Four

Hai Yintai was somewhat surprised; this small courtyard was actually only a semi-finished product, and there were indeed many details left to refine. Originally, she did not find it particularly remarkable, but after her comparison, it unexpectedly became particularly vivid and interesting.

Yingming took it over, opened the box, and saw a small boat carved from an olive pit. Haiyintai said there were a total of twelve people on the boat, and she counted back and forth, "I only found ten..."

As new relatives, establishing good relations is of utmost importance. Later, he gifted each of Runhe and Houyi a building, and the elders took the opportunity to invite them all out, which allowed Yingming and Haiyintai to have a chance to be alone together

She has a slender waist and a delicate face. She is the kind of girl that one would definitely recognize upon a second meeting after the first encounter. If the young ladies from other noble families are like ornamental pieces made of gold and jade, then she is akin to a carved ivory; if other girls are like carefully cultivated begonia flowers, then she is like the nandina, adorned on a clear water plate, thriving through winter and even more beautiful against the snow

As for the phrase "teach her a lesson firmly," Hai Fujin certainly could not take it seriously. She hurriedly said, "How could that be? With such a daughter-in-law, I can hardly love her enough..." In the end, she spoke up, saying, "Third Brother, take your younger siblings to see the treasures in your room." She also instructed the maids beside her to ensure that they were well attended to, and that it was fine for them to wander around.

The two individuals gazed at each other, neither losing their composure. With a soft murmur, he cupped his hands and performed a bow towards her

The noble lady said no, "The Third Master of the General's Mansion in the capital, currently in charge of the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs."

The prestigious family of the Zanying clan is renowned, with a grand display and impressive stature, as crowds gather both inside and outside the residence. As they passed through the garden, the noble lady pointed towards the corridor where the guests were mingling, saying, "What do you think of that person?"

She is always of a peaceful temperament, neither overly joyful nor excessively angry, and naturally, she cannot achieve profound enlightenment. Most things that flow through her heart are merely experiences of indifference. She is neither overly attached nor excessively detached. When people and events come, she welcomes them warmly, and when they leave, she does not feel regret; this is simply her nature

The only words that come to mind are exclamations of admiration. She examined each item closely, repeatedly saying, "Oh my, how wonderful this is..." and did not forget to remind Hou Yi that it could only be looked at, not touched

That was the second meeting, yet it felt just like the first. Everyone was conversing in the main hall, and the elders were very relaxed and warm with each other. Yingming and Haiyintai were sitting opposite each other, appearing even more reserved than the last time.

Everyone has left, and Yingming has never been alone in a room with a man, which inevitably makes her feel uneasy. Although Hai Yintai shares the same sentiment, being a man, he remains somewhat composed. He casually pointed to the courtyard that had been licked by the thick tongue of a toad, "Sister, look, isn't it the same as the 'sample' you saw earlier?"

A man can devote all his energy to a single matter, which may not necessarily be a bad thing for a woman. If she encounters someone with a complicated mind, who is unpredictable and capricious, that would truly be unbearable. Yingming is a perceptive person; she has observed so many people and events with a discerning eye, understanding that living with someone who is single-minded is much more reassuring. It can be considered fate; Hai Yintai's words and actions are all appropriate. Before coming, the side consort advised her to weigh things carefully. After pondering for a long time, she could not find any faults and simply felt that this person was good.

Matters that do not capture one's attention are often dismissed with a smile, yet there are always things in life that warrant her concern, such as emotions. The affection for her parents, the closeness with those she knows well, and the person who gifted her the olive pit—since they are engaged, it is inevitable that she views him in a different light

The noble lady smiled and said, "Look at what you are saying. If you are not at ease, we cannot simply agree. The child is right here, and I can see how she is doing. As for what you mentioned about being demoted, even the royal family cannot guarantee eternal wealth and honor, let alone us. Although Ying'er is not my biological child, she has grown up by my side, and I treat her as if she were my own. Children, after all, are cherished and protected as if they might melt in our mouths. Our Ying'er has a stubborn temperament, and if there are any shortcomings in the future, the noble lady will firmly teach her the rules without needing to consider our feelings."

The noble consort asked how it was going? Yingming felt a bit shy, "Is he from the south? That's quite far..."

Hai Yintai merely smiled and thought for a moment, saying: "If that's the case, it's fine. We can create something smaller, but ours will be more complex than a 'sample'. You'll understand once you see it." As he spoke, he led her and the younger siblings who had come with them into his study.

