Chapter 453: Sharp-Tongued!

Chapter 453: Sharp Tongue!

Lou Ruhui and Xingxing wandered around the small pavilion but didn't see the birthday girl, Yu Mingzhu.

However, Xingxing did see someone who left a deep impression on her—Liu Yuxiu.

Last time when the Meimu Opera Troupe performed at her house, Rui Hong had only half removed her makeup when Liu Yuxiu barged into the room and persistently bothered her.

It was Xingxing who eventually helped to drive Liu Yuxiu away.

During that encounter, Liu Yuxiu mentioned the Duke of Xinguo's residence, claiming to be Yu Mingzhu's cousin.

Half the reason Xingxing attended the birthday banquet at the Duke of Xinguo's residence was because she recalled Liu Yuxiu's words and felt uneasy about it.

But now, Liu Yuxiu appeared perfectly normal. Noticing Xingxing's gaze, she even gave a slight nod as a greeting.

Seeing Xingxing looking at Liu Yuxiu, Lou Ruhui whispered to her when they moved to a secluded spot, "Do you know her?"

Xingxing also whispered, "Miss Liu? I met her once at a banquet at my house."

Lou Ruhui nodded and started gossiping in a low voice, "That Miss Liu looks delicate and gentle, but she's actually quite fierce. I heard that the family she's engaged to isn't very respectable. They have a cousin living with them, and it seems like they're waiting for the mistress to enter the household before making the cousin a concubine... Miss Liu directly stormed into her fiancé's home and berated the cousin until she left. But her fiancé's family insists they never intended to make the cousin a concubine, and now the two sides are embroiled in a heated dispute."

Xingxing listened in shock.

Recalling how Miss Liu had barged into the room and demanded Rui Hong to follow her, Xingxing couldn't help thinking that this seemingly gentle Miss Liu indeed had a fierce side.

As the two were whispering in the corner, Xingxing suddenly felt a sense of unease.

She instinctively looked to the side and saw several young girls surrounding a young woman in a mink cloak, her face brimming with arrogance, walking towards them.

The young woman was strikingly beautiful, naturally radiating an air of pride—none other than Bai Huanqin.

Bai Huanqin looked Xingxing up and down with disdain, sneering, "So it's you, this country girl. How dare you show up so shamelessly at Mingzhu's birthday banquet!"

Before Xingxing could respond, the girls surrounding Bai Huanqin dramatically covered their mouths and exclaimed, "Oh, Huanqin, what country girl? Tell us more!"

Bai Huanqin's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but just as she was about to speak, Xingxing nodded earnestly and said, "Yes, Miss Bai, please do tell everyone how the Lin Yang Marquis's family ran amok and caused havoc in our village, to the point that His Majesty reprimanded them?"

At these words, the quiet corner of the corridor went silent.

Everyone here knew that half a year ago, the Lin Yang Marquis's family was suddenly reprimanded by His Majesty in court, with the memorial thrown in their faces, resulting in a great loss of face!

Bai Huanqin's face quickly turned red, turning almost purple with anger!

She was clearly furious, her eyes glaring at Xingxing as if she wanted to tear her apart!

The other girls surrounding Bai Huanqin exchanged wary glances.

This seemingly soft-spoken girl in front of them didn't seem like someone to be trifled with.

They didn't need to offend someone who was so bold and clearly not to be trifled with just to flatter Bai Huanqin.

"Sharp tongue—" Bai Huanqin finally spat out after a long pause.

She didn't engage further with Xingxing, only coldly spat out, "You just wait!"

Then she turned and left!

The girls surrounding Bai Huanqin quickly followed her away.

Lou Ruhui's mouth hung open in surprise.

She never expected Xingxing, who looked so soft and sweet, to have such a fierce fighting spirit, completely opposite to her delicate appearance. How could she be so tough?!

With just one sentence, she had sent Bai Huanqin running?!

Xingxing turned around to speak to Lou Ruhui, only to find her staring as if she had seen a ghost.

Xingxing burst out laughing: "Sister Lou, why are you staring at me like that?"

Lou Ruhui, her eyes sparkling, grabbed Xingxing's shoulders and praised her warmly: "Xingxing, you truly are a case of 'don't judge a book by its cover'... That Bai Huanqin is tight with my cousin Mingzhu. Many young ladies cozy up to Bai Huanqin to get in good with Mingzhu. But Bai Huanqin's attitude..."

Lou Ruhui tutted, lowering her voice, "From what you just said, it sounds like the Lin Yang Marquis's scolding had something to do with your family?"

Xingxing nodded and briefly explained how the Lin Yang Marquis's people had come to their village to build a mausoleum, sparking a series of disputes with the villagers.

"No wonder," Lou Ruhui tutted again, "No wonder Bai Huanqin looked so pale when she saw you, like a ghost."

Lou Ruhui made a face, mimicking a ghost, which made Xingxing burst out laughing again.

"That Bai Huanqin isn't actually from the main branch of the Lin Yang Marquis's family. She's the second daughter of the second household," Lou Ruhui whispered, sharing gossip with Xingxing. "The main branch is the eldest household, which has already inherited the title, but they haven't split the family yet, so technically she can still be called a marquis's daughter... After the Lin Yang Marquis was scolded in court, I heard he was livid when he got home. Even Bai Huanqin was grounded for months, and it wasn't until the New Year that she was let off the hook."

Lou Ruhui thought for a moment, then couldn't help but add in a low voice, "Bai Huanqin has always been tight with Mingzhu, and Mingzhu is a real smooth operator... Xingxing, you should watch your back."

Xingxing was deeply touched by Lou Ruhui's advice and thanked her warmly.

Lou Ruhui looked at Xingxing's earnest little face and exclaimed, "Oh my," wishing she could just hug and squeeze her.

The two played in the garden for a while, and Lou Ruhui, checking the time, took Xingxing back to the small pavilion by the lake.

The small pavilion was situated by the lake, and with the freezing weather, the lake had frozen over with a thick layer of ice. Some playful young ladies were enjoying ice sledding games on the lake, their laughter echoing.

As Lou Ruhui and Xingxing passed by the lake, Lou Ruhui was pulled by some familiar friends to join the ice games. Reluctantly, Lou Ruhui told Xingxing to call for her if she encountered any trouble.

Xingxing, not wanting to disappoint Lou Ruhui's kindness, smiled and agreed.

Xingxing entered the small pavilion with her maid and sat in a corner, sipping tea and eating snacks.

Soon, a commotion arose outside, and a young lady with a high bun, dressed in a silver-red brocade robe with golden lotus patterns, entered the room, surrounded by several other young ladies, all laughing and chatting.

Who else could it be but Yu Mingzhu, the star of the birthday celebration?