Naturally, the others saw it too.
"Miss, shall we go to the cloth workshop now or go and thank that Young Master Shen?" asked Sai Xing.
After a brief moment of thought, Ye Xi put down the carriage curtain and said,
"Stick to the original plan. Let's go to the cloth workshop first. Steward Chen over there has been making arrangements for a long time. Moreover, we're still in the carriage of the Prince Yu'an's Mansion. It would be rather inconvenient to go there in such a conspicuous way."
At the end, she slightly raised her voice and said to Ling Yan, who was driving the carriage with Yan Gui outside,
"It'll surely take a long time for our first visit to the cloth workshop today. Ling Yan, take a detour later and inform Shen Zhou. Tell him that I'm really tied up with urgent matters today and can't get away. Ask Young Master Shen to set a time. I'll definitely come tomorrow."
Ling Yan replied with a "Yes" and disappeared like a flash when the carriage turned a corner.
Inside Huiling Cloth Workshop—
"The textile items here are far better than those in our town," said Jiang Ning with sparkling eyes, touching everything and loath to let go.
"The tools are also very complete. Many of the techniques recorded in the books and some of my previous ideas can be put into practice. I think the fabrics we weave will be much more exquisite."
"That's good," Ye Xi said with a gentle smile.
"A Yuan has already transferred this cloth workshop to my name. If you need anything, just tell me. The shop found by the real - estate broker Zhou has also been inspected. Once the cloth here passes the inspection, we can open for business there right away."
"By then, we'll put the names of Man Ping and you on it. Outsiders won't be able to associate it with me and the mansion."
"Okay, great." Jiang Ning had already thrown herself whole - heartedly into the pile of silk - reeling wheels, spindles and other items. She didn't really listen to what Ye Xi said, just nodding in agreement.
Her look of finding a great treasure made Ye Xi and the others can't help but laugh.
Previously, Jiang Ning was sad about her feelings and listless. But as soon as she saw the things she liked and was good at, she immediately became energetic. It was not a bad thing.
Without disturbing Jiang Ning's enthusiastic trial, Ye Xi questioned each worker in the cloth workshop one by one, using her mind - reading ability to confirm that there were no disloyal people. She then selected a few honest and reliable ones and called Jiang Ning to check their skills. Those who passed the test were directly promoted to work under Jiang Ning, with their monthly pay and treatment increased. But if they were found to be slack or have other thoughts later, they would be punished according to the actual situation.
For those whose skills were still lacking, an assessment was set. Those who could pass the test within the time limit would also be promoted. Those who failed would stay in their original positions. Those who were confident and dared to recommend themselves could also take the assessment. If their character and skills both passed, they could also be assigned to work under Jiang Ning and enjoy the same treatment.
After all these inspections and arrangements, it was almost dark.
Ye Xi was so sore and uncomfortable that she gave a few words of both kindness and severity, then took the still reluctant Jiang Ning back home.
Just as they stepped out of the cloth workshop, they saw Yi Yuan's tall and straight figure standing beside the carriage casually like a strong bamboo.
All her discomfort instantly turned into joy. Ye Xi blurted out,
"A Yuan."
Yi Yuan's eyes instantly brightened and he smiled involuntarily as he stepped forward to greet her, naturally taking Ye Xi's hand:
"Are you done? Are you tired?"
Ye Xi pursed her lips and smiled, following Yi Yuan towards the carriage. Her eyes were as bright as water:
"A little, but I can manage. Since I started practicing archery and horse - riding, I always feel that my body is much stronger than before."
Then she told Yi Yuan what she had heard from Cao Wei's mind that day.
Yi Yuan glanced at Ye Xi with an unfathomable look and snorted softly:
"I suspected it was her before. I didn't expect it to be true."
"Now that you've made it clear to her, she should withdraw the assassination mission. But she definitely won't be at peace and will come up with other insidious tricks."
Gently pulling Ye Xi into his arms, Yi Yuan's eyes were sharp:
"A thief can be a thief for a thousand years, but a victim can't defend against a thief for a thousand years. To make the thief give up that thought, we need to keep her busy and unable to spare time. Just wait and see."
"As for Xiao Xi, in two days it will be the registration day for the Qingyun Competition. There will surely be a lot of idle gossip and restless people. I'll arrange someone to keep an eye on it, but there are always unexpected situations. You must be extremely careful during the competition."
Leaning in Yi Yuan's arms, Ye Xi nodded slightly:
"Okay, I know."
At the end, she changed the topic and said,
"Now that the plaque for the garden has been put up and my 'serious injury' is almost recovered. I was thinking of inviting Senior Brother and Xie Huaiyue for a meal, which can be regarded as the official opening of the mansion. What do you think?"
"Xiao Xi and I really have a telepathic connection." Yi Yuan smiled gently. "Let's arrange it for tomorrow evening then."
The next day—
When Ye Xi arrived at Qunying Building, Shen Zhou was already waiting there.
"Young Master Shen," Ye Xi greeted him with a faint smile.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting. I wonder how I can be of service to you?"
Shen Zhou's peach - blossom eyes sparkled as he looked at Ye Xi walking slowly towards him and said with a smile,
"No, I just arrived not long ago. If the young lady has nothing to do, how about taking a stroll with me by Fangsheng Lake? I heard that there's a twin - lotus blooming there. It's extremely beautiful. I wonder if the young lady has heard of it?"
What a coincidence. Ye Xi had not only heard of it, but also been there yesterday.
Ye Xi smiled politely but distantly:
"I'm free for the moment. Let's go then."
They walked in silence all the way.
After the drama of Zhou Zhanlan and her grandson yesterday, there were an unexpectedly large number of tourists at Fangsheng Lake today. Probably they all hoped to come and see if they could encounter such excitement again.
The group walked slowly along the bluestone path beside the lake, which was specially built for tourists. Ye Xi hesitated for a long time before finally opening her mouth and asking,
"Please forgive my rudeness, but I wonder who the Miss Yingying that Young Master Shen mentioned a few days ago is to you? From your tone, it seems that you've known that young lady for a long time."
Shen Zhou gently turned his head and glanced at Ye Xi beside him. The color in his smiling peach - blossom eyes deepened slightly:
"She's the one who pulled me out of the abyss."
"When I first met her, she was just a little tot. She was so small, and her hands were tiny too. Even the little buns on her head were small. Only her eyes were as big and bright as the full moon. Looking at me, she said..."
Pretty brother, don't die.
The childish voice seemed to ring in his ears again. Shen Zhou suddenly stopped talking and stared at Ye Xi:
"Speaking of which, I still don't know your honorable surname and where you're from?"
"This..." Ye Xi forced a smile. "You may not believe it, but I really don't know."
"Oh?"
The expression on Shen Zhou's face was unclear. He tapped his palm with his jade - boned folding fan:
"According to what the young lady said, were you abducted to the capital or adopted by someone?"
"Please forgive me for being straightforward, but the young lady's dressing..."
Glancing obliquely at Ling Yan who was closely following Ye Xi and Yan Gui who was a bit farther away, Shen Zhou's smile deepened:
"And the maid and the guard behind you are not something an ordinary family can afford."