In the evening, Ji Yunshu and Jing Rong dressed up and planned to visit their neighbour. According to custom, visitors should always bring a gift Jing Rong ordered his subordinates to prepare a small gift on his behalf, which was neither too expensive nor too cheap.
However, before stepping out of the residence, Mo Ruo caught up with them. "Why didn’t you ask me to go when there’ll be great wine?" He complained like a child.
Jing Rong shot him a disgusted look. "I’m not some filial son going to his mother’s home where I have to bring children along, so you better stay put here. I'll order someone to bring you some jars of wine so you could enjoy yourself at your own leisure."
"I refuse. The wines you pick out are not tasty. The wine from other people tastes better than yours."
"You…"
"There’s no way I’m going to miss out on some fancy wine! You’re going drinking without me. That’s so selfish. I’m going no matter what." Stubborn as a mule!
Jing Rong felt his head hurt, and decided to just let Mo Ruo accompany them.
Since Mo Ruo was going with them, Tang Si naturally wanted to go too. She bounced over to Ji Yunshu and grabbed her hand, swaying from side to side as she whined and pleaded. "Ah Ji, let me go with you too. If all of you are going, then I would be left behind at home by myself and be bored to death! Besides, I know Little Xiyue as well. " Two extra baggages!
In the end, they could only bring them along. After they exited the house, they just had to turn round the corner before they arrived. It was so close.
That dyeing house had a very elegant name and was called "Wen Family Textiles".
It was rumored that this Wen Family had ancestors that were government officials for generations. For some reason, the family declined and they never managed to rise back up again. Thus, they had no choice but to start their textile business.
As they say, if the Heavens closed a door on you, they will also open a window of opportunity elsewhere. The Wen clan couldn't succeed in the political areas, but had a smooth path in the business world and carved out a niche for themselves.
Fabrics from the Wen Family Textiles were dyed uniformly, and the colors would never fade. Not only that, their high-quality fabrics were smooth and made of fine silk. Therefore, their fabrics had always been part of the royal tributes. A large quantity of cloth was shipped to the capital on a regular basis to make clothes for officials and their families, as well as members of the royal family. Both the royalty and nobility in the Capital were very fond of them. It wouldn’t be surprising if the clothes that Jing Rong had on were from this shop.
When the four of them arrived at the entrance of the Wen Family Textiles, the housekeeper was already waiting there for them. They greeted each other with cupped hands. Little Xiyue also ran from afar, holding Ji Yunshu's hand very intimately, "Big Brother, you’re here!" Very excited.
Ji Yunshu patted her head and smiled warmly.
Little Xiyue saw the other three people beside her and her small, thin eyebrows wrinkled. Jing Rong put on a snarl of a ‘ravenous wolf’, already looking forward to teasing the child. In contrast, Mo Ruo craned his neck, trying to look inside, like an addict already anticipating his next fix. Tang Si kept to Ji Yunshu’s side, and almost reached out to pinch Little Xiyue’s face yet again. This group is bizzare indeed!
Little Xiyue was not a petty person. After all, there was still a lot of food in the house. Deciding to disregard what she saw, she quickly let everyone in.
Old Master Wen and his wife were already sitting in the hall. When they saw the group coming, they quickly got up and greeted them. The two looked friendly, with not a sign of the airs and schemes that were typical of such well to-do families.
Mr. Wen cupped his hands and bowed in greeting to Jing Rong. "Your Highness."
It was not surprising that he already knew Jing Rong is a prince. After all, the house had been empty for years before they suddenly moved in. Naturally, they would have asked around for news. The shocking fact that it is a prince could likewise not be kept under wraps.
Then, this prince even appeared at their door, uninvited. Who would dare to neglect or be impolite to such a lofty personnage?
Jing Rong nodded with a smile, "Master Wen does not have to be polite. We are not in the capital now, so there is no need for formalities."
"This one should have visited Your Highness, but I was afraid of disturbing your rest. Tonight, I did not expect that Your Highness would condescend to visit our house. It was my fault that were not ready to receive you earlier." However, there was nothing on his face that expressed any feeling of guilt.
"Master Wen, this prince arrived uninvited, how could I blame you? Just treat me as you would any other guest." He handed over the gift in his hand. "If you don’t mind, here is a small gift, Master Wen."
"I don't deserve such honor." Master Wen quickly ordered people to accept the gift.
Little Xiyue tugged on Ji Yunshu’s hands excitedly and took two steps forward, "Dad, Mom. This is the Big Brother Ji whom I’ve been visiting in the past few days. Big Brother is very kind to me and often treats me to pastries."
Her parents then looked at Ji Yunshu. At that instant, their eyes suddenly widened visibly in surprise. They were obviously rather agitated and their eyes even seemed to gleam with tears. However, that display of emotion went away as quickly as it appeared.
Mrs. Wen seemed to like her very much and tugged on her wrist. "Teacher Ji, Xiyue must have disturbed you greatly these past few days. She can be quite immature, so please pardon her behavior."
Ji Yunshu shook her head and smiled. "Madam Wen is too kind. Our courtyard is much more lively with the little lass around.”
"Have you tried the sweet-scented osmanthus cakes we sent over the other day?"
"Yes, it was delicious."
"That's good. When you go back, I will have someone to prepare more for you to bring home. If you want more in the future, just tell Xiyue and I will make it for you."
Ji Yunshu was somewhat embarrassed but had to say, "Thank you, Madam Wen."
"My pleasure. So long as you like it." Madam Wen was very enthusiastic. Her gaze even seemed to carry a hint of maternal love and indulgence. Such enthusiasm towards a virtual stranger was completely unwarranted; although Ji Yunshu had taken care of Little Xiyue for a few days, there was no reason at all for her to treat Ji Yunshu this well. It was completely over-the-top.
Master Wen seemed to realize that something was wrong, so he quickly pulled his wife back. "All right, our guests must have been standing for quite a while, we should let them get to their seats."
Madam Wen finally reacted. "Yes, yes, Old Master is right. It’s my fault for talking so much without regard for anything else. Come in, please take a seat."
Everyone finally sat down on their chairs. Jing Rong and Old Master Wen sat at the head of the table, while Madam Wen and Little Xiyue were seated to the right of Old Master Wen. On the other side, at Jing Rong’s right were Mo Ruo Ji Yunshu and Tang Si.
According to societal norms, Little Xiyue should not be attending this banquet as she is under the age of fifteen and still considered a child. But since Old Master Wen and Madam Wen did not say anything, it was not appropriate to insist. It seems that the Wen family is not as conservative as others.
Little Xiyue suddenly got up and sat next to Ji Yunshu. Her little admirer’s chopsticks were kept busy selecting the choicest morsels of food to put into Ji Yunshu’s bowl.
Tang Si, who had been sitting beside Ji Yunshu, normally would have been filled with anger and jealousy towards the little girl. However, her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Mo Ruo time and time again. All that drunkard did since he sat down opposite her, was drink one cup of wine after another. He was in his happy place, and could only think about wine and more wine.
Tang Si tapped her chopsticks lightly on the table, a little unhappy. She had no idea what she was angry about either. Was she annoyed that all he cared about was drinking his alcohol and did not give her a single glance? Or was she angry at herself for falling in love with her enemy?
Wait, is she falling in love with him?
That possibility was too terrifying. Instead, she decided to take an extra-large gulp of wine.
Meanwhile, Mo Ruo had no idea what had just transpired.