I'm already a concubine, who wants to fight with you?

Chapter 98 Flattery
Ban Sihui asked suspiciously, "Why are the women of the Xie family in Baoshan Tower?"

At this time, everyone is either on the lake or admiring the lotus. Who would hide in the cold and quiet bamboo forest?

The maid said, "They must have known that our Master was going to Baoshan Tower, so they were waiting there in advance!"

Ban Sihui shook her head and said, "Not really. Xie has already married Yuan Ge'er, so she doesn't dare to have such thoughts."

The maid said anxiously, "Madam, you are too simple-minded! Although Xie is married, her sisters are not betrothed yet! The Xie family is a small family, so they must be greedy for the wealth of the Marquis's mansion and want to marry into it!"

Ban Sihui said disdainfully: "Your Excellency is not someone who everyone likes. Look at Xie's appearance, how good can her sisters be?"

"No matter how ugly they are, the wild flowers outside are all fragrant, especially those from the Xie family. Just look at that vixen Xie and you'll know that she's not an easy person to deal with." The maid said angrily, chewing her tongue.

After hearing what she said, Ban Sihui became skeptical.

The maid continued, "Look at those two scheming people. Everyone else is outside, but they stand out. They have to come to Baoshan Tower. If they didn't know in advance that the young master was coming, why didn't they go somewhere else, but wait here?"

Ban Sihui also gradually felt that this might not be explained by the word "coincidence".

The maid would stand up for Ban Sihui and say, "The daughters of the Xie family are shameless. They are eager to become concubines. They may even want to squeeze you out. Madam, you must be careful!"

Ban Sihui became angry and glared at Baoshan Tower.

One by one, they bully her because her family is poor and want to step on them!
She gave birth to three daughters and one son, and she would never give up her position as the legal wife to anyone else!

In the morning, after sunrise, the snow melted and froze everywhere, and the lake was covered with a thick layer of ice that could not be broken even with a chisel.

Mrs. Zheng arranged for ice singing and dancing acrobatics, and the women of each family could also play on the ice.

Many men also came, all of whom were of marriageable age. They were brought out by their mothers to be shown to other families.

In name it is an ice skating party, but in fact it also has the meaning of "blind date".

Men and women have separate tents for activities such as throwing balls, grabbing balls, and performing archery. The scene is full of laughter and is very lively.

There were tables set up in the pavilions by the lake, with wine, tea, cakes, fruits, etc.

Those who like lively activities can go ice-skating on the lake, while those who don’t like activities can sit in the pavilion, chat and laugh with others, and enjoy singing and dancing.

Zhuang Wenxiu was arranged in the last pavilion, which was quite far away from Mrs. Zheng's pavilion.

She was extremely anxious and wanted to go to Mrs. Zheng, but she had no reason.

Xie Yang couldn't sit still either. She found that her ideal husband's grandmother, the wife of Duke Ningguo, was sitting with Madam Zheng.

"Mother, we should go and talk to Madam Zheng, otherwise it would be a wasted trip." Xie Yang was not that interested in the ice skating party, he really wanted to meet the wife of Duke Ningguo.

Zhuang Wenxiu said, "Don't worry, my son. We have to wait for the sixth girl to come. Then we can go find Madam Zheng in her name."

Xie Yang had been looking around for a long time, but couldn't find any trace of Xie Fei.

Seeing that Lady Ningguo seemed to be leaving early, she dragged Zhuang Wenxiu away without saying anything.

"No, let's go over there and talk about it."

Passing through the winding corridor, the mother and daughter arrived at Madam Zheng's pavilion.

Zhuang Wenxiu stepped forward and made small talk, saying, "Madam Zheng, your ice skating party today is really lively. I am so lucky to receive your invitation."

All the ladies sitting here were from high-ranking families. When the two of them first appeared, Mrs. Zheng was a little surprised and felt that they looked unfamiliar. However, the kind and white-haired Lady of the Duke of Ning smiled and said to Mrs. Zheng, "This is the mother and sister of your fourth concubine from the Xie family."

Mrs. Zheng suddenly realized what was going on, but she didn't look very pleased, and there was no smile in her eyes.

"So it's the mistress of the Xie family. I wonder if the servants failed to greet you well when you came here?"

Zhuang Wenxiu's face froze, and she quickly added, "No, I just want to thank you on behalf of the sixth girl. She had a hard time marrying into the Pei family, and I heard that you took good care of her. I am very grateful in my heart."

They were all polite words, and Mrs. Zheng didn't take them seriously and just said a few words to her casually.

Xie Yang ran to the wife of Duke Ningguo, looking very lively and playful, blinking her eyes and saying in a tender voice, "Madam, it's so cold today. You came out for a while, so you should wear more clothes?"

Lady Ningguo was very kind. She took her hand and patted it, saying with a smile, "Of course I pay attention. But you, at such a young age, don't go out to play on the ice with others. Instead, don't you feel bored in front of an old woman like me?"

Xie Yang said obediently: "I like you the most, Madam. How can I talk to you for a few words? How can I compare with Bingxi?"

She looked around again and asked shyly, "I wonder if Brother Minghuai is here?"

Her little thoughts were so obvious, how could Lady Ningguo not know about it?
"Ming Huai is here too, but we don't know where he is. Go ask the servants, maybe you can find him."

Although Xie Yang is not very well behaved, she definitely doesn't have the nerve to take the initiative to look for her ideal husband to play with.

She just acted like a spoiled child, holding the arm of Lady Ningguo and shaking it, looking shy, bashful, charming and bright.

Because of her delay, Lady Ningguo couldn't leave early.

Soon it was noon and the guests gathered in the garden, and the servants set the table.

Xie Fei and the other person also came out of Baoshan Building and sat down in a corner.

Fu Yu said, "The seats should have been arranged in advance. Are you two just sitting there casually?"

Xie Fei had already picked up his chopsticks and cast a covetous gaze at the delicious dishes in front of him.

"Who cares? There are so many people here, who has the energy to check every table?"

Besides, we must reserve a few more tables to avoid being laughed at for not having enough seats.

They were sitting in this corner, which should be the reserved seat so they wouldn't disturb others.

As soon as the dishes were served, Xie Fei started eating by himself. Seeing this, Xie Jing also started eating.

There were a few other women at the table, all of whom were talking enthusiastically about the ice skating party that had taken place in the morning, and no one paid any special attention to the two of them.

"Have you seen the women of the Xie family? They are so ridiculous. They are clearly in the lowest pavilion, but they insist on going to Madam Zheng's pavilion to chat and laugh. They don't even look at the ladies of the upper class. Who would look down on them?"

"That's right. Madam Zheng doesn't even bother to pay attention to the old man. The little ones are also surrounding Madam Ningguo, like happy dogs, with their desire to curry favor with her almost flowing out."

"Although we are also a small family, we still have to maintain our dignity. Unlike them, mother and daughter, they have to beg for mercy in front of the rich family. It's so embarrassing."

Several women covered their lips with their hands while laughing, and whispered about the mother and daughter of the Xie family.

Xie Fei and Xie Jing looked at each other and suddenly felt that the food in their mouths was not as delicious anymore.

(End of this chapter)