Chapter 2144: Opening the Situation
The esteemed guests, including both madams and young ladies, attended the banquet with evident enthusiasm.
For Qiao Xuan, the occasion presented an opportunity to assess and scrutinize each attendee, a sentiment shared by all present; nobody wished to miss out on such a significant gathering.
Qiao Xuan’s adeptness at social interaction put everyone at ease, fostering an atmosphere of conviviality.
Lord Shao’s petence and charisma, plemented by Madam Shao’s own charm, boded well for both Huaixi and the familial clans.
However, Qiao Xuan was taken aback to find Fan Ruyin and Bai Ruirui among the guests. The presence of the Fan family, with relatives in the provincial capital, explained their attendance.
Fan Ruyin’s thinly veiled attempt to flaunt her supposed special relationship with Qiao Xuan irked the latter deeply, eliciting a sense of disdain.
It appeared that her husband remained vigilant, as neither mother nor daughter found an opportunity to draw near him. Yet, their persistence in pestering Qiao Xuan was relentless.
Tolerating their presence now was akin to displaying them to others, providing them with a false sense of fort. In the past, Qiao Xuan would not have entertained them to this extent; she would have addressed the situation more firmly.
However, Qiao Xuan had her limits. If pushed further, she would not hesitate to draw the line.
In response to Fan Ruyin’s demeanor, Qiao Xuan maintained a polite yet distant demeanor, neither endorsing nor indulging her. She treated the relationship between their families as ordinary, devoid of any special significance.
There was no closeness between them, nor any underlying conflicts; that was the extent of their connection.
Observing Qiao Xuan’s posed response, the other madams exchanged knowing glances. They were astute enough to read between the lines.
Despite hailing from the same province as Madam Shao, Fan Ruyin’s exclusion from the guest list spoke volumes. Madam Shao’s discernible warmth towards others contrasted sharply with her apparent detachment from Mrs. Bai.
Such initial impressions mattered greatly; they offered insights into one’s character. And Madam Shao’s amiable disposition left a favorable impression on the gathered guests.
However, the palpable distance between Madam Shao and Mrs. Bai intrigued many, sparking curiosity. Upon returning home, they would undoubtedly seek to uncover the reasons behind Madam Shao’s apparent aversion, hoping to glean valuable lessons from the situation.
As the guests observed Mrs. Bai and her daughter, an unspoken consensus seemed to emerge—a subtle shift in perception, casting doubt on their worthiness of panionship.
If Fan Ruyin were to discover that her efforts had not only failed to bridge the gap but had instead fueled disdain, the blow to her pride would likely be unbearable.
Yet, she found herself powerless to alter the situation.
Their prolonged stay in the province had yielded no access to the corridors of power nor any audience with Shao Yunduan, leaving them in a state of impotence.
While Qiao Xuan harbored no fondness for them, Fan Ruyin perceived their encounter as a reunion with an old friend in unfamiliar territory. She presumed Madam Shao might require her assistance, fostering a false sense of closeness.
But Qiao Xuan’s steadfast resistance caught them off guard.
Bai Ruirui, too, sensed impending defeat. With each passing day, Shao Yunduan’s influence only grew stronger. How could they remain so vigilant in the face of their dwindling prospects?
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