A Chance Encounter

Wei Dan Sheng looked up, his dark green eyes calmly watching them. There was no surprise in his gaze, only extreme composure, as if he had long anticipated their presence here.
Wu Huai Fei, on the other hand, did not expect to meet them here. She was startled for a moment, her eyes showing a hint of surprise. But out of consideration for everyone present, she suppressed her astonishment and showed no outward expression.
Gao Qian was also startled, but seeing Wu Huai Fei feign unfamiliarity, he too withdrew his gaze and solemnly bowed to Lady An Yang Marquis.
Wei Dan Sheng stopped chanting, and Lady Marquis only then realized something was amiss. She turned and saw Gao Qian, surprised: “A Qian?”
“Madam.”
“I thought you wouldn’t come.” Lady Marquis gently waved her hand: “Long time no see, come closer so I can get a good look at you.”
“You seem to have become much more composed.”
“I know your temperament; you’ve never liked these banquets and literary gatherings. I didn’t expect you to have the conscience to give me face this time.” Lady Marquis looked behind him and smiled: “Ying Niang is here too.”
Gao Ying giggled and rushed forward: “Ying Niang misses Madam very much.”
Lady Cui’s gaze then fell upon Xi Cui: “Is this your Third Sister Di Yu?”
Xi Cui promptly stepped forward to greet her.

Lady Cui of An Yang Marquisate had never met Gao Di Yu before; today was their first encounter.
She had also heard the rumors in the capital, but she had never paid them any mind, believing them to be too harsh on a young woman.
Upon seeing the tall, slender, and dashing young woman before her, who resembled her Second Brother exactly, a hint of goodwill immediately arose in Lady Cui’s heart, and her voice became much friendlier.
Xi Cui looked at Lady An Yang Marquis, feeling a vague impression.
An Yang Marquisate…
Lady Cui…
Xi Cui thought carefully, but the thoughts in her mind remained vague and elusive, unable to be grasped.

Lady Cui inadvertently caught a glimpse of Wu Huai Fei looking at Xi Cui, only thinking she was curious. So she pulled her closer and introduced them.
“Perhaps you haven’t met these two. This is the Duke of Shang Jing, Second Young Master, and these are the Sixth Lady and Third Lady of the manor.”
Lady An Yang Marquis smiled and said: “This is Lady Wu, who cured my illness a few days ago. I was ill for a month, confined to bed, which made me feel suffocated to death. Fortunately, a benefactor introduced her, and only then did I invite Lady Wu. The physicians in this capital are not as skilled as a fifteen or sixteen-year-old young lady.”
As Lady Cui said this, Xi Cui finally remembered.
This Lady An Yang Marquis was one of Wu Huai Fei’s staunch supporters in the book, assisting Wu Huai Fei greatly in all aspects.
Some time ago, Wu Huai Fei cured her illness, and Lady Cui and she, upon their first meeting, felt like old friends, developing a joyful affection, so she always kept her by her side.
This banquet was also intended to help Wu Huai Fei enter this social circle.

After speaking, Lady Cui seemed to remember something and also pulled Wei Dan Sheng closer: “This is the Wei Clan’s Third Young Master. A Qian, perhaps you know him.”
Gao Qian nodded: “Indeed, Young Master Wei and I have met a few times.”
“Really?” Lady Cui raised an eyebrow, smiling: “Then nothing could be better; there’s no need for me to trouble myself with further introductions.”
Wei Dan Sheng slowly closed his scripture, looked up, and smiled: “Young Master Gao, we meet again.”
Although he spoke to Gao Qian, his gaze was fixed on Xi Cui.
Gao Qian, seeing this, frowned slightly. “Mm.”
Xi Cui responded with a standardized polite smile, as if the struggles of the past few days in the room had vanished without a trace at this moment.
Wei Dan Sheng looked at her, and the corner of his mouth also curved into a smile.

Lady Cui, who loved nothing more than to connect people, seeing these individuals getting along, couldn’t help but be even more delighted.
Then, seeing Wu Huai Fei still sitting beside her, she gently nudged her, smiling: “Since you all know each other, I won’t confine you young ones to stay with me. The spring scenery outside the tent is perfect; quickly take this opportunity to go out and wander around.”
“Especially you, my illness was cured by you, Huai Fei. You are my benefactor and also my guest. Today, there’s no need to be reserved here. If anyone is so blind as to anger you, just tell me, and I will be your backing.”
Wei Dan Sheng slowly said: “Madam speaks truly,” he chuckled softly, “Madam, rest assured, Lady Wu also has a kindness towards me; I will certainly not let her be looked down upon.”

The cheerful conversation in front of the An Yang Marquis was originally a false courtesy. Now that they had left the Lady Marquis’s presence, it naturally couldn't be maintained.
Outside the tent, no one actively spoke to each other anymore.
But Gao Ying also seemed to have no intention of socializing with Wei Dan Sheng and Wu Huai Fei.
After taking two steps in silence, Gao Qian nodded to Wei Dan Sheng and Wu Huai Fei, intending to take his leave.
Wu Huai Fei was clearly a little caught off guard: “Are Young Master and Lady leaving already? It won’t be long…”
Perhaps realizing her words were too abrupt, she swallowed the latter half.
Gao Qian looked at her.
Feeling a little tense under his gaze, Wu Huai Fei unconsciously turned her head away.
Gao Qian’s voice held a subtle, hard-to-detect softness: “Mm, there are still some matters.”
After taking in this entire scene, Wei Dan Sheng suddenly opened his mouth and smiled: “If Young Master has matters to attend to, please go ahead. We will meet again later.”
Gao Qian’s gaze shifted to Wei Dan Sheng’s face. After a long moment, he said indifferently: “Thank you for your understanding, Young Master.”
Lady Marquis also believed in Buddhism and had good relations with Old Madam Wei. Every month, she would definitely summon Wei Dan Sheng to the manor to preach Buddhist dharma to her.
Seeing him here today, she only hoped he wouldn’t overthink things.