Chapter Thirty-Three: The Mutual Middle

  The Qinghe Cui family is a prominent family in the capital. In recent years, although they have not been very active in the imperial court, their family tradition is strict and upright, and most of the young men in the clan have entered officialdom through the civil service examination, making them a renowned scholarly family.

  Cui Wan is the eldest daughter of the main house, and she has only one younger brother, Cui Yu, who was born out of wedlock. She is fourteen years old this year and just entered the Imperial Academy to study.

  The He family had no children under their knees, but they were quite concerned about this illegitimate child. They have already begun to secretly worry about Cui Yu's marriage. Today is the 60th birthday of Changyuan Bo Ye Sheng, and almost all the women who came to celebrate his birthday are the hostesses of various aristocratic families in the capital, accompanied by their daughters who are just reaching adulthood.

  Such a good opportunity, He certainly wouldn't let it slip away. A pair of sharp eyes scanned around like radar.

  The legitimate ones are mostly proud and unwilling to marry the illegitimate children. The illegitimate ones, on the other hand, are often timid and unable to hold their heads high, so they can't help but focus on Ye Qinglan. Although she is a bit younger, her looks are indeed outstanding, and the smile at the corner of her mouth is particularly charming.

  He couldn't help but take another look.

  Cui Wan revealed a pleased smile. This little sister was indeed born with a unique charm, not to mention men, even women couldn't help but feel delighted when looking at her.

  Cui Wan thought for a moment and said in a low voice: "Why don't I call her over?"

  Mr. He nodded and looked at it from a distance, which was quite good, of course, the next step is to observe it up close before making any further comments.

  Ye Qinglan and others were already aware that the woman beside Cui Wan had been glancing at them frequently. Those scrutinizing gazes weren't malicious, but they didn't make people feel comfortable either.

  Ye Qinglan slightly turned her body, quietly avoiding the disturbing gaze. Before she could even let out a breath, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

  "Shi Mei," Cui Wan smiled and walked over: "It's so stuffy here, want to go out for a walk with me?"

  Facing this sudden invitation, Ye Qinglan was taken aback at first, then smiled and accepted.

  The two were complete strangers and had only exchanged a few words. How did Cui Wan suddenly become so enthusiastic? It seems that there must be some ulterior motive...

  The mystery was soon revealed.

  Cui Wan warmly pulled her and walked in front of the woman who had been staring at her: "Mother, this is the tenth sister of Third Uncle's family."

  Before Mr. He could even open his mouth, Ye Qinglan had already made a curtsy: "Greetings, Aunt." After crossing over for so many days, the thing she did the most was paying respects. She could guarantee with absolute certainty that there wouldn't be any mistakes.

  He smiled with satisfaction: "No need for formalities." After a pause, he added: "We'll have plenty of chances to meet again!"

  What is meant by "the more opportunities you have to meet"?

  Ye Qinglan muttered to herself, but her face showed a gentle and obedient expression, smiling as she followed Cui Wan and her mother out of Changhe Hall. They didn't walk too far, just strolling casually in the garden outside Changhe Hall for a few steps.

  Cui Wanshao smiled and chatted with He Shi, occasionally also exchanging a few words with Ye Qinglan. Ye Qinglan adhered to the principle of speaking less and making fewer mistakes, trying her best to answer in one or two words. "Mm", "yes", "good" were the longest sentences she spoke, never exceeding five words.

  He looked at her with that strange gaze again.

  Ye Qinglan felt a slight discomfort in her heart. She wasn't some merchandise on a shelf, what did He Shi mean by looking at her with the same gaze as if selecting goods?

  However, although she thought so in her heart, her face didn't reveal anything, and her smile was even more gentle and lovely. The two small dimples on her cheeks were particularly charming.

  He finally withdrew his gaze and gave Cui Wan a meaningful glance.

  Cui Wan suddenly understood and smiled: "Today there are so many guests, we've been out for too long, let's go back!"

  Ye Qinglan nodded and smiled without dissent.

  Although she hadn't figured out what He meant, one thing was for sure: He wouldn't have called her out for a walk without reason. This attitude, however, had a bit of the feeling of checking out a potential daughter-in-law...

  Wait!

  What if Mr. He happens to have an unmarried son!

  Ye Qinglan secretly made up her mind and decided to go ask around later.

  Ye Qingning was a bit tired of the small talk, and occasionally turned her head back, but couldn't see Ye Qinglan's figure anywhere, and involuntarily furrowed her delicate eyebrows.

  At this moment, Ye Qinglan's figure appeared in front of her eyes, smiling and calling out "Sixth Sister".

  Ye Qingning's heart wasn't pleased, and her face didn't have much of a smile: "Where did you go just now?" You left without saying a word, don't you think that's treating me a bit too lightly?

  Ye Qinglan smiled helplessly and explained: "Just now, my sister-in-law came to call me and insisted that I accompany them for a walk. I couldn't refuse, so I agreed. You were talking to someone else at the time! So I didn't tell you."

  They?

  Ye Qingning sensitively caught the key words, glanced at He Shi, suddenly thought of something, and suddenly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed: "This is great! Congratulations to you, tenth sister!"

  Ye Qinglan had already had a bad premonition, and looking at Ye Qingning's appearance now, there was no need to ask what was wrong, it was simply laughable and tearful.

  Her feelings were all guessed by her, and unexpectedly, Mrs. He really did have an ulterior motive!

  Ye Qinglan's helpless expression greatly pleased Ye Qingning, who suppressed a smile and comforted in a low voice: "Alright, don't worry. I also know some things about your sister-in-law's family. It's said that she has an illegitimate younger brother, about the same age as me. Just now, your sister-in-law specially called you over, probably to let Madame He take a good look at you. If you're favored by her, you won't have to worry about marriage in the future."

  "Sixth sister!" Ye Qinglan's face turned red as she lightly scolded, revealing a young girl's shyness and nervousness.

  Her acting is really great! Ye Qinglan couldn't help but boast in her heart. Not becoming an actress back then was a huge loss for the entertainment industry!

  Ye Qingning was amused again. The distance between the two of them suddenly narrowed a lot.

  Just then, Dongyan, Zheng's personal maid, came over laughing and chatting.

  Dongyan was about sixteen years old, and her appearance wasn't particularly outstanding, at most average to above-average. However, the way she moved had a kind of elegance that ordinary maidservants didn't have: "Miss, madam is asking for you."

  Ye Qingning hummed in agreement.

  Ye Qinglan was hesitating whether to follow suit when Dongyan chuckled and said, "Miss Ye, the madam is also inviting you over!"

  Right up my alley!

  Ye Qinglan smiled and nodded in agreement, walking over with Ye Qingning.

  At a distance, Zheng's side had a group of people. Ye Qingning first glanced casually, not knowing who he saw, and his footsteps suddenly stopped.

  Ye Qinglan followed her gaze and looked over.

  By Zheng's side stood a stately and elegant woman, whose face bore an astonishing resemblance to hers. It seemed that this woman was Zheng's own sister, who had later married into the Dingguo Duke's household.

  Seeing her aunt, why was Ye Qingning so excited?