Su Xiaoqi, after confirming that forty to fifty noblewomen would be attending, immediately went to prepare.
There were many things she needed to get ready.
Various supplies, some of which had been prepared long in advance, such as the playing cards, mahjong sets, and several other table games for entertainment, as well as a large amusement park, which she had acquired when she decided to develop the estate into a leisure club.
Others needed to be prepared on short notice, such as food and drinks.
It was unrealistic to have the people on the estate prepare these, so naturally, she had to entrust Chen Jinji with the task.
She also had to coordinate with the supermarket managed by Xiao Yi and had invited He Qiulei to customize a batch of items needed.
Su Xiaoqi was quite busy and couldn't attend to other matters, which were temporarily postponed.
Fortunately, Shen Yun had been keeping track of her movements.
He meticulously handled all the things she couldn't get to and hadn't had time to arrange.
This included the matter at the Princess's estate and the earlier issues involving Chai Zilin and Xiao Qin.
By the second day of the fifth lunar month, everyone gathered at the hot spring estate, which had been renamed Liuyuan.
Su Xiaoqi had been considering who would assist her in receiving guests from early in the morning.
Frankly, her own status was rather low.
After all, the guests invited by the Princess and the Old Madam were either Princess Consorts or noble ladies of the second or third rank.
She herself held no official rank, so her presence might not carry enough weight.
She had previously raised this issue with the Old Madam and the Princess, requesting that they assign someone of sufficient standing to help her greet the guests.
Both readily agreed.
When the time came that day, she stood at the second gate, wondering why the person the two had found for her hadn't arrived yet. Just then, Nanny Xu led Du Yiyi and Princess Huian forward, arm in arm.
"We're here to help you welcome the guests," Du Yiyi said with a smile.
"Sister Xiaoqi," Princess Huian said with a shy smile.
Seeing the two, Su Xiaoqi's heart settled, and she thanked them with a grateful smile.
Du Yiyi winked playfully.
Princess Huian couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.
She hadn't actually thought of this herself; it was her mother who reminded her to ask Su Xiaoqi if she needed any help.
She hadn't expected that Su Xiaoqi would truly need her.
The shy Princess Huian felt the happiness of being needed here.
She stood very diligently at the second gate, performing the task of receiving guests.
Su Xiaoqi found that the diligent Princess Huian was not at all timid.
She exuded the aura of a princess.
When meeting guests, she was clear-minded and guided them in with a gentle tone.
Su Xiaoqi gave her a thumbs-up, impressed.
Receiving Sister Xiaoqi's approval made Princess Huian even happier, and she worked with great enthusiasm to receive guests.
This version of Princess Huian was also something none of the other noble ladies in the capital had ever seen.
They all found her gentle and graceful, with an elegant demeanor, quite like the Princess herself.
Soon, someone relayed this praise to the Princess.
This not only praised Princess Huian but also earned favor with the Princess.
The Princess was very pleased and her gaze shifted to Su Xiaoqi, thinking that all of this was likely Su Xiaoqi's doing.
Otherwise, if she had kept Su Xiaoqi by her side as she usually did, she might never have realized that her own young lady could also competently handle such a task.
And she did it so well, allowing the noble ladies of the capital to see her capabilities.
With her mood improved, the Princess interacted even more warmly with the other ladies.
Earlier, she had heard Su Xiaoqi talk about the layout of the place.
Now, acting as a co-host, she personally led the group of noblewomen around.
They first arrived at a large hall. The Princess pointed to the spacious and bright hall.
Its interior was elegantly and simply decorated, furnished with small, round rosewood tables, each accompanied by four small chairs.
The tables were covered with large, gold-dusted floral tablecloths, upon which lay square card layouts.
These were made of thin bamboo slivers.
"Here, this is the tea and card room. You can have tea, eat snacks, and play poker."
The Princess led everyone around the tables.
She picked up a deck of poker cards from a table and spread them out for everyone to see.
Some tables were set with small wooden blocks, which were said to be mahjong tiles.
Beside them, two large posters displayed the game rules, explaining how to play.
Of course, there was no need to worry about not understanding, as a demure young maid stood beside each table. For the first few rounds, she would guide everyone in playing, only moving aside once they had learned.
"Oh, this looks fun, I'll play," someone stopped at a poker table, pulling two others and calling a young maid to form a table.
The others followed suit, finding their own teammates.
Others sat down at the mahjong tables, also guided by maids who knew how to play.
After leading the guests in, the Princess found a table for herself. The Old Madam was also present, along with several Duchesses, chatting and eating snacks.
"My, this Liuyuan is truly unique, unlike any other place. Princess, you have a great eye for finding such locations."
Madame Wang, wife of the Minister of Personnel Wang Chengyi, looked at the bright and spacious hall, and the noble ladies who were all occupied, with a look of astonishment.
The Princess smiled broadly, "Indeed, this girl Xiaoqi is so capable. She hasn't been in the capital for long, and she's already created such a fun place.
She even called it a 'club,' a term I'd never heard before. This is my first time here today, and it's truly enjoyable. It's truly fortunate for our Old Madam to have such a treasure of a granddaughter."
The Old Madam's face bloomed with joy at the Princess's teasing, "Your Highness, you jest. This girl is merely a bit mischievous.
I heard her whispering with Yiyi long ago, saying that the chess and card room is nothing, and there are even more fun things to come."
"More fun things? Then let's go take a look!" Wang Ning'er asked curiously, unable to help herself.
"Young lady Wang, don't be hasty, don't be hasty. Xiaoqi said that not all guests have arrived yet. It will be more fun to go together once everyone is here."
"Ah, Ning'er, look at how impatient you are," Madame Wang said, smiling as she lightly chided her daughter, urging her to be patient.
Wang Ning'er knew she had been impatient.
However, she was simply too curious. She hadn't seen much of Su Xiaoqi before, but she had heard a lot about her from her cousin Liu Nini.
How could a mere girl from a common background be so capable, buying such a large hot spring estate in the southern suburbs of the capital upon her arrival?
Moreover, she had developed it in a way completely different from other estates.
Even the banquet she hosted was different from others.
The banquets they usually attended, if they arrived early, would at most involve strolling around with other familiar noble ladies, admiring flowers and scenery, sipping tea, and sharing jokes.
But here, these activities were retained, yet with the addition of new diversions.
Like this mahjong, these poker cards, and the large amusement park outside.
Such a vast area, filled with many things she had never seen before, was truly novel.
If these were all her doing, Wang Ning'er felt she had misjudged her before.
How could someone so capable be as insignificant as Liu Nini had described?
Wang Ning'er felt a sense of curiosity and admiration for Su Xiaoqi.