"Don't tease me, Weiwei. Lili has always been very timid. She just saw so much bloodshed and she's feeling really upset right now."
Bai Weiwei's expression froze.
The others also froze.
Pear, are you timid?
...So who's the bravest?
Lili and Xia Ning's eyes met briefly, and Lili understood what she meant.
After figuring out Xia Ning's meaning, Bai Weiwei subconsciously looked at Bai Yu's reaction.
Bai Yu, however, kept his head down and drank his tea, ignoring the attention.
Bai Weiwei stiffened slightly, but still managed a quick smile: "Miss Chen and Sister Xia Ning didn't have time to leave just now? It's just that Weiwei is too straightforward. Weiwei didn't mean anything by it."
Bai Weiwei's smile seemed forced, and Lili sighed as she watched.
He's still just a child; his skill level is too low, and he needs to practice more.
Lili had no desire to continue arguing with her, so she changed the subject: "Mother, shall we not rush back to Liucheng today?"
Madam Yang nodded: "I'll listen to you. It's alright, I'm just worried about you."
As a woman, Ms. Yang was still quite traumatized by the scene, but she was more worried about whether her daughter would be traumatized after experiencing it herself.
But who is Lili? Why would she be afraid?
Lili gave a reassuring smile.
Madam Qin chimed in, "That's wonderful! The young master's wife has been staying at the manor these past few days. Why don't you stay at the prefectural government's residence tonight, Madam Shen? Although the prefectural government's residence isn't particularly luxurious, the pavilion in the garden is a great place to admire the moon. I'll have the kitchen prepare some snacks tonight, and the three of us can go there and have a chat."
She was thinking that since today had been dangerous, she, as the hostess, should at least find an opportunity to appease her distinguished guest.
Bai Yu smiled and did not refuse: "Today was dangerous and I am exhausted. I originally wanted to rest and recuperate, but I plan to set off for the capital tomorrow. I feel like I met Madam Shen too late today, so I would like to take this opportunity to have a good talk with her."
Madam Qin smiled happily and then went to look at Madam Yang.
Since Madam Qin and Bai Yu both agreed, Madam Yang naturally wouldn't refuse.
Madam Qin clapped her hands with a smile and immediately instructed her head maid to make the preparations.
With this interruption, Bai Weiwei's actions from before were completely forgotten, and now Bai Weiwei standing to the side seemed somewhat superfluous.
Yu Siting is usually perceptive of her cousin's feelings, but today she seemed absent-minded, her eyes constantly glancing to the other side, showing no intention of easing Bai Weiwei's awkwardness.
Bai Weiwei noticed that she was looking at Lili's direction, but she couldn't tell whether she was looking at Lili or at Chen Ye, who was not far from Lili.
Bai Weiwei was in a bad mood, and Yu Siting was not as flattering as before. With these two criticisms, Bai Weiwei, who was usually tolerant and gentle towards others, could not help but say something harsh.
"Cousin, Young Master Shen is just a very distant relative of the Shen family. Let alone a distant relative, even if he were the eldest son of the Shen family, he would only come from the family of a minor county magistrate."
Bai Weiwei paused, seemingly implying something, unsure whether she was speaking to Yu Siting or to herself.
"A county magistrate is merely a minor local official; how can he compare to our status?"
Perhaps her thoughts had been touched, Yu Siting panicked a little and immediately said, "No, I was just a little surprised that there could be such good-looking people in such a small place."
After saying that, Yu Siting frowned awkwardly, took a serious look at the group of people, and said in an even softer voice, "Although that Shen Lili is quite annoying, she is actually quite pretty."
The sound was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz; if Bai Weiwei hadn't been so close, she almost wouldn't have been able to hear it.
However, Bai Weiwei would have preferred not to have heard it at all.
Bai Weiwei's breath hitched, and she took a moment to process Yu Siting's words in disbelief. She glared at Lili, who was nonchalantly eating pea flour cake, and for the first time, she was somewhat exasperated.
Bai Weiwei suppressed her emotions, managed her facial expression, and looked over there.
Pear was happily eating the pea flour cake. A simple plate of pea flour cake seemed like some kind of delicacy, and she was very satisfied.
Treating a plate of pea flour cake like a treasure is really beneath them.
Bai Weiwei glanced coldly at him, reminding herself once again, "She's just the daughter of a county magistrate."
How could anyone compare to her, a woman of noble birth?
At that moment, Lili also felt that hostile gaze, turned her head, and met Bai Weiwei's eyes.
Lili raised an eyebrow and rested her chin on her hand as she looked at her.
