The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Lanterns Conveying Affection

Liu Shao looked at her with confusion, raising an eyebrow.

She reached out and touched Xue Baohua’s forehead.
“That’s strange. You didn’t used to like Rou, did you? Why do you want to invite her to come to the capital now?”

Xue Baohua smiled awkwardly and held Liu Shao’s arm, coaxing her.
“When didn’t I like Sister Rou? I was just young and didn’t know etiquette back then. After spending more time with her in Qingzhou, I realized she’s a talented and virtuous woman.”

Liu Shao was surprised. It seemed that her daughter had truly realized her mistakes and had changed.

Xue Baohua’s face was filled with smiles, but her heart was filled with malice.

She sneered inwardly. She didn’t care about Liu Rou’s poor appearance anymore.

She had only tolerated Liu Rou’s attempts to curry favor with her because she wanted to use her. Now that Xue Yiran was being so brazen in the mansion, and she couldn’t touch her, she might as well let Liu Rou deal with her. It would be fun to watch them fight each other.

Xue Baohua’s smile deepened at the thought.

Liu Shao, seeing her daughter’s obedient demeanor, nodded and patted her hand. “My dear Baohua is growing up. Since you miss Rou, we’ll invite her to stay with us in the capital for a while next spring.”

“Thank you, Mother!”

Xue Baohua had been miserable in Qingzhou, missing the luxury and prosperity of the capital. She looked down on the remote area.

Especially the relatives in Qingzhou, who seemed impoverished and tasteless to her.

She only elevated Liu Rou because she wanted to use her to deal with Xue Yiran.

Thinking about the humiliation she had suffered recently, her father’s favoritism, and the crown prince’s anger, she wanted to see Xue Yiran and Pei Lingyi suffer a thousand cuts.

For now, she wouldn’t mention Pei Lingyi. The incident that day was her own fault; her opponent was someone with deep thoughts.
But what was Xue Yiran?

In the past, Xue Yiran would boast in front of her every day, relying on her father’s favor. After falling from power, she became even more detestable, almost bullying her. How could she swallow this insult?

Thinking of Liu Rou’s appearance, which was similar to Pei Lingyi’s, always pretending to be something she’s not, Xue Baohua wondered if having such a person in the mansion would keep Xue Yiran from being so arrogant.

Xue Baohua became more and more expectant…

Time flew by quickly, and before she knew it, it was New Year’s Eve.

This year, Pei Qingyan finally returned, and the Pei mansion was lively again after a long time.

Early in the morning, the servants were busy, and there was no moment of peace. Lanyue Courtyard, which was usually serene and elegant, was also lively due to the New Year.

“Move it to the right.”

Layan was sticking window decorations on the window frame and adjusted the angle according to Luoxu’s words.

Pei Lingyi walked out of the door and saw this scene.

The originally simple courtyard was now decorated with festive red decorations, filled with the lively atmosphere of the New Year.

Luoxu held a lantern in her hand, which was supposed to be hung from the eaves.

Seeing Pei Lingyi, they hurried over. “Miss, look, isn’t this lantern beautiful?”

The lantern was intricately painted with peony flowers in full bloom, in a hexagonal shape. Each side depicted the peony flowers in different poses, and the bottom was adorned with glass beads threaded with gold and silver threads, making it truly exquisite.

“This lantern is delicate and beautiful. Where did it come from?” Pei Lingyi took the lantern from Luoxu and examined it carefully. Women generally liked such flashy things, and even she couldn’t resist the charm.
But where did Luoxu get such a delicate lantern?

Seeing Pei Lingyi’s puzzled expression, Luoxu smiled and explained, “This lantern was sent by the County Lord Changle. She said it came from the palace.”

Pei Lingyi’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed, and she said skeptically, “Nonsense.”

“A lantern with such exquisite craftsmanship? I don’t know of any skilled artisans in the palace who could make such a thing. Besides, Changle would never keep it low-key if she got something this beautiful. She would want the whole capital to know.”

“So, why would she send it over so discreetly?” Pei Lingyi’s reasoning was logical, and Luoxu was taken aback.

But since she hadn’t seen the person who delivered the lantern, she thought of asking the young servant who brought it. “I was careless. I’ll go ask the servant right away.”

“Wait, don’t go. I already know who sent the lantern.”

Layan also came over, puzzled. “If it wasn’t the county lord, who could it be? The craftsmanship is so exquisite that it’s likely only the palace could produce something like this.”

Looking at the puzzled expressions of Layan and Luoxu, she smiled gently, pointing with her slender fingers to the small characters hidden in the corner, “Jiaojiao, like the bright moon, shines brightly in my heart.”

“This…” Layan and Luoxu exchanged a glance, both showing shock in their eyes.

This was clearly a poem expressing affection, and “Jiaojiao” was her own given name, not easily known by others.
Who would be so bold as to write this poem on the lantern?

“As Layan said, such a delicate lantern must have come from the palace. I’ve heard that the North Lan envoy, who is affiliated with Great Ye, recently presented many novel items as tribute. It’s possible that this lantern is one of them.”

“Then who do you think could have obtained the tribute?”

After Pei Lingyi spoke, the two servants looked at each other, and the answer was obvious. Apart from the crown prince, who else would have the status to obtain tribute?

“Isn’t it strange that the crown prince would send something under the county lord’s name? But given your charm, Miss, it’s not surprising.” Layan spoke her mind without hesitation, as she often received delicate treats from Pei Lingyi.

Pei Lingyi smiled softly upon hearing this, her smile as gentle as the first snow on the eaves, silent yet intoxicating.

“Miss, there’s another line here.” Luoxu examined the lantern closely and discovered another phrase: “On the night of the Lantern Festival, I await your arrival by the red thread.”

“Miss, does the crown prince want to invite you to the lantern festival?”

Pei Lingyi looked at the handwriting, which was elegant, refined, and flowing with grace. The person who wrote it must have been serious and meticulous, and the writing reflected their character—a gentle and refined gentleman.

“Really? Did the crown prince specify where to meet?” Layan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? The last line mentions the red thread bridge.” Luoxu tapped Layan’s head.

“The Red Thread Bridge!” Layan exclaimed as if she had just realized it.