Ruining led the way, and Qi Zhenzhen, Li Nuan, Li Rou, and Yan Qi followed her to the flower hall.
The flower hall of the Prince Rui's mansion was built by the lotus pond. It was very large and divided into two by screens.
One side was for the female guests, and the other was for the male guests.
They gathered in groups of three or two, chatting, and it looked quite lively.
Ruining led them to the female guests' side, found the Princess Rui, and pulled Qi Zhenzhen and the other two to introduce them to her.
Princess Rui was a dignified and elegant woman with excellent temperament. She was currently talking with several elaborately dressed ladies.
Upon seeing Ruining arrive, she chided, "You girl, always shirking your duties, only coming out now!"
Ruining linked her arm around Princess Rui's and pouted, "Mother, you don't save me any face at all. With so many aunts and aunts here, my reputation is ruined. When people think of me in the future, their first reaction will surely be a lazy girl."
"Did you hear that? I said she was mischievous, and you didn't believe me. Shirking duties and then spewing nonsense when told. You still don't believe it." Princess Rui had a smile on her face. Although her words sounded like a scolding, the immense pampering was evident to all.
"Your Highness, you haven't seen my daughter. She's two years older than Ruining, and she doesn't do anything either. Aren't all our daughters pampered? There's nothing wrong with that! I think it's excellent! They grow older each year, and when they get married, you won't be able to see them like this anymore."
"Exactly, exactly. Weren't we all like them at this age? Ruining is so young, and she can already help you organize the Lotus Flower Banquet. What more could you want?" another person chimed in.
In short, their words were all praises for Ruining.
"If all these aunts and aunts plead for you, I'll let you off," Princess Rui lightly tapped Ruining's forehead.
"I knew it, Mother is the best. Mother, let me introduce you. This is Qi Zhenzhen, the second young lady of the Marquis Changping's mansion. These two are the young ladies of the Li family, Li Nuan and Li Rou. We met earlier and get along very well with your daughter." Ruining pulled the three to introduce them to Princess Rui.
Qi Zhenzhen, Li Nuan, and Li Rou respectfully paid their respects to Princess Rui and also to the assembled ladies. Those who could converse with Princess Rui were naturally not ordinary people, so it was right to be polite.
Regardless of what these ladies thought, Ruining's solemn introduction meant they had to show respect.
Whether their compliments were sincere or not, they began to speak favorably.
Princess Rui even took Qi Zhenzhen's hand and examined it. "At your grandmother's birthday banquet, I saw you from afar and thought you were a good girl. Seeing you today, I can confirm it!"
After speaking, she removed a bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Qi Zhenzhen's. It was a vibrant, juicy blood-red. Those who often interacted with Princess Rui knew that this bracelet was highly favored by her. It was said to be a blood jade bracelet prepared by her mother when she got married, worth a fortune.
Giving it to a young girl, and not only a concubine-born daughter but also a girl who was already engaged. If she hadn't been engaged, they might have speculated that Princess Rui fancied her and wanted to take her home as a daughter-in-law.
But now? They couldn't figure it out.
However, since Princess Rui showed such importance, they couldn't fall behind. Thus, Qi Zhenzhen inexplicably received many compliments... and gifts!
Without knowing the identities of these ladies!
Madam Xiao Qin, along with Qi Mingzhu and Li Qing, sat not far away. They saw everything that was happening here clearly.
Although Madam Xiao Qin and Qi Mingzhu were somewhat jealous that Qi Zhenzhen had caught Princess Rui's eye, they also knew that this was Prince Rui's mansion, not the Marquis's mansion. Even if they wanted to inquire, they couldn't approach.
Thus, they sat there calmly.
But Li Qing couldn't stay put. If only Qi Zhenzhen had received compliments and gifts, but now, even Li Nuan and Li Rou had received many things. She, a legitimate daughter, was ignored, so why should they, two concubine-born daughters, receive such treatment?
Li Qing had long forgotten her grandmother's and the Old Madam's admonitions. She suddenly stood up and hopped towards Princess Rui.
Madam Xiao Qin was a bit stunned. She thought Madam Lu and the Old Madam had warned her, so Li Qing should have behaved herself. She hadn't been paying close attention, and only realized when Li Qing was almost in front of Princess Rui.
"Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, esteemed ladies." Li Qing bowed to Princess Rui and the ladies with a smile.
One doesn't hit a smiling face, and excessive politeness is never wrong.
Therefore, even though Princess Rui and some ladies didn't know Li Qing, they nodded and smiled, accepting Li Qing's greetings.
Li Qing was overjoyed, expecting to receive gifts. However, she saw that Princess Rui and several ladies were acting as if nothing had happened, continuing their conversations, completely ignoring her.
"Your Highness, esteemed ladies, I am their sister, the legitimate daughter of the Li family." Li Qing spoke again.
Princess Rui was a bit puzzled. Where did this Li family come from? Besides, even if she was the legitimate daughter of the Li family, so what?
The ladies were also confused. They didn't know what this girl wanted.
"Princess Rui, we are sisters. You should treat us equally. They received meeting gifts, so why don't I?"
Li Qing's voice was clear and her words were always direct. Not only Princess Rui but also the ladies and young ladies gathered nearby heard her. The Lotus Flower Banquet had been held for many years, and such a situation had never occurred. To be precise, no one had ever seen a girl like Li Qing who would ask for gifts herself. Did she have no shame?
Madam Xiao Qin wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Did this Li Qing have any brains?
Someone familiar with Madam Xiao Qin, who had seen her with Madam Xiao Qin, gave her questioning glances.
Princess Rui had hosted the Lotus Flower Banquet for several years and had dealt with many unexpected situations. Although she was momentarily stunned, she quickly recovered. "Young ladies nowadays are not like us back then, shy and afraid to speak loudly. Look, this girl is not afraid of anyone and has generously come to greet us! Since we have accepted her greeting, shouldn't we give her a meeting gift?"
Her maid, following Princess Rui's glance, immediately handed a sachet to Li Qing.
The other ladies followed suit, giving her some items casually.
They were all in sachets, so their quality couldn't be discerned. However, just by bowing and saying a few words, Li Qing was quite satisfied with these items.
She didn't shamelessly linger there but proudly took her things and sat back beside Madam Xiao Qin.
For a moment, Madam Xiao Qin received many scrutinizing glances, making her so embarrassed that she wished she could disappear on the spot.
Yet, Li Qing didn't feel anything was wrong and even showed off to Qi Mingzhu. Qi Mingzhu's face turned green. Even with her usually cold demeanor, she now wished she could slap Li Qing twice. The reputation of the Marquis's mansion and her own reputation were completely lost now.