Chapter 339.1: Slap After Slap
In that moment, everyone seemingly all got dazzled by Jing Wan’s smile. However, after coming to their senses, it nevertheless made them break out in cold sweat.
Perhaps because of feeling guilty, the Pei clan leader madam unconsciously knelt down. With her kneeling down, can the girls that followed over still stand upright? Since one was already kneeling, this etiquette naturally needed to be done in full, “Greetings w.a.n.gfei.” The etiquette of influential families, compare to the common etiquette, will inevitably be a tiny bit different, so this kowtow just appeared even more solemn.
Jing Wan’s gaze flashed. Regardless what the other party’s purpose was, she neither avoided nor yielded. This formal bow, she accepted. The other party was an ordinary commoner, and she was a qin-w.a.n.gfei. The other party was Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s maternal grandmother by blood, but in name, there wasn’t the slightest relation. Moreover, in a formal setting, even her own parents and grandparents’ kowtow, she all needed to accept, so what did this count as.
Her accepting, it was only natural and expected. In contrast, if the other party doesn’t bow, that would be a wrong.
“Quickly rise.” She hinted the servant girl to the side.
Qing Zhu immediately went forward with a smile, having the Pei clan leader madam supported up, “Old madam quickly get up.”
This address made the Pei clan leader madam s.h.i.+ver. She was glad she performed the kowtow, thus not letting others pick out her fault. If Jin w.a.n.gfei were to know her purpose in coming, any mistake can all let the other party use the pretext to make a fuss. Prior to meeting Jin Qinw.a.n.g, any random label of great disrespect can all make them suffer serious consequences.
The servant girls brought over short stools, and low tables, preparing fruits, tea and dessert, three fully packed tables, without a single kind repeating.
“Have a seat.” And seemingly as if making out the other party’s misgiving, “In private, just be a little more casual. Pei old madam doesn’t need to mind these things.” She still hasn’t finished tr.i.m.m.i.n.g her flower, so how can she sit.
Seeing Jing Wan insist, the Pei clan leader madam nodded, “Many thanks w.a.n.gfei.” With her taking the lead, the other girls behind her naturally followed suit.
Jing Wan placed her gaze on Pei Xiu Ying and them, exclaiming in admiration, “All say the Pei clan produce beauties. Looking at it now, this really is true. Previously on the way from Chongzhou Fu to Chuanzhou Fu, when one saw this Pei clan young lady on the boat, really was shocked by her appearance, and today, seeing the others, also not lacking by much. Truly is each and every one more lovable than flowers.”
“w.a.n.gfei overpraises, nothing more than a bunch of little girls that have never seen the world before, how can they compare with w.a.n.gfei’s bearing and graceful manner.” The Pei clan leader madam carried a shallow smile as she attentively watched Jing Wan, not revealing any other emotion as much as possible. These words, in essence, were mostly just perfunctorily praising, but after slightly paying attention, one would discover that it really wasn’t an overstatement. Just based on bearing, even the meticulously raised Xiu Ying seemingly all somewhat fell short. And towards today’s matter, she felt increasingly uncertain inside.
“The natural born conditions were good, and the rest cultivated afterwards.” That’s why, towards the other party’s praise, Jing Wan wasn’t the least bit modest.
However, towards Pei Xiu Ying having long met with Jin w.a.n.gfei, the other girls were a bit unable to remain calm. That means that she might have met with Jin Qinw.a.n.g too. Then, she’ll certainly have a greater advantage than them.
Jing Wan turned around again, continuing to prune the flower spray, while idly chatting with them. They didn’t state their purpose in coming, and Jing Wan naturally wasn’t the least bit worried, calmly sitting on the fis.h.i.+ng dock. If you have that ability, why don’t you continuously keep it bottled up. Jing Wan will just treat it as a bunch of people keeping her company, pa.s.sing the time. In any case, she also didn’t have anything else to do, so she had plenty of time to waste.
The anxious feeling on the people of the Pei clan was even more intense than previously when they were continuously waiting for news.
In comparison, Jing Wan was somewhat overly carefree, and moreover, no one treated guests like this. However, based on their status, they seemingly didn’t have any right to speak at all.
To put it pleasantly, Jin w.a.n.gfei didn’t treat them as outsiders, and to put it unpleasantly, Jin w.a.n.gfei simply didn’t have them taken seriously, As one might ask, were they very familiar with Jing Wan?
That’s why, in their eyes, it can only be the latter.
But in reality, they were completely unfamiliar with her, and this was their first time visiting. Even if the Pei clan had no official post and no n.o.ble t.i.tle, that number one ill.u.s.trious clan of Jiangnan t.i.tle was still pinned on their heads, and the people that have relations with the Pei clan in officialdom definitely weren’t few, so no matter what, still need to give some face, no?
Since entering, and seeing Jin w.a.n.gfei, they just felt this entire matter was strange. Even if she’d seen the visiting card for Jin Qinw.a.n.g, upon seeing the signature seal, she should withdraw. Unless, from the start, she just knew that the people coming to visit from the Pei clan were womenfolk, and in fact, was already aware of their goal, thus would be like this.
