Chapter 296: Lù Yǐnxiāo

Sui Sui and the others were coaxed into obediently walking back.

Feng You Tan, still lost in thoughts about earlier matters, was quickly interrupted as Ying Zhi began to recount the interesting incident she encountered while changing clothes just now.

Feng You Tan listened with little enthusiasm.

After walking for a while, still not having returned, they unexpectedly ran into a young master.

Sui Sui stayed by Feng You Tan's side, her hand carefully held by the other; she listened intently to Qiao Qiao Jiejie's words, occasionally knitting her little brows, worrying a bit about the person mentioned.

While they were walking, Feng You Tan stopped, and Sui Sui subconsciously halted as well, then turned her head forward and met the young master's cool little face.

The young master was not old, looking much like Feng Xuanrui.

However, Feng Xuanrui has a round, festive look, whereas this young master in front of them wears a stiff, cute little bun‑face, his pair of amorous peach‑blossom eyes suppressed by his cool expression, lacking that flamboyant charm.

Of course, it might also be because he is still a child; those eyes are merely pretty, showing no other hues.

The other's stature was a bit taller than Feng Xuanrui's, so Sui Sui had to lift her head slightly to look up.

A very handsome and clean‑looking little gentleman.

After looking, Sui Sui made a mental summary.

Because she was unfamiliar, she didn't know how to greet or salute.

Feeling at a loss, Sui Sui leaned a little toward Feng You Tan, seeking a hint of security.

Sui Sui thought, she is a duchess, YoYo sister is a princess; their status is noble, they shouldn't have to easily bow to others, right?

Just as Sui Sui was thinking, she saw Feng You Tan straighten her back and, with a crisp voice, say, "Third brother, peace to you."

Ying Zhi, following protocol, performed a bow and said, "Seventh uncle, hello."

Sui Sui:?

It's over.

It starts again.

Second brother and Fourth uncle are the same person.

Third brother and Seventh uncle are also the same person.

So, what should she call them?

Sui Sui's little mind simply couldn't work out the question.

Before she could speak, the young master opposite already raised his hand in return: "YoYo sister, Qiao Qiao, peace to you."

After the greeting, Lù Yǐnxiāo looked at the slightly unfamiliar Sui Sui, then, recalling what his mother had told them before, hesitantly cupped his hands toward Sui Sui and asked, "Is this… Ming Xi's younger sister?"

Ying Zhi, frightened, dared not speak.

Feng You Tan also felt a bit nervous; the hand she held onto Sui Sui became slightly sweaty.

Not wanting Sui Sui to be scared, she quickly adjusted her expression and whispered, "She is Ming Xi's younger sister."

Feng You Tan wanted to say, she is also Sui Sui's younger sister.

But her mouth moved for a long time, the prepared words never came out, and her nervous hand pinched Sui Sui.

Sui Sui felt a slight pain from the pinch, her cute little brows tightening a bit.

However, the young master had already greeted him, and Sui Sui didn't know how to address him, looking bewildered at Feng You Tan.

Sensing Sui Sui's gaze, Feng You Tan lightly swallowed, then softly introduced, "This is Lù Yǐnxiāo, of the Lu family… third brother."

Feng You Tan actually wanted to introduce the other according to Lù Yǐnxiāo's proper order.

But once her mouth moved, her tongue got tied, and she still spoke according to the order in her mind.

Sui Sui, still not understanding, after hearing Feng You Tan's words, properly bowed to Lù Yǐnxiāo, saying, "Third brother, peace to you."

Lù Yǐnxiāo didn't correct the ordering issue; he gave a slight nod, his tone politely saying, "Sister, you've worked hard."

Lù Yǐnxiāo also knew that his appearance made Feng You Tan and Ying Zhi a bit nervous, and Sui Sui's bewildered face couldn't discern the situation.

His intention wasn't to disturb anyone, so he quickly cupped his hands and said farewell, "I'll go check on Fourth brother."

When he said that, Feng You Tan instinctively loosened her grip on Sui Sui's hand, visibly relaxing.

Ying Zhi could also quietly exhale a sigh of relief.

Lù Yǐnxiāo didn't linger on these oddities, and quickly walked forward with the little servant.

Soon enough, they apparently ran into Lu Furen walking behind.

Lù Yǐnxiāo quickly stopped and chatted with his mother for a while.

Feng You Tan, nervous, turned her head to look, only to find Lù Yǐnxiāo sharply looking back; startled, she swiftly withdrew her gaze, lightly patting her chest and saying, "Mother— you never said Third brother would come to the back courtyard?"

Although Lù Yǐnxiāo is young, his learning is excellent.

Many teachers have praised him; his talent is strong, he's diligent, and his future is boundless.

After the nightmare of Lu Yin Song's broken leg, the Lu family had not produced a pride‑worthy young master or lady for a long time.

Thus, once Lù Yǐnxiāo began to show promise, Master Lu was extremely delighted, and his fondness for this little master grew day by day.

At banquets like this, Doctor Lu would never miss a chance, keeping Lù Yǐnxiāo by his side almost constantly; it was both a sign of esteem and a display of pride.

Feng You Tan thought the other wouldn't come to the back courtyard.

But unexpectedly they ran into each other.

Feng You Tan was truly nervous!

Because the other's knowledge was genuinely formidable, making these underachievers shiver.

Moreover, Lù Yǐnxiāo carried a hint of premature maturity; though clearly a nine‑year‑old little master, his stern face was scarier than those old scholars, and his gaze was quite terrifying.

So, Feng You Tan was a bit afraid of him.

Ying Zhi was even more scared!

Feng You Tan was okay; at least the two were peers, only two years apart, and Feng You Tan herself was tall and sturdy, so the pressure was somewhat less.

However, Ying Zhi's seniority was lower, being four years younger than Lù Yǐnxiāo, and since Zuzu adored this external grandson Lù Yǐnxiāo, every time she met Seventh uncle, she became especially nervous and scared.

After the people had gone far away, Ying Zhi really let out a long sigh.

Sui Sui stared blankly at her two older sisters, looking completely out of it.

Feng You Tan didn't want the child to be scared either, so she gently straightened her little hat and said with a smile, "Actually, if you think about it, it's not bad; this matter alarmed the third older brother, and that Madam He still needs to ask the auntie, and she probably won't get a good outcome."

Ying Zhi nodded in agreement after hearing that.

Sui Sui understood even less.

However, this didn't delay her from walking forward with her sisters.

As for that brother who just gave a look that seemed somewhat oppressive,

To Sui Sui, he was just a very good-looking brother.

She had many good-looking brothers around her; he was just a bit better-looking than the others, and after thinking for a while, Sui Sui didn't bother with him any further.

Maybe she'll forget it by tomorrow morning.

The three little girls played for most of the day, and finally returned to their seats.

A banquet like this is both a celebration and a way to expand and maintain connections.

So, once the banquet was halfway over, everyone got up to start socializing.

Some were familiar ladies and noblewomen, chatting together and exchanging news.

Some were taken by people they knew to get to know others better.

Usually in such situations, they are young men and women from families of similar standing who need to size each other up; everyone will hint at some information and make slight contact.

After Sui Sui had been away for a while, the Princess Consort of Qi was very uneasy, and even her socializing was just superficial, not heartfelt.

Seeing the person return, she quietly let out a sigh of relief.

The second watch is at 19:00.