Shen Xingwan didn't show any surprise or pride on his face, and followed Bai He towards the backyard with a smile.
"Old madam, Miss Xingwan is here!"
The eldest girl next to the old lady said sharply. The old lady raised her eyes and looked over. The pretty and smart little girl was walking over with light steps. The manner in which she walked was clearly from a famous artist.
"I've met the old lady." Shen Xingwan walked over and saluted.
"Get up, you're welcome."
The maid next to the old lady quickly helped her up and said, "Miss Xingwan, sit here."
Shen Xingwan sat down and then looked up. The old lady was wearing a dark purple-red dress with white patterns. Her white silk hair was neatly pulled up, and she wore a low-key and elegant headdress.
In total, Mrs. Shen is only in her fifties, and her mental state and skin condition look quite young.
Only her white hair stood out, and the rumor quickly flashed through Shen Xingwan's mind.
It is said that the old lady's only son, the famous scholar in Jiangnan, was the former prince's companion and died in the accident together with the prince.
As a mother and aunt, the old lady grew old overnight.
"She is a beautiful little girl. Is she still used to living in Jiangling?" the old lady said mildly.
"Jiangling is very good, it is a place with outstanding people and wonderful places." Shen Xingwan said with a crooked eyebrow, looking very sincere.
Shen Xingwan took a look and saw that the stove next to him was steaming, and it looked like he was about to make tea.
"Do you want to make tea? Madam, please try my craft."
The old lady glanced at her in surprise, "Are you good at tea art?"
"Know a little bit."
Shen Xingwan walked over with a low eyebrow and began to make tea skillfully. The movements were smooth and smooth, which was very pleasing to the eye.
For a while, no one spoke in the pavilion.
This is the effect Shen Xingwan wants, to do more and talk less. In front of a person like the old lady, what he says often makes many mistakes.
Half an hour later, Shen Xingwan personally handed the old lady a cup of tea, "Madam, please taste it."
The old lady took it and gently opened the lid of the tea. The aroma of tea suddenly filled the whole yard.
The old lady lowered her head and took a sip. It was fragrant but not astringent, and there was a light fragrance in her mouth, which made people have endless aftertaste.
"It's a good one." The old lady praised with a smile.
Shen Xingwan smiled sweetly, "I also think I'm pretty good at it. This is my only skill."
This was said playfully and honestly.
After finishing half the cup of tea, the old lady suddenly asked, "Can you play chess?"
Shen Xingwan hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll wait."
"Come with me for the next game." The old lady said calmly.
The maid next to her quickly cleared the table and put the chessboard on it.
"Do you want white or black?" the old lady asked.
Shen Xingwan was not polite, "Then, junior, be brave enough to take advantage of the black man."
Shen Xingwan said as he picked up a black chess piece. It was cool and smooth when he held it. It looked black and clear. It was a good thing at first glance.
The two of them got off the bed quietly, and the maids and mothers waiting around them did not dare to make a sound, and even their breathing became lighter.
The sunlight shifts and sets little by little.
When the sunset filled the entire yard, the game finally ended.
There were three games in total, and Shen Xingwan won one and lost two.
The old lady put down the flag, took the handkerchief from Bai He and wiped her hands, "It's great! You are good at chess. You are worthy of being the most prestigious student of Shengshi Academy in the past two years."
Shen Xingwan said modestly, "The old lady is so complimentary."
"You are tired too, playing chess and making tea. I won't leave you to eat. Go back and rest early."
Shen Xingwan was waiting for help with these words. After moving his luggage neatly, he took Qinghong and left.
"She is not nostalgic." Nanny Zhang whispered.
None of the other ladies wished to stay with the old lady for a while longer.
Only this one didn't talk much from beginning to end. He didn't answer any questions he asked, and he didn't know how to be nice and coaxing.
The old lady saw clearly, "Not everyone wants to stick to it."
At least this person clearly doesn't want to, which is kind of interesting.
Grandma Zhang supported the old lady and walked slowly back to the living room.
Bai He went to pass the dinner, and Grandma Zhang poured a cup of tea for the old lady with her own hands, and accompanied her to say some thoughtful words.
Aunt Zhang has also seen countless people. She also met all the princesses and concubines when she followed the old lady. She has a vicious eye when looking at people.
"At first glance, this little girl looks sweet and smart. In fact, her etiquette and manners are not inferior to those of the ladies in Kyoto."
"She really doesn't look like a girl who grew up in the countryside. She was only seven or eight years old when she left the Hou Mansion, right?"
As she spoke, Grandma Zhang lamented that once she fell from a wealthy family to a country girl, she didn't grow crooked at all.
The old lady leaned on her chair and said, "You can tell by watching chess that this kid is not as sweet on the inside as he looks on the outside. He is tough and has ideas."
Grandma Zhang looked at the old lady's expression and asked tentatively, "Then should we choose her?"
After all, the humbler her current family is, the less trouble and the fewer things involved, which sounds like a good choice!
"Let's take a look." The old lady said tiredly, "She is a good candidate, but that doesn't mean she is an obedient flag."
She never looked down on anyone, especially a young and beautiful girl with her own ideas.
If used incorrectly, it will have the opposite effect.
Shen Xingwan didn't expect to see many of them. After sitting with his back straight all afternoon, his back was already sore.
As soon as I returned to the yard, I flopped down on a chair covered with thick felt, sitting in an awkward position.
Qinghong glanced at her with a very expressive look and said nothing more, but asked, "Miss, I'll order dinner."
"I want to eat something refreshing for dinner tonight."
Banxia immediately handed Qinghong a piece of silver, and Qinghong turned around and took the little maid to the kitchen to order food.
Ban Xia walked up behind Shen Xingwan and said, "Miss, let me give you a squeeze on your shoulders."
Shen Xingwan waved his hand, "It's okay, I'll just sit down for a while."
Shen Tang stepped in the door with a slightly cool breath, and asked with concern, "How do you feel about meeting the old lady?"
Shen Xingwan carefully observed Shen Tang's expression, trying to discern some of his inner thoughts.
She leaned on her chair and said with a smile, "The old lady is very gentle, and her words are also very interesting."
Shen Tang obviously breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."
"Dad, when will we return to Jiangling?" Shen Xingwan asked expectantly.
Shen Tang paused, "Isn't Yangzhou good? I thought you would like it. It's much more lively and prosperous here."
"I miss my brother and my mother." Shen Xingwan came casually.
Shen Tang reached out and touched her head, "We will leave when the flower viewing party is over, don't be in a hurry."
"I really miss my mother's cooking." Shen Xingwan sighed in front of a large table of exquisite dishes.
Shen Tang lowered his head to eat the food, but did not answer or raise his head.
If he looked up, he would definitely find that there was no warmth in the way Shen Xingwan looked at him at this moment.
