Alas!
Yun Wanyao sighed. Ah Tang had always been wise, yet she did not pick up on the underlying meaning of her words. This could only mean that Ah Tang trusted the maid completely and was unwilling to suspect her in the slightest.
In this way, she couldn’t make things too obvious.
"To err is human. Even if your maid is clever, there is no guarantee she wouldn’t accidentally miscommunicate something, without even realizing it herself."
"Ah Tang, this is a significant matter. I think it’s best if you ask Mr. Xie about it ’face-to-face.’ No matter what, make plans only after you’ve asked him."
"If you distance yourself from Mr. Xie based solely on this, it would be a shame."
"Exactly, exactly. I think Ah Yao makes a good point, cousin. It’s better to ask in person. If you feel constrained by the Jiang Family’s reputation, or your uncle, and are hesitant to see Mr. Xie, I can ask him on your behalf. I assure you, I’ll get a clear answer."
Thoroughly convinced by Yun Wanyao’s words, Mo Zhaozhao nodded repeatedly, thumping her chest to assure her, admitting deep inside that she had acted impulsively.
"If there’s been a misunderstanding, why hasn’t he taken the initiative to explain to me?"
Jiang Zitang clenched her handkerchief in frustration. Although Yun Wanyao’s persuasion had softened her heart a little, she was still very upset.
This time, before Yun Wanyao could respond, Mo Zhaozhao jumped in with an answer.
"Well, if it’s as Ah Yao said, and your maid conveyed the wrong message, then I think either Mr. Xie waited all night for you but didn’t see you, misunderstood that you stood him up, and is waiting for you to explain, or he’s sulking just like you."
"Or perhaps, Mr. Xie did come looking for you, but was turned away by the Jiang Family’s servants who didn’t tell you about it."
"The Jiang Family’s servants shouldn’t be so bold, so I think the first possibility is more likely."
Oh, the Princess’s logic has become so clear?
Yun Wanyao raised an eyebrow, looking at her in surprise.
According to the inner thoughts of Little Sister, the Princess was supposed to be the second malicious supporting character. Though she was a princess with a noble status, she was supposed to be a simpleton who only acted impulsively and recklessly, leading to the protagonist’s triumph.
Yet unexpectedly, she had moments of clarity.
Oh, I almost forgot, Yun Wanyao herself was also supposed to be a simpleton. Even though she was the original protagonist of this world, she was there to accentuate the lead.
Once the heroine transmigrated, she became the first malicious supporting character, causing all sorts of trouble and eventually getting trampled on by the heroine, adding to the heroine’s charm.
Such a foolish life indeed. She had to constantly be on alert, never to walk down the old plot path and become a sacrifice for the heroine’s growth.
Yes, she must always remember.
Yun Wanyao silently reminded herself, cheering herself up internally, then looked up at the hesitant Jiang Zitang.
"Ah Tang, I think what the Princess said makes a lot of sense. Perhaps Mr. Xie feels exactly the same as you do right now."
"Rather than agonizing mutually, it would be better for you to find him and ask directly. The worst outcome would only be all the wild thoughts you’ve had over these days."
She dared to bet, that during this time, Ah Tang must have imagined countless reasons why Mr. Xie didn’t keep the appointment.
Perhaps she thought Mr. Xie didn’t show because he liked someone else, or maybe she thought there was something she did wrong that made Mr. Xie unhappy, or even that Mr. Xie didn’t want to marry her anymore...
"Alright, I’ll go find him now and ask him face-to-face."
After being persuaded repeatedly by the two, Jiang Zitang finally made up her mind.
It was as if she had been brainwashed, and she started to think more likely that Ling’er had miscommunicated, believing that Xie Xuanrong might really be like her, waiting in vain all night, unable to meet the person he was supposed to, and now brooding somewhere.
"Oh, cousin, you’re not afraid of ruining the Jiang Family’s reputation anymore?"
Mo Zhaozhao teased her with a playful glint in her eyes, making Jiang Zitang blush and remain speechless for a long time.
"Enough, I’m not teasing you, cousin, go ahead. If you ask me, you place too much importance on reputation. And Uncle is truly an old relic, always oppressing you with all sorts of traditional virtues, female commandments, and decorum, look at the state he’s put you in?"
"I don’t understand. It’s just a meeting, not stealing or anything else, why the insistence on linking it with reputation?"
"Besides, compared to lifelong happiness, what does reputation count for?"
The pampered Princess Hua Yang, from a young age, could never comprehend such standards imposed on noblewomen.