The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1033: Chapter 1010: Honor in Troubled Times 78

The autumn in Nanyi Prefecture is different from elsewhere.

In other places, autumn leaves often appear somewhat dry. In the north, when autumn arrives, the leaves turn red or yellow, layered in a way that gives off an indescribable desolation.

But Nanyi Prefecture is different.

The autumn here is almost no different from summer.

No matter what kind of trees, the leaves are still green, a kind of glossy green that exudes vitality at first glance.

Apart from the trees, there are also flowers, many of which are still blooming brightly.

The weather doesn’t cool down, people generally still wear summer clothing.

This year’s autumn in Nanyi Prefecture seems hotter than in previous years.

In the rooms of the masters of Marquis Zhenan Mansion in Prefecture City, the ice basins have not yet been removed.

Xiao Yin, with sweat on her forehead, entered the room and immediately said to Chun Xing, ”Sister Chun Xing, do we have any iced tea left? Please pour me a bowl. If there are some cold fruits, even better, get me a plate, I can eat them all up at once.”

Anning was writing something and looked up at Xiao Yin: ”Chun Xing, pour her a bowl of iced tea, but don’t give her the cold fruits just yet.”

Chun Xing agreed with a smile and quickly brought Xiao Yin a bowl of iced tea.

Xiao Yin drank it all in one go, then saw Anning still engrossed in writing and asked, ”Mother, what are you writing?”

Anning looked up and smiled, ”Writing a letter to an old master of mine.”

”Old master?”

Xiao Yin paused for a moment.

Anning finished the letter, dried the ink, put it in an envelope, and sealed it with wax: ”Chun Xing, call Song’er over.”

Chun Xing then asked a little maid to invite Xiao Song inside.

When Xiao Song entered, Anning handed two letters to him: ”Song’er, you must deliver this letter to Mr. Mei at Qingzhu Academy in Yangzhou City. The other letter, deliver it secretly to Mr. Mei’s lady.”

Xiao Song nodded solemnly: ”Mother, rest assured, I will ensure they are delivered properly.”

Anning smiled: ”Get your father to assign a few guards to accompany you, pay more attention to safety. The letters are secondary, your safety is most important.”

Xiao Song secured the letters: ”Mother, I understand, I will be careful throughout the journey.”

After Xiao Song bid farewell to Anning, Xiao Yin continued to ask, ”Mother, is your old master’s surname Mei?”

Anning nodded with a smile, ”Yes, Mei. Grandmaster Mei was a close friend and classmate of your maternal grandfather, both from the same academy. Back when I was farming with your great-grandmother in the countryside, Grandmaster Mei often visited us and also helped in my early education. Each time he came, he would test me on what I had read and learned, and even gave me guidance on poetry.”

Xiao Yin absorbed this information: ”Why is Mother writing to Grandmaster Mei?”

Anning patted her on the head: ”Grandmaster Mei once achieved second place in the imperial examination, and later served in the Hanlin Academy. Displeased with some officials, he resigned and retired to teach at Qingzhu Academy in Yangzhou. Over the years, he’s dedicated himself to teaching and writing many books, earning a reputation as a great scholar of the times. Mother writes to him to reminisce and also to invite him to visit us in Nanyi.”

At this point, Anning winked at Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin immediately understood: ”To visit? That’s great! If Grandmaster Mei comes, we must treat him well, take him around Nanyi, let him ride our new carriages, show him how the locals live, and let him taste our potatoes and sweet potatoes. There are so many good things in Nanyi, it would take a long time to see them all. By then, his visit would turn into a stay, and staying might lead to settling down.”

This little rascal.

Anning chuckled and tapped Xiao Yin’s forehead: ”Alright, if Grandmaster Mei comes, entertaining him will be your task.”

Xiao Yin stood and saluted: ”Yes, I promise to fulfill the mission.”

Xiao Yin then skipped out to play, while Yuan Family, with two maids and two children, entered the room.

Yuan Family had a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, in the spring following Old Madam’s passing, named Xiao Ying and Xiao Mao by Xiao Ling. Now, these two children walk steadily.

The children entered, the two little guys ceremoniously greeting Anning.

Anning laughed out loud, ”Are you thinking about the candies at Auntie’s place?”

The little guy, with his round eyes wide open, said, ”No, I really missed Auntie.”

Anning called the two children over, instructing the maid to make them some fresh juice.

Yuan Family, now rested, sent her children to play elsewhere while she talked with Anning.

Mrs. Zhao passed along a message asking me to implore you to arrange a match for Xiao En and Xiao Ming.

”Arrange a match?”

Anning raised an eyebrow: ”This is not a task I can take on. We’d only incur resentment. Given the manner of Xiao En and Xiao Ming, who could we possibly match them with? Any decent family in Nanyi Prefecture wouldn’t have their daughter marry into their family. And Mrs. Zhao wouldn’t agree to match them with a girl from the countryside. Getting involved would only earn us blame.”

Yuan Family nodded in agreement: ”Indeed, the good ones won’t agree, and those less desirable wouldn’t satisfy them. They might even think we mean them harm by not arranging a good match.”

Anning sipped her tea: ”Tell Mrs. Zhao, as aunts, we don’t care for them as much as their own parents. Let her and her eldest handle their matchmaking. If a match is made, we’d surely celebrate with a cup of wine.”

Yuan Family laughed upon hearing this.

After taking a sip of tea: ”If that’s the case, I reckon Xiao En and Xiao Ming will remain unwed. In Nanyi Prefecture, it’s well known their family doesn’t get along with ours. And with so many of them doing nothing but relying on us, nearly like wastrels, people would rather marry their daughters to farmers.”

Anning reckoned Mrs. Zhao was truly anxious, hence she sent the message to Yuan Family for help.

It’s likely Mrs. Zhao had already tried arranging matches for Xiao En and Xiao Ming, but no girl was willing. In desperation, she decided to relent a little.

After resting, Yuan Family said, ”Let’s set aside the elder house’s matters for now. It’s time to consider matches for your Song’er and Huihui.”

Anning suddenly realized Xiao Song was already fifteen, and Xiao Hui fourteen. At this age, in these times, it is indeed time to start looking for matches.

After all, the ancient wedding ceremonies are particularly elaborate. Once a family is found, one first sets the betrothal, then goes through the Six Rituals. Altogether, this process takes about one or two years. By the time of the wedding, Xiao Song would be about seventeen, a young man by then.

”Our Song’er is still young, no rush.”

Anning smiled: ”Song’er and Huihui have no need to rush; waiting a couple more years won’t matter. Right now...it’s not quite the time.”

After a slight pause, Yuan Family guessed at a possibility.

Anning’s words hinted that Xiao Yuan might have the chance to advance further.

And Anning likely wanted to wait for that time to arrange matches for the children. By then, the choices would certainly broaden.

Although Xiao Yuan is now just the Marquis Zhenan, everyone knows he’s essentially the King of Southern Barbarians, having conquered most of the southern land. Moving further would mean ascending the throne.

Thinking of this, Yuan Family couldn’t help but feel thrilled.

If so, Xiao Ling, always following Xiao Yuan as his own brother, would certainly be titled a prince by then, meaning she would legitimately become a Princess.

Thinking of this, Yuan Family felt her heart warm, and her eyes shone even brighter.

Anning laughed and reassured her: ”There’s no rush for the children in our family. They’re good kids; there’s no worry about finding good matches. Even if they’re older, it’s up to us to choose others, not the other way around.”

These words seemed to affirm Yuan Family’s guess.