Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard Chapter 61.1

First Time Gathering (1)

T/N: Chapter (2/2) sponsored by Rika! Thank you for sponsoring! This chapter is rather fun, MC making some new friends. Also this will be split into 5 parts too, I think all the chapters in the second arc are probably around the same length so just assume they'll all be split into 5 parts. I want to try to get through this chapter quickly since ML comes back at end of next chapter, though he doesn't fully show up until the following chapter. I'm really missing his interactions with MC.

"You bring her? Pfft, aren't you overestimating yourself too much?" Du Ke Hui looked to Du Xiao Li's calm face, as if those words weren't said by her, and instantly burst into laughter.

"Third sister, the people going tomorrow are all young ladies and young masters of status, bringing fifth sister along isn't suitable." Du Ke Xin said.

"Isn't she our fifth sister? What's there to be inconvenient about?" Du Xiao Li said.

"Enough, Ke Xin, tomorrow, bring Xue Qi along too." Du Yun Han spoke, making the decision final.

"Master, it's better to not let Xue Qi go." Third yiniang looked to Du Yun Han and said.

"It's fine. Besides, Xue Qi is already this big, and no matter what she is also my daughter. Even if she's shu born, her status is still nobler than others, why can't she go? Alright, this matter is settled." Du Yun Han said.

Hearing Du Yun Han's assertive tone, everyone all stopped speaking about this topic. The atmosphere at the table was also not as harmonious as before.

During the latter half of the meal, Du Ke Xin continuously shot her glares, but Du Xiao Li directly ignored her. If looks could kill, then she would've already died more than ten times in her past life.

"Thank you, third sister." Du Xue Qi sweetly smiled at Du Xiao Li. 

"No need to thank." Du Xiao Li patted Du Xue Qi's hand, "Continue eating." 

"Big sister, after eating, can I go look for you?" Du Xue Qi asked, blinking her large eyes.

"Xue Qi, after eating, it'll already be very late. Your third sister needs to rest, don't go bothering her." Third yiniang said.

"But I heard father say big sister's courtyard has wolves, I want to go see what wolves look like." Du Xue Qi said with a pout.

As soon as third yiniang heard Du Xue Qi wanted to go see wolves, she panicked and directly said, "No." 

"Big sister's courtyard is still somewhat messy, and it's also somewhat late tonight. How about this, later when there's time, come over to big sister's courtyard then." Du Xiao Li said.

"Okay. Then, later when I have time, I'll go." Du Xue Qi obediently said.

"This fifth miss seems quite intimate with third miss, unlike before, where she's usually very quiet. Could it be because their births are more or less the same?" At this time, fifth yiniang spoke in a strange tone.

(T/N: Omg I just found the idiot one of the concubines.)

Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui inwardly snickered, while Du Yun Han directly slapped the table, berating her, "Shut your mouth!"

Third yiniang's complexion turned somewhat ugly and got up, "Master, I feel slightly unwell, and will return first."

"En, go back and rest then." Du Yun Han looked to third yiniang, his tone softening quite a bit.

Third yiniang curtsied towards everyone and directly left.

"No matter what, Xie Yu still entered before you, no sense of manners. In the next ten days, just stay in your courtyard and properly reflect on yourself! Hmph!" After Du Yun Han finished saying this, he too got up and left.

Du Xiao Li looked to Du Yun Han's angry appearance, feeling somewhat suspicious inside. This Xie Yu should be third yiniang's name. Fifth yiniang's words were indeed unpleasant, but why did Du Yun Han get that angry? 

After dinner, Du Xiao Li returned to her courtyard and had Ying Ge called over.

"Ying Ge, go investigate third yiniang's background." Du Xiao Li said.

"Third yiniang? Why does miss want to investigate her?" Ying Ge asked in confusion.

"I noticed my father's attitude towards third yiniang seems somewhat strange. While you're at it, have fourth yiniang and fifth yiniang investigated too." Du Xiao Li was still thinking about Du Yun Han's attitude at the time, as well as Xie Yu's reaction, feeling there was definitely something in the middle.

