Chapter 203 - 201: Ridiculous, Truly Ridiculous!

Chapter 203: Chapter 201: Ridiculous, Truly Ridiculous!

Zhou Qi couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile, saying, "This Miss Xu is truly a remarkable woman. Jingyi, she wasn’t inattentive before, she was testing me. If I couldn’t let go of my hatred and recklessly opposed Guangming Hall, she would have immediately abandoned our cooperation."

Zhou Jingyi was stunned, incredulous, "No way? Although Miss Xu is indeed very capable, and the Fifth Young Master has also visibly restrained himself lately, we’ve also helped them at Xinglin Hall a lot. This... this Miss Xu is too heartless!"

"This isn’t heartlessness, it’s caution. After all, business partners are different from mere friends."

Zhou Qi carefully folded the prescription that Xu Jing had sent, saying, "Such caution and decisiveness are what make great people. I used to think in my heart, if Miss Xu were a man, she would certainly achieve more than I do. But now, I feel that even as a woman, one day, I might only be able to look up to her achievements.

Take this prescription to Steward Zhong and have him order the preparation of a thousand medicinal packets as reserves."

Zhou Jingyi agreed, took the prescription, paused, and said, "But, the household has a blood feud with the Lin Family. Even if... even if the head of the family couldn’t stay calm and did something impulsive, it would be understandable. Just a few days ago, news came that Guangming Hall’s medicines for the military had passed the Pharmacy Bureau and Imperial Medical Bureau’s reviews. By next spring, it is expected that the palace will issue an edict for Guangming Hall to supply medicine to the army!"

He was merely a servant born to the Zhou Family, yet he couldn’t stand the Lin Family’s current success, let alone the head of the family himself!

Zhou Qi pressed his lips together tightly and finally said in a low voice, "We don’t currently have the ability to go head-to-head with the Lin Family. In future matters like these, if I don’t ask, there’s no need to tell me proactively."

Meanwhile, Xu Jing came into the hall and was somewhat surprised to see her guest was Zhao Shaohua.

She had been visiting the Zhao and Song families frequently lately and had met Zhao Shaohua many times. This Young Madam Zhao obviously felt a connection with her, and not only was her attitude increasingly warm, but she also often invited Xu Jing to outings, which Xu Jing politely declined due to being busy.

Upon seeing Xu Jing, Zhao Shaohua immediately stood up excitedly, saying, "Jing, I happened to return to my mother’s home today and heard from Aunt that we’re to deliver an invitation to your grandmother’s seventieth birthday feast, so I immediately took on the task. The feast is in six days, do you have the time to come?"

Xu Jing found it amusing and walked over, saying, "Madam Cen had mentioned inviting me to the Old Madam’s birthday feast, so I reserved the time."

Although she didn’t particularly enjoy such occasions, after remarrying Xiao Yi in the future, she would certainly have to attend these banquets frequently, so it was good to get accustomed to them in advance.

"It’s truly not easy to catch such a busy person like you with some free time."

Zhao Shaohua teased her with a glance and suddenly smiled, saying, "Do you have an outfit for the feast? I’m going to Huacui Pavilion later to get the clothes I previously ordered. If you’re free, want to come with me?"

Xu Jing indeed didn’t have one; her clothes were usually simply elegant and not respectful enough for Old Madam Zhao’s feast, so she originally planned to have Chunyang buy a set in the next few days.

Seeing Zhao Shaohua’s expectant eyes, Xu Jing felt bad refusing again and smiled, "I’m actually free today."

Zhao Shaohua immediately lit up and pulled her out the door.

In the carriage, Zhao Shaohua deliberately said, "My mother said yesterday, why you refused to attend An’s birthday banquet before, but now you are willing to go to my grandmother’s feast, how strange."

In her words, her mother evidently referred to Madam Song.

Xu Jing coughed lightly and said, "I was new to the Western Capital then and didn’t know many ladies, so I wasn’t keen on attending such banquets."

Zhao Shaohua laughed and said, "Don’t worry, my mother knows. You’re quite known now among the ladies of various families. The Suyi Earl’s wife, who suffered irregular menstruation for years, showed signs of improvement after your treatment, and now many ladies want to ask my mother and aunt to invite you to treat them.

