The next morning, Qi Zhenzhen sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, while Feixu helped her dress.
"Miss, the third miss and two cousin misses are already outside. They said they've come to have breakfast with you and have been here for a quarter of an hour," Feixu said as she helped Qi Zhenzhen wash her face.
They were indeed early.
"Feixu, send someone to inform the Old Madam that I won't be joining her for breakfast. After breakfast, I'll go with my sisters," Qi Zhenzhen suppressed her drowsiness and instructed.
"Alright, I'll send someone over right away." Feixu carried the washbasin out.
Qi Zhenzhen put on her earrings in front of the mirror and then called for someone to do her hair.
After tidying herself up, her sleepiness had completely vanished, and she hurried to the outer room.
Qi Xuanyuan and Li Rou were sitting on the couch, playing Five-in-a-Row.
Li Nuan sat on the chaise lounge, holding a teacup in one hand and a lid in the other, idly stirring it.
Qi Zhenzhen sat on another chair. "Sister Nuan, are you having tea so early?"
"It's flower tea made from fresh flowers picked in summer. It has a refreshing taste. A cup in the morning can freshen your mouth," Li Nuan said slowly with a faint smile. "Here, yours is also brewed. The temperature is just right now."
Qi Zhenzhen picked it up and took a sip. The fragrance was delicate and very refreshing.
"Sister Nuan truly knows how to enjoy life. It's really good," Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "Erxi, serve the meal. Is there any sweet porridge? Bring a bowl of sweet porridge for the third miss and Sister Rou."
Their game of chess ended, and Qi Xuanyuan pouted. "Sister Rou, I always lose when I play with you. Second sister, you play with Sister Rou next time and beat her soundly."
"It's because you can never calm down. You're always eager to respond, looking ahead but not behind, and you have no strategy at all," Li Rou made a face. "In this way, you'll never beat me. People say that playing chess requires patience, and you have none."
"I'm truly afraid of you two. Xuanyuan, Rou'er is right. You really should calm down, think three or even more steps ahead for each move, otherwise, it will be hard to win," Qi Zhenzhen chimed in. Although she was talking to Li Nuan earlier, she had been paying attention to their game and naturally saw the problem.
Qi Xuanyuan made a face. "It's enough if sister wins for me against Sister Rou, it's as good as me winning. I also want to calm down, but I can't. You don't know, Sister Rou can hold a book and read for half a day. In terms of concentration and endurance, I can't compare."
"Your Sister Rou is only two years older than you!" Qi Zhenzhen chided her.
"I actually think Xuanyuan is good this way. She's innocent and lively, just like a young girl. Rou'er's temperament is too steady, as steady as an old woman. Sometimes I even find her a bit dull," Li Nuan said softly.
As they were speaking, Feixu had brought people to set the table, and everyone stopped and sat around the table to eat.
"Miss, a calling card has been sent from the gatehouse. It's from Prince Rui's mansion. And these are what Princess Ruining specifically asked to be sent to you," Erxi entered with a wooden box.
After breakfast, Qi Zhenzhen opened the invitation. It was an invitation from Princess Ruining for her to visit Prince Rui's mansion.
As for the wooden box, it contained colorful pearls and a letter written by Yan Qi, saying that she had received several boxes and distributed them to her close friends.
After instructing Feixu to put the things away, and seeing that Li Nuan and the others had finished eating, the sisters went together to Chaohui Hall.