Chapter 66: This Girl's Eyes Have Problems

Yan Ning asked Yan Ze, "Dad, Mom, should we stay here to watch the lion dance?"

Ancient entertainment was truly scarce; if she wanted to stay up late at night to read a novel, the dim candlelight made Yan Ning worry that her eyes would have problems.

There were no glasses at this time.

Seeing Yan Ning was happy, Yan Ze then said, "Then shall we stay here for a while?"

Ji Lan had no objections either.

Seeing an opportunity, Bai Yu asked with a smile, "I wonder if Madam knows how to play mahjong? My mother and grandmother both like to play, but they can never get enough people."

Ji Lan's eyes lit up as well.

Wouldn't that be just perfect!

On normal days, she had maidservants to accompany her in playing mahjong, but she was the mistress of the house after all, and the few maidservants often let her win on purpose.

Playing like that was no fun.

If the Bai family could play together, then she could really have a good time.

Bai Yu hurriedly said, "Why don't you all come back to the Bai Family with me now?"

Bai Yu was the eldest legitimate son of the Bai Family and was to inherit the family business in the future; originally, he was young, only seventeen, and many people were unconvinced, until Bai Yu went to resell Glazed Ornaments and earned a large sum of money for the Bai Family, only then did he stand his ground.

Don't look at how there is more Glazed Glass outside recently and the price has dropped directly, but the Glazed Glass trade is still a major source of income.

Thinking of this, Bai Yu extended a warm invitation.

He took Yan Ning and Yan Ze to a spacious small courtyard.

Hearing that they were one player short for mahjong and couldn't find anyone, Ji Lan hurriedly let a little maidservant take her over.

Bai Yu prepared a pile of storybooks purchased from other places for Yan Ning, and then went over with Ji Lan.

Bai Yu hadn't had time to tell his family about inviting them to be guests at his home.

Bai Yu and Ji Lan went to the garden behind the residence, where his mother, second aunt, and third aunt were all present.

Bai Yu turned to Ji Lan again: "Madam Yan, this is my mother, second aunt, and third aunt."

Bai Yu introduced them: "This is Madam Yan; the Glazed Glass was also made by her family."

The expressions of the group changed; hearing that she was the one who made Glazed Glass, one by one they put away their casual manner.

Lady Bai immediately stood up and said with a smile, "So it is Madam Yan; you child, why didn't you say so earlier? There is no preparation at all in the residence..."

As she spoke, Lady Bai was about to take Madam Yan to enjoy the flowers and listen to music together.

Ji Lan hurriedly said, "Oh, no need to trouble yourself, Lady Bai, didn't you say you were one player short for mahjong?"

Lady Bai understood, "Then let's play mahjong."

The Bai Family's hospitality was good, and the Yan Ning family lived very comfortably.

The next afternoon, at the agreed time, Yan Ze went to the Haicheng wharf and said to the others, "We are spending the New Year in Haicheng and will not be going back."

The few people who had been exiled all the way here and the guards were all prepared to stay in Chaoyang Village.

Qian Ruofang said, "My daughter and I will stay in Chaoyang Village; we have already bought the New Year goods and are prepared to go back and settle into the new house. I even found someone to write the couplets."

Zhao Lianxin, Lan Xin, and the others also stayed in Chaoyang Village to spend the New Year together.

Li Dachu said, "My wife and children haven't been brought to Chaoyang Village yet; it just so happens that after I finish spending the New Year at home, I will bring my children and wife along."

The three silversmiths also had family in Haicheng, but they had tasted the sweetness and also wanted to bring their families over together.

Not to mention anything else, just having a Grand Tutor personally teach the children to read could benefit the children for a lifetime.

The other families with children had the same idea.

Fortunately, Yan Ning had bought a lot of land at the beginning, otherwise, with so many people wanting to build houses, it wouldn't have been enough at all.

The group then parted ways there.

It was just that Zhuo Heng was worried and insisted on bringing a brother along, so as to avoid them encountering those who wanted to hunt them down in Haicheng.

But to bring guards to someone else's house, Yan Ning felt it was a bit inappropriate.

