After Qi Yusen spoke out, everyone at the scene gasped in cold air. Qiao Nian's side of the family turned pale.
He really was here to brush Qiao Qing's hair!
The servant at the side went "huh?" before she handed over the comb with both of her hands.
Qi Yusen accepted the comb and gently brushed her hair behind her ears.
Then, with one hand, he held up her soft hair. With the other hand, he brushed her hair from the root down, strand by strand.
Mu Jinghang, who was watching this scene, widened his eyes.
"Given Qi Yusen's personality, I thought he would want to get this over with ASAP and would just brush her hair roughly once or twice."
"Who knew he would be so patient! I've never seen him treat any girl this gently. Could it be that he has his eyes on Qingqing?"
Just then, Jun Yexuan's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pan. Mu Jinghang gulped.
"Third brother, I was just talking nonsense. Don't think too much of it. Plus, Qingqing would never like a guy like brother Qi."
Qiao Nian watched as Qi Yusen combed through Qiao Qing's hair. The jealousy in her eyes almost spewed out. She didn't even notice that Fang Li had accidentally pulled out several more strands of her hair.
Qin Yongmei watched as He Wanqing and her daughter received all the attention. Remembering what the next ceremonial gesture was going to be, she had a bad feeling.
After Qi Yusen was done combing Qiao Qing's hair, Qin Yongmei smiled and asked He Wanqing, "You must've put a lot of thought into getting young master Qi here."
He Wanqing cautiously glanced at her, "What do you want to say?"
Qin Yongmei continued to smile and said, "It's just that young master Qi is only here to brush Qingqing's hair. He didn't prepare any gifts. So I wondered if you actually are friends with young master Qi."
"Though we were able to get a wealthy son from the Capital City, we had to ask several people and spend a lot of money. At the end of the day, we aren't friends. I wonder, did you have to do the same?"
Qi Yusen was a little taken back when she heard this. Originally, he had wanted to get this over as soon as possible as a favor to Jun Yexuan. The idea of gifts never crossed his mind.
But now... he looked at Qiao Qing then whispered something to Ning Ye.
Ning Ye's eyes widened. In shock, he glanced at Qiao Qing before he nodded and left.
Everyone else was also taken back by Qin Yongmei's words.
That was true. If they were good friends, why would he show up empty-handed?
It was truly difficult to form a bond with young master Qi.
Then why did young master Qi agree to come and comb Qiao Qing's hair if he's not at all involved with the Qiao Qing side of the family?
It looked like in terms of societal connection, there was no difference between Qiao Qing and Qiao Nian.
Those who considered changing their decision and giving the Pearl of Fortune and Marriage to Qiao Qing instead changed their mind right back.
Qin Yongmei watched everyone's expression change and knew that her tactic had worked.
At the very least, when it came to the hair combing ceremony, they didn't get the upper hand. There was no way she was going to let people think He Wanqing had ties with young master Qi.
He Wanqing thought about it and did know that she actually didn't have any ties with Qi Yusen. She was only able to get him to come because of Mu Jinghang's mother.
Since Qi Yusen himself was standing right there, she didn't dare to lie.
Neither Qiao Qing or Qi Yusen were people who enjoyed explaining themselves, so they remained silent.
Due to these three's reactions, everyone was now certain that the Qiao Qing mother and daughter duo had no ties with Qi Yusen. While disappointed, they also sighed in relief.
Mu Jinghang cursed colorfully, "Why's that b!tch so overbearing? Too bad Brother Qi and Qingqing don't care about what others think. Third bro, why don't you try and save this? We finally helped make Qingqing look good. That b!tch ruined it again."
Jun Yexuan chuckled, "Let her gloat for a bit."
Then, he stood up and left.