Chapter 194: Chapter 194: What a Coincidence
When they entered the door, the first one to be taken aback was Ren Hua.
"I knew your place was good, but I never expected it to be this good! No wonder you cry poor, living in a place like this must cost a fortune in rent!"
It was still early then, and no one else had come yet; Ren Hua was the first one.
"I thought you’d be too busy today to make it." Qu Fulan said, inviting her inside.
Ren Hua waved her hand, "How could I not come? Even from far away, I’d rush back to celebrate with you. I also packed some delicacies for you, just heat them up in the kitchen and they’re ready to eat."
Look how considerate she was, fearing the food offered might not be enough, she brought some herself.
Qu Fulan thought Ren Hua’s actions were a bit confusing, but considering her good intentions, she accepted it.
Only after Ren Hua went inside and saw an almost extravagant feast already set up did she freeze, "W-where did you get so much food?"
Qu Fulan: "Well...I had someone buy it?"
Ren Hua thought perhaps it was too much of a grand gesture, preparing all this food for just her?
Before she could feel moved, Qu Fulan continued, "After all, there’ll be quite a few people today; it’s necessary to prepare more food."
Ren Hua froze again, "More people are coming?"
Qu Fulan, "Yes, all those friends supporting us today must be invited for a meal."
Ren Hua thought it made sense, business people always know some people, doesn’t she know a bunch of fair-weather friends? Though not significant figures, sometimes this network can be useful.
Ren Hua was calm until—
"Miss, Prince An and the others have arrived."
Ren Hua heard it and chuckled, what a name, Prince An sounds like "An Shi Zi" (An Persimmon)? Haha.
Quite amusing, then several people walked in, and despite her lack of discernment, Ren Hua could see the nobility in their attire, especially the jade pendant at their waist, which only sons of officials above the fourth rank could wear.
Then...
Qu Fulan didn’t have time to introduce, when the Third Miss and others arrived, saying the old lady felt unwell today, so she wouldn’t come.
Then Pei Yuan and Heir Pei arrived as well.
Ren Hua might not recognize others, but Heir Pei was a renowned figure of Da Jin, just hearing the name one would know him, not to mention she was fortunate to have witnessed his appearance before.
Ren Hua stood beside Qu Fulan and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Didn’t you say you were just an ordinary civilian?"
Qu Fulan: "Yeah, is there a problem?"
Ren Hua: "Then how do you know these people? Each one looks more noble than the next."
Qu Fulan: "I knew them from when I was a maid."
Ren Hua: "..."
Ren Hua felt a bit disorganized, being a maid could have so many benefits?
—About thinking I made a friend with a similar or even worse status, turns out they vastly outmatch me?
Ren Hua decided to find a small corner to sit down, reduce her presence; she’s just a little merchant, unable to comfortably mingle with these big names.
As she was retreating, she bumped into someone.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn’t notice."
Without looking at who it was, she apologized first, knowing it was someone she couldn’t mess with anyway.
"No worries, miss, are you alright?"
This was a deep voice.
Ren Hua looked up, earlier Qu Fulan had introduced, it was Heir Pei’s elder brother Pei Yuan. The Pei Family really did have good looks, and Pei Yuan was exceptionally handsome, appearing scholarly and dignified.
Ren Hua had heard a bit about the Pei Family’s affairs, knowing Mr. Pei had married before, but his wife passed away, leaving behind a legitimate son who should now be six or seven years old. Yet, Mr. Pei hadn’t remarried, seemingly unable to let go of his past wife, a man fond of the past and deep emotions.
Ren Hua didn’t think much, hastily acknowledged him with a bow, and moved to the other side.
Pei Yuan did recognize her, recalling she was the one he accidentally bumped into at the restaurant last time, when she was dressed as a man, yet he discerned her feminine charm, let alone now in female attire, appearing even more enchanting.
He didn’t stare too long either, and he too walked towards a different direction.
That night, without Pei Lian and Yao Xing causing chaos, everyone ate happily and played joyfully. Qu Fulan made a new friend, and the Third Miss and others were willing to accept her, even mentioning inviting Ren Hua to future events.
Ren Hua was thus entrenched into the upper circles, feeling somewhat adrift, as if it was unreal?
The one sharing this unreal feeling was Pei Yuan.
Perhaps it was due to drinking a bit, at night while sleeping there was an inexplicable heat coursing through him, tossing and turning sleepless.
A man who’s experienced, how could he not understand what this meant?
But this sensation was unusual; even when his wife was still alive, he seldom felt such impulses, and after she passed, he rarely summoned the two room attendants.
That night, Pei Yuan called one of the attendants in to serve.
However, when the attendant entered, what surfaced in Pei Yuan’s mind was another enchanting figure.
Lowering her head in a bow, those trembling eyelashes, the slender and long neck, the graceful curves, and the innate seductive flair in her voice...
Pei Yuan felt he was belittling the young lady with such thoughts, shook his head, and eventually sent the attendant away.
After the attendant left, another saw it and was quite surprised, "Mr. Pei hasn’t summoned us in a long time. Although he wasn’t keen on such matters before, if he called someone in, he would definitely... Why is it like this now? Perhaps Mr. Pei..."
"Shush, don’t speak nonsense, if heard by others, it could be troublesome."
...
Third Madam had been in a particularly bad mood lately, accurately speaking, she hadn’t had a day of peace.
No one knows what misfortune she incurred, troubles kept coming one after another; first her daughter-in-law’s family ran into trouble, then her husband was demoted, and following that, her daughter’s marriage was troubled—everything seemed to fall apart all at once.
Last time, she asked the old lady for help to get Heir Pei to support Lan’er, but the old lady said grandchildren have their own fortunes, such matters can’t be interfered with, hence not intervening.
The Third Madam was steaming with rage, feeling perhaps something unclean had fixated on the third household, causing unending bad luck.
She’s been thinking of burning incense and praying to Buddha to ward off misfortune.
But the incense she burned annually at the temple never seemed to bless the third household even once.
So the Third Madam specifically inquired about potent immortals and sages, hoping to invite them to tell fortunes and remove bad luck.
Coincidently, Ji Nishang was thinking the same; if her financial fortune was hindered, perhaps inviting an immortal or sage to perform a ritual might break the curse.
As fate would have it, both Third Madam and Ji Nishang learned about the same sage.
Though he wasn’t a high monk, his reputation among the people was large, reportedly capable of resolving evil if invited for a ritual when trouble arises at home.