"Then this Honored Guest must be very important; otherwise, Young Master and Old Madam wouldn't be so concerned," she casually remarked, not expecting such an enthusiastic response from Xinrong.
"You don't know, Miss. This Honored Guest is actually Young Master's distant cousin. I've heard she's beautiful, Ruo Er, like a fairy from the heavens," Xinrong said, her words filled with longing.
Meeting her somewhat disappointed gaze, Xinrong quickly concealed her expression and smiled, saying, "I caught a glimpse of Miss Liu from afar. Although she is pretty, she pales in comparison to you."
She understood Xinrong's intentions; it was just a way to reassure her. With a light laugh, she replied, "Alright, alright. I have no intention of comparing beauty with her. Why do you need to add that last part?"
Xinrong lowered her head shyly. "You truly see through everything, Miss."
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became much livelier than in the past few days. Suddenly, Xinrong continued, "However, I've heard from others that Miss Liu has a purpose for coming to the General's residence."
"Purpose?" Her curiosity was piqued, prompting her to ask.
"It is said that Miss Liu is the future General's Wife favored by Old Madam. She has come to cultivate feelings with Young Master. If they get along well, then Miss Liu will stay here forever."
Xinrong spoke happily, completely unaware of Mo Xier's changing expression. As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of a bowl shattering on the floor followed.
Her eyes went blank; Xinrong's words echoed in her ears, and for a moment, she could hardly hear anything else.
In the next moment, Xinrong realized what had happened and panicked. Remembering her relationship with the General, her voice trembled even more. "Miss, I didn't mean to say these things to you. Please don't take them to heart."
However, all that answered her was silence and stillness.
Xinrong felt an overwhelming sense of regret. She knew very well about Young Master's relationship with Miss Mo but still blurted out such nonsense in front of her. Wasn't she just causing trouble for Young Master?
"Miss, you really don't need to worry about Miss Liu. Just because Old Madam likes her doesn't mean Young Master will like her too. Relax, once Young Master finishes his business, he will definitely come back to see you."
However, the more she spoke, the more it seemed that Xin Moxier was unresponsive, standing there like a wooden statue.
After a long while, she slowly put down her chopsticks, a faint smile appearing on her lips as she softly said, "You don't need to apologize; this isn't your fault."
As she spoke, her gaze shifted to the scattered rice on the floor, revealing a look of regret. "It's just a pity about this bowl of rice. Please go and get me another one."
Upon receiving the order, Xinrong seemed to come back to life. She stepped forward and quickly cleaned up the mess on the ground, replying, "Yes, Miss. Please wait a moment; I will be right back."
Nodding slowly, she watched as Xinrong's figure disappeared at the door, her bright eyes dimming in an instant.
The feeling of melancholy in her heart poured out like a waterfall, and before she knew it, her originally dry eyes were filled with tears that were about to fall.
Quickly lifting her head, she stared blankly at the ceiling, having to admit that she had developed feelings for that man; otherwise, how could tears of grievance flow so swiftly?
That man, Night Star, was indeed heartless. Just days ago he had spoken of wanting to be with her, but now he had turned his attention to someone else!
Yet no matter how much she tried to hold back, tears continued to fall relentlessly, proclaiming her weakness and sorrow. But such fragility could only be kept to herself; she couldn't let others see it.
By the time Xinrong returned, the tears on the woman's face had long since vanished. What was presented to others was only an indifferent expression, as if she had not been affected at all.
"Miss, I have prepared another for you. It's been quite a while since dinner; you must be starving!"
As she spoke, she picked up the spare chopsticks from the table and quietly stood beside her, carefully attending to her meal. Having learned from previous lessons, she dared not say too much this time.
After finishing dinner, Mo Xier had no desire to do anything else. Xinrong, not wanting to disturb her and fearing he might say something wrong again, quietly left the room.
The room felt eerily quiet with just her alone. Under the dim candlelight, her face flickered in and out of view. Compared to the lively atmosphere outside, the courtyard was unsettlingly silent, making it seem unapproachable.
Lying on the bed, Mo Xier did not close her eyes; instead, she stared blankly ahead, her hands tightly gripping the blanket, unwilling to let go.
Her heart was filled with countless feelings of unwillingness, not only for the previous owner of this body but also for herself!
The former Mo Xier had actually developed feelings for a man due to his slight concern for her, which was a stark contrast to her original self.
She didn't know whether to call herself naive or innocent for thinking that Night Star was sincere like her. But at this moment, faced with reality, she had to concede that this man may have never taken her seriously.
Listening to the lively sounds outside, she slowly closed her eyes and tried hard to clear her mind, pretending she could hear nothing.
Since regaining her memories, a martial arts technique kept surfacing in her mind. However, it seemed as if her memory had not fully recovered; there were still obscure parts she could not recall, as if they had vanished into thin air.
