In the prefect's mansion, Ruan Jiu and Chun Tao stood side by side outside Lin Bao'er's room.
They lowered their heads and whispered to each other.
"Miss Cousin, why do you think Miss Lin asked you to come and take her measurements for a dress?" Chun Tao asked, looking puzzled.
Ruan Jiu shook her head doubtfully after hearing this.
Previously, she was the manager of a silk store. When the store was short - handed, she would help take customers' measurements.
But now that she was the owner of the silk store, she didn't need to do many things herself.
Even if Lin Bao'er wanted to order a dress for her birthday banquet, there was no need for her to come in person.
Moreover, it wasn't her forte.
But somehow, Lin Bao'er specifically asked for her.
"Come in. Our young lady is waiting," a maid said with her head held high.
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu quickly followed her in.
"I wonder what style of dress Miss Lin would like?" Ruan Jiu asked with a smile.
Lin Bao'er waved her hand. "Don't be in a hurry. Miss Cousin, please sit down first."
Although Ruan Jiu was confused, she had no choice but to sit down.
Lin Bao'er then said, "I heard that you went to the Xie Mansion at a very young age. You must know the Fourth Master quite well, right?"
Ruan Jiu pursed her lips and suddenly understood.
So, her real intention wasn't what it seemed!
She replied, "Not really."
"Then you must know what the Fourth Master likes and what he likes to eat, right?" Lin Bao'er continued to press.
Ruan Jiu shook her head and then said, "Even if I knew, it's about the Fourth Master's privacy. It's not appropriate to tell outsiders."
As soon as she said this, the maid beside Lin Bao'er got upset.
Putting her hands on her hips, she said sharply, "Our young lady will be the future Fourth Lady of the Xie family. How can she be considered an outsider?"
What?
The Fourth Lady?
Ruan Jiu felt a tightness in her heart.
She forced a smile and pretended to be calm. "I didn't know when the Fourth Master got himself a fiancée."
"On the day of our young lady's birthday banquet, the old master will announce this happy news in public."
"Cuilan, stop blabbering!" Lin Bao'er said with a shy look on her face.
Announce?
She had heard someone mention a few days ago that Xie Jingchu had stayed in the prefect's mansion for most of the day.
Could it be that he was here to discuss the marriage?
Thinking of this, Ruan Jiu's heart skipped a beat.
She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
It seemed that only in this way could she keep calm.
After that, she was completely absent - minded.
She didn't even know how she got back to the mansion.
Her mind was in a complete mess.
She wanted to rush into Xie Jingchu's room and ask him clearly, but she was afraid of getting the answer she feared the most.
Would he marry Lin Bao'er?
She didn't dare to ask.
She didn't even dare to think about it.
On the day of Lin Bao'er's birthday banquet, all the influential people in Qinzhou City went to congratulate her.
Ruan Jiu was among them.
She didn't want to go at first, but Lin Bao'er said that she was afraid there would be mistakes with the dress on that day, so she asked Ruan Jiu to be present.
So, she reluctantly accepted the invitation.
"Are you in a bad mood?" Xie Jingchu leaned over and asked Ruan Jiu.
She had little interest in this banquet in the first place.
Now Lin Bao'er had arranged for her and Xie Jingchu to sit at the same table.
She lowered her head expressionlessly and said nothing.
"Did I do something to upset you?" Xie Jingchu continued to ask.
He hadn't seen Ruan Jiu for several days. It seemed that she was deliberately avoiding him.
Even when they left the mansion today, Ruan Jiu refused to share a carriage with him.
Looking at her reaction now.
He was sure that he must be the one who had upset her.
But what on earth had he done to upset this little princess!
Just then, Prefect Lin led the well - dressed Lin Bao'er onto the stage.
Prefect Lin said, "Thank you all for coming to my daughter's birthday banquet today. As you all know, she is my precious daughter. I've always been overly protective of her."
Ruan Jiu's expression was complex.
Was it time for the announcement?
She picked up the wine jug and filled her cup.
After drinking three cups in a row, her stomach burned with pain.
But this burning sensation made her feel a bit better.
"Don't drink so fast. You'll get drunk," Xie Jingchu held her hand as she was about to pour more wine.
Her eyes were hazy as she looked at Xie Jingchu with an unclear expression.
She had wanted to get drunk for a long time.
Maybe when she was drunk, she would have the courage to question Xie Jingchu.
Even if she got the answer she feared, at least she would have the guts to slap Xie Jingchu.
She wouldn't be sitting here like a clown, waiting for her fate.
"Today, on this happy occasion, I'd like to announce some good news.
That is, the Lin family will form a marriage alliance with the Xie family!"
As soon as he said this, there was a buzz of discussion among the people present.
"I wonder which young master of the Xie family is so lucky to marry into the prefect's family."
"Needless to say, it must be the Fourth Master of the Xie family! He's the only one in the Xie family who isn't married yet."
"People say that the Fourth Master is really lucky. He lost the position of the head of the Xie family, but then he's going to marry the prefect's daughter."
Ruan Jiu's hand paused before she could bring the cup to her lips.
The cup tipped over, and the wine soaked her clothes.
"A Jiu, I..."
Xie Jingchu was about to explain.
But Ruan Jiu immediately stood up, a bitter smile on her lips. "Sorry, I've had a bit too much to drink. I've been rude and spoiled your fun."
After saying that, she stumbled away.
She didn't want to cry in front of so many people.
If she had to cry, she would rather do it alone.
After all, she was used to it since childhood.
Seeing this, Xie Jingchu looked panicked.
A Jiu must have misunderstood!
But just as he stood up to chase after her, a crowd of people swarmed towards him.
The noise of the commotion became a chaotic mess.
"When did I ever say I was going to marry Lin Bao'er?!" Xie Jingchu roared.
A strong sense of oppression came over everyone.
It seemed that the ruthless Fourth Master of the Xie family had returned.
Everyone was so frightened that they fell silent.
It was completely quiet.
"Xie Jingchu, what do you mean by that?" Prefect Lin scolded.
"I'll say it again. I've never said I was going to marry Lin Bao'er!"
Xie Jingchu stared coldly at Prefect Lin, making the prefect's back tingle.
However, after a moment of panic, Prefect Lin then said, "Of course you've never said you were going to marry Bao'er. I want you to be a son - in - law who moves into the bride's family!"
As soon as he said this, everyone present gasped in surprise.
A son - in - law who moves into the bride's family?
Even though the Fourth Master was no longer as prominent as before, Prefect Lin's actions were a bit too much.
Prefect Lin looked proud. He was the prefect of Qinzhou. How could he be embarrassed by a discarded son of the Xie family?
So, Prefect Lin continued, "Xie Jingchu, with your current situation, it's your good fortune that Bao'er still fancies you!"
Xie Jingchu snorted. "A few cups of wine have made you so drunk that you're talking nonsense."
"Xie Jingchu, don't be ungrateful. Don't forget that you still need my help!" Prefect Lin roared again.
Xie Jingchu curled his lips, his eyes cold and piercing, sending a chill down people's spines.
"Lin Youcai, you must think too highly of yourself."
After saying that, Xie Jingchu turned around and left.
In his slightly squinted eyes, there was a glint of killing intent.
Lin Youcai, it seems you've been too comfortable in your position as the prefect.