Chapter 58: Quarrel

  No matter how hard Ye Qinglan thought about it, she couldn't figure out the reason behind it, so she simply stopped thinking about it.

  Anyway, tomorrow I will go to Dingguo Gongfu, what is Zheng Shi's intention, it will be clear tomorrow.

  The next morning, Ye Qinglan got up early again. After a quick wash and dress, she changed into some new clothes that were slightly brighter in color, and put on the pair of jade bracelets on her wrists, which indeed made her look more spirited.

  "Miss, are you still going to put on makeup today?"

  Ye Qinglan nodded.

  Rui Xue was just about to take action when the door suddenly opened, and in came Hong Yu. Hong Yu had eaten some bitter fruit yesterday and was much more subdued today, accompanying her smile with a humble tone: "Miss, I've come to help you get dressed!"

  Yeh Ching-lan replied faintly: "No need, Hui Xue has already helped me with most of it."

  Hong Yu smiled and hesitated, but still didn't give up: "I used to help Madam with her hair all the time, and even she praised my skills! Miss, please let me try again..."

  Ye Qinglan was unmoved and refused bluntly: "I said I don't need it, so I won't use it. You can leave first! Your service is no longer needed here."

  Hong Yu reluctantly backed out and glared at Rui Xue before leaving.

  The master and servant were of one mind, and Rui Xue's heart was naturally at ease. She served with even more diligence than usual. With great care, she applied a thin layer of powder to Ye Qinglan's face. The girl in the copper mirror suddenly looked several shades paler and weaker.

  Ye Qinglan was very satisfied with Rui Xue's craftsmanship and smiled as she stood up: "Let's go, don't keep Sixth Sister waiting."

  Rui Xue smiled and responded, then immediately asked in a low voice: "Miss, should we let Hong Yu follow us today?" Although she disliked Hong Yu, she had to admit that Hong Yu was a beautiful and clever maid. Bringing Hong Yu along would be much better than bringing Gui Yuan.

  Ye Qinglan pulled the corner of her lips, and her eyes were exceptionally bright: "Bring longan then!" The unscrupulous and restless master Hongyu was best kept in the He Fengyuan, no matter how much he stirred up, he couldn't make any waves.

  Rui Xue immediately went to call in Gui Yuan.

  Osmanthus entered with an excited face, her big eyes full of surprise: "Miss, are you really going to take me out of the house?"

  Ye Qinglan nodded with a faint smile.

  Longan was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling. She was thrilled to be able to visit the Dingguo Duke's mansion and broaden her horizons, and she knew that countless maids would envy her when they heard about it.

  Ye Qinglan saw the excited look on Guiyuan's face and suddenly felt a bit of anticipation for today's outing. Being cooped up in the house all day was really boring. It was rare to have an opportunity to go out and clear her mind. Who knows, she might even see Gu Xiuyu again!

  As for Gu Xiannian...

  Although she likes to admire handsome men, there is absolutely no extra idea. It's better to respect and keep a distance.

  Ye Qingning should be very happy today! She has been secretly in love with this Fourth Master Gu for a long time!

  As expected, Ye Qingning had made an effort to dress up today. Her already beautiful face was adorned with a light layer of makeup, making her look like a noble lady. A red dress that dazzled the eyes.

  Ye Qinglan smiled and flattered: "Sixth sister is really extremely beautiful today, if I were a man, I would definitely stare my eyes out."

  This sentence is a perfect flattery. Ye Qingning's face suddenly had a smile, and he looked up and down at Ye Qinglan for a few eyes: "Don't just praise me, you look great today too!"

  Although Ye Qinglan made an effort to dress low-key and unobtrusive, her beautiful face couldn't be hidden. A pair of calm eyes like still water contained a faint smile, as if a warm spring breeze had brushed against her cheeks, making people feel comfortable.

  Her beauty is not dazzling, at least not as bright as her own. But there's a kind of strange charm that makes people feel close to her from the bottom of their hearts.

  Ye Qingning couldn't help but admit that this tenth younger sister of his was a stunning beauty.

  Yè Qīnglán smiled coquettishly: "Alright, let's stop flattering each other here. We should hurry up and find Auntie instead. Don't keep her waiting."

  Ye Qingning smiled and nodded.

  The two of them went to Luomei Courtyard together. Along the way, Ye Qinglan quietly took a few glances at Ye Qingning and found that her complexion was really good.

  A girl's mood is like the summer weather, changeable. This saying is not false at all. Yesterday Ye Qingning was still sulking, but after just one night she became sunny again. The person who made Ye Qingning's mood so good must be Gu Xiannian.

  Zheng had long since made preparations and was waiting at the Luomei Courtyard for quite some time.

  Today's Zheng family, obviously also dressed up carefully, looks like they are younger than usual. There is also a warm and friendly smile on his face.

  Zheng looked at Ye Qingning and Ye Qinglan for a few moments, feeling very satisfied in her heart.

  Ye Qingning's appearance was exceptionally stunning, with skin as white as snow, and wearing a red dress made her look even more ravishing. Ye Qinglan wore a light yellow dress, which was neither too showy nor would it steal the spotlight from Ye Qingning. She was indeed a clever and lively little maid!

  Zheng's gaze suddenly fell on the gemstone bracelet on Ye Qinglan's wrist. Strange, why did this bracelet look so familiar?

  Ye Qinglan hastily explained with a smile: "This was lent to me by Eldest Sister-in-law, she said I could wear it for just one day and then return it to her."

