Chapter 477: Chapter 477

In mid-summer, after a night of light rain, the lotus flowers in the pond of the Xie family's rear courtyard were in full bloom. Among the lotus leaves, colorful koi fish frolicked back and forth from time to time.

The hour of Si had not yet arrived, but the originally tranquil Xie residence was already filled to the brim with guests who had come to observe the ceremony.

The Yang father and son were not ostentatious people to begin with. Having experienced the calamity of their family's ruin and witnessed the fickleness of human relationships, Xie Shuyu was no longer the proud and arrogant Third Miss Xie of years past. Even after returning to their old home thanks to their good disciple, the family of several, with the exception of the ever-sociable Siya, still spent most of their time within the residence and were not particularly fond of socializing.

This was the first time in many years that the Xie residence, from top to bottom, had been so lively.

However, at this moment, the topic most discussed by the majority of the guests was:

"I wonder if True Person Qinghui will come this time?"

"She should... right? Isn't it said that the True Person usually dotes on this younger sister the most?"

You must know, after attaining the Dao, she hadn't paid any attention to her own parents and siblings, yet she alone brought along this younger cousin from a different branch of the family.

Among the guests, quite a few secretly harbored this hope.

Born to a farming family, a heaven-sent prodigy, nearly sold by her family to be a concubine, yet at the very last moment, she attained enlightenment through a painting and achieved the Dao, receiving heavenly auspicious signs bestowed by heaven.

Honestly, this experience was quite legendary.

If not for the fear of offending the immortal, there would probably be countless storybooks circulating on the market right now with characters sharing her name and story.

Many even speculated privately that perhaps this True Person was originally an immortal reincarnated, which was why she possessed such heavenly talent and, coincidentally, had such shallow familial ties.

This assertion became even more widely circulated and even believed wholeheartedly after countless talented individuals imitated her over the years, yet to this day, not a single person had received such divine favor.

After all, who among the people of this world, especially the talented, is willing to admit that their own innate talent is inferior to another's?

Ah, it's not that we are inferior, but how can mere mortals compete with a reincarnated immortal in terms of talent!

Thinking this way, the crowd became even more excited about the highly probable arrival of True Person Qinghui, each one hurriedly reaching out to straighten their already neatened clothes and headwear...

While the guests in the banquet hall were lively, the group of young sisters in the boudoir were no less so.

Siya was originally an intelligent and open-minded person, and coupled with her love for bustle, over the years she had naturally made quite a few good friends and companions.

Although she was well aware that most of them were drawn by her Second Sister standing behind her, Xiao Ling didn't find it particularly bothersome.

In these times, even one's own father and mother might not love you unconditionally without reason, so how can you expect that from newly met companions?

As long as they harbor no ill intentions, share similar interests, and have fun playing together, what's the point of overthinking it!

Thus, at this moment, the not-so-large boudoir was filled with the lively, teasing voices of the young sisters.

When An Ning arrived, the grand ceremony had not yet begun. At that time, Xiao Ling was quietly staying in her room, wearing a simple goose-yellow gauze upper garment with a smoke-blue pleated long skirt, paired with a lively "Tongxin" hairstyle. Her already vivid and bright features now appeared even more playful.

Not bad, An Ning nodded inwardly.

Several years had passed, and the once scrawny, slightly sallow-faced Siya had now blossomed into an elegant and graceful young lady.

"Second Sister!" Hearing that An Ning had arrived, Xiao Ling could no longer care about anything else, hastily lifting her skirt as she ran out from her boudoir.

Ignoring the other's clearly improper action, An Ning raised her hand and tapped the little girl's head a couple of times speechlessly before speaking:

"Go ahead. Later, I will personally add the hairpin for you."

Only after these words did Siya seem to put down a weight off her mind, immediately striding out to the outer room with a proud and spirited air.

Seeing that the True Person had indeed come, the atmosphere in the front hall grew even more fervent.

Truth be told, aside from occasionally taking her little disciple down the mountain for outings, this was the first time in many years since coming to the capital that An Ning had appeared before such a large public gathering.

Truly worthy of being an Accomplished Exalted Personage!

With just one glance, the crowd couldn't help but sigh with admiration.

Apart from her visibly transcendent and peerless aura, it was now mid-July, the height of noon, arguably the hottest time of the year.

Coupled with the numerous guests coming and going, even though the surrounding lotus pond did indeed bring some coolness and there were ice basins placed around, it couldn't withstand the scorching sun overhead.

