Chapter 439

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

However, these astonishing gold ornaments occupied only half the chest's space; the other half was filled with heavy gold ingots.

Bai Yu looked at everyone's surprised expressions, smiled, and explained: "These ornaments, the ladies can pick whichever they like to wear. As for the gentlemen, they might not be suited to wearing jewelry, so I packed half a chest of gold bricks — hope you don't mind."

At this moment, an exclamation rose from the crowd; it turned out Qianqian was the first to recover her wits. She stared wide-eyed and said: "Grandpa Bai, you're being too generous!" Inwardly she couldn't help but marvel: "This is way too simple and crude~"

An Wangfei hurriedly spoke up: "Old Master Bai, this won't do — these gifts are far too precious, we absolutely cannot accept them."

Bai Yu, wearing a faint smile, said: "These things are so heavy, I came all this way specially to bring them; surely I can't haul them all the way back again? This old body of mine can't take that kind of tossing about. So what's given to you is yours, period!"

An Wangfei seemed to want to say something more, but the words at her lips were cut off by Wei Shengsheng.

Wei Shengsheng hastily waved her hand and said: "Sister Wangfei, since when does a gift you've given get taken back? And for the next few days we'll be imposing on you even more — you mustn't mind us!"

Seeing this, An Wangfei could no longer insist, and laughed in reply: "Stay as long as you like — we're all family!"

Wei Shengsheng, seeing the situation, no longer stood on ceremony and said smoothly: "Then, Sister Wangfei, I'll shamelessly stay a few more days! I hear there are lots of fun places in this capital — these few days let Qianqian take me around for a tour!"

An Wangfei naturally agreed wholeheartedly: "Good, good!" Then she turned and instructed Chunxi beside her: "Chunxi, quickly tidy up a courtyard and arrange it at Yan Jie's Wangwang Xuan."

This Wangwang Xuan has something special about it — there's an exceptionally tall tree in the courtyard, taller by far than the trees in the other courtyards.

Sitting in that big tree to watch the moon, the moon looks both larger and rounder, and exceptionally bright — hence the name "Wangwang Xuan".

However, Yan Jie lives there alone and only needs one room, so the other rooms are unoccupied. Normally they only need a simple sweeping; even bedding hasn't been provided.

The maids could only fetch what was needed from other courtyards. Chunxi, on orders, arranged manpower to tidy the courtyard; simultaneously, the Bai family members continued chatting in the front hall for a while.

Only after Chunxi came to report to An Wangfei that everything had been properly tidied did An Wangfei lead everyone together toward Wangwang Xuan.

Yan Jie's courtyard sits in the very center; Bai Ziang and Bai Yu share a room in the west wing; Bai Zihang and Wei Shengsheng share a room in the east wing. As for Bai Yunlan, she will room with Yan Jie. Everyone was quite satisfied with An Wangfei's arrangements.

Afterward, each returned to their own rooms to sort personal belongings. Bai Yunlan was currently packing her baggage, while Yan Jie helped enthusiastically from the side.

Just then, An Wangfei walked into the room, her gaze falling on Bai Yunlan, and asked with a smile: "Yun Lan, is this also your first time coming to the capital?"

Bai Yunlan's temperament is quite similar to Wei Shengsheng's — neither is the shy, timid type. So Bai Yunlan smiled and replied: "Yes, Aunt Wangfei."

An Wangfei hurriedly waved her hand and said warmly: "Calling me Aunt Wangfei is too formal — from now on just call me Auntie!" Hearing this, Bai Yunlan's smile grew even brighter as she answered: "All right, Auntie."

An Wangfei nodded with satisfaction, then asked caringly: "If there's anything you're not used to here, or any other needs, just tell the maids and manservants — don't be shy." Bai Yunlan hurriedly shook her head and replied with a smile: "Don't worry, Auntie, I know."

An Wangfei continued: "It's your first time coming to Auntie's place, and Auntie doesn't have anything good to give you. These few days you and Jie'er go out and play — Auntie will give you some money to buy whatever you like." As she spoke, An Wangfei pulled a handful of silver notes from her sleeve.

Seeing this, Bai Yunlan hastily waved her hands and refused: "Auntie, this won't do! Mother doesn't let me have this much money on me — I can't accept it!"

An Wangfei hurriedly explained: "But your mother prepared gifts for us, and we haven't prepared any for you yet — this is just a token of Auntie's affection."

Bai Yunlan still shook her head firmly and said: "No, Auntie — if Mother finds out, she'll definitely beat me!"

An Wangfei's eyes turned sly and she said softly: "Then don't let Mother know — just quietly tuck the silver notes away." Finished speaking, she unceremoniously stuffed the silver notes into Bai Yunlan's hand, then hurried off.

Bai Yunlan stared at the silver notes in her hand, feeling deeply conflicted. On one hand she found An Wangfei's kindness hard to refuse; on the other she feared being discovered by her mother and getting beaten.

Right then, Yan Jie suddenly spoke up: "Second Brother, quickly put it away! If Second Aunt sees it, she'll definitely beat you! We'll both keep quiet about it — then no one will know!"

Hearing this, Bai Yunlan felt a pang of unease, but still swiftly slipped the silver notes into her bosom.

After An Wangfei left, she didn't go straight to the dining hall; instead she went separately to the east wing and west wing to check on the people staying there.

Since she had maids with her, there was no worry about gossip. After confirming both sides were fine, she then instructed Chunxi to have the kitchen prepare extra dishes for the evening.

Time passed quickly; before they knew it night had fallen. Servants came to notify everyone to go to the dining hall for the meal; the Bai family members all rose and followed the maids to the dining hall.

When they arrived at the dining hall, they discovered the An Wangfu people were already all seated — and surprisingly, even Yan Si and Yan Wang had returned.

It turned out that in the afternoon An Wang had sent someone to notify Yan Si, saying if he could spare time in the evening, he should come back and eat together.

An Wang has never placed many demands on this second son; for him to actively ask him to return this time, Yan Si felt there must be something important, so after finishing the matters at hand he hurried back.

Back in the courtyard, Shangguan Xingyu had already told Yan Wang everything that happened today in full detail.