"Sister, you are truly blessed. Has my mother, the Consort, been informed?" Ruining asked.
Xu Qingrou nodded. "I told her first thing this morning."
"No wonder I felt my mother was so refreshed today. So, she received such good news. Just a few days ago, she was sighing to me, lamenting how heartless your maternal uncle and aunt were to send you to the Cui family. She said you'd be so hard to see throughout the year, and she would surely miss you." Ruining said with a smile. "Now, she finally doesn't have to worry."
It was, after all, a happy occasion. The noble ladies, intending to curry favor with Ruining, saw her close relationship with Xu Qingrou and began to flatter Xu Qingrou. Xu Qingrou was good-natured and had instructions from the Princess of Rui. She managed to acknowledge almost everyone who spoke, and the atmosphere was excellent.
"The Princess doesn't favor you, so you're flattering Xu Qingrou. Is that useful? She could secure such a good marriage because she has an aunt who is a Princess. Lord Xu is merely a fifth-rank official. Do you really think the Cui family's marriage proposal is because of the Xu family's status?" an unfriendly voice rang out.
Who was this, speaking so bluntly? Anyone not foolish could understand the significance behind Xu Qingrou's marriage. But understanding was one thing, and saying it out loud was another. Moreover, the Princess of Rui's affection for her niece was evident, and it wasn't as if Xu Qingrou had deliberately sought to please the Princess of Rui for a good marriage.
Therefore, the person who spoke this was not only driven by sour grapes but also harbored malicious intent.
"Oh, isn't this Lu Xiangxiang? What, are you jealous that my cousin has secured such a good marriage?" Ruining raised an eyebrow, her tone openly mocking.
From Li Ruyi, Qi Zhenzhen learned of Lu Xiangxiang's identity – she was the niece of the Princess of Qin Commandery.
This identity was interesting. Both Lu Xiangxiang and Xu Qingrou had an aunt who was a Princess.
Xu Qingrou had a marriage that satisfied her heart.
As for Lu Xiangxiang, the fact that she could utter such sour words suggested her own marriage prospects were unsatisfactory, or perhaps she hadn't benefited from her Princess aunt's influence.
"Jealous of her? What is there about her to make me jealous? Is she more beautiful than me, or more talented?" Lu Xiangxiang said coldly.
"But I have a good aunt," Xu Qingrou said calmly.
"Lu Xiangxiang, you can't deny that one's background and having support are forms of luck," Ruining added.
Lu Xiangxiang was momentarily speechless. When she had seen Xu Qingrou effortlessly chatting with the noble ladies, a wave of resentment washed over her. Their families were of similar standing, and she was even more beautiful than Xu Qingrou, so why didn't she have such a good marriage? People are like that; they can't stand to see someone who was once on par with them suddenly surpass them. In a moment of impulse, she spoke without thinking.
"Marrying well doesn't necessarily mean living well," Lu Xiangxiang managed to retort.
"Whether it's good or not is not for Miss Lu to worry about," Xu Qingrou said with a faint smile. "Miss Lu should focus more on herself. We are the same age, and I am about to get married, but Miss Lu's marriage prospects are still uncertain. After all, at this age and still unmarried, people might start to speculate! Could it be that you have a hidden ailment?"
Xu Qingrou was seventeen this year. Her family had arranged the marriage with the Cui family several years prior, but it had not been publicized as she had not yet reached her coming-of-age ceremony. After her ceremony, Xu Qingrou's parents were reluctant to marry her off so early and discussed with the Cui family to extend the period by two years. Generally, girls married after their coming-of-age ceremony. Those who remained unmarried past that age were either betrothed and their families were in mourning due to a death, or they had hidden ailments or a poor reputation. Hearing Xu Qingrou's words, Lu Xiangxiang's eyes turned red with anger.