Chapter 41: A Good Show

  Ye Qingning stepped forward and was about to bow when Madam Xue smiled and said, "No need for so much courtesy, let's just sit down and watch the play together." Her attitude was casual and intimate.

  Ye Qingning's sensitive perception picked up on her aunt's subtle change in attitude, and her smile faltered.

  This aunt is also a noble lady from a wealthy family, looking gentle and easy-going, but actually not close to her. But seeing her today, she was exceptionally kind and affectionate...

  She naturally knew a thing or two about the subtlety of it all. But after going through what had just happened, Mrs. Xü's attitude made her feel even more stifled in her heart.

  Ye Qing's mind was in a mess, and her reaction was slightly slower. She paused for a moment before politely thanking him and sitting down.

  Mrs Xu took her reaction as shyness and smiled casually, without taking it seriously.

  Ye Qinglan had already quietly sat down in the chair behind Ye Qingning, seemingly focused on watching the stage, but actually with her ears perked up.

  Zheng asked in a low voice: "Ning Er, where did you go just now?"

  Ye Qingning somewhat uncomfortably replied: "I'm going to Luomei Courtyard." As for what she was going to do at Luomei Courtyard, it didn't need to be asked to be guessed.

  Zheng's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and then she smiled as if nothing was wrong: "Right, it seems like Junyan has also disappeared. I don't know where he ran off to either."

  At the mention of Zheng Junyan's name, Ye Qingning's smile suddenly disappeared, and her pretty face sank.

  Zheng was so astute that she immediately sensed something was amiss. Since Mrs. Xu was also present, it wasn't convenient to ask further questions, so she had to temporarily suppress this doubt.

  "Mrs. Xü was chatting with Mrs. Zhèng: '... Is Xiùyù doing any better now?'"

  In front of her husband's family, Zheng Furen also lost the mood to hide, and sighed with a bitter smile: "It used to be better, but now she won't even come out of the house, not speaking all day. I thought about taking her out today to clear her mind, didn't expect her..." Suddenly couldn't continue, her eyebrows filled with sighs and helplessness.

  Mrs. Xu hurriedly comforted her: "Xiu Yu is still young, maybe in two more years she will be fine."

  "Let's hope so!" Mrs. Zheng sighed and immediately regained her spirit, smiling: "Isn't Junyan getting old this year? Has his marriage been settled?"

  Madam Xü's eyes flashed, and she quickly exchanged a tacit glance with Zheng Shi. However, her mouth smiled and said: "This matter is not urgent, it's not late to decide after the Mid-Autumn Festival."

  Mrs. Zheng was so perceptive, she immediately had a number in mind, and with a smile, she glanced at Ye Qingning and joked: "Why bother looking elsewhere when there's already someone suitable right here?"

  Madam Xü smiled but didn't speak. Zheng Shi hurriedly laughed and said: "Sister is joking."

  Ye Qingning lowered her head, still feeling a burning sensation on her face. Suddenly, she thought of Zheng Junyan's previous words and unconsciously twisted the handkerchief in her hand into a rope.

  Ye Qinglan could understand Ye Qingning's embarrassment at this moment, and gently pulled Ye Qingning's sleeve, whispering: "Sixth sister, this opera troupe is singing quite well, don't you think?" If she continued to wipe her handkerchief like this, she might arouse the suspicion of the crowd.

  Ye Qingning apparently understood her hint, took a deep breath, quietly put away the handkerchief and focused on watching the play together. But in his heart, he was still disturbed.

  Who knows what those people on stage are singing about with their warbling voices?

  Ye Qinglan, on the other hand, watched with great enthusiasm. The actors on the stage were not performing Peking Opera, but Kunqu Opera. Kunqu Opera has a gentle and beautiful appearance, its tunes are elegant and pleasant to listen to, and upon careful listening, it's quite enjoyable.

  Although I couldn't understand what they were singing...

  The noblewomen below the stage were all busy chatting with each other and sizing up the unmarried girls. Those who were truly watching the play attentively could be counted on one's fingers.

  Xue led Ye Qingfu to sit beside He Shi, chatting and laughing for a few sentences, intentionally or unintentionally shifting the topic to Ye Qingfu.

  He gazed at Ye Qingfu with a calm and composed expression, smiling as he praised: "It's been several years since we last met, but you've become even more elegant and refined."

  A hint of self-satisfaction flashed across Ye Qingfu's eyes.

  Xue Shi hurriedly smiled and modestly said a few words. She specifically brought Ye Qingfu to greet He Shi, naturally with an ulterior motive. The main house of the Cui family had no eldest son, only a younger son named Cui Yu who was born out of wedlock. If they could form an alliance with the Cui family, it would be a good thing...

  He couldn't see Xue's intentions. However, she didn't have a good impression of Ye Qingfu, who was slightly arrogant in her demeanor. So they just chatted briefly and continued to watch the play.

  Xue's heart secretly felt disappointed, and then immediately regained her spirit to think about it. Whose family has a suitable young man?

  He's gaze suddenly fell on the front two rows of the theater.

  Ye Qinglan sat upright behind Ye Qingning, with a faint smile at the corner of her lips, exuding an indescribable freshness and beauty in the warm spring day. Ye Qingning seemed to be frowning, but Ye Qinglan whispered a few words into his ear, and his expression immediately softened significantly.

  Turns out she's a clever and resourceful little girl...

  He smiled and looked at Xue: "How old is Lan this year?"

  Xue's first reaction was a daze, and he smiled unnaturally: "She is twelve this year." Why did he suddenly mention Ye Qinglan?

  "This girl is quite likable." Madam He smiled and said: "Why don't we call her over to sit together?"

  Xue Shi quickly came to her senses, gritting her teeth in her heart. Just as she was about to say something, Ye Qingfu hastily said: "What's the point of calling her? She's been following Sixth Sister all day and didn't even notice me, her own sister. Let her just sit there." The sour tone in her words couldn't be concealed.

  Mr. He's smile added a few points of ridicule, but he didn't say anything.

  Xue's face suddenly became somewhat fiery, and she glared fiercely at Ye Qingfu. This useless girl, even if she wasn't pleased in her heart, shouldn't have spoken so directly!

  Ye Qingfu felt a bellyful of grievances. What she said was obviously true, why did her mother glare at her?

  Xue Shi stared at Ye Qingfu, then smiled politely and said: "It's rare for this girl to enter your eyes, I'll go and have someone call her over." He turned his head and whispered a command to Hongyu.

  Hongyu hastened to carry out the order.

  Ye Qinglan was whispering to Ye Qingning when she suddenly heard Hongyu's voice, which made her feel quite surprised. After hearing what Hongyu had to say, she felt even more surprised.

  What did Xue's family ask her to do?

  After walking over, Ye Qinglan finally saw that the person sitting next to Xue Shi was He Shi. She muttered to herself in her heart, but on the surface, she made a gentle and obedient courtesy.

  He nodded slightly, though he couldn't be described as enthusiastic, but was much more calm than before.

  Ye Qinglan politely and respectfully greeted Mrs. Xue, and sweetly smiled as she called out "Second Sister".

  Ye Qingfu was displeased that Ye Qinglan had stolen the spotlight again, so she deliberately turned her head and ignored Ye Qinglan. Ye Qinglan didn't mind, just smiled and quietly sat down.

  He nodded slightly, obviously having a few more points of goodwill towards Ye Qinglan.

  Xue watched with a mix of anger and helplessness in her heart.

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