Chapter 15: 015 Flower Show
"What's the hurry, Wei Zi? Who's causing trouble?"
The young man who came to report the news at first said, "I don't know him. He looks younger than us, very arrogant. He has four bodyguards with him; seems to have a big background."
Charles Gao thought for a moment, "Everyone sit down, don't mind the business."
A few hot-blooded youths said discontentedly, "Charles, this is our territory. Can we let others run wild? Besides, they're bullying Huanhuan. Didn't you used to like Huanhuan the most?"
With one glance from Charles, the other party knew they had stepped on a landmine and quickly shut up.
Charles remembered the trouble Zhu Shaodan had caused. Although the Zhus tried to keep it quiet, there were no impenetrable walls in the world. Zhu Shaodan had offended someone he shouldn't have and was now involved in a big lawsuit. The Zhu family was currently running around in a frenzy trying to deal with it.
How big was the background of that person?
A group of people sat down obediently, the noise outside grew more and more intense, occasionally mixed with the shrill screams of women. One of Huanhuan's top fans couldn't help but rush out.
Charles sighed, got up, and went out.
"What the hell are you? It's none of your business when I teach someone a lesson!"
He was a very handsome young man, but his eyebrows revealed a strong arrogance. He tilted his neck, looked unapproachably at others, and perfectly displayed the style of a dandy.
Under his feet was a young woman with a heavy make-up, looking extremely miserable and humiliated at the moment.
Seeing Charles, she immediately struggled and said, "Mr. Gao, save me...!"
The young man looked Charles up and down: "Are you from the Gao family?"
Charles smiled and walked over, "Mr. Bai, long time no see."
The young man frowned, his delicate and beautiful face appearing unfriendly, and snorted, "You know me?"
"When the young master of the Bais comes to Jiangcheng, how can I, as the host, not treat you well? It's my fault."
"Hypocritical, I don't need it."
"Mr. Bai, this girl has upset you and deserves to be punished. But after all, she's just a stinky girl. Don't dirty Mr. Bai's hands. Leave her to me. I promise she won't appear in front of Mr. Bai again."
Bai Ziyan understood the hidden meaning of Charles' words. The Gao family was different from the Zhu family. The Zhu family had no foundation, but the Gao family had been rooted in Jiangzhou for many years and had strong backers in Jingdu. They were not as easy to manipulate as the Zhu family.
Bai Ziyan was not so arrogant as to be brainless. Since the other party had already said this, he decided to make the best of the situation.
"Fine, I'll give you face. Take her away and discipline her properly."
Xie Huanhuan was taken away. Before she left, she looked at Charles with gratitude, her eyes full of affection, but Charles didn't even glance at her.
"If Mr. Bai doesn't mind, I'd like to accompany him for a drink, and we won't return until we're drunk."
Bai Ziyan smiled, "You are good at socializing, much better than Zhu Shaodan."
Charles replied ambiguously, "Zhu Shaodan was spoiled by the Zhu family, and the Zhu family must take responsibility for their education."
"Alright, I feel a strong affinity with you. Let's be friends, and we won't stop until we're drunk."
——
The weekend was a sunny day. Ming Jing got up early to do her morning routine. After finishing her morning routine, it was only six o'clock. She went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Madam Zhou had become accustomed to Ming Jing appearing in the kitchen and even took the initiative to help Ming Jing.
Ming Jing was efficient in her work and quickly prepared Granny Zhu's breakfast.
As for herself, she ate something simpler and lighter. Others were not in her consideration.
Zhu Xiangxiang also rarely saw Ming Jing at her family's dining table today.
"Thank you for saving me the night before last." Regardless of what she thought in her heart, Zhu Xiangxiang's eyes and tone seemed very sincere at the moment.
Ming Jing indifferently said, "You're welcome."
Knowing her personality, Zhu Xiangxiang didn't say anything else. The few people silently ate their breakfast.
"Xiangxiang, how's your health? If not, you should rest at home today, and I'll go to the flower exhibition alone." Lin Qing said worriedly.
"I can handle it."
Zhu Xiangxiang glanced at the silently eating Ming Jing across from her and said, "Ming Jing, my mother and I are going to the Swan Lake Flower Exhibition today. Would you like to come with us?"
Lin Qing frowned, "What can she understand? Just stay at home and don't make trouble for us."
Ming Jing looked at Lin Qing and suddenly smiled, "Alright, I'm a country bumpkin who has never seen a flower exhibition. It's a good opportunity for me to broaden my horizons."
Lin Qing choked and thought to herself, this damn girl, are you deliberately going against me?
