Chapter 155

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

At this moment, the entire class was permeated with an unusual atmosphere; as the students packed their things today, their movements all slowed down, as if every single person hoped to stay in this familiar classroom just a little longer.

Even Ai Jiao, who was usually oblivious, sensed something was off; her eyes rolled, and she decided to break this slightly oppressive mood.

Ai Jiao suddenly sidled up beside Qianqian and asked with a smile, "Qianqian, Qi Xi, where are you two planning to go play tomorrow?" Qianqian, who had been spacing out a bit, snapped back to attention at these words and hurriedly replied, "Ah, I haven't thought it through yet! Don't know if there's anywhere fun to go."

At this, Ai Jiao tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Hmm... let me have a good think." Qi Xi, watching from the side, rolled her eyes excitedly and proposed, "How about we tag along with my Elder Brother tomorrow for a matchmaking date?"

Qianqian's jaw dropped in shock at this, and she asked incredulously, "Ah? What matchmaking date?" Qi Xi explained with a grin, "My mother says my Elder Brother isn't getting any younger, it's time he settled down and started a family, so she's forcing him to go on a blind date! But my Elder Brother absolutely refuses to go, and Mother got so angry she wouldn't even eat.

In the end, my Elder Brother had no choice but to reluctantly agree. However, he's really unwilling deep down, so he secretly told me he's taking me along tomorrow to sabotage his own blind date! That way we not only get to eat delicious food but also get to stir up trouble — how fun is that!"

Hearing Qi Xi's words, Qianqian frowned worriedly and asked, "But if you really wreck your Elder Brother's blind date, won't your Aunt get even angrier?" Qi Xi said softly, "To pull it off, you've got to be smart about it, absolutely can't make it too obvious!"

Qianqian, listening from the side, nodded thoughtfully and replied, "Mm, what you say does make some sense. So what time exactly tomorrow? And where do we meet?" Qi Xi answered unhurriedly, "Tomorrow at the Hour of the Horse, right at Yuehua Tower. When the time comes, I'll wait downstairs with my Elder Brother for you two, then we'll all go up together."

Hearing this, Qianqian readily agreed, "Deal!" The words barely left her mouth before the few of them started packing up, then one after another set off on the road home.

After returning home, Qianqian was filled with joy, even excited beyond control. She actually hugged Daji tight in her own courtyard and danced around happily, humming all the while, "Don't have to go to Shangshufang anymore, don't have to go to Shangshufang anymore..."

Yan Shuang'er, standing to the side, could only shake her head helplessly. After a while, a servant hurried over with a message, asking the two of them to go to the dining hall for the meal. Hearing this, Qianqian finally stopped dancing, took Yan Shuang'er's hand, and walked together toward the dining hall.

When Qianqian stepped into the dining hall, she saw at a glance that the servants were bringing dishes to the table one after another. Looking at the table full of sumptuous food, her mood grew even more cheerful, because these were all her favorite dishes.

As it turned out, all of this was specially arranged by the Princess Consort. Because the Princess Consort knew that Qianqian had successfully graduated from Shangshufang today, she specially instructed the kitchen to meticulously prepare such a table of delicious dishes as a celebration for Qianqian.

During the meal, An Wang looked at Qianqian with a smile and asked caringly, "Qianqian, now that you've graduated from Shangshufang, do you have any specific plans?" Qianqian, with a piece of meat stuffed in her mouth, replied indistinctly, "Ah, Father King, I haven't thought it through yet! I finally graduated, I've got to have a good proper play for two days first!" Finished speaking, she even mischievously blinked.

The Princess Consort, sitting to the side, watching her daughter like this, couldn't help finding it amusing, and asked, "Then my precious daughter, where are you planning to go play tomorrow?" Qianqian swallowed her food and said with a grin, "Hehe, Mother Consort, I'm going to Yuehua Tower tomorrow to mooch a meal!"

The Princess Consort's interest was piqued at once, and she asked curiously, "Oh? Whose meal are you mooching?" Qianqian replied proudly, "Of course I'm mooching off Qi Yu Elder Brother!" The Princess Consort smiled faintly upon hearing this, and didn't ask further.

After the meal, everyone returned to their own courtyards to rest. The next morning, sunlight filtered through the windows and fell into the room.

Yan Shuang'er, learning that Qianqian didn't need to go to Shangshufang today, was secretly delighted — she could finally sleep in for once. But when she woke, she found Qianqian beside her still fast asleep, sleeping incredibly soundly. Yan Shuang'er carefully got out of bed, afraid of waking the sleeping Qianqian.

Meanwhile, Qianqian was immersed in a sweet dream, completely unaware that time had quietly slipped by. Until the Si Hour, Qianqian suddenly felt a wave of nausea, as if sleeping any longer would make her vomit.

She extremely reluctantly slowly opened her eyes, gazing blankly at the bed canopy above, spacing out for a good long while. After a long time, Qianqian finally slowly and laboriously climbed out of the warm blankets.

Once up, sunlight fell on the bed through the window; Qianqian rubbed her eyes, stretched, then glanced at the sky outside, and couldn't help a start: "Ah! It's already the Si Hour!" Thinking the hour wasn't early anyway, she might as well skip breakfast, so she quickly got up and washed.

After everything was tidied up properly, Qianqian walked unhurriedly out the door, came to that familiar reclining chair outside in the courtyard, lay down gently, then rocked her body rhythmically. The breeze brushed her cheeks, bringing threads of coolness, making her feel indescribably comfortable.

Qianqian couldn't help letting out a sigh: "Days without going to Shangshufang are truly too wonderful!" Just like that, she enjoyed this rare leisure time while her thoughts drifted.

However, not long after, this state of having nothing to do began to make Qianqian feel a bit bored. She stared blankly at the sky, pondering: Will the days ahead all be spent this listlessly?

For a moment, she felt a little lost about her future life, as if she had lost her direction in life. Right as Qianqian was immersed in her own sentiments, a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Miss, it's about time to set off!" It turned out to be Mantou walking over to remind her. Prompted by him, Qianqian smacked her forehead, suddenly remembering that she had promised her friend Qi Xi yesterday to go together to Yuehua Tower today. So she hurriedly answered, "Got it, I know! Let's go then!" Finished speaking, she stood up and walked toward the gate together with Mantou.

When they reached the gate, an exquisitely decorated carriage was already parked there waiting. Qianqian nimbly climbed into the carriage, and once seated, the driver flicked the whip, the wheels slowly rolled, and they headed toward Yuehua Tower.

Along the way, the scenery on both sides of the street kept receding, but Qianqian's heart had long since flown to Yuehua Tower, impatient to see her friends.

Finally, the carriage arrived at the destination. Before the carriage had even fully stopped, Qianqian impatiently jumped down, her eyes anxiously searching for her friends' figures.

Sure enough, at the entrance of Yuehua Tower, she saw Qi Yu, Qi Xi, and Ai Jiao looking at her with smiles. Qianqian excitedly waved and shouted loudly, "Xi Xi, Ai Jiao, and Qi Yu Elder Brother!" Hearing the shouts, the three of them responded in unison, "Qianqian, you're here!" Then the group walked into Yuehua Tower chatting and laughing.