Thinking that being trapped here meant she couldn't do anything anyway, she silently began to recite that martial arts technique in her heart. After several days of practice, her previously weak limbs started to gain some strength, and she felt much clearer overall.
Although she had yet to experience the benefits of the internal cultivation technique, she figured it wouldn't hurt to practice it continuously.
The noise outside gradually faded away as she seemed to fall into another world that belonged solely to herself, filled with thoughts of martial arts techniques.
Meanwhile, in the garden of the General's residence, it was bustling with activity. Women of influence from across the capital gathered there with their daughters.
Everyone knew of Night General's talents; bringing their daughters here was an attempt to see him in person. Even if they couldn't fall in love at first sight, leaving a good impression would be beneficial.
So tonight, every young woman present was meticulously dressed and constantly mindful of her demeanor, fearing any slight imperfection that might tarnish her reputation.
As the number of beautiful women increased, Liu Xuxin's smile became increasingly forced. Although her appearance could be considered above average among this group, it was not particularly outstanding. Who knew if the Night Star would take an interest in another woman?
Thinking this way, even her forced smile began to shine more brightly. Having lived in Yancheng's Liu Manor for so many years, she had long grown accustomed to the deceitful nature of human interactions.
She understood that the more insecure she felt inside, the more she had to pretend to be confident; she could never allow others to look down on her.
Madam Liu, who was on good terms with Old Madam, naturally attended as well. Madam Liu was still young, with a daughter only five or six years old, and stood beside Old Madam with a warm smile, exuding kindness.
"I wonder which family's young lady this is? She certainly seems likable."
"Miss Liu Xu Xin is my distant cousin; I find her quite charming myself," Old Madam said, her smile revealing her affection without reservation.
She reached out and patted the young woman behind her, continuing, "Xu Xin, quickly greet Madam Liu."
"Good day, Madam Liu." Xu Xin stepped forward respectfully to bow, her movements flawless and more refined than those of the young ladies from the capital.
Madam Liu's gaze revealed approval. "This Miss Liu appears quite dignified; Old Madam truly has a good eye."
Receiving praise, Liu Xuxin showed no sign of pride; instead, she became even more humble and smiled as she replied, "Madam Liu flatters me; my poise cannot compare to those Miss Lius from the capital."
"That is certainly true!" Just as they were enjoying their conversation, someone audaciously interrupted. The arrogant tone of voice made everyone quite displeased.
Turning their eyes, they focused on a woman dressed in a golden gown.
Her finely detailed eyes, with slightly upturned corners, exuded a hint of charm. Her hair was adorned with numerous golden ornaments, and the interplay of gold and red highlighted her regal demeanor.
The golden dress was embroidered with vibrant peonies, blooming one after another like the sun. The intricate embroidery, stitch by stitch, seemed to attract butterflies if one stared at it for too long.
However, such attire on a young girl of eighteen seemed somewhat mature and did not match her current age.
With her long fingers painted in red, she played with her hair and smiled, saying, "The young ladies of the capital are certainly not comparable to those from your small towns. Miss Liu is truly delightful for speaking such truths; I like it!"
Her words left everyone present feeling somewhat uncomfortable, especially Liu Xuxin, who had never heard anyone speak so disparagingly about her. For a moment, she was so taken aback that she couldn't find the words to respond; swallowing her anger only made her feel worse inside.
Madam Liu's eyes instantly narrowed as she lightly coughed and said, "That’s not how it should be said. The Liu Family is the wealthiest in Yancheng; our living standards are certainly not inferior to those in the capital. One can tell from Miss Liu's demeanor."
"Who doesn't know how to put on an act? Her gentle and virtuous appearance might just be a facade! Who knows what she's really like in Yancheng?" The Golden-Dressed Woman shot a disdainful glance at her.
"Which family do you belong to? You certainly look quite noble," Liu Xuxin replied with a smile instead of anger. Though she was arrogant, she knew well when to speak and act appropriately.
This gentle smile undoubtedly reduced her perceived threat in front of others and added an impression of virtue. It formed a stark contrast with the aggressive woman, further enhancing Liu Xuxin's image.
"My nobility doesn't require your commentary; you are merely from a humble background and naturally cannot appreciate my grandeur!" The Golden-Dressed Woman did not hesitate to climb higher on Liu Xuxin's words.
Old Madam remained expressionless, showing no sign of being moved, embodying the composure expected of the Madam of the General's Residence.
"I am the daughter of Grand Scholar Zhang Jindao, Zhang Yunqin. It is an honor to meet you, Old Madam." She performed an even more formal greeting towards Old Madam. Her respectful actions seemed to be a way to compete with Liu Xuxin, as if they were determined to prove who was superior.
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