Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 682 - 680

Chapter 682: Chapter 680

After Mrs. Tan returned home, she relayed what Mrs. Zhu had said.

Mrs. Liu was rather mystified upon hearing it.

Xiao’er also felt it surprising that Mrs. Zhu would make such a statement.

Then she remembered Zhu Yan’s behavior at the longevity feast and Mrs. Zhu’s expressions.

Mrs. Zhu seemed preoccupied at the time.

Zhu Yan’s attention-grabbing behavior was undoubtedly aimed at drawing Jingrui’s attention too.

She probably wanted to win Jingrui’s favor. If the two were successful in formalizing their relationship, then if the incident of Second Master Zhu secretly supplying Li Jun with food and medicinal supplies were to be exposed, the Zhu family would be obliged to beg for mercy. This would place their own family in a morally obligated position to help due to the matrimonial ties as well.

Mrs. Zhu probably disagreed with Zhu Yan’s approach. Naturally, a mother who loves her daughter would not wish for her daughter’s lifelong happiness to be sacrificed.

Later, when Zhu Yan chose to disclose everything to Xiao’er and Feng Yang conducted an investigation to uncover all, their family crisis was naturally resolved.

However, Mrs. Zhu probably wasn’t aware of this, which explains why she disagreed when Mrs. Liu came to propose marriage.

Now that the problem of secretly supplying Li Jun with food has been resolved, there is no reason not to discuss it, so Xiao’er shared her suspicions.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu frowned and said, "Zhu Yan had dubious motives from the beginning. I wonder if she purposefully approached Rui’er, causing him to take a liking to her."

No one would want to marry their son off to someone who approaches him with ulterior motives.

Seeing this, Xiao’er began to defend Zhu Yan. "Miss Zhu was acting out of filial piety. If she wasn’t trying to save her family from imminent disaster, mother, you wouldn’t dare to let such a person be my elder brother’s wife, would you?"

Mrs.Tan nodded, "I don’t see anything wrong with that. Moreover, didn’t she confess everything to Xiao’er later?"

Xiao’er then shared the story of Jingrui and her rescuing an old man together. "I’m not clear on the exact details of what happened, but my elder brother only walked down that street because Hao’er wanted to eat snacks from near the Juxian Academy. This incident was absolutely coincidental, which shows that elder brother and Miss Zhu are fated."

"In that case, she has a good heart." Having heard the explanations from Xiao’er and Mrs.Tan, Mrs.Liu felt reassured. Who in this world doesn’t have a selfish motive? Zhu Yan at least didn’t follow through with her initial plan.

"The most important thing is that elder brother likes her too." Xiao’er commented with a smile.

Mrs. Liu nodded in agreement, indeed, the most important fact was that Jingrui also liked her.

"I suppose I should invite Miss Zhu out tomorrow to ask her about her feelings! If only my elder son likes her, it won’t work."

"That’s true. Both husband and wife need to be in love for them to be at peace." Just like her and her children’s father, Mrs. Tan nodded in agreement with a sense of understanding.

She and Liu Minhong had been childhood sweethearts. They may have been poor in the past, but had a congenial mother-in-law and a loving relationship with each other. They never bickered in all these years. Not to mention their lives are now better, she feels that her happiness and contentment in this world was due to her good karma of saving countless lives in her past life.

"It seems auntie has experienced quite a lot! Uncle must treat you very well!"

"Indeed, your uncle does treat me exceptionally well! However, he simply doesn’t compare with even one ten-thousandth of Sixth Prince! He treats you as if he’s terrified of melting you when holding you in his mouth, and breaking you when holding you in his hand!" Mrs. Tan, thick-skinned as she is, admitted openly and then teased Xiao’er.

Xiao’er is not one to be easily embarrassed! She won’t blush from such a comment!

Xiao’er responded earnestly, "I’m so good that if he doesn’t treat me well, he should fear that I’ll leave him!"

"You child, aren’t you afraid that your tongue will get struck by lightning for saying such things?" Xiao’er was not embarrassed, but Mrs. Liu felt embarrassed on her behalf!

Mrs. Tan also shook her head repeatedly, sighing at Xiao’er’s wit.

...

Early the next day, Xiao’er had someone send an invitation to Zhu Mansion, arranging to have lunch with Zhu Yan at the Four Seasons Restaurant at noon.

When Zhu Yan received the invitation, she guessed what Xiao’er would want to discuss.

Recalling the events from that day, she saw his sense of righteousness, and he wasn’t frightened by her extraordinary strength. Zhu Yan held the invitation, unconsciously blushing a little, her heart filled with anticipation.

Zhu Yan had her maid bring out the new dress she had made and helped her change into it before doing her hair and makeup anew.

After fussing over these preparations, Zhu Yan looked at her bright and charming self in the mirror only to feel regretful.

Arriving at a meeting looking groomed with such care made it blatantly clear how much she anticipated this; it was too obvious!

So, she went back to her wardrobe to search for another dress, new but already worn once or twice.

She changed her hairstyle and jewelry as well.

After all the fussing and tweaking, what she saw in the mirror was a woman still well-groomed but not overly formal, with a more casual look perfect for meeting a close girlfriend. Zhu Yan was finally satisfied.

"Miss, we should leave. We don’t want to keep the Countess of Rui’an waiting." Zhu Yan’s maid reminded her.

On hearing this, Zhu Yan looked at the time and realized it was nearing their meeting time.

"Oh no, have someone prepare the carriage quickly!"

"Do not panic, Miss, it’s already prepared!"

"Let’s hurry then!"

Thus mistress and maid hurried off to the appointment.

Jingrui and Xiao’er sat in a private room at the Four Seasons Restaurant, by the window.

Upon seeing Zhu Yan alight from the carriage, Xiao’er said to Jingrui, "Elder brother, Miss Zhu is here. You can tell she spent some time getting ready. It seems she indeed has some feelings for you."

Jingrui, lacking Xiao’er’s thick skin, promptly blushed at her teasing.

"I’ll go hide now." Jingrui had been forced to come with Xiao’er, who claimed it was important for him to hear Zhu Yan’s opinion of him first-hand.

Of course, Jingrui wanted to know, but eavesdropping or peeping didn’t seem like a gentleman’s behavior.

He hesitated for a moment, but before he could refuse, he was already dragged onto the carriage by Xiao’er.

Xiao’er watched the fleeing Jingrui and couldn’t help but laugh.

Jingrui merely retreated into the inner partition, but he could still hear what was happening in the outer room.

Zhu Yan was led into the room by a waiter. She glanced subtly at the partition, her thoughts whirling, but keeping her composure outwardly.

Xiao’er didn’t just sit waiting for Zhu Yan but rather stood to welcome her.

"Countess of Rui’an." Zhu Yan greeted Xiao’er with a bow.

Xiao’er rushed forward to stop her. "There are no outsiders here, Miss Zhu, there’s no need to be so formal."

The words ’no outsiders’ made Zhu Yan reflect a bit deeper and she became more sure of the Countess’ intention in meeting her. Still, she respectfully said, "There’s no harm in adhering to formality."

Once they had seated themselves, Xiao’er ordered the waiter to serve the dishes.

Zhu Yan, feeling both obligation and gratitude, spoke up. "Thank you, County Head of Rui’an, for helping me clear my family’s name."