The curiosity in this young woman surnamed Lu’s eyes was extremely direct, and her unmasked scrutiny was quite aggressive. The arrogant air about her entire being was even greater than that of Princess Imperial Li Helan. From her current demeanor, one could see that this woman was a pampered daughter of heaven born with a golden spoon, probably never having experienced any setbacks in her life.
While thinking, Qin Yining had already stepped down from the carriage and paid her respects to both women.
As a Princess Imperial, Li Helan naturally received Qin Yining’s bow with dignity.
But that young woman also showed no reaction, not returning the courtesy, merely lifting her chin and looking at Qin Yining carelessly.
“I had long heard that Miss Qin was extremely beautiful. Seeing you today, you’ve actually put me to shame. You’re truly…” Her red lips smacked, unable to find suitable words to describe her. She didn’t feel embarrassed either, smiling faintly as if bestowing a favor: “You may address me as Madam Lu.”
She was indeed a woman whose maternal family held high status. Otherwise, married women who used the title “Madam” would generally be prefixed with their husband’s surname.
Qin Yining lowered her eyes and complied readily: “Madam Lu.”
“Mm.” Madam Lu seemed quite satisfied with Qin Yining’s obedience, glancing again at her plain attire throughout and smiling contemptuously.
“No wonder Princess Imperial An’yang praised you like a celestial fairy before me. She’s always prone to exaggeration—she even praised my willow-like appearance as divine. I thought today I might see some rustic little girl.
“Who would have thought there truly exists someone like you in this world, pure as if carved from water itself. Even in plain clothes and simple hairpins, your beauty cannot be concealed. One can imagine that when your father held high position in Great Yan, what kind of splendor you must have had dressed in silk and jewels. What a pity—such an appearance I’ll never have the fortune to see.”
Qin Yining looked up at Madam Lu in surprise.
She could confirm this was their first meeting, so why did her words contain hidden barbs that repeatedly struck painful spots, with that last sentence implying a curse that the Qin family could never rise again?
This way of speaking was utterly disagreeable.
Perhaps Madam Lu was close to Princess Imperial An’yang and was defending the Princess Imperial’s honor.
However, this was ultimately the inner palace. Qin Yining’s status couldn’t compare to these two women before her, so she dared not linger here long. Since the conversation was unpleasant, Qin Yining wasn’t someone who would weakly stand there waiting to be bullied.
Therefore, Qin Yining politely and courteously took her leave.
Li Helan smiled: “Very well, then we can gather again next time.”
“Thank you, Princess Imperial.” Qin Yining bowed, observing all proper courtesies before boarding the oil-walled carriage again.
Li Helan and Madam Lu stepped aside.
Only after the carriage had gone far did Madam Lu say: “Even the Princess Imperial can misjudge sometimes. I think this Qin family girl is extremely well-behaved—so soft and yielding that one can’t even muster the strength to pinch her.”
Li Helan raised an eyebrow, then smiled warmly: “Perhaps this princess truly misjudged. But this princess thought that someone who could make a heroic man like Brother Xiao lose his mind must have exceptional qualities.”
“Oh?” Madam Lu seemed interested, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. “I’ve heard rumors that Prince Zhongshun forcibly abducted that Qin girl to his mansion. So this really happened?”
“Yes, it did happen. When this princess visited the prince’s mansion some days ago, I even saw her.”
“How did the Prince treat her?” Madam Lu’s tone was somewhat urgent.
Li Helan smiled: “You know Brother Xiao’s temperament, but I could see that Brother Xiao treated her specially.”
“Prince Zhongshun, being such a man of clear love and hate, must have done this to find a way to avenge his father’s murder.”
Madam Lu’s cheeks flushed rose-colored as her red lips parted slightly: “To be honest, my late husband was also an old friend of Prince Zhongshun’s. I’ve met him several times. He’s a truly upright and heroic man, unlikely to become infatuated with a young girl.”
Li Helan smiled: “If Madam says so, then so be it. However, this princess grew up with Brother Xiao and knows him best. From childhood to now, this princess has never seen Brother Xiao so concerned about any woman.”
Madam Lu was displeased by the intimate way Li Helan addressed Pang Xiao and thus lost her patience.
“Anyway, the Princess Imperial is already promised to someone. Since the Princess Imperial has called me sister for so long, I’ll speak out of turn. You’re already engaged to Marquis Dingbei and will be a member of the Ji family in the future. Yet whenever you mention Prince Zhongshun, it’s always ‘Brother Xiao this’ and ‘Brother Xiao that.’ What would Marquis Dingbei think? Or perhaps the Princess Imperial still harbors feelings for Prince Zhongshun?”
The last sentence was spoken flippantly, and Madam Lu even lightly tapped Li Helan’s rosy cheek with her fingernail painted bright red.
Thinking of this marriage that displeased her and the person she yearned for, Li Helan’s mood became even worse, and she couldn’t help but retort sarcastically:
“Sister Lu needn’t trouble herself with this princess’s affairs. I heard your mansion recently acquired two new male favorites—twins no less. Though they look equally handsome, their temperaments are poor and they refuse to serve Sister Lu properly. Sister Lu should focus on managing her own household affairs.”
When her private keeping of male favorites was mentioned, Madam Lu felt no shame whatsoever. Instead, she nodded: “Men, no matter what they look like, aren’t they all the same once in the bedroom? It only matters whether their bodies are strong. These newly arrived twin brothers are young and too tender, too embarrassed to serve properly. How boring—they’ll need much more training before they can be used.”
Despite her bold nature, Li Helan was ultimately an unmarried young lady. Hearing Madam Lu’s words, she couldn’t help but blush all over, feeling both bashful and conflicted.
However, Li Helan never forgot her purpose.
“Hearing Sister Lu say this, it does make sense. How many people in this world can be as heroic and robust as Brother Xiao? Such a literary and martial talent—when he marries in the future, I truly wonder what kind of woman would be worthy of him.” Li Helan’s words were full of longing.
Thinking of Pang Xiao’s appearance, Madam Lu felt her heart itch terribly. Unfortunately, she had once invited Pang Xiao to share intimate pleasures, but he had treated her with disdain, causing her to lose face. Since then, she no longer sought him out.
Thinking of that Qin family girl just now, who had actually been forcibly taken back to the mansion by Pang Xiao—even if it was to humiliate her for revenge, they must have already consummated their relationship. Such good fortune had gone to someone surnamed Qin, while her sincere invitation had been rejected…
Madam Lu snorted, didn’t even bid Li Helan farewell, and walked away in displeasure.
Li Helan watched Madam Lu’s retreating figure with a mocking smile, silently cursing her as a slut before turning to return to Cining Palace.
Meanwhile, Qin Yining left the palace by carriage but didn’t immediately return to the guest house. Instead, she sat in the carriage with Bingtang, waiting in a quiet alley not far from the palace, while Ji Yun was sent to watch for Pang Xiao’s exit.
After waiting a full hour, Pang Xiao finally left the palace. Led by Ji Yun, he came to the carriage.
The curtain lifted, and Pang Xiao leaped up easily, flashing a toothy grin at Qin Yining: “Were you anxious waiting?”