Chapter 86: Attending the Banquet (Part II)

What play is this young master acting out?

Yun Yichen thought quite simply. Although General Xiao was unwilling to admit it, he was indeed his teacher, and this was an indisputable fact. Despite their relationship being like that of a happy pair of adversaries, after three years together, it was inevitable that feelings would develop. Now, seeing Madam Xiao, he found it difficult to pretend to be a stranger and not offer a salute.

Everything happening in the main hall was unknown to Xiao Yao. The two sisters were playing with Yuan Jing, trying to teach the parrot to talk!

The Yuan family currently had three unmarried young ladies. Accompanying the two sisters was Yuan Jing, their cousin from the second uncle of Xiao Yuan’s family, who had just turned ten. There was also Yuan Min, aged twelve, and Yuan Ying, aged eight, both cousins from Xiao Yuan’s eldest and third uncles’ families. These two were responsible for attending to the young ladies today.

“Come on, tell me that Xiao Yuan is a great person,” Xiao Yuan attempted to tempt the parrot with a grain of rice.

“Bad guy, bad guy,” the parrot responded.

Xiao Yao was amused by this exchange between the person and the bird. Her little sister was truly a lively little treasure.

“Beauty, beauty,” the parrot chirped, hopping around in its cage.

The sisters were a bit puzzled by the sudden change in the parrot’s tone. What had happened?

“Hehe, hehe…” Yuan Jing laughed as she watched the sisters’ confused expressions. With their puzzled faces combined with the parrot’s words, who could hold back from laughing?

“Miss Xiao, the parrot is calling you ‘beauty’!”

A nearby maid came over and explained with a smile. The eldest miss of the Xiao family had just laughed so beautifully, and look, even the parrot was praising her as a beauty!

“Oh, so that’s how it is. Haha, haha…”

Xiao Yuan couldn’t care less if her sister was upset. She laughed so hard sitting on the bench in the corridor that she almost fell over.

Had she just been teased by a bird?

Xiao Yao leaned toward the parrot’s cage, nearly pressing her face against it, and said, “You naughty bird, if I hear you talk nonsense again, I’ll take you out and roast you.” She then deliberately glared at it in a fierce manner.

“Not good, not good, the beauty wants to roast the bird!” the parrot squawked, flapping around in the cage.

Now even the maids and servants couldn’t hold back their laughter. The bird was playful, and the young lady was full of charm. The Xiao family’s miss was far more lovable than some of the other ladies who acted reserved and pretentious.

“Ruyi, don’t forget there’s still something we need to do today!” Hurry up and think of a way to leave here. I don’t want to get tangled up with this bird any longer.

“Huh, what do we need to do?” Xiao Yuan, exhausted from laughing, drowsily asked.

“Fourth uncle, didn’t you forget?” Xiao Yao was about to say they were watching the beauties, but when she thought of that lecherous bird nearby, she changed her words.

“Oh, right, right, this is an important matter, a top priority.”

“Do you have any matters that need assistance?” Yuan Jing, being a considerate hostess, asked.

Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan exchanged a glance. No, this was a family matter and shouldn’t involve outsiders just yet.

“Cousin, where will the other young ladies be playing?”

“In the warm pavilion behind the small garden. If you want to go, I’ll lead the way.”

“Can you see the warm pavilion from the small garden?”

“It’s best to stand in the pavilion in the garden. From there, you’ll have a clear view of the whole warm pavilion.”

“Isn’t it very cold in the pavilion right now?” Xiao Yuan worried about her sister catching a cold and suggested they not go.

“It’s not cold there, because there’s a rockery blocking the wind. Plus, the curtains have been drawn, and grandmother is worried that the ladies might catch a chill if they rest, so she even lit a firepot.”

“Sister, let’s go for a walk in the small garden,” Xiao Yuan winked at Xiao Yao.

“I’ll go with you!”

“I’ve stayed here for several days already. I can find the garden on my own. Cousin, you go entertain the guests. Just let the maid follow us.”

“Well, I don’t think that’s very good. I was specifically assigned to accompany you two, so if I leave now, it might be seen as impolite.”