Hai Yintai listened to her speak, and every word resonated deeply with him. He was not a rigid person, and with a smile, he said, "It's not all just official business." As he spoke, he took a small box from the tray and handed it over, saying, "This is a little trinket I carved in my spare time, please accept it as a gift for you to enjoy."

The gentle cooing is naturally understood. For an ordinary family to repair their ancestral home, they would need to save up for two to three years' worth of grain to fund the repairs, let alone such a large project. You are handling matters of utmost importance; if what they say is true, then playing with something for a lifetime is indeed a long-term commitment

The Oqili family hails from the Qiren people, who once conquered the world from horseback, where interactions between men and women were not bound by rigid conventions. The bold and unrestrained customs of the people beyond the pass gradually became Sinicized after over a hundred years of ruling within the pass; however, marriage practices were not strict, nor was there any deliberate arrangement of blind marriages. Yingming and Haiyintai had been arranged to meet before their minor engagement, and amidst the intricate connections between the various noble houses in the capital, it was always possible to find mutual relatives. Last year, the wife of the Minister of Personnel celebrated her birthday, and the noble consort did not bring anyone along, only taking her with her.

A gentle coo may not be the epitome of beauty, but when placed among a cluster of splendid blooms, it is still a remarkable visage

This is a kind of contest that advances by retreating, with unpleasant words stated upfront. Your child is spoiled, and my child is not raised without discipline either. However, one cannot be blunt and directly attack the core issues or apply pressure; it must be approached in a roundabout way, with words chosen to be as gentle as possible, yet still carrying weight. After all, we are both in charge, and neither of us is naive.

The noble lady Hai was certainly very fond of Yingming, and she sighed: "Our Third Brother has such great fortune, being favored by Lord Meng and the noble lady, and they have deigned to connect with our family through marriage. To be honest with the noble lady, I never dared to entertain such an extravagant thought. Firstly, the child is not accomplished, and secondly, the rank is lower, so I truly fear that it would be a disservice to the young lady. But who does not have a warm heart? The second young lady is quite clever; I remember when she was only four years old, she accompanied the side noble lady to the Mei Hanlin family to celebrate a full moon banquet, and she could recite over ten poems by Wang Changling in one breath. Such a smart child, I cannot express how much I liked her!" While speaking, she smiled at Yingming and continued to share with the noble lady, revealing her heartfelt thoughts. "Since I came to the Hai family, I have raised three children over the years; the two older ones have passed away, and only this youngest one remains, whom I have spoiled terribly. However, I dare not boast about other matters, but I can guarantee one thing: Third Brother is sincere and treats others kindly. If the young lady comes to our family, she will certainly not suffer any loss, so please rest assured, noble lady."

She raised her hand, supporting the boat, and a faint fragrance of gardenia wafted from her sleeves. That scent, much like her persona, plunged directly into the heart of Hai Yintai.

"Alright, let's do as my sister says." When he smiled, there was a vast ocean in his eyes. The sunlight slanted in through the diamond-shaped window, casting a golden halo on his shoulder, half of his body adorned with a circle of gold. In that moment of brilliance, he slightly lowered his eyelashes and said with a hint of embarrassment, "Many people do not understand the significance of my work in creating models; most think it is merely a game, inheriting the titles of our ancestors while engaging in tasks that do not match our status. However, those people do not realize that constructing great works in a powerful nation is an endeavor that incurs enormous costs. This room full of models is not created out of thin air; take the set for Yiling, for instance, from surveying to measuring, every high point and every low point must be calculated. How many bricks are needed for the foundation, how many rafters for the roof, every detail must be precise, for if there is an error in calculation, the construction cannot proceed, and it would be a disaster."

Hai Yintai is a person of refined appearance, with bright sword-like eyebrows and a pair of gentle eyes. Standing there, one would think he must be from the south, possessing a calm and composed demeanor, and when he speaks, he might very well have a soft Wu dialect.

Yingming was stunned, and the maidservant beside her hurried over to pick her up, laughing: "Oh my lord, this is not candy, it is made of clay."

A smile brings the heart a little closer, and one no longer feels so constrained in front of elders. Although we have met before, we never had the chance to stand this close or to speak. Yingming felt nervous, yet Haiyintai's voice had a remarkable effect in alleviating this tension.

