Chapter Seventy: A Banquet to Appreciate Plums

  "Big brother is right, but people occasionally also need to take a look at different scenery, walk the roads that have not been walked before, isn't that so?" Qing Jin replied with an unwavering gaze towards Gu Jing Xuan.

  Upon hearing Qing Jin's words with deeper meaning, Gu Jing Xuan lowered his head, his eyes flashing with deep thought and puzzlement. He then lifted his head and gave Qing Jin a faint smile, opening his mouth to ask without concealment: "Is what Second Sister said true? Is Big Brother indeed shallow? Was it because of this that Second Sister was so tolerant of Fifth Sister?"

  "Yield? Brother, your words are wrong. Wu Mei is also Qing Jin's sister. Sisters should get along with each other, I'm the older sister, it's only right to give in a bit to my younger brothers and sisters." Qing Jin said casually.

  Gu Jingxuan nodded slightly upon hearing Qingjin's words: "Big brother understands second sister's meaning now, it seems that second sister is really different from before. Ah, is second sister going to grandmother's place?"

  "Yes, Qingjin is just about to go and pay respects to her grandmother."

  "Then big brother won't delay second sister from going to pay respects to grandmother. Big brother will take his leave first!"

  Qing Jin nodded in response to Gu Jing Xuan's words.

  Gu Jingxuan walked past Qing Jin and her servant, heading in the direction behind Qing Jin's back.

  After Gu Jingxuan left, Yuanyang, who was standing beside Qingjin, still looked incredulous and opened her mouth to say: "Miss, that really is the young master? I just thought it was... But, miss, how did you recognize the young master at a glance? When I heard you call him 'brother' just now, I was shocked. Only after careful observation did I realize it was indeed the young master."

  "I'm just guessing too."

  "Ah, no way! Right, miss, what were you just exchanging sweet nothings with the young master?" Yuyang asked.

  “……………”

  "Miss, won't you tell me about it?"

  “……………”

  "Miss..."

  In the twilight, the master and servant's figures headed towards the Chaoxia Yard.

  That day, Qingjin did not see her grandmother Shen after all. The old lady was still obviously angry about Qingjin's behavior and only let Chunliu come out to pass on the message that she was unwell before sending Qingjin away.

  Qing Jin came out of her grandmother Shen's courtyard. After returning to her own courtyard, she fell ill with a fever that night and was bedridden for over a month. During this time, there were invitations from aristocratic families inviting Qing Jin to banquets, all of which she naturally declined. Either Qing Yao went alone or stayed behind while Qing Xia and Qing Qi attended together.

  December in the north is already very cold, with long icicles hanging from the eaves like golden hooks. Yesterday brought the first snow of winter, and the chilly air this morning was invigorating. The occasional gusts of cold wind made one shiver uncontrollably.

  Qing Jin, who should be resting in bed, looked not a bit sickly at this time. She was comfortably lying in the warm room with the burning dragon, holding a book in her hand and listening to Yuanyang talk about the latest gossip inside and outside the mansion. Her days were spent in utmost comfort.

  On this day, Qing Jin had just gotten up and was leaning against the headboard looking through the books in her hand. At this time, the door was gently pushed open, and Qing Jin looked at the person who came in, wearing a white dress with a white fox fur draped over her body, she was as icy and elegant as jade, refined and uncommon. Although Qing Jin was extremely familiar with the person in front of her, there was still a moment of surprise, and she smiled lightly. Looking at the person, she called out: "Fourth sister, how did you come?"

  Qing Yao walked into the house, approached the bed and saw Qing Jin wearing only a single layer of clothing. With concern, she opened her mouth and said: "It's so early in the morning, why isn't Second Sister wearing more clothes? Second Sister is still ill, if you catch another chill, what will happen?"

  "The fourth young lady is right, I often advise our young lady in the same way, but she never listens. Every time, it's necessary for Yuanyang to remind her several times before she remembers." After speaking, she took a coat from her hand and put it on Qingjin.

  Upon hearing Yuanyang's words, Qingjin smoothed out her clothes and smiled as she said: "You little girl, I just thought the room was warm so it didn't seem necessary to be so particular, but you see someone and then start calling me 'Miss' again." After speaking, she turned her head to ask Qingshuo: "Fourth sister came over so early, is there something going on?"

  Qing Yao heard Qing Jin say this, nodded, and took a invitation card from her personal maid's hand, pretending to hand it over to Qing Jin.

  Qing Yu handed over the swan next to her, but instead of taking it and looking at it, she asked Qing Yao in front of her: "What is this thing?"

  "The invitation from the Duke of Qi's mansion, the young lady of the Qi family will be hosting a plum blossom appreciation banquet seven days later." Qingyao said to Qingjin.

  "Plum blossom banquet? I've told Fourth Sister not to always run over here every time she posts something, and yet Fourth Sister still comes over especially. Since it's the Qiguo Duke's plum blossom banquet, they should be inviting only the legitimate daughters of large families. Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister shouldn't be suitable to go with Fourth Sister together. Let Fourth Sister just go by herself!" Qingjin said without thinking after hearing this.

  Qing Yao heard Qing Jin's words and wanted to say something, so she turned her head to ask Yuanyang standing beside Qing Jin, "Has Second Sister's wind chill not recovered yet?"

