Chapter 45: No Need to Bother

Chapter 45: No Need to Bother

Jin'er was overjoyed; this was the first time a young maiden had ever invited Miss to join in on some leisurely fun.

In the past, people regarded Miss as a harbinger of misfortune and thus avoided playing with her altogether.

True to her word, Su Youyue did not disappoint: "Reply to Miss Xiao later and tell her we'll join her at the event."

This plum blossom appreciation banquet was nominally a flower-viewing gathering, but in reality, it was a discreet matchmaking occasion.

At present, she had no intention of marrying, but attending this banquet was a necessity. Not only must she attend, she needed to devise a plan well in advance.

In her previous life, Xiao Feiyan was abducted right after the Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet. To alter her fate, she had to be there.

Moreover, she had to bring Xie Yuan along. Not only to fulfill the lie she spun earlier, convincing him to recuperate for the sake of pushing her wheelchair during the banquet, but also because she required his martial skills to safeguard both her and Xiao Feiyan's safety. Ideally, he would personally apprehend the trafficker.

These past days, she had pondered deeply.

In truth, the simplest way to change Xiao Feiyan's fate would be to take her back to the Su residence immediately after the banquet, or simply ensure her return to the Tranquil Sea Marquis' residence without allowing her to venture out after the event. As long as she avoided the marketplace following the banquet, her fate could be altered.

But if she did, while Xiao Feiyan might escape harm, there was no guarantee that the kidnapper wouldn't target another girl.

She couldn't save Xiao Feiyan's life at the expense of others.

Moreover, most crucially, in her previous life, the investigation into human trafficking led to the exposure of Qiu Taishi and the Second Prince's faction. It all started with the capture of the very trafficker who abducted Xiao Feiyan.

To prevent this kidnapper from harming other girls and to help Xie Yuan regain his standing sooner, there was only one risky solution—

On the day of the Plum Blossom Banquet, she must risk her own safety and accompany Xiao Feiyan to the market. With Xie Yuan's assistance, they would apprehend the kidnapper!

No risk, no reward, as the saying went.

Not only must she go, but she also needed to set up a plan beforehand at the marketplace. If this trafficker dared to abduct a wealthy family's daughter, he must have had accomplices...

Su Youyue's gaze darkened; she had to start arranging her people at the market right away.

Jin'er was oblivious to her lady's intricate considerations. She merely felt delighted that her mistress now had someone to play with. With a cheerful response, she promptly fetched ink and paper for preparation.

Upon receiving the letter, Xiao Feiyan was overjoyed and sent a set of red jade hair accessories as a gift to Su Youyue the following day.

This headdress is of considerable value and, logically, should not be bestowed as a casual gift. Su Youyue pondered for a moment and quickly understood that the gift must have been facilitated by the entire Jinghai Marquis Manor.

Thanks to her revelation, the Jinghai Marquis Manor became aware of Sheng Xiuran's true colors. Naturally, the manor wished to express its gratitude, but it had to do so subtly, to avoid alerting the Sheng family that their broken engagement was in any way connected to her. Thus, Xiao Feiyan was asked to deliver the token of appreciation under the guise of a private friendship.

Considering that Xiao Feiyan had previously wronged Su Youyue over Qiao'er's matter, if outsiders were to find out, they would only assume that she had come to apologize.

It must be said that the Jinghai Marquis Manor has considered everything meticulously. Su Youyue couldn't help but feel even more favorably towards the Xiao family. Indeed, a household that dotes on their daughter so much would naturally have an impeccable family ethos.

"Would Miss like to try it on?" Jin'er's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Her lady had only favored red attire during her childhood. As she grew older, she stopped wearing it altogether, mainly due to Lu Song's preference for simplicity.

Yet, her young miss had a bright and charming appearance, and red only accentuated her virtues.

Su Youyue was just about to nod when Su Rong arrived from outside.

As soon as she entered, Su Rong spotted the beautiful headdress on the table, and her gaze was instantly captivated.

Observing her demeanor, Jin'er was reminded of the times she used to rush to her lady for jewelry and clothes. Despite essentially asking for favors, she would always do so with an air of entitlement. Jin'er immediately became vigilant.

Of course, Miss Ye wasn't the only one planning to attend the plum blossom feast. Neither Second Miss nor Third Miss had been betrothed yet; how could they possibly forgo such an event? Third Miss would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to request new attire and jewelry!