Actually, Lili simply raised an eyebrow because she was somewhat surprised that Bai Weiwei's gaze had been too direct.
Fortunately, no one around her was paying attention to Bai Weiwei, otherwise they would have definitely noticed the obvious hostility in her eyes.
But to Bai Weiwei, whose mind was filled with wild thoughts, this action was seen as a provocation.
Bai Weiwei herself wondered if it was because she had always been a central figure in the capital that she would subconsciously reject Lili, who was also pampered, here.
Bai Weiwei had to admit, yes.
She knew exactly what she wanted, and she enjoyed being fawned over. That's why she always carefully guarded the ethereal title of "the cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion," firmly maintaining the little bit of status she had painstakingly acquired from her aunt.
She has been working very hard to solidify all of this.
But Lili is too relaxed. If the Shen family loves her so much because of their kinship, then what about Baiyu?
Where is Gu Ziqi?
There's one more thing I'd rather not admit: Lili's name and age are similar to Fu Li's.
Actually, there are too many people with similar names and ages, but Lili is the most special. Her appearance is somewhat similar to Baiyun's, and her personality is somewhat similar to that of the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo.
If she hadn't been certain that Fu Li was already dead, she would have definitely thought that Shen Lili was the Fu Li from back then.
Lili pondered Bai Weiwei's complex emotions with great interest, quite curious.
Bai Weiwei has broken through her defenses.
Lili was very certain.
I'm getting more and more curious. I really want to see who this person is who can make Bai Weiwei lose her composure so many times.
Bai Weiwei took a deep breath, glanced at Madam Qin who was chatting fluently with Madam Yang and Bai Yu, thought for only half a second, and then walked towards Lili.
Lili raised her eyebrows again.
In fact, Bai Weiwei was the first person she had encountered who was hostile towards her in all these years.
It wasn't the kind of malicious intent that Aunt Li had back then, but rather hostility.
A kind of... indescribable, inexplicable conflict between women.
Bai Weiwei walked gracefully over, her gaze lingering on the plate of pea flour cakes for a moment.
The presentation was so-so, but the plate itself was quite exquisite.
Yu Siting followed closely behind Bai Weiwei, her eyes fixed on Shen Ye, never looking away.
Perhaps because she was at an age where her feelings were still innocent and naive, Yu Siting was so unable to forget a man for the first time.
Shen Ye was different from any of the young masters from noble families she had ever met. Most of the young masters in the capital were well-mannered and good at socializing.
Regardless of what happens behind the scenes, everyone always maintains a peaceful facade.
But Chen Ye was different; Chen Ye really couldn't be bothered with her.
There's a saying that goes something like this: what you can't have is always the most alluring.
Bai Weiwei pondered for two seconds before carefully asking, "I noticed that Lili is eating with great relish. Do you like desserts?"
Lili was startled by the word "sister," and her lips curved into a smile, but she didn't seem to care much: "It's not exactly affection."
Upon hearing this, Bai Weiwei opened her mouth in surprise, quite taken aback: "That's strange. This pea flour cake looks... rather ordinary, and smells... too sweet. It must have been made with too much sugar, making it cloying. Since Sister Lili doesn't particularly like sweets, how come she's eating it with such relish?"
Bai Weiwei's face showed only surprise and curiosity; to outsiders, she simply didn't understand.
Yu Siting finally got a chance to chime in, and immediately echoed Bai Weiwei's words: "Perhaps this is the only kind of ordinary-looking pea flour cake here. It does look very different from the ones in Beijing, and I imagine the taste is not as good either."
"Don't judge a book by its cover." Bai Weiwei turned her head and frowned slightly in disapproval. "However, if I have the chance in the future, I will definitely invite Sister Lili to try the pea flour cake from Zuixianlou."
"Zui Xian Lou! Their dim sum is absolutely amazing!"
Bai Weiwei smiled and nodded, then said gently to Lili, "Lili, you must come to the capital to find me if you have the chance."
Yu Siting pouted, "That would be a long time! Cousin, you're just too kind. You can't just go to the capital whenever you want."
Bai Weiwei smiled without saying a word.
Perhaps because they were so engrossed in their conversation, Madam Yang and Bai Yu, who were being pulled aside by Madam Qin for a lively discussion, also looked over in the direction of the voices.
Seeing her daughter's displeased expression, her brows furrowed as if she wanted to speak but hesitated, Madam Qin, who knew her daughter best, immediately guessed that something must have upset her.
My daughter is sweet and lovely, but she's not very good at hiding her emotions.