  Zheng's eyes flashed, and she smiled meaningfully: "Things that have been given away don't come back. I'll make the decision for her, and give this pair of bangles to you."

  How can this be!

  Ye Qinglan was about to say something when she heard Cui Wan's smiling voice at the door: "Tenth sister, don't decline anymore. Mother has already spoken, if you don't accept it, I, as your sister-in-law, will lose face."

  Zheng's face fell, and he couldn't help but crack a joke: "I remember you having quite a few good treasures, how come you didn't give some nice things to Lan, instead of bringing out this worthless bracelet to show off, aren't you embarrassed?"

  Cui Wan saw that Zheng's mood was good, so she also smiled and replied: "In front of you, this little family property is not worth mentioning."

  Zheng couldn't help but laugh, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became much more relaxed.

  After a while, Ye Qingrou also came over. She was wearing a bright and beautiful spring dress today, which made her look even more slender and charming. First, she paid respects to Zheng Shi, then greeted Cui Wan, and finally it was Ye Qingning's turn.

  Ye Qingning had always disliked Ye Qingrou, never giving her a good face in front of others or behind their backs. Today was no exception, she perfunctorily nodded and then shifted her gaze away.

  Ye Qingrou suppressed the discontent in her heart and smiled warmly at Ye Qinglan. Ye Qinglan, adhering to the principle of not offending anyone, responded politely with a few words.

  The maid smiled and stepped forward to report: "Madam, the carriage is ready."

  Zheng nodded and led everyone onto the carriage without delay.

  The carriage of the Changyuan Bo Mansion was very luxurious and majestic. More than a dozen masters and servants were seated in two carriages, which was more than enough, not crowded at all. Zhengshi and Cui Wan sat in one, while Ye Qinglan and her three sisters sat in the other.

  Ye Qingning and Ye Qingrou were both stubbornly silent, neither of them willing to speak up.

  Ye Qinglan broke the silence: "Sixth sister, where is the Dingguo Gongfu? I've never been there before!"

  Ye Qingrou didn't make a sound, but her ears perked up for a long time.

  Ye Qingning glanced at Ye Qingrou with disdain and said lightly, "The Dingguo Gongfu is in Qinghefang, one of the four suburbs. After leaving Ronghefang, it will take no more than half an hour to arrive."

  This was the second time Ye Qinglan had heard of Si Fang Qi Xiang. The last time was from Ye Qingfu's mouth. Everyone's expression was very natural, and it was clear that these places were very familiar to everyone.

  Ye Qinglan and Ye Qingrou both made a relieved expression.

  Ye Qingning glanced at Ye Qinglan and smiled casually, "You haven't been back for years, yet you still remember the Fourth Avenue and Seventh Alley, your memory is quite good."

  This topic is too sensitive.

  Ye Qinglan smiled calmly and replied, "Don't worry about Sixth Sister and Eighth Sister laughing at me. Actually, I've forgotten a lot of them. I only remember Ronghe Fang and Qinghe Fang."

  Ye Qingning and Ye Qingrou both covered their mouths and smiled at the same time.

  Yè Qīnglán took the initiative to thicken her skin and begged: "Anyway, you have nothing to do now, just tell me about it! Otherwise, when others ask, I won't know anything, and I'll really lose face."

  Ye Qingning was amused and rarely had the patience to explain in detail: "Four Fang and Seven Xiang are the most famous places in Beijing. The people living in these places are all officials and nobles, either rich or noble. Four Fang is more famous than Seven Xiang, which includes Ronghe Fang, Qinghe Fang, Shili Fang, and Yuqing Fang. Our Changyuan Bo Fu is in Ronghe Fang, Dingguo Gong Fu is in Qinghe Fang, and my maternal grandparents' house is in Yuqing Fang." After a pause, he added with a smile: "Your sister-in-law's maiden home is in Yong'an Xiang. The scenery there is not bad, you might as well go take a look when you have the chance."

  The last sentence was actually meant to tease Ye Qinglan.

  Ye Qinglan's face turned slightly red as she playfully spat at Ye Qingning, who didn't mind in the least and instead smiled with pursed lips.

  The intimacy between them was so casual that Ye Qingru's eyes were hot. She didn't want to be left out, and smiled as she chimed in: "My maternal grandparents' house is also on Phoenix Alley, one of the seven alleys!"

  Ye Qinglan smiled and praised: "This name is really nice."

  Ye Qing's eyes flashed with a hint of pride, just as she was about to say something, Ye Qingning let out a snort: "The name is indeed fitting, but unfortunately it's the most remote and desolate place in the four alleys and seven lanes. There are only a few prominent families living there, mostly relatives of some minor officials. Who knows which busybody actually included Phoenix Alley in the four alleys and seven lanes."

  These words were sharp and sarcastic, extremely ridiculing.

  Ye Qingrou's face turned red with anger, and she retorted without thinking: "Don't look down on others just because your maternal grandfather's family is prominent. Wait until you're really married into the Zheng Guo Gong Fu before showing off."

  This sentence hit Ye Qingning's sore spot, and she immediately counterattacked with shame and anger: "My affairs are none of your concern. Besides, even if I didn't marry my cousin, it wouldn't be you anyway."

  Ye Qing's face turned red with anger and shyness, "You" had been speaking for half a day but still couldn't continue.

  Ye Qinglan saw the situation was unfavorable and hastily changed the subject: "The carriage seems to have stopped, have we arrived?"

  Ye Qingning won the argument and felt much better. Upon hearing this, she lifted the curtain and took a look, her expression changing: "Indeed, it has arrived."