95
Xu Ji An felt like he had been losing face ever since he arrived at the Prime Minister's residence. Whenever XuanRong opened her mouth, she would always have something to point out against him. It made Xu Ji An want to squeeze her neck and snuff out her breath. She even dared to lecture him in front of the guests who were present, making him lose too much face in this evening.
Feeling humiliated, Xu Ji An slammed his hand on the table. Those guests that were far were not able to hear their conversation but when he made too much noise due to his sudden action, it attracted quite the attention. The entire hall went silent and if one would throw a penny on the floor, one would be able to hear it clearly.
The entire situation was very awkward but Xu Ji An saw that XuanRong was not moved. She appeared unconcerned and showed that she did not care and continued acting insensitive. She smiled at Xu Fei Yi while treating Xu Ji An like he was invisible, making him more angry and frustrated.
"You---!!"
"Your Highness, please forgive my daughter for saying those things. She is still immature in some other way. She only wanted to show off and make others think that she is already an adult. This lowly official is asking forgiveness for allowing His Highness see my daughter's arrogance. May His Highness the Crown Prince be magnanimous and forgive my daughter if she had offended you in any ways."
XuanLi knew that he had to do something to lessen Xu Ji An's anger. No matter what, the celebration was held inside the Prime Minister's residence and XuanRong, the one who was the culprit for Xu Ji An's sudden outburst, no matter how much he despised her, she was still a child carrying the surname Xuan. Whether he like it or not, the one who would carry the burnt would be their family. Thus, before it escalates, he had to appease Xu Ji An at all cost.
"Humpf! Since it is Prime Minister Xuan who was asking for forgiveness, This Prince will give you face and will not dwell on it. This Prince was only thinking of the Imperial family's standing thus, tried to persuade Imperial Uncle. Who would have thought that Lady XuanRong would view This Prince as a shallow and narrow-minded person."
"That is not true, that is not true! The Crown Prince's words were correct. One must always think properly and should always consider the face of the family before doing something. Come, Your Highness, this lowly official wants to talk to you regarding to the matter related to Jing country."
XuanLi secretly glared at XuanRong before ushering Xu Ji An away from them. Hearing the Jing country's matter, Xu Ji An nodded and followed XuanLi. Chen Zi Tao sighed in relief while Xu Fei Yi bit his lower lip, forcing himself not to cry in front of his Wife Jiejie.
Few minutes later, the entire hall once again turned lively as if Xu Ji An's sudden outburst had been forgotten.. The male guests were drinking nonstop while watching some performance. The female guests and Furens were talking while sipping tea. Since XuanRong was the celebrant, she had to mingle with different people especially with the female guests. Without any other choice, she could only leave her maternal grandfather and Eldest JiuMu's side in order to interact with the other guests. Xu Fei Yi wanted to follow XuanRong like a small little puppy, but Mu Qing forcefully made him sat on a chair and did not allow him to pester XuanRong unceasingly.
While talking with some other Furens, XuanRong saw Xiao Lou and XuanFei walking towards them. Since XuanLi, Xu Ji An and the other male guests were discussing some things related to the relationship of Qian Zou and Jing, XuanFei and Xiao Lou could not meddle in the conversation. It was never allowed to let women enter any discussion that were related to the nation.
"JieJie..."
XuanFei smiled and stretched her hands to grab XuanRong's arm, trying to show how close they were with each other. Unfortunately, XuanRong pretended that she did not see XuanFei's action and walked away to grab a glass of drink. XuanFei immediately pulled back her outstretched hand, acting like nothing happened. Xiao Lou noticed the little interaction. Her eyes glistened with hatred, but she did not allow it to show on her face. She smiled and sweetly called XuanRong's name.
"Rong'er..."
Without any other choice, XuanRong could not pretend anymore. She turned her head and smiled at XuanFei and Xiao Lou. She greeted the two politely like a filial daughter and a loving older sister.
"Greetings Er Niang, Meimei..."
"Greetings Third Young Miss Xuan, Second Xuan Furen."
"This humble daughter greets Second Xuan Furen and XuanFei XiaoJie."
The rest of the Furens and young maidens also greeted XuanFei and Xiao Lou when they saw them approaching.
"No need with those formalities. You are here because wanted to celebrate my eldest child's coming of age ceremony. This Madam is very glad that you were able to attend this celebration. This Madam sincerely gives her thanks."
