Chapter 27 Like master, like maid
Liu observed the interaction between the brother and sister. Although she felt that her eldest son's words and actions were a bit hasty today, the reasoning behind his words was sound.
"Alright, Lingxi, your elder brother is right. This matter is settled. You will attend the banquet with your elder brother the day after tomorrow, and you must not act willfully again."
"Zisu, go back and prepare clothes and jewelry for the Second Miss. She must be dignified and proper, and not lose the dignity of the Marquis's mansion."
Zisu quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Madam."
When Xiao Lingxi heard her mother speak, she knew there was no room for negotiation. Like a wilted eggplant, she listlessly replied, "...Daughter understands."
Just then, as if suddenly remembering something, Xiao Jingheng added:
“Mother, Lingxi suffered a setback at the banquet last time because she didn’t have anyone to advise her. This time, why don’t we have her bring Xiaoyu along? I’ve been training that girl for a while now, and she seems to be quite well-behaved. She might be able to help out in a critical moment, so that Lingxi won’t fall into someone else’s trap again.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingxi suddenly looked up, her eyes widening instantly!
Su Xiaoyu?!
I see!
She wondered why her older brother had suddenly changed his ways; it turned out he was waiting for her here!
Why did they say they wanted her to broaden her horizons? Why did they say they were afraid she would suffer a loss?
Excuse!
They're all just excuses!
The elder brother clearly had ulterior motives; he wanted Su Xiaoyu to attend the banquet.
She was absolutely furious!
Xiao Lingxi felt she had grasped the truth. She glared at him angrily, a smirk playing on her lips, a hint of smug satisfaction in her expression. She was about to speak:
"Big brother, what you actually want to do is..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jingheng shot him a cold glare.
His eyes held a clear warning, as if to say, "Dare to say another word?"
The words Xiao Lingxi was about to say were instantly frozen in place, and her neck instinctively shrank back.
She had no doubt that even if she said it aloud, her brother had a hundred ways to make everyone disbelieve her!
She could only shut her mouth in frustration and swallow the rest of her complaints.
%*&#￥@……
Brother, you're not human!
Lady Liu didn't think much of it, only feeling that her eldest son had considered things more thoroughly.
Although Su Xiaoyu is greedy, it's definitely safer to have her by my side and give her some pointers.
"Jingheng is very thoughtful. Xiaoyu, from the day after tomorrow you will stay by the Second Miss's side. Listen to her advice in everything you do and don't act impulsively again."
Xiao Lingxi was inwardly screaming, but outwardly she could only obediently comply:
"...Yes, Mother."
She secretly glared at her older brother, her eyes accusing him of his 'despicable' behavior.
Xiao Jingheng completely ignored his sister's accusations. Having achieved his goal, he calmly stood up.
"If Mother has no further instructions, I will take my leave."
“Go ahead,” Liu nodded.
As the center of the incident, Su Xiaoyu followed behind Xiao Jingheng, almost tiptoeing out of Yilan Garden.
Only after she had walked a distance did the excitement she had been suppressing all the way finally surge up.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
She ran a few steps and moved closer to Xiao Jingheng's side, tilting her head up with an excited, flushed face.
"Just now... was what Madam told you true? This servant can go to the Princess's residence for a banquet with the Second Miss tomorrow?"
She could hardly believe her ears!
How could a lowly maid like her possibly attend such a royal banquet?
Xiao Jingheng slowed his pace and turned his head to look at her.
The little girl was nervous and flustered, and her voice carried a strong sense of self-doubt.
"But... this servant is clumsy and doesn't know the rules well. What if... what if I make a mistake at the banquet and embarrass the Second Miss, or bring shame to the Marquis's mansion?"
Xiao Jingheng stopped and looked down at Su Xiaoyu's ever-changing face.
From ecstasy to worry, his emotions were clearly written on his face.
He found it amusing, but maintained a cool and serious expression on his face.
"It is precisely because you are lax in your adherence to rules that you are allowed to follow Lingxi."
