693 Xiao Qiang

The moment Princess Hu appeared, everyone stood up and bowed. Greetings the Imperial Family has always been very annoying as they had to greet her very politely. After a round of formalities, Princess Hu waved her hand, indicating that they were allowed to stand up.

"Please have a seat everyone. Today is your day to show your talent. I'm only here to watch." Princess Hu smiled faintly.

Nan Hua could remember that Princess Hu once sent a letter to Nan Family Residence, asking for her to attend the tea party that Princess Hu hosted. Unfortunately, the real Nan Hua was away at the very front of the battlefield at that time. And most of the people were actually worried about the war.

Ku could only drink the poison and caused news to spread that First Young Miss Nan was sick. That way, she didn't have to attend the tea party that Princess Hu hosted at all.

However, this tea party received bad light in the eyes of many others.

After all, everyone was busy thinking about how to handle the war that threatened their lives but Princess Hu still had the time to think about party. How could they possibly think that this princess was up to something good?

Princess Hu's reputation hadn't been very good.

But no one dared to openly slight her.

At least, on the surface.

It was actually quite similar to what happened with the previous princess as they wanted to look down on her. However, they didn't dare to offend the Imperial Family on the surface and simply acted as if they were polite on the surface.

It was as simple as that.

"Please eat with ease, everyone."

"Many thanks for your kindness, Your Highness."

"Your Highness is very generous."

And there were many other praises that entered Princess Hu's ear before they all started to eat. At this time, Princess Hu swept her gaze across the area before locked onto Nan Hua. In fact, Nan Hua was already lowering her presence.

But because Princess Hu hated her so much, it was very easy for her to spot the 'enemy' even with just a few glances.

Her grip on the cup turned harder.

Princess Hu originally planned on humiliating Nan Hua in that tea party back then. However, it hadn't been going too well because someone actually poisoned Nan Hua at that period of time. This caused all of her plan to be thwarted. She could only use that tea party for other purposes.

But it had caused her reputation to plummet lately.

Not to mention, she was already at marriageable age and would definitely be married away next year. Even if she wanted to delay because her body was 'weak' there was a limit to how long she could delay it. There was not much time left for her to do anything even if she wanted to.

'What can I do now?'

Nan Hua's appearance surprised Princess Hu. But since she was already given such a big chance right in front of her eyes, how could she not take it? The problem left was only how to use it well.

'Call her up?'

While Princess Hu was eating with her mind full of so many things, Nan Hua was simply eating by following the etiquette. She didn't have much appetite, but she had been taught to eat simply to fill her stomach. What was the use of appetite?

All she had to do was to remember that she needed to eat and the food would naturally be swallowed.

It didn't take long for the lunch to end. The girls began to chat with each other in low voice and some even tried to get close to Princess Hu. Whilst her reputation hadn't been good lately, she was still part of the Imperial Family and it naturally meant that she garnered respect no matter where she went.

"First Young Miss Nan is good at etiquette," Xiao Qiang said in a low voice, striking a conversation.

Nan Hua nodded faintly. "Third Young Miss Xiao is not bad either."

"I haven't seen you much in the parties." Xiao Qiang had a smile on her face. She looked rather amiable and easy to talk with. "However, there hasn't been any good party to attend lately. Everyone's attention has been on the war. It's a good thing that we manage to win, but the losses are quite big."

Nan Hua could see that Xiao Qiang was trying to strike a conversation with her and probably befriend her. There was a saying to not slap a smiling face. There was nothing wrong with talking a bit more with her.

"The soldiers are defending the frontline to protect their families. Losses are unfortunate, but it's unavoidable."

"You're right. Rather than thinking about parties, it'll have been better for one to focus more on the matter of the nation."

"There are not many people who think the same as you, Third Young Miss Xiao."

Xiao Qiang chuckled lightly. "I'm sure that there are more people like me. They didn't say what they're thinking because it's not a convenient matter to talk about."

"That's true."

Looking at the young girl in front of her, Xiao Qiang smiled faintly. She had already seen Nan Hua from time to time, but hadn't had the time to talk properly with the other party. The rumors that spread about the first young miss of Nan Family didn't seem to be accurate at all.

However, Xiao Qiang said nothing about that.

The two of them proceeded to discuss about the condition after war and what the ladies could actually do. There was not much that they could actually do, but the few things they could do would be related to the shop they have.

Women were given shops as dowry when they were married away.

Those shops could give some discount for war refugee. That way, it could also help them economically. After all, life hadn't been easy for them.

"That's a really good idea." Xiao Qiang was amazed that how Nan Hua thought about this matter. She smiled brightly. "I should discuss about it with my mother when I go back home later. First Young Miss Nan is amazing."

"Third Young Miss Xiao is exaggerating. I only have the thought but I can't do much myself," Nan Hua replied humbly.

Of course, she would not say that Dark Moon Organization was actually taking care of those children in exchange for them giving information. Many children were given place to stay and also chance to study but they would have to give information from time to time through secret methods that had been taught.

They would only come into contact with one mediator and naturally didn't know the real person behind the scene.

Xiao Qiang chuckled. "What one can do depend on their circumstances. I wouldn't be able to blame you for not doing more, First Young Miss Nan."

Nan Hua nodded.

The two of them actually wanted to talk more, but Princess Hu called everyone to pay attention to her. When Nan Hua saw Princess Hu's gaze, she instantly knew that Princess Hu was going to use this chance to target her.

It seemed that Princess Hu really hate her that much.