——
The Swan Lake Flower Exhibition can be considered the most grand annual public event in Jiangzhou. At that time, all flowers in the Swan Lake Garden would be blooming, competing to show their beauty.
The exhibition was actually divided into two parts.
Ordinary people strolled and appreciated flowers in the garden, while the Swan Lake Garden had a place called An Zhitinglan, which was where the upper-class ladies and young ladies went to play.
When the trio of Zhu Xiangxiang arrived at An Zhitinglan, there were already many ladies there. Lin Qing quickly scanned the area and didn't see Madam Jiang, feeling quite disappointed.
She cheered up and began to socialize with Zhu Xiangxiang among the ladies, showcasing her social skills.
Ming Jing wore a white gauze dress that reached her ankles today. She was tall and elegant, with an ethereal and transcendent temperament, making her extraordinarily eye-catching among the trio.
Someone noticed her and asked Lin Qing, "Is this the real daughter of the Zhu family who has just been found?"
Lin Qing, always adept at dealing with people, smiled and pulled Ming Jing over, "Yes, Ming Jing, this is Madam Li."
Ming Jing complied, "Madam Li."
Unlike Zhu Xiangxiang's dignified and elegant demeanor, Ming Jing seemed unremarkable at first glance. However, she had an unusual temperament that was difficult to capture and describe in words. For these wealthy older ladies who believed in Buddhism, Ming Jing had a very familiar and likable air about her.
"Ah, Mrs. Zhu, you're so lucky. This girl is really extraordinary."
When Ming Jing was praised, Lin Qing was happy on the surface, although she couldn't see what it was about Ming Jing that the other party liked. She thought it might have just been routine compliments and didn't take it to heart.
Chapter 16: 016 Flattery
"Mrs. Zhu has two daughters as beautiful as flowers and jade, such fortune is not something ordinary people have. Here, do you want it?"
Li Jiaojiao came out of the crowd, and the words she said made the madam feel embarrassed and unable to respond.
The biological daughter raised in the countryside, the illegitimate child of an unknown family raised carefully for many years, now both looked like beautiful daughters, but when she thought about it, neither of them were truly hers. This kind of fortune was not something most ordinary people could bear.
This madam was just flattering her, but who knew Li Jiaojiao would bluntly point it out, making both parties feel awkward. Madam Li cursed Li Jiaojiao in her heart for not being able to say anything nice, but she didn't dare to openly offend her, so she could only laugh and try to smooth things over.
Zhu Xiangxiang didn't expect to meet Li Jiaojiao again. That night, she and Zhao Qin set her up and almost got her killed.
Li Jiaojiao looked at Zhu Xiangxiang with a smile: "Ms. Zhu, I was so worried for a long time after you fell into the water that night. It's great to see that you are out and about so soon, it seems like you weren't hurt too badly."
"Thank you for your concern, Ms. Li, I'm in great health."
"Ah, what I envy the most is the sisterly bond between you two. That night, I saw it clearly that when you fell into the water, your sister didn't hesitate to jump down and save you. You should really repay this lifesaving favor."
Madam Li curiously asked, "What happened?"
When she looked at Ming Jing again, she was even more pleased. What a kind-hearted child.
Zhu Xiangxiang held Ming Jing's hand and said with a smile, "I owe Ming Jing so much, I will make it up to her for the rest of my life."
Li Jiaojiao sneered, "Anyone can talk big, but it's easy to bite your tongue."
Ming Jing quietly withdrew her hand and stood behind Lin Qing as a background.
Li Jiaojiao glanced at her and snorted coldly. She was an incapable person who was just waiting to be bullied by Zhu Xiangxiang.
"I heard that Madam Jiang is coming today too. Madam Li, have you seen Madam Jiang?"
Madam Li shook her head: "I don't know. Madam Jiang is always quiet and rarely out. There are too many people at this flower exhibition, I doubt she would come."
Lin Qing sighed. It seemed like she was going to make a wasted trip today.
Zhu Xiangxiang secretly nudged Lin Qing's arm, Lin Qing turned her head, and Zhu Xiangxiang motioned for her to look at the entrance.
A charming figure walked in accompanied by two noblewomen. Wasn't this the very Madam Jiang they had been longing to meet?
Lin Qing was overjoyed, about to move forward but was stopped by Zhu Xiangxiang: "Calm down."
Li Jiaojiao hooked her lips in a smile and walked forward: "Aunt Jiang, what a coincidence, you also came to appreciate the flowers?"