  "Isn't that right, Fourth Miss? You help me persuade my mistress. She was getting better before and the doctor said she just needed to rest in bed for a while and she could go out. But yesterday when it snowed outside, she insisted on opening the window to see the snowy scene. I advised her against it for half a day but she didn't listen. And now, last night she had a fever again."

  "How could this be? Second sister, you must take good care of yourself and strive to recover by the time of the plum blossom banquet." Yuanyang said to Qingyao.

  Qing Jin heard Qing Yao mention the plum blossom banquet again, and curiously asked: "Seeing that Fourth Sister attaches so much importance to this plum blossom banquet, is there something different about this banquet?"

  Upon hearing Qing Jin's question, a hint of annoyance flashed across Qing Yao's eyes before disappearing instantly. She then spoke to Qing Jin: "Yao'er doesn't know if this news is certain or not, but she heard that this time the Qi Guo Gong Fu's plum blossom banquet has invited not only the noble ladies from various families in the capital, but also male guests. It's said that at the time, the crown prince and all the imperial princes will be there too!"

  Upon hearing Qing Yao's words, Qing Jin couldn't help but feel a little surprised. Isn't this just like an arranged blind date?

  "Second sister, will you go with your younger sisters at that time?" Qingyao looked at Qingyan thoughtfully and asked somewhat restlessly.

  Looking at Gu Qingyao trying to appear relaxed, but with an anxious expression that she couldn't hide, Qingjin felt a bit strange, but she didn't think much of it. "Fourth sister wants Second sister to accompany her together?" Qingjin asked.

  Qing Yao didn't expect Qing Jin to ask that, and she hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth: "Second sister, I..."

  "Haha, looking at Fourth Sister's reaction, it seems like she doesn't want Second Sister to accompany her. But Second Sister was just joking with Fourth Sister. The doctor said that Second Sister needs to rest and recover, and the weather outside is so cold, of course, Second Sister can't go." After saying this, Qingyao across from her clearly let out a sigh of relief, and Qingjin immediately confirmed that she wasn't overthinking it - Qingyao really didn't want her to attend the plum blossom banquet.

  Although I don't know why, Qingjin really doesn't like going out with some idle people to participate in plum blossom appreciation on a cold winter's day. Compared to participating in a plum blossom appreciation banquet, she prefers to lie in the warm room and read travel notes, listen to Yuanyang talk about gossip outside, and besides, she only read half of the new book she bought yesterday!

  "Then second sister, Qingyao will leave first, take good care of yourself!" After hearing Qingjin's response, Qingyao bid farewell and left.

  "Miss, Miss Erniang has come all the way here for what reason?" Qingyao asked after opening the door, while Yuanyang asked Qingjin in confusion.

  "No matter what, I, your family's daughter, have absolutely no interest in that plum blossom banquet. What, do you want to go?" Qingjin asked Yuanyang, looking up from her book.

  "On a cold day like this, I still prefer to stay in the room with the young lady."

  Upon hearing Yuanyang's words, Qingjin lowered her head and continued reading the travel notes in her hand. The room was filled with a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

  However, it's not that Qingjin can choose not to go just by saying so. On the eve of the plum blossom banquet, Qingjin's grandmother, Shen Shi, had someone send over a few pieces of jewelry and also had someone bring a message, which boiled down to two points: first, Qingjin must attend tomorrow's plum blossom banquet; second, Qingjin must not do anything out of place at the banquet.

  Shen's request for Qingjin to attend the plum blossom banquet, of course, was not notified to others. So the next day when Qingyao saw Qingjin on horseback, there was a moment of astonishment on his face, as well as hurt and grievance.

  "Second sister, you..."

  "Fourth sister, originally second sister didn't think she could attend this plum blossom banquet either. Unexpectedly, the doctor said yesterday that my injury was no longer a big problem. Conveniently, grandmother wasn't feeling well and had the doctor come over. After learning that I wasn't seriously ill, she told the maid Chunliu to pass on the message saying that I should also attend today's plum blossom banquet to join in the fun. At the time it was already too late at night, so no one was sent to tell fourth sister. Fourth sister, weren't you surprised when you saw me today?"

  "No, Second Sister can go with Qingyao to attend the plum blossom banquet. Qingyao doesn't know how happy she is!" Hearing Qingyan's words, Qingyao immediately pretended to be happy and said.

  "That's good! Second sister was afraid that Fourth sister came over specially the other day, and Second sister said she wasn't going, but today she wants to go again. I thought Sister was cheating on her younger sister!"

  "Second sister, Qingyao wouldn't think this way."

  The plum blossom banquet of the Qi State Duke's mansion was held in a separate courtyard, where a large plum forest was planted.

  The horse carriage of the Anji Marquis's residence slowly came to a stop at the entrance of the Qi family's villa. Qingjin and Gu Qingyao got out of the carriage one after another, and from the maid's mouth, they learned that not many people had arrived yet, as everyone was strolling around the plum forest admiring the plum blossoms. At Qingyao's suggestion, Qingjin also began to stroll in the plum forest with her.

  "Second sister, look at the one in front, isn't that the Third Imperial Prince?" Qing Yu was bored out of her mind when Gu Qingyao spoke up beside her.

  PS: Thank you to Mei in flying ~ for the reward of Angel Wings, thank you to silly rabbit Huihui and Dan Hong for the pink votes, thank you to Yu Hou Tingyuan 4, perfect little fish 2, Qingchen Leyu 1 for the reward anniversary cake, thank you to silly rabbit Huihui for the reward peace symbol...