"Like master, like maid. Lingxi is naturally cheerful. Even if you do something out of line while following her, no one will pay much attention. They will just think you are following your master's nature."
Su Xiaoyu blinked her big eyes, carefully digesting Xiao Jingheng's words.
Yes.
It seems to make sense.
The second young lady was never the kind of well-behaved rich girl, so it was strange that her maid was too rigid.
"Just stay by Lingxi's side, observe more, and speak less. Don't stand out unless absolutely necessary, understand?"
Su Xiaoyu nodded heavily.
"If you encounter anything you don't understand..." Xiao Jingheng paused, his voice still flat:
"Come and ask me. I, the Crown Prince, will also be present the day after tomorrow."
These words acted like a protective charm, instantly dispelling most of the fear in Su Xiaoyu's heart.
[That's right, the young master is going too. With this big iceberg around, what does she have to be afraid of!]
"Yes, I understand. I will follow the Second Miss closely, observe more and speak less, and never cause trouble for the Young Master and the Second Miss."
Su Xiaoyu straightened her small body, instantly full of energy and revitalized.
However, despite saying that, Su Xiaoyu still humbly asked Zhao Yueru for some tips on banquet etiquette when Zhao Yueru returned that evening.
They also inquired about the characteristics and preferences of the young ladies from prominent families.
She possessed a photographic memory, and Zhao Yueru had attended similar banquets with Madam Liu in previous years, so she knew some of the gossip in the circle. She even shared some of it with Su Xiaoyu, so that Su Xiaoyu would have some idea of what to expect. In case she accidentally offended someone she shouldn't.
——
Two days passed quickly.
On the day of the Princess's flower-viewing banquet, the weather was clear and sunny, and even the air felt warmer. Lady Liu left the city early in the morning by carriage.
Soon after, Xiao Jingheng and Xiao Lingxi's carriages also set off one after the other, heading to the Princess's residence.
The flower-viewing banquet at the Princess's residence is a grand event held in the capital every spring.
The eldest princess, always enthusiastic, noticed that many noble sons and young ladies from aristocratic families in the capital had little interaction with each other despite reaching marriageable age. So, taking advantage of the spring blossoms in her mansion, she set up this banquet, ostensibly for "flower appreciation," but in reality, to provide a platform for eligible men and women to meet.
Many marriages in previous years were arranged at this banquet, so the noble families in the capital would almost always send their eligible sons to attend, and the Marquis's mansion was no exception.
As a maid accompanying Xiao Lingxi, Su Xiaoyu followed behind Xiao Lingxi's carriage, feeling both excited and apprehensive, as they made their way towards the Princess's mansion, a symbol of the highest echelons of power and wealth.
As we approached the street where the Princess's residence was located, our pace slowed considerably. The streets were already lined with all sorts of luxurious carriages, with red wheels and ornate canopies, and fine horses stretching as far as the eye could see.
There were also servants and old women dressed in the attire of various mansions moving among them, guiding and settling people in an orderly manner, yet with a silent hustle and bustle.
The princess's mansion features pavilions and towers arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion, with covered walkways connecting one after another. The garden is also filled with a riot of flowers, each vying for attention with its own unique beauty.
Well-dressed young men and women strolled in twos and threes, chatting and laughing by the water or resting in the pavilions. The young men were either handsome or refined, a dazzling sight.
Su Xiaoyu followed closely behind Xiao Lingxi, her almond-shaped eyes simply not enough to take it all in.
She felt like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden; everything before her eyes was beyond her previous understanding.
[My goodness! Is this what a top-tier luxury banquet is like? This is just too... extravagant! The flowers, the garden, and everyone's attire... it feels like the air itself is filled with the smell of money! It's a hundred times more exaggerated than anything shown in TV dramas! Those desserts look so delicious, arranged like works of art, do they really have the heart to eat them?]
She carefully observed her manners, trying not to look too unsophisticated, while mentally scrolling through a barrage of comments.
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