Chapter 554 - 286 Unavoidable_1
Qian Yixiu supported Lady Wu as they entered the Drooping Flower Gate, where a guiding Sister came over to ask which family they were from before leading them towards the main house. Their social status wasn’t high and their family background not outstanding; they would leave after paying their respects to the Eldest Princess. In the main house, not even a side room had a place for them to sit.
According to Sister Gong, such banquets often had many guests. The more esteemed or senior guests would sit in the main house, while those of less prominent families or younger age took their places in the side rooms. Many of the young ladies would not sit still in the rooms, preferring to play in the garden instead.
As the curtains of the main house were drawn, a rush of warm air mixed with a strong fragrance hit them in the face. Inside the hall, there were over a dozen noblewomen and several younger ladies, all adorned with jewels, their laughter continuous and delightful. On the golden Chinese cedarwood arhat bed laid with brocade cushions at the far end sat two elderly women with full heads of gray hair. The elderly lady on the left looked slightly plump with a kind and gentle appearance, while the one on the right was somewhat lean and exuded an air of authority. Both were dressed in phoenix robes and court makeup, clearly members of the royal family.
As soon as they entered, Madam Dan and Blue Bead took the cloaks off Lady Wu and Qian Yixiu.
Qian Yixiu cast a brief glance ahead and quickly lowered her eyes and composed herself. She was certain that the kind and gentle-looking elderly lady was Tai Feng, the Eldest Princess. It was said that Princess Zi Yang resembled her aunt, the Eldest Princess, although the circumstances of their lives were vastly different.
She supported Lady Wu as they followed the Sister up to the two elderly women. The Sister bowed her knees and reported, "Reporting to the Eldest Princess, reporting to the Former Consort, this is Madam Qian from Lord Xiangen Mansion, and this is Miss Qian."
Not only did the two elderly women take notice of them, but the chatter in the room ceased as well, with everyone’s attention turning to them.
Qian Yixiu gently squeezed Lady Wu’s hand to reassure her, telling her not to be nervous. They both kneeled and said, "We pay our respects to the Eldest Princess, we pay our respects to the Former Consort."
Only the softly pleasing voice of Qian Yixiu was heard, while Lady Wu struggled to voice her words, stuck in her throat.
The Former Consort looked them over scrutinizingly. The Eldest Princess, however, smiled with eyes curved into crescents and beckoned, "Yixiu, right? Just as pretty as Yueyue, come closer and let this old woman have a good look at you."
Qian Yixiu had no choice but to leave Lady Wu’s side and approach the Eldest Princess. Lady Wu immediately became somewhat at a loss, her body trembling slightly. Someone whispered quietly, "It’s not cold in this room; why is someone trembling?"