Chapter 998 - 426: Banquet (Part 2)
For this banquet, Yueyao had been busy for quite some time. Yueyao was worried that she wouldn’t be able to greet all the guests by herself on the day of the banquet, so she specially invited Zhuang Ruolan to come and help.
On the day of the banquet, Zhuang Ruolan arrived early.
Yueyao went out to welcome Zhuang Ruolan into the house and said apologetically, "Sister-in-law, today I am going to trouble you." If Mingzhu were not pregnant, Yueyao would certainly have asked Mingzhu to help. Since Mingzhu was not available, the most ideal person was naturally Zhuang Ruolan.
Zhuang Ruolan smiled and said, "You silly girl, I’m happy that you’re willing to let me help you. There’s no need to talk about trouble." Being invited to help receive guests meant that Yueyao didn’t treat her as an outsider, seeing her as family.
Yueyao chatted with Zhuang Ruolan for a while, then a maid came in and reported, "Madam, Princess Wanhe has arrived."
Yueyao knew that Princess Wanhe would come, but didn’t expect her to arrive so early. Yueyao was a very perceptive person; she noticed that Princess Wanhe was much kinder to her, which puzzled Yueyao but she did not show it. It was a good thing for Princess Wanhe to show kindness, and there was no need to question why.
Zhuang Ruolan was surprised upon hearing that Princess Wanhe would attend the banquet. Everyone in the Capital City knew about the failed marriage proposal by the Heir to Marquis Yongding, yet here they were visiting as guests. Hmm, no, what’s strange is not that the Heir to Marquis Yongding is visiting, but why Yueyao would invite the couple.
While Zhuang Ruolan was pondering this, she saw Yueyao and Princess Wanhe walking in, talking and laughing. Zhuang Ruolan smiled softly, realizing she was overthinking.
Soon, guests began to arrive one after another. Zhuang Ruolan was somewhat surprised by the guests, as Yueyao indeed had a wide social network. Moreover, three of the Four Great Marquis Houses in the Capital City were present, with only Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion missing.
The Heir’s Wife from Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion was the last to arrive. Madam Yin planned to come early after breakfast, but Madam Lv insisted on coming along, and worst of all, she even brought Lady Xiao Fang. If she had a choice, Madam Yin really didn’t want to accompany Madam Lv, it was too embarrassing.
Yueyao looked at Lady Xiao Fang following behind Madam Lv, thinking Madam Lv was being foolish, bringing a concubine to a visit was not only embarrassing for herself but for Madam Lv as well.
Madam Lv brought Lady Xiao Fang with the intention of annoying Yueyao. However, when she arrived at the backyard and saw the distinguished guests, she began to regret it. She originally thought Yueyao’s guests would mostly be from the Ma Family and Lian Family, but she didn’t expect so many high-status guests to be present.
Lady Li and Lady of Marquis Jingning, among others, kept to themselves, not speaking. Others merely looked curiously at Madam Lv and the woman behind her. Only Princess Wanhe sneered at the sight of Lady Xiao Fang in her pink dress, deliberately asking Madam Yin, "Heir’s Wife, who might this be?"
Princess Wanhe was willing to show goodwill to Yueyao mainly because of her husband. Otherwise, given her status, others would clamor around her, not the other way around.
Madam Yin had internally scolded Madam Lv: "Commandery Princess, this is my second brother’s concubine."
Princess Wanhe mocked, "I’ve always heard that Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion has unique customs, and today truly opened this Commandery Princess’s eyes." Yueyao’s guests were invited because of her Imperial Decree status, not for an ordinary banquet, and under such circumstances, only official wives would attend, not concubines. Any family with the slightest bit of propriety knows this.
Madam Yin felt utterly embarrassed today.
Lady Xiao Fang was staring at Yueyao, her eyes revealing unwillingness and regret. She had been blinded by An Zhixiao’s sweet talk, ruining her life. Otherwise, it would be her in the spotlight now, holding the rank of an Imperial Decree Lady.
Most of those present were shrewd individuals, and the expression in Lady Xiao Fang’s eyes did not escape anyone’s notice. Though silent, their eyes clearly expressed disdain and contempt.
Yueyao noticed Madam Yin’s face turning somewhat red and, thinking of the Heir’s attentiveness to her husband, she stood and smilingly greeted Madam Yin and Madam Lv. After the two were seated, Yueyao spoke to Gu You beside her: "Take this Auntie down to the Steward’s Wife, and have her taken care of properly." She was surrounded by official wives, and having a maid around would be an unnecessary distraction.
The stage was set, and Yueyao led the guests to watch the performance. But suddenly, Princess Wanhe spoke up, "Madam Luo, Lady Li, Madam Lu, it’s all the same few shows over and over; I feel a little bored, don’t you?"