"What are you saying ah, Second Xuan Furen? We are happy that we are able to attend Eldest Young Miss' coming of age ceremony. You are very lucky to have two daughters who were equally talented. Although Third Young Miss Xuan is still young, one could see that she will grow up magnificently in the future. Ai. Such blessings!"
"That's right! Second Xuan Furen is very lucky. Although Eldest Young Miss Xuan is not your real daughter and does not come from your own womb, she is very filial towards you. One is very envious."
"That's right! That's right!"
All the Furens were highly praising XuanRong but Xiao Lou did not show any irritation on her face, rather, she was smiling happily while looking at XuanRong affectionately. If one did not know that she harbors ill intentions towards XuanRong, one would think that Xiao Lou truly and deeply cared for her. Xiao Lou laughed happily and covered her mouth with a fan.
"Indeed, this is a great blessing for me. When older sister Chen Yi died, she asked This Madam to take good care of Rong'er. Even without her birth mother to guide her, Rong'er grew up wonderfully. It made This Madam thank the heavens and kowtow to the earth."
"What are you saying Second Xuan Furen? Eldest Young Miss Xuan grew up in to a fine young lady because of you. Without someone guiding her, how could Eldest Lady Xuan grow up magnificently? You did a good job raising her. Without saying the obvious, Madam Chen Yi only gave birth to Eldest Lady Xuan but it was Second Xuan Furen who basically raised her like a daughter. Isn't that right, Lady XuanRong?"
Hearing those pretentious Furens spout lies and false words, XuanRong wanted to roll her eyes and puke nonstop. Unfortunately, she had to pretend that she like those goosebumps-inducing praises. She decided to go with the flow and allow them to live in their own little world, not bursting their bubbles but when she heard her birth mom being mocked by them, XuanRong could not help but want to retaliate. Her eyes sharpened but in order to hide her distaste towards them, she raised the glass of wine and placed it on her lips, sipping liquid slowly.
"Err.."
XuanRong did not respond to the Furen's words but rather, pretended that she did not hear a single thing. The Furen who said those words was feeling a little flustered for being ignored while Xiao Lou felt embarrassed. By not saying anything, it was as if XuanRong was disagreeing, making Xiao Lou look fake and pretentious. XuanFei bit her lips and saw that her mother was being humiliated by XuanRong. How could she allow XuanRong continue to humiliate her mother?
"Jiejie... Do you not view mother as your mother? Why? Does Jiejie think that mother does not deserve your love?"
XuanFei's voice was full of sadness making the other Furens pity her.
That was right.
XuanRong was raised by Second Xuan Furen but she acted like an ungrateful child.
Even if the Xiao family could not stand against the Chen family, but Xiao Lou basically raised XuanRong. How could she be so cruel?
Hearing XuanFei's hidden words, XuanRong sighed. She did not want to talk but XuanFei's words left a sour taste on her mouth. She placed the glass on the table and spoke.
"What is Meimei saying ah? I did not respond because I am actually very shy because of their praises. I am very much grateful to Er Niang for treating me like a real daughter. When my birth mother died when I was six, Er Niang raised me. She loved me dearly that she never forced me to study the four virtue of a woman nor required me to learn the four arts. She said that it was okay that I cannot read and write since I will still marry someone regardless whether I am literate or not. She could not bear to see me getting pricked, thus, she decided to stop me from learning needle work. When I was ten years old, because she wants me to recuperate and be heathy once again, she sent me to the suburbs and let me live in Lu Shan for five long years together with the servants. She made sure that the servants would properly take good care of me. All the things that she did, how could I not be grateful?"
XuanRong's words were full of gratitude but when those Furen heard everything, they immediately understood the entire meaning. A step mother wanting to suppress the legitimate daughter by raising her stupidly.
'Would that also mean that XuanRong's attitude was due to Second Xuan Furen?' The rest of the Furens could not help but think negatively.
Xiao Lou's face alternately went to blue from red due to humiliation and anger. Because of XuanRong words, Xiao Lou's standing in the noble's inner circle would definitely plummet and it would only be a matter of days before the entire capital knows everything.
But XuanRong was not yet done striking both mother and daughter. "Meimei, be mindful of your words. If others hear you, they would think that you are a narrow-minded person. A simple thing and you are already making it big. You are thirteen this year, you should act properly like a Di daughter. Remember, you are no longer a child of a concubine but a Di daughter of the Prime Minister's residence."
