Chapter 2159: Unexpected

On this particular day, Fan Ruyin dispatched a letter to Qiao Xuan, expressing a desire to pay her a visit.

Qiao Xuan was left speechless.

Why did this individual persist in intruding? Hadn’t she made her stance clear previously?

Attempting to establish proximity, Fan Ruyin received no response whatsoever.

The excuse of “they all hailed from Anze Province” held no weight, especially not with Qiao Xuan. Fan Ruyin had been rebuffed once, and she should have gleaned a lesson from that.

“Ignore her. Inform her that I am preoccupied and cannot spare any time for a meeting. Advise her not to pursue this further!”

Primarily, Qiao Xuan harbored no desire to engage with Fan Ruyin, and secondly, her schedule was genuinely hectic. She couldn’t afford to squander time on someone like her.

Liqiu, with a stern countenance, personally conveyed Qiao Xuan’s message to Fan Ruyin. However, her demeanor exuded no warmth whatsoever, treating Fan Ruyin as if she were a stranger with whom she had little regard.

Had Fan Ruyin adopted a more affable demeanor, perhaps offering a smile and softening her approach, the outcome might have differed. Nonetheless, her enthusiastic approach was met with a cold rebuff, leaving her seething with anger.

Suppressing her anger, Fan Ruyin forced a smile. She intended to inquire with Liqiu about something, but Liqiu, lacking the energy to engage with her, dismissed her with curt words.

Never before had Fan Ruyin experienced such humiliation; she felt as though she might erupt with rage. If not for her knowledge of Shao Yunduan’s rising influence, she might have engaged in a heated argument with Liqiu. However, that awareness kept her in check.

Swallowing her fury, Fan Ruyin departed from the government office’s backyard. Upon returning to her residence, she found herself unable to contain her frustration. Coincidentally, a small mistake made by one of her maidservants provided her with an excuse to vent her anger, providing a measure of relief.

Awaiting news from her, Bai Ruirui anticipated good tidings but was dismayed to witness her mother’s state.

“Mother, this… how could this happen?”

“Who would have thought she’d be so ungrateful!” Fan Ruyin’s anger flared anew. “Humph, she believes herself superior now that she’s the prefectural magistrate’s wife. Little does she know, the more powerful Lord Shao becomes, the less favorable her position will be. She’ll come to regret her arrogance!”

Bai Ruirui’s expression shifted abruptly. “What? Madam Shao denies it?”

Fan Ruyin scoffed. “She didn’t even acknowledge my presence. Of course, she won’t admit it!”

In hindsight, both mother and daughter realized they had been overly optimistic, bordering on naive.

When Sun Pu’s army besieged the city, many residents sought avenues of escape. Fan Ruyin and Bai Ruirui staunchly supported Shao Yunduan, leveraging their connections with the Dong and Xi Families to vouch for him. Their efforts played a pivotal role in assuaging the populace’s fears.

They had anticipated that their actions would reach Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan, altering their perceptions of them. This expectation prompted Fan Ruyin’s decision to visit once more.

Confident in her approach, Fan Ruyin expected a warm reception from Qiao Xuan, perhaps even gratitude.

Fan Ruyin had resolved that upon receiving Qiao Xuan’s gratitude, she would remain humble and refrain from making any requests. She believed that establishing this positive rapport would pave the way for future opportunities.

However, Qiao Xuan’s demeanor remained unchanged, mirroring her previous indifference. Not only did she fail to acknowledge Fan Ruyin’s presence, but she also conversed with a maid in a manner devoid of any special attention.