6 Treatment of a Future Princess

Sure enough, the next day Yan Qiu Yue received word that her good friend Song Lu Li would be attending the gathering. Thus, she had no qualms in also accepting the invitation. On the morning of the event, her maids had her nicely dressed. Since Yan Qiu Yue was still young, barely 17 years old, she did not often apply makeup.

"It is supposed to be sunny today, so let's apply just a little bit of powder." Chu Hua lightly dusted some powder on her face. "This will help protect your skin." She also painted a delicate little blossom between Yan Qiu Yue's brows, then stood back to admire her handiwork before nodding. "This is just right. Young Miss, you will be among the most beautiful at the gathering."

Yan Qiu Yue could be considered quite attractive when compared to her peers, but her beauty stopped rather short of being able to sink ships or drive men to ruin. Still, she had a calm temperament, elegant bearing, and her eyes usually twinkled with some hidden mischief that made those who saw her want to solve the mystery behind that mirth. Perhaps because she was surrounded by brothers and male cousins, Yan Qiu Yue was a little less delicate, a little less like most girls of the boudoir. Her family encouraged her eccentricities with little correction. It had to be said, however, that this made her seem refreshing and novel. For such a girl to spend her life in a dandy's inner court... Chu Hua made a silent promise to herself in her heart that she'd take good care of her miss after Yan Qiu Yue married over. The four first-ranked maids would surely follow her and it was up to them to make sure that Yan Qiu Yue lived good days with or without the future prince's support.

The carriage was prepared and Yan Qiu Yue got on and left for the Xu Marquis estate, deciding to arrive neither particularly early nor late. She alighted from the carriage and after presenting her invitation, Yan Qiu Yue was led by a steward to the gathering area. She had barely walked through the gates leading to the garden when she was practically bowled over by Feng Ming Xia. "Big sis! You're finally here!"

Yan Qiu Yue smiled, patting her younger cousin on the head affectionately. Feng Ming Xia pretended to purr like a docile little kitten. After a few moments of this, the two pulled slightly away from each other and joined the other ladies in admiring the garden. Zhi Lan, who was watching over her young lady from afar, let out an inner sigh of relief. It was good that the cousins got along, but it would be a disaster if the two of them were mocked for lacking propriety. There were things that could be done at home but were really too much when out of doors—especially considering that neither of them was particularly close to anyone from the Xu Marquis household.

"Song Mei Zhen greets Yan Fourth Miss!" A crisp, high voice like a flute resounded. Yan Qiu Yue slightly turned her body to see a girl curtsying to her.

Zhi Lan had already come forward to help the girl up and Yan Qiu Yue faintly smiled once she recognized her. "So Second Miss came today as well? There's no need to be so polite." It wasn't as if she was royalty. A Duke of the First Rank was noble, but this greeting was indeed a bit much.

"Not at all, not at all! Besides, you will be a princess in the future. It is this one's fortune to be able to meet Yan Fourth Miss today."

It was then that Yan Qiu Yue remembered that she now also had the identity of "future princess" attached to her thanks to her upcoming marriage. She wondered how many other troublesome matters she might have to deal with in the future. Still, this was over the top. Prince Rui was currently alive and well. She would not be a princess for a long while yet. "Is Lu Li here as well? Why haven't I seen her yet?"

Song Mei Zhen's expression clouded momentarily. "Younger Sister is here somewhere, I'm sure. She and I run in different circles and separated shortly after arriving."

"I see... I will try to find her. Don't let me hold you back." Yan Qiu Yue bowed her head slightly and then walked away in the direction of the crowd. Doing this, she completely missed seeing Song Mei Zhen's face turn slightly red as she clenched her fist.

"To think that the daughter of the second branch could also attend such a gathering." Zhi Lan remarked in a low voice by her miss's side. Song Lu Li's uncle was merely a struggling scholar who'd never managed to pass the palace examinations. If not for the backing of his older brother, the Ji Marquis, he would likely be completely unknown.

Yan Qiu Yue's lips formed a smile with charm, but no feeling. "I have not seen her for a long while, but Song Mei Zhen has always been very sociable and good at making friends. It does not surprise me that she would manage an invite to something like this."

Feng Ming Xia tilted her head. Why did it feel as if there was something a little off about her older cousin's words? "Aren't she and Lu Li the same age? How come they are so different in temperament?"

"Qiu Heng and I are twins yet we are different in temperament. Of course two cousins would further differ. Li'er doesn't try to ingratiate herself with others. She is a genuine person." Yan Qiu Yue commented.

Feng Ming Xia stilled for a moment, then nodded. "It's better to be less calculating. How tiring it must be to live one's days constantly plotting and worrying." That being said, she didn't feel that Yan Qiu Heng and Yan Qiu Yue were very different at all. Qiu Heng was, perhaps, just a little more mature and steady compared to his older sister.

While Feng Ming Xia was contemplating this, Yan Qiu Yue's mind wandered towards the quickly approaching spring. A decree of betrothal from the emperor could not be overturned and Wei Hong Sheng was Prince Rui's only heir. Her future seemed an inevitability at this point. She would be part of the imperial family from then on. Could her days ever be free of calculating, plotting, and worrying?

After walking around the expansive garden for a little while, Yan Qiu Yue finally spotted Song Lu Li across the way. She was part of a group of girls, but her face looked withdrawn and somewhat unwilling. The rest of the group surrounded Song Mei Zhen, who was animatedly telling a story. Yan Qiu Yue caught her friend's eye and Lu Li's face lit up. Just as she was about to walk over, a servant came to announce the Xu Marquis's young miss's arrival on the premises.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" She called out in a clear voice. The girl seemed pleasant and excited about being able to host such a gathering. "I am delighted that you all could come. I hope you have been enjoying the flowers."

Girls flocked to her to exclaim about the beautiful chrysanthemums and compliment her on the garden and estate, etcetera. The Xu Marquis young miss made her rounds and greeted everyone, paying particular attention to be deferential to the nobler young ladies such as Yan Qiu Yue. Tables were set up and everyone enjoyed some tea and light snacks.

"Since it's not fun to only look at the flowers, how about we have a friendly competition as well?" The other girls all enthusiastically consented. It was rare to be given a chance to show off in front of their peers. "Let us compete in painting and poetry, with the theme of chrysanthemums. Of course, I have also prepared some little trinkets for the winners." Servants brought out trays of jewelry and some books. A few copies of the latest book of "Inspector of the Whistling Pines" were also brought out, which caused many of the young misses to actually cry out in anticipation.

Despite her calm exterior, Yan Qiu Yue was also quite excited. If she or Feng Ming Xia could win one of those books, then she could continue to read her own copy at her leisure without rushing so that her younger cousin could have a turn to read. She glanced at Feng Ming Xia, whose eyes were focused on the books, and smiled. It would seem that they had the same thoughts on this.