Chapter 106: No Incident Offers Earnest Devotion

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  The peony saw the situation on that side was not good, it seemed to have encountered a bad-tempered and arrogant master, probably couldn't be easily reconciled, could only hope that the other party would spare Snow Daughter for the sake of her father's face, so she asked Snow Daughter in a low voice: "What's going on? Didn't you tell them whose daughter you are?"

  Xue Niang controlled her emotions and said in a very low voice: "They suddenly turned from the side road. With these trees blocking my view, I didn't see them when I rode over on horseback. By the time I saw them, we were already close. Although there were many people, the carriage was just an ordinary style, with only one horse pulling it. I didn't notice anything else unusual, so I didn't need to yield or retreat. I simply steered my horse to the side of the road and continued on my way. Who would have thought that they would stop me, take away my horse without saying a word, and start scolding me? I got angry and retorted with a couple of sentences..."

  She glanced at the woman standing beside her, showing a somewhat fearful expression. "They got off the car and were about to slap my mouth. I was so scared that I quickly mentioned my father's name, which is why they didn't slap me, but instead just scolded me while holding onto me. In all my years, I've never been scolded like this before..." Snow Maiden said, her eyes welling up with tears again.

  It's not Xue Niang's fault, but the person in the car is picking on her, or maybe that person is just in a bad mood and taking it out on Xue Niang. Looking at the poor little girl who was wronged, Mudan sighed and took out a handkerchief to gently wipe away her tears, comforting her by saying: "Don't worry, since they knew your identity and didn't hit you, that means they probably know your father. It's probably nothing serious, at most it's just someone venting their anger, and apologizing will be enough."

  The grey-robed old woman walked over with a scowl on her face, as if written all over it was "I'm so unlucky, I'm so jinxed, I'm so angry, don't mess with me". She snorted and said, "Let you two pass, but be careful what you say afterwards."

  "May I trouble you, nanny, to enlighten me as to how I should address the noble person? I fear that if I'm not careful, I might say something wrong." According to her thinking, someone who would stop a young girl and refuse to let go, definitely wouldn't be Ning Wang himself, nor could it be the late Ning Wangfei. So, who else could it be? At most, it would just be that fifth-rank lady-in-waiting.

  As expected, the grey-robed woman said impatiently: "It's Meng Ruo of Ning Wang Fu."

  Xue Niang's face fell as soon as she heard that the other party was only a fifth-rank lady-in-waiting. Her own mother, Duan Fu Ren, was still a third-rank marchioness! What kind of thing was this? Wasn't it just relying on being a female member of the Ning Wang Fu to bully others? It wasn't time for her to show respect yet, so she deliberately didn't go, wanting to see what the other party would do.

  "Peony took her hand and whispered, 'There are too many of them, besides, no matter what, she is a noblewoman. A good man doesn't take advantage of the situation, let's just go with it. Otherwise, your horse will be seized, and they won't let you leave either, what can we do?' No matter how high Snow Daughter's parents' status was, Snow Daughter herself had no official title."

  Xue Niang heard this, and with tears in her eyes, she glanced at the good horse that was surrounded by several men, who were touching it all over, praising it nonstop. In the end, she held back her breath, hung her head in shame, and followed Mudan away.

  Before the two of them reached the carriage, they caught a whiff of a strong dragon incense scent. On such a fresh and clean rural morning, it made people feel a sense of discomfort. Peony didn't have a good impression of the people in the carriage either, thinking that they were just extravagant masters who stirred up trouble for no reason. Smelling this scent made her feel even more stifled.

  The two had just stood still, and were about to kowtow, when a beautiful maid with a low bun and wearing a light green round-necked narrow-sleeved shirt next to the car shouted: "Still not kneeling down?"

  Peony couldn't help but frown, why should she kneel to this inexplicable person? Her knees weren't that soft. She didn't even kneel when she saw the Crown Princess of Kang City, let alone the arrogant and luxurious Qinghua County Princess. At first, she thought Meng Ru was being difficult with Xue Niang, a young woman, but now she felt that this person was simply brainless. Even if it were true that others should respect her because of Ning Wang's face, they shouldn't humiliate the daughter of a third-grade Yu Lin general for such a small matter, it was really despicable.

