Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 557 - 555

Chapter 557: Chapter 555

The news that Li Mingfang and Mrs. Li were doused in night-blooming jasmine perfume spread across the Imperial City the next day.

Xiao’er felt it was a pity when she heard it. She had hoped that the actions of Li Mingfang would become infamous, especially now that she had indeed become infamous, but this was hardly the infamy she had in mind!

Indeed, the incident of them being doused in perfume was absolutely shocking!

When Xiao’er thought about Li Mingfang and Mrs. Li’s disgusting reaction, she laughed mischievously. It didn’t matter what the story was, as long as it spread far and wide.

She imagined that they wouldn’t be able to stomach their food for several months.

She wondered whether they would be able to show their faces at the Second Prince’s wedding.

All these thoughts filled Xiao’er’s mind as she stitched clothes for Ruan Weizhen.

"Miss, the lady of the house would like you to come to the main courtyard," called Zijing, walking in and bowing respectfully.

"Does mom need anything?" Xiao’er asked, leaving her needlework on the table and standing up.

"A letter came from the Eastern Jin Dynasty."

"Ah, has the second lady sent someone to fetch it?"

"Yes, they’ve already sent someone."

Xiao’er nodded without speaking further, quickening her pace as she moved towards Mrs. Liu’s courtyard.

By the time Xiao’er arrived, Yun’er was already there.

"Mom, did Brother Ri send another letter? Did he bring us any good things this time?"

Brother Ri always sent letters from time to time, often including many gifts such as fabrics, jade, food, or unique specialties and trinkets from the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

"You’re always thinking about what Brother Ri sends, you should also be sending him some things!" Mrs. Liu pretended to be angry.

"Brother Ri isn’t interested in my things, he cares about Yun’er’s things. Mom, you should tell Yun’er to send more!"

At these words, Yun’er’s face turned red, and she couldn’t help but playfully hit Xiao’er: "Stop teasing me, sister!"

Xiao’er laughed and sidestepped her sister’s playful swipe, "Let me guess what Brother Ri wrote in his letter! Judging by the joyful look on Yun’er’s face, could it be that Brother Ri is coming to visit?"

Upon hearing Xiao’er’s words, Yun’er blushed even more and touched her face, "Is it that obvious?"

Seeing her reaction, Xiao’er laughed: "It seems I guessed right."

"You are the best at guessing," Mrs. Liu commented, returning Xiao’er’s laughter with a playful spit.

"I’m always brilliant!" Xiao’er laughed, picking up the open letter sitting on the table.

Fang Wenri, now referred to as Zhuge Wenri, was indeed coming. He was accompanying his father to attend the wedding of Shangguan Xuanhao. Coming with them were another prince of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Zhuge Jinquan, and Princess Zhuge Meiyu.

Xiao’er had an instant feeling of running into a rival on a narrow road. They were just attending another country’s prince’s wedding, why did so many people need to come? She thought with a touch of sarcasm, they might as well make it a full round table with ten people!

The wedding day of Shangguan Xuanhao was gradually approaching.

One night, as the sky darkened and every household’s doors were closed, a procession of low-key carriages arrived outside the Marquis Shengping’s residence. The quiet street came alive as the neighbors’ gatekeepers, attracted by the noise, couldn’t help but peek out their doors.

Who could be visiting the Marquis Shengping’s residence? Why were there so many carriages?

Zhuge Wenri jumped from one of the carriages and personally rapped on the door of a home that had once given him endless warmth.

The gatekeeper opened the door and recognized the familiar face. The Second Young lord had returned!

He hurriedly opened the gate and exclaimed joyfully, "Second young lord, you’ve returned!"

"Quick, alert the master and the lady: the second young lord is back!"

On hearing this greeting, Wenri’s eyes turned red. This was his home. No matter how long he’d been gone or how much his appearance had changed, the moment he knocked on the door, his family would instantly recognize him.

He couldn’t help but respond gently, "Yes, I’ve come back."

Brother Ri ordered the gatekeeper to open the side door completely to allow several carriages to enter. They were full of gifts he brought for the family.

Xiao’er and her family were having dinner. Hearing the news, they all hurried out to greet him.

Upon seeing Shen Chengyao and Mrs. Liu, Brother Ri immediately walked briskly over, knelt before them, and kowtowed, "Greetings, Uncle Shen and Auntie Liu."

Shen Chengyao hurriedly helped him up, "Please get up, Brother Ri. We can’t accept such grand courtesies."

Brother Ri was currently the great-grandson of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He wouldn’t even have had to show such respect to the emperor himself. How could Shen Chengyao accept such a salute?

Brother Ri stood up.

After exchanging greetings, Brother Ri’s eyes settled on Yun’er and couldn’t move away.

Having not seen each other for a few years, Yun’er was even more beautiful than he had imagined.

Yun’er was also looking at Brother Ri. No longer a boy, but a young man, he seemed even more handsome than Gong Zixuan, whom Xi’er had described to her, thought Yun’er.

Xi’er was naturally smart with exceptional memory. She still vaguely remembered her older brother who left when she was very young. Besides, Brother Ri would send many New Year gifts to their house every year. Many of her toys were gifts from Brother Ri, so how could she possibly forget who Brother Ri was?

Xi’er threw herself at Brother Ri, "Brother Ri, how did you grow up to be so handsome!"

Xi’er was typically attracted to beautiful faces; once she saw a pretty boy, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

The now seven-year-old Xi’er was only about waist-high to Brother Ri. He reluctantly moved his gaze away from Yun’er.

He reached out to tousle the little girl’s hair, "Our Xi’er has grown a lot and is becoming a beauty!"

The little girl, he used to carry in his arms, had grown up. Brother Ri sighed.

"Really? But I think I’m not as pretty as my two older sisters!" Xi’er complained.

"Xi’er is also very pretty. Still, his Yun’er is the most beautiful."

"You’re tricking me. Brother Ri returns and only has eyes for Yun’er. The Sixth Prince comes and only has eyes for Xiao’er. No one pays attention to me." Xi’er grumbled, evidently feeling like she wasn’t as pretty.

Brother Ri: "..."

Yun’er blushed deeply because of Xi’er’s words.

Hearing this, Xiao’er laughed, "Who says no one pays attention to Xi’er? The Seventh Prince never took his eyes off you save for glancing at some other people."

"But though Brother Yao is nice, he is too ugly to bear looking at!"

"Be careful with your words!" Mrs. Liu reprimanded.

Xiao’er stifled a laugh, mentally lighting a candle for the chubby Seventh Prince.

Brother Ri glanced at Yun’er, immensely relieved that she did not have the habit of ogling handsome boys.

"I’m just speaking the truth!" Xi’er pouted.

"Alright, enough. Brother Ri just got back and hasn’t had dinner yet. Let’s go in and eat!" Mrs. Liu was at her wits’ end with her youngest daughter.

She hardly dared take her out. Who else’s child would run over to any somewhat handsome boy they see, regardless of age, whether five or fifty?

She’s completely lost face!

"Who looks at a man all the time? Even if they’re handsome you should not look at them. You are only allowed to look at your father, got it?" Shen Chengyao said angrily.

"No, dad is not handsome!" She definitely wouldn’t ruin her eyes or spoil her sense of beauty.

Shen Chengyao:...

Talking with Brother Ri was much better!