"Oh, where did this little beauty come from? Let Grandpa take a good look!"
Liu Jin's voice drifted in from the doorway, making Qin Jiujiu and the maid behind her chuckle. The maid bowed to Liu Jin and then hurried away. Qin Jiujiu, without turning around, looked at Liu Jin standing behind her in the mirror and said with a smile, "Sister Ajin, your attire today is truly like a fairy descending to earth!"
Liu Jin was naturally stunning, and she adored wearing red. Today was no exception. She wore a long, crimson gown, had a melon-seed shaped face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and a pair of incredibly alluring peach blossom eyes. Her black hair was styled into a high, elegant bun, exuding both charm and a hint of valor, making it impossible to look away.
Especially her figure, Qin Jiujiu envied it!
Qin Jiujiu glanced at herself, then at Liu Jin, and instantly felt her own figure paled in comparison. Just moments ago she had felt fine, but side-by-side, she seemed like a mere child. Indeed, comparison was the thief of joy!
"You're dressed so beautifully today, would you like to go somewhere with me?"
Before Qin Jiujiu could even speak, Liu Jin was already pulling her along. It seemed she had no choice but to go!
However, she had been cooped up in this room for several days and hadn't explored the city yet. She had heard from Xiaobai that there were many foreign courtesans and delicious food here!
But soon, she regretted it!
Seeing the two large, gilded characters at the gate – Xiao Manor – Qin Jiujiu didn't realize what was about to happen until she was pulled by Liu Jin and, welcomed by the manor's servants, entered the backyard. It was only when she saw a group of women with dignified bearing that she regretted coming.
They say where there are many women, there is much gossip. As expected, when she sat down at the banquet table, with Miss Xiao Lingruo, the hostess of today's feast, seated at the head, and the other women below, outwardly discussing poetry and literature but inwardly engaging in subtle power plays, Qin Jiujiu could only stare blankly at the pastries on her own table.
"County Princess, is this the Miss Qin who is currently staying at the manor?"
Qin Jiujiu was unintentionally drawn into the fray. She didn't know who it was, but someone deliberately shifted the spotlight onto her. She hadn't said anything at all, yet someone had noticed her sitting in the corner!
As a minor supporting character, she shouldn't have been involved!
Was it because she was sitting next to Liu Jin?
All eyes turned to Qin Jiujiu. Seeing her reactionless state, Liu Jin helplessly nudged her with her elbow.
Qin Jiujiu had actually heard, but she just wanted to minimize her presence. She was inherently socially anxious and couldn't handle such situations. To her surprise, these women wouldn't leave her alone!
She looked at Liu Jin, a hint of blame in her eyes. If Liu Jin hadn't brought her out, she wouldn't be suffering like this today!
Liu Jin naturally didn't understand the meaning conveyed by her gaze. Like everyone else, her eyes were fixed on Qin Jiujiu, and for a moment, a rare silence fell over the banquet.
"Hello everyone, I am Qin Jiujiu! The Qin of Qin Jiujiu, the Jiu of Qin Jiujiu!" Unable to help herself, Qin Jiujiu delivered a joke. Unfortunately, no one understood it, and they merely concluded she was a country girl who had never seen the world.
The others withdrew their attention, no longer interested in her.
Miss Xiao Lingruo, seated at the head, continued, "Miss Jiujiu is indeed lovely and intelligent. You can come find me to play often in the future..."
Hearing this, Qin Jiujiu looked up. Xiao Lingruo had an oval face and was quite elegantly featured. Although her looks weren't as striking as Bai Qianluo's or Liu Jin's, her aura was very captivating, possessing the grace of a noble lady from ancient texts!
Qin Jiujiu placed great importance on first impressions when making friends. Xiao Lingruo seemed like a friend worth getting to know deeply.
She didn't appear in the original text at all. Qin Jiujiu suddenly thought that she had previously wanted to find a girlfriend for Xie Jing. Looking at Xiao Lingruo now, her demeanor was somewhat similar to Bai Qianluo's, and it was possible that they could be a match!
She decided to thoroughly investigate whether Xiao Lingruo was married and if she had anyone in mind!
Thus, she suddenly responded, "Alright, I will definitely pester you more often, Sister Xiao!"
The others didn't show it on their faces, but hearing her words, they naturally felt a hint of disdain. She was just a country girl, only here to attend the banquet thanks to the County Princess's favor. Miss Xiao was merely being polite, yet she readily agreed, perhaps harboring some ulterior motives!
And that ulterior motive was to ensnare Xiao Yuan.
In Chunfeng Du, Xiao Yuan and Liu Qi were the objects of affection for countless young women in the city. Furthermore, as both were unmarried, these women often attended banquets here, harboring hopes of accidentally encountering Xiao Yuan and Liu Qi.
After all, the two were close friends and spent their days together!
Because Qin Jiujiu lived at the Liu Manor and was close to Liu Jin, she naturally attracted the jealousy of many. That's why the person who called out to her earlier had malicious intent.
Xiao Lingruo had, in a way, relieved her from the situation.
Qin Jiujiu was unaware of their true intentions, nor did she know how sought after Liu Qi and Xiao Yuan were in Chunfeng Du.
However, she soon found out.
They were sitting in the pavilion in the Xiao family's backyard. From a distance, several figures approached. As they drew nearer, Qin Jiujiu recognized them instantly: Xie Yun, Bai Qianluo, Xie Jing, Liu Qi, and Xiao Yuan.
"Brother!"
Liu Jin suddenly cried out, and everyone else recognized them. The atmosphere in the banquet hall abruptly shifted.
Qin Jiujiu noticed that among the women present, excluding Xiao Lingruo, Liu Qi, and herself, everyone else adjusted their clothing and hair, subtly straightening their backs. Though they tried to appear casual, their actions seemed deliberate.
Qin Jiujiu looked towards the approaching group and first saw Xie Jing in a blue robe. A gentle breeze swept through the pavilion, rustling his dark hair. His blue hair ribbon fluttered with his hair, and a few strands were playfully tossed about his forehead.
He looked like a peerless young master!
Qin Jiujiu silently mused: It was precisely because the author described Xie Jing in such a misleading way that he later turned evil without any forewarning.
But she had to admit, this man was indeed good-looking, and not just ordinarily so!
Qin Jiujiu's gaze suddenly met Xie Jing's across the distance. As their eyes locked, the wind blew through her hair, tickling her lips. At that moment, her heart began to race, and her face grew warm.
Qin Jiujiu quickly lowered her head, but Xie Jing didn't avert his gaze. His gaze had always been direct, yet he had never paid such attention to anyone. He noticed her in the crowd, finding her immediately and exclusively!
System: You're just blind...
The five stood together, handsome men and beautiful women, naturally drawing all eyes.
Liu Qi and Xiao Yuan were already considered among the most attractive men in the city, but Xie Jing and Xie Yun's appearance and demeanor not only matched them but even surpassed them. The young ladies, seeing these two for the first time, were naturally mesmerized.
System: Nonsense! The male leads and second leads in the author's work are naturally the most handsome!
Liu Qi was the first to spot Liu Jin, and then he noticed Qin Jiujiu seated beside her. The girl's figure was familiar. Now, with her head lowered, she sat demurely in the corner, silent and petite, looking incredibly adorable!
Xie Jing, who was also looking at Qin Jiujiu, suddenly felt as if a piece of his heart was missing, as if something of his was being coveted. This surge of possessiveness made him want to bare his fangs and mark his territory!