However, the two women in front of Qin Fu were both young ladies from the capital, one of whom was the niece of this young master's wife. Madam Qin was somewhat afraid that her daughter's expression would anger the young master's wife.
Madam Qin cautiously observed Bai Yu beside her. Surprisingly, Bai Yu did not make a sound, but instead quietly looked over there.
Seeing Madam Qin looking over, Bai Yu smiled calmly: "Didn't Madam Qin just mention the increased harvest at the border? Let's continue."
Madam Qin: "Okay, sure."
Bai Yu listened carefully to Madam Qin's words, but kept a watchful eye on Li Li's side.
Bai Weiwei caught the continuous voices behind her and knew that her aunt had not noticed them.
Bai Weiwei felt a little relieved, guessing that her aunt probably thought the daughters were gossiping.
Lili smiled faintly, while Yu Siting continued to chatter on about how good the pastries at Zuixianlou were, implying that the food in Nanlin County was inferior to that in the capital.
The reason Yu Siting kept chattering was simply because when she said, "Sister Lili's pea flour cake looks like a defective product," Chen Ye looked over with a rather intriguing expression.
Yu Siting naturally assumed that her words had attracted Shen Ye's attention, so she became even more proactive in talking.
Bai Weiwei smiled helplessly and said, "Cousin, stop talking. I think this pea flour cake is pretty good too. Otherwise, why would Lili like it so much?"
"Mmm." Lili nodded seriously. "This is the best pea flour cake I've ever eaten."
Yu Siting scoffed; this time, she wasn't trying to get Chen Ye's attention.
"That's it? You haven't tasted anything made by the imperial chefs. That's a true delicacy! Your pea flour cake looks like it was made by a novice chef. It doesn't even have a pattern!"
Bai Weiwei advised, "Cousin, please stop talking. Little Sister Lili can only eat this too."
Yu Siting snorted: "That's true, how could a poor family like ours afford to eat good food?"
Zhui Feng's face darkened, and he hesitated to speak.
Lili picked up a piece of pea flour cake with a puzzled look. It was square and cute. How could she tell that it was made by a novice chef?
Lili was about to retort with a serious expression when she heard Gu Ziyi's indifferent voice.
"Miss Yu, are you saying that the pea flour cake I made is garbage?"
Gu Ziyi had already changed his clothes. He wore a light blue brocade robe with delicate dark patterns that were faintly visible. A belt of the same color was tied around his waist, showing off his youthful charm.
Yu Siting and Bai Weiwei were both taken aback. They felt that the young man in front of them had an extraordinary temperament, and their expressions changed when they heard the word "I am alone".
As everyone rose to their feet and bowed, the greeting "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince" jolted the two awake from their reverie.
Yu Siting hurriedly followed suit and bowed.
Bai Weiwei was somewhat stunned.
In the past, when she was only four or five years old, she had almost no opportunity to attend banquets. Those who could attend banquets at the age of four or five were almost all those at the top of power.
Later, with the help of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Gu Ziyi went to the border. He was gone for six years, so she naturally never saw the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince was young and went to the border to gain experience on his own. During this time, he made many merits, both big and small, which made His Majesty very fond of him.
Today is the first time she has met the legendary Crown Prince.
Her eyebrows and eyes were indifferent, her expression was not great, her hair was black and she wore a jade crown. She had no extra accessories, but her noble air was still undeniable.
With the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, this young man is as beautiful as jade on the road.
Bai Weiwei was immediately stunned by his handsome appearance; the legendary crown prince was so dashing!
Gu Ziyi gave her a cold look.
Bai Weiwei's cheeks flushed slightly, and as if she had just realized what was happening, she hurriedly followed suit and bowed, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Bai Weiwei stared at the floor, but could hear her own heart pounding like a drum.
No need for formalities.
A deep voice sounded, and Bai Weiwei's eyes trembled slightly. She noticed the deerskin boot that had passed by her and her mind went blank.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Everyone stood up, and Bai Weiwei hurriedly went to look for the man's whereabouts, but heard Gu Ziyi say in a cold tone: "I did not tell you to stand up."
Everyone was taken aback, somewhat puzzled.
Only Zhui Feng knew that His Highness must have overheard something outside, and that he was going to support Miss Lili.
Lili was somewhat surprised because she noticed that Gu Ziyi's new clothes were smoky blue, the same color as hers.
Gu Ziyi walked straight to Lili, sat down beside her, and said softly, "Sit."
Lili said "oh" and sat down.
Feeling aggrieved that Gu Ziyi had taken her seat, Xia Ning moved to another spot and sat next to Qin Fu.
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