An Agreement Reached

When she finished speaking her first sentence, the old lady and Lady Zhu, these two feudal patriarchs, felt uncomfortable. But upon hearing Xu Xi's next sentence, they suddenly understood her intention.

Having a mother like Lady Wei, no one would feel at ease, right? Marriage is a major event concerning a woman's happiness for the rest of her life. It's completely understandable that Xu Xi was worried about Lady Wei and wanted a promise from them.

The expressions on their faces softened.

"We never force our children to marry," the old lady said. "We would have consulted you about your marriage; we wouldn't have made a decision without your knowledge. And it's the same for all our children. Marriage is about forming a bond, not an enmity. Forcing children to marry does no good."

Lady Zhu nodded, indicating that she fully agreed with the old lady's words.

"What if the Second Madam arranges a marriage for me without my consent?" Xu Xi asked.

"You are a child of our Marquis's family. Without my consent, the Marquis's consent, and the Marquis's consent, she cannot make the decision," the old lady said.

Seeing her confident expression, Xu Xi relaxed and smiled, "In that case, I'm relieved."

She stood up and bowed to the old lady and the first lady. "Thank you, old lady, thank you, aunt."

"No need for such formalities." The old lady raised her hand, a smile appearing on her face.

The First Madam looked at Xu Xi with a gentle expression. "From now on, if there's anything you need to discuss, feel free to come to the Old Madam and tell me. It's best to be as open and honest as you were today."

"Yes," the old lady echoed.

Although she wasn't quite comfortable at first, she now felt it was good to speak her mind. Having spent her entire life in the inner quarters, she had witnessed too much intrigue and suspicion, and she preferred Xu Xi's open and honest nature, who was willing to lay everything out in the open.

Having received promises from the Old Madam and the First Madam, Xu Xi conceded, saying, "Very well, I will return to the Marquis's residence. However, if the Second Madam comes looking for trouble, that's a different story."

The old lady's expression darkened at the mention of Lady Wei. She said, "I will keep her in check."

After settling the matter, Xu Xi stood up to take his leave.

The First Madam called to her Daya, Caidie, "Take Fifth Miss to the Tea Tasting Residence and see if she needs anything. Go to the storeroom and get it for her."

Xu Xi bowed and followed Caidie to the Tea Tasting Residence.

Tea Tasting Residence was indeed a small courtyard built next to the Rongxi Hall, and it was unclear what it was originally intended for. However, this small courtyard did not share a main entrance with the Rongxi Hall; instead, one had to go around a section of the wall surrounding Rongxi Hall, making it a self-contained courtyard, which pleased Xu Xi greatly.

The courtyard wasn't large, and there weren't many houses, but one was enough for Xu Xi to live in, one to use as a study, and one to use as a living room. The houses were all spacious, and the courtyard itself was about 70 or 80 square meters, which was much better than the three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment Xu Xi had bought in modern times.

Lady Zhu had already had all the items that had been placed in the second wife's quarters moved over and placed in the Tea Tasting Residence. However, only the bedroom was furnished; the rest of the house was simply cleaned but not furnished.

Xu Xi walked around the courtyard and instructed, "Use the main house as a study, the east room as a bedroom, and the west room as a reception room."

Upon hearing this, Matron Yuan was somewhat troubled. Although she was still unsure of Xu Xi's temperament, she still dutifully advised, "Miss, the main room is usually used for receiving guests. Is it inappropriate to use the west room as a reception room?"

"The main room is bright and spacious, perfect for a study. Besides, I spend the most time there, so of course I should use the best and most comfortable room as my study. As for receiving guests, I hardly ever have anyone here, and I rarely use the room, so using the best room as a reception room would be a complete waste."

Xu Xi waved his hand. "Do as I say."

Well, this is the kind of person who doesn't listen to advice and has very strong opinions.

Matron Yuan had no choice but to direct everyone to move the bedding and other belongings into the east wing, and then move the eight-immortal table and chairs from the main room to the west wing.

Looking at the empty main room, Xu Xi asked Qingfeng, "Qingfeng, when you received the writing implements, your aunt said they were all for me, right?"

"Yes, young lady."

"Go to the Chess Watching Courtyard now and bring all your things over to the study. Then go and ask the First Madam if she has any bookshelves or a desk. If so, could I borrow them?"

Qingfeng was once again stunned by Xu Xi's overly familiar behavior.

Fifth Miss has just returned to the Marquis's mansion. Shouldn't she be timid, obedient, and not dare to say a word or take a step? Why is it that our own daughter, after arguing with her own mother, is now so rude in demanding things when arranging the new house?

Even Zhao Ruyu, the eldest daughter of the main wife, wouldn't dare to be so blatant and self-righteous about wanting something, would she?

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go!" Xu Xi said.

Qingfeng hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but persuade her, "Miss, how about... we make do with that eight-immortal table for now? You don't have any books to display, and there's no rush for a bookshelf, is there? You've only just entered the manor and you're already asking for this and that. The Old Madam and the First Madam won't say anything, but the young masters and ladies of other rooms will inevitably make comparisons. If you ask the First Madam for things too, won't that put the First Madam in a difficult position?"

These words are truly wise and insightful, showing great consideration for Xu Xi.

If Xu Xi wants to live a comfortable life in this Marquis's mansion, having to be subservient to others in everything she does, she will naturally listen to Qingfeng's advice. She understands the principle that listening to advice leads to a good life.

But she doesn't plan to settle down here.

Although she had promised the old lady and the first lady, she estimated that she wouldn't be spending most of her time in the Marquis's mansion. Moreover, she planned to earn her own living and wouldn't rely on the Marquis's mansion for food and clothing, so she wouldn't have to be at the mercy of the people in the Marquis's mansion.

If you Gao Xing her, she can simply move out of the Marquis's mansion, buy her own house, and live there on her own. Her weddings and funerals will have nothing to do with the Marquis's mansion.

Economically independent people can stand so tall, huh.

"No need, just do as I say." Xu Xi waved her hand and then stared straight at Qingfeng, as if to say that if she didn't obey, she would be replaced as well.

Qingfeng sighed inwardly, bowed, and said, "Yes." He took a step back and turned to find the First Madam.

The First Madam was still sitting in the Old Madam's room. Upon hearing Qingfeng's report, she looked at the Old Madam.

The old lady frowned and said, "What she asked for isn't excessive, give it to her."

She was willing to give them because the Marquis's residence already possessed these items. Otherwise, she wouldn't have spent extra money to make or buy them for Xu Xi.

"Isn't this spoiling her too much? If she's like this from the very beginning, she'll become reckless and won't know her own limitations," the First Madam said.

The old lady took a sip of tea. "From what I heard when I spoke to her earlier, she's not the kind of person who's reckless and doesn't know her place. She speaks very politely and knows what's important. Since what she wants isn't excessive, we'll give it to her first. Let's treat her well for now and see how she reacts. She doesn't feel a strong sense of belonging to the Marquis's mansion. If we keep suppressing her, she might achieve great things in the future and won't think of the Marquis's mansion at all."

She sighed, "Let's treat her well first, win her heart, and then think about other things."