Qu Mianke responded with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
She perked up her ears at the sound of the man’s hearty laughter on the other side, wanting to hear if they mentioned her.
As she listened, she couldn’t help but become distracted.
So, when the maid was ladling soup for Yun Jinnian, Qu Mianke lifted her left hand and accidentally bumped into the maid, who hadn’t expected Qu Mianke to suddenly move, and she lost her grip on the bowl.
The entire bowl of soup then spilled onto Yun Jinnian’s chest.
Yun Jinnian let out a soft cry.
The maid turned pale with fright and knelt down with a thud, "This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death!"
Prince Rui’s Eldest Princess hurriedly said, "Jinnian, quickly go and wash up, change into clean clothes. Mingming, take Jinnian to your courtyard!"
Yuwen Ming stood up and walked over to Yun Jinnian, "Sister Jinnian!"
Yun Jinnian nodded to Yuwen Ming and then reached out to help the maid still kneeling on the ground, "It’s not your fault, I was the one who touched you when I was about to get up!"
"No, it’s not..." The maid opened her mouth to argue.
Yun Jinnian shook her head slightly, signaling Henuan to fetch the clothes prepared in the carriage, and followed Yuwen Ming out.
Whether it was or wasn’t, it didn’t matter.
It was deep winter, and she was dressed in multiple layers; although the soup had wet her collar, it hadn’t penetrated through.
She just needed to change her clothes.
The maid watched Yun Jinnian leave and then glanced at Qu Mianke, who sat prim and proper; opening her mouth, she wanted to say something, but Marchioness Zhongyi spoke indifferently, "Cuixiang, go down!"
Cuixiang opened her mouth, looked at Marchioness Zhongyi, and stammered a response, "Yes!"
After Cuixiang stepped down, Marchioness Zhongyi smiled and said, "Mother, let’s continue eating. I’ll instruct the kitchen to send a portion over to Ming’s courtyard so the sisters can eat and talk together!"
The Eldest Princess was taken aback, then smiled, "That’s a good idea, let’s continue our meal!"
Upon learning that Yun Jinnian had been scalded, Chu Yu almost stood up but was swiftly pulled back by Han Tianci.
Chu Yu gave Han Tianci a puzzled look and saw that Han Tianci was quite composed.
Chu Yu couldn’t quite articulate the feeling in his heart... it was very discomfiting.
He could swear that Han Tianci knew Qu Mianke was staying at the Prince Rui Residence and that was why he held Chu Yu back from going to see Jinnian.
It had to be said, Chu Yu’s guess was correct.
Han Tianci indeed knew, and he was very displeased.
The Prince Rui Residence only had one master, Chu Yu, who was unmarried, and yet a single lady had moved in.
And she was Chu Yu’s first cousin...
Ha! Han Tianci internally scoffed.
Yun Jinnian followed Yuwen Ming to her courtyard, and upon entering, she saw basin after basin of dark Sword Orchids. They hadn’t bloomed yet, but they would be fragrant next year, prompting her to remark, "Ming’s courtyard is quite serene!"
"Next year when they bloom, I’ll give you a few basins, and you can ensure your courtyard is as fragrant!" Yuwen Ming said with a smile.
"Do you like Sword Orchids, Ming?"
"I do, but it’s a shame they’re not growing wild in a valley; I feel like I’ve spoiled them a bit!"
Yun Jinnian laughed, "Ming, you’ve taken such good care of them, without any disease or pests. In the wild, their leaves might have been eaten by insects and suffered from drought or floods. But here, you’ve been tending to them so well, extending their lifespan, which is a good thing!"
"You’re always so good at cheering others up!"
Yuwen Ming felt much better inside and led Yun Jinnian into her room.
Her room was adorned with various orchids, and even the mosquito netting was embroidered with orchid flowers.
Yun Jinnian realized that even Yuwen Ming’s clothes were adorned with orchid petals.
"Quickly take off your clothes and see if you’ve been scalded!"