Remember cotton candy for you in one second.

  Zhang Qi was taken aback and looked at the young servant in surprise, "Can I go too?"

  That little fellow nodded and said, "My husband said that the embroidered painting done by my sister was sold to a nobleman. Two days ago, that nobleman asked about the painter. It seems that this time, that nobleman will also attend the banquet. My husband said its a good opportunity to push my sister forward, so she wont be trampled on despite her great talent."

  Is it?

  Zhang Qi did not expect Xiao Mo to think for her like this.

  Biting her lip and thinking for a moment, Zhang Qi said in a low voice: "I think Ive seen your husband before."

  That little fellow smiled again and said with a chuckle, "Your husband has hit the nail on the head once more. He said that even if I told you this, you still wouldnt entirely believe me." With that, he invited the young lady to follow him.

  Facing the ridicule of this young man, Zhang Qi only smiled and pursed his lips, but in his heart, he couldnt help but secretly be shocked: This Xiao Mo is indeed a talented person, and his own reaction was all anticipated by him.

  Two people walked along the path, one in front and one behind, with a great distance between them.

  Before long, Zhang Qi stopped in her tracks. A hundred paces away, by the edge of a small pond, Xiao Mo was indeed standing there, but he had his head lowered and was saying something to one of the young servants from the Zhang manor.

  The young man quickly walked to Xiao Mos side, and when he appeared, Xiao Mo turned his head to look in Zhang Qis direction. When their eyes met, Xiao Mo gave a sly smile.

  Zhang Qi smiled awkwardly and put her mind at ease.

  She lowered her head and walked forward.

  Before long, the young man caught up. Zhang Qi stopped in her tracks and said in a low voice: "Thank you for your kindness, but..." She bit her lip and choked back tears as she spoke: "Xiao Langs intentions, Im deeply grateful. Its just that...I still cant..." She bowed deeply, then turned and walked away under the young mans sympathetic gaze.

  She cant now, if she was born with only a pretty face, taking this opportunity to stand out, maybe she could get the attention of the Zhang family and marry a high-ranking official from a humble background or become the second wife of some renowned and elegant young master.

  Shes not... Before long, her beauty will bloom, and by then, this clumsy disguise of hers wont be able to deceive those seasoned and lustful nobles. When that time comes, with her stunning appearance and exceptional talent, shell only be a rare treasure.

  Zhang would hide her there, wait for an opportunity, and sell her at a good price. At that time, she had no control over her fate, and the outcome in the future might be worse than the previous life.

  Zhang Qi walked and walked, suddenly a figure appeared in front of her, blocking her way.

  She hastily lifted her head up.

  As she raised her head, she met Jins gaze.

  Zhang Jins lips were pursed tightly, his eyes fixed intently on her, his expression complex and unclear.

  Zhang Qi was shocked: Did she just see what happened earlier?

  Just as expected, Zhang Jin raised his head and asked, "What did he want from you?" With a look of annoyance, Zhang Jin said directly, "Dont make excuses, the little fellow who came looking for you earlier is someone by Xiao Langs side. What does Xiao Lang want from you?"

  Seeing Zhang Qis pale face wanting to explain, Zhang Jin waved his hand and said: "Actually, it doesnt matter. Even if he is happy, what can be done? If the madam hadnt opened her mouth, I might have been able to help you become one of Xiao Langs concubines. But now, youre not even qualified to be a concubine. Xiao Lang was right, someone like you, I dont need to pay attention to."

  Zhang Jin bit his lip and looked in the direction that young man had left, pondering for a moment before turning to Zhang Qi, "You go get ready, tonight Im taking you out to dinner!"

  Facing Zhang Guis wide eyes, Zhang Jin sneered with a proud smile, "You dont have to thank me, just remember to clean up properly. Such banquets dont like the rustic and muddy air of the countryside." After speaking, Zhang Jin turned around proudly.

  It wasnt until Zhang Jins back disappeared from view that Zhang Qi suddenly came to: Im supposed to attend a banquet?

  Are you going to attend the banquet?

  Zhang Qis eyes rolled a few times, and she thought to herself: attending the banquet in this way isnt bad either.

  Zhang Qi returned to her room.