Su Rong regained her composure and, seeing Jin'er's cautious look, she was momentarily enraged but, unusually, held back her anger. Instead, she bit her lip, seemingly exerting great effort, and called out, "Big Sister."

Su Youyue raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

She had expected Su Rong to have forgotten her lesson and come causing trouble again.

Relieved that Su Youyue didn't retort with sarcasm, Su Rong let out a sigh of relief. With some unease, she continued, "I... I want to borrow a set of jewelry from you, Big Sister. I'll return it! It's just... Mother Zhang emptied my jewelry box, and now it's empty. I want to attend the Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet..."

If only Mother Zhang had left her a single set, she wouldn't have to come to her big sister with such embarrassment. But she couldn't very well attend the banquet with just her hair styled without any accessories... Although her confinement had been lifted these past few days, she was too afraid of being ridiculed to venture outside.

She had intended to resent Su Youyue for this incident, but she found that no matter what, she could no longer hate Su Youyue as fiercely as before.

For she had no justification for her hatred. There might be a slim chance of borrowing from her usually contentious big sister, but if she were to ask Su Qian, there was no way Su Qian would lend her anything; she might even get tricked into doing something foolish.

"I'll take it off and return it to you as soon as I'm back!"

Jin'er wanted to make a snide remark at Third Miss, but her status didn't permit it. Besides, one doesn't hit a smiling face, and she hadn't expected Third Miss to be in such a good mood.

Su Youyue glanced at the blushing Su Rong and casually instructed Chunya, "Fetch the gold-inlaid white jade rabbit headdress from the storeroom for Third Miss."

"Yes, Miss..." Jin'er would naturally comply with Su Youyue's request, but she actually didn't wish for her young miss to lend her accessories to the Third Miss. She had witnessed firsthand how the Third Miss had treated her young miss in the past!

Miss is far too kind-hearted.

Su Rong could certainly discern the hint of unhappiness in Jin'er's tone. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she nervously dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand.

"Your features lean towards the charming and delicate, quite unlike those of the women I used to choose. To stand out at the banquet, we should emphasize your strengths and opt for a sweet style. I've decided on this ensemble for you. Do you have any objections?"

Su Rong's fingers suddenly relaxed, and she shook her head nervously, "No, no."

Actually, prior to her arrival, she wasn't certain if Elder Sister would agree to lend it to her. It was already beyond her expectations that she managed to borrow it.

Moreover, it never occurred to her that Elder Sister would actually give her advice. But was she really suited for a sweet and innocent image? Wouldn't the ladies prefer a dignified and graceful daughter-in-law?

Su Rong's mind was in a whirl, and when Jin'er brought the headpiece, she instructed her personal maid, Little Xing, to take it over.

"Thank you, big sister..." She whispered her gratitude and hurriedly tried to depart.

Actually, she wanted to ask Su Youyue if she could sell her a few bottles of Jade Dew Beauty Cream at a discounted price. However, standing there, she found it impossible to lift her head, let alone voice her request.

Su Youyue responded with a nod, and then did not look at her again. However, once Su Rong turned away, she looked back at her retreating figure, watching until the girl left as if fleeing.

"Miss is indeed too kind-hearted. Despite Miss Third's previous mistreatment of you, you still lent her your jewelry," Jin'er protested on Su Youyue's behalf.

Su Youyue turned to look back, shaking her head. "I'm not lending it to her out of mercy. If she were to attend the banquet without any proper attire, how would outsiders perceive my Su family? How would they view me, the current household manager?"

Jin'er was taken aback for a moment before realizing the truth in those words. Indeed, now that outsiders were aware of Miss managing the household, they had been saying many unpleasant things. If Third Miss were to attend the banquet looking impoverished, how would others perceive Miss? They would surely say that Miss was being harsh on her younger sister!

"As the head of the household now, to earn respect, I must act with justice, not for personal gain at her expense. She did make mistakes in the past, but I was also partly responsible for involving her in the chaos due to my obsession with Lu Song. It's hardly a deep-seated grudge."

Su Youyue gently toyed with the jewelry on the table, her gaze tranquil.

"In a family of sisters, no grudges run so deep that we should pile hatred upon hatred, resentment upon resentment. If she can find a good match this time, then as the eldest sister, I would have fulfilled my duty."