Chapter 154: Keeping the Appointment

Su Baihan's expression was already somewhat unsightly, but restrained by the power and prestige of Princess Anping, she had to endure it and sat aside. Seeing Su Liluo smiling happily, she assumed the latter was secretly mocking her inside, and immediately said with a huff, "Sister, what brings you here to see the Princess?"

With a sullen face, Su Liluo replied, "Little sister, just sit quietly." Uninhibited in her speech, the only one who would lose face was the Prime Minister's Estate.

Choked by her words, Su Baihan found her all the more detestable. Princess Anping also disliked this demeanor of Su Baihan, completely devoid of the poise and cultivation expected of a young lady of a noble household. "If the Fourth Miss dislikes our conversation, I can have someone escort you back to the estate first."

Hearing this, she panicked. Having only just arrived with great difficulty, how could she be sent back so easily? She lowered her voice and said, "Princess, it was Han'er who was wrong just now. Please continue chatting with my sister, Princess; Han'er will just sit here quietly."

Only when she quieted down did Su Liluo finally breathe a sigh of relief. She wanted to discuss the matter of the resort villa with Princess Anping, but with Su Baihan planted there like a massive pillar, Su Liluo found herself unable to broach the subject.

She had no choice but to chat with Princess Anping about mundane, everyday matters. Evidently aware of the current situation, Princess Anping cooperated with Su Liluo by talking about trivialities.

The Heir of Annan had just returned to the Prince's Mansion and was preparing to check on his younger sister when he happened to see her maid hurrying toward the kitchen. He immediately called out to her, "Where are you rushing off to? Is my sister in her courtyard?"

Seeing that it was the Heir, the maid immediately curtsied. "This servant greets the Heir. The Princess is currently inside her chambers, keeping company with the Eldest Miss and Fourth Miss of the Su family. This servant has been ordered to the kitchen to fetch some pastries."

Hearing the name Su Liluo, the Heir of Annan's eyes lit up, and he eagerly asked, "The Eldest Miss of the Su family has come to see the Princess?"

"She arrived not long ago and is currently conversing with the Princess." Because of Princess Anping, the maids around her were extremely courteous to Su Liluo.

"I understand. You may go on ahead." Feeling his heart fluttering with excitement, the Heir of Annan immediately walked toward his own quarters. His personal attendant hurriedly asked, "Heir, Miss Su is right inside the room; aren't you going to go and greet her?"

"There's no rush for the moment." The Heir of Annan recalled how Su Liluo had tried to avoid him several times; if he could find a good excuse this time, she wouldn't be able to dodge him. With this thought in mind, he strode spiritedly toward the study.

The Heir of Annan picked up a newly finished painting from the table, and the attendant could only hurry along to keep up. The master and servant went straight to Princess Anping's quarters.

Hearing a maid paying her respects outside, Princess Anping winked at Su Liluo and said, "My older brother is here."

Su Liluo lowered her head, making it difficult for the others to read her expression. Su Baihan, however, focused her entire attention on the Heir of Annan as he hurried over. Upon seeing the handsome young man, her cheeks flushed bright red, and she took the initiative to curtsy first. "Han'er greets the Heir of Annan."

Princess Anping stared at her in astonishment for a moment before instantly recovering her composure. She rose to greet him, asking, "Why has Brother come over? Could it be that you knew Eldest Sister Liluo was here with me?" Her teasing gaze caused the Heir of Annan's face to flush red. He gave a light cough and exchanged a meaningful look with Princess Anping.

Approaching Su Liluo, he asked softly, "It has been quite some time since we last parted. Has the Miss Su been well?"

"Thank you for your concern, My Lord. Liluo has been very well. This is my fourth younger sister." Unable to withstand the Heir of Annan's passionate gaze, Su Liluo had no choice but to push Su Baihan forward.

With bashful shyness, Su Baihan lowered her head, occasionally lifting her eyes to gaze at the man standing before her. Her prettily flushed cheeks caused the Heir of Annan to swallow back the words he had intended to say. "Eldest Miss truly cherishes her younger sister."

Hearing this, Su Baihan immediately became displeased, though the other three completely disregarded her feelings, leaving her to nurse her grievances alone in the corner.

The Heir of Annan took out the painting he had prepared beforehand, looked at Su Liluo, and asked, "I acquired a painting a few days ago, and hearing that Eldest Miss Su was here, I thought I would invite you to help me appreciate and appraise it."

