In Tianen Waterside Pavilion, after Nangong Yue left, the atmosphere at the next table became more lively.
When Su Nianyun led Su Jiaojiao and others away, he took a special look at the table next door.
At just one glance, she saw a familiar figure among them.
Chu Xue, the eldest daughter of Chu Wenyuan, the minister of the Ministry of Industry.
Although she was a legitimate daughter, because her mother died young, her father soon married her step-brother Pang.
Pang married Chu Wenyuan and soon gave birth to two daughters and a son.
With these three children, Pang's heart was naturally focused on her own children, so even though Chuxue had grown to eighteen years old, she had not worried about Chuxue's marriage.
This is also the reason why the old lady later found the Chu family and the marriage between the two families was settled as soon as possible.
Pangzi did not abuse her daughter, and of course she had no feelings. She was unwilling to spend time on Chuxue.
Su Nianyun was quite surprised to see Chu Xue sitting among these women with prominent family backgrounds.
Because she didn't hear Chuxue's voice just now, which meant that she had been silent during the dinner.
In other words, Chuxue was dragged here by force, and she did not appear on such an occasion voluntarily.
As Su Nianyun went out thoughtfully, several women began to turn the conversation to Chu Xue while changing cups.
"Speaking of Chuxue, you also received an invitation to the flower viewing party that day, why don't you go?"
Chuxue looked embarrassed, "I...I didn't receive the invitation..."
"Hey, why didn't you receive the invitation? That invitation was written by Princess Qingyang herself. All the women from aristocratic families in the capital who are of suitable age for marriage should have received that invitation."
"Oh, it's not like you don't know that Chuxue's stepmother wants her to have a good life. Naturally, she won't let her appear on occasions like the flower viewing party." Sun Ruyu explained for Chuxue.
Sun Ruyu is the daughter of a general and has always had a straightforward personality.
"Actually, I don't blame my mother. It's true that I don't deserve to go to an occasion like a flower viewing party."
It doesn't matter if I can spend more time with my father and get married later.
"You have a good attitude. I'm afraid your stepmother doesn't think so. She just doesn't want you to marry better than her daughter."
"Yes, look at it. If the invitation was given to her daughter Chuyu, she would have dressed her up and entered the palace."
If your family status is not enough to choose a crown princess, you can still be a concubine.
Sun Ruyu said, "You need to prepare for your marriage as soon as possible. If you don't prepare early, I'm afraid it will be too late for you to regret it in the future..."
Unexpectedly, before she finished speaking, Chuxue suddenly stood up.
Chuxue felt uncomfortable being surrounded by a group of young ladies from aristocratic families criticizing her stepmother.
It is true that her stepmother is unfamiliar with her, but she cannot say whether it is good or bad. It is not appropriate to listen to outsiders discussing the relationship between their stepmother and stepdaughter.
If word gets out, this won’t sound good.
Seeing Chuxue walking out, Sun Ruyu also stood up.
"Really, why are you bringing up this topic? You know that even if the truth is exposed, she can't do anything?"
"Hey," a woman said, "we also have good intentions. Besides, it was what you said that made her unable to sit still, right?"
"Anyway, Chuxue came here with me. If she leaves like this, I have to leave too?"
"Ruyu," another woman held her hand, "she was the one who borrowed your light in the past, and we never said anything."
"But today, she clearly knew that we were deliberately trying to embarrass Nangong Yue to vent our anger on you, but she even spoke for Nangong Yue beforehand."
"It's okay for her to speak for that guy. Now she says she's angry and she's showing off to you..."
"Ruyu, should you think about whether you should still be friends with Chuxue like this?"
Sun Ruyu was stunned.
"That's right, that's right!"
Another person said, "You are always kind to Chuxue and pity her, but others regard your kindness as a donkey's heart and lungs."
"She has already turned her back on you, and you still want to go drive someone's carriage?"
