The next morning, Yuan Qi had just finished breakfast and was checking on the recovery progress in Tushan when Jiang Jiulu's voice rang out from outside: "Seventh Sister..."
Yuan Qi didn't want her to know that Tu Shanli was here, so he hurried to the main room to greet her.
Jiang Jiulu wore a pale yellow, wide-sleeved fairy dress today, with a silver hairpin and hair ornaments on her head. Overall, she gave off an ethereal and fairy-like feeling, looking quite beautiful, like a fairy descended from heaven.
Without the other person even asking, Yuan Qi complimented, "This outfit looks good."
Jiang Jiulu was in a good mood, and because she was going to see Bai Fujun today, she couldn't wait to set off right now.
But it was still early, and she noticed that Yuan Qi was dressed very casually, in a pink jacket and skirt, with only a wooden hairpin in his hair and no powder on his face. He didn't look like he was going out to meet an important guest, but rather like he was going out to have his fortune told.
"Seventh Sister, it's getting late, you should get dressed up too."
Yuan Qi, however, was not in a hurry: "It's still early. You're in a rush. You go back first, and I'll change my clothes and go with you later."
Jiang Jiulu not only didn't leave, but also found a place to sit down: "I have nothing to do when I go back. I can go to Baihelou anytime. I'll wait for you here. Hurry up."
Yuan Qi was at a loss. She wanted to check on the situation in Tushanli, but she couldn't let Jiang Jiulu know that Tushanli was here. She could only apologize in her heart, and then with a gentle wave of her sleeve, Jiang Jiulu started to yawn. The next moment, she fell asleep on the table.
Wen Zhujun came out and glanced inside, raised her eyebrows slightly, said nothing, and the two went back inside.
The fox is much better now, unlike yesterday when he was sleeping the whole time. He is currently trying to transform back into human form, but it seems he is not very successful and has to give up.
Yuan Qi stroked his fur gently: "Don't rush, rest for a couple more days until your strength has recovered more. You were seriously injured this time, the wound on your chest hasn't healed yet, so what's wrong with turning back into human form?"
The fox nodded, then glanced at the grapes not far away.
Wen Zhujun immediately interrupted, patiently saying, "I'll peel the grapes for you."
Seeing that the fox was no longer resistant to Wen Zhujun, Yuan Qi felt a little relieved: "I have to go out today, so you take good care of him at home."
“There are green bamboos and redwoods outside, so no one is allowed to come in. If anyone does come in, Fox, just say I picked them up from outside. I also instructed Shenxun to guard the gate, so ordinary people can’t easily get in.”
Yuan Qi gave some instructions, went to his bedroom to change into a light green outfit, and put on some jewelry before waking Jiang Jiulu.
Let's go.
"How did I fall asleep?" Jiang Jiulu was filled with regret. She walked to the door and asked Lüzhu, "What time is it now?"
Green Bamboo replied, "It will be noon in half an hour."
Jiang Jiulu was even more distraught: "How did I fall asleep? And sleep for so long?"
Seeing her breakdown, Yuan Qi smiled gently and comforted her, "There's still plenty of time, don't worry."
What else could Jiang Jiulu do? She could only quicken her pace and pull Yuan Qi toward the gate. Once in the carriage, she kept urging the driver to hurry up.
When they arrived at Baihelou, the Bai family's carriage also arrived, and the two carriages arrived almost at the same time.
Bai Fujun usually wears white, with a cool and aloof temperament, and rarely smiles. However, today she is wearing a dark blue brocade robe, with a jade pendant and sachet hanging at her waist to symbolize her status. A purple-gold crown is on her head, and her long black hair is tied up with the purple-gold crown, giving her a very noble feeling. Her expression is also much gentler than usual, with more of a down-to-earth feel.
Jiang Jiulu's heart fluttered with first love, leaving everyone stunned and speechless.
Yuan Qi walked straight over and asked with a half-smile, "Sixth Young Master, your attire today is quite different from usual. Is there something special happening today? Could it be that you're getting engaged?"
Bai Fujun smiled gently, giving people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze. He parted his thin lips slightly and said, "Seventh Sister is indeed a wise and resourceful person. Today, I am engaged to Li Jiaojiao, the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites."
Yuan Qi chuckled and clasped his hands in a fist salute to him: "Congratulations. But with your engagement, I wonder how many girls' dreams will be shattered tonight."
She even turned around to look at Jiang Jiulu, and sure enough, the infatuated look on Jiang Jiulu's face was gone, replaced by a lost and dejected look.
Seeing Bai Fujun's spirited appearance, Jiang Jiulu's mind raced, trying to recall what Li Jiaojiao looked like.
The Jiang family is one of the four great families. The young ladies who usually associate with her are all daughters of officials of the third rank or above. She doesn't care much about the daughters of officials below the third rank. She doesn't even remember their names or appearances, and she usually doesn't give them a second glance.
The sixth young master is the future head of the Bai family. How could the daughter of a fourth-rank official be worthy of him, let alone become his wife? Jiang Jiulu's first thought was that Li Jiaojiao was not good enough for Bai Fujun.
She had once considered which noble lady in the capital would be fortunate enough to become Bai Fujun's principal wife. Many noble ladies were worthy of Bai Fujun, but she never expected that the daughter of a lowly fourth-rank official would beat her to it.
While she was still feeling resentful, Yuan Qi and Bai Fujun had already walked inside side by side.
Yuan Qi asked Bai Fujun, "I don't recognize Miss Li. Is she very beautiful?"
Bai Fujun replied expressionlessly, "I haven't met her. It was my grandfather who arranged the marriage. He said that Miss Li was very well-educated, dignified and polite, and she was also good at managing the household affairs. She would be my virtuous wife in the future."
Yuan Qi chuckled: "Even the renowned Sixth Young Master cannot make decisions about his own marriage."
"It's all arranged by my parents and the matchmaker, how can I have a say in this?" Bai Fujun was helpless. He had no feelings for Li Jiaojiao, but today he had to put on an act for everyone to see, to make them think that he was in love with Li Jiaojiao.
The Bai family has booked the entire second floor of Baihelou, and most of their guests have already arrived.
When Jiang Jiulu and Yuan Qi went up, they discovered that not only Chen Xiwei, who had made a bet with her, had come today, but also many noble ladies who were infatuated with Bai Fujun. There were no elders present.
Yuan Qi understood immediately and chuckled as he asked Bai Fujun beside him, "Are you deliberately trying to stab people in the back?"
Bai Fujun sighed softly, "What happened yesterday was outrageous. My grandfather originally didn't plan to arrange my marriage so soon, but after what happened yesterday, he made the decision. I'm not young anymore, it's time for me to get married. But you're right about one thing: I'm here to stab you in the back."
At the top of the stairs, a maid from the Bai family led the way: "Young Master, this way please."
Yuan Qi was about to find an inconspicuous corner to sit down when Bai Fujun grabbed her sleeve and said, "Sit here with me. I feel uncomfortable sitting with other people."
"Don't you dare! You see? If I sit next to you, the way people look at me will make me look like I'm being torn to pieces."
The two looked up and saw other noble ladies staring at Yuan Qi with eyes as sharp as knives. The Sixth Young Master had never tugged at their sleeves, and they were green with envy.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com