Xu Daya has been very happy these days.
Although she is busy every day, she feels secure and joyful inside.
She gets to eat delicious food every day, and Old Madam even made her new clothes in person, which is a recognition of Xu Daya.
Moreover, Xu Daya never dread that she could also learn to write.
She is very grateful to Anning.
Just for teaching her how to write, Xu Daya is thankful to her.
Lan also likes Xu Daya very much; she finds her elder sister patient and gentle, and especially smart when learning characters, and she enjoys playing with her elder sister.
After such days passed for seven or eight days, Old Madam sought out Anning to talk.
She was very worried: "Eldest Son’s Wife, I know you want us to eat well, but we do not have the ans, eating fatty chicken and large ducks every day, no amount of money would be enough."
Anning didn’t say much, she took Old Madam into her room and lifted the white cloth covering the embroidery fra.
Old Madam was shocked and uncontrollable: "This, this... did you embroider this?"
An embroidery appeared in front of Old Madam on the embroidery fra.
It was an embroidery of Guanyin.
The Guanyin in the embroidery looked compassionate and serene, a glance at it could calm one’s mind.
Moreover, in the poorly lit room, the embroidery of Guanyin seed to be glowing.
Most importantly, the eyes of Guanyin were particularly lifelike, no matter where you stood, it felt like the Bodhisattva was watching over you.
Old Madam had never seen such an embroidery; it took her a long ti to calm down.
"Eldest Son’s Wife, you... have you tired yourself out these days?"
Anning smiled: "Mother, I’m not tired. I’ve inquired with my father, and it’s almost the sixtieth grand birthday of Old Lady Huang from the Huang family in the Prefecture City, I plan to sell this embroidery to the Huang family."
Old Madam understood Anning’s thoughts.
The old ladies from wealthy families often believe in Buddhism, and she had previously heard from Eldest that the Huang family in Prefecture City is influential and powerful, with one branch holding an official post in the Capital, now a third-rank official, and besides, the Huang family is wealthy, and the Old Lady’s status is very esteed; her sixtieth grand birthday is coming, and her children will surely try their hardest to bring her birthday gifts.
Anning’s embroidery was indeed the best gift, and it would surely be loved by Old Mrs. Huang.
If the Huang family sees this embroidery, they will certainly offer a high price to buy it.
"Good, good."
Old Madam repeatedly praised, then she worried a bit: "But, who will go to the Prefecture City? We do not have the connections; how can we find soone from the Huang family?"
Anning softly said: "I’ll go find my father, he has a classmate in Prefecture City who knows soone from the Huang family."
As it happens, the Wen Family was also a wealthy family in the past.
But Scholar Wen’s branch has already beco collateral, and because this branch has few mbers, it gradually declined.
However, Scholar Wen has scholarly honors, and had also studied in the academy in Prefecture City in earlier years, so he still has connections there.
"When will you go to Prefecture City?"
Old Madam asked quietly.
Anning thought for a mont: "In a few days, I’ll first settle things at ho, then go discuss with my father."
Old Madam urged Anning: "Don’t worry about ho, no matter what, Third is still here, even though we’ve divided the household, he’s still my son, if I ask him to do sothing, he must co and do it, you need to go find your father quickly."
Anning had no choice but to take so things and return to the Wen Family.
When she returned, Mrs. Yu was entertaining guests.
Seeing Anning return, Mrs. Yu was displeased inside, but with guests present, she still had to smile and greet Anning: "Anning, you’re back, how is your second brother doing? Is his leg any better?"
Anning smiled as she sat down, placing the things she brought on the table: "Mother, our family has already divided, and the second branch has separated."
Mrs. Yu curled her lips: "Your in-laws still live with you, how foolish. Even without a husband, why still provide for the in-laws?"
Mrs. Yu truly thought Anning foolish, exhausting herself for the sake of reputation.
If it were soone shrewd, probably after the death of Xu Family’s eldest, she would have remarried long ago, who at such a young age would endure like this?
Anning appeared particularly gentle, seemingly not bearing any grudges against Mrs. Yu: "My husband was always very filial towards his parents, how could I not provide for them? As long as I am here for a day, I must support them for a day."
What more could Mrs. Yu say? Anyway, she was quite happy that Anning’s life was not easy.
"As you wish."
Anning talked a few more words with Mrs. Yu before going to find Scholar Wen in the study.
Scholar Wen was quite happy to see Anning returning.
He spoke with Anning, inquiring about the situation at the Xu Family.
Anning then told him about Xu Erya hiding money, and Scholar Wen also beca quite angry upon hearing this.
Being a gentleman, always upright and composed, he couldn’t stand such deceitfulness like that of Xu Erya.
"It’s good that the family split, so that girl won’t drag you down."
Anning waited for a while before saying: "I heard father is planning to go to Prefecture city, I would like to accompany him."
Scholar Wen didn’t even ask what Anning was going for and agreed.
In his heart, his eldest daughter had always been decisive and never made mistakes, so he was quite confident in Anning.
Hearing that Scholar Wen agreed to take her along, Anning was especially happy and spoke a few more words of gratitude before bidding farewell.
Scholar Wen asked her to stay for a al: "Since you’re here, stay a bit longer at ho, let your mother cook sothing delicious for you to nourish you."
Anning stood up: "Father, I wouldn’t dare to refuse your offer to stay for a al, but with my in-laws at ho lacking soone to take care of them, I really cannot set my mind at ease. Once everything at ho is settled, I will definitely co spend a day with father and mother."
Scholar Wen sighed: "Alright, go on then. I’ll be heading to Prefecture City the day after tomorrow, I’ll swing by your place to take you along."
Anning gave her respects before leaving.
She then went to find Mrs. Yu to bid farewell.
Although Mrs. Yu didn’t favor Anning, still, as a married daughter, she should be given due respect, otherwise, it would affect the reputation she cultivated for her children.
Having returned ho, Anning saw Brother Ying, Lan, and Xu Daya gathered together, discussing sothing.
As she approached, she heard Lan saying: "What should we call elder sister? Minfang? Doesn’t sound very nice."
Brother Ying suggested: "Otherwise, how about Min Yu?"
Anning smiled as she ca over: "Are you brainstorming a na for your elder sister?"
Brother Ying stood up and said: "Mother, please help us think of one."
Anning thought for a mont: "How about Min Ruo?"
"That’s a good na."
Lan clapped her hands and exclaid.
Brother Ying also smiled: "Ruo, aning compliant and respectful, indeed fits elder sister’s temperant."
Anning shook her head: "It’s ant as ’peaceful as if simple’, not that your elder sister is submissive, but she can handle herself gracefully regardless of adversities or ease. You all should learn from your elder sister as well."
Xu Daya seed very pleased, continuously mumbling: "Min Ruo, Min Ruo, this na is very nice, I really like it, thank you Aunt."
Anning waved her hand: "Alright, you go play."
She entered the room, taking advantage of the good daylight, she finished the embroidery, and added a touch of Spiritual Power to it, making the entire embroidery more vivid and lifelike.
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