Spring Rises in the Phoenix Pool Chapter 34

The marriage alliance with the Xiang family was truly impeccable. As the future mother-in-law, Madam Wang naturally acted with utmost generosity and tolerance.

Seeing this, Madam Xiang’s smile became even more genuine. “You really spoil her too much.”

With that, Madam Xiang and Second Madam Xiang led them into the flower hall where guests were being entertained.

Old Madam Xiang was speaking with someone when Second Madam Xiang went up to her and whispered a few words.

Following her cue, Old Madam Xiang looked over and her gaze fell on Madam Wang and Qi Yuan. She smiled and beckoned them forward.

She took Qi Yuan’s hand, looked her over for a moment, then cheerfully took off a gold and ruby open bangle from her wrist and handed it to Qi Yuan. “This is our first meeting. Take this to play with.”

The bangle looked extremely valuable. Qi Yuan glanced at Madam Wang.

Madam Wang quickly said, “Old Madam, this cannot be! This was a reward from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. How can you give something so precious?”

Old Madam Xiang smiled and fastened the bangle onto Qi Yuan’s wrist, her tone leaving no room for refusal. “When an elder bestows a gift, it cannot be declined. I find this little girl quite endearing.”

Qi Yuan pressed her lips together.

In both her lives, the moments of genuine kindness she received could be counted on one hand.

She never expected that one of those rare kindnesses would come from a grandmother she had just met.

She gently knelt on the ground and bowed formally to Old Madam Xiang. “Thank you for your generosity, Old Madam. May you live a long life, blessed with health and happiness.”

The little girl’s posture was straight, her etiquette flawless—there wasn’t a single fault to be found.

Even Old Madam Xiang was momentarily taken aback. She had given such a generous gift mainly because her own granddaughter was set to marry into the Qi family in the future. Naturally, she wanted to pave the way.

But this little girl’s serious gratitude made her all the more pleased.

A child who knows gratitude will never turn out badly.

Even Madam Xiang couldn’t help but softly praise her to Madam Wang, “You’ve really raised this child well. Who would believe she was just recently brought home?”

Madam Wang’s feelings were extremely complicated. She had always assumed a girl raised in a butcher’s family in the countryside would be coarse and unpresentable, and she never had high expectations for Qi Yuan.

Who would have thought her beloved Qi Jin would now be sent away to the estate, while the daughter she had always looked down upon would handle her first social outing so gracefully and properly, despite having received no prior instruction?

She forced a smile.

As more guests arrived, Old Madam Xiang noticed Madam Wang was busy socializing with the other ladies and couldn’t attend to Qi Yuan, so she smiled and took Qi Yuan’s hand. “Good child, there are several young ladies playing in the back garden. Why don’t you join them?”

Qi Yuan understood the etiquette of following the host’s arrangements and sweetly agreed.

Old Madam Xiang then called over her trusted servant, Xiang Mama. “Take Miss Yuan to the back garden.”

Xiang Mama immediately and respectfully invited Qi Yuan to follow her.

Madam Wang had no objection but sternly warned Qi Yuan in a low voice, “Don’t cause trouble when you get there!”

Madam Wang understood well—Old Madam Xiang was probably planning to discuss the children’s marriage arrangements with her, otherwise, she wouldn’t have willingly let Qi Yuan go off with the noble girls.

This girl had a rigid and unbending character and didn’t know how to adapt. Who knew what embarrassing things she might do?

She seemed smart, and her manners were impeccable, but deep down she was rotten—she would never be liked.

Xiang Mama was a little surprised by Madam Wang’s harsh tone and couldn’t help but glance at Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan’s expression didn’t change at all, as if she had expected this.

Xiang Mama quietly coughed. If Madam Wang disliked her this much, why did she bring this young lady here? And why was the usual guest, Qi Jin, missing this time?

But that wasn’t for a servant to dwell on. She acted as if she heard nothing and cheerfully led Qi Yuan toward the back.

The Xiang family’s back garden had a bit of Suzhou style, very different from the square, rigid courtyards typical in the capital. It was exquisitely arranged.

Stepping inside was like entering a Jiangnan ink painting—small bridges over flowing water, pavilions and terraces, scenery at every turn.

Qi Yuan lowered her gaze. No wonder such a picky person like Madam Wang was so satisfied with Xiang Rong.

The Xiang family had both noble status and clear wealth—just the mansion itself showed deep family roots.

If Qi Yunting could marry Xiang Rong, he would be truly fortunate.

Xiang Mama, unaware of her thoughts, led her across an arched bridge and said with a smile, “We’re here. The young ladies are just up ahead.”

The Xiang family’s girls, upon seeing Xiang Mama bringing Qi Yuan over and hearing she was from the Qi family, began to scrutinize her.

Their attitudes were not exactly welcoming.

After Xiang Mama left, the second young lady of the Xiang family cleared her throat. “What’s your name?”

The other girls looked indifferent. The second young lady hadn’t originally planned to bother with Qi Yuan.

After all, the Xiang and Qi families were close, and they all got along well with Qi Jin.

They had heard from Qi Jin that Qi Yuan was raised in the countryside by a butcher’s family—surely vulgar and uncouth.

But now, seeing Qi Yuan, the second young lady couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy.

Qi Yuan gently lifted her eyes and smiled softly. “Qi Yuan.”

The second young lady was slightly dazed by her smile and her tone became warmer. “My eldest sister is married and no longer at home. I’m the second, my name is Xiang Banxia.”

She gestured to the other girls. “This is my third sister Xiang Chenxiang, and this is my fourth sister Xiang Yinsu.”

All the Xiang family’s daughters were named after traditional Chinese medicinal herbs.

Qi Yuan greeted them earnestly.

She remembered Xiang Banxia.

In her previous life, after her leg was broken and she was thrown onto the streets to beg, it was Xiang Banxia who had once given her a bowl of rice.

But before she could ever repay her, Xiang Banxia drowned herself.

So Xiang Banxia had been this kind-hearted all along.

Qi Yuan was watching the third young lady complain to Banxia with a smile when suddenly there was a huge splash from the nearby lake. The girls closest to the water were instantly soaked like drowned chickens.

They screamed in terror.

Qi Yuan was also stunned. Then her eyes widened as she looked at the person who had just shot up from the lake—wasn’t that Jing Wang, Xiao Yunting?!

What the h/8ll—she ran into Xiao Yunting even here!

But Xiao Yunting didn’t notice Qi Yuan at first. He dragged a completely drenched person out of the lake and flung them straight into the pavilion.

The person landed on the ground, causing another round of frightened screams from the girls.

It was only then that Xiao Yunting spotted Qi Yuan among the crowd.