Chapter 65: Deceiving People

  Around the time of dinner, Zheng led everyone out of the Dingguo Duke's mansion.

  Just like when they came, Ye Qinglan and Ye Qingning sat in the same carriage with Ye Qingrou. However, the atmosphere on the way back was completely different from when they came. Ye Qingning and Ye Qingrou spoke softly, intentionally or unintentionally leaving Ye Qinglan out.

  Two silly little girls!

  Ye Qinglan was secretly worried about Gu Xiuyu's illness in her heart, and she didn't have the spirit to accompany them. She simply kept her head down and remained silent. Let them think that she was isolated and hurt and helpless.

  As expected, Ye Qingning would occasionally glance over and after seeing Ye Qinglan sitting pitifully in the corner of the car without saying a word, her mood improved somewhat. When it was time to get off the bus, she finally deigned to speak to Ye Qinglan: "Tenth sister, where's the orchid you picked?"

  Ye Qinglan hastily smiled and replied: "I'm not feeling well, how can I have the energy to tend to flowers? I've already promised Eighth Sister that I would give this pot of orchids to her."

  Ye Qingning's smile paused for a moment, and she glanced at Ye Qingrou with some displeasure. Her movements were quite quick though...

  Ye Qing softly and clearly knew that Ye Qingning was unhappy, but she just pretended not to know, smiling and saying: "Thank you for your generosity, tenth sister. I've always liked orchids the most."

  Things have come to this, and Ye Qingning also didn't want to say anything more, and sullenly shut her mouth.

  After everyone returned home, they first went to pay their respects to Madame Chiang.

  Jiang asked Ye Qingning a few affectionate questions, then smiled and asked Ye Qingrou: "Sister Rou, did you have fun playing today?" The look in his eyes was extremely loving, and he indeed doted on Ye Qingrou.

  Ye Qingru smiled and nodded: "The orchids in the Dingguo Mansion are indeed very beautiful! I really opened my eyes today." Although Ye Qinglan's big show-off made her a bit uncomfortable, considering that Ye Qinglan had given her that pot of orchids, she decided to be magnanimous and not mind it.

  Then to Ye Qinglan, Jiang's attitude had a subtle change: "Lan sister, can your body still take it today?" It was neither enthusiastic nor cold. Anyway, it was just so-so.

  "Thank you, Grandmother, for your concern. I am indeed a bit tired, but today was quite an eye-opener. Although I'll need to rest well for the next few days to recover, I think it was worth it."

  This remark was quite skillful. It not only flattered the Dingguo Duke's estate but also cleverly pointed out the fact that he himself was not feeling well. In the future, if there were similar invitations, it would be perfectly reasonable to decline them again.

  Ye Qingning detected the tone of her voice, and was somewhat surprised. Could it be that she had misunderstood her earlier? She didn't have any intention of using Gu Xiuyu to get close to Gu Xianyun after all?

  Ye Qinglan took in Ye Qingning's subtle changes in expression, secretly amused. In Ye Qingning's eyes, Gu Xiannian was a charming and elegant young master who everyone loved, and all girls should fall for him. She had no interest in this deep and reserved man, only wanting to keep her distance from him.

  After chatting for a while, everyone dispersed and went their separate ways.

  Ye Qinglan slowed down her pace intentionally or unintentionally. As expected, Ye Qingning hesitated for a moment and called out to her: "Tenth Sister."

  Ye Qinglan smiled and stopped in her tracks, Ye Qingning quickly caught up with her and hesitated before speaking. Ye Qinglan, understanding the unspoken words, said: "Sixth sister, do you have something to say to me?"

  There is indeed a place, but this isn't a good spot to talk quietly. Ye Qingning thought for a moment and said: "It's still early, why don't we go sit in the Ringing Emerald Pavilion?"

  Ye Qinglan agreed happily.

  After entering the Ringui Pavilion, Ye Qingning ordered all the maids to withdraw. Only the two sisters were left in the house.

  Ye Qinglan estimated that with Ye Qingning's delicate face, some things would definitely not be said, so she took the initiative to smile and say: "Sixth sister, don't worry, I don't have any other ideas about Gu Zongge."

  Ye Qingning didn't expect Ye Qinglan to be so direct, and her pretty face suddenly turned red.

  "As for Xi Yu, I think we really hit it off." Ye Qinglan smiled slightly: "To be honest, I also like Xi Yu very much. In the future, if there's an opportunity, maybe she and I can become friends. This is all thanks to Liu sister's matchmaking, otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet Xi Yu, let alone visit Dingguo Gongfu."

  She spoke so frankly, and deliberately belittled herself to elevate Ye Qingning. Ye Qingning felt a sense of comfort in her heart upon hearing this, and her expression softened considerably: "You... you really don't like your brother-in-law? But I think he seems to have some special feelings for you!"

  Who knows what's gotten into that man!

  "Sixth sister's beauty is unmatched, my looks are not even worth mentioning. Probably because Cousin Gu saw how well I got along with Precious Jade, he didn't quite trust me and paid special attention to me. Otherwise, with this sickly appearance of mine, Cousin Gu probably wouldn't even bother to take a glance."

  Ye Qinglan's self-blackening efforts were not in vain, and the effect was indeed excellent. Ye Qingning's eyes had a hint of a smile, and her tone returned to its usual warmth: "We're sisters after all, what's the point of saying these things."

  Ye Qinglan smiled slightly, pursing her lips. If it weren't for this expression, how could she be called "own sister".