Thus, at this moment, most of the noble ladies and young maidens had beads of sweat the size of beans constantly dripping down their faces. During intervals in observing the ceremony, they had to frequently wipe their faces with handkerchiefs. Yet, what about the True Person before them?

Not to mention any sign of sweat, there wasn't the slightest hint of discomfort from the heat on her person. Just looking at her from afar naturally evoked a sense of refreshing clarity from within one's soul.

However, what surprised these cunning individuals even more wasn't this.

If it were just the True Person, that would be one thing. She attained the Dao publicly, and judging by the circulated paintings, her abilities over the years were beyond doubt. But what about the Eldest Prince beside her?

His entire being also exuded an air of cool composure and freshness.

Ah this... The group of cunning individuals couldn't help but exchange glances, their hearts adding another layer of awe.

Not far away, Sima Rui, who was the focus of attention, remained expressionless. Under his sleeves, his hands touched the jade ornament at his waist.

Sure enough, Master still cares for me the most!

At the same time, the moment the jade hairpin was inserted, feeling the sudden surge of coolness throughout her body, Siya's eyes grew even brighter.

Hehe, Second Sister really does care for me the most!

After the grand ceremony, no matter how reluctant they were, seeing that the True Person had no intention of receiving guests, the crowd of visitors could only leave filled with regret.

However, surprisingly, among the crowd, An Ning also spotted a few unexpected guests.

But what truly surprised An Ning was...

"Father, Mother, you're saying... it was Grandfather himself who proposed dividing the family? And he specifically allotted a considerable portion of the family assets to you?"

Ah this, was this still her formerly mercenary grandfather?

Not to mention Siya, even An Ning, who was chatting with her master next door, couldn't help but be slightly stunned for a moment. However, in the next instant, she understood the reason.

She heard Xiao Lao San slap his thigh fiercely, his face unusually carrying a trace of melancholy as he said:

"Exactly! Who would have thought? Your brother had just passed the Xiucai exam, and before the family could even celebrate for a few days, your grandfather announced this matter at home."

And it wasn't a discussion, but a blatant notification.

Don't even mention Xiao Lao San, who in the family could have reacted in time!

As the middle-of-the-road Third Son, he wasn't as valued as the Eldest Brother above, nor as doted on as the youngest son below. Over the years, the old master rarely cast an extra glance his way.

Earlier, because of Siya's matter, the old man had nearly chased him with a fire poker, almost bruising his backside.

Yet this time, not only was the family division clean and decisive, but Xiao Lao San had specifically calculated that the amount of silver accumulated by the family over the years that ended up in his hands was probably more than what the other branches combined received.

Xiao Lao San pondered carefully.

It should have started after Second Brother passed the Tong Sheng exam. After that, just because he made a few envious remarks and took a few pieces of fabric from Second Brother, the old master had even unprecedentedly sternly reprimanded Eldest Young Master and the others.

Thinking of this, Xiao Lao San's expression couldn't help but become somewhat complicated. "Ah, your grandfather... his greatest pursuit in this life is for the family to rise a step higher!"

After these words, Siya also fell silent.

A twenty-year-old Xiucai, is that impressive? Actually, not really. At the very least, it was far inferior to Second Sister before. But even so, the old master still decisively made his decision.

After the silence, Siya finally spoke, "Then, Father, Mother?"

As if knowing what his daughter wanted to say, Xiao Lao San hastily shook his head. "Your father and mother, and your Second Brother will just stay in the county town. The capital dazzles the eyes. Your Second Brother isn't some great talent. What if he learns bad ways? It's better to stay at home..."

"If there are any difficulties, the provincial capital is close to the county town anyway."

Actually, after mulling over the old master's plans later, he and his wife understood. Precisely because of this, Xiao Lao San knew in his heart that he absolutely couldn't come and burden Siya.

As parents, they were useless and couldn't bring glory to their daughter's name, but that was one thing. If they dragged Second Brother's family along too...

Actually, the couple had only intended to come for a visit earlier, not to stay long. But looking at their daughter before them, Li Shi couldn't help but wipe her slightly moist eyes...

One could only say, in this world, parents truly are different from parents. Watching Third Uncle's family before her, An Ning couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the original host.

But it was just a fleeting sentiment.

Having finally come down the mountain, of course they had to go out and have a proper fun time. Just after changing clothes, as An Ning and the other were about to go out, they saw that outside the main gate, someone was currently kneeling upright...