There werenât that many customers on the first floor at present, but neither was there only a small scattering of them. Even with her face veil in place and her maids helping her forward, Qin Yining could still feel the gazes from everyone present.
Madame Lu was sitting primly in the middle of the hall at a spot next to the window. Though her chin was lifted proudly and a jeering curve graced her lips, it wasnât hard to see jealousy glittering in her beautiful eyes if one took a closer look.
Being an exceedingly attractive person, the older woman loved most feeling menâs gazes resting on her. But when the Qin fourth miss descended the stairs just now, sheâd heard firsthand how all conversation and chewing of meals had ground to a halt. No one so much as reached for another piece of meat, and even her respected second elder cousin [1] paused from refilling his wine cup.
Itâs so nice being young! If she was ten years younger, it was a given that everyoneâs eyes would cling to her instead. There would be no thought given to anyone else!
Qin Yining met Madame Luâs dismissive and incendiary glare with a faint smile. The sheer gauze covered her dimples while her bright, almond-shaped eyes curved into waning moons. Hints of mischief sparkled in her bright expression.
âTo think that weâd bump into Madame Lu here. Smooth Providenceâs staff must have provided subpar service for big sister Luâs maid to raise a fuss like this. I could hear the disturbance even on the third floor.â
Madame Lu snorted contemptuously. âDonât try to pretend like weâre close. Arenât you too high-and-mighty to befriend the Lu clan? Iâm not worthy of you calling me big sister, oh no. Hurry up and leave with your people. I rented out this tavern long ago.â
The Qin fourth miss arched a slender brow, light rippling through her eyes. âBig sister Luâs already rented out the place?â
âYes! Do you need me to repeat myself? Hurry up and leave! Stop being an eyesore here.â Madame Lu was exceedingly unfriendly.
The younger girl nodded. âBig sister Luâs memory must not be very good. I took pains to ask the manager just now and rented out the third floor only because it was empty. But big sister Lu says that you rented out the entire tavern a long time ago? Then, pray tell, why didnât the manager mention this?â
âThat old thing has a poor memory. Are you leaving or not?!â Urgency crept into the Lu madameâs tone.
Qin Yining chuckled mockingly, the sound as crisp and pleasing as a silver bell. âWell now, isnât that interesting? Big sister Lu is the one with a poor memory, but blames it on the manager. I ask only this: if you really had rented out the tavern a long time ago, then how did all the customers on the first floor make it inside? If the manager really does have a poor memory, allowing one customer inside is a mistake, but did he really let all of these people in because he has a bad memory? Surely you wonât say these are all your guests, big sister.â
The Qin fourth miss scanned the crowd of customers; the crowd sported varying body sizes and opulence of clothing. With Madame Luâs temperament, she wouldnât befriend anyone she deemed inferior.
The madame had nothing to say in return. Sheâd only wanted to deny Qin Yining face, but had forgotten the particulars of the situation.
The girl tittered softly, completely unperturbed by the madame trying to make things difficult for her. Her carefree laughter prompted the other guests to answer in kind, and an atmosphere that had been rather ruined by the madameâs maid lightened. The crowdâs impression of Qin Yining was thousands of times better than the domineering, spiteful Madame Lu.
As the Qin fourth miss laughed, she surreptitiously swept her gaze over the man standing next to the madame.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
He looked roughly twenty five years old and held himself with an uncommonly refined air. His seated posture was lazily comfortable, a noble dignity suffusing every movement and gesture. Though his aura was out of the ordinary, there was nothing threatening about him.
He imparted the feeling of being as gentle and mild as water. Oneâs eye would be caught by his bearing and not his features. Just the former alone would cause onlookers to unconsciously avert their eyes.
A saying rose in Qin Yiningâs heartâthe foundations of aristocracy are of nobility inborn.
Madame Lu was beet red with humiliation. Long accustomed to willful arrogance, she was someone that even the Princess of Anyang called âbig sisterâ. Sheâd never been ridiculed in broad daylight like this!
âSo it looks like youâre determined to be enemies with my clan!â she squeezed out through clenched teeth.
Qin Yining fluttered her long lashes with a smile. âThe foundations of aristocracy have never been built upon bullying others from a position of strength, but are an accumulation of composure and masterful experienceâas illustrated by the one standing next to you. As for you... loving and respecting yourself first is the key to the adoration and esteem that youâre so fond of. Itâs absolutely not a function of a loud voice and threats.â
Madame Lu viciously slammed her hand on a table and shot to her feet in abject fury. âWho do you think you are?! Youâre just a broken piece of junk discarded by others whoâve gotten bored! Instead of finding a corner to hide you, you swan around, showing your face in public! Since youâre just dirty, rejected toy, stop making a fool of yourself outside!â
The look in Qin Yiningâs frosted over. Xiaoman and Xiaoxue were already standing in front of her, with Jiyun and Bingtang glaring ferociously as well. Her servants were ready to feed Madame Lu to the dogs if Qin Yining gave the word.