“Don’t worry! We’ll just walk around for a bit and then join you in the warm pavilion. That should be fine.”

“Okay, but don’t stay in the garden too long. After all, it’s still winter.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Sister Yuan. We’ll remember that,” Xiao Yao replied. She wasn’t very confident about finding the fourth aunt, as she couldn’t imagine what kind of woman fourth uncle would like. She was much more interested in finding a suitable candidate for her second aunt, as she was going to be her future sister-in-law, which was something to look forward to!

Xiao Yuan, familiar with the layout, led Xiao Yao through the courtyard. Before long, Xiao Yao was thoroughly confused by the winding paths.

Fortunately, they soon reached the small garden, and in winter, the only flowers to be seen were plum blossoms. Several cold plum trees were in full bloom, and there were also some silk flowers made into potted plants and flower trees, hiding the bleakness of winter and adding a touch of festive atmosphere.

“Ah! I forgot to look for Granny Qian. Does she know the names of the young ladies who are here today? Which official’s family do they belong to? If she’s not here, we won’t recognize anyone!” Xiao Yuan complained as she rubbed her hands together in frustration.

“Do you know where Granny Qian is?” Xiao Yao asked.

“She’s in the warm pavilion. She’s the one responsible for arranging the snacks and fruits. The fruit plates and snacks she arranges are particularly beautiful!” And also particularly delicious.

Xiao Yao knew that her sister would definitely know Granny Qian, as the snacks and fruits were sure to play a crucial role.

“Go ahead and sit in the pavilion. I’ll be back soon,” Xiao Yuan said, possibly embarrassed at being teased by her sister. She ran off immediately after saying this.

“Ruyi,” Xiao Yao called, but didn’t get a response. She was thinking, “Isn’t there a maid right next to us? Why run all the way to the warm pavilion?” She wasn’t sure if her sister was really going to ask Granny Qian for help or if she had other intentions.

“Please keep an eye on my sister,” Xiao Yao said to the accompanying maid from the Yuan family. “Qianxiang, Qianyu, please follow her.”

“What about you?” Qianyu asked, looking concerned.

“I’ll wait for you at the pavilion ahead. Besides, there are still Xiao Fu and Xiao Hui with you, so don’t worry.”

After sending a few people off, Xiao Yao glanced around and entered the pavilion. Thanks to the charcoal pot and curtains, it was very warm inside. The side facing the warm pavilion was unobstructed, and Xiao Yao thought this was a great place to rest, enjoy the view, and even sneak a peek at the other young ladies. Very good, very good.

“Princess, let’s rest in the pavilion ahead and then go back,” Qiu Ying suggested, worried that the princess might be tired.

Xiao Yao heard a voice approaching from the distance.

“Then let’s go sit for a while,” said Yin Qianhua, also wanting to take a break.

Is someone coming? Xiao Yao continued to listen closely.

Yin Qianhua had originally wanted to help her aunt entertain the guests in the living room, but due to her high status, it made everyone feel a bit restrained and uncomfortable. She wasn’t very familiar with the other ladies either, so things became awkward. As more and more guests gathered in the living room, she excused herself and left.

The small garden was a place she used to frequent, and after wandering a bit, she found herself in the pavilion.

Yin Qianhua stepped up the stairs and looked up to see Xiao Yao sitting on a low bench in the pavilion.

A five or six-year-old girl, wearing a blue dress with embroidered hibiscus flowers, and a matching cloak adorned with a snow-white fur trim. She wore a simple hairstyle with a pearl flower hairpin, looking delicate and sweet.

Seeing someone entering the pavilion, Xiao Yao stood up politely, greeting the Princess.

“Greetings, Madam.”

“Little girl, do you know me?” Yin Qianhua, seeing the child was about the same age as her daughter, with an adorable and obedient look, couldn’t help but ask.

Xiao Yao looked carefully at Yin Qianhua and shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Since they were all guests at the Yuan family, it was polite to greet her anyway. Looking at the lady’s clothes and demeanor, Xiao Yao secretly assessed that she was probably the wife of a marquis.

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