Xie Qiao was very pretty. Even though she was standing in a corner now, people could see her at a glance.
Many of the young ladies present had seen Xie Qiao before. Most of them were from the same academy.
However, most of the girls who could come today were from Class Qian, Kun, Sun, and Moon. There were very few of them from Class Sun and only one or two from Class Moon. Of course, although their family was not high in rank, they had some special connections, they came here just to go through the formalities and to watch.
Xie Qiao sat there. Soon, Fang Muxue, Qin Liu, and the others came over.
"A few days ago, I wanted to send some gifts to your family. However, I thought it'd be strange to do that since we're from the same academy, so I didn't send anyone over. Then I heard something happened in your family. Are you alright?" Fang Muxue asked with concern.
After she returned home from the Winter Clothes Festival, she told her parents about what happened.
Her parents were very grateful to Xie Qiao, but they did not send her a thank-you gift in time because it was the festival. Later on, something happened to the Xie family, so it was inappropriate to send her a gift.
However, the three families remembered the favor.
"We don't believe the rumors out there. Don't take it to heart," Qin Liu quickly comforted her.
Xie Qiao smiled at them, "Thank you."
Fang Muxue felt that Xie Qiao was a little introverted. She did not like to talk, nor did she like to look at others.
She still could not imagine how much courage Xie Qiao had mustered that day to smash the stove into Xia Yanyun's face.
At that moment, when Xia Yanyun saw Xie Qiao, she thought of the embarrassment she felt that day.
"Sister Dong, it's fortunate that you were brave and straightforward that day. That's why that boorish man from the Xie family didn't succeed. If he accidentally ruined his family's reputation, then his next life would really be over!" Xia Yayun suddenly said.
Dong Xiyun frowned slightly, "I don't want to talk about what happened back then anymore."
Xia Yayun's expression turned awkward for a moment.
"I'm only speaking up for you, Sister Dong. Look at Xie Qiao. Because of that painting and calligraphy incident last time, everyone in the Orchid Courtyard treated her like a treasure. In between the words, many people felt that everyone in the Peony Courtyard is inferior to her. For today's occasion, she's the only one dressed in fancy clothes. I'm afraid she has other intentions, right?" Xia Yayun said.
"Young Lady Xie's clothes are just ordinary. How can they be considered fancy?" Dong Shiyun smiled.
Of course, Xia Yayun knew that Xie Qiao's clothes were actually quite ordinary.
It was not the most popular style in the capital at the moment, and it did not look new either.
There was not much jewelry on her body, only that the color was slightly bright.
"Even so, we pale in her presence." Chu Long'er next to them smiled slightly and looked at Xie Qiao with a smile on her face.
When they heard that, they stared at Xie Qiao from top to bottom again.
"In terms of looks, who can compare to you, Young Lady Chu? Xie Qiao? She's just the daughter of a bandit from the countryside. People only look at her because she's new. Later on, they will be sick of looking at her," Xia Yayun said.
Chu Long'er was the most beautiful woman in the capital.
There were also some people who did not like Xie Qiao.
When they heard Xia Yayun's words, they covered their lips and laughed, "Didn't we all hear about it? Xie Qiao didn't have the right to come, but his brother, who is an official in the criminal division, shamelessly begged the Crown Prince to get her here!"
"That's right, we can't do such a thing as offering ourselves! How shameless! Do you really think you can be chosen just because you're here? The Crown Prince has very high standards. Even if she were to become His Highness's concubine, I'm afraid His Highness wouldn't think highly of her!"