Chapter 103: Departure

On the morning of February 23rd, while Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan were still asleep, many people had already started their busy preparations. The maid responsible for preparing the two young ladies for their outing had rechecked their clothes and accessories. Qin Shi, uneasy about the people accompanying her granddaughter, feared they might not have enough experience and might cause trouble instead of helping. She specifically sent her own senior maid, Chun Ye, to assist. Seeing this, Tong Mingyu also sent Xi Ying to take care of her daughter.

From the larger items like clothes and shoes to the smaller items such as purses and handkerchiefs, everything had a designated person to manage and take care of. Though everyone tried to work quietly, Xiao Yao was still “woken up” by the noise.

“Xiao Fu, what time is it now?” Xiao Yao asked, groggily.

“Replying to the young lady, it’s now the Mao hour,” Xiao Fu answered softly.

“Mao… Mao hour.” Xiao Yao fell back heavily onto the bed, wishing the whole situation had just been a dream. At this time, she would usually still be asleep. But now, her family was so tense about the banquet. If she were to enter the palace, would they wake her in the middle of the night?

“Young lady, would you like to sleep a little more?” Xiao Fu did not lift the bed curtain but asked from the crack, her head peeking in.

“No need. Help me with my grooming. Tell the maids in the Rui Yi room to be quieter so she can sleep a little longer,” Xiao Yao said, wriggling in the soft quilt, preparing to get up.

“As for the second young lady, you don’t need to worry. Unless she wakes up on her own, even if people are walking around or there’s a gong being struck, nothing will disturb her,” Xiao Fu smiled.

“How dare you talk behind my back about me? Elder sister, quickly punish her!” Xiao Yuan, hair disheveled and holding her clothes, dashed into Xiao Yao’s room.

“Xiao Fu, go check by the window. Is the sun rising from the west today?” Xiao Yao, now wide awake, joked.

“Elder sister, you’ve learned badly.” Xiao Yuan, familiar with the situation, climbed onto Xiao Yao’s bed.

Several maids came over to help the two young ladies wash their faces, rinse their mouths, and comb their hair. After that, Chun Ye and Xi Ying took the new clothes to change the young ladies.

“I want to wear that light-colored dress,” Xiao Yao’s gaze fell on the blue dress with embroidered butterflies in Xi Ying’s hands. The expensive fabric, exquisite embroidery, and intricate design made it clear that wearing it would make her look beautiful. Because it was so beautiful, Xiao Yao had not considered choosing it today.

“Young lady, you will look great in this dress. Madam and the lady have already instructed that you wear it to the Wang family’s separate courtyard today,” Xi Ying patiently coaxed.

“Then I’ll wear it,” Xiao Yao had no choice but to give in, even though she didn’t want to.

When the sisters arrived at Ning He Hall, aside from Xiao Jingkang and Xiao Jingtai, who were already at court, everyone else was present.

The family knew that Xiao Yao was beautiful, but she rarely paid much attention to her appearance. She usually went to familiar places or relatives’ homes, and this was the first time she had been meticulously and carefully dressed from head to toe.

The blue dress, pearl hairpins, and a fresh, delicate look made Xiao Yao seem like a little fairy, stunning everyone.

Qin Shi: “I can rest assured now. This appearance, this demeanor, she’s no worse than anyone else.”

Tong Mingyu: “My daughter is truly outstanding.”

Li Jiaoying: “If I had a daughter like this, I would wake up laughing from the dream.”

Everyone else: “She’s truly beautiful!”

“I told you, we look the most alike, right? See, I wasn’t wrong!” With their departure approaching, this person, who had been resting at home for several days, spoke.

“You are you, Ping An is Ping An. Where do we look alike? I don’t see it,” General Xiao replied unhappily. He had always believed that his younger son could only boast about his face, and had no other redeeming qualities. His granddaughter was different—obedient and sensible, the complete opposite of his son, with advantages all over.

“I also think Ping An resembles Yan Ge a bit,” Qin Shi supported her son.

“It’s getting late, let’s eat!” Seeing the conversation turning into a show, Tong Mingyu had no choice but to step in.

During the meal, Qin Shi talked a lot but ate little, and General Xiao was soon driven away by her constant nagging.

“Go and do your work or study,” Qin Shi said, waving her hand to dismiss her grandsons after her instructions were momentarily finished.

