Chapter 1000 - 426: Banquet (Part 2)
Yueyao spent nearly a shichen to finally write four characters. It was also because there was a banquet now, otherwise Yueyao wouldn’t have only written four characters.
Madam Ping looked at the four characters Yueyao wrote. She had seen many good things, but she couldn’t help but praise this one: "Truly beautiful."
Princess Wanhe was even more direct: "Yueyao, last time you promised to give me a piece of calligraphy, but it hasn’t happened yet. This piece must be for me."
Before Yueyao could speak, Xi Juan walked in from outside and said: "Madam, the master said that if the young lady’s calligraphy is finished, please send it to the front yard."
Yueyao smiled and said to Princess Wanhe: "After they’ve seen it, I’ll give it to you." Then she instructed Gu Lan to send this piece out.
Nanny Hao saw that Yueyao had finished her painting, and went to her, saying: "Madam, the banquet is prepared, and it’s time to start."
Gu Lan handed the calligraphy to An Zhichen and said: "Master, this painting has been given to Princess Wanhe, and it should be returned to the backyard after the guests have seen it." This statement dashed any hope among those present of asking for the calligraphy later.
Most of the guests at this banquet were people Yueyao knew well, while a smaller portion were friends of An Zhichen. Although An Zhichen’s friends did not understand Plum Blossom Seal Script, they still found it intriguing.
Yueyao led the group to the dining hall. The hall was large, and setting four tables posed no problem.
Lady Li, being a senior, sat at the first seat, followed sequentially by Princess Wanhe, Lady of Marquis Jingning Madam Ping, then Yuebing, Madam Yin, Zhuang Ruolan, the Eldest Young Madam of the Duke of Lu’s Mansion, and the remaining seat was Yueyao’s.
Yueying and Yuehuan sat at one table. Yueying focused on chatting with Madam Wan, wife of Li Zhen, and paid little attention to Yuehuan seated beside her. In the midst of the conversation, Yueying casually glanced at the seats of honor, a trace of mockery in her eyes. Who claimed Yueyao was aloof and arrogant? How could someone who claimed to be aloof know more than half of the noblewomen in the Capital City? It was just false pride.
Families of high status observed the custom of not talking while eating and avoiding unnecessary conversation. Therefore, the meal was quiet. After the meal, the kitchen sent over sheep milk, serving each person a small bowl.
Princess Wanhe curiously asked: "What’s the purpose of this sheep milk?"
Yueyao responded with a smile: "The doctor said drinking sheep milk is good for your health, so I drink a small bowl every day after meals. I’ve kept this habit for years and seldom get sick."
Yuebing added with a smile: "Not only that, but washing your face with sheep milk makes it particularly smooth and tender. That’s how I maintain my skin."
The crowd looked at Yuebing’s smooth and fair skin, then at Yueyao’s skin, and without saying anything further, began drinking.
After the luncheon, the guests took their leave and headed home. Zhuang Ruolan, after helping Yueyao see off the guests, said with a smile: "Yueyao, when you have time, I’ll have Keyue come to learn from you."
Yueyao politely declined the request: "Sister-in-law, Plum Blossom Seal Script is very difficult to learn. It requires a foundation in calligraphy and painting, so it’s better not to let Keyue suffer through it." Yueyao had a special reason for mastering Plum Blossom Seal Script so well.
Zhuang Ruolan saw the clearly visible calluses on Yueyao’s hand and, after some thought, gave up. A young lady’s hands are as important as her face. Yueyao was not walking the usual path, and the cost of the unusual path was equivalently high.
Yueyao handed the rubbings to Zhuang Ruolan: "Plum Blossom Seal Script is difficult to learn, but Keyue can try tracing it. After three to five years of kung fu practice, Keyue’s writing will certainly be very beautiful."
Zhuang Ruolan recalled that Lady Xiao Ma had asked Yueyao for this rubbing years ago and Yueyao had not given it. But now, Yueyao lent it to her without hesitation, and Zhuang Ruolan appreciated this gesture: "Alright then, I won’t stand on ceremony. Once Keyue has learned well, I will return this to you."
Yueyao nodded.
Princess Wanhe returned to the Princess’s Mansion and took out the calligraphy to show Guan Jingshuo: "Husband, what do you think of Sister Yueyao’s writing?"
Guan Jingshuo nodded: "Very good, it’s already reached a first-class level." Guan Jingshuo had seen the painting Yueyao gifted to Tingyi, and this one had even reached a higher level. Guan Jingshuo looked forward to seeing where Yueyao would be in ten years. Hopefully, marriage wouldn’t cause her to neglect her skills.
Princess Wanhe pondered a little and said with a smile: "Husband, do you have any regrets in your heart?"
Guan Jingshuo was somewhat puzzled: "Regret about what?"
Princess Wanhe joked: "Of course, regretting that Sister Yueyao refused the proposal back then..." She stopped saying more. To say too much would have a counterproductive effect.