After sitting for a while, Jiang Wanru got up and left first. The private room was left with only the couple, Chu Xiao and his wife, Chu Yangshi. Chu Xiao glanced at his obviously displeased wife, listening to her say with anger: "Husband, whose daughter is Xiaolan? Why would her family be so neglectful of her?" Chu Xiao reached out to gently pat his wife's hand on the table, soothing her by saying: "You've just given birth, you can't get too angry, it's not good for your body. Xiaolan has always known how to take care of herself. Even if life at home is tough, she won't be too miserable. Look at her, she can still come out freely."

  "Chu Yang's wife sighed softly and said, 'She has come to ask me about these things regarding her marriage. Thinking of this, my heart feels sour and hard to bear. Husband, aren't you curious at all? Whose daughter is she?' Chu Yang's wife looked at Chu Xiao with an unusual gaze, which made him smile bitterly."

  He said with a bitter face: "My daughter, when I knew Xiao Lan, she was someone who seized every opportunity to strive for progress in my heart. I just valued her talent and thought she had a straightforward personality, so I wanted to give him a good chance and recognize her as my adopted brother. I never thought of investigating his family background. Later, he changed from a man to a woman, and I think that with her personality, if she could let us know, she would definitely tell us."

  Chu Yang's wife took a glance at her husband, thinking of the day he heard the truth, his eyes widened in surprise. She burst out laughing and said: "You used to always complain that she loved to squeeze into crowds of women, but she is a woman, where else can she squeeze in if not among women?" Chu Xiao had a good relationship with Chu Yang's wife, and generally wouldn't hide his private affairs from her when he was outside. He also mentioned to her about recognizing Jiang Wenyu as his sworn brother, saying it was under his own name, acknowledging this young man as his younger brother.

  Chu Yang's wife was very supportive of him. In the following days, she often heard her husband complain that his newly recognized younger brother was clever, but that cleverness was always used in the wrong place. Chu Xiao saw the smile in his wife's eyes and knew that as long as she thought about how he had taken his sister-in-law as a younger brother, she would burst out laughing.

  He shook his head slightly, smiling and sighed: "Xiao Lan has never asked about my family background. As she said 'two people with a good relationship, tied by brotherly love. Heroes don't need to ask where they come from. Only ask heroes where they are going.' Knowing she is a woman, knowing she is not a young servant girl's identity, I think it's better not to ask about other things. Sometimes, asking too much can ruin relationships. As for our sworn brotherhood, at home, I only mentioned this to my older brother. My older brother said he trusts my judgment, knows I won't make friends randomly."

  Chu Yang sighed secretly and said, "I won't ask Xiaolan about her background. Her mother isn't worried that Xiaolan will bring shame to our family, but I don't want Xiaolan to lose face in etiquette matters when she's at her husband's home." Chu Xiao smiled and looked at Chu Yang, saying, "Xiaolan has a good sister-in-law." Chu Yang blushed and glared at her, saying, "She treats me like a biological older sister, so I treat her like a biological younger sister. No one else can belittle her."

  Chu Xiao smiled and looked at Chu Yang, with deep emotions in her eyes. She said calmly: "Xiao Lan is an extraordinary woman, I hope the person who wants to marry her can see her goodness." However, Chu Yang's eyes showed a sorrowful expression, shaking her head lightly, saying: "Xiao Lan's tone was flat, this high-ranking marriage proposal doesn't seem to be what she wanted. If that person said those things to Xiao Lan like that... I'm worried he lacks discerning eyes and can't see Xiao Lan's goodness. For some reason, I feel that when Xiao Lan spoke those words, her heart was actually very hurt."

  Jiang Wanru returned to the yard, Fang Zheng and Jiyuan were shoveling snow out of the yard. The two looked up at her and burst into a smile. Jiyuan put down the shovel in her hand, smiled and walked forward, she took a deep breath with her nose, and smiled at the thing in Jiang Wanru's hand. Jiang Wanru glanced at her little dog-like appearance, and smiled at Fang Zheng who was still shoveling snow, saying: "Fang Zheng, don't be busy now, you and Jiyuan come together, I have something to say to you."

  Jiang Wanru pushed open her own door, and Jiyuan followed behind her into the room. Fang Zheng stood at the door, hesitating for a moment before catching Jiyuan's hint and entering the room to stand in the corner. Jiang Wanru put down the things in her hand on the table, then turned around the screen and used the cold water in the basin to wipe her face and hands.

  She came out, and Jiyan poured her a bowl of hot water. Jiang Wanyu sat down at the table, took a sip of the warm water to warm herself up. She pointed at the things on the table and said to Jiyan: "Jiyan, the pastries from Cha Ju Yi Pin, divide them in half, one half for the Muren family, and the other half for your family." Jiyan listened, nodded with a happy face.

  Fang Zheng stared at the things on the table in shock when he heard Jiang Wan's words. The Tea House was a place where only the wealthy and powerful would enter. He looked up to examine Jiang Wan's coarse linen clothes, taking in her elegant posture. Fang Zheng, who had been standing in the corner, couldn't help but straighten his back. Ji Yan opened the package on the table, releasing the sweet aroma of pastries that wafted directly into their noses, and she happily exclaimed: "It smells so good, thank you Miss!" Jiang Wan's gaze swept lightly over Fang Zheng, and upon seeing him like this, a faint smile floated up in her eyes.

