Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 590 - 578

Chapter 590: 578

Were there only a few madams and young ladies who came today? Almost all of the high-ranking and influential households in the Imperial City were present, save for those who were indisposed or with limited mobility!

How will anyone dare to associate with her after Princess Consort An has publicly disgraced her like this?

Mrs. Chu couldn’t understand how she or her daughter offended Princess Consort An. Her daughter only had a disagreement with the Princess of Rui’an County, it wasn’t enough to drive them out of Wang Mansion!

The maid of the Princess Consort approached the two: "Please proceed!"

Both Mrs. Chu and Chu Die’s faces alternated between shades of green and red, overwhelmed with both anger and humiliation.

The seated madams displayed a range of reactions, from shock to sympathy, even schadenfreude, but not a single one of them spoke out in their defense.

Chu Die turned to look at Mrs. Fang and Fang Rou. After all, they were all family. She thought they would speak up for her.

Mrs. Fang averted her eyes, her face shrouded under dark clouds. She was ashamed to have such a daughter-in-law!

Fang Rou lowered her gaze, pretending not to see them.

Seeing this, Mrs. Chu, despite her advanced age, couldn’t help but tear up. She took Chu Die by the hand and left with determination.

After both of them left, Shangguan Wanru spread her arms wide to embrace Xiao’er again: "Princess of Rui’an, I knew you would be the kindest to me!"

Xiao’er: "..."

Fortunately, Shangguan Wanru released her just before Xiao’er was about to announce she wouldn’t gift the album.

She turned to hug Princess Consort An: "Mother, I won’t take the album with me. I’ll leave it with you! You can look at it when you miss me."

Upon hearing this, Princess Consort An nearly shed tears: "Silly girl, this album is a gift from the Princess of Rui’an for your dowry. Take it with you to Nangong Country. You can flip through it when you feel homesick."

Many of the present madams were moved to tears by her words, especially those who had daughters married far away, and whom they hadn’t seen for years.

Seeing this, Xiao’er said: "Princess, you may take the album. I will paint another one for the Princess Consort later."

Shangguan Wanru, naturally bubbly, perked up at her words. She again sought to embrace Xiao’er.

Upon seeing this, Xiao’er hurriedly intervened: "Princess, if you hug me again, I won’t send the gift!"

Shangguan Wanru cast a pitiful glance at Xiao’er, then threw herself onto Xiao’er, hugging her even tighter: "I knew you wouldn’t! You always treat me the best!"

Xiao’er was torn between laughter and tears.

Seeing this, the others present all laughed. The atmosphere improved rapidly.

Seeing this, Princess Consort An laughed: "Princess of Rui’an, your thoughtfulness is much appreciated. Your gift is invaluable. The Consort will certainly remember your kindness."

Upon hearing these words, Xiao’er paused before laughing: "Princess Consort, you flatter me. It was just a small effort on my part."

Princess Consort An found herself even more fond of the Princess of Rui’an. No wonder her daughter always spoke of her.

At this time, an old maid on the side of Princess Consort An reported that the feast was ready.

Princess Consort An then invited everyone to proceed to the flower hall for dinner.

When everyone arrived at the flower hall, Shangguan Wanru pulled Xiao’er to sit beside her. As Ranhui was about to take a seat on the other side of Xiao’er, Zhuge Meiyu beat her to it.

Ranhui frowned and said, "Princess Zhuge, I would like to sit next to the Princess of Rui’an County. Could you please switch seats with me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Meiyu shook her head: "No, I love shrimp too much!"

Upon hearing these words, Xiao’er was thoughtful. She remembered that at the last palace banquet, Zhuge Meiyu hadn’t fought over the shrimp dishes with her.

Moreover, later Zhuge Meiyu sent someone to say that she was feeling unwell and returned to the inn early.

If she hadn’t guessed incorrectly, Princess Zhuge Meiyu likely had an allergic reaction to the red-braised meatballs made with shrimp.

Now she claimed that she loved shrimp just to sit at her side!

What was Zhuge Meiyu scheming by sitting next to her? Was she trying to steal the food she wanted to eat as she had before? Wasn’t that too childish?

She didn’t have to snatch it. This time, she would deliberately serve her the dish!

Xiao’er also wanted to see if her observation indeed was correct!

Xiao’er gave Fu Ranhui a look. Fu Ranhui didn’t understand why Xiao’er wanted to sit with Zhuge Meiyu. Was she not afraid of choking on her food?

However, she still moved away and found another seat.

After the meal started, Xiao’er purposely clipped a large shrimp for Zhuge Meiyu: "Congratulations, Princess Zhuge, on your imminent marriage to the Third Prince!"

Zhuge Meiyu looked at the red shrimp in the bowl and felt her scalp tingle. She managed a smile: "Thank you!"

How did she impulsively say she loved shrimp earlier!

Seeing Zhuge Meiyu’s expression, Xiao’er knew she guessed correctly. Thinking one shrimp wouldn’t be enough, she then told the other girls at the table: "Princess Zhuge and the Third Prince are now engaged. Let’s all congratulate her! Princess Zhuge said she loves shrimp the most!"

Zhuge Meiyu: "..."

Shangguan Wanru didn’t understand why Xiao’er was so eager to have everyone congratulate Zhuge Meiyu. However, she thought something extraordinary must account for Xiao’er’s unusual behavior!

Thus, Shangguan Wanru presented Zhuge Meiyu with a large shrimp ball, adding a simple: "Congratulations!"

When others saw this, they too began serving Zhuge Meiyu dishes made from shrimp and extending congratulations.

How coincidental, Shangguan Wanru loved shrimp, and there were many shrimp dishes available today!

Zhuge Meiyu looked at the pile of dishes in her bowl, as if she could see welts all over her body beckoning her.

Zhuge Meiyu made an effort to control her gritted teeth and chuckled, "Your country’s custom of celebrating is very strange. Why is everyone serving me dishes?"

Xiao’er responded with a sweet smile: "This is only because we heard the princess loves shrimp! Actually, we all love shrimp, but we are a country of etiquette, naturally we let the princess eat first!"

"Haha, thank you so much!" Zhuge Meiyu was really grinding her teeth this time. She couldn’t help it!

"Well, I should return the favor!" Zhuge Meiyu began to serve food to Xiao’er and everyone else.

Shortly after the meal was finished, Zhuge Meiyu, disregarding others in the room, quickly swallowed two pills secretly.

Zhuge Meiyu was always sitting next to Xiao’er. When Xiao’er stood up ready to leave, she accidentally hooked Xiao’er’s sachet with her bracelet and pulled it down.

Zhuge Meiyu unhitched the sachet and tossed it to Xiao’er: "Sorry, County Mistress Rui’an."

"No problem." Xiao’er caught it and hung it up again.

Zhuge Meiyu saw this and let out a sigh of relief before quickly exiting.

Seeing her, Shangguan Wanru made a face at her retreating figure.

Xiao’er laughed, preparing to stroll alongside in the garden to aid digestion.

After walking a few steps, Xiao’er wrinkled her eyebrows. She faintly smelled an odd scent on the sachet.

Because she has a storage space, Xiao’er’s body naturally gave off the scent of the Immortal Lotus, changing it daily over a seven-day cycle.

The sachet Xiao’er carried was purely for show and didn’t have any scent.

Now it did, indicating Zhuge Meiyu had just put something scented into it!