"Oh, I just said I'd like you to do me a little favor. My cousin is about your age and has a similar build. I want to buy her a few sets of clothes. I'd like to borrow your measurements. I'm sure Miss Wan Ruo won't refuse, right?"
Si Hongxi had already thought up this excuse. Wan Ruo felt it was hard to say no, but she had never experienced such a situation before.
Almost all the staff in the silk store came to attend to her. They measured her size and held up bolts of cloth in front of her to check the colors and patterns. She felt quite uncomfortable but still cooperated. She even gave Si Hongxi an embarrassed smile.
Seeing Wan Ruo looking flattered yet a bit embarrassed, Si Hongxi sat down to drink tea and waited patiently, watching her with great interest.
Outside the store, Qin Manman saw everything clearly. Wan Ruo had entered this famous silk store. Usually, it only took custom - made orders from noble ladies. The high - grade silk fabrics were top - notch. How could an ordinary commoner afford them?
But what was Wan Ruo's status? How could there be people surrounding her inside to take her measurements?
Soon, the measurements were taken. Si Hongxi said to Wan Ruo with satisfaction, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Wan Ruo! Let's go!" Si Hongxi politely extended his right hand, making a gesture of invitation.
Wan Ruo smiled and nodded politely. She walked out of the silk store, and Si Hongxi followed behind her.
As soon as they left, the boss of the silk store quickly ordered, "Hurry! Everyone stop what you're doing. First, make the clothes for that young lady just now. Be careful and work fast. We'll send them to the Prince of Pingnan's Mansion later! Go, go!"
Qin Manman saw Wan Ruo and Si Hongxi come out of the silk store. When she took a closer look at Si Hongxi's appearance, she was extremely jealous. "How could such a handsome man be with her? God is really blind! Why doesn't such a good thing happen to me! Humph!"
As the two walked along the road, Si Hongxi couldn't help but keep looking at Wan Ruo. Wan Ruo also felt strange, as if there was always a pair of eyes staring at her. When she looked at Si Hongxi, his eyes would immediately dodge. So Wan Ruo had to find a topic and asked, "Um, Mr. Si, how much longer until we reach your mansion?"
"Oh, it's not far. It's just up ahead!"
Just as they were about to continue walking, they suddenly heard someone shouting, "Sister! Sister Wan Ruo!"
Wan Ruo turned around, and unexpectedly, Qin Manman emerged from somewhere and caught up with them. "Sister, it's really you! Sister!"
Wan Ruo frowned slightly and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I just happened to pass by and saw you, so I came to say hello!" Qin Manman replied casually.
She was sizing up Si Hongxi. This young man was not only good - looking but also dressed like a wealthy young master. Her eyes were full of joy, as if she had found a precious treasure!
Wan Ruo saw that Qin Manman's eyes were full of Si Hongxi. She stared at him as if he were a treasure, with her eyes shining. Wan Ruo thought to herself, "Just happened to pass by? Who would believe that!"
"Miss Wan Ruo! Who is this sweet and lovely young lady?" Si Hongxi asked politely.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce. This is the daughter of my scoundrel uncle!" Wan Ruo smiled and glossed over the word "scoundrel".
Qin Manman's mind was all on Si Hongxi, and she didn't really listen to what Wan Ruo said. Although Wan Ruo said the word "scoundrel" very softly, Si Hongxi seemed to have heard something!
Si Hongxi looked at Wan Ruo and found her even more cute and interesting. He couldn't help but smile secretly.
"Yeah, I'm her cousin! And who are you, sir?" Qin Manman smiled sweetly. Her appearance was really irresistible to ordinary men. After all, who would dislike a girl who seemed so sweet and lovely on the surface?
Wan Ruo looked at Si Hongxi and blinked. Si Hongxi immediately understood and quickly replied, "My surname is Si. Just call me Mr. Si."
"My name is Qin Manman. You can call me Manman! So, Mr. Si, where are you two going?" Qin Manman asked curiously.
Si Hongxi glanced at Wan Ruo and then politely explained, "Oh, I invited Miss Wan Ruo to my mansion as a guest."
"Yeah, that's right. I think it's about time. We have something to do, so we'll leave first!" Just as Wan Ruo was about to leave, she heard Qin Manman ask, "Really? Can I go with you?"
Hearing Qin Manman say this, Si Hongxi felt a bit embarrassed. Wan Ruo grabbed Qin Manman's arm and said to her, "To be honest with you, I'm not going as a guest. I have something to do. What are you going for?"
"What is it? I can help!"
It seemed that no matter what anyone said, Qin Manman was determined to go.
Seeing Wan Ruo's helpless expression, Si Hongxi quickly came to the rescue and said, "Since Miss Manman wants to go, let's go together!"
"Since Mr. Si has no objections, let's go!" Wan Ruo shrugged, thinking that indeed all men in the world couldn't refuse the requests of sweet and lovely girls. Oh, men!
Si Hongxi watched Wan Ruo walk away a bit angrily. He sighed and shook his head helplessly.
At this time, Qin Manman quickly stepped forward and hugged Si Hongxi's arm, saying sweetly, "Brother, let's go!"
Facing Qin Manman's sudden contact, Si Hongxi felt a bit disgusted. He shook off Qin Manman's hand and said coldly, "Miss Manman, there should be propriety between men and women!"
After saying that, Si Hongxi quickly caught up with Wan Ruo. "Miss Wan Ruo, it's just up ahead. Let's go!" Si Hongxi said gently to Wan Ruo.
Wan Ruo just nodded politely, leaving Qin Manman stamping her feet in anger. She had no choice but to follow behind the two helplessly.
When they arrived at the main gate of the Prince of Pingnan's Mansion and saw the large and eye - catching plaque that read "Prince of Pingnan's Mansion", both of them were shocked!
Wan Ruo was relatively calm. She knew that someone who could easily spend 500 taels of silver must have an extraordinary family background. But she never thought that he was actually the Prince of Pingnan. It couldn't be, right? Maybe he just worked in the Prince of Pingnan's Mansion. How could a prince go to a brothel?
Qin Manman was extremely excited. Oh my god, this was the Prince of Pingnan's Mansion! No wonder only the rich and noble could go to the silk store! But she never thought he was actually a prince! Oh my god, I'm going to be a princess!
Before Wan Ruo could say anything, Qin Manman exclaimed in shock, "Brother, is this the Prince of Pingnan's Mansion your home? Are you the prince?"
Hearing Qin Manman call him "brother" so naturally, people who didn't know might really think she was his sister!
Si Hongxi smiled awkwardly and looked at Wan Ruo. Although Wan Ruo didn't say anything, she was also equally confused. She stared at Si Hongxi with wide eyes. Si Hongxi just smiled slightly and didn't answer. He just said, "Ladies, please!"
As soon as the two followed Si Hongxi into the mansion, a butler quickly stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Highness, you're back? ... The old lady's condition is not good. You'd better go and have a look quickly!"