“My son still has some unfinished business, so I’ll leave first,” Xiao Jingyan said, seizing the opportunity. It wasn’t the right place to stay and listen to his mother’s teachings.

Thus, Xiao Jingyan and Xiao Lang, along with several younger brothers, left. As they departed, each gave the sisters a sympathetic look, silently urging them to endure. Soon, when the people from the Wang family arrived, they would be free.

“No loyalty.”

“Exactly.”

Two small, weak voices were almost drowned out by Qin Shi’s talk.

Tong Mingyu walked up behind them and discreetly patted their backs, signaling for them to listen a bit longer. The Wang family’s carriage was probably about to arrive.

“Remember everything your grandmother said,” Qin Shi instructed again.

“Got it.”

“Remember, we will.”

“Chun Ye, did you bring the spare clothes? Xi Ying, make sure to stick close to the young ladies. Each of you must protect one of them,” Tong Mingyu said, trying to divert her mother-in-law’s attention.

“Yes,” replied Chun Ye and Xi Ying.

About a cup of tea later, a servant came to report, “The Wang family’s carriage has arrived.”

“So fast!” Qin Shi felt she still had many things to explain.

“Don’t you see? Let them in!” Qin Shi adjusted her clothes and waited for the visitors.

“Servant Qiu Ying greets Madam Xiao, Lady Xiao,” said the first maid beside Yin Qianhua, bowing.

No one had expected it would be her. Qin Shi and Tong Mingyu exchanged glances, surprised.

“Good morning, Aunt Qiu Ying,” Xiao Yao greeted politely.

“Is this a fairy descended to earth? I almost went blind from the brightness!” Qiu Ying complimented, half joking, half serious.

“Don’t tease her,” Tong Mingyu said modestly.

“My words are sincere,” Qiu Ying replied. No one could match someone like her, who had spent years in the royal inner palace. The simple environment of the Xiao family could never cultivate someone like Xiao yao.

“Aunt Qiu Ying, please have a cup of tea and rest your feet. The princess is truly too kind to send someone so important. She could have just sent anyone or let them go by themselves,” Tong Mingyu said politely.

“Our princess really likes the two young ladies. Initially, she planned to send a more formal person, but then realized I was the only one who had met them, so she sent me instead. I hope Madam Xiao and Lady Xiao don’t think the Wang family is being negligent,” Qiu Ying explained.

“The princess is too kind. We are already greatly honored by your presence,” Tong Mingyu responded, flattered.

“You don’t need to be too polite. It’s getting late. If the young ladies are ready, let’s depart,” Qiu Ying urged.

“Ping An, Rui Yi, follow Aunt Qiu Ying. Be good and don’t be mischievous,” Tong Mingyu told her daughter, ensuring she wouldn’t make a mess outside.

Xiao Yao felt she had been quite obedient recently, so why was everyone so worried as soon as they were about to go out?

“If I had known my grandmother would be like this, I might as well have not accepted the princess’s invitation and stayed quietly at home. I wasn’t nervous before, but now, being nagged by grandmother, I’m not sure what to do,” Xiao Yuan mumbled.

Qiu Ying was about to comfort them when Xiao Yuan added, “Aunt Qiu Ying, did you bring any snacks? I get nervous and want to eat.”

“You eat a lot even when you’re not nervous,” Xiao Yao thought but kept quiet, knowing her sister hadn’t eaten much this morning due to grandmother’s “lessons.”

“There are snacks and milk on the carriage. These were specially prepared by the princess before we left,” Qiu Ying said.

“Princess Aunt is so nice, and Aunt Qiu Ying is so thoughtful,” Xiao Yuan said, no longer nervous after eating.

Qiu Ying observed the two girls: one ate intently while the other smiled warmly, showing no signs of anxiety or unease. It was curious—while the family was clearly worried about them, the sisters were so relaxed. It was truly an interesting family.

Qiu Ying had expected the sisters to ask about the Wang family or the princess during the journey, but half the trip passed and they didn’t ask a thing. It seemed they weren’t curious at all!

“Our princess has a different temperament. She’s not fond of talking or interacting much. If she does anything inappropriate, I hope you won’t take offense,” Qiu Ying said, conveying the princess’s message.

This was the information the princess wanted the young ladies to be prepared for.