Chapter 403 Let’s Have a Look at the Garden
“First Miss of Qin’s Mansion?” Rui’an Great Elder Princess frowned mildly and stared around.
“She was walking ahead of me! I walked slowly as I was attracted by the view of Prince Cheng’s Mansion. Anyway, she should have been here as she had left first, but where is she now?” asked Qin Wanru in surprise.
The consort selection was held today while everyone had no idea about it. All people got off their carriages first and then walked into the mansion. If there had been any problems or plans, they should have asked after coming in and they could not go directly to appreciate the garden impolitely.
Moreover, those who came here mostly were ladies from aristocratic families and they were clear that their purpose was Prince Cheng’s consort selection. Thus, they would not act obtrusively because it would be hard to know what to do if they offended Prince Cheng!
“Servants! Find First Miss Qin!” Rui’an Great Elder Princess gave an order indifferently, from which they could tell that she was unpleasant.
The instant she ordered, two old maids answered and left.
The scenario made other ladies there lower their heads while some smart ladies regarded it as a farce.
It was a farce directed by Duke Xing’s Mansion and Rui’an Great Elder Princess. As for Qin’s Mansion? It just happened to get involved in it!
Those old-line aristocratic families in the capital city had always known Rui’an Great Elder Princess was on bad terms with Old Madam of Duke Xing’s Mansion. However, they didn’t expect that Qin sisters also got involved.
When Rui’an Great Elder Princess had expressed her appreciation towards Second Miss Qin and thought highly of her, then it was immediately said that Duke Xing’s Mansion preferred First Miss Qin. Despite Qin Yuru’s ceaseless scandals and awful reputation, Old Madam of Duke Xing, who had not been interested in this stuff before, was particularly in favor of her.
The reward to Qin Yuru at the acceptance banquet for Madam of Duke Xing’s nominal daughter that day had seemed to say it all.
Everyone thought Madam Dowager of Duke Xing’s Mansion would accept Qin Yuru as her nominal granddaughter soon since she had stated very clearly at the banquet. This restless First Miss Qin, however, had another scandal that maltreating her sister on the street and smashing the blood jade bracelet given by Madam Dowager of Duke Xing’s Mansion.
What a hilarious drama!
Now these people wondered why Madam Dowager of Duke Xing’s Mansion would have such a poor taste! How could she just pick the scandal-ridden Qin Yuru to compete against Rui’an Great Elder Princess!
Just looked at it! How shameless Qin Yuru was today! She even dared to attend this selection and just left here untamedly! Did she attempt to win the position of Prince Cheng’s consort? It was said that Qin Yuru was engaged to the heir of Duke Yong’s Mansion, a crossed-cousin marriage. Another saying was that she had even broken the engagement with another man in Jiangzhou just in order to marry the heir of Duke Yong’s Mansion in the capital city.
Everyone there involuntarily had a malicious inference to First Miss Qin because of those rumors, plus the latest news that she now disappeared without reason.
Did she attempt to take the initiative?
This thought agitated those who liked Prince Cheng. They twisted a bit and peeped at Rui’an Great Elder Princess who was sitting on top. As they found her face was livid, they then decided not to do anything which might burn themselves.
“Yujie, you go and find big sister, too. I will be with Great Elder Princess and at least I don’t need your service now.” Thinking for a while, Qin Wanru lowered her voice and ordered Yujie.
Glancing at Rui’an Great Elder Princess hesitantly, Yujie seemed to be worried.
“Those old maids who are looking for big sister don’t know what she looks like, so it will be convenient for you to look for her. Just remember. Don’t cause any trouble and bring big sister here!”
Realizing Yujie was unwilling to do this, Qin Wanru persuaded her softly in a low voice. Although she didn’t say it loudly, those who heard her words immediately thought highly of Second Miss Qin.
Compared to First Miss Qin who seemed to have wicked intentions, Second Miss Qin was much more decent.
Although it was said that they didn’t get on well with each other, the event that Qin Yuru scolded Qin Wanru in public must have a bad influence on them. Moreover, since Second Miss Qin was still young, she might not know how to hide her feelings.
Even so, Second Miss Qin was able to focus on the overall situation by sending people to look for First Miss Qin. In case those old maids could not find her, she even sent her only servant girl here to help, from which it was obvious that she was a sensible lady.
As everyone was thinking like this, their thoughts that Qin Yuru must have done something furtive got stronger? At that moment, everyone could do nothing but just sit there and take a wild guess before Great Elder Princess spoke.
When hearing her lady’s words, Yujie bowed sideways and hurried to leave unwillingly.
Realizing there was nobody else serving Qin Wanru, Rui’an Great Elder Princess then sent one of her servant girls to minister to Qin Wanru’s needs.
“Great Elder Princess, what a lively day!” Qin Wanru’s eyes rested on those agitated ladies beside after expressing her thanks to Rui’an Great Elder Princess.
These ladies kept looking out secretly. Especially when Qin Wanru mentioned Qin Yuru, they looked much more upset.
“Yes, it is quite busy here today for many aristocratic families also received the invitation cards.” Rui’an Great Elder Princess nodded as she answered. Seeing Qin Wanru’s good behaviors and manners, she now felt better. As for why she was willing to take charge of this reception and help Prince Cheng greet these young ladies in the inner courtyard, it was mostly because she didn’t want Qin Wanru to be at a disadvantage situation.