But my mother said if you don’t attend the Song Family’s banquet next time, she might get upset."

Xu Jing smiled wryly, "Certainly not."

She wondered, with Zhao Shaohua showing such warmth, whether she would be angry later on after knowing Xu Jing’s true identity.

They chatted all the way, and soon arrived at Huacui Pavilion.

Huacui Pavilion specialized in business for the ladies of prominent families. Zhao Shaohua was evidently a regular there, as upon entering, a woman dressed in a uniform blue and yellow embroidered begonia-pattern dress greeted them with a smile, leading them upstairs while saying, "Young Madam Zhao, the clothes you ordered earlier are ready. You can try them on now, and any adjustments can be made on the spot."

Zhao Shaohua looked at Xu Jing and said generously, "Jing, they also sell ready-made garments here. Feel free to pick any you like and put it on my tab."

Xu Jing couldn’t help but smile, "Thank you, Young Madam Zhao, but I can handle it myself."

Although the clothes here were notably expensive, with Xu Jing’s current small savings, buying a dress was entirely manageable without any discomfort.

So extravagantly bold!

Zhao Shaohua did not insist, pursing her lips, "I told you to just call me Shaohua, yet you’re always so stubborn about this."

The woman led them to a private room on the second floor, likely meant for distinguished guests to rest and wait, a spacious and elegantly decorated area, with several couches, each adorned with a small table holding fruit platters and snacks.

As Xu Jing entered, she glanced around casually and was taken aback to see a familiar figure, her lips curling into a cold smile.

The Western Capital indeed wasn’t large.

A short distance away sat a woman in a moon-white long skirt embroidered with lotus patterns. It was none other than Xu Ya!

And beside her sat a girl who appeared to be fifteen or sixteen, clearly Xu Ya’s sister by the same mother—Xu Jie.

Xu Ya evidently hadn’t expected to see her here, her pupils contracted abruptly, but Xu Jing merely cast a bland glance her way before sitting on an empty couch.

Wherever Zhao Shaohua went, she was the center of attention among the noble ladies. Once she sat, several women immediately approached her for conversation.

Xu Jing relished the quiet, though she felt Xu Ya’s gaze fixed upon her. She raised her eyes and gave Xu Ya a faint smile.

This smile stung Xu Ya’s heart more than any harsh words could!

How could this woman remain so composed! Xu Ya was certain that recently, Wu Sanlang had already gone to the Zhou Family to confront her!

In the past, she would have gone mad being humiliated and manipulated like this. Or did she think she and Wu Sanlang were merely talking?

Wu Sanlang was acting strangely. They had agreed to begin their plan after the Mid-Autumn Festival, yet since then, she hadn’t been able to reach him, even visiting places frequented by young scions without seeing him.

If Wu Sanlang didn’t cooperate, no matter what she did, it would be useless. But she knew Wu Sanlang well; he hated this woman, how could he miss such a perfect chance for revenge?

Had something happened to Wu Sanlang, or had this woman turned the tables on them?

At this moment, Zhao Shaohua introduced Xu Jing to the women conversing with her, who then warmly engaged Xu Jing in conversation.

For a moment, the room felt awkwardly isolated, leaving only Xu Ya and her sister alone.

Xu Jie glanced unhappily toward them and muttered, "What’s so special about that Young Madam Zhao? She just comes from a good family. My sister is the legitimate Young Madam of the Wang Family. Why aren’t those women fawning over you, sister? Huh, that woman with the veil looks familiar..."

Before she could finish, Xu Ya stood up and pulled her sister out without a word.

Xu Jie stood in bewilderment for a while, eventually saying, "Sister, what’s wrong? We haven’t tried on our new clothes yet!"

Xu Ya remained silent with a serious expression.

She had been keeping track of that woman; it was no secret Xu Jing’s fame was growing.

Laughable, truly laughable!

The most laughable thing was those madams and ladies, being led around by a morally corrupt woman expelled from her home!

Xu Ya couldn’t wait for the unreliable Wu Sanlang any longer. She had to get rid of that woman from the Western Capital soon!