Chapter 200: Chapter 200: It’s Rare to See Him Take a Liking to Someone
Everyone didn’t just gather together at the start; there were simply many names on the list.
Qu Fulan and Ren Hua stayed up all night to make some Osmanthus Cakes, and the next day they went to the Pei Mansion, delivering them to all three households of the Pei Family. Although there weren’t many Osmanthus Cakes, the gesture was valued for its etiquette.
First, they delivered to the third household, and the maid who received them said they appreciated the effort before leaving.
Qu Fulan and Ren Hua didn’t mind at all.
Next was the second household, where they met the second madam first, and then went to deliver cakes to Tuan.
As soon as the little guy saw them, he ran over excitedly, with the maids behind him worried he might fall, serving him anxiously.
"Fulan, Sister Ren Hua!"
The maid behind him heard this and corrected him, saying, "They are friends of the third miss. You call the third miss ’Aunt,’ so you should call them ’Aunt’ instead of ’Sister’."
Tuan didn’t care and kept calling them sister anyway.
While they were talking, Pei Yuan came out from the house.
Qu Fulan and Ren Hua greeted him, and Pei Yuan merely nodded, then looked at Tuan, "Can’t even get the generational titles right. How has your tutor been teaching you?"
It was indeed a tone of a strict father from the start. Not only did Tuan immediately change his address, but even Ren Hua became nervous. Qu Fulan, however, was used to it and didn’t care.
Then they went to deliver cakes to the main household, where the old lady lived, so they naturally delivered them together. Fang Yuan ate a few pieces of cake on the spot and praised them repeatedly.
Only, they didn’t see the Princely Heir, a person busy all year round, rarely seen, and when seen, it is considered unusual.
Qu Fulan went to Lixiang Courtyard to give the cakes to Douya.
After she left, the maid behind Douya exclaimed, "Is she Fulan? Such a neat and elegant girl."
Douya poked her forehead, "Talking without measure, have you forgotten the manners?"
Around 9:45 AM, Qu Fulan and Ren Hua departed grandly with the Pei Mansion’s carriage to go hiking.
This was an event for young people, neither the old lady nor the madams attended.
It was a good opportunity for the young people to open up and have fun.
Qu Fulan thought the Princely Heir wouldn’t attend, but when she reached the foot of the mountain, she saw him and Prince An had already arrived.
Also, the young masters and misses of the Tan and Liu families had arrived.
Miss Tan saw Tuan coming along with Pei Yuan and immediately went over to tease him, "Tuan, you’re here too. How about I take you around the mountain later?"
Tuan was very reluctant to respond, remembering his father’s education on politeness, he barely said, "I have someone accompanying me, no need to bother."
Miss Tan initially intended to accompany Tuan to naturally be around Mr. Pei, but being rejected made her feel very awkward.
When others walked away, she showed a resentful expression, only hating Pei Yuan, thinking that she only misspoke out of urgency. She’s been trying earnestly to make up for it, yet he still holds a grudge?
If he were more proactive, their marriage would have happened long ago, and she might even be pregnant by now.
Miss Tan gazed at Pei Yuan’s tall back, and her face gradually turned red.
To say there was some history between Miss Tan and Mr. Pei, tangled up but not abrupt; Miss Liu and the Princely Heir had no history at all. It was purely Miss Liu’s ardent interest, with no reason or excuse to approach the Princely Heir, leaving her anxious.
Both individuals counted as those who sought but couldn’t obtain, sharing similar hardships, and had become good friends, frequently exchanging thoughts.
Those without fate, meeting face-to-face stirred no waves.
Speaking of those with fate, like the Third Miss.
Just got off the carriage, she met her fiancé, Wen Sichen.
Wen Sichen was originally talking to someone else, but when he saw the Third Miss, he first froze, then smiled, said something to the other party, and walked to the Third Miss, then raised his hand to salute Qu Fulan and others.
After Qu Fulan and others returned the gesture, showing great perceptiveness, they each walked away, leaving space for the soon-to-be couple.
In public, it was perfectly proper for a betrothed couple to meet openly.
"Why don’t I see Miss Wen?" The Third Miss asked when the other sisters had left, although nervous and shy, she maintained composure.
Wen Sichen’s smile didn’t fade, he replied warmly, "She came last year but went back complaining of aches and pains. She swore she wouldn’t come this year."
The Third Miss covered her mouth and laughed.
The two were speaking behind, at some distance from those walking ahead and from the maids and elderly women following behind, Wen Sichen couldn’t resist holding her hand while walking side by side.
The Third Miss paused, then her face began to flush, ultimately not withdrawing her hand.
With the long sleeves blocking it, others merely thought they were walking close, their clothes brushing together.
Ahead, Prince An’s group had flown off somewhere carefree.
Qu Fulan and Ren Hua were holding Tuan’s hand, and he occasionally used their strength to lift his feet, playing a long jump game.
Pei Yuan and Pei Ji’an were following unhurriedly behind, occasionally warning Tuan not to be too unruly.
"Rare to see him so fond of someone." Pei Ji’an laughed.
Pei Yuan’s gaze fell on Ren Hua, "It’s the virtue of liking the person with the friend, as Miss Ren is a friend of Miss Qiu, he naturally likes her too." He paused then added, "I thought you’d skip today, busy as you are, rarely seen."
Pei Ji’an raised his eyebrows, "Stealing half a day’s leisure, occasionally one must relax."
Pei Yuan added, "That Miss Liu seems rather persistent."
Pei Ji’an chuckled, "Miss Tan is even more persistent."
Pei Yuan shook his head; getting the better of his younger brother was not easy.
Behind them were Miss Tan and Miss Liu, both of them watching the harmonious group of five ahead, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Merely two women of low status, really don’t understand why Tuan likes to play with them." Miss Tan remarked.
Miss Liu worriedly, remembering when Qu Fulan was still the Princely Heir’s maid, receiving special treatment even then, now she wasn’t, yet could still be freely around the Princely Heir, which indeed made one envious.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Jin family’s young master and young miss, along with Feng Mei’er, arrived late; it was indeed a bit of a distance, even though they woke up early to start their journey, they arrived only at this time.
Upon reaching the mountain’s base, they heard from the servants that the Princely Heir and others had already climbed up.
Feng Mei’er still didn’t know Qu Fulan had emancipated from servitude, still considering her a maid of the Pei Mansion, she naturally would join them.
She thought of consulting her for some matters.
However, once they climbed up the mountain, everyone had scattered off somewhere for fun, making it difficult to find anyone immediately.
Meanwhile, Qu Fulan and Ren Hua were playing hide-and-seek with Tuan beside a pavilion.
Qu Fulan faced away from everyone, waiting for them to hide before seeking.
Not knowing where Ren Hua had taken Tuan to hide, she searched everywhere without finding them, just about to change direction when she bumped into another group.
Three or four unfamiliar young men saw Qu Fulan like a lost little rabbit, and their eyes lit up.
Indeed, it was the Double Ninth Festival today, not lacking in mountain-goers.