  Looking at Xue Niang again, her face had already turned bright red and was about to erupt. The short and stout man's face also showed a very unexpected expression, while the gray-clothed servant girl, although expressionless, had a slight smile on the corner of her mouth. Peony had an idea in her mind. Pretending not to have heard the maid's scolding, she followed her usual habit and smiled as she curtsied, saying: "My younger sister is ignorant and has shallow experience, unable to distinguish between ceremonial guards and noble identities, which led to this great calamity. Please don't hold it against her, a young girl, and forgive her this time, sir."

  The peony's words actually subtly pointed out that the other party also had responsibility. If pedestrians wanted to give way, they should reveal their identity. Without any indication, how could others be blamed for not recognizing them? The people in the carriage hadn't spoken yet, but the beautiful maid with a ponytail suddenly became furious and scolded: "You dare to startle the noble's carriage, do you still have reason? Don't you know this is the Ning Wang Fu's carriage?"

  The peony pretended not to hear, stood still with a faint smile, and didn't quarrel with the maid, only looking up at a distance.

  The Snow Maiden saw the peony's behavior and thought it wasn't that scary, so she felt a bit bolder and said: "I told you before, I didn't do it on purpose. This is just a corner, with trees blocking the view, I didn't see you, and because there were no signs on your carriage, I didn't get off my horse, just pulled it to the side of the road, without startling anyone. Even if my horse's dust stained your clothes, I've apologized and am willing to compensate you. What more do you want? Even if it were the Emperor and Empress Dowager, they would still be reasonable."

  The maid was furious, but couldn't find any words to refute, she fell silent for a moment, and finally said reluctantly: "What kind of thing is it that both the Emperor and the Empress are things you can mention?"

  Xue Niang straightened her neck and said loudly, "All the people in the world are the children of the emperor, I'm talking to the emperor and the empress about reason, how can it be mentioned? Do you think I'm wrong? Are you saying that the emperor and the empress dowager don't talk about reason?" She shouted loudly, and the people around looked over here. The maid's face turned red, and she said in a flustered tone, "What are you doing, framing me? Where did I say such things?"

  Peony quietly praised Snow Girl, these few sentences are pleasant to read. Meng Yiren should have spoken up by now, right? But all that was heard was Meng Yiren suddenly laughing and saying in a soft voice: "Li Niang shouldn't be so rude, two straightforward and reasonable little girls, it seems I was indeed wrong. How do you two want to be addressed?"

  Although the voice sounds gentle and sweet, Peony didn't have a good impression. She smiled faintly: "I don't dare, my sister speaks quickly and doesn't know what's heavy or light, I hope you won't mind."

  Xuěniáng hardened her expression and repeated her father's name again, then pulled Mudan behind her, tilting up her chin: "She's just my companion, she hasn't provoked you, if you have anger, direct it at me. Whatever you want to do, go ahead."

  The curtain was lifted, revealing a young woman's face with a silver plate-like smile. She had a high bun with a white chrysanthemum pinned on it, and her makeup was very light, without any gold or silver accessories. She wore a white gauze cloak over a moon-white long dress, looking very simple. Seeing this attire similar to mourning clothes, thinking of the recently deceased Princess Ning, Peony almost confirmed that this person must be one of King Ning's concubines. At the same time, she was also certain that this person had been wronged somewhere else, which is why she took it out on Xue Niang.

  Meng Ruren's gaze stopped on Peony's face, and a hint of unclear light flashed in her eyes. She then looked at Snow Maiden with a faint smile: "Hehe, it's my fault that this maid doesn't understand the rules and offended you two." She immediately turned around and scolded the beautiful servant girl with a pretentious tone, followed by scolding the two old ladies who reprimanded Snow Maiden: "You two are the elders of the mansion, yet when something like this happens, you don't even tell me first. If people think I'm relying on the young master's power to bully others, that would be terrible!"

