Just as Yun Jinnian was sizing up Chu Yu and Qu Mianke, the two had already reached Princess Zhen Guo’s presence.
"I’ve seen Aunt before!" Chu Yu greeted her respectfully, yet his eyes burned hotly as he looked at Yun Jinnian.
He broke into a smile.
Princess Zhen Guo also followed with a smile, "There’s no need for such formalities!"
Qu Mianke hurried to greet her as well, "Mianke has seen Auntie!"
"Ah, Mianke, it’s been some days since you last visited the Princess Residence. This time you’re here, why not stay for a few days? How about spending the New Year with your aunt?"
"Auntie, Mianke would love to, but Cousin will be lonely by himself at his residence, so Mianke should stay at Prince Rui Residence to accompany Cousin," Qu Mianke said, looking towards Yun Jinnian by Princess Zhen Guo’s side.
From the first glance, she took a disliking to Yun Jinnian.
A woman’s intuition told her that Yun Jinnian would stand in her way.
Secondly, Yun Jinnian was too beautiful, as perfect as a delicately carved porcelain doll.
She had always thought herself quite attractive, but next to Yun Jinnian, she felt overshadowed.
And so, she disliked her.
Especially since Yun Jinnian was seated beside her aunt.
Without even knowing her status, she already despised her.
Princess Zhen Guo burst into laughter.
Yun Jinnian lowered her head.
Cousins, a family kinship.
Not staying at her aunt’s house, yet living together with a cousin; everyone would understand the implied intentions, as clear as Sima Zhao’s heart.
This Princess Mianke seemed quite brazen.
"Mianke, since Aunt has invited you to stay at the Princess Residence, you should come and stay. Besides, it’s not proper for you, a young lady, to reside at Prince Rui Residence!" Chu Yu said, his gaze incessantly fixed on Yun Jinnian.
But she did not look at him, nor did she stand up to greet him.
That made Chu Yu anxious.
"Cousin..." Qu Mianke called out sweetly and plaintively.
She looked at Chu Yu unwillingly.
She appeared ready to cry if Chu Yu truly wanted her to come to the Princess Residence.
Princess Zhen Guo remained silent, smiling warmly and kindly throughout.
Prince Yanjun, too, didn’t speak; he was never a man of many words.
Yet he felt some concern for Yun Jinnian.
Princess Ning’an was not an easy person to deal with, and her years of caring for Chu Yu had given her unique affections for him. If she set her mind on marrying her daughter to Chu Yu, it would be difficult for him to refuse.
Moreover, when he was young, Chu Yu had said he would marry Mianke when they grew up.
Even though it was just child’s play, the Qu family and Qu Mianke took it seriously!
Worried that Chu Yu might really leave her at the Princess Residence, Prince Yanjun hastily interjected, "Ayu, have you found the inkstone that I asked you to look for last time?"
Chu Yu looked at Prince Yanjun, "I’ve found it, and I’m delivering it to Cousin myself today. Mianke insisted on coming along!"
Yun Jinnian watched for a while and finally figured out Princess Mianke’s identity.
Calling Princess Zhen Guo "Aunt" and Chu Yu "Cousin," she must be the daughter of a princess, but I’m not sure which one.
Standing up, she greeted Chu Yu with a slight bow, "Greetings, Prince Rui!"
"There’s no need for such formalities, Princess Yijia!"
Yun Jinnian smiled pleasantly and greeted Qu Mianke in turn.
Qu Mianke quickly returned the courtesy, asking Princess Zhen Guo with a smile, "Auntie, is this beautiful sister the unrivaled physician from the Capital City, Princess Yijia, known for her miraculous healing?"
She called her "sister" because Yun Jinnian wasn’t wearing a hairpin, presumably signifying she wasn’t of age yet.
But she had come of age and thus could wear a hairpin.
"Yes, that’s her. Jinnian’s medical skills truly live up to the title of ’miraculous healing’. You two are of similar ages; you should get along well in the future!"
"Yes, Mianke will listen to Auntie!" Qu Mianke said, then walked up to Yun Jinnian with an air of arrogance, squinting at her with a smile, "So you are the Princess Yijia, personally titled by the Emperor. I had just come to Capital City last year, and you had left the city. I intended to meet you but never got the chance. Unexpectedly, we meet by chance today; indeed, it seems to be fate!"