Chapter 654: Chapter 653: White Lotus
Nanny Zhou’s momentary worry and anxiety could not be concealed, even her lips felt stiff.
Xia Wenjin noticed and gently patted the back of her hand, softly laughing to reassure her, "Nanny, don’t worry. I’ll observe more and speak less, adapting to the situation as it arises!"
Seeing her speak so sensibly, Nanny Zhou had no choice but to reluctantly agree since she couldn’t say more in front of others, lest people think her girl was ignorant and look down on her.
There was no way not to agree; when in Rome, as they say, what else could she do?
But as she watched the girl follow the valet upstairs, she couldn’t shake off a sense of unease, recalling the girl’s earth-shattering kick...
Nanny Zhou’s face instantly turned worried, praying in her heart, hoping the girl would avoid trouble and refrain from using force if possible!
Of course, Xia Wenjin was unaware of Nanny Zhou’s concerns, and even less aware that, in Nanny Zhou’s mind, she had become a weakness in danger of causing trouble and being bullied.
She happily followed the valet upstairs, casually admiring the flowers and plants on either side.
Just as Xia Wenjin, led by the valet, was about to enter the Youlan Hall, an unfriendly voice suddenly called out, "Wait!"
The valet stopped in his tracks.
Looking back, another valet was leading two women over. The two women looked arrogant, their gaze towards Xia Wenjin full of disdain. Wasn’t this Kang Xiaomin from Shuowang Mountain? The woman behind her was Liu Xiuyin, who had also appeared that day.
The two truly were inseparable.
The valet leading Xia Wenjin to the Youlan Hall had almost stepped through the door, but halted upon hearing the voice, looking back in confusion.
This valet was well-trained, and politely asked, "I wonder what business the two ladies have?"
Kang Xiaomin held a blue invitation in her hand.
Though the halls were ranked, they were all on the second floor, and the entrance was the same.
Only the directions to each hall differed.
Kang Xiaomin only realized there were distinctions when she was asked about the color of her invitation. She was too proud to ask, but Liu Xiuyin, who was with her, did inquire.
It was only through this question that they found out theirs was a second-tier invitation.
However, they didn’t dare to voice any objections, as even though their fathers held third and fourth ranks, quite high positions, in the Capital City, they didn’t amount to much.
Thus, usually, they understood the need to be low-key, to be more obedient, at least not causing any trouble.
The Seventeenth Princess had assigned the children and nephews of important officials to the Bamboo and Orchid Hall, others to the Mei Ju Song Hall, but what did it matter? People like them couldn’t deceive themselves into believing there were no social distinctions among the ladies of the Capital City.
But just as they were being led to the Yiju Hall, they saw a familiar figure heading to the Youlan Hall.
That woman, even if dressed differently, her face was unmistakably recognizable.
Especially since, when they came, they noticed an obtrusive blue-cloth horse carriage parked nearby.
The memory of being snubbed on Shuowang Mountain was so fresh, how could Kang Xiaomin hold back at this moment?
If Xia Wenjin had arrived a moment earlier or later, so that Kang Xiaomin hadn’t seen her, she wouldn’t have felt unbalanced.
If Xia Wenjin had also gone to one of the Mei Ju Halls, Kang Xiaomin probably wouldn’t have exploded immediately, but would have subtly bullied her with the friends she knew.
But she happened to run right into her.
Without thinking, Kang Xiaomin called out.
However, she didn’t regret it.
She marched forward aggressively until she reached Xia Wenjin, with the hall doors wide open, causing quite a stir that naturally drew the attention of many eyes.
Kang Xiaomin wanted exactly that effect.
This woman’s crudeness and rudeness, her ignorance of her humble status, today she deserved public humiliation.
Liu Xiuyin followed behind Kang Xiaomin, seeming to assist her, but actually found it amusing.
Though the woman was unpleasant to the eyes, causing trouble for her in public affected one’s image, something Kang Xiaomin completely ignored. It was better she played the leading role. Liu could just stay by her side, making Kang Xiaomin feel she was supporting her without having to speak, thus naturally avoiding appearing aggressive or incurring others’ displeasure.
Perhaps, taking the opportunity, she could leave a good impression in the minds of many people.
She wondered if Young Master Xuan would still fancy Kang Xiaomin as he did at Bodhi Temple, and chat with her, after seeing her so aggressive?
Initially, Kang Xiaomin didn’t want to respond to the valet’s question, planning to confront Xia Wenjin directly. But she realized, the valet might be one of the Seventeenth Princess’s people, and one shouldn’t disrespect the servant, considering the master.
Therefore, pointing at Xia Wenjin, Kang Xiaomin said to the valet, "Did you make a mistake? You’re letting this woman enter the Youlan Hall? Do you know who she is?"
The valet glanced over and then lowered his eyes, responding with composure, "Perhaps Miss Kang knows?"
Kang Xiaomin didn’t expect the valet to know her identity, feeling a bit pleased, but his composed manner was somewhat irksome. Feigning an air of superiority, she calmly said, "You better check on this person, don’t let opportunists make fools of you!"
The valet was slightly taken aback and said, "Miss Kang, you’re joking. Everyone invited here has an invitation; there are no opportunists here!"
"That’s not necessarily so!" Kang Xiaomin cast a sidelong glance full of disdain at Xia Wenjin, pointedly saying, "The Seventeenth Princess’s invitations are not for ordinary people, and those of low status aren’t usually eligible. But there are always those looking for opportunities to climb socially. Besides, the invitation doesn’t have names written on it!"
Though not directly stated, it was a blatant hint that Xia Wenjin’s invitation was questionable, suggesting it could be stolen, picked up, or borrowed.
Liu Xiuyin gently said, "Sister Kang, although we’ve never met this Young Miss, maybe she does have an invitation, how about we let it go?"
Xia Wenjin amusingly watched the two of them.
One was a self-righteous fool with a hole in her head.
The other was a phony white lotus with hidden poison beneath her gentle exterior.
Liu Xiuyin appeared to be persuading them to let it go, giving the impression of being generous and tolerant, but her words weren’t friendly, clearly indicating to everyone that Xia Wenjin’s identity was unclear, never seen before, implying it was her first such gathering. Perhaps she had an invitation, or perhaps it was false?
Consider what type of person would never have attended such a gathering before?
Either someone with mismatched status, unqualified, or someone just transferred to the Capital, and those transferred officials of late hadn’t been any major figures, officials of fourth or fifth rank weren’t worth their attention.
And if she were truly the daughter or niece of a fourth or fifth-rank official, what right would she have to enter the Youlan Hall?
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