Chapter 72: Chapter 74: Does the Eldest Miss Have No Value in Making Connections? Chapter 72: Chapter 74: Does the Eldest Miss Have No Value in Making Connections? Qin Liuxi watched with interest as the grandmother and grandchild approached, stealing a glance at Qi Qian who clearly came for him. Look at those eyes, hungry like a wolf spotting meat, utterly enticed.
Qi Qian, sensing Qin Liuxi’s amused gaze, furrowed his thick brows slightly as he forcefully suppressed that strange sensation.
“Little Prince…” The old lady was still a few steps away from Qi Qian when she was halted by Huo Lang, causing her surprise.
Huo Lang asked, “Who are you?”
The old lady felt somewhat embarrassed but still bowed respectfully to Qi Qian, smiling as she clarified her identity, “It’s my rudeness for not introducing myself sooner. I am the mother of Ding Shouxin, the Magistrate of Ningzhou. Last year when your honored grandmother celebrated her birthday, I had the good fortune to meet you once when I went to offer my wishes.”
The mother of the Magistrate of Ningzhou?
“So, it’s Old Mrs. Ding. Please forgive my oversight for not recognizing you immediately. Where are you headed now?” Qi Qian did not stand up but merely greeted her lightly.
Old Mrs. Ding didn’t find his demeanor rude and quickly replied, “The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and my son has specially invited me to stay in Ningzhou Prefecture for a while. Are you also heading back to Ningzhou, young sir? And this is…”
She turned to look at Qin Liuxi, sensing a faint familiarity in this young master.
Qin Liuxi raised an eyebrow, looking at Old Mrs. Ding in front of him.
It turns out she was the one who was short-sighted, failing to recognize Old Mrs. Ding. Ah, it’s been many years since their last encounter, and the lady had been elevated in rank. Her demeanor had noticeably improved, exuding a majestic and noble presence, no longer like the lesser Imperial Decree holder from before.
When the Qin family was still affluent, the Ding family knew how to behave, sending gifts and greetings during festivals. When Qin Liuxi was ten, Old Mrs. Ding even visited personally. What was the reason again?
Right, it was the year Qin Liuxi’s grandfather was promoted to third-rank; therefore, Old Mrs. Ding came to offer her warmth.
However, Qin Liuxi was not fond of social interactions, nor did she like to mingle with typical privileged young ladies who gathered in groups discussing music, chess, literature, embroidery, and lavish apparels. She spent most of her time on cultivation, concocting medicine, alchemy, visiting the Daoist Temple, or practicing medicine to help the world.
As a result, staying in the old residence, Qin Liuxi, who never actively put herself forward, had very little presence. Rarely mentioned by others, it was unlikely for anyone to see her if not for Old Mrs. Ding’s visit, and that was just one occasion.
As for not receiving invitations before?
But Qin Liuxi’s replies were either that she was ill and recuperating or that it was inappropriate to leave home without her elders. Over time, she was forgotten. Most importantly, in the circles of nobility, those like Qin Liuxi, ‘exiled’ to live away from family alone, were either despised by their family or deemed unimportant.
A girl not valued by her family had no prospects; even her future marital arrangements wouldn’t tie her to a distinguished family, thereby offering no significant advantages.
In summary, Qin Liuxi was a person of little value; thus, she was naturally not a focus for ingratiating or forming connections.
Here, even when Old Mrs. Ding saw Qin Liuxi sitting at the same table with Qi Qian, she completely failed to recognize her initially. Firstly, Qin Liuxi was dressed as a man, and secondly, Qin Liuxi looked very different from her childhood.
Old Mrs. Ding merely felt a slight familiarity.
Qin Liuxi remembered that before she left home, Li Dagui had mentioned that the Old Lady intended to send an invitation to Old Mrs. Ding, hoping to visit her.
Now, this old lady mentioned staying briefly in Ningzhou Prefecture for a reunion, was this an avoidance? Deliberate or unintentional?
Qin Liuxi inclined towards the former.
She lowered her eyes, lifting her teacup to cover the smile at the corner of her lips. Quite interesting indeed.