Ti slipped away bit by bit; Zhang Huahan’s etiquette beca increasingly refined, and her relationship with Yan Yile grew more harmonious to the point where the two no longer felt awkward around each other like they did initially.
Under An Ran’s guidance, the servants in Xiangxie Pavilion also beca much more disciplined, leaving the other Zhang Family mbers at a loss on how to gather information about Zhang Huahan.
The Zhang Family mbers all watched these changes silently.
Ti swiftly moved to June, and it was only after Yan Yile had sent people out a few tis to purchase goods that the Zhang Family learned about Zhang Huahan’s imminent visit to the provincial capital.
At this, the Zhang Family couldn’t sit still any longer.
Going to the Provincial Governor’s to celebrate a birthday, not to ntion the honor of rely speaking about it, might just impress others, not to ntion the potential of forming connections with high officials and nobles.
Especially the Second and Third Misses, who were currently in marriage talks, were the most eager; as long as they could go to the Provincial Governor’s Residence, even if it was just a pointless trip, it would benefit their marriage negotiations.
Of course, the Eldest Miss also wanted to go. She was about to marry into the County Magistrate’s family, and if her future in-laws knew she had connections with the Provincial Governor’s Residence, she would surely be looked upon more favorably after entering her new ho.
On the sixth of June, Zhang Huahan ca as usual to pay respects to Old Madam Zhang. As soon as she entered, she saw the Second Madam and others looking at her intently.
Nowadays, Zhang Huahan really seed less and less like a Zhang Family girl; her every move was filled with grace and a refined deanor.
The Eldest Miss broke the silence with a smile: "Fifth Sister, your dress doesn’t seem to be made of ordinary material. Where did you buy it? I’ll get a set too so other day."
Zhang Huahan: "...This material wasn’t bought from outside, it was a gift from Mother."
The Second Miss stared at the hair ornants on Zhang Huahan’s head and quickly asked, "Were those head ornants also given by your Aunt?"
Zhang Huahan nodded slightly.
The Second Miss pouted jealously: "Aunt sure dotes on Fifth Sister, the things you wear, we haven’t even seen before."
The other girls had similar expressions; the Zhang Family had Silver, but so things couldn’t be bought even with money.
Zhang Huahan directly ignored the Second Miss and got up to bid farewell to Old Madam Zhang, but at that mont, the Second Madam spoke up.
"Huahan, we heard you’re going to the provincial capital in a while?"
Zhang Huahan glanced at her, then at Old Madam Zhang, and nodded: "Yes, Mother asked to go to celebrate Uncle’s birthday."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room suddenly quieted.
Old Madam Zhang quickly regained her composure, smiling as she said, "Child, how could you not ntion such a big thing to us beforehand? Since it’s your uncle’s birthday, we as a family should make so gesture."
Zhang Huahan pondered for a mont: "Grandmother, this is my first ti visiting my uncle’s ho, and Mother wishes to keep things simple."
Old Madam Zhang paused slightly, then smiled again: "Your mother is indeed thoughtful; however simple it may be, you shouldn’t be traveling alone as a young girl, should you?"
The Second Madam imdiately chid in: "Precisely, we’re not comfortable with you traveling alone. How about letting your Second Sister accompany you, so you’ll have company on the road."
Zhang Huahan was noncommittal and simply replied, "This matter needs to be discussed with Mother."
The Second Madam wanted to say more, but Old Madam Zhang stopped her.
Old Madam Zhang looked kindly at Zhang Huahan: "It is indeed necessary to discuss this with your mother, but you need to explain the unsuitability of a girl traveling alone to her."
Zhang Huahan responded with a faint ’hmm’ and then got up to take her leave.
...
After arriving at Wutong Courtyard, Zhang Huahan inford Yan Yile about the Zhang Family’s wish to accompany her to the provincial capital.
Yan Yile was not surprised; rchants pursue profit and will always go where the benefits are: "What do you think about this?"
Zhang Huahan carefully observed her expression and then said cautiously: "Mother, this is what I think. It’s indeed inconvenient for to travel alone. Since soone must accompany , why not have my elder brother and elder sister go along?"
Yan Yile said nothing, waiting for Zhang Huahan to continue.
Zhang Huahan continued: "Elder brother and elder sister are, after all, of the sa father as , they are naturally closer than the Second and Third Houses, and our interests are more aligned."
Hearing this, Yan Yile finally showed a slight reaction.
Regarding the Zhang Family, she instinctively felt disgusted. The thought of assisting them was simply unthinkable for her.
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