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Xu Ji An and some of the guests were already drunk. When he tried to stand up, he could no longer stand strait and had to be supported. Since, he could not return to the palace immediately due to being drunk, XuanLi suggested that he should rest first before returning. Xu Ji An did not agree at first but later on, he did not have any more strength to stay awake. XuanLi ordered one of the servants to carry Xu Ji An and let him rest inside one of the guest rooms near the residence's hall.
XuanFei, who was secretly paying attention to Xu Ji An, saw that he was being carried away and immediately knew that it was already time to move. She raised her hand that was holding a glass of wine. She 'clumsily' loosened up her grip and 'accidentally' spilled the entire wine on XuanRong's dress.
*gasps*
"Oh no! Jiejie.. I am very sorry.."
XuanFei wiped the wine using her handkerchief but it only made it look more horrible.
"Fei'er! Look what you've done! You destroyed your older sister's dress."
"Mother.. I... Jiejie... I swear... I---"
"Enough. Go and bring your sister to the nearest room and send some servant to bring her a new dress."
"Yes, this daughter understands. Jiejie.. come... Your courtyard is very far from here. Just let your maidservant get the clothes."
The whole time, XuanRong was only looking at both mother and child's dialogue. She knew that Xiao Lou and XuanFei prepared something for her, but she was not sure about it. In her previous lifetime, Xiao Lou did not waste any time scheming against her during her coming of age ceremony since her reputation was already at the bottom. But it was different in this lifetime since her reputation was starting to look good.
"Mmm... okay.. lead the way. Excuse us."
XuanRong was not an idiot like a tiny little insect being drawn in the fire. Although she knew that it was a scheme, she still pretended to be ignorant because she wanted to know the extent of Xiao Lou and XuanFei's scheme.
"Jiejie... come this way.."
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96
XuanRong knew that XuanFei was planning something but she still followed her. When they left the residence's hall, XuanRong noticed that An Wei was following them, so, she was not afraid that something bad would happen to her. Besides, what can a mere woman like XuanFei do to her? YuShen was with her and among her maidservants, YuShen was the one with the highest level of qinggong. Unless XuanFei and Xiao Lou hired some qinggong masters, XuanRong was confident that she could safely return without any help from An Wei.
Even now, XuanRong was still arrogant and hated being helped by other people. If XuanFei was trying to scheme behind her back, she would not cower and would face it fearlessly. The blood of the Chen family flowed inside her veins and no one in the Chen family was a coward, including her.
The residence's hall was at the center part of the entire residence. The nearest courtyard was named 'The Thousand Li' courtyard. It was made for the purpose of allowing the family's guests to feel at home when visiting the Prime Minister's residence. Usually, the Thousand Li courtyard would only be used during the visit of her Shushu[1] and TangGe[2] / when there was a celebration and some guests need a place to rest for a night.
Thus, the courtyard did not have any servants during evening aside from those guards who were patrolling inside the residence. Occasionally, the servants would only enter the courtyard during morning to clean the rooms and would then leave after they were done with their chores.
When they were walking towards the courtyard, XuanFei tried to open her mouth a couple of times to instigate a conversation but no matter what she said, XuanRong would only glance at her while YuShen would only remain quiet. Without any other choice, XuanFei could only shut her mouth while they were walking.
When they arrived at the Thousand Li courtyard, XuanRong noticed that XuanFei had chosen to bring her at the farthest room of the courtyard. Acting like she did not care, XuanRong followed XuanFei inside and entered the room without any hesitation. After entering the room, XuanFei ordered the servant to light an incense in order to prevent the insects from coming inside the room.
"Jiejie.. please wait here. Fei'er's courtyard is near, and Fei'er already sent someone to bring Jiejie a dress."
Hearing XuanFei's words, XuanRong's left eyebrow rose.
'She wanted me to use one of her dresses?'
Thinking that she would wear XuanFei's dress, XuanRong felt like she would vomit immediately once it happens. Wearing XuanFei's dress was akin to wearing a snake's skin. She would rather not change her dress and let the wine dry on her clothes than force herself to wear XuanFei's dress.
Thinking of that disgusting situation, XuanRong immediately refused to accept XuanFei's offer.
"No. I will send YuShen to my courtyard so that she can get a new set of clothes for me. No need to concern yourself."
Hearing XuanRong's cold refusal, XuanFei's eyes started tearing up.
