On the morning two days later, Qin Wan walked out of the Qin Manor gates for the second time. Outside the gates, five exquisite and luxurious carriages were lined up in sequence, displaying the Qin family’s nobility. In front of the carriages, sisters Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang, and Second Young Master Qin Li were already waiting in their fine clothes. When Qin Wan appeared, all three looked her way.
In the clear morning light, Qin Wan wore a smoke-gray pleated dress with ink-painted orchids. Her willow-like eyebrows extended to her temples, her eyes bright and teeth white, her black hair in an elegant bun. As she emerged from the manor gates with graceful steps, her figure was delicate yet shapely. As she walked, the rippling hem of her dress resembled two dark clouds drawing near. The three people by the carriages were momentarily stunned, and even Qin Shuang, who despised Qin Wan the most, showed a flash of amazement in her eyes.
Though it was already the cool early autumn, Qin Wan’s arrival seemed to brighten the desolate sky above the manor gates. Her willow eyebrows slightly furrowed, her bearing graceful and reserved, her obsidian-like eyes deep and enchanting. Every movement embodied the ultimate in nobility and elegance.
The former Qin Wan had delicate features but no spirit. Now, after returning from death, her beauty had been reborn. Like a peerless beauty stepping out of a painting of court ladies, she was like a flash of light between gentle clouds and a bright moon. Her mere presence made everything around her lose its luster. Everyone present stared at Qin Wan, holding their breath.
Qin Xiang’s brows quickly furrowed, and Qin Shuang also gripped her sleeves uncomfortably. When she noticed everyone’s gaze fixed on Qin Wan, the resentment and anger in her heart bubbled up even more!
“Coming so late! Don’t you know how to follow proper etiquette?!”
Qin Shuang’s cold shout brought everyone back to their senses. Qin Wan heard this and looked over indifferently, as undisturbed as if she hadn’t heard the words. Seeing this, Qin Shuang grew even angrier. Just as she was about to explode, she caught sight of Jiang Shi and Lin Shi coming out.
Qin Shuang hesitated briefly and swallowed her rebuke.
Lin Shi and Cai He supported Jiang Shi as they walked out slowly. The three instinctively looked toward the carriages, then unanimously turned to Qin Wan. After a moment, Jiang Shi instructed, “Once at An Yang Marquis’s Manor, do not forget proper etiquette. Let’s go.”
Jiang Shi boarded the first carriage, Lin Shi the second, Qin Li and the sisters Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang took the third and fourth, and Qin Wan was left with the last one. After boarding, Fu Ling, who had been following her, let out a long breath.
“Just seeing the Old Madam is frightening. Sixth Young Miss has the worst manners herself, yet she criticizes Young Miss.”
Qin Wan brushed her sleeve without responding. Fu Ling continued, “The An Yang Marquis’s Manor invited Young Miss, and even the Old Madam doesn’t know why. It’s very strange.”
“Be patient, we’ll know once we arrive at An Yang Marquis’s Manor.”
Qin Wan comforted Fu Ling with these words, her eyes narrowing slightly. She too wanted to know why the An Yang Marquis’s Manor had invited her.
It was still early, and the carriages moved very slowly. The Qin Manor was located in the east of the city, while the An Yang Marquis’s Manor was in the west. Being on opposite sides, the distance was considerable. Along the way, Qin Wan lifted the carriage curtain to observe the prosperous Jin Zhou city.
“Young Miss, these carriages all seem to be heading to An Yang Marquis’s Manor!”
Qin Wan looked where Fu Ling was pointing. Indeed, before noon, the streets were filled with luxurious carriages, all heading westward.
“This is truly the An Yang Marquis’s Manor’s influence. With that Princess present, nobody dares to be careless.”
The closer they got to the west, the slower the carriages moved. For the An Yang Marquis heir’s wedding, guests were flooding to the manor. Not just from Jin Zhou Prefecture, but even guests from the capital had come, causing traffic to back up two streets away from the manor.
They had departed in the early morning, but by the time the Qin family carriages reached the An Yang Marquis’s Manor, it was almost noon.
When the carriage stopped, Fu Ling helped Qin Wan descend. Immediately, the majestic and elegant An Yang Marquis’s Manor came into view, along with festive and luxurious decorations and the manor’s glamorous guests.
Qin Wan didn’t look around much, staying close behind Jiang Shi.
Compared to the quiet and proper Qin Wan, Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang appeared unable to contain themselves.
