Chapter 140: Grand Princess Ruian's Banquet

Why did he find it so difficult to utter a refusal? He even had the fleeting thought that the two of them ought to have known each other already.

Wen Xichi acutely realized that this sensation was certainly not love at first sight; after all, she was still far too young, and his own heart had always been as calm and tranquil as still water. Even the abbot at the temple had once remarked that, given his state of mind, he was fully suited to take the tonsure and become a monk. Why, then, did he feel such a strong sense of déjà vu?

He nodded silently, his gaze darkening beneath his handsome brows...

When Qin Wanru returned to Shui Ruolan, the latter had already rested for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, the two decided against returning to the estate just yet. Leaving the teahouse, they sought out a restaurant to partake of an early midday meal.

A waiter had long been waiting by the entrance. Spotting them approach, he eagerly stepped forward with practiced attentiveness and guided them upstairs.

They secured a private room beside a window, where they could enjoy the view outside while dining, making the experience quite pleasant and relaxing.

Having already encountered Wen Xichi and practically compelled him to act as her guarantor, the heavy stone that had been weighing on Qin Wanru's heart finally fell into place. At the very least, the two of them were acquainted now; when the time came for her to warn him about those two individuals, she would be able to broach the subject with subtle hints. Provided she found an appropriate opportunity to speak, he would not suffer an untimely death in this lifetime.

With his extraordinary talent, had it not been for his frail health, he would undoubtedly have risen to prominence in the imperial court and soared as a dragon among men.

Once her preoccupations were settled, the expression on her face softened considerably. After partaking lightly of the food, she laid down her chopsticks and leaned against the window to watch the bustling street below.

The window was fitted with gauze curtains, rendering the interior invisible from the outside while offering a clear view of the bustling scenery beyond. Though slightly misty, it held an immense appeal for young ladies of noble families.

In her previous life, Qin Wanru had scarcely stepped outside her door. On one hand, idle gossip followed her wherever she went; on the other, her growing sense of inferiority made it nearly impossible for her to hold her head up before others. Whenever she did venture out, Qin Yuru would subject her to all manner of taunts and ridicule, and even the young ladies she considered friends would deliberately sneer at her in public.

In this lifetime, returning once more to the bustling streets of the capital and leaning against the window to watch the scenery, she not only possessed the courage to step outside, but actively desired to do so.

Shui Ruolan ate at a more leisurely pace. Seeing Qin Wanru leaning out the window, she felt a mixture of amusement and pity. Setting down her chopsticks, she felt her eyes grow warm and red. The child was so genuinely happy just watching the street scene—she ought to be at an age where watching the bustling crowd was all she needed to care about!

"Mother, once we are finished, let us head back," Qin Wanru said upon hearing movement behind her. Turning her head, she saw Shui Ruolan wiping her mouth, and quickly spun around from the window to sit properly in her chair.

Had it not been for those bright, sparkling eyes, one would hardly believe that the demure and properly seated young miss before them was the very same person who had just been leaning out the window in such an uninhibited manner.

"Why not watch a little longer?" Shui Ruolan smiled.

"Mother, I am tired. Let us go back," Qin Wanru walked over, took Shui Ruolan's hand, and gently rocked it.

"Very well, Mother will bring you out again next time we have a chance!" Knowing that the girl was only worried about wearing her out, Shui Ruolan squeezed Qin Wanru's hand and promised.

"Thank you, Mother!" Qin Wanru smiled and nodded.

As the party emerged from the private room and prepared to descend the stairs, they suddenly heard a young man's voice call out, "Second Miss Qin?"

Qin Wanru instinctively looked back and was somewhat startled to see Chu Liuxin emerging from a neighboring room. Recovering quickly, she turned slightly to offer him a formal greeting, then obediently fell in step behind Shui Ruolan, taking the maid's hand as she headed downstairs.

She did not linger for even a moment.

"Hey... I..." Chu Liuxin extended a hand, blinking his eyes with a look of utter innocence.

"Your Highness, whose young daughter is that? She is truly striking!" Several youths of similar age who had accompanied him also witnessed the scene. They looked between Chu Liuxin and Qin Wanru's retreating figure, their curiosity instantly piqued.

"Striking she may be, but she is terribly young!" another remarked.

"So young, she looks barely ten years old. Yet her manners are so proper—whose distinguished family does she belong to?"...

The young men were consumed with curiosity. A few who had missed the initial sight even stretched their necks eagerly to peer outside, but by then, Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan were already far away.

Chu Liuxin felt a flicker of annoyance. He felt that, having grown quite familiar with Qin Wanru during their time in Jiangzhou, she should at least have acknowledged him instead of walking right past without a single word. How utterly lacking in manners!

"Let's go!" Chu Liuxin turned on his heel in a huff. Being in a foul mood and disinclined to speak, he cast a sideways glare at his companions, stamped his foot, and headed down the stairs.

The next time he ran into this little girl, he resolved to give her a proper fright to see if she ever dared snub him in front of so many people again!

Early the next morning, Yujie woke Qin Wanru up at dawn. After a simple breakfast and washing up, she accompanied the maid to the Elder Madame's courtyard.

The Elder Madame had already finished her morning meal, with Shui Ruolan keeping her company. Upon seeing Qin Wanru arrive, the older woman beckoned her over and repeatedly urged her to take good care of Shui Ruolan and ensure she wasn't jostled by the crowds.

As for her first formal social outing, the Elder Madame stressed that she must behave with utmost propriety and avoid any missteps that might invite ridicule... Regarding every conceivable detail, the Elder Madame offered admonition after admonition, purely out of fear that the two of them might encounter trouble.

Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan listened and assented to every instruction before finally taking their leave of the Elder Madame and heading outside.

