Since the First Lady had spoken, no matter how many doubts were in Jiang Sihe's heart, it was not appropriate for her to ask further.
"Don't mention what happened today. I'll also tell the servants to keep their mouths shut..."
Jiang Sihe could only reply, "Yes, Mother. Daughter understands!"
The First Lady had some red marks on her neck and needed to go back to Chunhua Pavilion to tidy up a bit. Granny Qiu was even less suitable to appear in the front courtyard anymore.
...
Jiang Sihe walked towards the front courtyard with Danfeng and Xiuyue. At a corner, they happened to see a guard in black talking to a maid in the mansion.
They were just blocked by the pillar at the corner, and the two people over there didn't notice them.
Xiuyue, with her quick tongue, whispered, "Hey, this guy doesn't seem to be from our mansion..."
Jiang Sihe didn't take it to heart at first, but when she heard the intermittent conversation between the two, she felt something was vaguely wrong...
"It's over there in the flower hall, at the moon gate. She's about this tall, wearing a peach - pink dress and with a pair of twin buns..."
The guard pointed in the direction of the flower hall and gestured at the moon gate.
The maid thought for a while and replied, "There were many servants of the young ladies who came to the mansion that day. I can't help you with the one you described..."
After hearing a few sentences of their conversation, Jiang Sihe felt something was off.
"Xiuyue, which room does that maid belong to?"
Xiuyue looked back and said, "She looks like Mo'er who serves in the master's study..."
Danfeng also took a look and said, "Yes, it's Mo'er. Why is she talking to an outsider guard?"
Jiang Sihe waved her hand and said, "Xiuyue, you go and hide behind the bushes and listen to what they're saying..."
"I always feel it's improper for Father's maid to talk to an outsider in the inner courtyard, so we need to keep an eye on them..."
Jiang Sihe quickly explained her actions.
Danfeng also thought the young lady was right. It was indeed inappropriate for a maid in the mansion to talk to an outsider like this.
Xiuyue nodded and said, "The young lady is right. I need to find out which mansion this guard is from."
"Then be careful. Don't get discovered..."
"Sister Danfeng, you take the young lady and go from the other side. Leave this to me!"
After saying that, Xiuyue bent down and moved over from the bushes.
Danfeng looked over there and whispered, "Young lady, we need to go to the reception hall. I'll lead the way for you!"
Jiang Sihe looked over there and said, "If we leave, we'll leave Xiuyue alone..."
"This is the Jiang Mansion. As long as she shouts, everyone in the mansion can hear..."
"If we stay here, we may be discovered more quickly..."
Hearing this, Jiang Sihe also thought Danfeng was right.
After the two of them left, they circled around to the flower hall from the other side.
The banquet had already started. With the Marquise of Anyang helping the First Lady to arrange things, nothing out of the ordinary happened. She followed the Marquise of Anyang and got to know many people.
When the First Lady came out, she introduced several gentle and noble young ladies of similar age to her.
But Jiang Sihe wasn't familiar with the topics of these noble young ladies. There were many things she couldn't respond to, so she seemed a bit reserved. The First Lady naturally noticed this and silently remembered it in her heart.
She planned to take her out to more banquets in the future so that she could gain more experience and naturally wouldn't be as reserved as she was today.
After the banquet ended, the First Lady personally sent her elder sister, the Marquise of Anyang, to the door.
The Marquise of Anyang pulled her sister's hand aside.
"Little sister, I still have a few words to say to you..."
The First Lady was a bit stunned and asked, "Elder sister, please speak!"
"This child seems to be more mature than her age. She looks about the same age as Yue'er, but look at Yue'er's personality..."
The First Lady understood her elder sister's concerns. "Elder sister, she's mature because she's been living in the other courtyard with her step - mother. She's been handling many things on her own, so she's developed such a personality. I even feel sorry for her. At this age, she should be as playful as Yue'er!"
The Marquise of Anyang nodded. "As long as you know what you're doing. Feelings are cultivated. If you're sincere to her, considering that child's character, she'll surely be sincere to you too..."
The First Lady naturally thought this made sense.
"I'm going to send Yue'er to Bailu Academy in a few days. If you want Sihe to go too, let the two sisters go together!"
"Sure, that would be great. The girls' school in Bailu Academy mostly admits girls from noble families in the capital. It'll be a good thing for the two sisters to be influenced there..."
The Marquise of Anyang said with a teasing smile, "Sihe can sit still, but Yue'er's naughty personality may not be able to calm down. You're right. Let them be influenced there!"
At the door, Qin Yue pestered Jiang Sihe and asked how she tied the silk tassel around her waist. Jiang Sihe looked down, untied it, and gave it to Qin Yue.
"I matched the colors myself and tied this silk tassel. If cousin doesn't mind, I'll give it to you!"
Of course, Qin Yue liked it. Jiang Sihe's silk tassel was exquisitely tied. No one in the capital could tie one like this. If she took it out, her little sisters would surely envy her.
"I don't mind. Then I'll accept it without being polite..."
After accepting the silk tassel, Qin Yue felt she should also give her a return gift. So she took off a clear - green jade bracelet from her wrist and directly put it on Jiang Sihe's wrist.
"This won't do. My silk tassel isn't worth much..."
"A gift should be reciprocated. I've received your gift, so you should naturally accept mine!"
The First Lady and the Marquise of Anyang just came back after finishing their conversation. They were very happy to see the two sisters getting along well.
Qin Lang squinted and smiled, spreading out his hands. "Cousin, aren't you going to give me a gift?"
Jiang Sihe was asked for a gift face - to - face and didn't know how to react for a moment. Qin Lang was the heir of the Marquise of Anyang's mansion. If a girl of her age gave him a gift, she was afraid the Marquise of Anyang would misunderstand...
"I... I didn't prepare a gift for Cousin Qin..."
Qin Lang shook his head with a smile. "Then cousin has to think about making it up, because I also have a gift for you!"
After saying that, he took out a small square box from his waist and handed it to Jiang Sihe.
Jiang Sihe was stunned and didn't know whether she should accept it. She cast an inquiring look at the First Lady.
The First Lady nodded slightly, and then she solemnly took the box.
"Cousin Sihe, quickly see what brother gave you!"
Qin Yue was even more curious than her. Sure enough, after she said that, Qin Lang raised his finger and gently tapped her forehead.
"It's not for you. Why are you so curious?"
Qin Yue directly slapped Qin Lang's arm and spread out her hands. "Does only Cousin Sihe have one? What about mine?"
Qin Lang helplessly took out another identical box and threw it to his sister.
"Wow, it's actually a jade bell from Quyu Pavilion. It's so beautiful!"
Qin Yue picked up the jade bell with two fingers and carefully saw there was a small figurine inside.
"Cousin Sihe, you should also open it quickly and see if it's the same as mine!"
Jiang Sihe couldn't refuse and had to open the box. Inside was also a jade bell, a pair with Qin Yue's.
The First Lady and the Marquise of Anyang smiled.
"Have you decided on the return gift for your cousin?"