Chapter 129 - 128: Courting Favor
Compared to Yunluo’s surprise, Shi Lian’er appeared quite composed. She took off the snow jacket and handed it to the maid beside her, then gracefully moved forward a few steps, standing not far from Yunluo.
As their eyes met, Shi Lian’er’s eyes shimmered. She wore light makeup, with lips stained in rouge, exuding a charm rarely seen in girls her age.
Yunluo frowned slightly. Perhaps it was due to today’s special attire, Shi Lian’er looked somewhat different from when they last met at Lishan Academy.
’Buddha relies on gold, while people rely on clothes’—this saying was truly accurate.
Looking at Shi Lian’er before her, what popped into Yunluo’s mind was Aunt Shi from her past life.
However, upon closer inspection, Shi Lian’er was still somewhat younger, lacking the flamboyance and daring seen in the past life.
Sparks were flying here and Princess An Ran glanced over.
She originally looked down on Shi Lian’er, who was dressed quite plainly, but she sensed the discord between Shi Lian’er and Yunluo, so she couldn’t help but curl her lips.
"Since the two younger sisters are here, come over and sit quickly, don’t just stand at the door, it’s quite cold," Princess An Ran said with a smile.
Yunuo felt uneasy inside. When had Princess An Ran ever taken the initiative to greet anyone?
This was too unusual.
Could it be that these two people had different backgrounds?
Yunuo was curious and scrutinized them carefully.
The young girl in her teenage years blushed and smiled, holding Shi Lian’er’s hand, and said to everyone, "Dear sisters, my name is Duan Huayan, and this is Sister Lian’er. She has been a guest at my house these past days, so I invited her to come along."
Duan Huayan, it seems to be the young lady from the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Mr. Duan’s residence.
Yunuo remembered Liao Family’s advice and introduced herself and Yunluo to them, mentioning the County Princess as well.
Yunluo smiled and greeted Duan Huayan with a peer’s salutation, "I have heard from my brother that he is an academy classmate of Miss Duan’s brother."
Duan Huayan nodded with a smile, revealing two small, sharp canine teeth, making her appear more innocent and lively. "Indeed, my brother mentioned it as well, and Sister Lian’er’s brother is also at Lishan Academy."
Yunluo was merely making small talk with Duan Huayan, but her attention was entirely on Shi Lian’er.
From past life’s perspective, Shi Shiren turned his life around after passing the imperial examination. Yunluo had never heard of any interaction between him and the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Mr. Duan’s residence, nor about any sudden acquaintance between Shi Lian’er and Duan Huayan.
Why was Shi Lian’er conveniently a guest at Duan Family?
Even if Mr. Shi was hospitable and hosted Shi Shiren, it wouldn’t warrant keeping Shi Lian’er in the house for a stay.
Shi Lian’er’s laughter was increasingly radiant, like a blooming crabapple, "Miss Du, long time no see."
In just seven words, Shi Lian’er spoke slowly and melismatically, like a tune, sending Yunluo into a shiver. She recalled that in her past life, Shi Lian’er loved singing. Even when Du Yundi avoided her, Shi Lian’er would sing little tunes in the room, making Mrs. Tang exceedingly anxious.
The tone she used now sounded much like singing.
Yunluo raised her eyes, meeting Shi Lian’er’s gaze, and said, "Miss Shi, I didn’t expect us to meet so soon. Is your brother also attending the banquet today?"
Shi Lian’er noted her lofty and scornful tone and couldn’t help cursing under her breath.
These so-called noble ladies of the Capital were truly detestable.
Though unwilling to respond to Yunluo’s question, she dared not show negligence in front of Princess An Ran and Duan Huayan, so she said, "My brother did not come."
Yunluo’s expression darkened.
Today’s plum appreciation banquet, regardless of appearances, was turbulent beneath the surface.
Mu Lianhui orchestrated such a gathering; Yunluo believed she had an agenda.
Even though she was temporarily unsure of what Mu Lianhui was plotting, should disputes or mishaps arise, Shi Lian’er, a person expert at exploiting opportunities, could take advantage.
If she dared scheme against the drunken Du Yundi in a past life, would she care about reputations in this life?
If Shi Lian’er acted, she wouldn’t hesitate to harm herself to harm others, finding joy even in her losses.
Shi Lian’er wasn’t afraid, but Yunluo was.
Du Yundi, being with the male guests, wouldn’t suspect Shi Lian’er’s presence in Wangmei Garden if Shi Shiren was not around to hint at it.
Without any guard against such a possibility, and with today’s attendees being no average folks, should Shi Lian’er act, it would lead to significant trouble.
Yunluo felt a bit anxious. She needed to find an opportunity to inform Du Yundi.
Duan Huayan took Shi Lian’er to talk with Princess An Ran.
Yunuo glanced at the graceful figure and whispered to Yunluo, "Do you know this Shi Lian’er? Whose daughter is she?"
Yunluo pursed her lips, staring at Yunuo for a while until the latter felt confused.
"Fifth Sister, is there something on my face?" Yunuo subconsciously reached for her handkerchief to wipe her face.
Yunluo steeled herself, gestured Yunuo to follow her back to their seat, leaned in, and spoke quickly and softly, "Fourth Sister, this Shi Lian’er isn’t the daughter of any official family. Her father is a poor scholar, and her brother is a classmate of our fourth brother. I don’t know why she is here today. But this person, she has impure thoughts; she often hangs around the academy pestering our fourth brother. Last time when I went to the academy with Mother, she brazenly and recklessly tried to get into our fourth brother’s room; she is willing to ruin her reputation to climb higher."
Yunuo’s face turned alternately pale and red, "Really? Could it be that you are overthinking it?"
"Si Shui and Chang An both noticed and complained to Mother. Otherwise, why do you think Mother detoured to Lishan Academy when returning to Tong City for her birthday? It was to see this Shi Lian’er." Yunluo continued whispering to Yunuo, "A poor scholar’s daughter, mismatched with us in status. If she were sensible, aware, and reasonable, we could let this pass unspoken. But she harbors malicious intent. You have no idea, last time her attitude was truly..."
Yunuo sat facing Yunluo, directly across from Princess An Ran, so when she looked up, she could easily spot Shi Lian’er’s back.
Shi Lian’er’s figure was graceful, and she looked elegant sitting upright, making Yunuo click her tongue, "One really wouldn’t guess she’s that kind of person."
"Fourth Sister, since we’ve encountered her today, we must keep a close watch and not let her have illicit designs on our fourth brother," Yunluo clasped Yunuo’s hand firmly, "She doesn’t care about her reputation, but our Du Family cares about our image. You wouldn’t want someone like her entering our family or becoming our fourth sister-in-law, would you?"
"Her?" Yunuo snorted sarcastically, "I have my pride too!"
The situation erupted suddenly, and with Princess An Ran and Mu Lianhui present today, if they posed two difficulties, Yunluo would be overwhelmed.
No one can manage everything alone; she needed a helper.
And this person could only be Yunuo.
After all, Shi Lian’er was precisely the type of person Yunuo disliked the most.
After all, bearing the same surname, for the sake of family face, Yunuo would surely not let Shi Lian’er take action.