At these words, Wang Shi was at a loss for what else to say. She only gave Xie Qingran a somewhat reproachful look. “You child, why didn’t you say a word after getting hurt outside? How could you fall down the stairs just by walking properly?”
Xie Qingran said nothing, merely staring coldly at Wang Shi. She had no intention of playing along with Wang Shi’s act of a loving mother and filial daughter. Even in front of outsiders, she was unwilling to put on a false show of peace!
Sure enough, after waiting for a long time without Xie Qingran speaking, Wang Shi’s expression changed in a flash!
Her brows knitted tightly together as she stared at Xie Qingran with displeasure. In the end, she simply flicked her sleeves and left!
“It seems Miss Xie’s situation at home is rather difficult?”
Shen Wen Yuan looked at her with curved eyes, as if he had just seen a hilarious joke, his expression clearly tinged with schadenfreude.
Xie Qingran knew that a person like Shen Wen Yuan, born as a second son, was destined to be a supporting character. Given his family background, his greatest fear was a boring life. Therefore, it was in his nature to enjoy watching a commotion without getting involved!
Seeing his eager look, Xie Qingran gave a faint smile. “Young Master Shen misunderstands. My father and mother are both very good to me!”
After speaking, right in front of Shen Wen Yuan, Xie Qingran moved her arm and said flatly, “My arm is already healed. It has nothing to do with your Jin Yue Lou. Please see yourself out. I won’t escort you!”
Now, Shen Wen Yuan had no reason to stay. He looked at Xie Qingran’s cold and aloof demeanor, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. He bowed to Xie Qingran, then reluctantly turned and walked outside.
Watching Shen Wen Yuan’s departing figure, Xie Qingran snorted, knowing she had successfully captured his attention.
Because the family was hosting a banquet, Wang Shi was suddenly so busy that she had no time to bother with Xie Qingran.
Xie Qingran stayed in her small courtyard and truly enjoyed a few good days. Since everyone in the manor now knew Xie Yankang’s attitude toward Xie Qingran, their attitudes toward her had also quietly changed. Even Xie Qingran’s meals were much better than before.
Indeed, once a person had value, they were treated differently.
On Xie Hanyue’s side, she watched as the winds in the manor shifted, her face turning grim and ugly. She grabbed a young maid in the room, slapped her hard several times, and even whipped her viciously with a feather duster!
The young maid’s eyes welled with tears, and she bit her lower lip hard, but she dared not say a single word and could only endure it in silence!
“Miss, please calm your anger!”
Baishuang stepped forward and looked at Xie Hanyue with a helpless expression, then brought a cup of tea and handed it to her.
“What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and get out! All you do is stand here and make people angry!”
Baishuang scolded the young maid who was still trembling on the ground, then looked back at Xie Hanyue.
“The Eldest Miss is only like this because she has a marriage arrangement. Why should the Second Miss care?”
“Right now, who in the entire household doesn’t favor the Second Miss the most? Even these past few days, has Madam forgotten the Second Miss? She comes to see you every morning and evening, doesn’t she?”
Baishuang was the head maid Wang Shi had given her. She had a very steady personality, though she was about the same age as Xie Hanyue.
Xie Hanyue had always listened to Baishuang the most since she was a child. Hearing her words now, she finally felt a little better.
“But I just can’t stand her arrogant look. It’s infuriating!”
Xie Hanyue gritted her teeth. The mere thought of Xie Qingran’s cold face made her want to tear her to shreds!
Moreover, she had been acting more and more outrageously at home recently. Before, she had even been ruining her reputation outside. Detestable, truly detestable!
Seeing Xie Hanyue’s resentful look, Baishuang smiled and coaxed her softly, “Miss, please don’t be angry. The Eldest Miss won’t be living at home for many more days. She’s getting married soon!”
These words were like a critical blow to Xie Hanyue!
The woman’s status had already risen so much before she was even married. If she really did marry into that family, where would there be a place for her in this household?
The thought of the glory Xie Qingran would enjoy after marrying into the Zhen Guo Duke Manor made Xie Hanyue’s teeth itch with hatred!
Her brows knitted together tightly. “Baishuang, do something for me! I absolutely cannot let Xie Qingran marry into the Zhen Guo Duke Manor!”
Although Baishuang felt this was definitely not the right thing to do, seeing Xie Hanyue’s cold and gloomy face, she chose to nod silently.
Soon, the day of the banquet arrived.
Xie Yankang made a special trip to see Xie Qingran first thing in the morning. He breathed a sigh of relief only after confirming that everything was fine on her end.
“Qingran, today is a great opportunity. You must perform well. You absolutely cannot act recklessly, do you understand?”
Xie Yankang’s tone was seemingly gentle, but it was in fact a warning.
Xie Qingran immediately nodded. “Rest assured, Father. Your daughter will definitely perform well and will not disappoint you.”
With these words, Xie Yankang’s smile became much more sincere, and he quickly turned and left.
Baozhu brought out the clothes selected the previous night and looked at Xie Qingran with a grin. “Beautiful, truly beautiful!”
Xie Qingran used to wear dark, somber colors, which made her look a bit old. But now she had beautiful, bright-colored clothes, and wearing them made her whole person light up.
Today, she had chosen a flesh-pink long dress, which made her look very lively and even gave her an indescribable girlish air.
Xie Qingran was about to turn twenty. In truth, she was no longer an innocent young girl.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror with a detached gaze, feeling it was somewhat unreal, as if she were wearing a mask.
“Today, Eldest Miss must outshine everyone and let them all know how formidable you are!”
Baozhu’s little face was flushed, and her voice even carried an inexpressible excitement as she spoke.
Seeing Baozhu like this, Xie Qingran didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She said helplessly, “Silly girl, have you prepared the things I asked you to?”
“Yes, they are all ready. Miss, what do you need so many He Bao for?” As she spoke, Baozhu handed the long-prepared He Bao to Xie Qingran.
Xie Qingran smiled lightly, put them away, and turned to walk outside.
In the front courtyard, people had already begun to arrive in twos and threes, but it was not yet the liveliest time.
In her previous life, on occasions like this, Xie Qingran had almost always stayed in the rear residence, in her own room, and rarely had the chance to attend.
But this time, Xie Qingran was actually the protagonist of the banquet. It was ironic, to say the least.
Lu Jinzhi walked in reluctantly. When he looked up and saw Xie Qingran, a wave of anger washed over him. “You really have some good tactics!”