Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 501 - 499

Chapter 501: Chapter 499

The next day, Xiao’er arrived outside the Pinming Garden earlier than the agreed time.

The tea house was owned by Ranhui’s family, Xiao’er had heard about it from Junya, but had never been there. She heard the tea here was good.

As she ascended the steps, she suddenly sensed a gaze on her.

She looked back at the silver building across the street, only to see a woman’s silhouette quickly withdraw.

Xiao’er had sharp eyes, if she were not mistaken, that woman should be Chu Die.

Why was she spying on her? Xiao’er contemplated as she walked in.

Immediately after Xiao’er entered the Pinming Garden, a waiter approached and asked, "Miss, did you reserve a private room?"

Thinking about Chu Die’s sneaky behavior, Xiao’er replied with a diversion, "A friend of mine has reserved the Biluo Pavilion, did she come?"

"No, miss," the waiter replied deferentially.

Seeing that there was no hint of anomaly in his reaction, Xiao’er devised a plan, "Give me a private room next to Biluo Pavilion. I want to meet my friend. When the friend who reserved the Biluo Pavilion comes, it’ll be convenient for me to say hello."

The waiter, not suspecting anything, nodded and gestured, "Alright, miss, please follow me."

Xiao’er and Yang Liu entered the private room Yuehua Pavilion next to Biluo Pavilion.

"Miss, what tea would you like?" the waiter courteously asked Xiao’er at a carved rosewood tea table.

Xiao’er glanced at the tea table, a product of her family’s timber shop, it was not cheap, and then she looked at the decor around the room; paintings, porcelain, all from famous artists. The room was reminiscent of a classical charm. No wonder many scholars and artists chose here for meetups or poetry gatherings.

"I will take it from here, you may leave." Yang Liu told the waiter.

"Yes." The waiter respectfully left after hearing her words.

After the waiter left, Xiao’er said to Yang Liu, "Yang Liu, wait outside the Biluo Pavilion."

"Are you suspecting something miss?" Yang Liu asked as she noted Xiao’er’s arrangement.

"Who’s the backer of this tea house?" With that sentence from Xiao’er, Yang Liu understood.

The tea house was owned by the Princess and the Princess had invited Xiao’er to her tea house; she had even reserved a private room in advance. The waiter of the tea house showed no reaction when Xiao’er mentioned the name of the room. What does that imply? It means that it was someone else, not the Princess who invited Xiao’er.

This was a chance for the waiter to display his skills in front of the owner, yet the waiter was more respectful than enthusiastic, which was abnormal. Normally, the staff would have a warm demeanor, and some proprietors might even personally welcome the guests.

Of course, there was a possibility that they might be overthinking it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Xiao’er asked Yang Liu to wait at Biluo Pavilion to see who was coming.

"If the Princess arrives, tell her I’m here. If it’s someone else, tell them I’m waiting in the Biluo Pavilion."

Yang Liu nodded in agreement and took her place outside the Biluo Pavilion.

Not too much later, Zhao Youwei appeared outside Pinming Garden.

Chu Die from the silver building opposite had arranged to meet Mingfang and Princess Ling’er to look at jewelry. The shop had newly imported a batch of overseas jewelry. Both Mingfang and Princess Ling’er seemed interested while Chu Die seemed somewhat distracted.

She stayed by the window, paying attention to the street below. Upon seeing Zhao Youwei, she told her maid, "Book a private room at Pinming Garden across the street, we’ll have tea and snacks there after choosing the jewelry."

"Yes." The maid bowed in acknowledgment and left.

After giving the order to the maid, Chu Die turned to Mingfang and Princess Ling’er, "The snacks at Pinming Garden are good. I especially love their osmanthus cake. Princess Ling’er, I heard that you like the green tea cake from Pinming Garden, we should try it out today since we’re here."

The maid quickly returned and reported to Chu Die, "Miss, the reservation has been made. The regular Biluo Pavilion that you usually reserve was already booked, so I reserved a room at Suqiu Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Chu Die expressed disappointment, "Really? I love sitting in Biluo Pavilion while admiring the rockery and flowing water, and having tea and snacks. Suqiu Pavilion is not bad either. But, who else enjoys the Biluo Pavilion as I do?"

"I saw Mr. Zhao and Rui’an County Lord enter the Biluo Pavilion of Pinming Garden."

Mingfang shot up in shock at the maid’s words, knocking the stool over. She hurried to the maid, grabbed her hands and asked in concern, "What did you say? Mr. Zhao and Rui’an County Lord entered Biluo Pavilion? Which Mr. Zhao?"

The maid flinched in pain due to Mingfang’s grip, and timidly said, "The eldest son of the Tudihu."

Mingfang tightened her grip on the maid’s hand upon hearing this. The maid gasped in pain.

"Just the two of them?" Ling’er, suppressing her excitement, asked.

Princess Ling’er was excited. If word got out about Rui’an County Lord and the eldest son of Tudihu meeting privately, her engagement with the Sixth Prince would certainly be canceled.

How could the Sixth Prince bear such a shame! Both the Empress Dowager and Empress would surely discard Rui’an County Lord. Wouldn’t that create an opportunity for her?

The maid nodded, "I only saw the two of them."

"Let’s go and have a look." Ling’er excitedly suggested.

Mingfang was already on her way out.

Rushing, Ling’er followed suit.

Chu Die trailed behind the two and couldn’t help but reveal a triumphant smile.

She knew that making an appointment with these two was a good idea, one was enamored with Zhao Youwei and the other one had failed to secure the Sixth Prince. Given both of their impulsive natures, surely this would create a stir.

As for the Pinming Garden, Yang Liu saw that Zhao Youwei had arrived and she opened the private room door and said, "Mr. Zhao, please come in."

Zhao Youwei nodded his head.

Zhao Youwei went in and found no one. He turned back and asked Yang Liu, "Where is the Rui’an County Lord?"

Bypassing the pleasantries, Yang Liu asked, "Mr. Zhao, why are you here?"

On hearing this, Zhao Youwei realized that they had been tricked. To be fair, he had also doubted the authenticity of the anonymous invitation from Rui’an County Lord. So, he had come prepared.

"I received a letter from your miss, asking to meet me here for a discussion. I was skeptical of course. My sister is at the Jasmine Pavilion, I’ll get her here. I would like to see who is trying to set us up!" Zhao Youwei handed over the letter he received to Yang Liu.

Yang Liu took the letter and quickly confirmed, "This isn’t my miss’s handwriting."

Zhao Youwei nodded. He had never seen the writing of County Lord Rui’an, naturally he couldn’t recognize it.