Madam Jiang was delighted to see Li Jiaojiao: "Jiaojiao."
Zhu Xiangxiang frowned; every time, Li Jiaojiao would ruin her plans. Annoying!
Without paying much attention, Lin Qing pulled Zhu Xiangxiang over: "Madam Jiang, I didn't expect to meet you here. Are you doing well lately?"
Madam Jiang glanced at Lin Qing and Zhu Xiangxiang with a half-smile: "Madam Zhu, Miss Zhu."
Her gaze seemed to see through everything, making Lin Qing feel uncomfortable. Although she was a prominent figure among the noblewomen, she always had a sense of inferiority in front of Madam Jiang.
"It's a good day for appreciating flowers today. Let's not let worldly affairs disrupt everyone's elegant pursuits. Wouldn't you agree, Madam Zhu?"
Lin Qing hurriedly said: "What Madam Jiang said is correct."
Madam Jiang took the lead and walked forward, Li Jiaojiao intimately holding Madam Jiang's arm. As she passed Zhu Xiangxiang, she stole a triumphant smile at her.
Zhu Xiangxiang clenched her nails into her palm, and turned her head to find that Ming Jing had disappeared.
"Mom, where's Ming Jing?"
Lin Qing was puzzled: "She was just by my side, how did she disappear in the blink of an eye? What is that child doing? She's not familiar with this place." Lin Qing complained.
Zhu Xiangxiang looked around but couldn't find Ming Jing's figure. She had no choice but to follow them for now.
"Spring brings green leaves, and autumn brings fragrant white flowers." Madam Jiang stopped in front of a clivia plant and recited softly.
"Wow, this flower is so beautiful!" Li Jiaojiao exclaimed.
In the blue and white porcelain pot grew a clivia plant over a meter tall. More than a dozen leaves layered and spread out like a gorgeous umbrella, and the leaves were glossy with large veins. The old leaves hung down, while the new leaves stood tall. Atop a long flower stalk was a large orange-red blooming flower that was dazzling and eye-catching. It was as if gold dust had been sprinkled on the petals, shining brilliantly under the sunlight. Surrounded by dozens of sword-shaped leaves, the gorgeous flower was like a queen looking down on the crowd.
"Plants have their own hearts, don't force beauty to break."
Madam Jiang looked at Zhu Xiangxiang with a hint of a smile in her eyes: "Do you also like clivia?"
Zhu Xiangxiang gave a shy smile: "Clivia has bright and beautiful flowers, and its jade-like leaves are extraordinary, lofty, simple, and detached. This is how a person should be."
"Well said, this clivia is different from ordinary orchids."
"This plant is an extremely rare top-quality specimen cultivated by Master Huang Ji, who has spent more than a decade cultivating it. It's lucky to see it today."
Madam Jiang took a longer look at her. This girl seemed not arrogant or impetuous and spoke humbly and politely. She felt her opinion of her change a bit.
Li Jiaojiao was not convinced and snorted, "You seem to know quite a bit. Did you look up a lot of information before you came?"
Zhu Xiangxiang shook her head with a smile, not bothering to explain. It seemed like she didn't want to stoop to Li Jiaojiao's level.
This enraged Li Jiaojiao. What act was she putting on? Trying every trick to flatter Madam Jiang. She should take a look in the mirror and ask herself if she's worthy of such efforts!
Lin Qing quickly added, "Xiangxiang has always been fond of flowers and plants. The whole back garden at home has been filled up with flowers and plants she takes care of. She treasures them so much that she doesn't even let us touch them. I don't know much about this exceptionally high-quality clivia, but Xiangxiang has raised several pots. If Madam Jiang doesn't mind, I can ask Xiangxiang to send you a couple of them in the future."
Madam Jiang laughed: "A gentleman should not take what others love."
"How could this be considered stealing? Rather, it's like pairing a talented hero with a fine horse or offering a beautiful flower to a beautiful lady."
Lin Qing's words actually made Madam Jiang laugh.
Lin Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It's still Xiangxiang who's capable of winning Madam Jiang's favor so easily.
From then on, everything went smoothly. Zhu Xiangxiang walked beside Madam Jiang, with Li Jiaojiao on one side and herself on the other. No matter what flower they went to admire, Zhu Xiangxiang could speak eloquently, occasionally citing ancient texts. Everyone, except Madam Jiang, who was nodding frequently, was confused.
Li Jiaojiao glared at Zhu Xiangxiang resentfully. Stupid girl, you really know how to brownnose.
Zhu Xiangxiang returned her a triumphant smile. Just wait and see.
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