“Can the hall hold all people here?” looking around the flower hall, Qin Wanru goggled and asked.
Her question reminded Rui’an Great Elder Princess that the reasons why she came here were not only to greet these ladies but also to tell her dear biological granddaughter something. Realizing that she could not spend more time on them, she just waved her hand and said, “It is still early for the selection. What about looking around in the garden for the view here is pretty good!”
Nanny Gao chuckled behind her princess. Not long ago, Great Elder Princess just complained to Second Miss Qin that the view of Prince Cheng’s Mansion was average and it was like that of their own mansion. Then she now intended to send away these ladies with her lie.
Since Rui’an Great Elder Princess had said so, ladies there then quickly stood up.
Most of them left directly after taking leave of Rui’an Great Elder Princess while some only considered the whole thing as a hilarious drama when noticing Rui’an Great Elder Princess was holding Qin Wanru’s hand tightly.
Some ladies had been confused about the reason why notorious First Miss Qin would be favored by Madam Dowager of Duke Xing’s Mansion. Now, everything was clear. Madam Dowager of Duke Xing’s Mansion just attempted to challenge Rui’an Great Elder Princess with opposing views.
They now both were somebody’s grandmas! How could they not feel tired of it these years?
By the way, Qin sisters now could take advantage of this confrontation. However, it would not be a good thing anyway because Madam Dowager of Duke Xing’s Mansion would definitely hate what Rui’an Great Elder Princess liked and Rui’an Great Elder Princess would hate what Madam Dowager of Duke Xing’s Mansion liked.
It seemed that Qin Yuru was not superior to Qin Wanru and nobody could know what would become of her in the future. As regards Second Miss Qin, she now was too young to get involved! She was still a kid!
Now the silent observation was the best way in that they would be affected once screwing over Duke Xing’s Mansion!
Rui’an Great Elder Princess didn’t intend to let Qin Wanru walk around. She had been a bit worried before but her worries grew stronger when hearing the rumors about Chu Liuchen. After she asked every servant to leave except Nanny Gao, she now hurried to warn Qin Wanru, “Zhuozhuo, don’t wander around! If Prince Cheng liked you, it would turn into a big trouble!”
“Grandma, don’t worry! I promise!” Qin Wanru smiled, reaching out and shaking Rui’an Great Elder Princess’ hands lightly, and answered with her sweet voice.
Her lovely look reddened Rui’an Great Elder Princess’ eyes for Qin Wanru reminded her of her own daughter who also looked lovely and sweet in her childhood.
However, every time she thought of her dear daughter, who was ruined by the cruel old woman, she could barely breathe and was overwhelmed by the repressed sadness.
“Zhuozhuo, when will you reveal your identity and let me announce righteously that you are my biological granddaughter?” Rui’an Great Elder Princess asked with her red-rimmed eyes.
“Don’t worry, grandma. Very soon!” Qin Wanru comforted her softly. It seemed that Rui’an Great Elder Princess was the one who did care about her sincerely and was willing to listen to her. Even if she might think what Qin Wanru did was out of mischief, Rui’an Great Elder Princess still enabled Qin Wanru to accomplish her plan.
Qin Wanru was moved by her.
“You’d better hurry. You know, I have, I have been waiting for this too long!” Rui’an Great Elder Princess wiped her tears with her handkerchief and answered sadly.
“Great Elder Princess, look, it is a good thing! Why do you cry again? It won’t take long for Second Miss to come back to you! You don’t have to cry!” Nanny Gao smiled and tried to comfort her princess.
Her words pleased Rui’an Great Elder Princess. She nodded and thought she might think too much as her granddaughter was smarter and Qin Wanru would not go down her daughter’s road again.
However, the moment she thought of Qin Yuru, her face turned livid. “Why is your big sister here today? Not to mention her mysterious disappearance, does she really attempt to lure Prince Cheng?”
Prince Cheng was her nephew so she didn’t want a notorious woman to appear in her nephew’s mansion.
“Grandma, let’s have a look at the garden and we might meet her there!” Qin Wanru smirked and proposed smoothly; she had ordered Yujie went to the garden given that Qin Yuru might be there!
“Does she really want to look for Prince Cheng?” Rui’an Great Elder Princess frowned and asked, feeling disgruntled at Qin Yuru, “Or has she forgotten her engagement with Duke Yong’s Mansion?”
“You will see!” Qin Wanru answered with a bright smile, trying to make Rui’an Great Elder Princess stand up.
Being resigned to Qin Wanru’s movement, Rui’an Great Elder Princess had to stand up and kept warning her, “Don’t go too far! Stay close to me, got it?”
“Yes! I will always listen to you! Grandma!” Qin Wanru answered happily. With her long eyelashes fluttering, a trace of indifference appeared in her beautiful eyes. “Grandma, a good show now may be waiting for us there!”
Prince Cheng could not be calculated easily by Qin Yuru like Qi Tianyu!
It seemed that Qin Yuru was going to have a great fall! Just in time! She couldn’t wait to see what Duke Xing’s Mansion would do next…