Chapter 996 - 425: Banquet (Part 1)
Yueyao accompanied the Empress Dowager for quite some time, and also stayed to have lunch at Cining Palace. After lunch, the Empress Dowager wanted to take a nap, so Yueyao then left the palace.
The news that Yueyao received special attention from the Empress Dowager and stayed for lunch spread quickly throughout the harem. Naturally, many paid attention to this. However, soon after, news came from Cining Palace that the Empress Dowager viewed Madam Lian almost like her own niece. Those who had other thoughts immediately stopped in their tracks. Cining Palace is like a fortress; if not for the Empress Dowager, no one dares to spread her words freely. It was clear that this was the Empress Dowager’s intention, showing she was protecting Madam Lian!
The trusted nanny beside the Empress Dowager massaged her as she smiled and said, "Empress Dowager, initially I thought Lady An was a reserved person, but it turns out she’s quite remarkable."
The Empress Dowager praised, "This girl is well-versed in knowledge, and her skills in painting and calligraphy are outstanding. I’m afraid few of those who pride themselves as scholars can match her. Shaoshao once said that this girl’s talents were enough to be Mingzhu’s teacher, and I thought she was exaggerating. Now thinking back, Shaoshao’s insight was indeed sharp. It’s a pity, this girl was born in the wrong era." As a woman, no matter how talented, she would still be confined to the inner quarters.
The nanny replied with a smile, "Although Lady An cannot serve in the court, her fame in painting and calligraphy is widespread, so it’s not entirely unfortunate."
The Empress Dowager lightly smiled, "After all, it was the boy from the An Family who had the vision to marry such a wife; it is his fortune."
Little did Yueyao know that the Empress Dowager held her in such high esteem. After returning to her residence, Yueyao removed the clothes and phoenix crown she was wearing and changed into her everyday attire.
Yueyao watched as Xi Yu carefully held the dress and smiled gently. Wearing such an outfit was a bit of a discomfort, but having the official title means she would stand out in social gatherings in the future.
In the evening, when An Zhichen returned, Yueyao spoke to him about hosting a banquet: "If you’re busy, you shouldn’t take leave. It’s not good to request leave frequently."
An Zhichen replied with a smile, "For such an important occasion, I certainly must take leave. Don’t worry, there’s nothing urgent at the Yamen, just some trivial matters."
This banquet was different from the last family gathering. Yueyao sent invitations to friends and relatives, including Princess Wanhe.
Zhuang Ruolan received Yueyao’s invitation and replied with a smile, promising to attend on the day of the banquet, saying that as a sister-in-law, she must attend such a grand event.
Cai Yi, overhearing, remarked with some envy, "Who would have thought Cousin Miss is now a Fourth Rank titled lady?" While her own master has only reached the Fifth Rank.
Zhuang Ruolan didn’t mind this at all. If she had, she wouldn’t have married Ma Peng given her status: "Military officials are different from civil officials. As long as a military official achieves military merit, they rise quickly, whereas a civil official, unless they are extraordinary, generally advance step-by-step." A civil official not only needs connections at court but also seniority, which can only be gained through years of diligent work.
Princess Wanhe also received Yueyao’s invitation and, like Zhuang Ruolan, immediately replied to the messenger, stating she would definitely attend the banquet.
Shu Zhu, the maid beside Princess Wanhe, glanced at the invitation, her eyes gleaming. In her impression, Yueyao was quite an arrogant person, but now she had undergone a dramatic change.
Princess Wanhe smiled and said, "Getting married changes things." All the troublesome matters in Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, if it was before marriage, given her temperament, she would have dealt with all those troublesome women long ago. But after marriage, she couldn’t act as freely, and had to consider many other factors.
Shu Zhu hesitated for a moment and asked, "Princess, no matter what, the Princely Heir did go to Ma’s Mansion to propose marriage back then. Although the marriage didn’t happen, shouldn’t you keep your distance from Madam Lian? Princess, wouldn’t it be better to avoid such situations?"
Before Princess Wanhe could respond, Nanny Li walked in, hearing this she sternly reprimanded, "Avoid what?" Nanny Li was a trusted aide of Princess Consort Duan, known for her capability and wisdom. Princess Consort Duan knew Princess Wanhe had high ambitions, and although it was Princess Wanhe’s marriage, she felt wronged. Fearing improper conduct, Princess Consort Duan specially assigned Nanny Li to Princess Wanhe.
In front of Princess Wanhe, Princess Consort Duan had told Nanny Li to exhort Princess Wanhe if she were to act improperly.
As Princess Consort Duan was Princess Wanhe’s biological mother, she naturally understood it was for her own good. Therefore, for many important matters, she would seek Nanny Li’s advice, and Nanny Li did indeed support Princess Wanhe in many ways. It could be said, without Nanny Li’s counsel, Princess Wanhe’s current good relationship with Guan Jingshuo wouldn’t have been possible. This was the first time Nanny Li had scolded Shu Zhu, the First-Class Maid, so sharply.