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Xun Qingqing glanced at Cai Xia beside her, "Who said I came out alone? Miss Cao, did you not see my maid?"

Cai Xia also took two steps forward in cooperation.

The smile on Cao Yanran’s lips stiffened a bit. She clearly understood the meaning behind Xun Qingqing’s words, yet Qingqing had deliberately mentioned her maid. Can maids even be counted as people?

"I heard recently that someone came to propose marriage. Why didn’t Qingqing bring him along?"

Xun Qingqing’s face is now disfigured, and those willing to propose marriage were all mismatches in social status. Ordinary people, upon learning of her disfigurement, would avoid her like the plague.

In front of Du Zhiheng, Cao Yanran must have certainly heard about the failed matchmaking attempts.

Cao Yanran was saying this merely to make her lose face and embarrass her.

"Really? I wasn’t even aware that someone came to propose. You, on the other hand, seem to know all about it. Perhaps you have the gift of foresight? Then why don’t you predict for me, when will I meet my ideal gentleman?"

Xun Qingqing looked at Cao Yanran with a smile brimming with anticipation, as if she was eagerly waiting for an answer.

Cao Yanran felt that Xun Qingqing had changed somewhat; the Qingqing of the past would not speak like this.

"I only heard it through the grapevine. Since Qingqing says it’s not true, then it must have been someone spreading rumors."

Xun Qingqing said, "Today rumors will spread that I am engaged, and tomorrow will it be that I have a child out of wedlock? Miss Cao, it turns out you like to associate with such people. No wonder we’ve only met once since I left the palace.

It’s just as well; I wouldn’t befriend such people lest it lowers my standards. "

Upon hearing this, Cao Yanran’s complexion immediately changed. It seems her talent for clashing with others had grown since she had been in the palace.

Angry, she clenched the handkerchief in her hand, forcing a smile and said, "It was just a casual jest. Don’t be mad, Qingqing."

Xun Qingqing gave Cao Yanran a disdainful look and ignored her. Her mood was already sour, and seeing Cao Yanran made it even worse.

Just as she was about to leave, Cao Yanran, unwilling to give up, called out to her, "Qingqing, look at the lantern riddles. Solve them and win a flower lantern."

Following the direction Cao Yanran was pointing, Xun Qingqing saw a high platform in front of her. Above the platform hung a banner that read: Solve the riddles to win a pair of Blessing Flower Lanterns. Answer three lantern riddles correctly in a row to win a one-day tour of Back Mountain Villa.

Back Mountain Villa’s Back Mountain was planted full of maple trees. It was autumn now, and the mountain of maple trees looked like a sea of fiery red flowers from afar.

Back Mountain Villa was a private estate, not open to the public. The chance to spend a day there was not something to be missed.

In front of the platform, a crowd had gathered, men and women alike, all vying for the chance to spend a day at Back Mountain Villa.

Seeing Cao Yanran’s interest and considering that he was the top scholar, Du Zhiheng naturally entertained the idea of competing as well.

"I’ll give it a try."

Cao Yanran shyly looked at Du Zhiheng, her heart swelling with pride and joy.

"Alright then."

Du Zhiheng smiled and glanced at Xun Qingqing before stepping into the crowd and onto the platform.

Cao Yanran, with eyes smiling, turned to Xun Qingqing, "Qingqing, you should participate too. Then we can all go to Back Mountain Villa together."

Xun Qingqing replied indifferently, "I’m not interested."

At that moment, a figure stepped out from the crowd and with a display of light agility, hopped onto the platform. Once he had steadied himself, he shouted toward Xun Qingqing, "Sister, I’ll win for you."

Xun Qingqing saw her brother on the platform, and waving her handkerchief with surprise and joy, she cheered, "Brother, do your best!"

Cao Yanran’s eyes narrowed at the sight of Xun Changfeng standing on the high platform, charismatic and lively. A wave of discomfort washed through her.

Initially, she had set her sights on Xun Changfeng, but despite dropping many hints for him to propose, he had ignored them all, prompting her to agree to her father’s wishes to engage with the top scholar Du Zhiheng instead.

Though she felt reluctant, the thought that Du Zhiheng was the top scholar, and Xun Changfeng had nothing to his name, convinced her that she had the upper hand. She would win and have her moment of triumph.

Many had been eager to participate, but upon seeing the top scholar, they second-guessed themselves. To show off in front of the top scholar would be like making a fool of themselves.

Six people eventually made it onto the stage, each from prestigious families in the Capital, well-learned and no doubt eager to prove their worth.

Just as the riddle guessing was about to begin, another figure shot onto the platform from above, and upon landing, immediately caught everyone’s gaze.

The man was dressed in a dark purple, wide-sleeved robe embroidered with golden silk, exuding a naturally noble aura, his hair like ink flowing freely beneath a purple-gold crown, as if he had stepped right out of a painting, eliciting gasps of admiration.

The handsome man bore phoenix-shaped eyes, seemingly indifferent to all around him, carrying an air of unfettered poise.

"This gentleman here is exceptionally handsome."