Chapter 21: Too Unfamiliar
If Xiao Ning’an was a deceptive, cold-blooded, heartless scumbag worse than a beast, then Zhong Ruoyan was a sinister 'green tea' bitch who was purely jealous of the original host, itching to replace her and, while she was at it, tear her into ten thousand pieces.
*The slang of a girl that acts innocent and charming but is actually calculating and manipulative.
Poor original host, her mind was such a mess that she was deceived by the hypocrisy of these two.
She was even dragged down by Xiao Ning’an to the point where her entire family died unjustly, and her maternal grandfather’s family went down with them.
The word 'tragic' doesn't even begin to cover it.
Yu Lingzhao twitched the corner of her mouth; this was quite a surprise.
"Feiyu, what sort of stray cat or dog is blocking the way?"
Since the other party couldn't even recognize the carriage of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion, why should she rush to acknowledge them?
Just wait and see; changing faces isn't a specialty only popular in Sichuan opera, plenty of people know how to do it.
Hearing the title 'Region Lady Qixia,' Yu Xunyang was also momentarily surprised.
"Isn't that..."
Yu Lingzhao glanced sideways at her brother: "Don't you know, Third Brother? Even if I raise a dog, after a long time, it will wag its tail when it sees you."
Yu Xunyang just hadn't reacted in time; hearing his sister put it this way, he stopped asking questions.
Since Region Lady Qixia was on good terms with his sister, why did her coachman not recognize the carriage of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion?
Compared to the little County Princess, who didn't care much for such trifles, Feiyu, as a close attendant, understood these rules much better.
Naturally, one must keep the families associated with one's master in mind. Otherwise, if an offense is given, embarrassment is a minor matter, but ruining important business is fatal.
Thus, Feiyu had recognized Region Lady Qixia’s carriage, but she hadn't expected the other side to shout rebukes, failing to recognize the carriage of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion.
Upon hearing her master's order, Feiyu stopped being polite.
She stood up straight, pushed open the door from the outer compartment of the carriage, and stood on the shaft.
"Presumptuous! How dare you collide with the carriage of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion? You must be blind!"
Coinciding with Feiyu’s words, the guards of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion all snapped to attention, their aura terrifying.
Hearing this, the coachman of the opposite carriage—a vermilion-wheeled vehicle with a flowered canopy, immediately turned pale.
He glanced nervously at his own carriage and whispered something.
Feiyu then saw a slender hand lift the curtain of the opposite carriage, revealing a face as beautiful as a hibiscus.
It was indeed Zhong Ruoyan.
Zhong Ruoyan held the title 'Qixia' because of her beauty, which had led the Empress Dowager to make an exception and enfeoff her as a Region Lady.
She had a great reputation in the capital, and everyone said this Region Lady Qixia would surely become one of the six imperial consorts.
The Jingling Marquis Mansion—the Zhong family, was particularly close to the Fifth Prince, Xiao Ning’an.
Zhong Ruoyan herself felt that her status as the Fifth Prince’s Consort was set in stone, but she hadn't expected Yu Lingzhao to suddenly appear midway.
Zhong Ruoyan certainly knew Yu Lingzhao, the name thundered in her ears. She had followed her father to the Southern border in her childhood and could be considered a close friend of Yu Lingzhao.
When Emperor Jianyuan issued the transfer order for the Jingling Marquis Mansion to return to the capital years ago, Zhong Ruoyan was delighted; she could finally get away from Yu Lingzhao!
Zhong Ruoyan believed she was beautiful enough to outshine everyone, yet wherever Yu Lingzhao was present, others always felt she paled in comparison!
Arrogant by nature, Zhong Ruoyan naturally refused to accept this.
But Yu Lingzhao never cared about such things; she didn't even keep the matter in her heart, making Zhong Ruoyan’s petty calculations seem like a joke!
After much effort, she had reached the capital, where she could crush most noble ladies based on her looks alone, with only a certain Cui Zhili being her equal in reputation.
Never in her wildest dreams did she expect Emperor Jianyuan to actually summon Yu Lingzhao to the capital!
