“Actually, I also think it’s quite boring for a girl to be cooped up in the rear residence every day. Why don’t you come visit my Jin Yue Lou when you have time, Eldest Miss? A new storyteller just arrived, and he’s incredible!” Shen Wen Yuan said with a cheerful smile at Xie Qingran, clearly trying to get closer to her.
He had seen many young ladies in Jing City, but this was the first time he had encountered someone like Xie Qingran. Naturally, he was incredibly fond of her and immensely interested.
The colder she was, the more he wanted to conquer her; the more mysterious she was, the more he wanted to explore. This was the inherent flaw in men.
Xie Qingran naturally knew that Shen Wen Yuan had no genuine feelings for her; it was all just a game to him.
However…
Xie Qingran looked at Shen Wen Yuan and smiled. “Young Master Shen, I wonder if you have any interest in doing business?”
“Not particularly, but if the Eldest Miss is interested, then I suppose I am too,” Shen Wen Yuan said, leaning back in his chair with a somewhat roguish air.
Seeing his demeanor, Xie Qingran nodded. “Then I will visit Jin Yue Lou tomorrow to see if this storyteller of yours is truly the best.”
“Heir Xiao has arrived!”
The doorman’s announcement instantly chilled the once-lively courtyard. Almost in unison, everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance.
Xiao Jue had rarely attended banquets since his injury. If it wasn’t an imperial event he couldn’t refuse, he would definitely not go.
But today, Xiao Jue had actually come to the Xie Family? What did this signify?
Originally, the marriage between Xie Qingran and Xiao Jue was a secret, so no one could guess what was happening.
“Heir Xiao’s gracious presence brings honor to our entire Xie Family.”
“Quick, please come in!”
Xie Yankang immediately stepped forward to welcome Xiao Jue with pleasantries.
Xiao Jue still wore his gold-filigree mask, completely hiding his face. Only his two eyes were visible.
He gave a slight nod. “Lord Xie, you are too kind.”
Xie Qingran, for her part, rose and curtsied to Xiao Jue, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips.
Xiao Jue subconsciously touched the jade pendant at his waist and gave a slight nod in Xie Qingran’s direction.
Seeing the jade pendant, Xie Qingran understood Xiao Jue’s meaning. Her eyes curved into crescents as she lowered her gaze, a touch of indescribable shyness in her expression. It was the unique reaction of a young woman seeing her beloved, and Xie Qingran portrayed it perfectly.
If Xiao Jue didn’t know she didn’t like him at all, he too might have been captivated by her act.
Such a little lady, so skilled at pretending, was truly rather interesting.
Xie Yankang’s eyes darted back and forth between the two. He quickly noticed the subtle interaction between them and became even more convinced that this marriage was ninety percent certain to happen, filling his heart with joy.
Wang Shi also knew she should play matchmaker, so she simply arranged for the two of them to be seated together, where they could easily talk at any time.
“Sister Xie, I really liked the snacks you gave me last time.”
“And I liked the little clothes too, but they feel a bit strange to wear,” Xiao Yanran said in a low voice, looking at Xie Qingran with wide, earnest eyes.
Xie Qingran glanced around warily, then instinctively made a hushing gesture. “Shh, you can’t say that. This is a girl’s most private matter. You mustn’t speak of it openly in the future, understand?”
At these words, Xiao Jue’s brows knitted together. The face hidden beneath the gold-filigree mask instantly turned beet red.
This was girlish talk. As a grown man, he was terribly embarrassed to be listening, but his hearing was unfortunately so sharp that he heard every single word with perfect clarity.
Xie Qingran took out two He Bao and handed one to each of the two children.
“Here, this is a gift I prepared for you. See if you like it.”
Xiao Yu strode forward, shielding his sister and baring his teeth at Xie Qingran.
“Don’t think you can buy us off with these small favors! We don’t care for them!”
With that, Xiao Yu snatched the He Bao from his own waist and threw it at Xie Qingran.
“This money is more than enough to buy all those things you gave us!”
Children do not deliberately suppress their emotions. Xiao Yu’s voice was very loud, drawing the attention of everyone around them.
The situation of the Zhen Guo Duke Manor was known to everyone in Jing City. They all knew that Xiao Jue’s personality had become very strange after his injury, and so had his younger siblings’. Seeing it today, it seemed the rumors were true.
Despite being stared at by everyone, Xie Qingran showed no expression. She merely looked at Xiao Yu calmly. “If you don’t like it, then so be it.”
She bent down, picked up the He Bao from the ground, and gently tied it back onto his waist.
“Those things were my gifts to you. They don’t require money.”
“If you don’t like them, I won’t send any more in the future.”
After saying this, Xie Qingran sat up straight and took a bite of a pastry from the table, as if nothing had just happened.
Xiao Jue’s gaze turned sharp, and the crowd naturally dared not look any longer.
Xiao Yu was even more surprised. He had thrown such a tantrum, yet Xie Qingran hadn’t gotten angry?
In truth, Xie Qingran knew very well that the boy was deliberately testing her limits, wanting to see how much patience she had. After all, they were just children, and it was natural for them to feel uncomfortable if someone new suddenly entered their family.
Xie Hanyue approached with a wine cup to offer a toast. “Sister, let’s have a drink to celebrate today, shall we?”
“Mm.”
Xie Qingran responded faintly, raising her cup to clink it with Xie Hanyue’s. At that exact moment, the cup in Xie Hanyue’s hand suddenly slipped, smashing directly onto Xie Qingran’s skirt. The wine spread across the fabric, creating a sorry mess.
“Ah, Sister, I’m so sorry! I didn’t do it on purpose! I really didn’t!”
“Sister, let me help you go change?”
Xie Hanyue fussed about, dabbing at Xie Qingran’s skirt with the handkerchief in her hand.
“It’s nothing, just a skirt.”
Xie Qingran remained expressionless. She simply rose and walked toward the side rooms.
Xie Hanyue followed behind her like a child who had done something wrong, her eyes brimming with tears. Although Xie Qingran hadn’t said a word, she looked so aggrieved it was as if she might stop breathing.
“Big Brother, that sister is so strange. Sister Xie didn’t even blame her, so why is she crying?” Xiao Yanran tugged on Xiao Jue’s sleeve and asked, puzzled.
Her voice was not loud, even a little timid, but it was loud enough for Xie Yankang to hear.
Xie Yankang’s expression turned rather unsightly. How could she have the audacity to use such a crude trick? And in front of so many people, no less. It was simply a disgrace