  Everyone is just covering their noses and deceiving their eyes, after all. Although Peony doesn't know why Mengru suddenly had such a big change in attitude, she also knows the principle of "going down the slope with a donkey". So she pulled Xue Niang's hand, and Xue Niang said stiffly: "You're being paranoid, since it was a misunderstanding, it's good to clarify. It's also my fault for being young and reckless, not seeing clearly before galloping wildly on horseback. Fortunately, I didn't collide with the noble person, otherwise, how could that be good? A woman like me wouldn't even have ten lives to compensate." She heavily emphasized the two words "noble person", and the sarcasm in them was something even a fool could hear.

  This Meng girl seemed to have not heard it, and smiled: "Ah, the more you say, the more I feel ashamed. Where are the two sisters going?"

  Xue Niang saw her attitude suddenly made a big turn, and she couldn't help but laugh continuously. She had to say in a humble tone: "I'm going to He sister's villa with her."

  That Meng Ruo person gazed at the peony again, smiling and saying: "This younger sister is really beautiful, your villa is nearby? Where is it?"

  The peony was stared at by her with that strange gaze, making his whole body hair stand on end, and he forced himself to say uncomfortably: "It's still very far from here."

  Meng Ru's eyes sparkled as she smiled and said, "Really? It turns out that my sister and I are really fated. Look, we just happened to meet."

  Peony smiled wryly to herself, thinking, "What a coincidence, what a thread of fate." Who's your sister? Your sister is squatting in your house. If you have something to say, say it quickly, if you have a photo, release it quickly, what do you want to achieve by dragging them along like this?

  At this time, Fang Dainiang and others had caught up, seeing Peony and Xueniang both dismounted, standing in front of a mysterious horse-drawn carriage talking to someone, surrounded by a group of burly men with knives, expressionless, they were all startled. But seeing that Peony and Xueniang seemed to be unharmed, they put their minds at ease, got off their horses and stood guard beside them.

  That short and stout man looked at the sun that was getting higher and higher, then anxiously looked at the road they came from, and exchanged a glance with the woman in gray clothes. He made a gesture to her. The woman's face showed an expression of "the pot has been smashed and cannot be restored", she bowed to Meng Yu together with him, saying: "Meng Yu, we have lingered here for too long, I'm afraid that His Highness will arrive soon."

  Her tone was neither good nor bad, but Peony felt that she should be somewhat disrespectful to Meng Ruo, just a superficial courtesy. As expected, a flash of annoyance and unwillingness flickered in Meng Ruo's eyes, her eyebrows rose and fell, and she turned to smile at Peony: "Today I have the opportunity to meet the two sisters, but unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding, please allow me to make amends with a banquet on another day." As she spoke, she glanced at the maid called Lian Niang, who hastily presented two strings of sandalwood beads.

  Meng Ru Ren smiled and said, "At our first meeting, I don't have anything good to offer. This pearl is the only thing that has been blessed by a high-ranking monk, it's an exquisite handmade item. I'd like to give it to both of you as a gift for our meeting, please don't refuse."

  Just now they were scolding and intimidating people, but now they are smiling and wanting to invite us out and give us things. What is going on? Xue Niang was even more confused, she glanced at Peony with her eyes, asking what was going on, while politely declining: "No need. As long as you return my horse, let's go, it's better than anything."

  "Alright, alright." Meng Ruo didn't show any intention of putting the things away at all, and instead smiled coquettishly: "What's wrong, are you two sisters looking down on my humble gift?"

  As she spoke, the two old women each took a string of beads and put them on Peony's and Snowflake's wrists. The one in gray clothes paused for a moment, carefully examined Peony, grasped her hand, and suddenly burst into a warm smile like spring: "It's all good intentions, little girl, don't decline anymore, or it won't be meaningful." Along with the sandalwood beads on Peony's wrist, there were also the silver cuffs that originally belonged to her.

  Peony felt that everything had been developing in a strange direction since Meng Ru opened the curtain. She subconsciously wanted to leave quickly, so she thanked Meng Ru and pulled Xue Niang, saying: "Meng Ru still has to hurry on the road, we don't want to delay her, let's go."

  Meng Ru looked out of the car window and smiled, saying: "I'm not in a hurry, it's rare to meet someone so compatible, let's chat for a bit. Miss He, where do you live? I guess you're probably under twenty years old?"