After hearing what these people said, Sun Ruyu hesitated for a moment before standing up, but finally sat down.
"You are right, that girl doesn't know what is good and what is good. I feel sorry for her being treated like that by her family, but she doesn't know that I have good intentions!"
Sun Ruyu said angrily, "I won't be with her today, just let her walk back by herself."
"That's right. This is how the daughter of your dignified general's family should be."
Seeing Chu Xue going out, Mo Xiang, the girl close to her, hurriedly chased after her.
"Miss, don't we wait for Miss Sun?"
Chuxue looked back and saw that Sun Ruyu had not followed.
She shook her head, "Forget it, I couldn't bear the situation just now. I said something I shouldn't have said. I hope she won't be angry."
"Miss," Mo Xiang said, "then wait here while I rent a carriage."
They came by car together with Miss Sun. Now if Miss Sun doesn't leave, they will be without the carriage.
"Forget renting a carriage," Chuxue shook her head, "It's only a dozen streets, let's walk back."
"Miss, our house is a bit far from Tian'en Water Pavilion. It might take us until midnight to walk back."
Mo Xiang said, "I'm used to doing rough work, so I won't be tired from walking on these roads, but your body of gold will be exhausted."
"It doesn't matter," Chuxue said, "Even if I'm exhausted, it won't matter. At worst, we can go back and lie down for three days and three nights!"
If my father doesn't care for my stepmother, I'm afraid she will lie in the room for several months and no one will take care of her.
It costs money to rent a carriage.
Her monthly money is limited, so it would be a good choice to save the money and buy a new book or pen and ink.
Mo Xiang opened his mouth, then his expression turned gloomy.
In terms of status, although the young lady is not too different from the other ladies inside, in terms of food and clothing, she is on par with those young ladies.
When other ladies go out, some of them are in sedan chairs, and some of them are in horse-drawn carriages.
The dignified eldest lady of Dudu Langzhong's mansion actually has nothing.
Looking at the madam's biological daughter Chu Yu, she gets what she wants. However, she is only thirteen years old. She is surrounded by servants and has the best carriages and horses when she goes out.
"Okay, miss," Mo Xiang said distressedly and helplessly seeing that the miss was very insistent, "let's just walk back."
Unexpectedly, the master and servant had not taken a few steps when a carriage came to them.
"Miss Chu, we are traveling together, how about I give you a ride?"
Chu Xue looked up and saw a face as white as jade and smiling eyes.
Chuxue was surprised, "You are..."
She didn't know such a woman, how did the other party know about her?
"Miss Chu, it's me, Su Nianyun." Su Nianyun grinned.
"Su Nianyun...Princess Nianyun?" Chuxue said in surprise.
"Shh," Su Nianyun said, "I came here quietly too. No one knows my identity. Get in the car quickly!"
Chuxue hesitated for a moment, but finally got on the carriage with Su Nianyun's expectant eyes.
"Princess Nianyun, what a coincidence that I can meet you here."
Chuxue looked at Su Nianyun in surprise, realizing that this person was completely different from the person in her memory.
Three years ago, she was dark, thin, and vulnerable to bullying.
When we met again three years later, the princess was beautiful, fair-skinned, and elegant. Then he looked down and noticed her slightly convex waist.
"Princess Nianyun, I haven't congratulated you yet."
Su Nianyun stroked her belly and said gratefully, "Miss Chu helped me in the palace three years ago. I never had the chance to thank you. Now that I have met you today, I just want to say thank you to you."
Three years ago?
Chuxue's thoughts suddenly returned to that time.
Three years ago, the harem.
This was the first time Chuxue attended the palace banquet, and also the last time.
At that time, she walked out of the banquet to get some air and met Princess Qingyang who was leading several princesses and daughters of aristocratic families to push Princess Nianyun into the water.
Princess Qingyang left, leaving Princess Yun struggling desperately in the water.
Chuxue jumped into the water to save others without thinking.