On the appointed day, Zhou Qiongyue brought Gulan and Gumei to the Zuo Xiang Mansion. Of course, she also brought a gift, a small ginseng from her private vault.

Although she also had large ginseng in her private vault, she didn't need such a large one given her current relationship with Miss Duan. She felt heartbroken to give something that could save her life at a critical moment to someone unrelated.

This was a gift she had prepared specifically for Miss Duan. As for the more obvious gifts, her mother had already prepared them for her. This was the benefit of having a capable and wealthy mother. She arranged everything for her, so she didn't have to worry about anything.

Originally, Zhou Qiongyue thought that although this kind of flower viewing banquet would not require a large group of people, at least she would invite a few good friends to join!

When Zhou Qiongyue arrived at the Left Prime Minister's residence, she realized belatedly that Miss Duan seemed to have only invited her.

Since Zhou Qiongyue had arrived at the Left Prime Minister's residence, she must first go to the main courtyard to pay her respects to the Left Prime Minister's wife. This was basic etiquette.

The wife of the Left Prime Minister was very enthusiastic when she saw Zhou Qiongyue. After Zhou Qiongyue finished her greetings, the wife of the Left Prime Minister also took Zhou Qiongyue's hand and talked for a while. She also took off a bracelet from her hand and put it directly on Zhou Qiongyue's hand.

Zhou Qiongyue declined the gift several times with the wife of the Left Prime Minister, but finally she couldn't resist the wife's enthusiasm and accepted it.

She thought to herself that she would tell her mother, Jin, what to do next when she got back, and her mother would take care of it.

After Zhou Qiongyue figured out how to deal with the follow-up, she chatted with the wife of the Left Prime Minister with peace of mind.

The wife of the Left Prime Minister looked at Zhou Qiongyue's graceful and generous appearance and felt that she was a good candidate for a daughter-in-law. It was a pity that none of her sons could match her.

The wife of the Left Prime Minister did not talk to Zhou Qiongyue for long. After chatting for a cup of tea, she sent her maid to personally take Zhou Qiongyue to her daughter Duan Jianing's courtyard.

Duan Jianing's maid Fuling had been waiting at the gate for a long time. When she saw someone arrive, she immediately went to greet them, "This servant greets Miss Zhou. Our mistress has been waiting for Miss Zhou for a long time."

Fuling said this and invited people into the yard.

Zhou Qiongyue just glanced around casually and followed him in.

As soon as Zhou Qiongyue entered the yard, she saw a pot of lotus flowers and a pot of lotus leaves, with a flower bud in it that looked malnourished.

Zhou Qiongyue bowed to Duan Jianing as if she were her equal, and teased with a smile, "Miss Duan invited me to appreciate the lotus flowers, isn't it just this one?"

Duan Jianing was lying next to the lotus water tank. Upon hearing this, she smiled openly, "Yes, my future husband, your second cousin, prepared this for his beloved Xin'er. Do you think it looks good now?"

Zhou Qiongyue immediately praised sincerely, "That's quite beautiful."

I also sat down next to the water tank and even reached out to touch it. The lotus flowers cultivated in this season! I felt that my second cousin was rich.

"Hahaha, I knew you were a fellow traveler." Duan Jianing's words were ambiguous, and her testing intention was quite obvious.

Zhou Qiongyue knew that there were many rumors about her and Li Jingchen being childhood sweethearts, but she didn't mean to deliberately cause misunderstandings to others.

She explained, "Maybe! But maybe we are not on the same path. We are just cousins."

As for whether Miss Duan believes it or not, it is none of her business.

Duan Jianing already had the answer in her mind, otherwise she wouldn't have invited Zhou Qiongyue to come and enjoy the flowers. But hearing Zhou Qiongyue say this, she felt even happier.

In fact, compared to Xie Zixin, the person she fears the most is actually Zhou Qiongyue! Zhou Qiongyue herself is not stupid, she is the queen's niece, and she has a good relationship with the two princes.

Duan Jianing felt that if Zhou Qiongyue entered the second prince's backyard, her life-saving grace would not be enough in front of her.

"I believe you." Duan Jianing knew it didn't matter whether she believed it or not, but she still wanted to say it.

Zhou Qiongyue paused for a moment before asking the question she wanted most, "Does it hurt?"

She was also at the scene where the wounds were being treated. The tragic scene still makes her feel scared when she recalls it now.

She was actually quite curious. The other party was also a girl who was brought up in seclusion. What was she thinking at that moment?

What could Duan Jianing say about this? She would never admit that she was taking a gamble for the future. She was a woman who loved the Second Prince deeply, and her character could not be shattered.

So Duan Jianing smiled and replied, "I said it's because of love, do you believe it?"

Zhou Qiongyue felt that although Duan Jianing didn't say true love, her expression said it! She is really a smart woman.

So Zhou Qiongyue nodded seriously and said, "I believe it! I hope my second cousin's wife and second cousin can live happily ever after."

Duan Jianing looked up in surprise at Zhou Qiongyue beside her. She only saw frankness on Zhou Qiongyue's face.

"I accept you as my sister. You can come to me if you have any problems in the future." Duan Jianing meant to promise that she would protect Zhou Qiongyue in the future.

This surprised Zhou Qiongyue. Perhaps Miss Duan’s promise now was nothing, but the promise of the future queen would be valuable.

Zhou Qiongyue immediately climbed up the pole. "Thank you so much, Sister Duan. I'd like to give you a piece of advice. My cousin's sweetheart is a little special. You'll understand if you pay more attention."

It’s not that Zhou Qiongyue is meddling in other people’s business. Since she wants to get on this boat, she certainly doesn’t want it to capsize midway.

Just because Miss Duan was able to snatch the position of the queen from Xie Zixin, it is worth her investment.

Duan Jianing was not a headstrong person and immediately said, "I'll pay attention to it. Thank you, Sister Zhou."

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