Madam Kang's voice was gentle and elegant. She still looked extremely considerate, constantly asking Li Wanming if she wanted to eat this or that, whether she had slept well last night, and if she was getting used to living in the Prince Ning's Mansion.
Li Wanming, of course, answered in a soft voice one by one, and from time to time she would lower her head pretending to be shy.
The two were competing in acting skills, their words full of hidden barbs, but on the surface they were calm and harmonious.
As for Xiao Yuanjie, he seemed to be a man of few words. He just buried his head in eating. Only when Madam Kang called him would he answer one or two sentences.
His overall attitude was neither over - cautious nor overly enthusiastic. He would answer when asked and respond when spoken to. He was quiet, saying no more than necessary, really looking like a scholar who didn't care about worldly affairs.
Li Wanming couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
She had heard something about this second uncle's background before.
Xiao Yuanjie's biological mother was originally a personal maid of the old princess. Once, when the old prince was drunk, she took the opportunity to sleep with him and was later promoted to a concubine.
The old princess was a strong - willed woman. She was furious and later found an excuse to dispose of the maid. After that, she suppressed Xiao Yuanjie's status all her life and didn't allow him to be included in the Xiao family's genealogy.
Not being included in the genealogy was equivalent to being a bastard - this was a great humiliation for any young master from a noble family.
However, Xiao Yuanjie looked very calm.
He just buried his head in eating, paying no attention to the undercurrents on the table.
He seemed to enjoy his food and be in good health, looking carefree and not bothering about anything.
Li Wanming was amazed and almost had to overthrow all her previous assumptions about him.
Originally, she thought Madam Kang was a sinister and vicious person, and Xiao Yuanjie must be similar. After all, birds of a feather flock together.
Moreover, Xiao Yuanjie was the most direct beneficiary of Madam Kang's schemes.
Therefore, although she had never met Xiao Yuanjie, she had always regarded him as a calculating and ambitious man in her heart.
Thinking deeper, she even thought he was a hidden mastermind, and Madam Kang was just a pawn in his hand, a forward - charging soldier...
Who would have thought that the scene in front of her was completely different.
Xiao Yuanjie didn't seem to be a scheming person. He didn't seem ambitious at all. Even his attitude towards Madam Kang was not enthusiastic, but rather showed a hint of coldness and alienation.
If this was really the case...
Maybe it was an opportunity she could take advantage of.
A ripple rose in Li Wanming's heart. She quietly scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it gently, and then quietly cast her eyes on Xiao Yingchu.
Xiao Yingchu's thoughts were much easier to guess.
Almost all her emotions were written on her face - guilt, uneasiness, remorse, and fear. These emotions were intertwined, like a tight net, pressing on her so hard that she could hardly breathe.
Li Wanming also noticed that before she sat down, Xiao Yingchu hadn't touched her chopsticks.
It was not until Madam Kang motioned for her to sit down that Xiao Yingchu let out a sigh of relief and began to pick up her chopsticks to eat slowly.
Li Wanming's mood suddenly became complicated.
She had to admit that, considering all the circumstances, Xiao Yingchu might not have harmed her deliberately at that time - she seemed to be in self - blame all the time, and the guilt brought by this self - blame almost tore her apart.
It was a pity that regret was useless.
No matter how reluctant she was to do something against her will, she had done it.
There could never be friendship between her and Xiao Yingchu again.
Li Wanming sighed softly in her heart.
As for Xiao Jingbai...
This simple - minded playboy was like a blank sheet of paper. All his thoughts were obvious!
He was holding his chopsticks, crossing his legs, and wolfing down buns. From time to time, he would glare at Li Wanming viciously, as if she was his sworn enemy.
That look was both childish and ridiculous, but also carried undisguised hostility.
Li Wanming found it funny.
What did he think? Could he stare her out of the Xiao family?
He was really incredibly stupid!
Li Wanming lifted her delicate fingertips and sipped the porridge spoon by spoon with a white porcelain spoon. She looked more and more elegant and calm. Not even her eyelashes trembled. She seemed completely unaware of Xiao Jingbai's poisonous looks.
This meal was not an easy one. She had to talk politely to Madam Kang on one hand and observe the others subtly on the other. It was really a painstaking and indigestible meal... However, it was worth it.
In just two quarters of an hour, Li Wanming had clearly understood the personalities and relationships of the second branch of the family.
She gently put down her bowl and suddenly felt confident.
Madam Kang had been painstakingly managing things for all these years, but the team around her was like this: a cold - observing husband, a stubborn and stupid son, and a guilty and shrinking daughter.
- The cohesion of this team was really not that good!
The Princess Chengping once said that the most important thing in managing the mansion was the people.
If the people around Madam Kang were all like this, then she might have a chance to compete.
After the meal, the maid brought a porcelain cup for rinsing the mouth and water with chrysanthemum and mulberry leaves.
Li Wanming's movements became even more elegant. She gently rolled up her sleeves and rinsed her mouth and washed her hands gracefully. The black - mountain jade bracelet on her wrist gently knocked against the copper basin, making a soft tinkling sound.
After the meal, Xiao Yuanjie said "Excuse me" and left first. Xiao Yingchu and her younger brother also excused themselves.
In the blink of an eye, in the huge flower hall, only Madam Kang and Li Wanming were left.
"Let's go too." Madam Kang stood up with a smile. "I just got some excellent pre - rain Longjing tea a few days ago. I'd like you to have a taste."
Li Wanming also replied with a smile, "I'd better follow your kindness. I'll trouble you for a cup of tea today, Auntie."
The aunt and niece walked side by side, chatting and laughing, on their way to the pavilion for tea. Their intimate attitude would make anyone think they were as close as mother and daughter.
By now, the morning mist had dispersed. The octagonal pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters was hidden among the wisteria trellises.
The newly - sprouted wisteria branches were lush and full of flower spikes that were more than ten feet long. There were still morning dews on them, looking like a cascading waterfall of gems, quite dazzling.
"The pre - rain Longjing has just been brewed once. It's looking good now. Try it quickly." Madam Kang said with a smile.
On the white marble table carved with patterns of pine trees and cranes, the green tea leaves were set off by the Ru kiln white porcelain. The tea leaves, shaped like sparrow tongues, were floating up and down in the water, giving off a fragrant smell.
Li Wanming took a sip and praised, "It's really good tea."
"Since you like it, drink more. I have more there. I'll send some to you later."
"Thank you, Auntie."
The two looked at each other and smiled. On the surface, they were full of tenderness, but there were sharp glints in their eyes. They both knew clearly -
This tea - tasting session was the main event of the day!