Zhang Qi can no longer remember what Jiankang City looks like.

  Sitting in the carriage, looking out through the lifted curtain at the people coming and going, the river flowing, listening to that familiar Wu dialect, its as if one is in a trance.

  Zhang Jin Chao looked outside for a while, then suddenly said: "I hate those people who always say Ah Nong, Ah Beng. Afraid that others dont know they are Southerners."

  She spoke with great enthusiasm, but unfortunately, two companions in the carriage, Alán couldnt understand, and Zhang Qi pretended not to understand.

  But as soon as she spoke out, no one responded. Zhang Jin felt bored and pouted, saying: "Why bother telling you guys? You dont understand anything."

  A Lan hastily accompanied with a smile, while Zhang Qi lowered her head even more.

  Zhang Jin looked at them impatiently, raised her head and ignored them.

  The Xiao Mansion is located on the north side of Jiankang City, as one of the four major families of Wang, Xie, Yuan, and Xiao who moved across the river. The Xiao Mansion occupies a vast area of land. Separated by high blue-brick walls, you can see the tall trees inside and hear the Sheng music drifting out.

  When the horse-drawn carriage of Zhangs daughters arrived, the horse-drawn carriages of the young masters also rushed to the scene. Zhang Jin quickly walked a few steps forward and called out in a soft voice to several young masters: "Seventh Brother, Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother, Fifteenth Brother, Nineteenth Brother." She had just called out the fifth one when the other girls swarmed up, surrounding eight young masters with their soft calls and laughter.

  The sisters of their own family coquettishly surrounded the elder brothers, while Zhang Qi, this daughter with the surname Zhang, stood in an inconspicuous corner, enviously watching them.

  Xiao Mo, who had come out to greet him, saw this scene.

  He glanced at Zhang Qi, then shifted his gaze to the little servant behind him. The little servant saw the look in his masters eyes and immediately whispered: "She clearly said she wasnt coming, that expression doesnt look like joking..."

  Xiao Mo withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Qi again.

  After a while, he said: "She had no choice." Glancing at Zhang Jin standing with Alang, Zhang Gui walked and they followed, Zhang Jin stopped and they stopped. Xiao Mo frowned and sighed: "Such an intelligent girl is treated as a maid by her own sisters. Its really pitiful."

  He paused for a moment, thinking of Zhang Yis previous rejection of himself. Just as he was about to say something, a laugh came from afar, "A Mo, why did you come so late? Dont you want to welcome us?"

  But it was a young master of the Zhang family who walked towards him.

  Everyone in the Zhang household looked at him, Xiao Mo burst out laughing and walked out with a loud creaking of his wooden shoes, "How dare I, how dare I, Ah Mo has been waiting for you for a long time."

  He came into the midst of everyone and pointed at the main gate of Zhangs residence, "The gate is open, esteemed guests, please enter!"

  The words were clearly sarcastic, and the young men all burst out laughing at once, rushing in together. The young women, on the other hand, lifted their skirts and followed them inside.

  The Xiangfu Gate is even higher and more luxurious than the Zhangfu... In the Qin and Han dynasties, with a wise and enlightened emperor above, people had the most money, but they didnt dare to be too extravagant. By the time of Wei and Jin, it was different. Although the dynasty was not secure, every powerful and wealthy family was showing off their wealth and flaunting their power. Of course, the reason for this is also that the imperial power was not strong, and even the most capable emperors did not dare to easily take action against the aristocratic families, let alone plunder their wealth.

  Zhang Qi fell back a few steps and walked beside the maidservants, quietly listening while taking in the scenery of the Zhang estate.

  At this time, a familiar voice came low and clear, "Ah Jin, why did you bring Ah Gui here today?"

  The person speaking was Xiao Mo, who stood beside Zhang Jin with a slight smile on his lips and eyes that seemed to hold both affection and mockery as he gazed at her. When he saw Zhang Qi look over, he turned back slightly.

