Chapter 251: Boredom Remedy?

Meng Qinghe heard that, and a strange smile flashed across her face; at that moment, Jiang Wan Yue and several other official daughters were by her side.

"Sisters, I'll step out in a moment to greet a distinguished guest."

Jiang Wan Yue's eyes lit up at the word "distinguished guest."

"Whoa, whoever can be called a distinguished guest by Sister Meng must be someone remarkable," the Vice Minister of Rites' daughter laughed, "Since Sister Meng says so, we're curious; why not accompany Sister Meng and go together?"

"Yes! We're all extremely curious!"

"Could it be someone from the palace?"

Meng Qinghe smiled and shook her head, "No, you should already know this person."

"We also know him/her?"

"Indeed, even if you haven't met him/her, you must have heard of Yunxiang Pavilion!"

The group exchanged glances; Yunxiang Pavilion is now renowned throughout Jingcheng, who wouldn't know it?

Could the visitor be connected to Yunxiang Pavilion?

"The guest is actually the proprietor of Yunxiang Pavilion," Meng Qinghe whispered, "Although merchants aren't usually invited to today's banquet, I thought the sisters of Yunxiang Pavilion's owner rarely get to see us; now we have a chance for her to share beauty tips, which can serve as a boredom remedy for the sisters."

As Meng Qinghe spoke, she didn't notice Jiang Wan Yue's sudden change of expression.

What does it mean that merchants aren't worthy of invitation?

Isn't that a blatant slap in front of everyone? After all, she's the only woman of merchant background here.

"Indeed, Sister Meng is right; no matter how booming Tianxiang Pavilion's business is, they're still merchants, lower ninth‑rank traders."

"I sent a maid to Yunxiang Pavilion for three days but couldn't buy Jade Face Cream; I wonder if it's truly out of stock or they deliberately refuse to sell to raise the price."

"Who says it's not? A jar of Jade Face Cream sells for eight hundred taels—that's robbery."

The Vice Minister of Rites' daughter Zhang Xiyan sneered, "Sister Meng, if you ask me, you really don't need to go fetch her. Since she's here to relieve our boredom, just let her come on her own. Opening a shop and then truly acting like a noble lady? She should be reminded of her status and not think a few stinking coins let her sit equal with us."

With each remark, Jiang Wan Yue's complexion grew darker.

How is this any different from pointing at her nose and scolding her?

Their discussion wasn't quiet; Qin Yue xi, a foreign princess who came for a marriage alliance and unfamiliar with everyone here, sat in a pavilion sipping the tea being brewed.

"Tch, a bunch of petty people gossiping behind others' backs," she sneered, "Had I known the banquet was this dull, I wouldn't have come."

At that moment, the surrounding chatter suddenly dimmed, and everyone's gaze turned toward the long corridor, specifically to a masked woman in a fiery red cloak.

Her brows and eyes were like a painting, the tips of her eyes slightly upturned, and her glimmering gaze outshone the myriad blossoms of the courtyard.

Someone let out a low sigh, full of astonishment.

"Wow, so beautiful! Like a celestial fairy."

"A fairy? Fairies don't always look like this."

"Whose daughter is she? Why haven't we seen her before?"

They hadn't seen Chi Nan Yi but knew Chi Shao yuan.

The second son of the Chi family, who, since returning to Jingcheng, has refused all visitors and remains extremely mysterious.

To make Chi Shao yuan willingly lower himself a half step for her…

Could she be the Chi family's prized jewel cherished by the old master?

Feeling the scrutinizing gazes, Chi Nan Yi's complexion remained calm as she first entered the main hall to pay respects to Madam Meng and the Jiang Clan.

Madam Meng looked at Chi Nan Yi, her surprise well concealed, and said kindly, "Which family's daughter is this? Quite a striking appearance."

Chi Nan Yi said nothing; beside her, Chi Shao yuan bowed and said, "I, the junior second son of the Chi family, bring my little sister to pay respects to the madam."

"Indeed, a true Miss of the Chi family," Madam Meng nodded, "Exactly striking."

"Thank you for the compliment, madam."

"Alright, now that the formalities are done, go play in the garden behind. No need to linger here chatting with us old ones."

"Yes."

This Meng Family flower‑appreciation banquet seats men and women separately; after paying respects to the madam, Chi Shao yuan, led by a young servant, went to the front courtyard.

Chi Nan Yi stayed in the back garden.

Chi Nan Yi looked at the familiar plum garden and let out a light laugh; at that moment, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Miss Chi."

"She's here."

Hearing Meng Qinghe call her, Chi Nan Yi's lips curled slightly as she turned slowly; her unparalleled elegance pierced Meng Qinghe's eyes, causing a sting of pain.

Meng Qinghe's face tightened slightly, but she quickly composed herself, hurried to Chi Nan Yi's side, and smiled, "I finally managed to get you to come." As she spoke, she reached out familiarly to loop her arm around her.

Chi Nan Yi raised her arm slightly, brushed aside stray hair, and looked at Meng Qinghe's embarrassed face with a detached gaze, saying coolly, "Miss Meng of the Meng family, we don't seem very familiar; I need time before I can be close with someone I don't know."

In other words: don't cling to me, keep your distance.

The others weren't fools and naturally understood the implication.

Zhang Xiyan's gaze swept over Chi Nan Yi, and her previously lofty aura instantly faded.

Miss of the Chi family—she really is a Chi family miss!

The surrounding atmosphere grew tense; she rolled her eyes and smiled, "Miss Chi, have you ever heard of Yunxiang Pavilion?"

"Of course, I have."

"Then you must have also heard of the Jade Face Cream from Yunxiang Pavilion?"

"Indeed."

When she mentioned Yunxiang Pavilion, Meng Qinghe's complexion turned very sour, a bad premonition rising in her heart. As expected, Zhang Xiyan then smiled mysteriously and said, "You came at the right time; Sister Meng said that today we have invited the owner of Yunxiang Pavilion to come over and tell us how to care for our skin, all as a boredom remedy for us."

"Boredom remedy?" Chi Nan Yi raised an eyebrow, turned to Meng Qinghe, "So Miss Meng sent someone to the Chi family to deliver an invitation just so I could come here to relieve your boredom?"

Meng Qinghe, hearing this, hurriedly replied, "What boredom remedy? I never said such a thing."

That line truly wasn't from her mouth, and the proposing official daughters all bowed their heads.

But everyone heard it clearly, and their gazes at Chi Nan Yi were full of astonishment.

Her meaning just now… that the proprietor behind Yunxiang Pavilion is her? That the lucrative trade was devised by her?

Zhang Xiyan's face flushed red; speaking ill of someone behind their back and then saying it to the very owner was truly disgraceful.

"Miss Chi, I didn't know…" Zhang Xiyan quickly gestured to explain, "I didn't know you were the proprietor of Yunxiang Pavilion; my words may have been offensive, so please, Miss Chi, don't take offense."