Mei Hua lowered her head, obediently responding.
"Go." Situtu Qinger didn’t glance at her again.
Indeed, as a low-status house servant, she simply did not come into view.
After breakfast, and a bit of a wait, the luxurious carriage sent by the Fourth Prince finally arrived fashionably late.
Situ Qinger had long awaited this moment. Upon hearing the doorkeeper report, she lifted the hem of her dress and rushed outside.
Her actions left even the doorkeeper stunned; how the Second Miss increasingly lacked the propriety becoming of a lady from a great household.
Due to a previous mistake by the doorkeeper, who failed to secure the main gate properly, allowing commoners to see Situ Qi’er and Situ Yu fighting, the embarrassing scene led to rampant rumors throughout the Capital.
Situ Yongjie was greatly infuriated by this, giving the house servants guarding the gate twenty heavy paddlings each, stripping them of their positions as doorkeepers, relegating them to kitchen toilers, and demotion to menial labor.
Now, the doorkeepers were newly appointed.
General’s Mansion, at the main gate.
A luxurious carriage was parked alongside, with the coachman sitting atop waiting for the two misses of the mansion to come out.
At that moment, Situ Qinger hurriedly ran out, making her way to the carriage, peering inside as if searching for something.
Back when Lady Tang was around, she often took Situ Qinger to the nobility madams’ gatherings, gaining exposure, so the coachman recognized her.
"Second Miss, what are you looking for?" asked the coachman, puzzled.
"Didn’t the Fourth Prince come?" Situ Qinger felt very disappointed; she had thought the Fourth Prince would personally come for her!
Hearing this, the coachman inwardly scoffed – a General’s daughter entertaining such grand delusions that the Fourth Prince would lower himself to fetch her from the General’s Mansion took too much stock in herself. Nonetheless, he replied with utmost respect, "Second Miss, the Fourth Prince was detained by other matters and had me come to fetch you to the Fourth Prince’s Mansion, then proceed together to the spot designated for the autumn outing."
"Oh! So that is the case."
Situ Qinger’s disappointment was hardly concealable as she inquired, "Can we depart now?"
The coachman glanced back towards the General’s Mansion’s entrance: "No, the Fourth Prince said I am to take both the Eldest Miss and Second Miss together, and since the Eldest Miss has yet to come out, we must wait for her before we can set off."
"It’s already so late, how much longer must we wait?" Situ Qinger inwardly cursed. That little cheap person was remarkably composed. Even an invite from the Fourth Prince himself, yet she could remain so calm.
And she, herself, had been so excited that she got out of bed in the middle of the night, now feeling utterly muddled.
The autumn sunlight was soft, scattering warmly upon her.
After another the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xuexue leisurely walked out.
The sun illuminated her, as if bestowing her with an aura, making her incredibly stunning.
Xuexue wore simple linen clothes of Bai Yi, her face free of any cosmetics. However, her natural beauty was undeniable, with her gently arched eyebrows, clear eyes, delicate nose, and lightly pursed red lips. Her fair complexion reflected a slight rosiness from the morning sun, and her incomparable elegance was beyond words.
The Coachman stared, dumbfounded. Rumor had it that Great General Situ’s Eldest Legitimate Daughter was a country bumpkin, but seeing her today was completely unexpected.
Situ Qinger was intensely envious. This little cheap person, who was nothing but bad luck for her own mother, why should she be so beautiful?
"Big sister, knowing that the Fourth Prince has invited us for the outing today, how can you dress so plainly? Without even putting on makeup, you’re bringing shame to the General’s Mansion."