The Xi family has a huge manor in the east of Xiangyang City, at the foot of Dahong Mountain, facing the Xiangjiang River, with thousands of acres of fertile land as far as the eye can see.
It was midsummer, there was no traffic, the fields were neat, waterwheels were lined up along the river, diverting water for irrigation, and the rice was blooming with small yellow flowers. Looking around, it looked like a paradise.
Liu Qi rode his horse and walked leisurely, and said with emotion: "I heard that most of the Xi family's properties are managed by Miss Xi. Could it be that she is also in charge of this farmland?"
Manager Xi looked proud, nodded and said with a smile: "What the general said is true. If the young lady were not a daughter, she would be more capable than the third young master. Now, it seems that the second young master is taking care of all the affairs in the village, but all decisions are made by the second young master." The planning is all decided by the young lady and the master. The master spends several months of the year on Wudang Mountain. In fact..."
The third son is Xi Zhen, who has now been sent to Jiangling to take office. Several other Xi's children are taking care of their own properties, studying and writing, and waiting for the opportunity.
Liu Qi smiled and said: "It seems that the second young lady is not only outstanding in talent and learning, but also able to stand alone. She is really a strange woman!"
The housekeeper chuckled, and his pride was self-evident. He managed such a large property in an orderly manner. Not only a man, but even the old master might not be able to do it. The young lady controlled everything quietly and behind the scenes.
If he can marry Liu Qi again, the Xi family's property will expand again. In the future, not to mention the Kuai family, even the Huang family will not be able to compare.
Liu Qi knew that his visit would not be concealed from Xi's eyes and ears, and he did not hide it. He handed over his name card and entered the village. He was greeted by a woman in plain clothes, which was unexpected.
Under two tall weeping willows, like a bamboo curtain rolled back, the woman was wearing a light-colored goose-yellow skirt, with green silk rolled up diagonally. Her figure was slender, as if she had blended into the garden of the village. She was neither stunning nor vulgar.
Everything is just like this midsummer scene. Among the green willows and red flowers, a small yellow flower stands out, which is just right and elegant.
"The civilian girl Xi Yuan saw the general, but she didn't go far to greet him. I hope he will forgive me."
"I didn't expect it to be the young lady who came to greet me in person, so I took the liberty of interrupting!"
Liu Qi glanced over and listened to the crisp and sweet sound. A gust of cool breeze hit him, feeling comfortable all over.
"My father is not in the village, the eldest brother is in Changsha, and the second brother has gone to Jiangdong, so the little girl has to entertain the guests herself."
This Xi Yuan is naturally beautiful and speaks and behaves very calmly. She is neither aloof or pretentious as rumored, nor does she appear to be shy because of her engagement.
Liu Qi looked at Xi Yuan closely, and Xi Yuan also raised her eyes to look at Liu Qi after saluting.
Under the shade of the willows, talented people and beautiful ladies, bathed in the gentle breeze of the river, are all measuring their original standards.
Liu Qi is still very confident in his appearance. After all, he inherited Liu Biao's manners. He has been among the upper class in Luoyang and Jingzhou for many years and has good etiquette.
Coupled with the moves he made in later generations, standing in the wind with his hands behind his back, looking at the beauty at a slightly 45-degree angle, he knew his temperament very well.
And this Xi Yuan is actually very stunning. From a distance, she looks like mist on distant mountains, but up close, her heart beats faster.
With beautiful eyebrows, a straight nose, and skin as good as snow, especially those plump red lips, Liu Qi couldn't help but want to taste what it tasted like.
In terms of appearance and figure alone, Xi Yuan and Zhao Ling'er have their own merits. After all, Zhao Ling'er was born as a dancer and is naturally charming, but Xi Yuan is a lady, but because she runs the family business, she probably comes into contact with a lot of people, and there is a purity in her. shrewd.
She looked directly at Liu Qi's almost intrusive gaze, but did not give in. There was a bit of stubbornness in her pure eyes.
This is what a strong business woman smells like!