"Jiejie.. are you angry that Meimei dirtied your dress? Please do not get angry..."
Looking at XuanFei who was acting pitiful, XuanRong could not help but have a headache. They were the only ones present inside the room but XuanFei was still acting like she was the lead actress in a performing troupe. XuanRong knew that she should not let her irritation show on her face and should act like a 'loving' older sister towards XuanFei, but she could not bring to force herself and wear her clothes.
In the end, no matter what XuanFei said, XuanRong declined and ordered YuShen to return to the courtyard and bring a new set of clothes for her. When YuShen left, a servant arrived, informing XuanFei that Xiao Lou was looking for her.
"Ah? Mother is calling me? Oh no.. Jiejie is still not done changing her clothes.. What should I do?" XuanFei acted like she was in a dilemma. She turned her head and apologetically looked at XuanRong.
"Jiejie, mother is calling me. I will be back once I talk with mother. Do not leave the room and wait for your maidservant. I will leave someone to accompany you here."
XuanRong smiled and nodded her head. "Don't worry ah. Just return to the residence's hall. No need to fret. Jiejie will wait here. Do not worry. Why worry when I am only waiting for my new clothes? Unless... something bad will happen..." XuanRong ambiguously stated.
When XuanRong stared at XuanFei, XuanFei could not help but retract her gaze. She did not know but that one look coming from XuanRong made her heart skip a beat. Her palm started sweating but at the end, XuanFei was able to force herself to smile and act like nothing was wrong.
When XuanFei left, few minutes later, the servant that was ordered to keep XuanRong company started acting funny.
"D-Da XiaoJie... This.. This servant asks Da XiaoJie to allow this servant to leave... This servant's stomach is hurting. This servant wants to visit the bathroom." The servant's face was very pale. XuanRong did not know whether she was only acting or if she was really not feeling well, but since she wanted to find out XuanFei and Xiao Lou's plan, XuanRong nodded and allowed the servant to go to the bathroom, leaving her alone in the room.
'XuanFei insisted that I should wear her clothes because she knew that I would never agree to it and would send back YuShen to get a new set of clothes for me but..what are those two planning?'
XuanRong slowly tapped the table using her forefinger. She was starting to get bored when she noticed the sudden change of the incense's scent.
XuanRong stood up and went to the burner. She plucked the half-lit incense and found out that it had been tampered. The first half of the stick was normal, but the lower part of the incense was tampered with a sleeping powder.
XuanRong dipped her fingers on the burner and scooped a small amount of ashes. She rubbed her fingers together & placed it on her nose, trying to confirm if her thoughts were correct. Few seconds later, XuanRong found out that she was right. The scent indeed changed, and it belonged to the Jing's popular sleeping powder called 'Dancing Powder'.
'How did they get the powder when it was prohibited to sell it?'
The Dancing Powder was a famous powder that was smuggled from the Jing country. It was a type of a muscle suppressant. Once someone inhaled a small amount of it, they would feel like the surroundings were moving and all the things around them were dancing.
'So... they are planning to let me... sleep?'
XuanRong could not help but be disappointed. She was expecting that XuanFei and Xiao Lou would try to blacken her reputation by destroying her purity but XuanRong did not expect that instead of inhaling an aphrodisiac drug, she was given a muscle suppressant. Too bad, after drinking poison for three long years, even if she would directly inhale the powder, she would not feel anything.
"...."
"Go inside and check if she had already fallen asleep or not."
XuanRong, who was feeling depressed suddenly heard XuanFei's voice outside the room. She sighed and laid on the floor, pretending that she had fallen asleep. Since she wanted to know what they were scheming, she could only pretend and lay on the cold floor. XuanFei was not the only one who knew how to act.
XuanRong heard the door opened. Later, she also heard some footsteps and felt that someone nudged her arm, trying to make sure that she was not awake anymore. When the owner of the foot steps did not notice anything peculiar, she left the room and closed the door.
"San XiaoJie[3], Da XiaoJie had already fallen asleep."
"Good. After a few minutes, go to the residence's hall and tell mother that Jiejie went missing and I am searching for her. Make sure that your voice is loud enough to let the Furens know. I will be waiting at the Crown Prince's room."
"Yes, San XiaoJie."
The people outside the room left and XuanRong opened her eyes. She massaged her temple and sighed. She was deeply puzzled. She could not understand XuanFei and Xiao Lou's plan.
