Since arriving at Arc Light Courtyard, this was the first time Qi Feng had stepped into the Young Miss’s bedroom, and she was so nervous she didn’t know where to put her hands and feet.
The Young Miss might always wear a gentle smile, looking easygoing, but in truth, she was not approachable at all.
The new maids, including herself, had never managed to get close to her, let alone earn her trust. They couldn’t even approach the Young Miss’s room, and the rare moments they had to speak to her were usually limited to a sentence or two at the doorway.
The two trusted maids by Eldest Miss's side did not need any help and could manage all the big and small matters around Eldest Miss clearly and thoroughly, making them (new maids) seem to be doing nothing all day long, like rice-eating parasites.
As maids serving their master, being idle and not needed by their master was the most fatal thing. Opportunities to coast along were few and far between. If the master didn't see their value, the ultimate outcome would be replacement or direct sale.
The other maids were more or less panicked, but Qi Feng was relatively calm. However, all the calmness she had was now blown away like smoke.
"Maidservant Qi Feng greets Miss."
Seeing Qi Feng shrink back in fear, Wen Ninghan found it amusing. She didn't realize she was so intimidating.
"Someone from the front yard? What's the message?"
Qifeng gave an "Oh" and barely managed to calm down. "It's a message from the Marquis, saying that people from Rongguo Duke's Mansion have arrived and are asking Miss to go to the front yard to speak with them."
Before Wen Ninghan could speak, Qing Tuan's brow furrowed. "Miss, this isn't appropriate, is it?"
Guests from Rongguo Duke's Mansion, if the Marquis sent someone to deliver a message, then they must be male guests. In this situation, for the Marquis to ask their Miss to go to the front yard was too rude.
Not only was the Marquis's action rude, but it also made the visiting honored guests from Rongguo Duke's Mansion look disrespected.
If they were coming to see Wen Ninghan, the visitors must be female guests.
This wasn't just a matter of propriety between men and women, but a matter of etiquette. It was fundamentally a matter of not treating Wen Ninghan as someone worthy of respect and courteous treatment.
Qing Tuan felt this was serious.
Although Zhixin didn't fully grasp the implications, she also felt that something was amiss.
"The person only instructed that the Marquis asked me to go to the front yard? Nothing else was mentioned?" Wen Ninghan asked Qi Feng.
Qi Feng thought carefully for a moment. "That's right, it was a young servant from the front yard, I've seen him before, it's Lin Yu from the Marquis's side. He only explained that guests from Rongguo Duke's Mansion had arrived and wished to see Miss, so the Marquis sent someone to invite Miss."
Wen Ninghan raised her eyes to look at Qing Tuan. "Qing Tuan, do you think with the Marquis's brain, he would do something like this?"
Actually, Wen Ninghan didn't expect Qing Tuan to give an answer. Wen Congyan, that person, was mostly clear-headed, but when his brain got heated, no one knew what bizarre things he would do.
"Miss, should we go?" Qing Tuan asked.
Wen Ninghan smiled, "Yes, why not? Zhixin, let's change clothes."
Then, turning to Qi Feng, she said, "Qi Feng."
"Eldest Miss! I'm here."
"Do you know the way to Wangshu Courtyard?"
"Yes, I do!"
"Then, I'll trouble you to take a trip to Wangshu Courtyard and tell the Old Madam that the Marquis wants me to go to the front yard to meet honored guests from the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. Just relay the message."
"Yes, I will go right away."
As for Wen Ninghan, she naturally stayed there to slowly do her hair and change her clothes. After all, when meeting honored guests, one should always dress properly.
As long as the Old Madam was still in her right mind, even if she didn't like Wen Ninghan, she would know that she couldn't disrupt the Marquis Residence's rules at this time.
Wen Congyan might lose his head and disregard etiquette upon seeing someone from the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, but the Old Madam shouldn't forget that Wen Ning Shuang, whom she had high hopes for, and the Fifth Prince were currently at a critical juncture.
The Marquis Residence absolutely couldn't have any accidents at this time that would damage their reputation.
Moreover, regarding Wen Ninghan, although the Old Madam didn't care or want to manage her, she was also the most wary of her, naturally not giving Wen Ninghan the opportunity to "damage" the Marquis Residence's reputation.
Therefore, by the time Wen Ninghan had leisurely finished dressing and was strolling toward the front courtyard under the shade of her parasol, she encountered Hua Momo, who had been waiting for her midway.
Wen Ninghan’s smile instantly turned especially sweet.
Hua Momo also smiled. "This old servant greets the Young Miss. The Old Madam is waiting for you at Wangshu Courtyard."
"Many thanks for your trouble, Hua Momo. However, my father is expecting me in the front courtyard, and there’s an esteemed guest there. I should greet them first."
Hua Momo’s smile deepened. "Young Miss need not worry. I have already sent someone to the front courtyard to inform Lord Marquis that you are with the Old Madam. If there are any issues, the Old Madam will handle them herself."
She gazed at Wen Ninghan, feeling that this seemingly obedient and sweet-natured young lady, with a smile that even carried a touch of naive honesty, was actually quite calculating.
From the first time she had met her, it was clear that this Young Miss had a well-thought-out strategy in mind.
In today's situation, Wen Ninghan couldn't openly refuse, so she had taken the matter to the Old Madam instead.
She knew full well that the Old Madam would never allow such an improper arrangement, yet she refrained from expressing any opinion herself, forcing the Old Madam to intervene.
She acted with confidence, knowing exactly how the Old Madam would react, completely fearless.
As Wen Ninghan stepped into Wangshu Courtyard, she was immediately greeted by Wen Ningshuang and Jinxiu, the trusted maid by the Old Madam’s side.
Jinxiu stood by the doorway, lifting the curtain, while Wen Ningshuang naturally walked up to Wen Ninghan.
"Sister, you’re finally here."
Wen Ninghan raised an eyebrow at her. What was this supposed to mean?
"I couldn't wait for Sister at the Princess Manor before, and I've felt guilty ever since. I originally intended to visit and apologize, but Grandmother said Sister was unwell after being frightened. That's why I waited until today to finally see Sister. Seeing that Sister's complexion is quite good, I'm relieved."
Wen Ninghan gave a noncommittal "Oh."
The Old Madam's sandalwood prayer beads paused slightly in her hand. "Speak, what exactly is going on?"
Wen Ninghan looked at the Old Madam with an expression of confusion. Feigning ignorance was her specialty.
"Hmm? I don’t know what you mean, Old Madam. What is it that you wish to know?"
"At the Princess Manor, what exactly did you do?"
Wen Ninghan narrowed her eyes and smiled. "Doesn't Old Madam already know everything about it? On the day of my return from the Princess Manor, Qing Tuan from Ninghan's courtyard already reported everything."
The Old Madam actually didn't want to waste words with Wen Ninghan, not wanting to say even a single unnecessary word to her, wishing that Wen Ninghan didn't exist in this world.
Now that things had been brought up to this point, in the Old Madam's view, Wen Ninghan should proactively and in detail explain everything that happened at the Princess Manor.
After all, she was a member of the Marquis Residence, and her honor and disgrace were tied to the Marquis Residence.
But how could this Wen Ninghan be so unresponsive, seemingly unable to understand anything?
"Sister, Grandmother is just worried about you." Wen Ning Shuang interjected.
Wen Ninghan smiled and nodded. "Ninghan is foolish. If Old Madam wants to know anything, she can directly ask Ninghan. Ninghan will absolutely answer everything she knows and say everything without reservation."
They wanted to know, yet still put on airs, waiting for her to proactively offer information?
There were no such good things in this world.
Why should she indulge them?
Comments Box