Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 296 - 294

Chapter 296: Chapter 294

It was the best season of the year, with flowers flourishing in the courtyard and lotus buds poking their heads out amidst the picturesque lake and mountain scenery.

"I can transform this garden into a vibrant and thriving spectacle all year round!" Xiao’er was very pleased with the size of the garden.

"Sure, not only the garden, but throughout the entire mansion, you can arrange it however you like." Shangguan Xuanyi had a loving smile on his face.

The garden of the Marquis Shengping’s Mansion was already well arranged.

In the following days, Xiao’er spent every spare moment in the garden.

Every flower, plant, and tree was meticulously thought over, with Xiao’er personally instructing the gardeners or planting them herself.

Moreover, all these plants were transplanted from her own space; they were either rare medicinal herbs or precious plants, or at the very least, exotic flora.

This resulted in the Sixth Prince valuing the plants in the garden of his mansion more than anything else.

A saying started circulating among the nobles of the Imperial Capital: you could shatter all the precious objects on the antique shelves in the Sixth Prince’s mansion, but don’t step on a single blade of grass in the garden. Otherwise, you’ll be forbidden from ever stepping into the Sixth Prince’s mansion again.

One day, when Xiao’er was planning to go decorate the garden, she was about to step out when the gatekeeper came to report that Miss Li and Mrs. Li had arrived for a visit.

Xiao’er found it strange; what could Mrs. Li possibly want with her?

Upon seeing who it was pretending to be Mrs. Li, her expression darkened. How could she have the audacity to call herself Mrs. Li!

Indeed, when a person has no shame, they are unbeatable!

Seeing the maid leading the two women in, Xiao’er didn’t stand up to greet them. Instead, she stayed seated in her chair, accepted their salutes, making it clear that they were not welcomed.

Unhappy with Xiao’er’s attitude, both women gritted their teeth as they saluted:

"Lady Rui’an, greetings!"

Dropping all pretense, Xiao’er said, "You’re too kind, but I must leave now. May I ask, what brings you both here?"

Politeness applies to those who deserve it.

Li Yun Ning: "...."

Shen Bao’er had walked all the way here, marveling at the sophistication and prosperity of Marquis Shengping’s Mansion, her heart filled with seething envy!

Every sight, structure, and plant here, if not the most valuable, was definitely unique and rare in the world! Looking around, she felt a sense of extreme elegance and appropriate luxury.

If the Prime Minister’s Mansion represented wealth and honour with its visible extravagance and opulence!

Then the Marquis Shengping’s Mansion represented wealth and honour in the most understated and unassuming form of noble elegance.

She quickly glanced around the room, noticing that there were not many valuable items, most of it was decorated with Bonsai and flowers, but she felt that even all the flowers in the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s garden couldn’t match up to any casual pot of flowers here!

Looking at her own clothes and jewelry, she saw that they couldn’t even compare to the ring on this wretched girl’s hand!

If Xiao’er knew what Shen Bao’er was thinking at the moment, she would definitely compliment her on her eye for picking things to torture herself with!

Shen Bao’er shot a venomous glance at Xiao’er, then quickly pulled back, shouting internally: Why! Why such a difference in treatment between Xiao’er and herself? They were from the same lineage, same place and yet...

She had been studying hard since childhood, toiling away, scheming, and striving with all her might just to become a concubine!

And what had Shen Xiao’er been doing when she was young! Simply doing lowly chores like cooking, feeding pigs and chickens!

Without making any effort, Xiao’er had gained everything that she had dreamed of and couldn’t obtain!

She had a father who was a high ranking official and a husband who could place her on a pedestal!

If her own father had been her uncle, then she would be the future Sixth Prince’s consort today!

Shen Xiao’er, this wild girl, doesn’t deserve all this!

Seeing that Shen Bao’er, apart from offering her greetings, had been standing silently without explaining her purpose, Li Yun Ning felt annoyed:

"I heard from Bao’er that she and Lady Rui’an are close sisters of the same bloodline and it’s been a long time since they chatted. It has also been a long time since I have caught up with Lady Rui’an. Hence, I came here to chat with you. Besides, Bao’er has a favor to ask."

Li Yun Ning glanced at Shen Bao’er, hinting that she should speak about her request for help next.

Shen Bao’er snapped out of her thoughts and switched to a coquettish voice and softly said, "Sister, I’ve missed you so much!"

Xiao’er shuddered involuntarily; she wasn’t using the same voice she uses to talk to Li Yun Hua on herself, was she? Please don’t disgust me!

Xiao’er hurriedly interjected: "Stop! I am not your sister, I dare not be your sister! Our families have long severed their connection! We don’t have any relationship anymore! I reiterated this in public in front of the grain and oil store the other day!"

Having said that, Xiao’er turned to Li Yun Ning: "Who would have thought that the Prime Minister’s Mansion is so informal, that even a concubine can be addressed as Mrs. Li?"

From the moment Xiao’er said she and Shen Bao’er were unrelated, Li Yun Ning’s face had darkened. Now, ridiculed by Xiao’er about the lack of rules in their Mansion, her face turned even redder!

Earlier, she thought that since Shen Bao’er was Lady Rui’an’s close cousin, announcing her as Mrs. Li would give face to the Marquis Shengping’s Mansion.

Who knew Shen Bao’er would deceive her into thinking her relationship with Lady Rui’an was good!

Since she left in a rush that day, she had missed the incidents that followed. She had also forgotten to mention these matters to the Lady of Prime Minister afterward.

Yet, the Lady of Prime Minister was so embarrassed that she hoped never to mention it again!

Shen Bao’er also knew that if she came alone, she would definitely be rejected. That’s why she coaxed Li Yun Ning to come along.

"Xiao’er, blood relationships are fixed by fate. How can they be easily severed? You had some misunderstandings about us before..."

"Alright! If you’re here to talk about these things, then I’m sorry, I don’t have the time to listen! You both should leave. I need to head out!" This woman still didn’t repent, still insisting it was a misunderstanding! It was simply hard to change her nature. Listening to her was a waste of her life!

"No, Xiao’er, I came here today to ask for a medicinal prescription." Shen Bao’er, seeing Xiao’er was really planning to leave her behind, hurriedly interrupted.

"I don’t have it! Let go!"

"That’s alright, even if you don’t have the medicine, just a prescription will work. I can go and get the ingredients myself!"

"I am not a doctor. How would I have a prescription?"

"Surely your family has it; didn’t Auntie Four’s stomach condition become better after taking the medicine Auntie Three gave her?

"All of that medicine was given to Auntie Four. None is left." Even if there were, I wouldn’t give it to you.

"How can you be so cruel? How can you be so indifferent to my well-being? After all, we are sisters from the same grandparents. How can you be so heartless?" Seeing a silhouette coming, Shen Bao’er quickly put on a pitiful face, accusing Xiao’er with tears in her eyes.