The people from the Xie Mansion arrived not too late. At this moment, there were only a scattering of people sitting in the courtyard.
After the Elder Lady Xie sat down, some people who recognized her came over to strike up a conversation. Xie Fengran quietly sat behind the Elder Lady Xie, secretly observing the surrounding situation and pricking up her ears to listen to the conversation in front.
Xie Yunxi looked around. Maybe she didn't find anyone she was familiar with, so she also sat there obediently beside Xie Fengran.
The woman talking to the Elder Lady Xie was a wife from the Wang family. Xie Fengran didn't know her. After listening carefully, she found out that this was the legitimate wife of Lord Wang, the Censor - in - Chief, and also the birth mother of that Young Master Wang who had blocked her carriage that day.
Madam Wang was a very sociable and talkative person. Although the Elder Lady Xie didn't like idle chitchat, she didn't rebuff Madam Wang.
She didn't know whether Madam Wang was unaware or doing it on purpose, but she didn't mention a single word about the incident when Young Master Wang blocked the Xie sisters' carriage in the street that day.
However, looking at Madam Wang's enthusiastic manner, Xie Fengran thought it was far from the reservedness a Censor's wife should have.
Could it be that she had heard some rumors?
Just as she was thinking, Madam Wang turned around and exclaimed. Xie Fengran's hand was grabbed. "Look, this must be your granddaughter! What a beauty! No wonder she's so well - known. You're really blessed, Elder Lady."
The Elder Lady Xie's expression remained unchanged. She just curled the corner of her mouth and said indifferently, "The girls from the Wang family are also well - known!"
The smile on Madam Wang's lips froze for a moment. She let go of Xie Fengran's hand, then leaned over to the Elder Lady Xie and whispered something.
Xie Fengran only saw the expression on the Elder Lady Xie's face soften a bit, and she nodded at Madam Wang.
Seeing that this lady had praised Xie Fengran from head to toe after turning around, but seemed not to notice her at all and was rather haughty, Xie Yunxi gritted her teeth and tugged at Xie Fengran's sleeve.
She whispered, "Sister, who is this lady?"
Xie Fengran glanced at her and replied, "She's the wife of Lord Wang, the Censor - in - Chief, and a member of the Queen's family."
Xie Yunxi thought for a moment. "Then isn't she Yahan's family? Should I pay my respects?"
Xie Fengran turned around and sized her up from head to toe. Her look made Xie Yunxi annoyed, and she glared back. "What kind of look is that, sister?"
"Sister, your so - called best friend is from a collateral branch of the Wang family. She's not even counted among the main Wang family members. The real Wang girls are sitting over there." As she said, she pointed to several girls sitting diagonally in front of Madam Wang.
Among them was someone Xie Yunxi was familiar with, the Third Princess who had given her the invitation.
Xie Yunxi's eyes lit up. "Then I'll go and pay my respects to the Third Princess!"
"Sister, are you afraid we're not conspicuous enough?" Xie Fengran stared firmly at Xie Yunxi.
Xie Yunxi had no choice. She didn't dare to disturb the Elder Lady Xie, so she could only sit there sulking.
After sitting for a while, the courtyard was filled with people.
After a while, they heard a shout from outside the courtyard, "Her Majesty the Queen is here!"
Suddenly, everyone in the garden stood up and bowed together.
Just as Xie Fengran bent down, she heard a sweet female voice say, "Everyone, please rise."
Everyone stood up in a flurry. Only then did Xie Fengran have a chance to look at the Queen.
The Queen looked in her thirties. She was dressed in a bright yellow palace robe, and her makeup was delicate and dignified. When she smiled, she looked very amiable, not as serious as expected.
Half a step behind the Queen was a beautiful woman in palace clothes. She looked a bit younger than the Queen and was extremely gorgeous.
Xie Fengran remembered what others had said. The most favored one in the current harem was not the Queen but the Noble Consort. The Noble Consort used to be a student in a women's college. She was extremely beautiful, entered the palace at a young age, and had been favored until now.
There had even been rumors that the Emperor was going to replace the Crown Prince.
Behind them were three men in brocade robes. One of them was the Crown Prince she had seen that day.
Another one, who was talking to the Crown Prince and looked about 70 - 80% similar to him, was probably the Second Prince.
As for the other one, in this occasion, he was dressed in black clothes with only a white jade pendant hanging from his waist. He walked beside the Crown Prince and the Second Prince with a look of nonchalance on his face.
But upon closer inspection, the Second Prince and the Crown Prince actually took the initiative to talk to him, but he ignored them.
Xie Fengran vaguely heard someone beside her whispering, "Who is this guy? Why is he so dark - skinned and so arrogant? He even ignores the Crown Prince."
Xie Fengran took a closer look. He was indeed a bit dark - skinned, but his facial features were even more delicate than those of the two princes!
After thinking for a while, she secretly evaluated in her heart: He's a handsome man.
At this time, the Queen invited the Elder Lady Xie into the pavilion to talk. Xie Fengran came back to her senses and quickly followed.
When they entered the pavilion, there were already some people sitting inside. Xie Fengran slightly raised her eyes and scanned around. These ladies were all wearing the robes of imperial - conferred titles. It seemed that they were all invited by the Queen.
The Elder Lady Xie bowed as a matter of courtesy, and Xie Fengran and Xie Yunxi also knelt down. But the Queen asked the palace maid behind her to support the Elder Lady Xie and only accepted the greetings from the two sisters. "You're an elder, Elder Lady. Please sit down quickly."
The Elder Lady Xie sat down on a chair beside. Whether intentionally or not, her seat was not far from the Queen.
Before Xie Fengran could think further, the Queen spoke, "This must be the eldest girl of the Xie family. Come here and let me take a good look at you."
Xie Fengran took a few steps forward and stopped a few steps away from the Queen. She curtsied and said, "Your servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Queen."
But the Queen pulled her over. "Elder Lady, look, this child is so shy!"
The Elder Lady Xie also smiled. "It's Your Majesty who thinks highly of her."
The Queen sized Xie Fengran up carefully. She saw that this girl not only had a beautiful appearance but also an excellent bearing. What was rare was that in the face of so many people's gazes, she showed no sign of timidity.
The faint blush on her face added a bit of charm, and her manner was generous. The Queen immediately smiled. "No wonder the Elder Lady Xie dotes on her. Such a lovely girl. Even I would like to dote on her all the time when I see her!"
Xie Fengran pretended not to understand and shyly lowered her head, but her heart sank uncontrollably.
From the praise of the eunuch at the beginning, to the enthusiasm of Madam Wang, and now the Queen's words, if she still didn't understand what was going on, she would be deceiving herself.
She couldn't believe that her grandmother had such great influence that the Queen had the idea of betrothing her to the Crown Prince before even meeting her.
Just as she was thinking, there was a heavy weight on her wrist. A jade bracelet with a smooth luster was put on her.
Xie Fengran said nervously, "Your Majesty, this is too precious. Your servant dare not accept it."
But the Queen laughed. "You child, it's just a little trinket. I think it suits you. Just wear it for fun!"