It was rare for his daughter to express such eagerness to make friends, and considering he knew something about the Xu family's character, he agreed without hesitation: "Okay, Father promises you, but you have to be polite when you go to someone else's house, okay?"
"Father, I know!" Wu Xinyi hopped around happily.
County Magistrate Wu sighed inwardly, not knowing whether he had raised his daughter to be so innocent or naive, and not knowing whether it would be good or bad for her in the future.
When the old man returned home, Mrs. Wang couldn't wait to ask: "Old man, how did things go?"
The old man said: "I guess the land deed won't be delivered in the next two days."
Mrs. Wang smiled when she heard this and said happily: "The officials are more efficient. If we were to solve the problem ourselves, we would probably still be struggling now! Old man, do you think we are losing or gaining by buying this land and building houses for the refugees?"
The old man waved his hand and said: "Let's not discuss whether it's worth it or not. Just look at us, owning such a large piece of land in town. It's not just anyone who can have that."
Mrs. Wang nodded and said: "That's right. Okay, lunch is ready and we're waiting for you to come back and eat!"
Magistrate Wu was quite quick in his work and the next day, he sent an officer over with the land deed.
But another person had come with them today—Wu Xinyi, whom Qibao had met only yesterday.
No one else recognized this little girl except for the old man.
The old man explained it to his family, and everyone then realized that this was Magistrate Wu's daughter.
"Greetings, Grandpa Xu, Grandma Xu, and all three aunties." Wu Xinyi greeted everyone with a smile.
Mrs. Wang said with a smile: "Hello Miss Wu, I didn't know that Miss Wu would be here today, and I didn't have any preparations at home, so why don't you stay for a casual lunch at noon?"
Wu Xinyi said: "Grandma Xu, I'm here to play with Sister Yue'er."
Mrs. Wang said: "Qibao is still learning embroidery at school and won't be back until noon. I'll send someone to call her back right away."
Wu Xinyi replied: "No need to trouble anyone, Grandma Xu. I'll wait here, it's almost noon anyway, and I don't want to interrupt sister Yue'er's studies."
Mrs. Wang smiled and said: "Look, this county magistrate's daughter is different, not only is she courteous but she is also sensible."
Wu Xingyi blushed in a rare moment when she heard Mrs. Wang praise her.
Mrs. Wang said: "Miss Wu, please sit down first. I'll have someone bring some snacks up. These are homemade at home. They taste good. Please try them."
Wu Xinyi said: "Thank you, Grandma Xu, you can just call me Xinyi."
Mrs. Wang also smiled and nodded.
At this time, Chunlan walked up with a tray containing two plates of snacks and a cup of jam tea.
Mrs. Wang said: "Xinyi, try it and see if it suits your taste."
Wu Xinyi looked at the two plates of snacks she had never eaten before, so she picked up a piece of white, springy pastry without hesitation, put it in her mouth and took a bite, and the jam inside flowed on the tip of her tongue.
Wu Xinyi's eyes lit up. She took the remaining half in her hand and took a look at it. The red filling inside almost flowed out. She immediately stuffed the remaining half into her mouth.
As she ate, she said: "Grandma Wu, this snack is too delicious, isn't it? It's the first time I've eaten this kind of snack! It's pretty and delicious!"
Mrs. Wang smiled and said: "This snack is only available at my house. You can't buy it outside. If you like it, you can take some home."
Wu Xinyi nodded unceremoniously: "Thank you, Grandma Xu. Sister Yue'er is so lucky to have grandpa, grandma, mother, and delicious snacks."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang, just like the three wives earlier, exchanged glances with each other, but since it was the county magistrate's family matter, they couldn't pry too deeply. From the words exchanged, however, it seemed clear that this child had lost her mother.
Watching Wu Xinyi enjoy her food so much, Mrs. Wang felt a twinge of pity for her.
When Qibao came back, she was surprised to see Wu Xinyi eating snacks and playing with Xiaoba in the main hall of her house.
"Sister Yue'er, you're back!" Wu Xinyi greeted Qibao happily.
"Sister Xinyi, why are you here!" Qibao asked.
"I heard from my father that he would send someone to your house to deliver the land deed. I begged my father for a long time before he agreed to let me come to your house. Your snacks are really delicious, and your dog is very well behaved." Wu Xinyi said, looking innocent and naive.
Mrs. Wang said: "Qibao, you should chat with Xinyi. She came to play with you today. You should treat Xinyi well, understand?"
Qibao nodded in agreement.
Wu Xinyi stepped forward and held Qibao's hand and said: "Sister Yue'er, I came here today to bring you a gift."
After that, she took out a small silver lock from the pouch at her waist and said expectantly: "I have an identical one. We each have one. That way we'll be good friends, right? You're my first good friend! Do you like the lock I gave you?"
Qibao knew that Wu Xinyi was eager to make friends, so she did not refuse and accepted it, saying: "Thank you, Sister Xinyi. This lock is very beautiful. I like it very much."
Wu Xinyi smiled broadly upon hearing this and said: "Sister Yue'er, your house is really big, and there is a small pond. My family only has my father and I, and two servants, so we only have one yard."
Qibao asked: "Didn't Magistrate Wu assign you a maid?"
"My father said that I am still young and my temperament is not yet determined. I cannot develop the habit of relying on others for everything. I need to do my own things by myself. When I grow up a little, he will buy me a maid to accompany me." Wu Xinyi said.
Qibao nodded, County Magistrate Wu was a good father.
Qibao took Wu Xinyi for a walk in her own corridor, and the two talked and laughed as they walked.
Qibao said: "We're going to have lunch soon. After lunch, I'll take you around the village."
Wu Xinyi said: "Okay, this is my first time in the village!"
Not long after, Mrs. Wang came over and said: "Qibao, take Xinyi to the front hall. The food is ready, and your father and the others are back."
Qibao pulled Wu Xinyi to the front hall. As soon as they reached the door, the aroma of food hit their noses.
"It smells so good!" Wu Xinyi took a deep breath.
Mrs. Wang smiled and said: "Xinyi, try it later to see if it tastes good."
Wu Xinyi nodded politely like a little chick pecking for food.
Uncle Xu and his brothers had just returned, and this was their first time meeting the governor's daughter, Mrs. Wang introduced Wu Xinyi to them once again, who greeted each of them courteously.
"Ah, Xinyi, try this sweet-and-sour pork rib dish." Mrs. Wang said, picking up a piece and placing it in Wu Xinyi's bowl: "All children love it."
After thanking her, Wu Xinyi picked up the rib and took a bite, praising it enthusiastically: "Grandma Xu, it tastes wonderful—I've never tried meat with this flavor before! It's delicious!"
Mrs. Wang encouraged: "Eat some more if you enjoy it, there's still a whole plateful left!"
Feeling elated, Wu Xinyi had never eaten such a delightful meal, full of dishes she'd never encountered before.
Mrs. Wang and her daughters-in-law doted on Wu Xinyi, afraid that she might feel embarrassed reaching for food herself. They used serving chopsticks to pile her bowl high with various dishes.
It was the first time that Wu Xinyi had received so much care from so many people. Her eyes turned red while she was eating.
Mrs. Wang saw it and said: "Xinyi, what's wrong with you? Why are you crying for no reason? Is there a dish that doesn't suit your taste?"
Wu Xinyi shook her head, trying hard to hold back her tears, and a smile bloomed on her face again, saying: "No, the food is delicious. I like it very much."
Mrs. Wang didn't understand and said: "If you like it, why are you crying?"