"Yes, miss." Ying Ge complied.

At this time, Xia Yuan came in carrying a pile of clothes, saying: "Miss, which outfit are you going to wear out tomorrow?" 

"It's just a bunch of official families' young masters and young ladies gathering, what are you doing bring over this many clothes? Just randomly pick one." Du Xiao Li said, afterwards reached into the pile and randomly fished out a dress, saying: "Alright, this one." 

"Miss, this one looks too monotone." Xia Yuan somewhat disproved.

The outfit Du Xiao Li picked was the most inconspicuous in both style and color of the pile. If she goes out wearing this one, will she get laughed at by the others?

"Miss's clothes are all made for her by someone hired by young master Luo Qi. Even if it's this one, it's still something that others can't even imagine." Ying Ge said.

"Alright, we've been busy all day today, prepare to take a bath and then go to sleep." Du Xiao Li somewhat wearily said.

"Yes, the bath water has already been prepared." Xia Yuan replied.

Du Xiao Li felt she's now been too spoiled by the two of them. In the past, everything was all done by herself. But now, they even stress over her clothes.

After taking a bath, Du Xiao Li went to bed. Xia Yuan and Ying Ge were both kicked to bed by her. Today, the busiest was still those two girls. Although they both had martial arts skills, they would still feel weary.

Du Xiao Li sat on the bed, first circling her inner energy around her body three times. This was something she needed to do every night, only going to sleep after she finished. 

Early next morning, Du Xiao Li got up. Right outside the back door of her courtyard was the riverside. She held onto Silver, while Xia Yuan held onto Gold, and the two leapt across the little river.

(T/N: I feel like a fully grown wolf would be just as big as her----)

"Silver, it's been hard on you two these days. Getting holed up in the horse carriage everyday must be very uncomfortable. Today, you two can let loose and run around. Go then." Du Xiao Li patted Silver's back, and Silver ran off. Seeing Silver run, Gold also followed over.

"Miss, it's best you go back and prepare sooner, else you won't have time later." Xia Yuan reminded. 

"What's the hurry, it's still this early right now. They won't go this early." Du Xiao Li said, "Xia Yuan, say, after we buy this land, what should we plant here?" 

"Miss wants to plant something here?" Xia Yuan asked.

"I still haven't decided." Du Xiao Li said, "I'd planned on using it for Silver and them to play around in, but this looks too spacious and empty, so why don't we plant some things on top. However, planting trees and whatnot don't seem too ideal."

"Actually, it's perfectly fine like this right now. Once we have the place fenced in, it'll look different." Xia Yuan said.

"En, you're right. Once father has this place bought, find someone to have this place fenced in. In the future, Silver and them can just directly live here and don't need to squeeze into that small courtyard. Whenever I have time, I'll bring them to stroll those mountains over there." Du Xiao Li looked to the mountains in the distant. That place, Silver and them should like.

"Ah, there's actually wolves!"

Just when Du Xiao Li and them were discussing about this fence, a voice suddenly came through.

"How come there are wolves here?" Another startled voice sounded. Looks like the two were both quite frightened.

"Neigh--"

"Ang---"

"Not good, the horses stopped!"

"Awoo...."

"Ah!"

Because Silver and Gold had already ran far ahead, hearing the clamor, Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan quickly ran over. Before they even approached, they already saw two startled horses running over. On top, sat two young ladies. 

"Ah, Liu Xia, what to do?" The young lady on the horse in front seemingly didn't know martial arts. She called out to the person on horseback behind her in fear.

"Pull the reins and let the horse slow down, else I can't catch up to you!" The girl in the back shouted. 

"Ah---"

Having its reins pulled, the horse's front hooves left the ground, and its entire body leaned backwards. The person on the horse got flung off and was about to land on the ground. 

"Xia Yuan." Du Xiao Li shouted.

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