In order for Li Qing to attend the Lotus Banquet, Madam Lu gritted her teeth and went to Jinghua Courtyard. Her relationship with the younger Madam Qin was very delicate at the moment.
After hearing Madam Lu's intentions, the younger Madam Qin looked very troubled. "Aunt, I really can't promise you this. Although I received an invitation, it's different from Mingzhu's. Mingzhu's invitation clearly states that only she is invited."
"You can't possibly go while Qing'er doesn't, can you?" Madam Lu humbled herself. "You are Qing'er's aunt; how can you bear to ignore her?"
Of course, I can bear it. What kind of aunt am I? To be frank, although we are relatives, this is our first meeting. If it were a well-behaved, sensible, and likable child, she would naturally look after her. But Li Qing, well-behaved? Not a chance. Sensible? Even less likely. Likable? Likable could be changed to detestable. Da Feng Novel Network.
The old are disrespectful of their age, and the young follow suit.
If the Old Madam were gone, she wouldn't spare them a single ounce of energy; she would simply dismiss them.
"I can't bear it. Alas, I'll think of a way. The Lotus Banquet isn't for a few days anyway." Madam Lu was very helpless. "I can only say I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee it will succeed."
"Then put in some effort. As I said, if our Qing'er has a bright future, she certainly won't forget you as her aunt." Madam Lu was just painting a rosy picture for now.
The younger Madam Qin smiled. "I know Qing'er is a good girl."
On the day of the Lotus Banquet, the younger Madam Qin, along with the elegantly dressed and beautiful Qi Mingzhu and the ostentatiously adorned Li Qing, went to see the Old Madam early in the morning.
Qi Mingzhu was dressed very appropriately. As for Li Qing, at such a young age, she was adorned with only pearl and jewel-encrusted hair accessories. Not a trace of youthful purity and liveliness was displayed. She had an air of nobility, but she also looked very old.
Clearly, Li Qing herself was very satisfied with this attire, so the Old Madam did not comment further.
Qi Zhenzhen, Li Nuan, and Li Rou arrived later. Qi Zhenzhen wore a simple and elegant jacket and skirt. The skirt was embroidered with white plum blossoms threaded with silver, the embroidery exquisite, making the white plums seem lifelike. What was most unique was the fragrance she carried, which was almost identical to the scent of blooming white plums.
Compared to Qi Zhenzhen, Li Nuan's dress was more vibrant. The style was fashionable, and the craftsmanship was delicate, giving her a different charm.
As for Li Rou, her attire was no different from her usual style.
When everyone had gathered, the Old Madam cleared her throat. "When you go to Prince Duan's mansion, your conduct must be impeccable. Do not act rashly; follow the Madam closely. Whatever you do, you must seek the Madam's consent. When you go there, you represent the Changping Marquis's Mansion! It's not enough for one of you to be good; all of you must be good. Do you understand?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
There were a total of three carriages. The younger Madam Qin took one with Qi Mingzhu and Li Qing.
Qi Zhenzhen, Li Nuan, and Li Rou took another.
The third carriage was for Madam Fang and her attendants.
"I'm so nervous," Li Nuan said, tightly clenching the handkerchief in her hand.
"I haven't attended such an event either," Qi Zhenzhen replied. "Let's just see how others behave and follow suit."
The three of them encouraged each other. With Madam Fang accompanying them and the Old Madam's specific instructions, even if the younger Madam Qin was unwilling, she would still look after them. After all, in the eyes of others, they were all accompanying the younger Madam Qin and had come from the Marquis's Mansion. If anything were to happen, the younger Madam Qin would lose face.
The carriages soon stopped. A moment later, Madam Fang's voice sounded from outside.
Lifting the carriage curtain, Er Xi was already waiting outside.
Qi Zhenzhen alighted, supported by Er Xi's arm. Li Nuan and Li Rou also got out.
Someone immediately stepped forward to greet them. "Second Miss Qi, the Princess specifically sent a maidservant to wait for you."
A round-faced young maidservant with a smile greeted them. Qi Zhenzhen recognized her as Lu Liu, the maidservant who had been with Princess Ruining at Linlang Pavilion that day.
"Thank you for the Princess's concern. I came with my mother and sisters," Qi Zhenzhen said, glancing towards the younger Madam Qin.
Lu Liu stepped forward and bowed to the younger Madam Qin. "Madam Marquis, our Princess sent me here early this morning, saying that after the Second Miss Qi and the other two young ladies arrived, I was to lead them directly to her courtyard. Please rest assured, I will take good care of the young ladies."
Since the host had said so, what could the younger Madam Qin say? She could only nod generously and say, "Since it's the Princess's kind invitation, you may go with her. But remember what the Old Madam said at home; do not cause trouble for others."
At first glance, this sounded like an elder's admonishment to her juniors. However, upon closer reflection, the meaning was off. It clearly implied that Qi Zhenzhen, Li Nuan, and Li Rou were prone to causing trouble.
As expected, there was no genuine care involved.
Entering through a side gate, they saw three sedan chairs waiting after only a few steps.
"The Princess's courtyard is some distance from the main gate. Please take the sedan chairs, young ladies," Lu Liu said.
As they walked, Qi Zhenzhen understood what "some distance" meant.
In the Marquis's Mansion, it only took about fifteen minutes to walk from her Longxiang Courtyard to the main gate. However, in Prince Duan's mansion, they walked for twenty minutes from the main gate and still hadn't arrived. Converting this, thirty minutes in modern times could cover five li.
Prince Rui's mansion was truly vast.
It was magnificent and stately, with carved beams and painted pillars, winding corridors, and a grand imperial style.
"Our Prince Rui's mansion is a residence left from the previous dynasty. After the Emperor bestowed it upon our Prince, it was expanded by more than double. The scenery within the mansion was built by imperial craftsmen, miniaturizing the scenery of the imperial palace."
No wonder it was so grand.
After walking for another half-quarter of an hour, the sedan chairs finally stopped.
"This is Ning Garden, where our Princess resides. The Princess is inside. I will take the three young ladies in."
The garden was vast, with various flowers competing in beauty, making it feel like being in a garden.
"Our Princess has always loved flowers. The Prince specially built a greenhouse just to cultivate flowers and plants for the Princess," Lu Liu introduced.
Passing through a sea of flowers, they reached the corridor. Lu Liu first lifted the bead curtain and went in to announce their arrival.
Soon, Ruining personally came out to greet them. "Second Sister, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Her greeting was enthusiastic, as if the relationship between them was very intimate.
In reality, they had only met twice.
"Greetings to the Princess."
Courtesy must be observed. Qi Zhenzhen, Li Nuan, and Li Rou bowed to Princess Ruining.
"There's no one else here, so there's no need for you sisters to be so formal. Come, come, follow me and sit. I have some sisters I want you to meet." Princess Ruining took Qi Zhenzhen's hand and led her inside.
On a soft couch sat a young woman in a red dress. She had an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and skin as smooth as congealed fat. She was as beautiful as a painting.
"Is this the Second Miss of the Marquis's Mansion you've been talking about these past two days?" the woman in red asked, her voice carrying a hint of languor that was quite alluring.
Princess Ruining pointed to the woman in red and introduced her. "Second Sister, this is Yan Qi. She's been my good friend since childhood. She wasn't in the capital during the Old Madam's birthday banquet, so you didn't meet. If you had met then, perhaps you would have become good friends."