Hearing the word "marriage," Bai Sihan's eyes lit up again.
Although this Young Master Su was a bit older, his appearance was ordinary, his temper was a bit impatient, and his family background was not particularly prominent, such a person seemed much easier to handle.
Bai Sihan had made appearances outside with her mother these days, but no madam had proactively proposed marriage to her. She figured they looked down on her background.
If the madam of the house couldn't be passed, their sons naturally wouldn't get to meet her.
She and her mother had been pacing around the house anxiously.
After the Lantern Festival, her father was to return to Qiongzhou to take up his post. Her mother's excuse of recuperating from injuries had been exposed by their recent comings and goings.
That was why she had clung to Bai Siruo, even if she sensed her elder sister's strong dislike, she had to endure it.
The wealth and splendor of Dongdu City were right before her eyes. How could she let go after enjoying it for so long?
If she could "capture" this Young Master Su tonight, she and her mother would have an excuse to stay in Dongdu City.
No matter what, taking the initiative was the key.
So, she tidied her appearance and leaned closer, sweetly saying to Su Cheng, "Brother Su, I'm a little thirsty. Could we go back to Changchun Tower for a few sips of tea before coming out to stroll through the lantern festival with my elder sister and the others?"
After she finished speaking, Su Cheng was stunned. He looked at Bai Siruo and raised his eyebrows, his expression conveying "It's your sister, you deal with her."
Bai Siruo shrugged, her helpless expression causing Su Cheng to explode.
Just as he was thinking of an excuse to brush off Bai Sihan's entanglement, he unexpectedly ran into the Wei family and the Wen Liang families, who were also out.
Under the lamplight, Wen Mengsheng's already jade-like demeanor was even more pronounced. Bai Sihan was captivated.
Since the Wei family banquet last time, she hadn't had another chance to speak with this young master from the Wen family. Compared to Su Cheng, he was the ideal husband candidate in her heart.
Good family background, good looks, kind and ambitious, and most importantly, unlike others, he didn't look down on her background.
Such a fine man, what if he were snatched away by someone else?
She glanced at the unmarried sisters present, feeling a secret resentment.
Wei Lanxuan was naturally walking with Liang Pan. In their hands, they carried a pair of mandarin duck lanterns, exquisitely made and very beautiful.
Combined with their tacit understanding as they arrived together, anyone would want to say they were a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman.
Accompanying them were Miss Liang and the two Wen family cousins. Handsome men and beautiful women, they drew attention wherever they went.
When the two groups met, there was a rather awkward silence. It was Wen Mengsheng who took the initiative to break the ice, stepping forward with a smile to greet Feng Jinyao and her party.
Among the group before him, besides Xiao Muqian, Bai Siruo, and Wei Lanxuan, his family background was the best. He usually presented himself as a distinguished young gentleman, so it was natural for him to step forward and speak.
"What a coincidence, are you all out to see the lantern festival too? I have met some of you young ladies."
Unfortunately, his warm greeting was met with indifference.
Feng Jinyao looked at his hypocritical smile and scoffed inwardly. Even though she concealed her expression well, her eyes couldn't help but betray mockery and disdain.
Feng Jinlin, having met him once at the Bai residence, also had no good impression and naturally responded with a cold face.
Wen Mengsheng found it very strange. Ever since he met the Feng family, they had inexplicably disliked him, even showing hostility.
He couldn't understand at all what had happened, was there a misunderstanding?
Xiao Muqian and Su Cheng harbored no ill will towards him. They clasped their fists in greeting. Su Cheng spoke first, "Yes, the grand occasion of Great Jin. If we don't come out to see it, wouldn't we be letting down all this liveliness."
Wen Mengsheng smiled happily and then turned his gaze to Feng Jinyao. He took a step forward but was blocked by Feng Er. Wen Mengsheng still remembered being beaten last time. Seeing this, he was somewhat displeased and asked Feng Jinlin,
"Second Young Master, why are you so strange? I merely wanted to greet you all, why such a demeanor? Could it be that I have unintentionally offended you? If so, then I apologize first."
"Heh, I've always looked down on people, haven't you heard of it, Young Master Wen? If you knew you'd offend people, why bother greeting them?"
Feng Er refused to be at a disadvantage. He stepped forward and retorted.
Bai Siruo and Xu Mingyue exchanged glances, both finding it strange. What was wrong with this Second Young Master Feng?
Although they usually bickered, he had never been so harsh. For him to be so impolite right off the bat, something they didn't know must have happened.
They were friendly with the Feng family, so naturally, they stood united against outsiders. Wen Mengsheng clearly felt their impoliteness, his face turning ashen, but he couldn't act out in public.
Liang Luo had a quick temper, and the young ladies present all had grievances with her. How could she let them have the upper hand? So, she lifted her skirt and walked forward with a look of disdain, starting to speak.
"Oh, wasn't it said that the Feng family had contracted a contagious disease and were confined to their residence? Why are you still out strolling? Aren't you afraid of infecting us?"
As she spoke, she covered her nose with a handkerchief, looking at Feng Jinyao and her brother with extreme disgust, as if they had the plague.
Bai Siruo and Liang Luo had always been at odds, and seeing Liang Luo's behavior, how could she not retaliate?
"The Liang family is truly a place that produces talent. If you talk about being timid, you dare to snatch a marriage that was already set by the royal family. If you talk about being brave, why are you pretending to be delicate now, afraid of being infected? If you have the ability, don't go out. The Feng family has been personally praised by His Majesty. As for your Liang family, with a wedding about to happen, do you think His Majesty will bestow any gifts? After all, Miss Wei is the direct niece of the Imperial Consort."
When it came to venomous words, Bai Siruo was no less than anyone else. She aimed her words directly at the Liang family's weak points. Liang Pan felt he had made a mistake and felt somewhat guilty when facing Xu Mingyue, but now Bai Siruo had even dragged the Wei family into it. Wei Lanxuan's face turned pale, and naturally, she had to defend her.
"Miss Bai, please speak with caution. My engagement with Lan'er was also arranged by both sets of parents, and there were no shortcomings in the etiquette. Are you slandering others like this because of the Bai family's upbringing?"
As he spoke, his gaze towards Bai Siruo was sharp.
Hearing him defend her so strongly, Wei Lanxuan finally let out a sigh of relief, feeling she hadn't married the wrong person. She looked at Bai Siruo with equal impoliteness.
Bai Siruo had always been fearless of others' hostility. She looked back with her chin held high, her contemptuous attitude making both Wei and Liang furious.
"You are the Liang family's young master?"
Xiao Muqian suddenly asked, which finally made Wei Lanxuan and Liang Pan notice his presence.
Liang Pan frowned and looked at him, as if assessing his identity. Wen Mengsheng beside him reminded him, "This is the legitimate second grandson of the Prince of Kang's estate, and also Miss Bai's betrothed."