However, they found Bai Yu, prepared to talk to him about bringing two guards.

Bai Yu hurriedly said, "I was just preparing to find a few strong and powerful men to be your temporary guards; I looked for a long time and didn't find anyone suitable. This time, you bringing your own guards is just perfect."

Yan Ze then arranged accommodation for the two of them as well.

Don't look at how Bai Yu was only seventeen; his way of conducting himself was extremely slick.

Yan Ning could receive pastries of different styles every day, both beautiful and delicious, and when she had free time, she could go to the Bai Family's stage to watch plays.

The Bai Family was wealthy and specifically kept people to perform plays; it was said they even kept some songstresses and dancing girls.

Yan Ning sighed, the Bai Family really knew how to enjoy life.

The Bai Family was not as rich as her family, but the Bai Family really knew how to enjoy life.

Yan Ning held a pile of assets and didn't dare to use them.

It was very infuriating.

After listening to the play, Yan Ning took the chess pieces and board, wanting to play chess with her dad.

Of course, it wasn't Go, but the simplest Gomoku.

The father and daughter played very happily.

At this moment, Ji Lan was probably playing mahjong with the ladies of the Bai Family, chatting while playing.

In the end, none of them could focus on playing mahjong, wanting to hear the gossip about the officials of each household.

Lady Bai also didn't expect that people like them could also hear about the embarrassing affairs of those high-ranking officials in the Capital.

At this time, the Bai Family's legitimate daughter, Bai Ruowei, came over with an unhappy look on her face; seeing Yan Ze and Yan Ning playing chess, she felt even more unhappy in her heart.

Why did this group of people deserve her eldest brother's personal hospitality?

It would be one thing if her eldest brother spent time and effort, but these people didn't know what was good for them and brought guards along, not taking their Bai Family seriously at all.

What was even more infuriating was that she saw Yan Ning playing chess with her dad and taking back her moves from time to time.

Yet her father always indulged her.

The father and daughter got along very easily.

Thinking of her own father, he was usually very stern; if she dared to take back a move in chess, she would certainly be reprimanded.

No, that's not right; if it were her father, he probably wouldn't even play chess with her at all.

In short, Bai Ruowei found this family unpleasant in every way.

Bai Ruowei walked closer on purpose, rolled her eyes to the heavens, and let out a "Hmph" before walking away; the two people inside were playing chess so intently that they didn't even notice.

The two guards at the door, however, heard it.

Jiang Pei asked Zhuo Heng, "Does that young lady have a problem with her eyes? They kept twitching. Should we tell the Master and the Young Lady?"

Bai Ruowei hadn't walked far, and upon hearing this, she was so angry she nearly vomited blood.

Bai Ruowei walked viciously into her small courtyard, "I must make them pay!"

Bai Yu asked, "Who are you going to make pay?"

Bai Ruowei pursed her lips, "No one."

Bai Yu narrowed his eyes and warned, "Don't you dare mess around! Those few are all honored guests of my Bai Family, and I still need to buy Glazed Glass from them. If you ruin the relationship because of this—"

Before he could finish, Bai Ruowei interrupted directly, "So what? Our Bai Family has a large estate and great influence; since when do we have to look at others' faces?"

Bai Yu's face turned cold, "The New Year is almost here; don't force me to slap you."

Seeing that Bai Yu was about to discipline her, Bai Ruowei had no choice but to swallow her anger; in any case, they would be leaving soon.

Who would have known that the Gu Family also sent someone.

The person who came was Gu Feichen, who was also the eldest legitimate son of the Gu Family.

Upon hearing that Bai Yu had already brought the people to the Bai Family, Gu Feichen could not sit still any longer.

If Bai Yu and Yan Ning made a private deal for the Glazed Glass, wouldn't he be at a huge loss?

Gu Feichen brought gifts over, including rouge and powder, as well as a Shell Carving he had treasured for a long time.

Yan Ning looked at the Shell Carving with an expression of admiration on her face, "This Shell Carving is truly a work of supernatural craftsmanship; this gift is too precious, I cannot accept it."