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墨書 Inktalez
In the best restaurant in the capital, on the first floor, laughter from the girls in the largest private room on the second floor could be heard from time to time.
Liu Anmeng extended her beautifully manicured fingers, painted with bright red rouge, showing off to the girls around her, "This was bought by my father at a high price from a merchant from the Western Regions. How about that? You've never seen this color before!"
Since they came to the capital six years ago and separated from the Second House, they had never returned to their ancestral home. Instead, they stayed here.
Over the years, her father started a pastry business. Perhaps due to some favor from above, the shop was doing very well, making money hand over fist. They had long since transformed into a life of wealth and luxury.
Liu Anmeng once asked why the pastry shop could earn so much silver. Her father told her not to worry about it, so she stopped asking.
As long as she was given enough silver for her expenses and to dress up, she didn't want to bother with those troublesome matters.
"Liu Young Lady, your rouge is really beautiful. Can you share some with me?"
"Share some with me too!"
"I want some too!"
The girls clamored and flattered her, greatly satisfying Liu Anmeng.
She casually brushed them off with a few words, rejecting them all, "I still need to keep this for the Hundred Beauties Banquet. How could I give it to you!" She then turned to the side and asked, "Du Fangjin, have you prepared your outfit for that occasion?"
Du Fangjin was annoyed by the noise from this group and replied, "It's ready." Then she made up an excuse, "I'll go downstairs to see why the tea has taken so long." With that, she went downstairs to get some fresh air.
Following the stairs down to the first floor led her to the lobby.
On both sides of the large door were spacious and bright windows. Since the stairs faced this way, Du Fangjin naturally caught sight of what was happening outside through the open windows as she descended.
The sound of hooves clattering against the ground echoed outside.
Du Fangjin instinctively looked outside and saw a carriage passing by on the street ahead. Because of its exquisite craftsmanship and detailed carvings, Du Fangjin paused for a moment to take a closer look.
Upon closer inspection, there were no familiar emblems on it.
Du Fangjin instantly lost interest in the carriage.
In Capital City, the elite were everywhere. The Du Family had been doing business in Capital City for several years, and to avoid offending the powerful, they had long since familiarized themselves with the family emblems of the noble families and officials in the capital.
Since there were none of those emblems on this carriage, and since it had not been seen at any grand banquets in Capital City before, it was likely not worth paying attention to. Du Fangjin planned to turn around and walk in another direction.
However, at that moment, the door of the exquisite carriage opened, and a delicate, fair hand reached out. The skin was translucent and radiant, with unadorned yet smooth and glossy nails. It was a natural beauty.
Du Fangjin took one glance and found herself unable to move her feet.
A well-dressed woman with neatly styled hair approached, bowing slightly with a respectful demeanor as she helped the person inside the carriage down and walked toward Huifeng Restaurant on the other side of the street.
The girl wore a light pink cloak trimmed with white rabbit fur, her figure petite and graceful, exuding elegance with every movement. The pale lotus-colored hem of her skirt peeked out from under her cloak as she walked lightly, revealing glimpses of silver-threaded dancing butterflies embroidered above.
Unfortunately, she wore the hood of her cloak, making it impossible for Du Fangjin to see her face from this angle.
...I wonder what kind of beauty she is.
Du Fangjin couldn't help but quietly follow behind.
She stood quietly by the door of Huifeng Restaurant, listening to the girl's soft and pleasant voice coming from within, her brows gradually knitting together.
Du Fangjin hurried back to her previous Private Room to tell Liu Anmeng about this.
To her surprise, Liu Anmeng didn't even raise an eyebrow, completely ignoring it as she began discussing the merits of her newly acquired lipstick.
"How can you not take this seriously?" Du Fangjin urged anxiously. "If I’m not mistaken, she must have just arrived in the capital. If she plans to attend the Hundred Beauties Banquet, what will you do?" Although she herself was beautiful, she could not be considered exceptionally so. Among her few friends, only Liu Anmeng had a chance of winning first place. That was why she rushed over to inform Liu Anmeng about this matter.
"Then what?" Liu Anmeng scoffed coldly, "With my conditions, it's difficult for an ordinary person to compete with me for the first place."
She was extremely beautiful, and now she was even more stunning.
Du Fangjin looked at Liu Anmeng's arrogant demeanor and felt a bit irritated. Although she hadn't seen the full appearance of the girl in the Pink Cloak, she had caught a glimpse of her profile during the conversation with the shopkeeper. She said, "How do you know she can't do it? If she participates in the 'Hundred Beauties Banquet' organized by merchants, or even the 'Floral Banquet' held by the aristocratic families, she might just take the top spot!"
