Evil Intentions?

Xu Xue nodded vigorously. "It was truly our own choice. My sister is so good to us. I only got into the Women's Academy thanks to her. She even paid my tuition."

Madam Xiao glanced at Nanny Yun, and seeing her nod, she knew that the matter of the Marquis of Suiping's Residence switching daughters was indeed true.

She laughed and said to Xu Xi, "They're quite protective of you."

Xu Xi smiled and nodded, "That's right, this is my good fortune."

Seeing that her smile was genuine and that Madam Xie and Xu Xue's concern and protection for her didn't seem fake, Madam Xiao suddenly felt envious of Xu Xi.

The more powerful and wealthy a family is, the more complex its interpersonal relationships become. Even biological parents may not truly love and care for their children, prioritizing their own interests. It's rare to find genuine relationships like those between Xu Xi and her mother, the Madam Xie family. If Xu Xi's experiences are truly as she describes, then living in the Xu Family is a blessing for her.

"Are you students who were admitted this year?" she asked again.

"Exactly."

"Alright then." Madam Xiao stood up. "Since we're both at the academy, it'll be easier to keep in touch. I'll come find you after I've found a shop and a manager. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. See you later."

"Farewell, sir."

The three escorted them to the outside of the private room and watched their figures disappear around the corner of the stairs before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Madam Xie asked anxiously, "Xiaoxi, this won't affect you and Xiaoxue, will it?"

Xu Xi shook her head. "Probably not. Madam Xiao is straightforward. She didn't show any displeasure and even said she'd contact her again, so she probably won't do anything bad."

Madam Xie was relieved.

Xu Xi turned around and bowed to Madam Xie: "Thank you so much, Aunt and Sister, for explaining things to me in time."

"What are you doing? If you still consider me your aunt, then don't say things like that," Madam Xie said reproachfully.

The three of them exchanged a glance and then laughed.

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go home." Xu Xi called over a waiter, paid the bill, and then went downstairs with Madam Xie and Xu Xue.

Because of Fu Yunlang's instructions, Xu Xinda did not disturb Madam Xiao left. However, after seeing Madam Xiao's appearance upstairs, Fu Yunlang confirmed her identity— Madam Xiao had an older brother whom Fu Yunlang had met before. The siblings looked somewhat alike.

Having confirmed Madam Xiao's identity, Fu Yunlang was quite glad he had given Xu Xinda the instructions he had just given.

Their Marquis of Pingnan's Residence was far inferior to the Prince of Zhennan's Residence, and even to the Duke of Ying's Residence. From any perspective, they couldn't afford to offend this woman.

Xu Xinda waited patiently. As soon as Xu Xi and the others appeared at the teahouse entrance, he rushed out of the jewelry store and smiled at Xu Xi, saying, "Miss, shall we talk about what happened earlier?"

Fu Yunlang, still worried about Xu Xinda, also sent Shopkeeper Huang down with him. Shopkeeper Huang chimed in, "Our master regretted it as soon as the young lady left. Now he wants to continue talking to her. She said one hundred taels of silver per painting, and we have no objections."

Xu Xinda nodded quickly. "Yes, yes."

"I'm sorry, the remaining nine pictures have already been sold to that lady." Xu Xi smiled and nodded to Xu Xinda, then turned to leave.

Xu Xinda almost cried when he heard this. He stood in front of Xu Xi, blocking her way, and said with a mournful face, "Miss, could you please draw a few more for us?"

"Yes, whatever price that lady offers, we'll give her, no less than one hundred taels of silver per sheet," Shopkeeper Huang, trying his best to make amends for his mistake.

"Really, that's all." Xu Xi smiled apologetically. "These ten paintings I sold were the result of my careful consideration and repeated revisions over the past year or two. They took countless hours of effort; they're not paintings you can just paint off the cuff. I'm truly sorry, both of you."

Xu Xue opened her mouth.

What do you mean one or two years? These drawings were done by her while watching Xu Xi draw them; it took her less than an hour in total.

She knew this wasn't the time for her to speak, so she suppressed her questions and listened to Xu Xi's conversation with the two of them.

"Could the girl go back and work on a few more designs? As long as the styles are novel, everything is negotiable," said Shopkeeper Huang.

"I'll give it a try. As you know, this kind of thing isn't something I can just draw whenever I want; it requires inspiration," Xu Xi said.

"Alright then. If the young lady comes up with a solution, be sure to bring it to the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion," Shopkeeper Huang earnestly instructed.

Xu Xi's words seem to be true. Such designs cannot be created by simply drawing them. Their craftsmen all need to find inspiration. Without inspiration, they might not come up with any new designs even after six months or a year. This kind of thing cannot be rushed.

Therefore, he could only settle for second best and hope that Xu Xi could draw a new design so that he could get it to the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion first.

"Okay," Xu Xi said, glancing at Xu Xinda. Xu Xinda had no choice but to step aside, watching with a sullen expression as Xu Xi and the others left.

From Shopkeeper Huang's eager demeanor, Xu Xinda could easily tell that he too had been reprimanded by the Second Young Master and wanted to make amends. It was clear how much the Second Young Master cared about this matter. Thinking about how this transaction was entirely his doing, Xu Xinda's heart sank.

He turned to the gatekeeper and instructed, "Follow that girl and see where she lives."

Shopkeeper Huang opened his mouth as if to stop him, but after a pause, he closed his mouth again.

The waiter immediately chased after the place where Xu Xi and the others had disappeared.

Xu Yongyi Xu Xi kept walking forward and had already gone far from the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion without stopping, Xu Yongyi quickly said, "Miss Xi, you wait here, I'll call a mule cart."

"Uncle, don't rush." Xu Xi said without explaining, and walked straight ahead. When she reached the corner of an alley, she went in and stopped in front of a house with a locust tree. She stood behind the locust tree.

Xu Yongyi and his wife, along with Xu Xue, were unaware of her intentions but did not ask, and followed her inside.

Madam Xie knew that Xu Xi was carrying a large sum of money. Although this alley wasn't remote, it was still quieter than the main street they had just crossed. If someone had malicious intentions, Xu Yongyi, a single man, might not be able to protect them.

Just as she was about to speak, Xu Xi shushed her, signaling them to be quiet. Madam Xie quickly shut her mouth and followed Xu Xi's gaze to the alley entrance.

Then came the sound of hurried footsteps, followed by a figure rushing over. After running a few steps, the figure seemed to realize something was wrong, stopped, and looked around.

Before he could even see her, Xu Xi asked, "Were you looking for me?"

Xu Yongyi then realized that the man was indeed the doorman of the Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion. He had chatted with the doorman a few times while waiting for Xu Xi and the others downstairs, so he couldn't mistake him for someone else.

He was filled with shock and anger.

Is Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion plotting against Xu Xi now that the deal fell through?