Xie Fengran felt a bit strange for a moment but didn't dwell on it. Anyway, it was Xie Yunxi's business and had nothing to do with her!
Hexiang had long prepared the clothes for Xie Fengran to wear. As she served her mistress to change, she checked the time and said, "Miss, it's time to go out!"
Xie Fengran nodded. "Zhuqing, go and ask if Xie Yunxi is still going!"
"Going! Tell sister I'll come right away."
Xie Yunxi was being dressed by her maid. Her hair was adorned with so many pearls and jade ornaments that it was blinding when she moved.
She wore a jade bracelet on each hand, and her body was draped in a light red gossamer dress, looking extremely dazzling!
This outfit seemed more suitable for a banquet than for school.
Zhuqing took one look and quickly lowered her head. She was almost blinded. After getting the answer, she immediately ran out.
Seeing Zhuqing leave, Xie Yunxi got a bit impatient. "Hurry up! Why are you so slow!"
Now Xie Fengran wouldn't wait for her.
The maid's hand trembled, and the hairpin was inserted askew.
"Useless thing!" Xie Yunxi slapped her and inserted the hairpin herself. After checking that there were no flaws, she lifted her skirt and walked out.
At the main gate, Zhuqing was talking to Xie Fengran. "Miss, the second miss is dressed as if she's going for a beauty contest. This servant was blinded by her finery, so I came back first!"
Xie Fengran's mouth twitched. That strange feeling in her heart resurfaced again - could it be that Xie Yunxi really broke the etiquette tutor's leg?
Because if the etiquette tutor were around, she would never let Xie Yunxi dress up like a peacock!
Xie Fengran originally didn't want to wait for Xie Yunxi. She had made an appointment with Sun Yuelan to go together. But after hearing what Zhuqing said, she became interested.
After waiting for a while longer, there was movement inside the second gate. Xie Fengran looked back and saw Xie Yunxi walking over unsteadily, supported by her maid.
As she got closer, Xie Fengran could see clearly that this person was exquisitely dressed from head to toe. It seemed as if she wished to adorn even her teeth.
She couldn't help but say, "Sister, today is the interview for the Women's College, not a beauty contest!"
Xie Yunxi raised her eyebrows and snorted. "Sister must be afraid that I'll catch the Crown Prince's eye. If so, it's still early. Sister still has time to go back and get dressed up!"
For the interview of the Women's College, she had already inquired. Most of the noble families' children in the capital would come to watch. If she didn't dress up beautifully, how could she attract their attention!
Hearing this, Xie Fengran didn't waste any more words and got into the carriage.
Seeing that there was only one carriage, Xie Yunxi didn't want to get in. She shouted at the servant woman who was preparing the carriage, "How did you prepare this? You only prepared one carriage. Don't you know that I'm also going out?"
The servant woman lowered her head and whispered in defense, "It was the eldest miss who told this servant to prepare only one carriage!"
"You..."
"If you don't want to get in, then walk there!"
"... I'll get in."
Xie Yunxi had to yield to the reality, but she felt extremely aggrieved in her heart.
The carriage was quite large. Xie Fengran and Hexiang sat on one side, while Xie Yunxi and her personal maid sat on the other.
There was no incident on the way. Mainly because Xie Fengran ignored Xie Yunxi's provocations.
The carriage traveled for about half an hour and arrived at a racecourse behind the palace.
The interview was held here today.
Since the riding and archery skills of these young ladies would also be tested, Imperial Scholar Sun simply reported to the emperor and borrowed this racecourse.
This used to be a royal racecourse. The current emperor didn't like riding and archery, so this place had been abandoned. Since the Women's College needed it, the queen had sent people to clean it up.
By now, most of the carriages had surrounded the outer area. The coachman found a place neither too far nor too close and stopped the carriage before inviting the two young ladies to get off.
Xie Fengran disliked Xie Yunxi's slowness and jumped out first.
Seeing her action, Xie Yunxi curled her lips and murmured, "If the etiquette tutor were here, she should really take a look at what rudeness and lack of manners are."
After saying that, supported by her maid's hand and stepping on the stool, she gracefully got off the carriage.
She followed Xie Fengran towards the entrance of the racecourse.
As soon as the two of them walked over, a palace servant came over to inquire. After learning that they were the students for the exam, the servant led them to the student area.
When they got closer, Xie Fengran took a look. It was a riot of colors. If one didn't know, they might think they had walked into a garden. Xie Yunxi's dressing didn't seem eye - catching here.
While in a daze, Xie Fengran was tugged. She turned her head and saw that it was none other than Sun Yuelan.
"Why did you come so late? There's only half an hour left before the lottery draw!"
Xie Fengran ignored Xie Yunxi and sat down beside Sun Yuelan.
Xie Yunxi scanned the area, found someone she knew, and walked away on her own.
Seeing Xie Yunxi leave, Sun Yuelan gently pinched Xie Fengran. "Why did you come out dressed like this?"
Xie Fengran gave her a sideways glance. "Aren't you the same?"
"My brother said that the teachers don't like girls who dress gaudily. He also said that you would definitely dress simply."
Then, lowering her voice, she added, "Look, my brother knows you so well!"
Xie Fengran snorted and didn't respond.
Sun Yuelan sighed. Just as she was about to pull Xie Fengran to introduce the situation of the interviewers, a little eunuch walked over. "Miss Xie, the Prince has asked this servant to give this to you."
Saying that, he handed over a small sachet.
"..." Sun Yuelan looked at the sachet and then at Xie Fengran, giving her a look - What does this mean?
Xie Fengran glanced at her - How would she know?
Seeing that she didn't take it, the little eunuch added with a smile, "This is hush money!"
"..." She wanted to curse!
In the end, she still took it. The little eunuch bowed. "Then this servant will take his leave. This servant is in charge of your area today. If Miss has any requests, just tell this servant!"
After saying that, he stepped back.
Xie Fengran pinched the sachet in her hand, a bit confused about what Qin Junxing was up to.
It was Sun Yuelan who couldn't hold back her curiosity. She nudged Xie Fengran. "Hurry up and open it!"
Xie Fengran untied the sachet and poured out a safety talisman from it.
"It's a safety talisman from the National Protection Temple!" Sun Yuelan took it and looked at it. Suddenly, she exclaimed, "It was personally requested by Master Yuanning."
The safety talisman of Master Yuanning would have a personally written character "Ning" in one corner, which was unique.
Sun Yuelan recognized it because her mother had one. Now she saw another one.
"The Prince was actually able to get Master Yuanning's safety talisman and was willing to give it to you. It seems that he really has feelings for you."
Although a safety talisman wasn't worth much, since it was from Master Yuanning, its meaning was different. Even if the Crown Prince got one, he might not be willing to give it to others.
This safety talisman was exquisitely made. There was a small character "Ning" in the lower - right corner, exactly the same as the one Xie Fengran got from the abbot.
It had to be said that the safety talismans from the National Protection Temple were more beautiful than those from other places. She had given the previous one to her grandmother.
She never expected to get another one now.
But how did Qin Junxing know that she liked this kind of safety talisman so much?