Feeling the blazing glare of anger from beside her, Su Liluo gently curved the corners of her lips. "You flatter me, My Lord. Liluo is not skilled in this field at all. Perhaps you would be better off asking my fourth younger sister to discuss it thoroughly with you."

Only then did Su Baihan look at the Heir of Annan with pleasant surprise. Disregarding whether Su Liluo's suggestion was intentional or accidental, she crossed over to his side in a few steps and whispered softly, "Would the Heir be willing to appreciate it with Han'er?"

As Su Liluo turned her head to speak with Princess Anping, the Heir of Annan could only offer a wry smile. "Then many thanks to the Fourth Miss."

"You and my sister can discuss it first, My Lord. The Princess still has some matters to talk over with Liluo, so we won't disturb you." Seizing this wonderful opportunity, Su Liluo immediately pulled Princess Anping out of the room. Left behind just like that, the Heir of Annan was left bewildered, but seeing the delighted Su Baihan before him, he had to summon his spirits to cope with her temporarily.

Eager to display her erudition, Su Baihan heaped every flattering and eloquent phrase she could think of onto the painting. Seeing that the Heir of Annan remained entirely silent, she assumed her words had deeply moved him. "My Lord, My Lord... did Han'er speak correctly?"

Not a single word had registered in his ears, so how could he possibly know whether she was right or wrong? He merely nodded blindly and said, "Yes, you spoke very well."

Hearing this, Su Baihan immediately laughed happily. "As expected, only the Heir truly understands Han'er's heart." Smiling triumphantly, Su Baihan watched as the Heir of Annan took a step back to put some distance between them, a rather awkward smile plastered on his face.

Inside the room, the two people harbored different thoughts. Princess Anping led Su Liluo to an adjoining side room where Jiang Nan had already been invited to wait. Hearing movement behind him, Jiang Nan turned his head, bowed, and offered his greetings. "This commoner greets Princess Anping and Eldest Miss Su."

"Boss Jiang is far too courteous. You might as well just call me Boss Su." Su Liluo covered her mouth and smiled merrily; Boss Jiang looked rather restrained today.

Guessing that the two of them had important business to discuss, Princess Anping took the initiative to speak. "Sister Liluo, it seems you and Boss Jiang have matters to discuss. I won't disturb you both; I'll keep watch outside for you so that if anyone approaches, I can warn you in time."

"There's no need to trouble the Princess; just casually send someone else," Su Liluo hastily urged. She lacked such immense fortune as to have Princess Anping serve as her guard.

"Sister is being foolish. If it were ordinary people, naturally I wouldn't need to stand guard. But the Fourth Miss is still right out there. If she bursts in here, at least I can buy Sister some time." This reasoning made sense. After a moment of hesitation, Su Liluo nodded in agreement.

"Very well, I shall heed the Princess." Su Liluo gave her a grateful look. Without further delay, knowing time was of the essence, Princess Anping closed the door, leaving this secluded space entirely to the two of them.

With only Jiang Nan and Su Liluo left in the room, the smile on Jiang Nan's face gradually faded. With a solemn expression, he asked, "I would like to ask Boss Su about a certain matter, and I request that you answer me truthfully."

"Why must Boss Jiang be so formal? If you have something to say, just speak your mind." Seeing him turn serious, Su Liluo no longer dared to jest.

"The items from Xuexiu—where did the formulas come from?" Jiang Nan looked intently at Su Liluo, fixing his gaze upon her as if trying to pierce straight into her heart. If she uttered even a single false word, he would...

Su Liluo's heart skipped a beat. Uncomprehending as to why he was bringing up this topic again, she tilted her head and smiled. "The formulas were given to me by an old friend. Is there some problem with that?" Unwilling to dwell on the subject, she met his suspicious gaze with a resolute look in her eyes, which he clearly took in.

Jiang Nan slowly began, "If that truly is the case, then Boss Su must be careful. Someone has already begun investigating the formulas for Xuexiu's products, and they seem exceedingly familiar with the goods inside Xuexiu. Who knows what their objective is, but it appears they want to find the owner of the formulas. Boss Su, you must be on your guard."

Once she had digested Jiang Nan's words, Su Liluo remained dazed for a long while. "Are Boss Jiang's words true? If it's real, how did you find out?"

Jiang Nan didn't show any anger. Frowning, he replied, "I only found out by chance. As Boss Su knows, Xuexiu has branch shops spanning north and south. It was only after the managers below reported it to me that I learned of this matter."