Huh? Who would’ve thought the Bai Family’s Head Maid would be so professional, not only announcing her own name but introducing the “guest with a swapped surname” as well.
Clearly, her cheap dad had already contacted the Bai Family ahead of time, hadn’t he?
Su Wanli steadied herself, then placed her fingers in the waiting palm of Meng Huange, who had stepped out of the car just a moment before her. Trusting Meng Huange’s strength, Su Wanli stepped down to the ground, then offered a slight, courteous nod toward the woman standing on the steps—the Head Maid.
“Is Uncle Su already inside?”
“Master Su arrived a bit before Miss Wanli, and has already gone ahead to the reception.”
The Head Maid smiled politely at Su Wanli.
“However, he’s currently discussing matters with the family head in another room. It will be a while before he returns to the Yan Hui Ting. Would you like me to notify him for you?”
“Ah, there’s no need. I’m not really in the mood to see him right now,”
Playing the part of a willful daughter, Su Wanli gave the Head Maid a polite yet distant smile, then strode up the few steps in front of her.
“That Bai Family troublemaker—is he at the banquet as well? I want to find him.”
“If you’re referring to Bai Hewei, yes, he’s currently at the Evening Banquet, greeting the guests.”
The Head Maid discreetly rubbed her hands together, then courteously gestured toward the brown-haired girl beside Su Wanli.
“And this must be Miss Meng Huange whom Master Su mentioned? The Bai Family warmly welcomes your arrival. We hope you enjoy your time here.”
Before the Head Maid could finish her words, Su Wanli had already marched to the Bai Family’s front door and pushed it open.
Tang? People say the grounds outside are much bigger than the Sujia, but as for the Main Residence’s decor, there’s not much difference between the two families. The first thing that caught the eye was a grand spiral staircase, the walls lined with all sorts of hanging lamps, antiques, and calligraphy. Who knows if the Bai Family copied the Sujia, or the other way around?
Besides, though this wasn’t the main venue due to the banquet, there were still people dressed to the nines, standing around in twos and threes with wine glasses, occasionally smiling and sharing polite but insipid conversation.
However, once they saw Su Wanli, everyone instinctively turned away, pretending they hadn’t seen anything at all.
“Miss Wanli, Miss Meng Huange, the Yan Hui Ting is just the first room up on the Second Floor,”
The Head Maid smiled as she turned around, waving politely to Su Wanli’s quickly retreating figure.
“Forgive me, I have other guests to greet, so I won’t escort you further. I hope you both enjoy the festivities.”
Just as Meng Huange passed by the Head Maid, preparing to catch up to Su Wanli ahead, the Head Maid suddenly turned and gently tugged at Meng Huange’s sleeve.
“Also, Miss Meng Huange.”
“There’s a gift here for you from someone in the Bai Family.”
At these words, Meng Huange’s breath caught. She quickly looked up at Su Wanli, who was already moving up the steps.
At the end of the upstairs corridor, there was a maid pushing a White Cart with several glasses of Xiangtong Wine on top, making her way directly toward the corridor’s entrance.
The Head Maid gave Meng Huange a gentle smile, then gestured invitingly toward the upper floor.
“Please, if you would, pick up the pace a little.”
…So the Bai Family’s Yan Hui Ting was on the Second Floor. That meant after she finished teaching Bai Hewei a lesson, she couldn’t just run straight out the front door. She’d have to go down all these steps…
Luckily, she was wearing Feng Dice today. If she’d worn a fancy evening dress, she’d have tripped herself on these stairs on her way down.
Mulling over how she could beat a quick retreat after making her point, Su Wanli touched her chin, glancing idly around.
Come to think of it, she didn’t necessarily have to confront him at the front entrance, did she? As a top-tier young lady who didn’t play by the rules, she could totally steal a staff uniform from home, sneak in through the Side Door, and catch Bai Hewei by surprise at the Fragrant Osmanthus Pond.
…But, wasn’t that a little strange? Bai Hewei had already spread such ridiculous rumors about her. She should be furious and seeking revenge, but plotting all this in detail hardly fit the character she’d originally planned for herself.
No, she had to rein it in a little. Su Wanli, you’re someone who’s never had a single romance scandal in all your years here. Of course you’d loathe a guy like Bai Hewei, who’s been slandering your reputation. Now that you’ve gone through so much trouble to arrive at the banquet, you should march right in and make a scene! Let it all out!
Su Wanli took a deep breath, steadied her emotions a bit, then climbed the last of the delicate spiral staircase.
“Um, the young lady in front—please, wait a moment.”
Before Su Wanli could decide whether to kick open the Yan Hui Ting’s doors with one foot, she heard the sound of rolling wheels behind her.
She instinctively looked toward the sound, just in time to catch sight of a maid with a flustered expression, rushing forward with the White Cart laden with several glasses of Xiangtong Wine, speeding straight toward her.
No way, right? Is this really how that classic “serving tray disaster” scene starts?
I haven’t even entered the hall yet!
How humiliating—it seemed she was destined to embarrass herself before Bai Hewei could. This must be retribution for bullying the so-called “Halo” heroine in advance…
But in the next second, something moved even faster than the maid’s cart—the brown-haired girl in a School Uniform, just like Su Wanli.
“Wanli! Be careful!”
Meng Huange darted forward, yanking Su Wanli toward the Side Door and using her own body to shield her from the runaway cart.
“Ah, I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault! Luckily it was just wine—neither of you are hurt, right?”
Staring at the spreading wine stain by Meng Huange’s side, Su Wanli was stunned for a moment before immediately recovering, shouting at the maid behind Meng Huange:
“What’s wrong with you people at the Bai Family? Is this how you treat your guests!? Meng Huange, are you alright…”
“I’m fine, Miss Su.”
Meng Huange calmly shook her head, glancing down at her now wine-soaked School Uniform jacket.
“It’s just…you might need to wait for me a little while.”
“You! How do you do things here? Apologize to both ladies immediately!”
The Head Maid arrived late, scolding the maid beside her with a glare, then forced a gracious smile as she turned to Meng Huange.
“I apologize, Miss Meng Huange. This was entirely our fault. Please, come with me—I’ll find you a suitable change of clothes.”
Meng Huange paid no mind to the Head Maid’s words. She simply shrugged off her School Uniform jacket, flashed a small smile at Su Wanli, then waved her arm in the air.
“Wanli, remember what we talked about on the way here? A professional support always brings a backup outfit.”
She straightened up, cast a cool glance at the maids, then gave Su Wanli a formal bow.
“Excuse me for a moment. I’ll be right back.”