  Zhang Jin saw her lover approaching, and her heart was filled with joy and shyness, her cheeks already flushing bright red.

  She also glanced at Zhang Qi, and replied in a low voice: "A Jin knows that Xiao Lang values her, so she brought her here on purpose..." After pausing for a moment, her voice became even lower, "If A Mo likes her, just take her in." Now that everyone is already at his residence, its easy to find an excuse and make this younger sister his own, turning raw rice into cooked rice.

  As for the sister who was taken advantage of by Xiao Mo, whether she can be tolerated by Madam, and whether Xiao Mo is willing to arrange a position for her under the premise of not offending Madam, giving her a name, Zhang Jin doesnt care at all.

  In an era where class distinctions were clear and the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children was like heaven and earth, Zhang Jin did not even think that he would do such a thing, which was not pure and good by nature.

  Zhang Jins voice was very low, and except for Xiao Mo, no one else could hear it clearly.

  She didnt expect her to be so determined, Xiao Mos mouth corner rose, and his clear eyes looked at Zhang Jin steadily.

  Zhang Jins hands were clenched into fists, her small face filled with shyness and joyful excitement. She seemed unaware that she was about to decide the fate of her younger sister with just a few casual words!

  Xiao Mo smiled slightly.

  His laughter was so low and thick, like the bell in a temple, and also like the flute sound that came with the spring breeze at midnight, soft and pleasant to hear.

  Zhang Jins eyes were brimming with tears.

  Xiao Mo seemed to have not noticed that the young ladies and gentlemen of the Zhang family were all glancing over, he leaned in closer, his hot breath passing through Zhang Jins eardrum and into her heartbeat, "Ah Jin is so unhappy with her? So eager to destroy her?"

  "Ruined her?"

  She raised her head in surprise, looking at her lover with a hint of grievance in her eyes, pouting her mouth. She said sorrowfully: "Doesnt Ah Mo value her? I know the madam doesnt allow it, and fearing that Ah Mo would feel lost, she came up with this plan." Biting her lip, her tone was filled with the pure sincerity of a young girl in love, "I just want Ah Mo to be happy."

  Xiao Mo heard the sincerity in her tone and suppressed a low laugh.

  Listening to his happy laughter, Zhang Jin also curved her eyes.

  She was in a state of joy and satisfaction, unaware that she had gotten too close to Xiao Mo! Moreover, having just been punished by the mistress to kneel in the ancestral hall, she was now being affectionate with Xiao Mo in front of everyone, her behavior was different from last time, last time it was just private interactions, this time, it was provoking the mistresss authority under the premise of private interactions!

  Xiao Mo whispered a few more words to Zhang Jin, his bright and clear eyes, with a hint of mischief, glanced around before flashing a brilliant smile.

  He slowly stood up straight, and in Zhang Jins disappointed eyes, he quietly winked at her, causing the beauty to blush, then Xiao Mo followed a few steps behind, welcoming the approaching Yuan family members.

  Until he was far away, Zhang Jin still looked back from time to time.

  Its still early, and the envoys havent arrived yet. The young masters of the aristocratic families dont need to rush to take their seats, but instead gather in groups of three or five to play around in the Xiao Mansion.

  As they walked, Zhang Gui and Zhang Jin got separated. When they arrived at a pavilion, Zhang Gui found herself lost, so she looked around in all directions, preparing to ask someone for directions.

  At this time, a young servant hurried over, saw him, and Zhang Qis eyes lit up as she called out: "Young brother." She took a few steps forward and asked crisply: "Where is this place? Ive lost my way out."

  "Not busy." The young servant who had seen Zhang Qi before smiled and shook his head, saying: "My master saw you early on and asked me to bring you out." After a pause, he put away his smile and said seriously to Zhang Qi: "Little girl, my master asks you, until now, do you still not want people to know that the embroidered painting was done by you? Do you know that if you miss this opportunity, perhaps you will never be able to make a name for yourself again!"