  She had never had any good feelings towards Ye Qingning, but if she wanted to stand firm in the Changyuan Bo's mansion, it was absolutely not advisable to turn against Ye Qingning at this moment. It would be better to just humor a willful and eccentric child.

  Ye Qinglan took advantage of Ye Qingning's good mood and begged: "Sixth sister, I'm idle every day, can I practice the piano with you?" Practicing the piano was just an excuse, mainly to get closer to Ye Qingning and build a good relationship.

  Ye Qingning hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

  Ye Qinglan's face lit up with joy as she thanked her, solemnly promising: "Sixth sister, don't worry, I'll be good and won't disturb your piano practice." After a pause, she carefully added: "However, I don't have a piano. Why not lend me that old used one of yours?"

  Although Ye Qingning was arrogant and difficult to get along with, she wasn't petty. Upon hearing this, she laughed and said: "What's the point of using an old worn-out zither? I'll give you a new one instead. Coincidentally, my great-uncle had someone send me one just the other day, and I haven't even used it yet!"

  Ye Qinglan hastily declined with a smile: "This can't be done. A gentleman doesn't take away what others love, and since it was your maternal grandfather who specially gave it to you, I certainly can't have it. Besides, I've never learned to play the zither before, so I don't need such a good one. Just find any old zither for me to use." As soon as Ye Qingning heard her tone, he knew that this zither was definitely not an ordinary one.

  Ye Qingning had just spoken those words and was secretly regretting them. Seeing Ye Qinglan being so understanding, he smiled and said: "Alright, wait until you've practiced for a year or two, then using a good guqin won't be too late."

  Ye Qinglan secretly laughed in her heart, but on her face, she smiled sweetly.

  Under Ye Qinglan's subtle and imperceptible "coaxing", the two quickly made up as before. When Zhi Xia and Rui Xue came in, they saw that the two were chatting happily, and they almost didn't dare to believe their eyes.

  Previously, Ye Qingning was openly unhappy and wanted to settle accounts with Ye Qinglan. How did they become so happy and talkative in the blink of an eye?

  Zhī Xià coughed and asked with a smile: "Miss, someone from the kitchen came to ask, how should we prepare dinner?"

  "Huh? Why does this question sound so familiar? Ye Qinglan was about to rush out and take the initiative to bid farewell, when she heard Ye Qingning say with a smile: "Let the kitchen make a few exquisite small dishes, tonight the tenth sister will also stay and eat together before going back."

  ……

  Zhi Xia was taken aback for a moment, then quickly suppressed her astonishment and smiled as she accepted the order.

  Ye Qinglan was also somewhat surprised, but more of it was pleasant. Ye Qingning was willing to let her have dinner, at least it meant that she had thoroughly dissipated her anger. Indeed, a young girl who hadn't come of age was easy to coax, and just a few words could make her happy and excited.

  The dining hall of the Emerald Pavilion was not large, but it was exquisitely decorated. Two maidservants each carried a large tray over and in no time, the table was filled with dishes.

  At a rough glance, there were at least over ten dishes. Although the taste hadn't been savored yet, the presentation was extremely exquisite and visually appealing. Compared to the meals sent by the large kitchen to He Feng Yuan, it was simply incomparable.

  Ye Qinglan couldn't help but reveal a look of envy.

  She doesn't care about what she wears and uses, but has a great passion for food...

  Okay, to be honest, she's actually a foodie. In the past, she would often drive around to find good food, and in addition to three meals a day, she would also have afternoon tea and midnight snacks, never missing a single meal. Fortunately, she has a physique that won't gain weight no matter how much she eats, otherwise she would have become a fat girl long ago.

  After crossing over, she didn't dare to reveal her foodie nature. Because the original owner of this body had a very small appetite, if she suddenly changed too much, she would definitely arouse suspicion from the people around her. These days, she was also pretending to be ill, and every meal could only eat some bland porridge with no flavor at all.

  Suddenly there was such a delicious dish in front of her, she could bear it and didn't pounce on it, which is really considered to be very self-disciplined.

  Ye Qingning couldn't help but secretly smile at her sparkling eyes, and pulled her to sit down together. He specially ordered the maids to retreat, leaving only Zhi Xia and Rui Xue behind.

  "Don't worry, no one is watching you here, eat as much as you want." Ye Qingning said with a low smile. Ye Qinglan had long since admitted that she was faking illness, and her appetite should be fine, right?

  Ye Qing's eyebrows and eyes curved into a smile.

  Next, Ye Qingning was fortunate enough to witness this scene.

  Ye Qinglan's movements weren't particularly fast, but from start to finish, her chopsticks and mouth never stopped. Her eating manners were still quite elegant, but this appetite was just too huge...

  Rui Xue was standing by, serving dishes, and she also seemed startled.

  Ye Qingning had eaten her fill long ago, but she insisted on staying with him for a good while longer.

  Finally, Ye Qinglan put down her chopsticks and let out a satisfied sigh. It was great, she had finally eaten a satisfying meal. Her stomach was full, feeling very solid and comfortable!

  Ye Qingning couldn't help but tease: "Don't you eat enough every day? Why are you so gaunt, like a starving ghost?"

  Ye Qinglan was best at hitting snakes with her stick, and smiled as she said: "I usually can't eat so many delicious things. In the future, I'll have to come often to bother Sixth Sister."

  Ye Qingning was taken aback and forced a smile, responding perfunctorily.

  It was already around 9 o'clock when I returned to Hakufu-in Temple.

  This day was truly wonderful. Ye Qinglan was finally a bit tired, but didn't have much sleepiness, and specially called Rui Xue over, whispering a few words to her.

  Rui Xue's eyes widened in surprise—