  Xue Niang quickly said: "He sister is not yet eighteen." Peony suddenly pulled Xue Niang, Xue Niang didn't know what she said wrong, but still closed her mouth tightly.

  A hint of delight flashed in Meng's eyes, and he looked up and down at Peony's figure again, lingering on her slender waist, and smiled: "Looking like this, she must be deeply loved by her parents at home, and hasn't been promised to anyone yet?"

  If she had said that she didn't like Meng Ruo at the beginning, then at this moment she simply detested him. With a fake smile, he said: "I've already agreed."

  Meng Ru's eyebrows furrowed in disappointment, and even the grey-robed nanny seemed somewhat disheartened.

  Peony took the opportunity to bid farewell, and this time Meng Ruren did not retain her again, but immediately had the curtain dropped and ordered someone to drive the carriage. Peony breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Xue Niang: "Next time don't easily tell others our names, ages, where we live, etc."

  Xue Niang nodded vaguely and replied, then pulled Mu Dan aside and whispered: "He sister, you're really good to me, I almost got you into trouble. At first, I was really scared, but when I saw you arrive, I wasn't afraid anymore. Your silver hairpins, I'll repay you when I get back."

  "Look, I've returned it to you. This capital is full of people who can't be trifled with, so be more careful in the future." That's just how things are in this city - if you're aggressive, there will always be someone even more aggressive than you, unless you're the emperor himself. Being a bit more reserved and cautious would be better for both others and yourself.

  Xue Niang said in surprise: "Why did you return the things you picked up? What's going on with her? She was so fierce and unyielding just now, but then she dragged us to talk, gave us things and tried to please us. What does she want to do?"

  As soon as this was mentioned, Peony's heart felt like it had a stone weighing it down, extremely uncomfortable. She muttered: "Perhaps you didn't know who your father was at first? Later on, after hearing about it, you regretted it and that's why you're like this?"

  Xue Niang said: "It's not that at all, there must be something strange about this. If she really wanted to give face to my father, she wouldn't have made things difficult for me for so long."

  "Anyway, we can't guess their thoughts, so let's not guess. The sky is getting late, let's hurry up and go."

  Just as the two were about to get on their horses, a horseshoe sound came from not far away. More than 20 people and horses turned from the fork in the road and rushed towards them, raising a large cloud of dust behind them. When they saw Meng Ruren's carriage, they all stopped. Meng Ruren stuck his head out of the window, with a joyful expression on his face.

  A young man with a pale gray round-necked robe and a jade hairpin, looking gloomy, slowly walked over on horseback, grasping the whip and saying in a cold voice: "Didn't I tell you to leave early? Why are you still here?"

  The man smiled and whispered a few words to him, then pointed at Peony and Snowy. Several people around them looked over at where Peony and Snowy were standing. Peony subconsciously lowered her eyes, turned her body sideways, and turned her face away. Only Snowy curiously opened her eyes wide and stared at the newcomer, who casually glanced at Peony and Snowy, saw a spoiled little girl and a shy woman turning her back, and didn't pay attention to them anymore, turned his head back, beckoned the short fat man over, and instructed him for a few words.

  That short and stout man walked over, cupped his fists in respect to Peony and Snowy, and said seriously: "My lord's family apologizes to the two young ladies. The child doesn't understand things, please don't mind her because of my lord's face." He then looked at Snowy and said: "After you return, please remember to tell General Huang that Ning Wangye greets him."

  The peony didn't dare turn its back on the short, stout man again, so it turned its head sideways and returned a courtesy. Xue Niang felt that she had saved face, and all her grievances and unhappiness were swept away, smiling sweetly: "It doesn't matter, I'll definitely pass it on to my father when I get back."

  On the side, Meng Ru held a handkerchief and smiled coquettishly at Ning Wang: "Your Highness, I think that woman with the surname He looks familiar. Do you think we've seen her somewhere before?"

  Ning Wang frowned and turned his head back impatiently, looking at Peony again.

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  Friendship Recommendation: Yue Sha's "Ancient Perfumer" - Squeezing through the cracks of a noble family to survive, searching for a good person amidst the fragrance of precious incense.

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