Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye.
Over the past three days, Su Xiaoning deliberately caused chaos in the Prince's mansion, successfully spreading her "bad reputation." Now almost everyone knows that she and Su Qingcai have a bad relationship, but what those who know the news are thinking is anyone's guess.
Soon the day of the selection would begin. According to the rules, Su Xiaoning could no longer live in the Prince's mansion. She would have to live in the outer residence with the other contestants. Only after going through layers of selection in the outer residence could she appear in front of Su Qingcai again.
On the day of her departure, Su Qingcai came to find Su Xiaoning and personally packed her bags.
“These days everyone knows that you and I are like oil and water. I don’t know if anyone will try to trip you up when you get to the outer quarters. I will have Bing Er and Bai Hua secretly protect you. You also need to be careful.”
Su Qingcai kept nagging, just like an old woman.
Su Xiaoning proudly raised her little pink fist and laughed, "You're afraid I'll be bullied? I'm not afraid of anything!"
"Of course I believe you." Su Qingcai gave a gentle smile. He suddenly remembered something and teased, "After all, you said that night that you would definitely defeat all the women and stand by my side with dignity."
When that night was mentioned, Su Xiaoning couldn't help but recall the scene of her taking the initiative to kiss Su Qingcai. Her face turned red, and she stammered as she spoke.
"You, you stop talking! It's been so long, and even if you don't say it, I'll always remember it."
She spoke softer and softer until she finally lowered her head so much that her expression was completely hidden.
Su Qingcai couldn't help but laugh. He walked towards Su Xiaoning with a smile, pulled her into his arms, and said softly, "No matter what, you must take good care of yourself. I'm still waiting to see a completely new you."
"I'll prove it to you." Su Xiaoning buried herself deeply in Su Qingcai's arms, inhaling his unique, refreshing scent, wanting to remember his fragrance forever.
The two embraced tightly inside the house, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.
After their tender moment, Su Qingcai personally escorted Su Xiaoning to her outer residence. The two shared another intimate moment in the carriage, and upon arrival, neither wanted to get out, feeling it wasn't enough.
Thinking that there might be women watching the commotion in the outer courtyard, Su Xiaoning reluctantly got out of Su Qingcai's arms and silently got out of the car.
Su Qingcai lifted the carriage curtain and saw that the entrance to the outer residence was quiet and the gatekeeper was not there, so she got out of the carriage as well.
He chased after her to the door, grabbed Su Xiaoning's arm, and looked at her with obvious reluctance.
Su Xiaoning stared at Su Qingcai for a long time, then suddenly said quietly, "I've noticed that you sometimes really are like a little child."
“There’s nothing wrong with acting like a child in front of you.” Su Qingcai readily agreed, and this answer made Su Xiaoning blush, not knowing how to respond.
The two were saying their goodbyes at the door when they suddenly heard a series of noisy footsteps, accompanied by a woman's soft voice.
Looking up, I saw a group of women walking gracefully towards the outer courtyard in the distance. They were all dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry, each one more exquisite than the last, clearly women participating in the selection.
Su Xiaoning quickly released Su Qingcai's hands, her face turning icy cold. Su Qingcai understood and also put on a stern face.
The two who were laughing and joking just a moment ago now look like enemies.
"You delivered it, fine, but why are you giving me that sour look after you've delivered it? Do you look down on me?!"
Su Xiaoning deliberately spoke loudly and secretly glanced at the women who were getting closer, observing their reactions.
The woman leading the group of women was someone Su Xiaoning recognized; it was Meng Ruqiao. Meng Ruqiao was chatting and laughing with a pretty woman beside her when she noticed something unusual happening at the outer gate. She stopped smiling, waved her hand to stop everyone, and then squinted to observe the commotion at the gate.
Su Qingcai knew that Su Xiaoning was putting on an act again, so he cooperated quite well.
"It was clearly you who begged me to send you here. I only agreed because I felt sorry for you, and now you're taking advantage of my kindness?"
"How dare you say that to me!" Su Xiaoning glared at Su Qingcai fiercely, and tears fell down her face in a "plop plop" manner. Her acting skills were so superb that Su Qingcai was amazed.
The atmosphere at the outer gate of the residence was becoming increasingly awkward. After thinking for a moment, Meng Ruqiao took the initiative to step forward and respectfully bowed to Su Qingcai.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Why are you so angry? This is where the girls to be selected live. Even if Your Highness is in a bad mood, you have to give Miss Su some face, since the girls are all watching."
Unexpectedly, Meng Ruqiao spoke up for her, and Su Xiaoning was stunned, almost forgetting to continue her fake crying.
Meng Ruqiao merely glanced at Su Xiaoning indifferently, without offering any further explanation.
As the daughter of the Prime Minister, she always maintained impeccable manners in front of outsiders. Although she had a conflict with Su Xiaoning, Su Xiaoning had at least given her a beauty secret recipe without holding a grudge. This was another good opportunity to impress Su Qingcai, and she didn't mind saying a few good words for Su Xiaoning.
Su Qingcai took advantage of Meng Ruqiao's excuse. He snorted and turned to leave, but was stopped by a woman.
This woman was the same one who had been chatting and laughing with Meng Ruqiao earlier. Having finally gotten a chance to see the Ninth Prince, she was so impatient that she forgot all the rules Meng Ruqiao had told her and just kept trying to get closer to Su Qingcai.
"Greetings, Your Highness. My name is Xu Xin, and my father is the Minister of Rites. My father mentioned Your Highness to me a while ago, saying that Your Highness is a perfect match for me. At that time, I was wondering what kind of person Your Highness was, but after meeting you today, I realize that you are truly extraordinary."
Xu Xin smiled shyly, her bright eyes sending a hint of attraction.
Despite having such a beautiful woman in front of him, Su Qingcai felt somewhat nauseous.
He glanced at Xu Xin without emotion and said coldly, "You are the daughter of the Minister of Rites, yet you haven't even learned one of his manners? Now is the time for you to learn the rules and prepare for the selection, what kind of behavior is this!"
"Your Highness, please calm down!" Xu Xin was startled, not expecting that Su Qingcai was not moved by her at all. She shrank back and almost knelt down on the spot.
Su Qingcai was too lazy to get entangled with a woman he wasn't interested in. He didn't say anything more, turned around and left gracefully, without even giving Xu Xin a glance.
Xu Xin stood there all alone, looking both embarrassed and ridiculous.
After Su Qingcai left, the women who were with him couldn't help but laugh, their eyes full of mockery. The one who laughed the loudest was a woman dressed rather simply.
Xu Xin stared at the woman for a long time, then suddenly rushed up to her, her eyes red.
"why are you laughing!"
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