Shu Hua quickly raised her hands in surrender: "Okay, okay, I won't say anything more."
Qin Xi covered her pink cheeks and turned her head away.
Seeing her friend's reaction, Shu Hua changed the subject: "Oh, by the way. Neither of us knows this Princess Zhaoyang. Why does she insist that I attend this ridiculous poetry gathering?"
Qin Xi pursed her lips and said in a low voice, "She was rescued by Lu Huai when she fell into the water as a child and has admired him for many years, but I beat her to it. I have had several dealings with her, and she has always been dissatisfied with me. I'm afraid this poetry gathering was premeditated."
Upon hearing this, Shu Hua exclaimed in surprise, "What a 'hero saves the beauty' scene!"
Admittedly, while Lu Huai and Shu Zhan were exemplary ne'er-do-wells, they were also exceptionally handsome. If it weren't for their resounding reputation as "Little Tyrants of the Capital," who wouldn't praise them as "Jade-like figures on the road, peerless gentlemen in the world"?
Judging by appearance alone, Lu Huai could be considered a hero.
"I've only dragged you into this," Qin Xi said, looking at Shu Hua with some guilt.
Shu Hua gave her a reproachful look, sat down next to her and took her arm: "What are you saying?"
Qin Xi smiled at her.
With such a friend, what more could one ask for?
-
Cizhulin is a secluded villa located in the eastern suburbs of the city. It is a quiet and verdant place, a rare summer retreat in the capital. But now, in the dead of winter, it feels somewhat desolate.
There were still about 15 minutes until the appointed time, but the invited noble ladies had almost all arrived.
Princess Zhaoyang sat in the main seat, fiddling with her nail guards: "Is everyone here?"
Chi Cui waited beside her, and when she asked, she bowed and said humbly, "Your Highness, everyone has arrived."
"Hmm," Princess Zhaoyang said casually, "How are the preparations going?"
"Everything is ready."
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Princess Zhaoyang curled her lips into a smile. She then lowered her hand, raising her beautiful eyes to look towards the entrance, her gaze filled with undisguised malice: "Qin Xi, today I will ruin your reputation!"
-
A quarter of an hour later, the two got off the carriage.
"I still remember meeting you here a few years ago. I'm so grateful to my mother for giving me this name," Shu Hua said with a smile, reminiscing.
Qin Xi couldn't help but chuckle when she recalled the time. Who would have thought that "music, chess, calligraphy, and painting" would bring her a close female friend?
Just as I was about to step inside, I heard a burst of giggles coming from inside.
The one speaking was An Zhuoyi, the daughter of Grand Commandant An.
She had her almond-shaped eyes half-open, and was covering her mouth with a silk handkerchief while chuckling: "Princess, you're really joking. You're even more beautiful than a celestial being. No girl can compare to you."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang was secretly delighted, but her face showed a look of distress: "Sister Qin from the Prime Minister's residence is much more beautiful than me, even my brother Changjue, who has been close to me since childhood, is captivated by her..."
As she spoke, she looked up and saw Qin Xi and Shu Hua standing at the door.
Qin Xi watched expressionlessly, while Shu Hua anxiously took her arm.
A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Princess Zhaoyang's eyes, but her face remained impassive. She stammered in panic, "This... Sister Qin, I didn't mean to say that. I know that Brother Changjue and I are just childhood sweethearts, while you two were married by imperial decree. Even if Brother Changjue is unwilling, you are still his lawfully wedded wife..."
"Oh!" An Zhuoyi exclaimed, covering his mouth. "Then Miss Qin is interfering in your relationship with Young Master Lu!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