  Ji Yan brought the things, divided them into two portions, and thought for a moment before saying to Jiang Wanru: "Miss, I'll leave a few pieces for you to eat." Jiang Wanru shook her head with a smile and said: "No need, I specifically brought it back for you all to try. Just be careful not to let anyone see when you take it out later." Ji Yan smiled and nodded, saying: "Yes, Miss, I'll be careful. My mother has tried the pastries from Cha Ju Yi Pin a few times, and she said that Miss has good taste in finding pastry shops to buy things, spending little silver but getting flavors comparable to Cha Ju Yi Pin's pastries." As Ji Yan spoke, she neatly wrapped two packages.

  Jiang Wan smiled and looked at her with a pleased expression, then glanced at Fang Zheng who was standing upright. She asked Ji Yan: "Fang Zheng is going out to work, have you asked your mother if it's okay?" Ji Yan heard Jiang Wan's words and slapped his own head, saying: "Sorry, miss, my mother told me last night that brother can go out to work with a clear conscience. I forgot to mention it to you this morning. Xiao Jiang auntie and my mother said 'the mistress has instructed the household staff that from now on, they are not allowed to take brother and Mu Gen brother out.'"

  Also, as long as Brother and Moku are outside doing their own thing and not saying they're from the Jiang family. What he does is none of the madam's business." Jiang Wanru nodded after hearing this and said to Fang Zheng who was standing in the corner: "Come over and sit down." Fang Zheng glanced at Jiyuan, saw her nodding repeatedly, then walked over to the table and sat down across from Jiang Wanru under Jiyuan's indication.

  Fang Zheng straightened up and sat down, with Ji Yan smiling and standing beside him. Jiang Wanmu nodded to her to sit down as well. Looking at the brother and sister in front of her, she asked Fang Zheng, "Fang Zheng, what kind of work do you want to do outside?" Fang Zheng rubbed his hands together, his face red as he said in a low voice, "As long as it's a job that can earn me a steady income, I'm fine." Jiang Wanmu looked at the tense Fang Zheng and said, "You don't have to be too nervous, take your time to share your thoughts."

  Ji Yan tugged at his clothes and said, "Brother, the young lady is kind, she knows some people outside. You should speak clearly, the young lady will help you find work." Fang Zheng's eyes lit up after hearing this, he straightened his back even more and looked at Jiang Wanru, saying: "Third Miss, our family has already decided to follow you from now on. I thought that the miss would definitely have arrangements for our family, I want to hear the miss's decision on this matter."

  Jiang Wanmu looked at Fang Zheng and thought he was a clever person. She nodded and said, "The mistress's orders have not come down yet, so this matter has no final conclusion. However, you and Mugen are somewhat affected by me. You two have the intention to do things outside, it's not that there's nothing for you to do." Jiang Wanmu said here, her eyes staring at Fang Zheng, said in a low voice: "Fang Zheng, if you want to do things, you must first learn to be a person. I'll introduce you to do things, you do well, you gain experience, and I also have face."

  Fang Zheng's face lit up with a smile as soon as he heard Jiang Wanru's words, and he nodded, saying: "Miss, I will definitely do my best." Jiang Wanru looked at him nodding, thinking for a moment before saying: "Remember what the young master of the Jiang family said. When you're outside, you're on your own and have nothing to do with the Jiang family. Also, keep in mind the situation I'm in within the Jiang family. I've already spoken to Mugen, from now on when we're outside, don't remember that you're a member of the Jiang family. The more you don't draw attention to yourselves, the safer everyone will be."

  "Miss, my friend Mu Gen and I also know some people outside. If they were to say something...?" Jiang Wanru smiled lightly and said: "Those who consider you friends will understand your difficulties and won't speak out of turn. Those who don't consider you friends, you don't acknowledge them, and they can't force you to acknowledge them either. Besides, if one day someone forces you to admit it, it must be because you have considerable power by then. At that time, as people from the Jiang family, you naturally won't forget the kindness of the Jiang family."

  Fang Zheng nodded repeatedly after hearing this, and Jiang Wanmu glanced at him before speaking: "Tomorrow, go to the back door early and wait for me. I'll take you out for a trip. Chaiju Yipin is hiring store clerks. I've asked the old clerk Xiao Er about it, and he said that if the boss likes you after meeting you tomorrow, you can stay on as an employee."

  Fang Zheng and Ji Yan were overjoyed when they heard this, and Ji Yan immediately ran up to Jiang Wanruo, grabbing her hand and saying: "Miss, please think of a way to let the owner of Cha Ju Yi Pin keep my brother on as an employee. My brother is capable and willing to work hard." Fang Zheng's mouth curved upwards in a smile as he said: "I'm willing to do it, Miss." Jiang Wanruo looked at the siblings with a smile and said: "Whether or not to keep him isn't up to me, it depends on Fang Zheng himself. Fang Zheng, everyone likes to see employees who are welcoming and have genuine smiles on their faces."

  He nodded understandingly and pulled Jiyan away, saying: "Jiyan, don't pull Miss anymore. I have it in mind. I'll go shovel snow in the courtyard." Fangzheng smiled and stood up, then immediately bowed his head to ask: "Miss, where's Mugen?" Jiang Wenyue heard him mention Mugen and nodded towards him: "He's not in a hurry, and you two can't both have things to do at the same time." Fangzheng listened and bowed to Jiang Wenyue, saying: "Thank you, Miss. Tomorrow I'll definitely work hard to learn how to do things well so I can stay at Chaiju Yipin."

  Received notification of going online this morning, and I was flustered for a moment. My heart is both nervous and excited, thank you to everyone who subscribed to this chapter, wishing everyone all the best, may everything go smoothly and be as desired. (If you like this work, welcome to start voting for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Starting Point, your support is my greatest motivation.)

  Hard study