With a soft giggle, she revealed a set of glistening silver teeth and said, "I am not worthy of your guidance. The wealthy have their fish tanks and pomegranate trees, while we have our cool mats, benches, and big locust trees, along with our grandmother, grandson, and little aunt."

With a gentle nod, "I heard that you are making samples for the imperial court. I have seen the 'small sample' made of clay for the siheyuan before. I wonder if the samples are the same as this one?"

To be able to escape from the upper room is truly a great blessing. As I stepped over the threshold, a soft sigh escaped my lips, and right behind me was the sea silver platform. A glance caught my eye, and naturally, I turned to take a look. In that moment, our gazes met, and we both smiled awkwardly yet gratefully.

The meaning of calling a young woman who is waiting to marry is quite clear. ... As I looked over, the person also gazed back across the goldfish pond. I do not know what impression I gave him, but according to what the old lady used to say when she was alive, this young man, his spirit, his grooming, his elegant demeanor ...

She cannot find it, so he naturally has to come and show her. He casually picked up a small carving knife and opened two windows, "There are two people in each of those windows, take a good look."

This girl, at first glance, appears to be pure and graceful, yet deep down she resembles a wildflower. Before her arrival, he did not expect her to appreciate the styles he created, as girls tend to favor more ornate accessories. To his surprise, not only did she take notice, but she also supported him and offered her insights. What a remarkable fate! How fortunate he is!

The side consort often said that she might have been a monk in her previous life. Because she was too foolish, she spent her last life sweeping in a temple, and no master was willing to enlighten her. Unwilling to accept this, she pondered alone, yet before she could even figure out the twelve earthly branches, she died unexpectedly and was reborn in the residence of the noble lord.

Regarding this matter, Yingming does not agree. The monk is devoid of emotions, while she possesses them. There are many things she understands in her heart, yet she is unwilling to express them. Once one understands, one must take a stand; if the stance is incorrect, the risks can be immense. Being overly perceptive is not beneficial; like glass, it is fragile, and one might stumble and fall at any moment, leading to disastrous consequences. Therefore, it is better to be somewhat clumsy; being clumsy means one will not be forced, which is a highly astute means of self-preservation.

At that time, Hou Yi was only six years old, which was the age when he liked to taste everything. He squinted and jumped forward, leaping onto a small courtyard with a reddish-brown color, and stuck out his tongue to lick it, saying, "Grandfather, let me see if it's made of sugar."

The Hai family had been listening to Er and learned that Lord Na had agreed to their invitation. They immediately prepared fine silk and delicacies, entrusting Quanfu to convey their regards. Since they had already let Xiao Ding go, they considered themselves family. The Hai family repeatedly invited the Na family to their residence for a feast, but Lord Na, feeling impatient with the social obligations, declined several times. Ultimately, feeling unable to refuse any longer, he allowed his wife to take the children to spend a day there.

The soft chirping shook its head, "It absolutely cannot be used for comparison. The sample is a folk craft, shaped in a haphazard manner like a gourd, unlike yours, which is so refined that even the strands of hair can be seen." As it spoke, it pondered again, "This two-entry courtyard is typical of ordinary households; having just a house does not compare to the liveliness of the previous 'Wangfu'. Have you considered adding some elements?"

The house that my mother spoke of, I wonder if my sister has ever heard of it? He wore a smile on his face, his speech was very gentle, flowing little by little, like spring water seeping into the rock wall

In others' studies, books are the main decor, but his is different; three walls are filled with display cabinets, with dozens of compartments of various sizes, all filled with an array of models. The models come in many types, with large ones depicting palatial gardens and smaller ones featuring pagodas and pavilions. The most remarkable is his representation of a traditional courtyard house, complete with a ceiling fish tank and a pomegranate tree, along with a plump dog and a chubby girl, each crafted with lifelike detail, even down to the dimples on the faces and the gnarled features of the pomegranate tree.

Everyone laughed, and Yingming felt quite embarrassed, saying, "I apologize, I didn't expect him to... just don't let it get too sticky."

When Hai Yintai smiles, he also possesses the refined demeanor of a scholar. He remarked that it is not easily melted, "The clay figurines have all been fired, but this little courtyard has yet to be colored, making it indeed look like it is made of sugar."

Seeing her interest, Hai Yintai clasped his hands and said, "Please, sister, give me your guidance"