Chen Xiao and the others were chatting idly, and apart from Xi Xi eating the snacks she had eaten, no one touched their chopsticks. They were all waiting for Xu Qian's wives and concubines.
Just then, the servants outside greeted, "This humble servant greets the ladies!"
Immediately afterwards, the palace doors opened, and three ladies gracefully and elegantly walked in.
All eyes turned to them.
Xu Jinshu, who was in the lead, wore a light blue silk dress. The dress fluttered in the wind, and as she walked, it seemed as if a gentle breeze was surrounding her. Every gesture she made exuded elegance and composure.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her eyes were like autumn water. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, carrying a faint smile, as fresh and refined as an elegant autumn chrysanthemum, and her temperament was as elegant as a secluded orchid in a valley.
Xu Feng, standing behind her, wore a long pink dress with exquisite flowers embroidered on the hem. Her long, glossy black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, swaying gently with her movements.
She had a beautiful face and a radiant smile. Her eyes were bright and lively, sparkling with energy and enthusiasm, as if no troubles in the world could bother her. Her cheerfulness made people want to get closer to her.
Ming Zhanhe was the last to enter. She wasn't wearing a silk skirt, but rather a black fitted outfit with a red belt around her waist, making her look very dashing.
She was free-spirited and unrestrained. Her black hair was casually tied up, and her eyebrows were slightly raised, revealing a free spirit. Her posture was as upright as a pine tree, exuding a unique charm.
Chen Xiao looked at the three people in surprise; their styles were completely different.
The first lady was exceptionally beautiful, possessing a refined and elegant demeanor, and a detachment from worldly affairs. She somewhat resembled Xu Ruyu's birth mother, Xu Qian's legal wife.
The second lady was quite the opposite of the first. She was clearly a young, cheerful, and optimistic person. I'd bet she was definitely Xu Ruyan's biological mother.
The last lady was truly her favorite. Her attire, demeanor, and mannerisms were nothing like those of a noblewoman. She was more like a free-spirited female knight-errant, unrestrained, carefree, and unconventional.
Of the nine people present, only four had never met these three ladies before: Chen Xiao and Yuan Yin, Qi Yanyun and Xi Xi.
Of the four, Chen Xiao and Xi Xi were clearly the most shocked.
Yuan Yin and Qi Yanyun had both grown up under Chu Qianyun's tutelage and were used to seeing countless ladies from noble families and high-ranking nobles. Although these three ladies were somewhat special and each had their own merits, their manners and etiquette did not reveal anything to them.
Although Chen Xiao and Xi Xi were shocked, they hid it well, only revealing a hint in their eyes, but their facial expressions were still very well controlled.
They appeared calm and collected, but in reality, their minds were racing. Both were stunned by their beauty for quite some time before Chen Xiao finally initiated the conversation: "Wow... three absolutely stunning beauties!"
Xi Xi then checked the information of the three people, but could only find their ages and the time they entered the manor. Other private matters were only known to the three of them.
Even so, it was enough for Xixi and Chenxiao to report: "I just checked, and the one in the lead is Xu Qian's legal wife, Xu Jinshu. She is forty years old and entered the mansion at the age of twenty, giving birth to Xu Ruyu."
The second was Xu Qian's second concubine, Xu Peng. She was thirty-seven years old and entered the household at the age of seventeen, giving birth to Xu Ruyan.
The last one was Xu Qianna's first concubine, Ming Zhanhe. She was forty-two years old and entered the household at the age of twenty, making her the first of the five women to do so.
Chen Xiao's predictions were all correct; the first one was Xu Ruyu's biological mother, and the second one was Xu Ruyan's biological mother.
By comparing their personalities, it becomes clear who is whose mother. Xu Ruyu's personality is very similar to Xu Jinshu's, while Xu Ruyan clearly inherited his birth mother Xu Peng's traits, only she is more innocent and naive than Xu Peng.
What surprised Chen Xiao was the age of the three people. They looked so young that it reminded her of modern female celebrities whose ages were hard to guess.
The same goes for these three. Xu Jinshu and Ming Zhanhe look like they are only around thirty years old, while Xu Feng is even more exaggerated. Because she is wearing pink today, she looks like a young girl, only in her twenties.
Just thinking about Xu Ruyu and Xu Ruyan's ages made me realize it was impossible, but now that I know their real ages, I can't help but admire them.
With the rapid development of modern technology, the support of medical technology, and various skincare products, plus other maintenance methods, it doesn't seem so inadequate.
But here you have to rely on yourself: a youthful mindset, good health, and natural beauty.
Clearly, these three are the case.
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on the three of them, Xu Qian coughed, feeling somewhat relieved. After all, he knew perfectly well that these three people were not there because of him.
He instructed the servants to add three chairs, and then he, Xu Ruyu, and Xu Ruyan stood up together to welcome the three of them.
Xu Qian first introduced everyone one by one, "This is Ruyu's mother, Xu Jinshu. This is Ruyan's mother, Xu Feng. This is Ming Zhanhe."
When he introduced them to the crowd, he only referred to them as the mothers of his children, and those without children were simply called by their names. He never referred to them as his wives or concubines.
This made Chen Xiao realize that something was amiss.
Xu Qian's introduction caused everyone to bow to each other three times.
Xu Jinshu was the first to curtsy to everyone, followed by Xu Feng and Ming Zhanhe.
Given their status and rank, they only need to bow to Chen Xiao and Yuan Yin, while they only need to perform a regular bow to Zhao Siyuan and Xu Qin.
As for Qi Yanyun, who was not in either of these two rows, he needed to take the initiative to bow to the three of them.
The three of them bowed to Chen Xiao and Yuan Yin at the same time, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty, Princess." Then they bowed to Zhao Siyuan and Xu Qin with equal respect, saying, "Lord Zhao, Lord Zhao."
Finally, after accepting Qi Yanyun's greeting, one should say, "Young Master Qi, you are too kind."
Chen Xiao cried out inwardly, "When will this bowing to each other be abolished?! It's so tiring!"
However, he maintained a very imperial demeanor and said to the three ladies, "Ladies, there's no need for such formalities. Today is just a private meal. Please have a seat!"
Then the vowel also said the same thing.
After Xu Qin and the other two bowed respectfully, only Zhao Siyuan said casually, "Alright, don't be so polite!"
So the three of them sat down, and the seating arrangement was quite particular.
Xu Jinshu sat between Xu Ruyu and Xu Qian, while Ming Zhanhe sat between Xu Qian and Zhao Siyuan.
Only Xu Feng didn't get involved with them, choosing instead to act as a "mother" and sitting between Xu Ruyan and Yuan Yin.
As soon as she sat down, she completely ignored Xu Ruyan's gaze, thinking she was being subtle, but actually she was clearly looking at Yuan Yin, praising her, "Your Highness is so beautiful!"
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