“My aunt is domineering because she is certain that my parents can’t do anything to her. After all, the incident back then caused quite a stir. Everyone in Pingnan City knows that my father’s life was saved by Aunt Qin. It’s likely that Aunt Qin herself spread the word. If my father mistreats her, he will be seen as an unrighteous person, and such things are taboo in the business world.”

The more Wang Xueru spoke, the more she felt she couldn't swallow her anger. She wanted to let outsiders know Qin Yiniang's true colors and who was really the master of the Wang family.

Sun Miao'er recalled how Aunt Qin had been fiddling with her nail polish earlier; she was indeed a scheming person. "Miss Xue Ru, there's no need to be angry. Aunt Qin, do you have no children?"

"Of course not. Humph, my father doesn't like her at all. He was only coerced by her. How could he possibly let her have a child to compete with me and Ziqian for her!"

Wang Xueru spoke with a hint of triumph, "Besides, even if she has a child, what makes her think she can compete with Ziqian!"

Sun Miao'er listened in silence. When they first met, she thought Wang Xueru was just a porcelain vase that had been pampered and raised, but now that they had gotten to know each other, she realized that was not the case.

She is straightforward, passionate, and intolerant of criticism.

As the two were talking, Wei Jingnian came over from the other end of the corridor. Upon seeing him, Wang Xueru disregarded everything else, her delicate face immediately breaking into a deep smile, and she lifted her horse-face skirt and jogged over.

"Brother Jingnian, what did Father say to you?"

Wang Xueru pressed for an answer, saying that she really didn't want to waste a single moment after waiting so long to see Brother Jingnian.

Wei Jingnian's gaze fell on Sun Miao'er. How did she end up chatting with Xue Ru?

And the two seemed to get along quite well?

"He didn't say anything. By the way, what are you doing with Miss Sun?"

Sun Miao'er followed leisurely, smiling, "Miss Xue Ru and I are both women, and of similar age. If I can't get along with her, how could I possibly get along with you, Young Master Wei?"

Hearing this, Wang Xueru laughed and said, "Alright, Miss Sun, please stop joking with Brother Jingnian. He's easily embarrassed. I asked Miss Sun for a small favor, hehehe~"

Sun Miao'er could tell that Wang Xueru had deliberately embellished herself in front of Wei Jingnian, both outwardly and inwardly, but there was nothing wrong with this embellishment.

Just like in front of her master, she would be extremely careful about her words and actions.

Sunlight streamed in from the west wall, casting a warm glow.

Remembering Master Wang's instructions, Wei Jingnian said, "Xueru, today is the tenth of the month. Later, shall I take you to see the lantern festival?"

"snort!"

Wang Xueru's eyes shone with undisguised joy, and her face wore a smug little expression. "I knew my dad wouldn't come looking for you. Did he ask you to take me there?"

"Why can't it be something I did willingly?"

Wei Jingnian retorted.

Wang Xueru blushed and said reproachfully, "Brother Jingnian isn't the type to be so proactive! In previous years, I begged you so much, but you still wouldn't take me. It definitely wasn't your idea!"

Wei Jingnian asked, "Xueru, would you like to go?"

Wang Xueru answered truthfully, "I want to go!"

"That settles it then!" Wei Jingnian smiled. This girl is quite cute when she's not being spoiled.

"Brother Jingnian, you're bullying me!"

Wang Xueru was furious. She pretended to step forward, raised her hand, clenched her fist, and threw it at Wei Jingnian.

Wei Jingnian quickly walked around him and shouted, "If you really dare to hit me, I won't let Miss Sun help you!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Miao'er smiled and said, "Young Master Wei, I'm not afraid to dampen your enthusiasm, but right now I'd much rather help Miss Xue Ru than you."

"Miss Xue Ru is incredibly intelligent, and most importantly, she's also very understanding!"

Wei Jingnian burst out laughing upon hearing this, "Xueru, someone actually said you're understanding, hahahahaha!"

Sun Miao'er thought to herself, "This guy is definitely a straight man. The girl is completely devoted to him, but he's pretending not to understand."

As the moon rose above the willow branches and night began to fall, the stars twinkled intermittently. After dinner, the group left the Wang family residence. Sun Miao'er led Xiao Ning by the hand, Wang Ziqian nestled against Wei Jingnian, and Wang Xueru brought her personal maid along.

"By the way, Miss Xue Ru, my grandmother and younger brother are still waiting for me at home. I would like to ask someone to inform them tomorrow so that they won't worry."

Sun Miao'er thought about how she had promised Xiaoman that she would return by tomorrow at the latest, but now it seemed that she could not keep her word, except for the two of them, the grandmother and granddaughter.

What she was still worried about was her awkward master. If he knew that she and Wei Jingnian had stayed out for several days before returning, wouldn't he skin her alive?

Sun Miao'er felt a chill run down her spine, but a clear, crisp voice pulled her back to reality.

Wang Xueru shook off the maid and moved closer to Sun Miao'er. "Miss Sun, the lantern festival in Pingnan City on the tenth of every month is very lively. Today, I'm hosting, so please have a good time!"

"Miss Xue Ru is so generous!" Wei Jingnian echoed from behind.

It wasn't late, but the streets were already crowded with people. Vendors lined both sides of the road, selling all sorts of lanterns: rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, small lanterns for playing with, water lanterns for worship and blessings, and Kongming lanterns that could be lit and flown into the sky.

Wang Xueru immediately took a liking to the exquisitely crafted rabbit lantern and pulled out some silver, saying, "Give me two."

She bought two rabbit lanterns, giving one to Wang Ziqian and handing the other to Xiao Ning.

Xiao Ning stared at the rabbit lantern, hesitating to reach out, after all, it belonged to the owner.

Sun Miao'er felt a warmth in her heart and took the lamp from Xiao Ning. "Quickly thank Sister Xue Ru. Here, let me hold it for you."

Wang Xueru leaned down and smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, reflecting the small moon in the sky. "You know, Ziqian used to dislike studying, but ever since Xiaoning became his page, he's been much more obedient. I really want to thank you!"

Sun Miao'er was unaware that Xiao Ning also had the ability to urge others to study. She guessed that Xiao Ning's personality just happened to be compatible with the young master of the Wang family.

Xiao Ning blushed shyly, buried her head in Sun Miao'er's arm, and tightly gripped the handle of the rabbit lantern.

Suddenly, shouts from several men rang out from the crowd—

"Hurry up! Today, Miss Xiaoxiao is lighting the lanterns. If you're late, you won't be able to see them!"

Before the words were even finished, the crowd surged in the same direction, pushing Sun Miao'er and her group to the back.

Wang Xueru winced in pain from being jostled, rubbed her shoulder, and asked the vendor next to her, "Who is this 'Xiaoxiao' girl they're talking about?"

The vendor's eyes lit up as he lifted his head, eager to leave his stall and squeeze through. "Miss, you're quite ignorant! Dongli Xiaoxiao is one of the most beautiful women in Pingnan City, the top courtesan at Duhuan Tower. You have to spend hundreds of taels of gold to see her. Today is the Lantern Festival, and a gentleman has spent a fortune to set up a stage and invited Miss Xiaoxiao to hold the lanterns. We can also benefit from this and catch a glimpse of her stunning beauty!"

Sun Miao'er sighed inwardly, "Good heavens, just showing her face is worth a thousand taels of silver! She must be a celestial being descended to earth!"