The Prime Minister's residence was bestowed by the emperor and exudes the luxury of a royal garden, yet it does not lack style.
The kitchen in the mansion was bustling with activity from early morning, working tirelessly to prepare for the morning banquet. They didn't even have time to prepare breakfast for their fallen young lady.
Luo Jiu changed into a light green dress, with a thin layer of gauze over it, and the cuffs were embroidered with gardenia patterns. Like an elf who had mistakenly wandered into the mortal world, she looked even more refreshing in the sweltering summer heat.
As soon as Luo Jiu led Jin Xia into the back garden, they heard several voices talking, one of which sounded very familiar.
"Miss, it's the Second Miss and her friends up ahead. We..." Let's take a detour.
Jinxia whispered to Luo Jiu, her eyes filled with worry. There were many of them; if they went up now, their young mistress would definitely not fare well.
"What's the rush? Let's go up and say hello." Luo Jiu seemed to have thought of another idea, a smile appearing on her lips, and walked towards Luo Shuang'er.
The moment Luo Jiu stepped into the public eye, her entire demeanor changed. She effortlessly conjured up the image of a gentle and delicate older sister. She knew all too well how much she could gain by using this appearance.
"Is it Shuang'er?" Luo Jiu leaned forward, a smile spreading across her face, as if it could warm people's hearts.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you still blaming your sister?" Luo Jiu asked in a low, hoarse voice, looking as if she was about to cry.
Luo Shuang'er found Luo Jiu's behavior most disgusting. She always pretended to be pitiful and used this appearance to seduce men, just like her mother.
What are you doing here?!
Having learned her lesson last time, Luo Shuang'er clearly didn't understand why she lost so badly, and she still made no attempt to hide the malice on her face towards Luo Jiu.
"As expected, Shuang'er still hasn't forgiven her sister." Luo Jiu suddenly felt sorry for this unlucky child. With such a lack of common sense, she was afraid that she would get herself into trouble again.
"But, I really didn't mean to put you in confinement. My wound from last time has healed. I'll talk to Father for you later. He spoils you so much, so if he calls it punishment, it's just to scare you."
After Luo Jiu finished speaking, she reached out towards Luo Shuang'er and touched someone's sleeve. She followed the sleeve, grabbed Luo Shuang'er's hand, held it tightly, and shook it in a somewhat ingratiating manner.
The way Luo Shuang'er's friends looked at her changed. They all looked at her with reproach, as if silently saying: How could you treat your sister like this?
In the end, it was all just a performance. Prime Minister Luo held a high position, second only to the emperor, and had immense power that made people flock to him and flatter him in every way; naturally, there were also nobles whose interests were affected, who regarded him as a thorn in their side.
Luo Shuang'er was invited to Madam Jin's tea party because of Luo Chentian's power and status, and she was also popular because she was Luo Chentian's daughter.
But if she is a vicious woman who framed her elder sister, why should everyone continue to turn a blind eye and treat her as before?
After all, they are both Luo Chentian's daughters, aren't they?
"Luo Jiu, you..." Luo Shuang'er didn't know how things had turned out this way, and looked at Luo Jiu with a resentful gaze, wishing she could beat her up to feel better.
"Shuang'er, what happened to you? Since it's your fault, why don't you apologize to your elder sister?"
The speaker was a woman in blue standing next to Luo Shuang'er. Judging from her intimate tone, they seemed to be close friends.
"Sister Qingshu, why don't you believe me..." You didn't even ask me before blaming me like this?
Luo Shuang'er felt a little sad and wanted to speak, but she didn't know how to start. She hadn't expected that the person she had always relied on and treated with all her heart would be the first to question her.
Luo Jiu unconsciously curled the corners of her lips, quietly listening to the banter between these two fake besties.
"alright!"
A clear, melodious voice came from in front of Luo Jiu, followed by a pair of hands supporting her arms. They were a woman's hands, slender and long, undoubtedly exquisitely beautiful. Only the slightly rough texture was a minor flaw.
Luo Jiu was somewhat puzzled. This wasn't Luo Shuang'er; could they have arrested the wrong person? Indeed, being unable to see often leads to trouble.
She quickly released her hoof and said in a soft, gentle voice, "I'm sorry I bumped into you, Miss."
Liang Yuan saw the person who had just been holding her hand suddenly let go, like a frightened bird, which was pitiful. How could anyone bear to bully such a gentle and frail woman?
Speaking of Liang Yuan, her birth mother was Consort Hua, a favorite concubine of the emperor. Although she was a girl, she grew up like a mud-covered monkey, surrounded by a group of boys.
Consort Hua was busy vying for the Emperor's favor, and by the time she realized her daughter was behaving more and more like a boy, it was too late to correct her behavior. The Emperor didn't care much and simply raised her as half a boy.
Having grown up in the deep confines of the palace, learning horseback riding and archery from the princes, attending school, and studying classical texts, she was far from being consumed by the corruption within the palace walls. Instead, she retained a pure and innocent heart. As a result, even someone as clumsy as Luo Jiu couldn't see through her act.
"Little Jiu'er, your eyes..."
Everyone loves beauty, and such a beautiful face, so pitiful to behold, is unfortunately blindfolded by a white silk ribbon. It is truly a case of heaven being jealous of beauty.
Although Luo Jiu was a little unaccustomed to being addressed so affectionately by a stranger, she sensed her kindness and said with some embarrassment:
"The eyes are naturally like this, unable to see."
Upon hearing this, a hint of regret flashed in Liang Yuan's eyes, and she said with some pity, "What a pity." If she could see it, she doesn't know how stunningly beautiful it would be.
"Having met today, I feel we get along quite well. How about you take me for a stroll in your garden?"
Liang Yuan extended an invitation, and Luo Jiu, unable to find a reason to refuse, followed her around aimlessly with a puzzled look on her face.
Meanwhile, Luo Shuang'er was on the verge of tears.
Because of Luo Jiu's few words, her close friends criticized her without asking why, and even the Second Princess, whom she had finally managed to invite, was lured away by her with just a few words.
For the first time, she felt that the Luo Jiu of today was no longer the one she remembered who was at the mercy of her mother and daughter.
Thinking of this, I almost tore the handkerchief in my hand to shreds. All they do is feign pitifulness, with that sly, foxy look. Are all those people blind?
Luo Jiu, who was in a daze, didn't know how a blind person like herself could have the nerve to lead someone to stroll in the garden.
The two walked on the cobblestone path, conversing gently yet politely. Luo Jiu gained a new perspective on the royal princess of this country.
Upon arriving at a garden, Jinxia quietly tugged at Luo Jiu's sleeve, "Miss, Young Master Xiao is in the pavilion ahead."
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