Coming to understand this bit, they suddenly felt that Jin w.a.n.gfei really did have good cultivation. If switch with the average person, even if they won’t directly pick up the rod and drive them out, they still won’t have a good look either. Then, in this matter, what att.i.tude did Jin Qinw.a.n.g have? Since he directly had them thrown to his own w.a.n.gfei to receive, then did this just signify his rejection? And the reason why he didn’t completely have them rejected at the door was just because of that bit of blood relation? Since he didn’t even want to meet his own maternal grandmother, then was it that towards this blood relation, he also didn’t care all that much?
The Pei clan leader madam’s personality perhaps was a bit weak, but her IQ was still properly in line. Thinking to here, her heart just increasingly panicked, fearing that Li Hong Yuan won’t even meet her once. As for her ‘mission’ and whatnot, it all got tossed aside. She ultimately wasn’t able to hold back, “Has w.a.n.gfei heard w.a.n.gye mention the Pei clan before?”
Jing Wan’s hand paused, turning her head, “What is old madam referring to?”
Pei clan leader madam endured and endured, but ultimately could no longer endure, “w.a.n.gye’s birth mother is this commoner’s youngest di daughter.”
The six young ladies of the Pei clan, aside from Pei Xiu Ying, only just learned this matter now, and can be said to be quite shocked. Turns out, turns out, Jin Qinw.a.n.g was actually their older cousin? Suddenly their gaze landed on Pei Xiu Ying, the rest of them were all younger cousins to him, so perfectly suitable, but you, a biao niece, sitting here, what do you want to do? Never mind that you don’t want face, but Jin Qinw.a.n.g still wants face. Of course, they won’t think that this was their own grandfather’s arrangement. They would only think that this is Pei Xiu Ying’s own schemes.
Jing Wan nodded, “This matter, I’m actually aware of. After all, Pei clan leader once used a very special way to invite us. This impression can be said to be quite deep.”
The Pei clan leader madam opened her mouth, not knowing how she should respond, because she simply didn’t know about this matter. Gripping the handkerchief, her entire person all appeared fretful and restless. In the end, she could only directly voice what she longed for the most, “Can this commoner, can this commoner, meet w.a.n.gye?”
“This is the reason why you all used the Pei clan leader’s name to send in a visiting card?” Jing Wan meaningfully glanced the six exquisitely beautiful Pei clan young ladies, “Old madam’s feelings, one can understand, but just don’t know how old madam sees me? Having the visitation card given to me, and while clearly know this layer of relations.h.i.+p inside, would I not let you meet with w.a.n.gye?”
The Pei clan leader madam was somewhat at a loss for words. It was their intentions that were despicable.
Jing Wan smiled, just this smile didn’t reach the eyes. Turning around, she continued leisurely tr.i.m.m.i.n.g her flower spray. “w.a.n.gye isn’t in, old madam can try coming again another day.”
Hearing Jing Wan about to see out the guests, the Pei clan leader madam was somewhat at a loss for what to do, increasingly losing her stance.
Towards her great-grandmother’s personality, Pei Xiu Ying naturally knew. Towards the matters that year, her great-grandmother has always bore in her heart. For anything that involves upon this matter, she can very easily become fl.u.s.tered and helpless, simply not knowing how to handle the situation, not having the least bit of bearing that an influential family’s old madam should have. In reality, compared to other influential families’ elderly madams, her great-grandmother was actually a bit unpresentable. Regardless of whether it’s ability or finesse, all very much falling short. Aside from her inherent personality, it was mostly because great-grandfather was too strong.
If it continues like this, never mind accomplis.h.i.+ng their goal, perhaps might even have the relations.h.i.+p turned rigid.
Pei Xiu Ying stood up, “w.a.n.gfei, great-grandmother is w.a.n.gye’s maternal grandmother. You being like this, aren’t you afraid of angering w.a.n.gye?”
Jing Wan laughed, “The entire capital all know that Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s birth mother, the former Imperial n.o.ble Consort, was a nameless orphan girl, deeply receiving his Majesty’s love, and because the Empress was present, she was thus specially bestowed as the Imperial n.o.ble Consort. What does this have anything to do with the the number one ill.u.s.trious clan of Jiangnan? w.a.n.gye at present is already twenty-three years of age. In the capital, his so called maternal clan has never once appeared before.”
“It’s not that great-grandfather and great-grandmother don’t care about w.a.n.gye. Grandfather and them similarly think of and care about w.a.n.gye too. And all these years, they’ve also continuously paid attention. Just, because of certain reasons, that’s why……………”
“Enough.” Jing Wan unhesitantly interrupted her, “At the founding of Qi Yuan, the Pei clan, being n.o.ble and virtuous, was unwilling to a.s.sist the new master, thus departed from the imperial court, no longer having the slightest relations.h.i.+p with the imperial family. This is your family’s position, and the rules established by your Pei clan ancestors. Since for the sake of this stupid rule, you can disregard one’s own family, then asking you all to please be n.o.ble and virtuous to the end. Coming to the door now, what meaning is there? w.a.n.gye is of heavenly descent. Is he someone you can just acknowledge when you want to, and don’t acknowledge when you don’t want to? What the h.e.l.l.”