  A Lu was busy inside and out, humming a tune. After a while, she saw Zhang Qi enter the door without making a sound. She lifted her sweaty hair, blinked her eyes to look at Zhang Qi, and called out: "Ah Gui?"

  Zhang Qi turned her head and looked at her.

  A Lu smiled and said: "A Qi, what are you thinking about? Youre so quiet."

  Zhang Qi lowered her head and felt around her waist for the jade pendant, saying: "Im going to Xiao Fus mansion to attend tonights banquet."

  "Really?" Ah Lu was so happy that she jumped up.

  She stretched out her hand and blocked Ah Lus sudden rush forward, Zhang Qi smiled and said: "Dont be so excited, Im not planning to take you there."

  "Why?"

  Zhang Qi smiled and pressed her index finger against her pursed lips, saying softly: "I have my own reasons."

  This is not allowed her to ask, and also dont want to say anything more.

  A Lu hummed a response and continued with her chores. Before long, her singing voice filled the room once again.

  "Stop humming and go fetch some hot water for me to take a bath. Hurry up."

  After bathing and changing clothes, Zhang Qi sat in front of the copper mirror, admiring herself in the mirror. Ah Lu stood behind her, combing her long wet hair.

  She picked up a handful of her hair and placed it in the palm of her hand. Ah Lu suddenly sighed and said: "Ah Gui, you are really beautiful."

  She didnt notice that when mentioning the word "beauty", Zhang Guis body stiffened, and he muttered to himself: "Ah Gui, your hair is so black and shiny, its like a mirror. Ive never seen such beautiful hair before. And Ah Gui, your skin is so white and tender, even those pampered imperial concubines cant compare to you. And Ah Gui, your face..."

  Zhang Qi interrupted her and smiled: "Is there anyone who praises their own family like you? Besides, when did you ever see the imperial concubine?"

  A Lu is speechless.

  She was about to refute, Zhang Qi had already stood up, and the clothes on her body were all issued by the Zhang family. As a big family like the Zhang family, the seasonal clothes are naturally made exquisite, and the fabric is not bad either.

  She took a step back, gazing at herself in the copper mirror from afar. Her face had become even more pale and delicate, her eyes too, with a layer of subtle, enchanting mistiness within their clarity, her lips even more pink and slightly upturned... Time was really pressing!

  She picked up the comb, combed down her bangs, and amidst Ah Lus discontented muttering, Zhang Qi said, "Its late, I have to go." She put away the newly embroidered handkerchief in her bosom, turned around to look at Ah Lu, and said, "When Im not here, be more careful."

  Having said that, she pushed the door and went out.

  As she watched her walk into the setting sun, Ah Lu was a bit dizzy. After a while, she muttered: "I almost forgot to say that Ah Qi has grown even taller, with such a slender waist and plump hips, really beautiful."

  Zhang Jin didnt say where Zhang Qi was waiting for her.

  When she saw Zhang Qi standing quietly and obediently on the small path leading to the side door with her head down, she couldnt help but raise an eyebrow in surprise.

  Zhang Qi ran over quickly.

  She came to Zhang Jins side, Zhang Gui bowed slightly and called out softly: "Sister, Im here." Without waiting for Zhang Jin to say anything, she automatically stood behind Zhang Jin, next to her personal maid, Ah Lan.

  A Lan was a born servant, and had long been given the surname Zhang by the ancestors of the Zhang family. Among the lower classes, she was also a person with a good face. This was her second meeting with Zhang Gui.

  She glanced at Zhang Qi, seeing that although she was wearing the butterfly light silk that only girls could wear, her dress was simple and plain, with a humble and reserved demeanor without any hint of nobility, looking even more like a maid than herself. Ah Lans mouth curled up slightly as she ignored Zhang Qi and took a step forward to stand closer to Zhang Jin.

  Tonight, going to Xiao Fus banquet, in addition to Zhang Jin, there are six legitimate Zhang family daughters. They have been sitting in the carriage for a long time, waiting only for Zhang Jin.

  Seeing Zhang Qi following behind Zhang Jin like a maid, the other girls took a glance and didnt think much of it: legitimate daughters treating their younger half-sisters as maids was quite common.

  Zhang Jin arrived, and they could set off. At that time, the sunset was just right, with half of the clouds dyed red by the sunlight, making the sky look gorgeous.

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