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Chapter 285: Return to the Banquet
Chapter 285: Return to the Banquet
With Doctor Wu's presence, Wei Mingqiao's condition temporarily stabilized.
Given that Xiao Xushi was a stepmother and considering Wei Mingqiao's situation...
This wise and renowned stepmother was most likely unkind at heart.
Therefore, after some hesitation, Lu Xinglan chose not to send someone specifically to invite her over.
With Wei Yongmei, the older sister, present, they could at least feel somewhat relieved for the time being.
Suisu, unaware of the situation, felt reassured when Lu Lianrong said that Wei Mingqiao was fine, and happily continued playing with her sister.
As the banquet ahead was about to begin, Lu Xinglan didn't want Suisu to miss out, so she urged the Princess of Qi to take the child back first. "Someone is taking care of the back. You don't need to worry. Take Suisu to join the festivities first."
The Princess of Qi had also intended to bring Suisu back.
There was hardly any interaction between the Qi Wang Manor and the Huaiyang Marquis Manor.
Thus, after expressing the most basic courtesy, the Princess of Qi didn't want to interfere further.
Hearing Lu Xinglan's suggestion, she nodded. "Then I'll trouble you. If anything happens, please send someone to get me at the banquet."
Lu Xinglan smiled casually. "What could happen? With Doctor Wu here, there's nothing to fear. Later, when the person wakes up, we'll hand them over to the people from Wei Manor. After all, we can't get too involved..."
At the end, Lu Xinglan sighed softly.
Their manor was already complicated enough, and she was all too familiar with the struggles in the inner quarters, which pained her greatly, especially considering Wei Mingqiao's situation...
Lu Xinglan felt distressed, yet she didn't know how to help.
Even if someone stood up to mediate, what difference would it make?
They had no one to protect them, and the head of the inner court would still be Xiao Xushi. She would have plenty of opportunities to find reasons to make their lives difficult, leaving them unable to voice their grievances.
Since they couldn't always be there to watch over them, Lu Xinglan didn't want to intervene hastily and create more enmity for the two children.
The Princess of Qi, on the other hand, didn't think that deeply. She only wanted to protect her child.
Thus, Lu Xinglan didn't elaborate further, and the Princess of Qi didn't inquire further either. After a brief exchange, the Princess of Qi signaled for her aunt to carry Suisu toward the banquet.
Lu Lianrong was reluctant to part with Suisu.
Lu Xinglan, standing nearby, lifted her veil to cover her mouth and smiled. "Alright, let Rong Jie go together with you. She can accompany Suisu and keep her company, making her feel more at ease."
No matter how mature Lu Lianrong seemed, she was still just an eleven-year-old child.
It was only due to her mother's early demise that she had to grow up quickly.
Lu Xinglan felt a pang of sorrow for her niece, so when she saw Lu Lianrong's reluctance to leave Suisu, she suggested they go together.
Lu Lianrong thanked her aunt, and then followed the Princess of Qi and the others out.
When the three of them returned, many more people had joined the banquet.
Their seats, of course, had been kept vacant.
The seating arrangement at the banquet was carefully planned.
Based on status, age, and hierarchy, each seat was assigned accordingly.
Usually, as long as one wasn't senseless, they wouldn't mistakenly sit in the wrong place.
The news that the Qi Manor had a new young miss had already spread throughout the capital.
Many families with good relations had even sent gifts.
Earlier, when the Princess of Qi had arrived with Suisu, it had attracted quite a bit of attention.
However, at that time, everyone was still greeting and chatting with others, so it would have been impolite to abruptly leave their companions and rush over to the Princess of Qi, making it seem like they were flaunting their connections.
Now, everyone was seated, and it was impolite to abruptly stand up and curry favor with the Princess of Qi.
However, since they were already seated, the Princess of Qi boldly strode through the rows, carrying Suisu and accompanied by Lu Lianrong. This naturally drew everyone's gaze toward the three of them.
Everyone was familiar with the Princess of Qi, and although Lu Lianrong was young, the families who had good relations with the Assistant Minister also recognized this child.
So, the new young lady must be...
...the one the Princess of Qi is holding, right?
The Princess of Qi is holding her personally? Although many people knew that the Princess of Qi had a gentle temperament and was kind to others, for her to personally hold a child, she must truly adore them, right?
However, there were quite a few pretenses and acts in the capital.
But the Qi Wang Manor probably didn't need that, right?
Everyone's thoughts differed, and their gazes fell upon the Princess of Qi.
The Princess of Qi remained calm throughout, but Suisu was curious.
These gazes were so complex!
Some were purely curious, while others carried subtle scrutiny or even disdain.
Leaning on her mother's shoulder, Suisu witnessed the myriad expressions of the capital's noble ladies through this simple banquet.
It was all so complicated and bewildering for a child.
Adult emotions could be so complex.
And adult expressions were so varied.
It was all quite strange.
Suisu continued to observe, occasionally meeting the curious gazes of other children.
The children, restrained by their parents, refrained from pointing at Suisu and asking too many questions, despite their curiosity.
Even if some children were curious, they would only quietly ask their adults, "Why doesn't she have any hair?"
"Wow, she's so thin."
"But her eyes are so beautiful."
"I want eyes like that too. Can I dig them out?"
...
Many of the children's comments were quite terrifying.
After hearing these comments, Suisu hugged her mother's neck tightly, feeling anxious.
Someone wanted to dig out her eyes!
How scary! Suisu retracted her head, no longer wanting to look at those people, and closed her beautiful, round eyes.
Suisu thought, "If I don't open my eyes, I won't be able to see you, and you won't be able to see me either!"
What a clever little imp she was!
The Princess of Qi naturally heard the comments about wanting to dig out her eyes.
Her gaze fell upon the source of the comments, and although her expression remained gentle, her imposing aura startled the children, causing the one who had spoken to freeze with their mouth still open.
The Princess of Qi swept her gaze indifferently, her pressure overwhelming. The child's mother, realizing what was happening, quickly covered the child's mouth and smiled apologetically at the Princess of Qi.
The Princess of Qi had some impression of this person; she seemed to be a young madam from the main branch of the Zhen Manor.
Recognizing who it was, the Princess of Qi withdrew her gaze and first paid her respects to the eldest princess sitting in the main seat.
The eldest princess had been busy since early morning, and the entire affair had exhausted her. Earlier, when Feng Youdan had gone missing, she had joined the search, which had tired her out.
Her spirits weren't exactly high at the moment.
However, upon seeing the Princess of Qi and Suisu, she managed to muster a gentle smile, "There's no need for formalities among family. Please take Mingxi and Lianrong to their seats."
(End of Chapter)
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