The next morning, Yin Na got ready to go to the Xu Residence. Her attendant made a perfect hair bun and tucked it using a white jade hairpin. She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror.
"Miss Yin Na, I heard Young Master Xu has taken a special leave for today," she informed her. Suddenly the doors opened, and a servant walked in.
"Miss Yin Na, the carriage is ready. Lord Wang and his son are waiting for you," the servant reported to her. Yin Na nodded and walked out of her room, followed by her attendant.
She bowed before her father and brother, who were waiting for her. "Yin Na, you look beautiful today," Wang Fuxing complimented her. Wang Hao agreed with his father, however, he wanted Huo Jin to do something quickly.
Yin Na found that Huo Jin was around which upset her more. 'So, he does not care about me. Why did he even come last night to show his fake sympathy?' she thought.
"Yin Na, get into the carriage," Wang Hao told her humbly. Yin Na stepped forward and lifted her long skirt a little up. Wang Hao gently grabbed her arm as she walked on the stairway which reached the carriage's door. "Be careful," Wang Hao told her.
Yin Na got inside the carriage.
Wang Fuxing sat on a sedan which was uplifted by four porters while Wang Hao hopped on his horse. They were followed by a few servants.
Huo Jin, who was near the entrance's door, watched the carriage moving away and he clutched the edge of his robe.
"Young Master, the Tailor will be here soon," suddenly he was informed by a servant. "I have prepared the guest hall. Please check the arrangements once," he requested Huo Jin, who followed him.
The carriage stopped outside the Xu Residence where Xu Niang and his wife, Lady Jiayi, were waiting for them along with their two sons.
Wang Fuxing stepped out of the sedan chair and greeted Xu Niang and his wife. Wang Hao helped his sister and brought her near the bottom of the stairs. After a formal greeting, they all went inside the residence to the main guest room.
"General Wang, you are my ideal. I am also working hard to get into the military by the beginning of the next year," Xu Niang's younger son, Xu Peiji stated in a confident tone.
Wang Fuxing was impressed to see the enthusiasm of Xu Peiji.
"General Wang Hao, Xu Peiji is so desperate to enter into the military of the great Han," Xu Niang stated. "Spare some time to give guidance to my younger son," he requested.
"Sure, Master Xu. Xu Peiji can come to the house anytime," Wang Hao said and smiled.
"Please have the rose tea," Lady Jiayi told them after the servants served the tea to them.
Wang Fuxing sipped the tea first, followed by the others. He put the cup down and said, "There is a piece of good news. My son," he tilted his head to peer at Wang Hao and continued, "is getting married tomorrow with Princess Bai Yaling."
He then gestured to his attendant to give the scroll to him. Once he got it, he showed it to Xu Niang. "I am inviting the entire Xu Family on this happy occasion," he stated. The attendant of Xu Niang came forward and took the invitation scroll from Wang Fuxing.
Xu Niang smiled upon hearing the news.
"General Wang, great wishes from Xu Family on your marriage," Xu Niang wished him. "But I have heard that Princess Bai Yaling is pregnant with her late husband," he said as he put the scroll on the table in front of him.
"We have no problem with it," Wang Fuxing replied. "Wang Hao found a soulmate for himself, and I am happy in my son's happiness," he asserted.
"That is why the Wang Family is known to set ideals," Xu Niang said. "Not everyone is ready to make such decisions," he stated. Wang Fuxing agreed with the statement of his friend.
"We are glad that Lord Wang chose our son for his daughter," Lady Jiayi said and then looked towards Yin Na, who was looking at the dumplings in the bowl.
She felt the strange gaze on her and looked in that direction. Jiayi was smiling at her. Yin Na too passed a tiny smile to her.
"This is our son, Xu Wenhai," Lady Jiayi gestured towards her right. Yin Na shifted her gaze towards him and lowered her eyes… might be because of nervousness.
"Both families' heads have already decided regarding your marriage. Xu Wenhai, why don't you show Miss Yin Na around the residence?" Xu Niang asked his son, who stood up from his place.
Wang Fuxing told Yin Na to go with Xu Wenhai. Oppositely, Wang Hao was a little worried.
Yin Na stood up from her place, bowed in front of them, and left with Xu Wenhai.
"Yin Na is such a shy girl," Lady Jiayi said and smiled a little.
Xu Wenhai showed the main residence to Yin Na first which consisted of four main buildings. "Mother and Father stay in the central building while my brother and I are on the eastern side. On the western end, there is a practice ground while on the southern side the main garden of the residence is located," He briefed her. Both were in the courtyard of the Eastern side of the residence.
The courtyard had a swing under a plum blossom tree, and there was a tiny pond as well.
"Miss Yin Na, do you know about me?" He asked her.
"I have from my father that the young master works as a Court minister," Yin Na replied.
"That's my profession, Miss Yin Na," Xu Wenhai said with a smile as he lowered his face to get a closer look at her. Yin Na lifted her eyes and peered at him.
"Why don't we know about each other before marrying each other?" He asked her.
Yin Na nodded. "As the Young Master wishes," she replied.
"Miss Yin Na, it seems I am conversing with a servant," he said.
Yin Na was startled to hear it and lowered her eyes. "Forgive me if I made a mistake," she said in a low voice.. Her hands were getting cold as she had no idea what she should talk about with him.
