Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 394 - 392 (Fifth update)

"Imperial Consort, Rui’an County Princess is here!" A maid hurried into Lan Yue’s boudoir, vociferously announcing her arrival.

Upon hearing this, Lan Yue quickly rose from her seat, recalling that in a few hours she would officially become the First Prince’s wife and the future Empress who would mother the whole nation.

She then quickly sat down again, coughed a few times, cleared her throat, and said, "She’s here, and you’re making a ruckus out of it. Don’t let others say our servants lack manners."

Hearing her words, the maid slowed her steps and approached Lan Yue, curtsying before speaking, "Imperial Consort, Rui’an County Princess has arrived."

"I’m not the Imperial Consort yet, remember to call me Miss. Otherwise, if others hear, they’ll say we lack manners! Got it?" Lan Yue retorted sternly.

"Yes, Miss." The maid rolled her eyes inwardly. After all, Lan Yue was the one who had insisted they call her Imperial Consort, supposedly to prevent them from slipping up at the Prince Mansion and being accused of lacking manners.

"Since Rui’an County Princess is here, let’s go greet her!" Lan Yue raised a hand, waiting for the maid to assist her.

Just as Xiao’er was brought in by the maid, Lan Yue’s grandstanding made a ridiculous sight. Xiao’er suppressed a chuckle, finding the situation highly amusing.

Upon seeing Xiao’er, Lan Yue cheerfully exclaimed, "I’ve been expecting you, Rui’an County Princess. Our relationship is so good, I knew you’d be the first to visit. Please, come sit with me."

"You may go now! Xiao Mei, serve tea to the Rui’an County Princess!" Lan Yue dismissed the maid who had announced the arrival, then commanded her personal maid to serve tea.

Xiao’er simply smiled and went over to sit down.

A muscle in Lan Yue’s face twitched. Xiao’er just sat down without bowing to her?

For a moment, Lan Yue was rather displeased, but said nothing. After all, she was not officially the First Prince’s wife yet, so it was not incorrect for Xiao’er not to bow.

Still, she had never encountered such a blatantly disrespectful person before! Was Xiao’er doing all of this to annoy her?

Xiao’er saw the displeasure on her face and chuckled inwardly.

She couldn’t even wait a few more hours? It seemed that Lan Yue’s impatience would soon cost her the position as the First Prince’s wife.

Tea came, Xiao’er glanced at the color but didn’t drink.

"Please have some tea, Rui’an County Princess! This is Lu’an melon seed tea gifted by the First Prince."

"You mean Lu’an melon seed tea, right?" Xiao’er chuckled and shook her head, "I’m not thirsty, I’ll have some later." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

When Lan Yue heard this, she didn’t insist. This tea was extremely expensive, her household only had a small amount, gifted by the First Prince last year. She was so reluctant to use it that she had saved it till now.

If Xiao’er wasn’t thirsty and didn’t want to drink, she could save some for later.

At this moment, the same maid came again and announced, "Miss, the Princess has arrived."

Lan Yue’s eyes lit up at the news. The ladies visiting her might not outnumber those visiting that wretch, but they certainly outranked them!

Seeing Fu Ranhui enter, Xiao’er stood to bow in respect.

Fu Ranhui hurried forward to prevent her, "Xiao’er, if you continue like this, I’ll be angry!"

Xiao’er just smiled, "Etiquette cannot be abandoned."

Lan Yue also stood up, waiting for Fu Ranhui to bow to her, "Princess is here, please sit."

Fu Ranhui took a seat next to Xiao’er, saw the stiff Lan Yue and said, "This is not a place for formalities! No need for excess courtesy."

Lan Yue’s face seized up. What did she mean by that? Was she implying that Lan Yue’s family was low-class and crude? If she didn’t respect her, why was she even here?

However, she dared not voice her anger in front of the Princess. The Empress Dowager was very fond of this granddaughter and Lan Yue had only the Empress Dowager to back her.

She then commanded the maid to serve tea to Fu Ranhui.

Fu Ranhui had no regard for Lan Yue, only chatting with Xiao’er. The Empress Dowager took her as a grandchild, and she had merely come here for appearances!

Soon, several more guests arrived, including Gu Qiqi, Di Junya, and Lai Ruoqing.

Lan Yue’s mood lifted up somewhat upon seeing these new arrivals.

Some ladies of lower ranks heard that distinguished guests were present, gripping their invitation cards, they rushed over.

As Fu Ranhui and Xiao’er spoke, the Princess became thirsty and casually took a sip of the served tea.

Xiao’er wanted to stop her, but it was too late.

The moment the tea touched her tongue, she spit it back out, "My goodness! What kind of tea is this? The leaves are clearly moldy, how could you use it to make tea?!"

Upon hearing the Princess, the other ladies who were about to drink pulled back their hands.

Lan Yue’s face darkened at Fu Ranhui’s words, she came here, didn’t talk to her and now was even criticizing her tea! Was she here to sabotage her?

"This is the tributary Lu’an melon seed tea gifted by the First Prince last year! Are you implying that the tributary tea is moldy?"

Suddenly, a chortle broke through the indignation.

"Miss Lan Yue, are you sure you don’t mean Lu’an melon seed tea?" Di Junya couldn’t help but laugh.

The other ladies hastily covered their mouths with their handkerchiefs, stifling their own laughter.

"If your family is out of tea, sister, you must tell me! I can have more sent over!" In walked Liang Yanli, dressed in brilliant red and accompanied by several other ladies.

The room quickly filled up with the new arrivals, and the temperature seemed to rise.

Upon seeing Liang Yanli, Lan Yue’s complexion went through a spectrum of changes, a sight to behold!

She exclaimed, "Who is running out of tea leaves? No need for your fake kindness! And why are you even here?"

’So she still had good tea but chose to use the moldy Lu’an melon seed tea to treat her guests?’ Liang Yanli couldn’t help but be amused. This was definitely the right place to come.

"We are soon to share the same husband, and you will be my elder sister very soon. As a younger sister, isn’t it more appropriate for me to attend my elder sister’s gathering?"

Lan Yue was left speechless and unable to rebut.

Liang Yanli then moved toward Fu Ranhui and Xiao’er, bowing before she sat down.

Xiao’er internally sighed for Lan Yue; with just this move, Liang Yanli had already outclassed her by miles!

Seeing this, Lan Yue’s face darkened even further. So her not bowing earlier made her seem very rude?

Once Liang Yanli finished her bow, she picked up a cup of tea that a maid served, took a whiff, then shook her head to Lan Yue, "Sister, this Lu’an melon seed tea is indeed moldy. Green tea is best when drunk fresh. Newly picked Lu’an melon seed tea is vibrant green and sparkling, with a high, pure aroma and fresh taste. The tea liquor is emerald green, clear, and fragrantly soothing. Look at your tea, the leaves have turned black. In truth, this is a waste of the First Prince’s good intentions!"

Now another saboteur had arrived! Lan Yue was livid.