'Mmm... XuanFei made me sleep and wanted to tell everyone that I went missing, but she went to the Crown Prince's room instead of dealing with me... why is that so?
The Crown Prince was drunk, but she still went to see him. Why?
Why would she want the servant to bring the Furens to Xu Ji An's resting room?
What was she trying to achieve by letting people know that she was at the Crown Prince's resting room?'
XuanRong thought for a while before she realized something. The idea inside her head seemed very absurd but knowing Xiao Lou, XuanRong knew that she was a cruel person. She would not hesitate to harm herself or other people just to achieve her goal.
'Are they planning to force the Crown Prince into marrying XuanFei?'
XuanRong could not help but choke on her own saliva. Although being caught together with the Crown Prince would greatly damage XuanFei's reputation, it was worth the sacrifice if it would mean that Xu Ji An would be forced to marry XuanFei.
But... what has that got to do with her?
Was XuanFei planning to use her as her stepping stone in Xu Ji An? But how?
XuanRong wanted to know how XuanFei would use her name in her scheme, thus, without thinking twice, she left the room through the window and went to the Crown Prince's resting place.
Standing on the roof, XuanRong called An Wei.
"An Wei."
An Wei suddenly appeared.
"This subordinate is here, Young Miss."
"Go and tell grandfather to check His Highness the Crown Prince. Make sure that he will bring other court officials with him."
"Yes, this subordinate understands."'
An Wei immediately disappeared after he bowed his head.
'If XuanFei wants to self-destruct, I, as her sister should help her. Heh... I really want to know how they would drag my name in the scandal.'
XuanRong was still busy thinking of XuanFei's plan when she heard XuanFei's scream.
"Your Highness, Don't!"
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[1]. Paternal Uncle or Father's Younger Brother.
[2]. Paternal older male-cousin
[3]. Third Young Miss
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97
Hearing XuanFei's scream, XuanRong paused before stealthily run towards the noise. She slowly drilled a hole on the roof & saw that Xu Ji An was hugging XuanFei's waist while trying to forcefully open her outer garments.
"...."
XuanRong stared at XuanFei who was trying to 'resist' Xu Ji An's forceful grip. XuanRong could not help but be speechless when she noticed how weak XuanFei's refusal was. Although XuanFei was trying to push Xu Ji An away, XuanRong could see that her push contained no force on it.
'Are you resisting or are you inciting him to do worst?'
XuanRong could not help but ask in her heart. She really wanted to clap her hands and kowtow at Xiao Lou's feet who was behind all of this. Xiao Lou clearly knew that once other Furens saw that XuanFei and His Highness Xu Ji An were alone in a small room, hugging each other, even if nothing happened between them, XuanFei's reputation would be destroyed in an instant but she still ordered her daughter to sacrifice herself for the sake of securing her place in the Crown Prince's palace.
'Even lions do not devour their cubs.'
But then again, XuanLi was also like her. Both of them did not care of other people's thoughts as long as they get what they want. They were truly made for each other. Both husband and wife were very selfish and spiteful.
"No!"
XuanRong was awakened by XuanFei's scream from her deep thought. She turned her head to looked at the two and found out that XuanFei's outer garments had already been forcefully opened by Xu Ji An. XuanFei's inner garments were very thin and her red doudou[1] was peeking out from her opened chest.
This time, XuanRong saw the panic in XuanFei's eyes. She was no longer screaming coquettishly and her pushes were no longer weak like before. Her eyes kept on looking at the door as if she was waiting for someone to help her.
Seeing XuanFei's situation, XuanRong would be lying if she would say that she was not feeling happy. Of course, she was happy to see XuanFei struggle to protect her innocence! Ever since her rebirth, XuanRong had been wishing that XuanFei would also taste the same fate she had experienced in the hands of those beasts. But the thirst to get revenge would not be quelled by merely looking at XuanFei being raped by Xu Ji An.
One would call her cruel and malicious, but she was already beyond saving. Her heart had been blackened to the point that she no longer felt human. She was enjoying the show while looking at XuanFei's face full of fear.
"Your Highness, Your Highness! Please get a grip! Your Highness, please stop!! This Lady is the Third Young Miss of XiangFu! Your Highness, please stop!!"
XuanRong smirked when she saw XuanFei was trying to reason out with Xu Ji An who was already drunk and was not thinking rationally. It seemed like XuanFei's heart was not strong enough. In the end, she regretted her decision and started to cower. Too bad, XuanRong could see that Xu Ji An was no longer in his right mind due to the aphrodisiac he inhaled.
