Chapter 6, Return.

Ji Si hurriedly wiped her face, and sure enough, two drops of tears were on the back of her hand. She widened her tear-filled eyes and smiled shyly at the young boy, saying: "I didn't cry, it's just that the wind and sand blurred my eyes"

Although the manor is small, it still possesses some assets. However, Ji Si, the sole heir, is not only a woman but also too young. Therefore, her wet nurse's family has always taken care of her. The young man whom Ji Si is fond of is her wet nurse's nephew

Ji Si calmed down and felt a bit ashamed of her earlier indiscretion. She quickly stood up, took her younger brother's hand, and, accompanied by the servants, walked towards the Xie family convoy.

As the sound faded, the car curtains were drawn, isolating Ji Si's gaze as she looked up.

In this atmosphere of surface harmony and tranquility, more than ten days have passed in the blink of an eye

On the fifteenth day, a cheer erupted from the convoy

How did I end up crying

Ji Si turned her head, smiled at Sun Fu, and said, "I know." She then turned to watch the departing convoy and softly said, "I just haven't heard such words in a long time." It had been so long that she had forgotten that she was a delicate woman who could seek protection, receive tenderness, and hope for care

Watching the luxurious carriages and fine garments pouring out of the city like a flood, and seeing the women cheering wildly, Sun Fu's exclamation was heard, "It's bad, it's bad, that Xie Lang has covered the family emblem on the carriage and even had the servants wear hats, yet they were still recognized"

Ji Si raised her eyes to look at Sun Fu and said, "You are mistaken; I have already engaged in matters of climbing and attachment." She withdrew her gaze and did not intend to explain further, simply stating, "From now on, your words and actions must remain as they were before." With that, Ji Si waved her hand, signaling for Sun Fu and the others to withdraw.

Just as Ji Si was thinking this, suddenly, from the wide-open city gate ahead, a wave of fervent shouts erupted

This highly sought-after young man, after an accidental encounter with Ji Sa six months ago, has taken a liking to her and has repeatedly sought to get close to her and express his affection. In Ji Sa's mind, these actions indicated that Zhuang Shisan had feelings for her.

At that moment, Ji Dao's hand gently touched Ji Si's cheek, and the young boy's crisp voice came through, "Sister, don't cry"

Last night, the enchanting Miss Wu now had red and swollen eyes, her face haggard, appearing to have suffered a great deal of grievance

Ji Si secretly smiled, thinking: That well-dressed, elegantly mounted young master has long been accustomed to such things; you are merely worrying unnecessarily.

In the past ten days, Ji Si had been getting closer to Xie Lang, yet she still could not find an opportunity to speak with him. That person was clearly gentle and easy to talk to, yet he remained out of her reach. She and Xie Lang were like the Milky Way in the sky and the streams on earth, separated by nine layers of heaven and earth

Ji Si arrived outside Xie Lang's carriage, bowed towards the carriage, and gratefully said: "Ji Si is deeply thankful to my lord for your protection along the way"

Even though she hated deeply, she could only secretly cast a few glances at Ji Zi. The people around her would occasionally notice and hurriedly pull her back, scolding her in a low voice.

In this era, whether it is the prominent families, large or small landlords, or even the completely fallen small families like the Ji family, the most common way to accumulate wealth is through real estate, which has led to the formation of various estates of all sizes

Early the next morning, the team set out again

Uncle Li responded joyfully with a sound, vigorously cracking the whip a few times, urging the donkey cart to rush past several horse-drawn carriages

Seeing Ji Si's expression was indifferent, Sun Fu, filled with frustration, said: "My lady, do you know what the Chenjun Xie family is? In the past, when the noble families of the world migrated south in large numbers, their arrival was met with great resistance and dislike by the scholars who had lived in this Jiangnan region for hundreds of years. However, it was at that time that the descendants of the Chenjun Xie family and the Langya Wang family emerged. Their elegance and extraordinary demeanor immediately captivated all the southerners, even those with exceptional talents felt ashamed of themselves. To this day, people still talk about the Wang and Xie descendants in the streets and alleys... Ah, why am I saying all this? In short, my lady, you must remember that to thrive in this world, if you can earn a single compliment from that Xie gentleman, tomorrow, suitors will line up from the street corner to the other end to propose to you. If that Xie gentleman values you even more, it could elevate our family by one or two ranks..."

Especially when she looked towards Ji Zi, her gaze was almost venomous

Ji Si hurried a few steps, bending down to embrace her seven-year-old younger brother. Just as she caught this thin, warm body, an indescribable feeling of emotion suddenly surged in her heart.

Xie Lang revealed his face, and after glancing at the tear stains in her eyes, his gentle and melodious voice came through, "Is your surname Ji? Are you a descendant of the Yellow Emperor?"

At that moment, the small figure also spotted Ji Si, and immediately let out a joyful cry, rushing over like a stone. Just then, Ji Si also got off the donkey cart and hurriedly ran over.

