Chapter 534: Chapter 336: Blind Date
Hearing that the estate’s guesthouse was full and business was booming, the Ye Family’s sisters—the eldest, second, and third—revealed satisfied smiles.
Then they felt a bit envious of the two youngest sisters, who could still go out and play, while they could only stay in their boudoirs at home.
Only on the rare occasion when they were invited to attend a banquet at the estate could they go out, as they seldom visited relatives anymore.
Following that, Ye Fengqi shared with her elder sisters the activities they’d been enjoying these past few days, having so much fun.
Elder sisters… also wanted to race on bicycles, also wanted to soak in hot springs, but they could skip fishing!
As the sisters chatted, they saw their Young Uncle leave so soon, and then their mother entered their room.
“Mother, what business brought Young Uncle here?” Ye Shiqi asked.
“Mm, get ready, tomorrow you will attend a banquet at the estate.”
Mrs. Li looked over her daughters, blooming like flowers and as pure as jade. It was time for the eldest two to be betrothed and married off. Though somewhat reluctant, she knew she needed to settle their futures if suitable matches came along.
The time had also come for the third to be betrothed, but for now, the focus was on the eldest two, as this banquet might turn out to be a matchmaking event.
First Sister Ye Luoqi… what drama is Uncle conjuring this time? It couldn’t be… oh, how embarrassing!
Second Sister Ye Mei Qi… why do I detect an unfamiliar scent? Could it be related to me as well?
Third Sister Ye Xinqi… surely it’s not my turn yet? Is this just to take me out for a stroll?
Fourth Sister Ye Fengqi… I go to the estate every day, whether it’s a banquet or not, I will be there; I hardly need to prepare!
Ye Shiqi… Matchmaking?
With their minds filled with different thoughts, the sisters still heeded their mother’s instruction to prepare their outfits for the next day.
Before going to sleep, Ye Shiqi picked up a silver needle, playing with needle techniques. Although this was indeed a silver needle, it wasn’t one of those precious needles the Great King had given her, but an ordinary one procured by her father, such as those carried by doctors.
When she had asked for this particular set of needles, only her father was aware, and he didn’t ask many questions. After obtaining the needles, he simply cautioned her to be careful and not injure herself.
Every night before sleeping, she’d practice with them. Although her father had carved a wooden model with acupoints, she didn’t find it enjoyable to practice on wood. She intended to train with the needles as if they were Hidden Weapons.
At that moment, she was practicing on a winter melon, having peeled and sculpted it into the upper body and head of a human, focusing on vital points.
Legs and arms were not the most critical points; she was training with Hidden Weapons to identify the most lethal spots and strike a fatal blow with a single move.
Ye Shiqi didn’t see herself as training to become an assassin; it was merely a precaution, as she felt women were less safe than men. She wanted to master some self-defense skills for her future travels to many places.
As for medical skills, she would certainly continue to study them secretly; having multiple skills could save her life.
Ye Fengqi… why does the youngest sister seem like a little female assassin? Ah, in the future, with my younger sister’s protection, I’ll have an extra bodyguard by my side.
Zhong Xingwang, thinking of tomorrow’s matchmaking banquet, felt that he had mostly invited male classmates. For such a significant occasion as matchmaking, he naturally wanted to inform his eldest sister first, and then, of course, she would take the lead in the subsequent events.
Once Zhong Xingwang had this idea, after finishing fishing and dining, he sent a guard to notify his elder sister, personally penning a letter for the guard to deliver, as some things could not be conveyed openly.
Then he mentioned to his classmates that a banquet would be held there the next day.
His classmates thought that since the guests were mostly just there for fun, going wild for a bit should be no issue.
So they all agreed: anyone could attend the banquet if they wished; they were free to drink tea and enjoy the refreshments, and they would all chip in for the banquet’s expenses.
Zhong Xingwang, of course, thought that if the banquet were grand enough, it would cost quite a sum. If others shared the costs, he wouldn’t have to spend as much.
Then he could use the saved money to take a wife. What a wonderful and perfect situation: he could win a beauty and see beauties at the same time.
The guard whom Zhong Xingwang had dispatched rode for half an hour to deliver the letter. It was night, and he didn’t dare to ride too fast, also anxious about robbers, which made him somewhat jittery.
With the night approaching midnight, people in the other courtyard were starting to sleep, especially in such hot weather. The loud knocks woke everyone in the courtyard, and the Gatekeeper came to open the door.
“Lad, why have you come so late?”