Xuan Bao naturally agreed repeatedly. Speaking of which, the person who got along well with everyone in the Hou Mansion was none other than Xiao Keren.
Even the second brother-in-law, Xiao Keren, including his second uncle Xiao Liao, was closer to him than the other brothers. Perhaps his luck was stolen because he was too close.
Fate is also important between people. In a short period of time, the relationship between Xiao Keren, his second brother Xiao Kexiao, and his seventh sister Xuanbao has developed rapidly.
Knowing Xiao Keren's true face in Lushan, Xuan Bao knew very well that the third brother seemed to be on good terms with everyone, but in fact he was on good terms with everyone. Of course, he and the second brother were exceptions, so he was the best person to find out the information.
The brother and sister chatted for a while, and it was not until Dongxue politely sent him out of Lingyun Garden that Xiao Keren was shocked to realize that he had been fooled by Xuan Bao again.
Everything progressed as expected. Xiao Kexiao successfully persuaded Princess Rouping to officially abandon his civil service and military affairs to engage in business.
It must be said that Xuan Bao unintentionally guided his second brother to the bright road. Xiao Kexiao was really capable in this regard, and even his third uncle Li Shen praised him.
In the West Cross Courtyard, Fang Rongru had broken a lot of things in the past few days. On the surface, it was because the second son, Xiao Youfeng, had recovered his legs and feet and started causing trouble again. In fact, it was because Xiao Kexiao from the eldest house caught her off guard after taking over the property of the Hou Mansion.
Fang Rongru was in charge of the internal affairs of the Hou Mansion for fame rather than profit. Because she was in charge of the internal affairs of the Hou Mansion, she was considered a prominent figure in the circle of ladies in the capital, but what really concerned her were the shops outside the Hou Mansion, Zhuangzi and
Business.
Regarding the elder brothers, the one that Fang Rongru paid the least attention to was Xiao Kexiao, a sick man. When she heard that he was going to take over the foreign affairs of the Hou Mansion, she originally thought it was a joke, but she didn't expect it, she really didn't expect it!
Over the years, Li Shen, the third brother of Princess Rouping, has also had ideas about the Hou Mansion's business. However, he is from his mother's family, and it is unjust and unreasonable to be involved in the affairs of his brother-in-law's family. Fang Rongru has never worried about it because she is sure that everyone will
There is no one in the house who can take over the business.
In a short period of time, Xiao Kexiao, with the help of Li Shen, carried out an inventory of the Hou Mansion's properties vigorously and resolutely. Many managers and shopkeepers came to Fang Rongru one after another. Now she was simply worried and had a difficult life.
"Second Madam, our eldest son is back and is waiting outside to greet you." The maid's voice came from outside.
Fang Rongru said with a trace of impatience in her tone: "Let Youduo go back and rest, I have something to do."
Xiao Youduo, who was standing outside in the courtyard, lowered his head to hide the bitter smile he couldn't help but reveal. His mother had never wanted to see him, and it had become increasingly obvious recently.
"My eldest son, Madam has been really busy recently." The little maid couldn't stand it anymore and lowered her voice to explain for Fang Rongru.
"Yes." Xiao Youduo raised his head, smiled at the little maid, then turned and left.
Xiao Youduo walked forward leisurely with something on his mind. To outsiders, Xiao Liao and Fang Rongru seemed to prefer their younger son Xiao Youfeng, but they treated him well.
In the past, when Xiao Youduo was young, he just felt that his parents were partial. Now that he has grown up, he feels that in this family, there is no so-called father and son, or the affection between mother and son, and he has an inexplicable sense of alienation from his parents.
Although Xiao Youfeng's character is not very good, he still occupies a place in Xiao Youduo's heart. After all, they grew up together and there is still a bond between brothers, so he helps him within the scope of his ability.
His mind was in a state of confusion. When Xiao Youduo came to his senses, he realized that he had unknowingly walked out of the West Cross Courtyard and walked into the garden of the Hou Mansion.
Now that we are all out, we might as well take a walk. Anyway, we will feel out of place when we return to the west courtyard. Although we are not outsiders, we don't seem to have the feeling of being the owner.
Thinking of this, Xiao Youduo stopped and continued to move forward. He said that since he went to the academy to study, he would occasionally stay in his own small courtyard in Xikuoyuan when he came back. It seemed that he had not visited the Hou Mansion for a long time.
Walking and walking, everything I saw was familiar, and even brought back many forgotten memories. Speaking of the garden of the Hou Mansion, it has not changed much compared to more than ten years ago. Xiao Youduo was surprised to recall that when he was a child,
I actually have a deep connection with this garden.
Xiao Youduo walked into the pavilion in the garden and sat down to rest. At this moment, two figures turned into the path in front of the pavilion.
It was her. Looking around, there was only this path leading from the pavilion, and there was a fork at the front. Xiao Youduo suppressed his intention to avoid it and sat upright.
"Hey, look, is there someone in the pavilion?" The childish voice of the little doll sounded.
Dongxue covered her mouth and snickered. The seventh lady knew the truth and asked. After receiving the news, it was clear that she came to block the second-in-law eldest son on purpose. She sang a full set of operas and pretended to have met him by chance.
"Cousin Youduo, what a coincidence." Xuan Bao came to the pavilion holding a few flowers just picked from the garden.
"Oh, it turns out to be Xuan Bao. What a coincidence. I didn't expect to meet you."
Xuan Bao walked to the stone bench next to Xiao Youduo with his short legs and sat down. The little doll turned his face to Xiao You and smiled sweetly.
Xiao Youduo smiled back, facing such an innocent and cute little face, even though he had seen Xuan Bao's fierceness, he still felt an inexplicable fondness in his heart.
"These are very beautiful flowers. I'll give them to you." Xuan Bao took out two or three flowers from his hand and handed them to Xiao Youduo.
Xiao Youduo was amused: "Little girls only like flowers and plants."
"Don't Huahua look pretty?"
"nice."
"That's right, good-looking things can be appreciated by people of all ages and genders."
"That's indeed the truth." Xiao Youduo smiled and took the flowers handed over by Xuan Bao.
The flowers were brought to his nose. Xiao Youduo smelled them. The faint floral fragrance was refreshing. After taking a few deep breaths, he casually placed the flowers on the stone table in the pavilion.
"Cousin Youduo, are you here today?" Xuanbao blinked his big eyes and looked for a topic.
"Yes, Mu Mu is on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month in the academy." Xiao Youduo glanced at Dong Xue, who was standing next to Xuan Bao.
After pausing for a moment and looking at Xuan Bao's innocent face, Xiao Youduo said what was in his heart: "When you come out, take a few more people with you to make it easier to wake up."
"I will take more people with me when I leave the house, but this is in the house."
"It would be good to have more people in the house." Xiao Youduo suddenly realized that what he said was inappropriate and hoped that the little baby didn't understand.
Unfortunately, things backfired. Xuan Bao not only understood but also reacted very quickly: "Are you afraid that Xiao Youfeng will cause trouble for me?"
Xiao Youduo had an embarrassed look on his face. He knew his brother well and he could really do such things as revenge on Xuan Bao, but he couldn't say more.
"Thank you." Xuan Bao thanked him sincerely, "Don't worry, I'll beat him every time he comes."
Looking at Xuan Bao's smiling face, Xiao Youduo couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek gently. The feel was exactly as expected, soft, tender and smooth, easy to pinch.