Perhaps having never seen such grand arrangements, even Qin Xiang couldn’t suppress her curiosity and began looking around. As for Qin Shuang, she stared with wide eyes at the manor’s decorations and passing guests.
Qin Li followed closely behind Jiang Shi, also quite interested, occasionally glancing back at Qin Wan. Seeing her maintaining proper deportment without looking around, questions arose heavily in Qin Li’s eyes.
“I heard the bride is the youngest daughter of the Song Duke’s family from the capital. The wedding procession alone took a month to arrive. Today’s auspicious time is in the afternoon, so we’ll have to wait.”
“The Yue and Song families joining in marriage – is Princess planning to return to the capital?”
“That’s unknown. The Princess hasn’t been feeling well these past few days. She’s currently meeting with those who frequently associated with the manor. We probably won’t see her today.”
In the east side flower hall of the manor, Jiang Shi sat with Qin Wan and the others in a room full of ladies and young misses.
These ladies were mostly from Jin Zhou’s official and noble families and should have been familiar with the Qin family. However, aside from a few ladies rising to greet Jiang Shi when they first entered, no one came to converse with the Qin family afterward.
Jiang Shi kept her prayer beads in hand, completely undisturbed by the noisy environment, even closing her eyes to recite sutras.
While Jiang Shi could sit still, the younger generation like Qin Li couldn’t. Before long, they grew restless and wanted to move around. Lin Shi frowned at this, “With your eldest brother away in Jian Zhou and not yet returned, there’s no one to keep you in check. Stay seated and don’t wander off.”
The Qin family’s eldest son Qin Chen had been away from home for many days and hadn’t returned. Qin Wan hadn’t met him yet.
Qin Shuang wore a suffering expression, “Just sitting here is so boring. We’ve been sitting for ages, and we don’t know when the bride will arrive. It’s almost afternoon, and no one from the manor has received us properly.”
It wasn’t that no one was receiving them, just no one of importance.
Seven or eight maids stood around the flower hall, ready to refill tea and snacks for guests at any time.
Lin Shi lowered her voice, “There are too many guests today, they can’t attend to everyone personally. Don’t say anymore.”
Qin Shuang snorted, muttering quietly, “Had I known it would be so dull, we might as well not have come.” Looking around again, she asked, “Why don’t I see Uncle Huo and Brother Huo?”
The Brother Huo that Qin Shuang mentioned was naturally the Prefecture Commissioner’s son whom the Ninth Young Miss had admired.
When Qin Shuang said this, she deliberately glanced at Qin Wan, but Qin Wan remained perfectly composed, not even moving her eyebrows.
“Prefecture Commissioner Huo is Jin Zhou’s official parent. Having real power, he naturally wouldn’t sit with us.”
Lin Shi could only explain helplessly. Hearing this, Qin Shuang bit her lip and formed another thought, “I heard the manor’s Old Madam is Princess Jia Yi. I wonder if she’ll receive us?”
Qin Shuang’s chatter became too much even for Qin Xiang, who gave a light snort, “Give up that thought. Among all the ladies sitting in this flower hall, have you seen anyone who’s met the Princess? Just sit quietly.”
Qin Shuang pouted, but as she glanced around, she saw two figures appear at the hall entrance!
“Oh, look who’s coming?!”
At Qin Shuang’s low exclamation, the other ladies in the flower hall also noticed the arrivals. Everyone looked toward the entrance, and Qin Wan turned to look as well. A young lady in indigo martial clothes entered, accompanied by a maid in green.
“Ah, it’s the Young Princess…”
Some sharp-eyed observers had recognized the arrival, and suddenly everyone in the flower hall stood up.
Because the old An Yang Marquis had married the Princess, the legitimate daughters of the past two generations of the manor had all been granted the title of Princess by imperial decree. Now, this spirited young lady called Young Princess was walking toward the Qin family’s table.
Qin Shuang’s eyes widened with excitement, “Is the Princess going to receive us?”
As the Young Princess drew closer, Jiang Shi also stood up. Meanwhile, everyone in the flower hall casts questioning or envious glances at the Qin family members.
True to Qin Shuang’s hopes, the Young Princess did come to their table.
Yue Ning stopped at the table, first respectfully nodding to Jiang Shi, then turned her gaze to Qin Wan, “Are you the Ninth Young Miss of the Qin family? My grandmother wishes to see you, please come with me—”