The 'Floral Banquet' was another grand event that would be held soon. However, some of the competitions inside were only open to the children of noble families and clans. The daughters of merchants were not qualified to participate.
Daughters from wealthy families had different experiences and environments compared to children from ordinary households, so whether it was knowledge or etiquette, they stood out. The girls who could shine at the 'Floral Banquet' would be even more eye-catching than those at the 'Hundred Beauties Banquet.'
All the girls in the room were of similar age. Hearing Du Fangjin praise that girl so highly piqued their interest.
"Is she really that beautiful?"
"Du sister, you’re not just pulling our leg, are you?"
Seeing that everyone's attention had been diverted to someone she had never met before, Liu Anmeng felt a surge of resentment and sneered, "If she really dares to compete with me, there's no need to worry. I can just ask my brother to help chase her away. If that doesn't work... I'll find a way to ruin her face! Let's see if she still has the face to mix in this city."
Hearing her bitterness, the other girls fell silent. A few who couldn't stand it didn't dare to refute Liu Anmeng. It was simply because her father, Liu Fangshi, knew many influential people; if they truly angered her, she might have her father come looking for trouble.
But Du Fangjin wasn't afraid of her.
The Du Family knew more people than Liu Fangshi did.
Walking over to the window, Du Fangjin looked down and suddenly brightened up, waving for the other girls to come over and take a look.
They leaned against the window and followed her pointing direction down below, just in time to see a figure in pink entering an exquisite carriage. A well-dressed woman stood outside the carriage as if waiting.
It must be that girl going inside to fetch something. She should be coming out soon.
Du Fangjin said softly, "I just heard her mention a Private Room on the second floor. She might be going there to have a meal. Why don't we go take a look? If she is just passing through the capital and misses today, we might never see her again."
"Sure, sure."
Although the young girls had a competitive spirit, they also had a love for beauty.
Everyone was already excited, and upon hearing Du Fangjin's suggestion, they eagerly agreed. They thought that no matter what, since they had heard about such an outstanding person, they should at least take a look.
After a quick discussion, they all ran to the staircase at Huifeng Restaurant's second floor, looking up the stairs, waiting for the girl to come up.
—By waiting in this spot, when the other party ascended the stairs, they could see the girl's appearance and observe her demeanor. It was truly a perfect two-for-one situation.
Liu Anmeng initially did not want to pay attention. However, after everyone left and she was left alone, it felt too boring. So she moved her feet and followed along.
……
Qing Wu had just asked the owner of Huifeng Restaurant and learned that there were already guests in the reserved Private Room. She hurried back to the carriage to fetch the gift.
Holding tightly onto the cloth bag, she did not immediately step out but sat inside the carriage, trying to calm herself down.
In just a moment, her palms had already started to sweat slightly.
She knew she was nervous. But even knowing that, what could she do? Even if she told herself a thousand times that it was just a reunion with an old friend and there was no need to feel anxious, her heart still couldn't help but race.
It had been six years.
She hadn't seen him for six years.
The parting words and whispers from that time still echoed in her ears. She thought of him constantly, as if he were the closest family member.
She wondered if he was still the same.
Not long after she arrived yesterday, the gentleman came to tell her that Huo Yun'ai wanted to see her. However, he only mentioned the time and place for the meeting, without saying a word about how that young man was doing.
"Will Girl know when she meets him?" Zheng Ning smiled lazily, "But don't worry. He asked me how you were doing, and I didn't say anything! I am quite fair, you know."
Recalling the gentleman's smile at that time, Qing Wu still felt a surge of anger.
—If he had mentioned something about Huo Yun'ai, no matter how little, at least she would have had some idea in her heart. Because of his so-called "fairness," she was left anxious and nervous.
However, no matter how much she complained internally, what was meant to come would always come.
Qing Wu tightly gripped the object in her hand, took a deep breath, and bravely stepped out of the carriage.
Huifeng Restaurant was only two stories high, far less impressive than the First Floor across the street.
Zheng Ning said that perhaps it was precisely because the First Floor was too eye-catching, attracting officials and nobles to dine there, that Huo Yun'ai chose a location as unremarkable as Huifeng.
But Qing Wu knew there was another reason why Huo Yun'ai chose Huifeng.
It was where they had met during their farewell years ago.
Dou Mama was waiting for her by the carriage.
When Qing Wu came out, Dou Mama did not immediately come over to assist her but instead turned her gaze toward Huifeng Restaurant.
