Qin Liusi watched with interest as the elderly woman and her grandson approached, casting a fleeting glance at Qi Qian. They seemed to be heading towards him, their eyes gleaming with anticipation, akin to a wolf eyeing its prey, delectable and inviting.
Qi Qian keenly sensed Qin Liusi's amused gaze, his brows furrowing slightly as he forcefully suppressed the peculiar sensation.
"Xiao Wang..." The elderly woman was still a few steps away from Qi Qian when she was intercepted by the Huolong, prompting a startle.
"Who are you?" the Huolong demanded.
The elderly woman, feeling somewhat embarrassed, nevertheless bowed to Qi Qian and introduced herself with a smile, "I apologize for the intrusion. I neglected to announce my identity. I am the mother of Ding Shouxin, the prefect of Ningzhou. Last year, I had the honor of meeting the young master when I attended the birthday celebration of your esteemed family's matriarch."
The mother of the prefect of Ningzhou?
"It turns out to be Madam Ding. Please forgive my failure to recognize you immediately. And where are you off to?" Qi Qian remained seated, offering only a casual greeting.
Madam Ding did not find his demeanor disrespectful and promptly replied, "Seeing that the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, my son has specially invited me to stay in Ningzhou Prefecture for a while. Are you also returning to Ningzhou? And who might this be..." She glanced at Qin Liusi, finding the young master vaguely familiar.
Qin Liusi raised an eyebrow as she regarded the elderly woman before her. It seemed her perception was lacking. Oh, well, it had been many years since they last met. People evolved with their status, exuding an air of elegance and refinement, quite unlike their humble origins.
When the Qin family had yet to fall from grace, the Ding family knew how to be courteous. On festive occasions, they would send gifts and greetings. When Qin Liusi was ten years old, Madam Ding even paid a personal visit. Why was that? Ah, yes, it was probably when Qin Liusi's grandfather was promoted to a higher rank. Hence, Madam Ding came to offer her warm regards.
But Qin Liusi was not one for socializing or conforming to the usual pursuits of young ladies, such as gathering in groups to discuss music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, or elegant attire and jewelry. Her time was mostly spent on cultivation, concocting medicinal herbs, or attending to charitable endeavors.
As a result, Qin Liusi's presence in the ancestral home was scarcely felt, and she was seldom mentioned. Were it not for Madam Ding's visit, she might not have been seen at all. And this was perhaps the only instance.
Had she ever declined invitations before?
Yes, she had.
But over time, her replies would either cite her poor health requiring rest or the unavailability of her elders to accompany her, gradually leading to her being forgotten. Moreover, in the aristocratic circles, a girl like Qin Liusi, relegated to a solitary existence away from her family, was either disdained by her clan or deemed inconsequential.
A girl overlooked by her family held no prospects for the future. Her marriage prospects would be less than favorable, and she would not be able to leverage any influence.
In summary, Qin Liusi was a person of little value, easily dismissed and therefore not worth the effort to befriend.
Thus, even when Madam Ding saw Qin Liusi seated alongside Qi Qian, she failed to recognize her. For one, Qin Liusi was dressed in men's attire, and secondly, her appearance had changed significantly since childhood.
Madam Ding merely found her vaguely familiar.
As Qin Liusi recalled, before leaving home, Li Dagui had mentioned that the old lady seemed to have sent an invitation, intending to pay a visit.
Yet now, this old lady was claiming to be going to Ningzhou Prefecture for a family reunion. Was this a deliberate avoidance? Was it intentional or unintentional?
Qin Liusi inclined towards the former.
She lowered her gaze, a smile playing at the corner of her lips as she raised her teacup. How intriguing.