The carriage was already prepared—the finest one in the estate, usually reserved exclusively for the Elder Madame, though it had now been specifically yielded to Shui Ruolan and Qin Wanru.

The interior was lined with thick, soft cushions, making it exceptionally comfortable to sit in. Qin Wanru first helped Shui Ruolan recline comfortably before taking her own seat.

Just as they were about to give the order to depart, Yujie's voice whispered softly from outside, "Miss, this servant just caught sight of Meixue near the First Miss's quarters. She seemed to be lingering and staring in our direction for quite some time!"

A sharp glint flashed through Qin Wanru's eyes, though her expression remained serene. She offered a slight smile, signaling Yujie that no further comment was necessary.

Given Qin Yuru's temperament, how could she possibly be willing to let this pass...

"First Miss! First Miss! The Second Miss and Madam Shui have gone out to attend a banquet! I heard it is a banquet at the Grand Princess Rui'an's Manor!" After making careful inquiries, Meixue hurried back in a rush, bursting into the room to report to Qin Yuru.

"A banquet at the Grand Princess Rui'an's Manor?" Qin Yuru asked, rising to her feet in shock.

"Yes, it's at the Grand Princess's. They say the Grand Princess sent a formal invitation specifically for the Second Miss and Madam Shui," Meixue said, pressing a hand to her chest as she caught her breath.

"How dare they go on their own!" A wave of suffocating rage surged in Qin Yuru's chest. Turning green with fury, she slammed her hand down onto the dressing table and gritted her teeth. "Prepare the carriage! We are going to the Yongkang Earl's Estate!"

She, the legitimate eldest daughter, had been left behind while Qin Wanru went instead? What would outsiders think of her? No, she had to find a way to attend as well.

"Yes, this servant will give the order immediately," Meixue nodded, then hesitated before asking, "Should we inform the Madame?"

"No!" Qin Yuru shook her head decisively. She spun around to face the vanity and instructed Meinyu, "Help me dress up properly. Let everyone see who the most distinguished and beautiful young lady of the Qin family truly is. A mere little girl thinks she can compare to me?"

She was the eldest Miss Qin, in the prime of her youth. Did Qin Wanru, a little girl who hadn't even grown to her full height, really expect to climb over her head? She needed to see whether she was even qualified. Qin Yuru was determined to show her that even within the Grand Princess Rui'an's Manor, she remained the eldest miss who utterly overshadowed her...

The journey from the Qin estate to Grand Princess Rui'an's residence required passing through several bustling thoroughfares. Qin Wanru gazed out with eager interest at the passing sights, keeping boredom at bay. When Shui Ruolan leaned back to close her eyes and rest, Qin Wanru peered through the gossamer window curtains at the streetscape outside, completely engrossed.

Even when they finally arrived at their destination, she still felt a lingering sense of reluctance to leave!

Grand Princess Rui'an was the Emperor's own paternal aunt, and her estate occupied an immense expanse of land, rivaling even the Prince Chen Manor that Qin Wanru had glimpsed the other day. The street before the gates was a ceaseless flow of carriages and horses, bearing witness to the vast number of female guests attending the Grand Princess's gathering today.

The Grand Princess's manor featured three separate entry points: the auxiliary side gates on the left and right, and the grand central gates which stood wide open. However, virtually everyone utilized the side gates; after all, very few possessed the standing to warrant the Grand Princess opening her central gates wide—only venerable madames of supreme virtue or members of the imperial lineage.

The Qin family carriage joined the stream of vehicles entering through the left side gate.

Hardly had they crossed the threshold when an elderly matron with a beaming smile hurried over from among the carriages. After inspecting the Qin family's carriage, she asked the driver, "Is this the carriage from the Qin estate?"

"It is indeed our Qin estate's carriage!" the driver lowered his whip and replied respectfully.

Even if she were merely an ordinary servant woman, she belonged to Grand Princess Rui'an's household—not someone a humble coachman from the Qin estate could afford to offend.

"Please follow me. Her Highness the Grand Princess has already given instructions that Second Miss Qin and Madam Shui are to be escorted to a separate area," the matron said with a warm smile. Her gentle demeanor bore no trace of the arrogance one might expect from the Grand Princess's retinue, putting the Qin family driver somewhat at ease.

Facing the estate of an imperial princess, an ordinary coachman could not help but feel a flutter of anxiety.

"Follow this嬷嬷 (momo)!" Yujie, acting on Qin Wanru's instruction, lifted the carriage curtain and spoke, then offered a slight, respectful smile to the matron to acknowledge her greeting.

Guiding the Qin carriage through several winding pathways, the matron led them to a parking enclosure. Only a few carriages stood here, a stark contrast to the tightly packed vehicles crowded at the main entrance where finding a vacant spot was nearly impossible.

Once the carriage came to a steady halt, Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan disembarked one after the other.

The matron had initially been curious about what sort of young lady could have so captured the Grand Princess's attention that Her Highness specifically instructed her to park the Qin carriage in a superior lot. Now, catching sight of Qin Wanru, she inwardly marveled—this young miss was truly striking, with a sweet, sunny smile and an air of endearing charm.

She was the sort of young lady whose appearance alone instantly brought comfort to the beholder.

"Madam Shui, Second Miss Qin, please follow this servant!" the matron smiled as she took the lead.

Qin Wanru supported Shui Ruolan as they followed behind. The scenery along their path was exceptionally picturesque, testifying amply to its imperial pedigree. Every view and object was exquisitely crafted, an absolute feast for the eyes.

As they walked further, the crowds began to thicken, with numerous guests heading inward. Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan slowly blended into the throng, moving along with the stream of noblewomen.

The matron continued to guide their way attentively from the front. Quite by coincidence, as they approached a forward intersection, Qin Wanru caught sight of a familiar face...