Chapter 625 The Marquis of Yongning's Mansion Seeks Rescue
At the waterside pavilion, Li Sanqi personally led Qiao Yuanyao and her entourage over, instantly attracting the attention of the young ladies present.
Everyone was curious about who had such a great honor that Princess Huaiyang would personally come to greet them.
When everyone saw that the group included the future Princess Consort of Qi, the future Princess Consort of Chu, and the eldest daughter of the Duke of Jin's mansion, they all understood.
Li Sanqi is close to the Duke of Jin's mansion, so it's not surprising that he values the eldest daughter of the Duke of Jin's mansion.
The Prince of Qi and the Prince of Chu are currently the two princes most favored by the Emperor and are the most likely candidates to become the next Crown Prince.
Therefore, whether she is the future Princess Consort of Chu or the future Princess Consort of Qi, Li Sanqi dares not be negligent.
As for Qiao Yuanyao and Qiao Ning, they were subconsciously ignored.
Unfortunately, the two women were dressed casually, were not particularly attractive, and rarely appeared in public, so almost no one recognized them.
Qiao Yuanyao is slightly better off. She spent some time by Li Sanqi's side a few years ago, and she still occasionally appears at Li Sanqi's princess residence.
Since arriving in Beijing, Qiao Ning has only appeared in public at Li Sanqi's housewarming banquet.
At the housewarming party, Li Sanqi only invited a few close and caring people, so the number of people who knew Qiao Ning's identity was very limited.
It's no surprise that the two were ignored at this point.
After leading the people to the waterside pavilion, Li Sanqi gave instructions to the maids in the hall and then went about his business.
As soon as Li Sanqi left, many young ladies from prominent families surrounded him.
Some people surrounded Miss Liu Wu, some invited Yu Huanzhen to sit down next to them, and several girls of similar age to Wei Wanwan were instructed by their elder sisters or nannies to come up and befriend Wei Wanwan.
In no time, all three of them were enthusiastically taken away.
Only Qiao Yuanyao and Qiao Ning remained, all alone.
Qiao Yuanyao didn't mind and pulled Qiao Ning to sit down in a quiet spot.
Just then, a pretty young girl of similar age to Qiao Ning, accompanied by several young ladies, blocked their path.
In today's setting, Qiao Yuanyao is the oldest in terms of both age and seniority.
Therefore, upon seeing someone causing trouble, she didn't immediately react. Instead, she calmly asked, "Do you gentlemen have something to say about blocking our way?"
The pretty young girl at the head of the group glanced at Qiao Yuanyao disdainfully, then turned her gaze to Qiao Ning.
She scrutinized Qiao Ning from head to toe with a critical look before asking arrogantly, "You are Qiao Ning, the grandniece of Old Madam Qinghe?"
Qiao Ning nodded calmly, "That's right. May I ask how I should address you, Miss?"
Before the pretty young girl could even speak, the person next to her shouted, "You don't recognize her?!"
"She's the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yongchang! The hostess of today's flower banquet! And you don't recognize her!?"
Some people offered their help, but their tone was full of pride, as if they were the noble young lady of a marquis's mansion.
Others chimed in, "Exactly! I wonder where she came from. She doesn't even recognize our Miss Xixi. How dare she come to someone's house for a banquet?"
These people are obviously lackeys of Wenxi, the eldest daughter of Yongchang Prefecture; they can spout flattery and belittlement at the drop of a hat without batting an eye.
Qiao Yuanyao frowned, about to speak up in defense of Qiao Ning. But Qiao Ning preemptively bowed to Wen Xi and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "Qiao Ning greets Miss Wen."
The young ladies around Wenxi looked disdainful, while Wenxi curled her lips into a slightly sarcastic smile, about to make a few sarcastic remarks.
But Qiao Ning continued, "My father has no official position, and my second uncle also holds a low-ranking official post. I am not qualified to attend the banquet. However, the invitation from your esteemed family to my great-aunt clearly states that I am invited to attend the banquet as well."
"To be honest, I didn't come to this banquet on my own initiative."
"Please inform Miss Wen of this matter."
Qiao Ning's words were undoubtedly telling Wen Xi's lackeys that she didn't want to attend the banquet, but was invited by the Yongchang Marquis's mansion.
To say that she is ignorant and unworthy to attend the banquet is to imply that the Yongchang Marquis's residence is blind and invites people randomly.
None of the young ladies dared to speak, and they all cautiously observed Wenxi's expression.
Wenxi was now furious. She glared at the people around her before turning to Qiao Ning with a frosty expression. "As expected of Madam Qinghe's grandniece, you have a sharp tongue."
"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Wen." Qiao Ning took the sarcasm as a compliment without any politeness.
Wenxi snorted coldly, gave Qiao Ning a deep look, and then turned and left with her people.
The others glared at Qiao Ning and quickly followed.
"Xixi, are we leaving now?"
"Yeah, aren't you going to teach that Qiao Ning a lesson?"
"Isn't Qiao Ning supposed to be the daughter of a merchant? Why is she so arrogant?"
"..."
The murmurs gradually faded away as Wenxi and the others disappeared into the distance.
Watching this group of people who came and went so inexplicably, Qiao Ning frowned and looked at Qiao Yuanyao beside her with a puzzled expression, "Auntie, what do they mean by this?"
"I thought they came to cause trouble, why did they leave after only saying two words?"
Qiao Yuanyao was also completely confused.
However, just in case, he still reminded her: "If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it. Anyway, you're not allowed to go anywhere today. You'll stay by my side and not leave my side for even a moment."
"Yes, I know." Qiao Ning nodded obediently.
Qiao Yuanyao led Qiao Ning to a seat by the window.
The Yongchang Marquis's Mansion was also the residence of a founding marquis, and the mansion's courtyard was gradually expanded, renovated, and repaired over several generations. Therefore, it is both large and exquisite.
The pavilion where Qiao Yuanyao and her friends were located was situated in the middle of a large lake, surrounded by water on three sides, and all that could be seen from the windows were patches of lotus flowers.
Some people were picking lotus flowers by the lake, others were paddling on the lake in small boats, and still others were playing and laughing on the platform outside the waterside pavilion...
Many old women and maids waited quietly around. They were all intently checking the surroundings. They were clearly rescue personnel specifically prepared to prevent anyone from falling into the water.
Qiao Yuanyao glanced at the situation outside the waterside pavilion and became even more determined not to let Qiao Ning step out of the pavilion.
After a while, Wei Wanwan came to find them, saying that someone had invited her to go boating and pick lotus flowers. She asked them if they wanted to go together.
Qiao Yuanyao smiled and declined, telling her to take care of herself, and also gave instructions to the old women and maids serving Wei Wanwan.
Half an hour later, Wei Wanwan returned with a large bunch of lotus flowers and a few lotus pods to give to them. Then she went off to play with the other young ladies.
Qiao Yuanyao felt a little relieved as noon approached. She thought she could just wait a little longer, and after lunch, she could find an excuse to leave.
Just then, someone from the Yongning Marquis's residence rushed over to find Qiao Yuanyao, "Miss, please help my young lady!"
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