Sheng Ai then said to the housekeeper, "I'll sit with my sister."

The housekeeper was instructed by Mr. and Mrs. Shi Qian to come and invite Sheng Ai.

The Shi Qian couple had received instructions from Ninth Master and specifically instructed the steward.

But Ninth Master's wishes are paramount.

The housekeeper is so professional, it's impossible for him to hesitate just because there's another Sheng Tianxing.

So the butler said very politely, "Then please invite Miss Ai and Miss Tianxing to come over together."

How could two sisters, aged eighteen or nineteen, sit at the same table with such an important figure as Master Jiu?

Is Sheng Ai still sitting next to Ninth Master?

All the guests knew that this must be Ninth Master's idea, and they all showed incredulous expressions.

"Is Ninth Master really interested in the Fifth Miss of the Sheng family?"

"Ninth Master has always kept his distance from women, so why is he so concerned about Miss Sheng, who hasn't even shown her face yet?"

"If the Sheng family were to form a marriage alliance with the Shi family of the capital, it would be the icing on the cake, like adding oil to a raging fire—it would be incredible..."

"But the Sheng family doesn't have a good reputation. It's unlikely that someone as refined and noble as Ninth Master would look down on the Sheng family, right?"

...

At the main table.

Sheng Tianxing really couldn't be happy...

It's certainly lucky to be able to sit at the same table as Ninth Master...

But this good fortune was a gift from Sheng Ai; she needed it, but she was never grateful.

In addition, when she and Sheng Ai walked to the main table.

Ninth Master stood up and pulled out a chair next to him: "Miss Ai, please sit down."

She stepped forward, trying to grab that spot.

However, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Ninth Master's bald assistant stepped on her dress, causing her to be a step too slow and miss the opportunity.

There was nothing she could do but sit on the other side of Sheng Ai, with Sheng Ai between her and Ninth Master.

What also upset her was...

The classmate at the same table looked at Sheng Ai with curiosity and envy, but at her with a hint of amusement, as if she were superfluous...

The time that follows.

Sheng Tianxing was very unhappy with the meal and tried several times to find an opportunity to talk to Ninth Master but couldn't.

Ninth Master would occasionally ask Sheng Ai a few questions.

"I wonder if these dishes suit Miss Ai's taste?"

"I'm not a picky eater; I'll eat any healthy food."

"Why isn't Miss Ai eating?"

"My throat is sore, it's hard to eat, and I have a skin allergy, so I have to avoid certain foods and won't eat anything tonight."

"I see," Ninth Master said with concern. "Miss Ai, please rest well and make sure you recover."

Sheng Ai politely replied, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Shi."

The crowd listened with some regret.

They were also hoping that Miss Sheng, who had attracted Ninth Master's attention as soon as she appeared, would remove her veil during the meal so that they could see her true face.

but.

No one doubted it.

This fifth young lady of the Sheng family, whose figure, temperament, and demeanor are all impeccable, must also have a face that could launch a thousand ships.

Especially those guests who had seen Sheng Ai before advised others to give up on the idea.

"You should be glad Sheng Ai wore a veil tonight, otherwise you would have lost even more miserably..."

"Hmph, not necessarily. What beautiful woman would deliberately hide her face?"

"I bet that Sheng Ai's face is inversely proportional to her figure!"

"Don't believe me? I'll tear off Sheng Ai's veil in a moment and show you her true colors..."