Normally, when the hostess is meeting with the ladies, if a male guest arrives, he would need to be avoided, after all, there is a strict separation between men and women, especially as the ladies present are young girls of marriageable age, making it even more necessary to avoid.
Madam Gu, as the wife of the Marquis of Duke Zhongyong Mansion and the lady of the house, must understand these rules; if not, it would be foolish.
Song Ruqi and her companions were ready to hide behind the screen, but Madam Gu’s words left her stunned.
"It’s Cheng coming, let him in," Madam Gu said with a smile, holding Song Ruqi’s hand, "Cheng is my nephew from my mother’s side, and also Ruoning’s cousin; he’s not an outsider, so it’s fine for you to meet him."
Song Ruqi’s complexion turned green, while Song Ruwei looked at Madam Gu in astonishment and quickly lowered her head, wondering what Madam Gu meant by this.
Gu Ruoning’s smile stiffened on her lips, her hand slightly clenched into a fist, feeling a bit angry at heart.
With Madam Gu saying such and her hand being held, Song Ruqi had no choice but to move aside, and Song Ruwei hurriedly followed her.
With Madam Gu’s instruction, the curtain was lifted, and a young man of about sixteen or seventeen, tall, with a face as fair as powdered, wearing a golden crown inlaid with rubies and dressed in a sapphire blue robe, entered.
"Nephew greets you, Aunt," the young man Luo Cheng made a formal bow with his hands and greeted Madam Gu.
Madam Gu raised her hand with a smile, "Cheng, no need for formalities. How come you are here?"
"There are a few topics I couldn’t figure out, so I thought of coming to discuss them with cousin Zi Ran, and also bring a birthday gift for cousin Ruoning," Luo Cheng replied with a smile.
Madam Gu: "You came at a good time; your cousin is here too. Ruoning, hurry and thank your cousin."
Gu Ruoning came forth and curtsied to Luo Cheng, "Ruoning thanks cousin for his generosity."
"No need for formality, cousin," Luo Cheng bowed back, and when he raised his head again, his gaze swept over her, quickly glancing at Song Ruqi’s face.
Song Ruqi was originally lowering her head, but suddenly looked up and met Luo Cheng’s gaze; seeing his eyes like bright stars and handsome appearance, she couldn’t help blushing with shame, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed at his boldness.
Madam Gu only glanced as if unintentionally, her eyes flickering slightly.
"I didn’t know there were two young misses here with Aunt, it was rude of me to come unannounced," Luo Cheng said to Madam Gu, pretending to be regretful after just a glance at Song Ruqi.
Madam Gu said, "This is Ruoning’s cousin, the daughters of the Song Family, ranked second and third."
"Greetings to the two Miss Song," Luo Cheng bowed to Song Ruqi and her companions.
His tone was rather pretentious.
Bound by courtesy, Song Ruqi and her companions returned the bow.
Seeing the other party’s indifference, Luo Cheng frowned slightly and said, "Aunt, I shall go find cousin Zi Ran then."
"Alright, you go ahead."
Luo Cheng bowed again, and before leaving, he quickly glanced at Song Ruqi again, his eyes showing appreciation.
Song Ruqi had already regained her composure, noticing his gaze, her delicate brows furrowed, but she felt a sense of pride and delight in her heart.
Once Luo Cheng left, Madam Gu had them go play with the other young ladies, and Gu Ruoning hurriedly took Song Ruqi away.
After they left, Madam Gu’s nurse, Nanny Luo, approached and whispered, "Madam, wouldn’t doing this upset the great lady?"
Madam Gu said, "What’s the harm, it was just a chance meeting, and I was also present."
The problem isn’t your presence, it’s about understanding the situation more broadly and not letting the young ladies meet so abruptly!