The porch in the middle of the lake had an octagonal roof and a jade interior. The porch contained calligraphy tables, ink, and paper, brushes, tea poys, chess tables, zither tables as well as other facilities. The porch was held by eight pillars and the owner was so meticulous as to think of building a green bridge in between each of the pillars, which would extend all the way towards the shore. The seats were situated along the bridges of each pillar.
There were two ends of the bridge and five seats on each end. Every guest would be seated on a long, cushioned bench.
Since everyone would be seated around the porch, they would not have to compete with each other for better seats which would give them a clearer view of the porch.
Of course… there was also a ranking system that was used for the allocation of seats.
The so-called ranking system ranked the heiresses according to their family background and reputation. Ever since history, men were usually positioned in the left while women were positioned in the right. That was how the Yin and Yang came about. Hence, the person seated on the most extreme right was the leader.
The owner said, “It’s almost time now. Please take a seat, everyone!”
The owner led the judges to one of the bridges before entering the porch and taking a seat.
There were designated seats for the judges on the porch.
At this moment, ten-odd waitresses clad in pink Cheongsam dresses appeared one after another and ushered the heiresses to their respective seats.
One of the waitresses walked towards Wen Xinya and said, “Miss Wen, please follow me.”
“Thank you!” Wen Xinya answered smilingly.
The waitress then led Wen Xinya onto one of the bridges and ushered her to the first seat from the right.
The waitress retreated politely.
Wen Xinya finally discovered that she was seated in the leader’s seat, directly next to the panel of judges. Lin Yingxin was seated on her left.
At this moment, she did not plan to look at Lin Yingxin, though she could sense that the latter was staring at her with animosity. Wen Xinya felt a cold shiver down her spine and goosebumps formed on her skin. However, she had no idea what thoughts Lin Yingxin was harboring.
Wen Xinya frowned slightly. Ever since she arrived at the Heiress’ Gala, she had a strange feeling about the people and the venue, all of which she found to be rather complicated.
What could Lin Yingxin and Xia Ruya be getting up to at such an event?
Du Ruoxin was such a vicious and sharp-tongued woman. How did Xia Ruya even offend her? She actually insulted Xia Ruya brazenly an in front of everyone.
Although the owner of Boya Pavilion and Wen Xinya’s grandmother were known as the most beautiful women of Capital city back then, Wen Xinya had never heard Old Mr. Mo mention about her before. How is the Mo Family related to her? Clearly, this person doesn’t seem too significant to Grampy. Yet, she actually complimented me in front of everyone and asked about Grampy’s health. This is definitely not a coincidence.
What is this? Does she harbor ill intentions towards me or what?
Wen Xinya glanced at the owner, who was seated in the judges’ seats in under the middle of the porch. Her eyes glistened before coming to a halt.
There’s no point in dwelling on this. Since I’m here, I shall settle down.
Wen Xinya slowly returned to her seat.
As soon as she did, she sensed numerous glances being shot at her. There was a clear animosity in their gazes. Wen Xinya finally understood what Si Yiyan meant when he told her that everyone at the gala could be her enemy.
At this moment, the beautiful Du Ruoxin rose from her seat slowly with a smile. However, she looked rather menacing because of how thin her lips were. “Madam, may I ask if the seats are arranged according to the reputation of every heiress here today?”
Du Ruoxin’s appalling question attracted everyone’s attention. Due to her ravishing and gorgeous appearance, she was undoubtedly a major competitor and threat in the eyes of the other heiresses. Hence, they paid more attention to her.
Instead of answering her question directly, the owner of Boya Pavilion asked, “Do you have an issue with it?”
Glaring daggers at Wen Xinya, Du Ruoxin pointed at her and asked, “Madam, are you just treating her better than the rest because she’s Old Mr. Mo’s granddaughter?”
What a bold and mean woman. She immediately targeted me.
Wen Xinya finally realized that Ye Feiyu was seated in between her and Du Ruoxin.
Wen Xinya was supposed to be ranked at the bottom in terms because of her family’s intellectual background. However, the owner of Boya Pavilion had to consider the esteemed status Old Mr. Mo held in the literary world.
Du Ruoxin’s agenda for pointing that out was unclear. Wen Xinya had no idea if Du Ruoxin harbored any ill intentions towards her.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruya, who was seated opposite Wen Xinya, smirked in a gloating manner while her emotions flowed out of her eyes. She was filled with an inexplicable sense of thrill when she heard the “lunatic” Du Ruoxin attacking Wen Xinya.
Lin Yingxin glanced at Wen Xinya from the corner of her eye with a tinge of maliciousness and vaunter.
The owner nodded and said, “Putting her family’s intellectual background aside, Wen Xinya has been taught by Old Mr. Mo himself and hence, she deserves to be assigned to that seat. Miss Du, do you still have any qualms?”
Du Ruoxin shook her head, though she still had a cold and aloof gaze in her eyes which made her look mean and standoffish.
Although everyone had accepted the reasonable explanation, they felt even more indignant and displeased with Wen Xinya.
Ye Feiyu leaned closer towards her and whispered, “Did… you offend her?”
Du Ruoxin was known as a lunatic in the circle, for she was extremely arrogant and sharp-tongued. Those who had offended her would definitely get a hard time.
She was obviously out to provoke Wen Xinya by asking that question.
Smiling wryly, Wen Xinya shook her head and said, “I only got to know her today.”
She was just attacking Xia Ruya just now and yet, she’s suddenly pointed the arrow at me. I really don’t know how I have offended her in any way. I’ve only spoken to her once.
“What are you guys gossiping about? Surely it can’t be about me?” Du Ruoxin gibed derisively with an aloof tone.
Ye Feiyu got a great shock and her face turned red, suddenly at a loss for what to do.
Du Ruoxin snorted with laughter as a look of contempt formed on her face.
Although Wen Xinya did not feel awkward or embarrassed because of what Du Ruoxin had said, her face stiffened and thought to herself, This Du Ruoxin is such a tough nut to crack. I can’t get along with her at all.
Du Ruoxin glanced at Ye Feiyu and Wen Xinya in a mocking manner before blatantly remarking sarcastically, “Badmouthing others behind their backs is not something that an upright person would do.”