Sun Fuqiang, suppressing his excitement, whispered, "My lady, to receive even a glance from Young Master Xie is something that young men and women in this world can only dream of. Now, it is clear that Young Master Xie has shown you some favor; why do you not even say a few polite words or step forward a little? How can you return to the tent like this?" He was so angry that he nearly stamped his foot, "My lady, this is a blessing that both you and your family have longed for over hundreds of years and have never received!"

The curtain of the ox cart at the front was lifted, and Ji Si's milk brother, Zheng Kuang, smiled at her and said, "Ah Si, you have finally returned. If you hadn't come back soon, your brother Zhuang would have set off already"

The four or five young men behind Zheng Kuang are all considered prominent figures in Jing County, which is near Jingzhou City, especially Zhuang Shisan, who is among the top in this area. This is partly because the Zhuang family ranks among the top three wealthy families in Jing County, and partly because Zhuang Shisan has been known as a child prodigy since the age of six or seven, coupled with his handsome appearance, making him the dream lover of the young women in Jing County

Younger brother

Upon returning to the tent, Sun Fu approached and whispered, "My lady, that nobleman is the young master of the Xie family from Chenjun, is he not?" As he spoke the words "Xie family from Chenjun," his voice trembled and floated, overwhelmed with excitement beyond expression

After the Xie family convoy entered the city, Ji Si and the others also boarded the donkey cart and headed towards their own estate

The sheer number of people rushing out of the city was overwhelming and terrifying, and the cacophony of screams and cheers was too mixed and jarring. As a result, even the servants like Sun Fu were astonished and anxious upon witnessing this scene

In the moment she held her younger brother, she unexpectedly felt a sense of having regained something lost. It was as if she had once lost everything, yet the greatest loss was not having sheltered this child before her as he grew up, allowing him to endure far too many hardships that he should not have had to bear

At the entrance of the manor, several ox carts were parked. From a distance, Ji Si and others were seen approaching, and those ox carts quickly drove over.

A night has passed

Three months ago, after Ji Si learned that Zhuang Shisan planned to go abroad for study, she wanted to give him a gift so that he would not forget her. At that time, she thought that the one hundred acres of land in Qingshan County was too far away, making it difficult to manage and inconvenient to collect rent. Therefore, she decided to sell it for money, and then use that money to buy a gift for Zhuang Shisan, which led to Ji Si's trip to Qingshan County.

Ji Si thought to herself: No wonder Xie Lang's reputation for being charming is known throughout the world. With his status, appearance, and demeanor, and his willingness to lower himself to treat an ordinary young woman with kindness, what woman in the world could possibly resist being moved by him?

In just a blink, Ji Si shook her head vigorously and thought: What are you thinking about?

Because the city of Jingzhou is in sight

Upon hearing the other party mention their ancestors, Ji Si naturally straightened her back. She lowered her gaze and shoulders, performed a standard ritual of Zhou, and replied: "My lord is well-versed in knowledge"

As Ji Si was jolted by the donkey cart, caught in a state between sleep and wakefulness, the excited voice of Uncle Li came from outside, "My lady, quickly look, the young master has arrived, the young master has come to greet you"

Upon seeing her younger brother, Ji Si was overjoyed to the utmost. She happily leaned forward and called out to Uncle Li, "Uncle, walk faster, walk faster."

Ji Si's ancestors once served as county officials and engaged in trade, thus establishing a family estate. However, a year ago, Ji Si's father was killed by robbers while traveling for business, and shortly thereafter, her mother followed her father in death. Subsequently, Ji Si agreed to the requests of several concubines to let them leave. Now, in the small manor where she resides, she is the only true owner left. Although Ji Dao is Ji Si's younger brother, the manor and the people nearby all know that he is merely an orphan taken in by Ji Si's parents. Now, in the small manor where she resides, she is the only true owner left. Although Ji Dao is Ji Si's younger brother, the manor and the people nearby all know that he is merely an orphan taken in by Ji Si's parents.

Xie Lang nodded slightly, and in a deep, pleasant, yet gentle voice, he said: "I will stay in Jingzhou for a period of time. If anything happens, you can come find me"

Ji Si widened her eyes in surprise, eagerly stretching her head out. Sure enough, three figures, two large and one small, were approaching from three hundred meters ahead. The small one was none other than her younger brother

It is just that for some unknown reason, the youth who had captivated Ji Si three months ago, upon this reunion, that affection has dissipated like smoke and clouds, and faintly, there is an indescribable sense of aversion and desolation weighing on the heart

The curtain of the carriage has been lifted

Until that convoy had gone far away, Ji Si was still in a daze.

Upon seeing this, Sun Fu lowered his voice and said: "My lady, that young master of the Xie family is indeed the best, but he is also unattainable. Such high-born nobility can only be admired from a distance, not pursued with affection."

At this point, Zheng Kuang turned to the ox cart behind him and shouted towards a handsome young man sitting inside, "Zhuang Shisan, did you see that? After being out for just over two months, our little A Si not only has grown taller and tanned, but she has also become quite proud. Even now, she hasn't gotten off the cart to greet you all."