Chapter 459: Seeing You Makes Me Feel Warm Inside

Chapter 459: Seeing You Makes Me Feel a Deep Sense of Familiarity

Yu Mingzhu smiled faintly and looked at Xingxing: "Miss Yu, what do you mean by 'sending away'? I was merely asking Master Mo about how the story of 'Zhong Cuo Fu' was written."

Xingxing looked at Yu Mingzhu for a while, seeing her calm and composed demeanor, not feeling that she had done anything wrong. Xingxing thought to herself, this Miss Yu, aside from everything else, her composure is truly impressive.

Fortunately, a potential disaster was just averted in time, and Xingxing had no desire to argue with Yu Mingzhu or greet her again, so she turned and left.

Yu Mingzhu's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile fading, not reaching her eyes.

Yu Mingzhu came out of the room and happened to meet Qin Rui, who was looking for her at the end of the corridor.

Qin Rui called out joyfully, "Mingzhu," and warmly came over, linking arms with Yu Mingzhu: "Mingzhu, why are you here? I just saw Yu Xingxing passing by. Were you two together just now?"

Yu Mingzhu forced a smile: "Yu Xingxing? She probably resents me for believing Huanqin when she said she was poisoned, and doesn't want to talk to me."

Qin Rui immediately defended Yu Mingzhu: "How could she do that! Mingzhu, you did nothing wrong. It was Bai Huanqin who misunderstood Yu Xingxing. You just believed Bai Huanqin!... Yu Xingxing seems so well-behaved, yet how can she be so unreasonable! Mingzhu is so good, and she resents you, it shows she has no manners!"

A hint of sadness crossed Yu Mingzhu's beautiful face: "Qin Rui, don't say that. Maybe I did something wrong."

"How could you!" Qin Rui was heartbroken, "Mingzhu, you are of noble status, your father is the heir of the Duke of Xinguo, and your mother is the beloved daughter of Princess Deyang. Yu Xingxing should have shown you proper respect! How could she ignore you!"

Qin Rui became more and more indignant, "No, I must go find her!"

Yu Mingzhu gently restrained Qin Rui, saying softly, "Forget it. I heard Yu Xingxing came from the countryside, maybe she hasn't learned the proper etiquette. Besides, today I am the host, and she is the guest. It's not appropriate for the host to pick on the guest's faults."

Qin Rui was still angry: "Mingzhu, you are just too kind!"

Yu Mingzhu just smiled: "Alright, it's time to wrap up the gathering, I should go back and bid farewell to the guests."

Qin Rui eagerly invited Yu Mingzhu: "Mingzhu, are you going to the lantern fair in the south of the city tonight? Do you want to go together?"

Yu Mingzhu smiled slightly: "Tonight, my three brothers said they would take me to view the lanterns, so I'm afraid I can't make plans with you."

"That's alright, that's alright." Qin Rui waved her hand, full of envy, "Your three brothers truly adore you. Unlike my bookish brother, who just buries himself in books all day!"

Yu Mingzhu curled her lips slightly, with a hint of complaint: "...Sometimes they just dote on me too much. I even told my eldest brother that now that he's married, he should pay more attention to his wife."

Qin Rui looked at Yu Mingzhu with envy.

The two linked arms and walked away, chatting and laughing.

Xingxing returned to the small pavilion, and as soon as she entered, a kindly old lady approached, saying that the Duchess of Xinguo wanted to see her.

The surrounding girls looked at her with envy.

Xingxing was a bit surprised: "Madam, why does the Duchess of Xinguo want to see me?"

The old lady looked at Xingxing kindly: "Miss Yu, our lady heard that you saved Miss Hui and wishes to thank you personally."

Xingxing thought for a moment and followed the old lady to a side room.

This was where Lou Ruhui was resting. She was still unconscious from her injuries, and the Duchess of Xinguo had come to see her.

A maid drew back the curtain for Xingxing, and a faint scent of incense wafted out from the inner room.

A blue-glazed incense burner on a small table emitted a faint mist. Through this slightly hazy air, Xingxing looked at the old lady sitting in the chair at the head, wearing a deep purple robe with endless patterns.

The Duchess of Xinguo had white hair and a very kind appearance. She was holding a string of prayer beads and smiled at Xingxing.

Xingxing took a few steps forward and bowed to the Duchess Dowager of Xinguo: "Xingxing pays her respects to the Duchess Dowager."

The Duchess Dowager of Xinguo spoke with a smile in her voice: "At my age, my vision gets a bit blurry from a distance. Come closer, my dear."

The Duchess Dowager couldn't help but chuckle to her maid, Qingluan: "This child's voice is so pleasant, like a little lark. I don't know why, but it warms my heart to hear it."

Qingluan also smiled: "Isn't it? If I may say so, Miss Yu's voice is delightful."

Xingxing blushed slightly at the praise but stepped forward with confidence, stopping a few steps in front of the Duchess Dowager.

As she approached, the Duchess Dowager got a clearer look at Xingxing's face and was momentarily taken aback. She studied her for a while before beckoning her closer: "Come a little closer, my dear."

Xingxing, though puzzled, took two more steps forward.

The Duchess Dowager couldn't resist reaching out to take Xingxing's hand, examining her closely while murmuring: "You are truly a beautiful child, but I don't know why, I feel such a strong sense of warmth and familiarity when I see you."

The Duchess Dowager's hands were warm, and Xingxing didn't mind her gentle scrutiny, allowing the Duchess Dowager to continue her observation.

Xingxing's maid added with a smile: "Many people take an instant liking to our young lady. She has a way of winning over everyone she meets."

Xingxing couldn't help but cough lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed by the maid's effusive praise.

Qingluan, standing beside the Duchess Dowager, also took a closer look and suddenly clapped her hands in realization: "Your Grace, look at Miss Yu's nose and mouth. Don't they resemble the young mistress when she was a child?"

The Duchess Dowager, upon hearing this, scrutinized Xingxing more carefully. After a long moment, she finally recalled: "You're right. This child does look remarkably like A'Tong when she was young."

The Duchess Dowager couldn't help but laugh, "I knew there was a reason I felt so drawn to her. I was wondering if it was because I knew she had saved our Hui'er."

The Duchess Dowager's gaze was filled with warmth and affection, and to Xingxing, she seemed like a kind and approachable elder.

Xingxing smiled softly, not inquiring about who "A'Tong" was.

The Duchess Dowager held onto Xingxing's hand, reluctant to let go.

"I've heard from the Duke that your brother, General Yu, is a once-in-a-century talent for Great Xia," the Duchess Dowager said with a smile. "If I had known that General Yu's sister was such a delightful young lady, I would have invited you to our estate much sooner."