Qi Manyan really brought Gu Liyue along. However, after spending some time together, Gu Liyue found that Qi Manyan was only a bit less aggressive than Jiang Yingyue. Her arrogance seemed to be inborn, and she didn't think much of Gu Liyue.
Gu Liyue didn't like being treated like a maid. She just sat in a corner of the flower hall, lost in thought.
Whether it was because Gu Liyue had spoken up for Jiang Yingyue today or due to Qi Manyan's presence, Jiang Yingyue didn't pick on Gu Liyue. She chatted merrily with her friends and simply ignored Gu Liyue as if she didn't exist.
After enduring for over an hour, an old servant came to announce that the ladies had finished watching the show and it was time to go home.
The young girls invited each other, discussing where to go next time. They quickly decided to go on a spring outing in the suburbs.
However, Gu Liyue wasn't among those invited.
Gu Liyue didn't really care. She left the flower hall first and was about to go to the courtyard of the madam. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Lin Zhijie happily running over with a little kitten in his arms.
"Sister, didn't you want a cat? I got one for you."
Gu Liyue was startled and quickly took the cat. "A Jie, be careful. Don't get scratched by the cat."
Lin Zhijie had fine beads of sweat on his forehead. He said excitedly, "Don't worry. It wouldn't dare scratch me. Otherwise, I'll beat it! Sister, look. Isn't this cat cute?"
Gu Liyue nodded with a smile. "It's really cute. It's so tiny. How did you get it so quickly?"
The snow - white cat had a distinct black spot on its forehead. It was restless in Gu Liyue's arms and kept meowing.
Just then, Jiang Yingyue walked over from behind. Seeing Gu Liyue holding the cat, she let out a shrill scream. "Gu Liyue, what are you doing? Don't you know I'm most afraid of cats?"
Gu Liyue paused and took two steps back with the cat in her arms.
Jiang Yingyue was furious. She put her hands on her hips and scolded, "If you dare bring it back to the mansion, I'll kill it for sure!"
Gu Liyue was stunned. She originally wanted the cat to accompany Xiuqiu, but she didn't expect Jiang Yingyue to react so strongly.
Lin Zhijie said discontentedly, "What! This is a gift for my sister. What does it matter to you? If you dare kill it, I won't let you off."
Jiang Yingyue was extremely aggrieved. Knowing she was afraid of cats, they were clearly doing it on purpose. With a wail, she wiped her tears and ran away.
Lin Zhijie didn't care. While teasing the cat, he said to Gu Liyue, "I told Brother Jinchen that you wanted a cat. He said he just got one and had someone send it over. Hehe, do you know its name?"
"What's its name?" Hearing Lu Jinchen's name, Gu Liyue's thoughts drifted far away. So this cat was originally his. Did he just... give it to her?
She pursed her lips and reached out to stroke the kitten. Her heart was filled with joy.
"One Spot of Red."
Gu Liyue stopped and looked at the cat carefully. She confirmed that the spot on its forehead was black, not red. One Spot of Red? Was there a mistake?
Lin Zhijie burst out laughing. "Isn't it funny? I laughed for a long time. I don't know why Brother Jinchen named it One Spot of Red. Hahaha."
Gu Liyue couldn't help laughing either. She subconsciously rubbed the black spot on One Spot of Red's head. She didn't expect that Lu Jinchen, who seemed so proper, was actually such an interesting person.
Lin Zhijie asked again, "By the way, sister, will you accompany me to the Lantern Festival in a few days?"
Gu Liyue's eyes flickered. The Lantern Festival... The Lantern Festival on the 18th of September was a unique festival in the Great Zhou Dynasty. On that day, not only young boys and girls would release lanterns on the river, but also engaged or married young people liked to go in groups to release lanterns, symbolizing that their love would never change.
Of course, men and women who were not lovers could also go out to play on that day. Especially children, who all liked the excitement.
Lin Zhijie pulled on Gu Liyue's sleeve. "Sister, okay? Will you accompany me?"
Gu Liyue nodded. "Okay, I'll accompany you."
When they returned to the Jiang Mansion, Gu Liyue heard that Jiang Yingyue had been grounded by Madam Jiang. She was a bit stunned. Did Madam Jiang know what Jiang Yingyue had tried to do to her today?
Madam Jiang took One Spot of Red from her arms and asked, "Is this cat a gift from Young Master Lin?"
"Yeah." Gu Liyue subconsciously omitted Lu Jinchen. After all, Lu Jinchen didn't show up in person. The cat was originally given to her by Lin Zhijie.
"I thought Xiuqiu might be too lonely. If I got a lively little kitten, maybe it would cheer up. I planned to tell you, Madam, before making a decision, but I didn't expect Young Master Lin... A Jie to send it over so quickly."
Madam Jiang nodded. "What's its name?"
"One Spot of Red."
Madam Jiang was taken aback. One Spot of Red? It should be One Spot of Black. She thought about changing the name but then decided against it. "Did you have a good time at today's banquet?"
Gu Liyue nodded. "Yes, I did."
Madam Jiang looked up at Gu Liyue. Seeing that she frowned and didn't say much, she just let out a soft sigh and returned the kitten to her. "You must be tired today. Go to bed early."
Gu Liyue bowed and turned to leave.
Nanny Chao watched Gu Liyue's back and asked Madam Jiang in confusion while supporting her, "Madam, why are you not happy?"
Madam Jiang said, "Look, she resembles Yue'er, but she's not Yue'er. If she were my Yue'er, how could she... not tell me anything?"
Nanny Chao supported her and walked inside. "Miss Liyue wasn't raised in the mansion. Even if she wants to get close, she doesn't dare to be too familiar."
Madam Jiang let out a soft sigh. "Yes, I want to treat her better, but I'm always afraid. What if one day, she leaves me too? What should I do?"
Nanny Chao laughed. "Madam, you're talking nonsense. Miss Liyue is fine. Why would she leave you?"
Madam Jiang shook her head. "A Chao, you know what I'm talking about."
Nanny Chao pursed her lips and didn't say a word. Madam was afraid of giving her true feelings but ending up disappointed. After all, when Miss Yingyue first came, Madam had treated her sincerely. But as Miss Yingyue grew up, she only knew how to act spoiled and demand more.
Now, Miss Liyue was grateful. If Madam did more for her, would she be like Miss Yingyue?
Nanny Chao reluctantly comforted her, "Madam, Miss Liyue is a person who values emotions. You can tell from how she treats her aunt. Moreover, Miss Liyue is not good at expressing herself, which just shows that she's not a person who tries to climb up the social ladder."
"If she's not trying to climb up, she probably wouldn't have come to me either."
Madam Jiang's sudden words made Nanny Chao stunned for a long time. Even Madam herself was extremely surprised. She waved her hand. "Forget it. Let's go back and rest."
Gu Liyue was holding the kitten and about to return to the west wing when a man blocked her way.
"Gu Liyue, you did it on purpose. You knew Yue'er was afraid of cats, but you still brought another cat back, didn't you?"
It was Jiang Che.
Gu Liyue pursed her lips and lowered her head to apologize. "It's my fault. I originally planned to tell Madam first and then make a decision. I didn't expect..."
"Excuses, Gu Liyue. Do you think you can marry into our family and become a phoenix just by currying favor with my mother? Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"