After much thought, Ye Xi decided to first confirm her identity. As for whether to recognize her family, she would wait until she understood the truth of why Mrs. Lou had taken her away all those years ago.
After all, everything before was just her speculation. Judging from Mrs. Lou's appearance today, it was quite possible that the Lou family had voluntarily given her away back then.
When it came to their own children, which mother wouldn't say a few more words?
Especially in front of noble people, if they could leave a good impression, it was like opening an extra path for their children.
The ladies were overjoyed and immediately began to chatter about how their daughters and sons were. But in the end, it was all about subtly praising them.
Zhang Rui also said with a beaming smile,
"Our Cheng'er is the same. He only knows how to study at home all day long and takes his studies very seriously. When I asked him to accompany me out to enjoy some paintings, he shook his head so much that it was as if I was deliberately trying to delay his studies."
[This brat! I asked him to come with me to enjoy the paintings, but he wouldn't listen. Instead, he insisted on hanging out with his good - for - nothing friends. Now it's good. He missed such an important prospective princess.]
[I'm so angry! I should have forced him to come. Even if he couldn't meet Miss Xi, it would have been good for him to see his own sister. After all these years, his own elder sister has been raised in someone else's family for so long, and he doesn't seem to care at all!]
A glint flashed in Ye Xi's eyes. She subconsciously glanced around at the groups of young ladies. Sure enough, she saw a petite and charming girl with a pink face stealing glances at her from time to time. Her actions were so covert that no one else had noticed for the time being.
Well! It seemed that Mrs. Lou knew the whereabouts of her daughter and could often see her!
Then she must not be a daughter of the Lou family.
Ye Xi quietly withdrew her hand.
Since she wasn't from the Lou family, she didn't bother to think about why the Lou girl was raised in someone else's family. After all, Mrs. Lou boasted that her children were studious, but in fact, her son was probably out doing who - knows - what. It showed that the family's upbringing and family values were not very good.
It was quite possible that her own daughter had been sold to someone else for some shameful reason.
Now that she had an answer, Ye Xi didn't want to stay any longer. She had originally thought that Mrs. Lou really loved elegance and was full of knowledge. But after talking for so long, all she heard were words of flattery and self - praise. She just liked the feeling of being flattered by others.
Ye Xi secretly shook her head, thinking that the famous calligraphy and paintings she had painstakingly prepared were really redundant and ridiculous.
She gave Liu Mengxian a look. After complimenting a few words, the two of them found an excuse and got up to leave.
When they reached the main hall, Liu Mengxian finally couldn't help but whisper,
"Why are we leaving? Did what they said make you uncomfortable?"
"But you haven't even asked about your background yet. You've just started. You should at least try to get some clues before leaving."
Right, Liu Mengxian didn't know yet that she was Man Ping or about her special ability.
Seeing Liu Mengxian's concerned look, Ye Xi smiled and took her arm,
"There's no need to ask anymore. I already know. I'm not a daughter of the Lou family. Mrs. Lou has another daughter."
"Ah?"
Liu Mengxian was extremely confused,
"You knew just from these few words? How did you know? She didn't say anything, did she?"
Ye Xi smiled mysteriously and pointed her slender index finger upwards,
"Well... the secret must not be revealed!"
"What?"
Liu Mengxian pretended to be angry and gently punched her,
"You're not some fortune - telling master. Stop being so mysterious. Humph - I think you..."
[Young Master Ren!]
Liu Mengxian paused. She silently gasped in her heart and immediately stopped teasing Ye Xi. Her pretty face turned slightly red as she resumed her usual dignified and graceful look.
Ren Jiao naturally saw Ye Xi and Liu Mengxian too. He immediately walked over and said with a gentle smile,
"Have you two ladies finished enjoying the paintings? I'm about to leave too. How about we go together?"
Both of them averted their eyes, with smiles on their lips. The affection between them needed no words.
Ye Xi playfully nudged Liu Mengxian's arm and joked,
"What a coincidence. I thought Young Master Ren had left with Young Master Liu earlier. Young Master Ren came back. Did you leave something in this Bai Tower?"
Ren Jiao suddenly blushed. He couldn't help but look at Liu Mengxian beside him and stammered wordlessly.
Liu Mengxian gave Ye Xi a reproachful look and gently pushed her. She came to Ren Jiao's rescue and said,
"Oh, I'm tired. Since Young Master Ren has offered, let's go together. It's slippery on snowy days. If there's anything wrong with the carriage, it's good to have someone to take care of it."
After saying that, she lowered her head and didn't dare to look at Ren Jiao anymore.
"Ooh—"
Ye Xi deliberately dragged out the tone,
"Sister Meng makes a good point. However, I know that the road to Hongyuan and the Liu Mansion doesn't overlap much. We'll probably have to part ways soon. By then, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Young Master Ren to see Sister Meng off for me."
Seeing that both of them were extremely shy, especially Ren Jiao who stammered in agreement, Ye Xi thought that if she kept teasing them, they would be as red and hot as boiled shrimps. So she stopped in time and said with a smile,
"Then, Young Master Ren, let's go."
Saying that, she took Liu Mengxian's hand and walked towards the door.
Liu Mengxian wanted to talk to Ye Xi, so she got into Ye Xi's carriage with her. Ren Jiao got into his own carriage and followed behind them all the way.
However, the carriage had only traveled a few steps when it suddenly stopped with a "Whoa—".
"What's going on, Lingyan?"
Ye Xi leaned forward slightly and asked.
Looking at the magnificent and luxurious carriage in front, Lingyan frowned and said,
"Back to you, Miss. There's a big carriage blocking the way ahead."
"We have three carriages here, so it's not convenient to make way. But the other side doesn't seem to have any intention of giving way either."
As soon as Lingyan finished speaking, they heard an arrogant female voice say,
"How dare you! Whose carriage are you? Don't you know to make way when you see the princess's carriage?"
Princess?
Ye Xi and Liu Mengxian exchanged a look. Was it the Fourth Princess? Why did Yi Zhen come to this small place?
Ye Xi leaned forward and slightly lifted the curtain. She saw that there was indeed a tall double - horse carriage in front. It was decorated with brocade and tassels, inlaid with gold and jade. A maid - dressed woman looked impatient in front of the carriage and haughtily glanced at Lingyan on their carriage.
"Back off,"
It was better to avoid trouble. Ye Xi put down the curtain and gave the order,
"The snow is starting to pile up a bit. Be careful that there are some loose bricks on the ground. The carriage might get stuck easily."
"Yes, Miss."
Lingyan replied. Without even looking at the maid, she jumped off the carriage directly and told the empty carriage from the Liu Mansion at the back to back off first.
The maid felt humiliated when Lingyan ignored her. Since it was inconvenient to move the carriages, Ren Jiao was a bit slow when backing off. The maid immediately started scolding viciously.
She said that Lingyan and the others were doing it on purpose, being disrespectful and contemptuous of the royal family.
Lingyan didn't want to pay attention to her at first. But when Ye Xi's carriage backed off, it just so happened to jolt, and the wheel got stuck in a crack.
"Hahaha..."
The maid burst into exaggerated laughter and gloated,
"Serves you right! You were so arrogant. You lowly people deserve to be taught a lesson. Otherwise, you really think..."
"Slap!"
Lingyan's palm landed cleanly on her face.
"Ah! You, you bitch! How dare you lay a hand on me!"
The maid let out a shrill scream and sobbed as she was about to go and complain. Just as she reached the magnificent carriage, the curtain was lifted, revealing a cute and charming face.