"Tea party in the temple?" Nan Luo was speechless when he saw the invitation that was given to Nan Hua. He looked at his twin sister worriedly. "Do you think it'll be fine for you to go? They won't try to harm you, right?"
Long Xu Nian would obviously be in the party while Princess Yue's stance towards Nan Family was unclear. He was worried that with Long Xu Nian's instigation, the princess wouldn't treat Nan Hua nicely and ended up mistreating her.
"I'll be fine." Nan Hua was not that worried.
Nan Luo was clearly still feeling annoyed. "How about if you make excuse that you're sick, Hua'er? That way you don't have to meet with those annoying people any longer?"
"…No."
She was fine and even walked around the Southern Quarter. If she suddenly said that she was sick, even an idiot would be able to tell that she was evading this tea party.
"But…"
Nan Hua looked at her twin brother. Nan Luo could only swallow back the words he was about to say down his throat when he saw Nan Hua's gaze. He was still feeling very dissatisfied but he knew that there was nothing he could do to change his twin sister's decision.
Since it was already that way, he could only allow her to go.
Slowly, Nan Hua raised her hand and patted Nan Luo's head. "I'll be fine."
"If they bully you, call me right away!" Nan Luo would not let Nan Hua said no. He couldn't stand the thought that they would be bullying his little sister.
Nan Hua looked at her twin brother and silently nodded.
At the side, Xiao Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she watched this. She started to worry whether Nan Luo would be able to find a partner in the future if he kept on doting on his little sister like this. Oh well, he was only 9 years old, it was another matter in the future.
"Young Master, Miss still needs to finish her preparation," Xiao Yun reminded carefully.
"But…"
"Young Master, it's time for your practice with Commander Hou," Xiao Yan also interrupted. He was looking at the young master and silently wondered whether it would be fine for him to be late for the training or not.
Nan Luo pursed his lips but upon recalling that he would be late soon, he could only sigh. "Hua'er, remember to be careful!"
"Yes."
Right now, Nan Luo still wanted to remind Nan Hua about those people's wickedness but Xiao Yan had already urged him out. Finally, it was peaceful in Nan Hua's room once more and Xiao Yun quickly rushed to finish putting on some other accessory in Nan Hua's hair.
Bai Yin walked in from outside. "Young Master keeps on taking your time. You'll be late at this rate, Miss."
"Don't say nonsense. There's still enough time." Xiao Yun was working fast to make sure that Nan Hua was presentable even thought their time was tight. She would not allow Nan Hua to go out if she was not dressed perfectly.
"But if only Young Master didn't come to pester Young Miss, Miss didn't need to hurry like this."
"What are you saying? Young Master is just worried about Young Miss. Miss, it's done. Do you want to go now?"
Nan Hua nodded. She passed a look at Bai Yin, who froze upon seeing the cold gaze from Nan Hua. No matter how long she had been staying with Nan Hua prior to this, the indifferent and cold gaze that Nan Hua gave to her always frightened her greatly.
It was as if the young girl knew everything within that dark gaze.
"Let's go, Miss."
Nan Hua walked with Xiao Yun to Eastern Courtyard. Different from the Western Courtyard, the Eastern Courtyard was decorated with numerous flowers and looked exceptionally lively. Just one look was more than enough to captivate other people who were nearby.
She passed a look once and stopped in front of the door. "Miss Nan Hua from Nan Family is here."
The servant nodded. "Miss, please follow me. The tea party is in the garden."
Garden?
As Nan Hua walked inside, she felt that had underestimated temples during this time. They even purposely built a garden for Princess Yue when she was staying here. Many servants were brought along and the fact that the monks said nothing showed that they approved of her behavior.
There were already several ladies who were there. Nan Hua could easily spot Long Xu Nian sat not far from Princess Yue. Dressed in lavish pink dress, she looked both elegant and pretty.
Upon seeing Nan Hua, Long Xu Nian's expression twisted a bit before returning to normal. It was clear that she didn't like Nan Hua in the slightest bit, but she hid her expression.
"Nan Hua greets Her Highness, Princess Yue," Nan Hua gave proper greetings.
Princess Yue passed a look at Nan Hua and nodded her head without bothering to even look at her. "Sit."
There was only one order but Nan Hua didn't care. Her eyes were watching the other noble ladies as they chatted without a care of the world. Flattering Princess Yue, they were all trying to make sure that they would be noticed by her. Many of them even brought expensive gifts.
It was truly a wonder how they managed to bring it all along to the temple.
"Am I late?" Shangguan Die appeared not long afterwards. Dressed in light blue dresses, the figure looked like a fairy that descended from the Heaven. She had fair skin and rosy lips while her eyebrows were drawn like willow leaves.
It was hard to imagine someone so beautiful could exist. Her hair ornaments were all light in color this time.
But even though it looked like she was toning down a bit, it was hard to say that she didn't catch everyone's attention. Just the fact that her skin was as fair as snow and that she had the perfect face already made a lot of people jealous.
Beside Shangguan Die, Shangguan Mi, her sister, was bowing down and greeted politely, "Shangguan Mi greets Her Highness, Princess Yue."
Princess Yue's face turned a shade darker when she saw Shangguan Die. While she had higher status compared to Shangguan Die, it was clear that her face couldn't be compared to Shangguan Die.
It was like comparing a duck with a swan.
This was why not many people wanted to walk with Shangguan Die. No matter where they went, the attention would surely fall on the prettiest one, which was Shangguan Die and not Princess Yue.
Shangguan Die's status as the first Miss of Shangguan Family also further people's attention to her.
Status and beauty, she had everything.
"It's good to see you here, Miss Shangguan." Princess Yue smiled. "Would you please take a seat?"
"Of course, how could I not come when Imperial Princess Yue is the one to invite me." Shangguan Die let out a faint laugh. Her eyes swept the table and landed on Long Xu Nian, who was inching closer to Princess Yue.
The corner of her lips curled up to form a sneer.
What a bootlicker.
"Please have a seat."
With such beautiful sister as comparison, Shangguan Mi was often forgotten. However, the young girl didn't seem to mind in the slightest bit as she picked a seat and sat down while Shangguan Die began to fire questions towards Princess Yue.
Nan Hua's attention landed on the seemingly forgotten young lady as she saw that Shangguan Mi was simply listening in. While it looked like she was a helpless person, Nan Hua noticed the faint glint on the young woman's eyes. Shangguan Mi was only 11 years old, two years younger than her older sister, which meant that she hadn't fully grown.
And with such comparison, many usually pitied her.
But more often than not, she was completely forgotten, like this party this time. Drinking quietly at the corner and watched the surroundings.
Nan Hua tilted her head but said nothing.
"Nan Xin, the second Miss from Nan Family is here," the servant announced.
Nan Xin quickly curtsied, but her movement was a bit sloppy compared to many others who were older than her. "Nan Xin greets Her Highness, Princess Yue."
Princess Yue arched her eyebrows when she saw the two of them come at different time. She noticed Long Xu Nian nodded her head and the corner of her lips curled up to form a sneer. "Second Miss Nan, why don't you come with the first Miss? Are you purposely showing off your bad relationship?"
Nan Xin quickly froze in place. Her body trembled as she didn't expect Princess Yue to target her even when she had only come.
What should she say?
"Your Highness, it's not like that…. I…."
"Is it that hard to explain?" Princess Yue passed a look at another figure who was sitting quietly.. Seeing the calm and indifferent girl, Princess Yue felt a bit annoyed. "How about if you answer, First Miss Nan?"