"Is there something wrong?" When Dou Mama turned back to help her, Qing Wu asked softly.
Dou Mama paused for a moment before quietly saying, "Just now several young ladies passed by. One of them looks somewhat familiar."
"Which one?"
"The one from the Third Branch."
The Liu Family's Third Branch has three daughters. The two illegitimate ones have been trained by Third Madam Shen to be obedient and timid, rarely leaving the house. It absolutely cannot be either of them.
Therefore, it must be Liu Anmeng.
After several years, Qing Wu still vividly remembers Liu Anmeng's domineering nature and her strong arguments. She lightly nodded in acknowledgment but did not let this sudden news interrupt her steps.
She was eager to see him. Everything else was unimportant. She did not dwell on it.
Dou Mama merely mentioned it casually after noticing, not paying much attention to Liu Anmeng. After a few brief exchanges, she moved on.
The two of them ascended the stairs one after the other, focused only on the young man they were about to meet, oblivious to their surroundings. Unexpectedly, after just a few steps, they heard voices of admiration coming from nearby.
"Wow? She really is beautiful."
"Indeed, she's quite something. Oh dear, I hope she doesn't come to the Hundred Beauties Banquet; it would be better if she went to the Floral Banquet instead. Otherwise, our rankings will all drop by one."
"Don't shout. Maybe she's just passing through the capital?"
Qing Wu initially paid no mind to these remarks. Upon reaching the second floor, she prepared to continue on her way.
However, unexpectedly, a girl rushed out from the side and asked her directly, "What are you doing in the capital? Are you here for a competition?"
Qing Wu was preoccupied with thoughts of Huo Yun'ai and had no idea about any competition. Startled by this sudden question, she froze in place.
Dou Mama stepped forward and positioned herself protectively in front of Qing Wu, scolding, "Whose child are you? How rude!"
Her sharp reprimand startled a stunning young girl who had been lost in thought.
Liu Anmeng looked at Qing Wu, then at Dou Mama. She scrutinized Dou Mama carefully before turning her gaze back to Qing Wu.
Upon recognizing an old acquaintance, her beautiful face twisted, becoming somewhat ferocious.
"So it's you! You damn girl, you left, so why are you back!"
The more she looked at Qing Wu's extraordinarily beautiful face, the more hatred brewed within her. She raised her hand and charged over, wishing she could immediately tear apart that exquisite and lovely visage.
Dou Mama would not allow this. She quickly stepped forward, raising her hand to seize Liu Anmeng's arms.
However, several girls nearby suddenly surrounded them. One tugged at Dou Mama's sleeve, laughing as she asked where the dress was bought. Another grabbed the fabric around Dou Mama's waist, giggling as she inquired where it was tailored. They surrounded her tightly, pulling and tugging, rendering her unable to move.
Dou Mama hurriedly turned to look at Qing Wu. She saw Liu Anmeng raising her fingers stained with bright red nail polish, lunging toward the delicate girl.
Dou Mama was alarmed and shouted desperately, "Miss, run!"
Qing Wu had sensed something was wrong even before she called out and quickly turned to flee downstairs. However, a girl was already waiting there, blocking her path. The girl was incredibly strong; no matter how hard Qing Wu pushed, she couldn't get past her.
Liu Anmeng's laughter echoed close by.
In despair, Qing Wu could only turn around to face the oncoming Liu Anmeng.
Even if she couldn't defeat her, she at least couldn't let her succeed.
Gathering all her strength, Qing Wu prepared to charge at Liu Anmeng and find another way to escape when suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the air.
A flash of white light appeared. Liu Anmeng screamed as her nose was crooked, blood gushing out.
A loud bang echoed.
The Jade Wine Cup flew through the crowd and embedded itself two inches into the wall.
Everyone was stunned.
In this silence, the sound of the Beaded Curtain emerged.
From a side angle in the Private Room, a person dressed in a White Brocade Robe stepped out.
He appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet he stood tall and imposing. His gaze swept lightly across the surroundings, causing the previously arrogant girls to break into a cold sweat. Some even couldn't withstand his overwhelming anger and collapsed to their knees.
None of them could clearly see what he looked like.
Under such an imposing presence, no one dared to look up and examine him closely.
The White-Clad Youth approached the girl in the Pink Cloak, and his expression softened instantly.
He raised his finger and gently stroked her cheek. After a moment, he sighed softly, "You've grown up."
Then he removed his large cloak and draped it over the girl. After carefully tying the straps, he coldly instructed Dou Mama, "Take them all to Jingzhao Prefecture," before picking up the girl in his arms and striding down the stairs.
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