Chapter 10

Chapter 10

During the period when Xie Run fell out of favor with Prince Jing, Shiqie Fang was particularly favored.

Fang Yuaner's popularity was unmatched, completely eclipsing the former favorite, Shiqie Yun.

After turning over a new leaf, Fang Yuaner's actions became much more prudent, and she stopped faking illness to vie for attention.

Xie Run heard that Fang Yuaner had even sent gifts to Shiqie An as an apology.

A few days later, Prince Jing even spent the night in Shiqie An's chamber.

Initially unhappy with Fang Yuaner, Shiqie An was now almost eager to pay her respects every day and constantly talked about "Sister Fang."

It wasn't just Shiqie An.

With tens of thousands of silver taels in hand, Fang Yuaner spent money without any stinginess. Nine out of ten of the concubines in the residence had received her gifts, and her popularity soared instantly.

Soon came the Qixi Festival.

Qixi was a major festival; Prince Jing and the Princess Consort were to attend an evening banquet at the palace.

The prince's manor also prepared a banquet.

According to past practice, it was Cefei Ning who would be in charge, but this year, with the Second Young Master lost and Cefei Ning demoted to Shufei Ning, technically, she no longer qualified.

Yet Prince Jing chose to favor her and still let her organize it.

Xie Run thought it was probably in consideration of the First Young Master.

Since the manor had only this one young master left, humiliating Shufei Ning would also be demeaning to the First Young Master.

Prince Jing disliked Cefei Ning, but he still loved the First Young Master.

Xie Run had been hiding in Linxuan Pavilion for a long time, but she couldn't avoid this banquet.

Early in the morning, she changed into a pale pink dress, casually styled a single snail bun hairstyle, circled with a strand of pearls, and pinned two gold-inlaid silver hairpins, dressing very simply.

Even so, Xie Run's face, delicate yet alluring, still stood out.

She deliberately made her complexion look paler, ensuring she wouldn't attract attention, then dawdled out the door.

Once outside, she saw that everywhere in the courtyard were hung colorful lanterns, looking very beautiful.

Xie Run said, "Maybe I'm worrying too much. Today I'll just eat and drink my fill and take it easy."

Dan Tao and Yu Li both nodded.

Dan Tao said, "That's right, Mistress. Don't be so wound up, or you'll wear yourself out."

Yu Li said, "These lanterns are really beautiful. I heard they've also invited a singing troupe today; I'm lucky to get a treat for my ears."

Xie Run smiled and saw not far away a brightly lit and lively scene, with three round tables set up and quite a few attendants.

Shufei Ning, dressed in a tangerine gown embroidered with peonies, sat smiling at the head of the table.

She was adorned with a full set of ruby butterfly-and-flower head ornaments, two gold-inlaid jade bracelets on her wrists, radiating dignity with no sign of decline at all.

She didn't seem like someone who had lost a son just a month ago.

Xie Run quietly took her seat, finding herself next to Shiqie An.

Fang Yuaner, having been in the spotlight recently, was seated at the seat just below Shufei Ning.

After a while, the singing troupe arrived and began a lively performance.

Shiqie An smiled gently and said, "Sister Xie hasn't left Linxuan Pavilion since entering the manor; this is the first time I've seen you."

Xie Run lowered her head with a shy smile, "I'm a homebody and don't like to go out much."

Shiqie An laughed, "Me too. I'm scared of getting into trouble, so I'd rather stay in my own courtyard."

Xie Run smiled but didn't reply.

As dishes were served one by one, Xie Run noticed a bowl of iced sour plum soup placed before her and quietly moved it aside.

Just as she was about to ask Yu Li to serve her some soup, she saw Shiqie An staring at her.

Xie Run was startled, then smiled and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that, Sister An?"

"Sister Xie doesn't like sour plum soup?" Shiqie An stared longingly at Xie Run's bowl. "This sour plum soup tastes very good; I heard it's made from a secret recipe specially obtained by Sister Fang, and no one else can make it as good."

Xie Run said, "I don't like iced drinks. I'll let it cool first. Do you like it, Sister An?"

Since Xie Run said that, Shiqie An naturally wouldn't shamelessly press the issue.

There were plenty of desserts at the table, but each person only had one serving of each kind.

Xie Run paid attention to her health and didn't plan to drink the iced sour plum soup.

But seeing Shiqie An staring eagerly at her bowl, she couldn't just not respond, so she said those words.

Giving away the sour plum soup was a small matter; if Shiqie An ate something and had a problem, Xie Run wouldn't want to be held responsible.

Just then, the performance on stage was in full swing, but suddenly crying was heard from the seating area.