Originally, Zhong Ruoyan didn't feel such a strong sense of crisis, but when Xiao Ning’an appeared before Yu Lingzhao, she could no longer keep her composure!
Even though Xiao Ning’an repeatedly assured her that his intentions toward Yu Lingzhao were purely for utility, Zhong Ruoyan was still furious.
In a fit of rage, she went to stay at her maternal grandfather’s home in Lingyang for a short while.
However, she hadn't expected Princess Qing’an to target Yu Lingzhao so persistently, eventually injuring her and getting herself placed under house arrest by Emperor Jianyuan.
When Xiao Ning’an sent word of this to Lingyang, Zhong Ruoyan understood that it was time for her to return.
The moment Yu Lingzhao was injured was exactly the time for her, the 'close friend,' to offer companionship.
Zhong Ruoyan first scolded her coachman in a soft, gentle voice, "What is going on? Do you not even recognize the clan emblem of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion?"
Feiyu looked at Zhong Ruoyan expressionlessly and said coldly, "Since you recognize the carriage of the Prince’s Mansion, make way immediately. Do not block the road!"
Since her master hadn't spoken, Feiyu naturally wouldn't step forward to claim any kinship.
This Region Lady Qixia hadn't been particularly close to their County Princess after she entered the capital; instead, she was secretly comparing herself to the County Princess at every turn.
It was only because their County Princess was broad-minded that she couldn't see Region Lady Qixia’s ambition.
Feiyu had seen much of it; over the years, who hadn't been captivated by her County Princess's beauty?
Many had become jealous and bitter over it, but only this Zhong Ruoyan, relying on their childhood friendship, would put on airs and expect the County Princess to coax her.
Seeing Feiyu show such a lack of deference, Zhong Ruoyan’s expression stiffened. She then had someone help her down from the carriage and walked to the front of the Prince’s Mansion vehicle, saying softly, "Miss Feiwu, is the County Princess inside the carriage? I heard she was injured and was frantic with worry, so I rushed back specifically from Lingyang. My grandfather’s coachman does not know his betters; please ask Zhaozhao not to take offense."
Feiyu curtsied slightly and said, "Region Lady, the County Princess has already changed my name to Feiyu."
Zhong Ruoyan was stunned for a moment but quickly regained her smile, saying melodiously, "Feiyu, a fine name. May I..."
Zhong Ruoyan walked right up to the carriage. At such a close distance, Yu Lingzhao could hear her words clearly.
Yu Lingzhao grabbed a random object, lifted the curtain of the side window, and looked down at Zhong Ruoyan from her vantage point.
Zhong Ruoyan noticed Yu Lingzhao inside the carriage and went stiff for a split second.
Quickly, her face filled with joy, and she even looked at Yu Lingzhao with tearful eyes, saying, "Zhaozhao! Are you better? I was so worried in Lingyang; my only thought was to come and visit you. I haven't even rested well on the journey..."
Watching Zhong Ruoyan's exquisite acting, Yu Lingzhao couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration; she was indeed quite pretty, the very embodiment of a delicate, tender beauty.
Perhaps because Yu Lingzhao looked at her for too long without reacting, Zhong Ruoyan sensed something was amiss.
She paused and then said, "Zhaozhao, are you angry with me? I... I didn't go to Lingyang on purpose, it's just... it's just..."
This time, Zhong Ruoyan truly felt that something was wrong.
In the past, Yu Lingzhao would never have waited for her to finish before interrupting to tell her it was fine and not to worry about it.
Why, this time, was she silent?
Yu Lingzhao watched Zhong Ruoyan's performance with great interest.
When she suddenly got stuck, Yu Lingzhao kindly cooperated and asked, "It's just what?"
Zhong Ruoyan met Yu Lingzhao's gaze; the eyes full of laughter yet carrying a chilling unfamiliarity made her heart skip a beat.
Yu Lingzhao had never looked at her with such eyes; in fact, she had never seen Yu Lingzhao look like this at anyone.
It was far too unfamiliar.
Jade: Happy Sunday to y'all.
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