilling, she has no choice but to get up early to make some porridge and rice so that he can eat his fill before leaving.

The carriage stopped in front of the courtyard gate early in the morning. Ji Xiuping was dressed in a light brown robe, with his black hair tied up on his head, looking like a gentleman.

"Brother Xiuping, are you leaving so early?" Tong Qian came out to greet him and asked quickly when she saw that he seemed to be about to leave.

"The carriages and horses were prepared yesterday, so there's no need to change them now. It's good to set off early while it's still early," Ji Xiuping said.

Tong Qian suppressed her reluctance and smiled faintly, "Why don't we have breakfast first before leaving? It won't make a difference if we stay a little longer."

She naturally wouldn't say that she had gotten up early to prepare this, hoping he could eat something before leaving.

The journey would take a whole day, and if he didn't eat some hot porridge to fill his stomach, he would have to eat dry rations along the way. She was just worried that his stomach wouldn't be able to handle it.

"Alright." Ji Xiuping thought for a moment and then agreed.

The two went into the house together. Since she didn't want to eat anything greasy in the morning, Tong Qian only cooked two simple dishes and a bowl of congee to settle her stomach so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable on the way.

During the meal, all was quiet. Tong Qian didn't know what to say, so she simply said, "Don't be nervous. Brother Xiuping is capable, he will definitely pass the exam. We'll be waiting for you here."

"Thank you for your kind words." Ji Xiuping smiled bitterly, his heart filled with reluctance.

After they finished speaking, the two had nothing more to say. The sun was gradually rising, so Ji Xiuping didn't want to stay any longer.

If he couldn't arrive before noon, he might have to eat a meal. It wasn't that he cared much, but he had to consider his page and the coachman.

After bidding farewell to Tong Qian, the carriage drove away without even a glance back.

Tong Qian tidied up the dishes and then went to check on Kui'er and Yun'er.

The two of them, who were not usually fond of sleeping in, got up this time. After joking around for a while, they prepared to get down to business.

A group of children were fast asleep at this moment. Tong Qian saw that Kui'er's face was rosy and knew that she must have slept well yesterday.

"Yun'er, just make yourself at home." Tong Qian sat to the side, watching the two get along so well, and knew in her heart that she had made the right decision to bring Yun'er here, so she felt relieved.

"I know." Yun'er lowered her eyelids slightly, looking quite pretty.

As expected of the top courtesan in the teahouse, she possessed both superior looks and demeanor.

The three chatted idly for a few more minutes, and then Tong Qian took Yun'er to meet her zither teacher.

If they just live here doing nothing, they will get bored after a while. As the saying goes, it's always good to have more skills, so learning the zither is a good idea.

Yun'er had always wanted to learn, and she was overjoyed to accompany Kui'er to her piano lessons. However, Kui'er still harbored some worries, "Those children..."

"You can all just stay here and study the zither with your master. I'll take care of the other children," Tong Qian said with a smile.

Her words were always reliable, so with her assurance, Kui'er put her worries at ease.

Tong Qian already had an idea. She now had some money, but she still needed to write scripts. The children were getting on in years, and it wasn't good for them to keep playing around like this.

Therefore, she had invited a tutor well in advance, and after calculating the days, she knew that today was the right time for him to come.

Sure enough, less than an hour later, the teacher arrived, dressed and exuding the air of a scholar.