When XuanRong sneaked on the roof and drilled a hole, she immediately smelled the sent of an aphrodisiac used in a cheap brothel for the purpose of enhancing the vigor of the prostitutes in serving their customers. It was not potent but the effect would be doubled to those people who were drunk and delirious.
Since XuanFei was still in her right mind, XuanRong guessed that she took a medicine that could nullify the effect of the aphrodisiac. Seemed like Xiao Lou made sure that XuanFei would still be rational for the sake of their plan.
"XuanRong.. Ah... XuanRong.. You are mine... Why are you so indifferent towards me?"
Xu Ji An murmured as he forcefully untied the last remaining strap on XuanFei's inner garments, revealing a smooth chest with pure white skin that was only being covered by her small doudou.
He lowered his head and sucked XuanFei's neck while uttering XuanRong's name.
Hearing Xu Ji An calling her name in a sensual manner, XuanRong could not help but shiver. If it was before, she would feel happy because Xu Ji An desired her. In her previous lifetime, Xu Ji An only kissed her once and they only held hands a couple of times.
He also did not show any desire to take her body whenever they meet secretly, thus, it was the first time for XuanRong to hear Xu Ji An's desire to make her his woman. Hearing his possessive claim to her made her feel rather... conflicted.
XuanRong's eyes dimmed and the sinister smile on her face faded. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind. It was useless to think unnecessary thoughts. It was too late to start over again because no matter what she did, she could not forget that horrible night.
The only path between her and Xu Ji An was the path of death. The moment he sold her to those beasts, her heart that once loved him wholeheartedly died together with her. Right now, for her, Xu Ji An was no different from a lowly bastard.
On the other hand, when XuanFei heard XuanRong's name, she stopped struggling and froze. The pain in her heart when she heard XuanRong's name was enough to kill her. She did not notice that Xu Ji An was already trying to untie her doudou. When she raised her head, she saw Xu Ji An's unfocused but fervent gaze and could not help but be startled. When Xu Ji An lowered his head, wanting to kiss her, XuanFei's mind short-circuited and dazedly accepted his lips.
Later, when Xu Ji An sneaked one of his hands inside her doudou and cupped he breast, she could not help but moan due to the combination of pain and pleasure. She started accepting his advances and allowed him to feel her body which increased Xu Ji An's desire to monopolize her.
Looking at the two person who was starting to behave like animals in heat, XuanRong rolled her eyes. Being raped and giving in was different. XuanFei's actions and responses did not look like she was being forced but rather, XuanRong could see that XuanFei was starting to enjoy Xu Ji An's advances.
'What happened ah? I only blinked a couple of times and suddenly, there were no more screaming and struggling..'
XuanRong was annoyed and could not help but glare at the two who was tightly wrapped with each other. Little did she know, there was also another person who was annoyed at the moment while looking at her. His eyes that were focusing on her face narrowed as if he would kill someone at the moment. Another man was standing behind the person who was glaring at XuanRong. The man kept on peeking at the person in front of him while silently lighting a candle for XuanRong. The man saw that the person in front of him was very angry at XuanRong and could not help but shook his head.
XuanRong did not know why but she suddenly felt a chill in her entire body and could not help but shiver. She subconsciously rubbed her arms while her eyes were still glued below, not notice the two people looking at her.
'Why are the audience so slow? Did An Wei successfully informed maternal grandfather? When will they come?'
---------
"Furen.. F-furen... Da.. D-Da XiaoJie went missing."
A female servant suddenly entered the hall and ran towards where Xiao Lou and the other Furens were staying. It was the female servant who was ordered by XuanFei. The servant's voice was not loud but the Furens and Young Misses were able to hear it clearly.
'Eldest Lady Xuan went missing?'
The Furens and Young Misses could not help but perk their ears, hoping that they would hear everything clearly. They were very eager to know everything. It was not common for a young maiden to be willful and playful but if the issue escalated, it could destroy her reputation. Some Furens could not help but look at each other.
A Di daughter of a 1st rank official dared to go missing during a very important celebration. If one would learn about it, one would definitely criticize not only the young maiden but also the one who was controlling the entire manor. It seemed like they would witness a drama later.
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[1]. Ancient Bra- a rectangle-shaped cover made from silk which is usually embroidered with designs used to cover the women's breasts.