Three Joys

Chapter 71 Extra (1)

The 17th year of Ningwu, March 3rd.

The Crown Prince of Qi Noble family, Li Hong, personally escorted Miss Xu from Yunrang back to the Xu residence in the capital. It has been seven years since Xu Yingluo left the capital.

When Xu Yingluo arrived at the Qi Manor all those years ago, she was just an eight-year-old girl. Li Hong still remembered going to welcome this little cousin back then. The old Princess Qi came from the powerful Yu clan, being Li Hong's own grandmother.

He and Xu Yingluo were of similar age, with only a few days' difference in their birthdates. It was a bit unfortunate for him to be treated as a younger brother to someone born so closely to him in age.

Li Hong, despite his age, was making his first time visit to the capital. Riding comfortably in the sedan chair, Miss Xu, led the procession on horseback from the city gate to the Xu Manor, broadening his horizons along the way. Arriving earlier than the scheduled time, they were warmly received by the Xu Manor's chief steward and a group of servants.

The chief steward of the Xu Manor was named Zhang Yuan, a slightly plump but very shrewd man. Li Hong thought that anyone who could hold the position of chief steward had to be shrewd.

Approaching Li Hong, Zhang Yuan respectfully bowed "Greetings to the Crown Prince's of Qi Fanily" prompting others in the entourage to follow suit and kneel.

At this moment, a light and melodic giggle tinkled from the carriage. Before any maidservant could assist her, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a young lady gracefully stepped out. Although her appearance might not be described as exceptionally beautiful, her features exuded a distinct charm, and she carried an air of cleverness and intelligence. She spoke with a hint of humor "No need for such formalities. The country-born young master, cannot bear such grand gestures"

In Yun Rang, far from the capital, naturally did not uphold the same level of formality as the capital. When Zhang Yuan and the others saw the young lady, they once again paid their respects, "Respectful welcome back Miss."

Xu Yingluo replied with a "Please rise" and she glanced around at the people. Zhang Yuan understood and explained, "Marquis Xu is at court, and the Miss returned earlier than expected. The Master of the Manor went to the store and just received the message; he's on his way back"

In the twelfth year of Ningwu, General Xu's distinguished service in repelling the enemy earned him the title of Marquis of Zhenping, granted with a fief of one thousand households. Xu Yingluo didn't express any objection. Instead, she casually took the arm of the Crown Prince of Qi, saying "We have arrived home. Let me show this 'country bumpkin' around."

Yun Rang was somewhat remote but still considered one of the wealthiest regions. As the Crown Prince, Li Hong considered himself fairly knowledgeable. Before coming to the capital, he had heard about the grandeur of noble families in the capital. Now, witnessing it firsthand, he understood why Xu Yingluo referred to him as a "country bumpkin."
The opulence surrounding him was beyond his expectations, from the carved beams and painted rafters to every meticulously designed item, even the teacups carried a certain prestige. Li Hong, who had seen many exquisite things, couldn't help but marvel at the perfect amalgamation of each item, silently impressed.

In no time, a servant approached "The Master of the Manor has returned and is waiting in the front hall for the Crown Prince and Miss."

Li Hong, accompanied by Xu Yingluo, followed the servant to the main hall of the Xu mansion. Before arriving in the capital, Li Hong had already heard that the Xu family in the capital had three lord's. Xu Yingluo came from the main branch and was the eldest daughter of Marquis Zhenping and his first wife, Lady Luo. Although Marquis Zhenping was 'chang ren'
his achievements were no less than those of 'xie' and he held the title of Grand General of the North, bestowed by the emperor.

The second son was the current Minister of Justice, holding the official rank of the second grade. The third lord, who chose a life outside officialdom, was appointed as an imperial merchant, overseeing forestry and landscaping projects. He led a leisurely life of wealth. Both the second and third lords are 'xie'. The master of the Xu Manor hailed from the Shen family of the Seventh clan, having been the 'kao' wife to the three brothers for almost a decade. In addition, there was a little master in the manor, the legitimate son of Master Xu, who was only six years old.

In the past, when the Xu mansion was in turmoil, Marquis Zhenping, thinking he couldn't properly care for his daughter, sent Xu Yingluo to the Qi Noble Manor, where she was personally raised by the old Princess Qi. Now, Xu Yingluo was nearing her marriageable age, so she had returned to the capital.

Li Hong also knew that his young cousin had a straightforward personality, to put it mildly. He had heard rumors that the discord between her and his uncle had some connection to Master Xu, but the details of the past events were unclear to anyone.

Upon reaching the main hall, Xu Yingluo adopted a more formal demeanor. These years in Yun Rang, under her aunt's guidance and the influence of her sisters, her character had grown more restrained. As they entered, Li Hong instinctively raised his gaze, and the people who had been waiting in the main hall turned to look at them.

Among them was a man with extremely handsome features. He was dressed in pale blue attire, with a jade crown adorned with blue silk, and a jade pendant hung from his waist. He exuded an air of elegance and charm. At that moment, Xu Yingluo curtsied respectfully and said, "Yingluo greets the Master of the Manor."

Upon hearing these words, Li Hong couldn't help but be taken aback.

Li Hong had assumed that the man before him was a Lord from one of the branches of the Xu family. He hadn't expected that this man was indeed the Master of the Manor of the Xu family. Li Hong had occasionally seen other princes of noble houses, and even the males among them often had features and manners that appeared more feminine, akin to young girls. Their attire and appearance were markedly different from this person standing before him. At a glance, you could tell the difference.

This Master of the Manor from the Xu family, not to mention his appearance, even his demeanor would make an uninformed person believe that he was a noble heir from one of the prominent four families in the capital.

❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。❀。• *₊°。 ❀°。❀。• *₊°。 ❀°

Translator Note: I will address Shen JingTing as Master Xu from now on as he's the Legitimate primary wife of all three Xu lords, making him Master Xu. Moreover, in this world, there's several noble family, and the heir is called Crown Prince/princess, however, it's very very different from the imperial palace family which is the power house of every clan.