Liu Qi sighed secretly in his heart, stepped onto the wooden bridge, and arrived at the village on the cobblestone road.
After the ceremony and tea, the housekeeper politely called everyone out. There were only two people left in the study. The man and woman sat across from each other, and the atmosphere became a little awkward.
Although Liu Qi didn't understand negotiation, he knew that he must not take the initiative to speak at this time, otherwise he would be at a disadvantage. How could a grown man be at the bottom?
Sure enough, a moment later, Xi Yuan coughed lightly and said, "The general is here. Is it for official business or private business?"
Liu Qi smiled and asked: "What's the difference between public and private?"
Xi Yuan replied: "If the general is here for the Xi family's property, I should hand over all the account books and account books to the general for review. If so, if it is for personal reasons..."
Having said this, Xi Yuan glanced at Liu Qi, her big black and white eyes filled with wisdom, and chuckled, "I'm afraid my parents will make the final decision on my daughter's engagement with the general."
Liu Qi smiled softly: "What if you want to make the decision yourself?"
Xi Yuan looked at Liu Qi, paused slightly, and said: "I have heard for a long time that the young master is rich in knowledge and has excellent poetry. I wonder if I can compose an impromptu poem?"
Liu Qi smiled and said: "I still remember that I met the lady by chance at the Xiangjiang Ferry three years ago. The startling glimpse is still unforgettable. Today I am lucky enough to meet again. It is fate, so I have to show my shame!"
Xi Yuan was a little surprised and nodded slightly: "I am all ears."
Liu Qi coughed lightly, pretended to remember the past, and said slowly:
"Pingping is more than thirteen years old, and the cardamom leaves are in early February.
The spring breeze is ten miles away on Xiangyang Road, and it is not as good as rolling up the bead curtain. "
Xi Yuan's beautiful eyebrows frowned slightly. Listening to the poems Liu Qi picked up at random, her eyes gradually glowed, and she said in surprise: "Is this really for me?"
"Otherwise?" Liu Qi shrugged and said with a smile: "If it hadn't been for the chance encounter back then, how would my father have thought of being engaged to the Xi family? I had to ask for permission in every possible way, but it was a pity that I couldn't adapt to the local environment and my health gradually deteriorated. The depression, probably...is also due to a bit of lovesickness!"
"Acacia?" Xi Yuan's pretty face showed a hint of red.
"The belt is getting wider and wider, but I don't regret it anymore, and I feel haggard because of Yi's disappearance——"
Liu Qi opened his mouth again and said with emotion: "If Cao Cao didn't bully people too much, I should have come here long ago after Cai was eliminated."
"Master..." Xi Yuan was finally touched by Liu Qi, her eyes shining brightly.
As a strong and shrewd woman, the young men who came to ask for marriage were all obedient. This was the first time she had seen someone as straightforward as Liu Qi.
The atmosphere was in place, Liu Qi stood up and took two steps forward, just when he was about to seize the opportunity, Xi Yuan suddenly calmed down.
Seemingly sensing Liu Qi's aggression, she took a deep breath and said, "Young Master, if you come on a blind date today, you must agree to one condition."
Liu Qi looked directly at her smooth jade face and said with a smile: "Don't say one, just ten, so what's the problem? You and I will be a family in the future, I don't think you will turn your elbows outward, right?"
Xi Yuan looked at Liu Qi calmly: "My daughter has nothing to ask for, I just want to be allowed to take charge of business in the future, instead of living in seclusion in the palace and accomplishing nothing. If the general does not dislike it, I am willing to be the general's Xiao He!"
Here comes another Xiao He. Isn’t this Xiao He too worthless?
Liu Qi knew that Xi Yuan was a strong woman at heart and said with a smile: "You may not be qualified to be Xiao He, but you are more than enough to be my cornucopia."
"Treasure basin?" Xi Yuan was startled, and immediately understood what Liu Qi meant. She pursed her lips and smiled, and whispered: "My little girl is full of treasures!"
