Chapter 786 Wei Shibu’s Banquet

Chapter 786: Wei Shibu's Banquet

Yu Mingzhu lowered her eyes and handed over the invitation.

Surprisingly, she didn’t pull any tricks.

She seemed genuinely more subdued this time.

Xingxing remained expressionless as she took the invitation, opened it, and saw that it was issued in Yu Mingzhu’s own name, inviting her to a banquet at Prince Cheng’s manor.

Xingxing closed the invitation and set it aside, politely declined Yu Mingzhu’s invitation on the grounds of being preoccupied with family matters recently.

Yu Mingzhu’s face showed a wounded, embarrassed expression. She stole a glance at Wei Shibu, lightly worrying her lower lip with her teeth, the picture of wronged hesitation.

Wei Shibu’s expression darkened slightly, but he smiled and said, “However busy the Princess might be, surely there’s time for a meal. In a couple of days, I’ll host a small banquet in the palace to invite my second brother and the Princess, as a reunion after so many years apart… Would the Princess do us the honor?”

Xingxing studied Wei Shibu.

She suddenly asked, “Has Your Highness consulted Prince Cong about this?”

“Of course, I’ve already received my second brother’s agreement. He said he would attend on time.” Wei Shibu’s eyes shifted slightly.

Xingxing had her answer.

Most likely, Wei Shibu had indeed invited Wei Shiyan but hadn’t mentioned that she would also be invited.

No wonder he seemed uneasy when she asked.

Xingxing thought wryly but smiled faintly. “In that case, I’d be delighted to accept.”

Wei Shibu looked at Xingxing, feeling that after not seeing Princess Fusui for some time, she seemed different again.

To be honest, Wei Shibu’s feelings were quite complicated.

At first, he hadn’t given Xingxing a second thought.

Later, he noticed that Empress Nie increasingly favored Yu Xingxing, and his third elder brother, Wei Shiyu, was also close to her. At that point, Wei Shibu began to reconsider her importance.

But when he tried to subtly show his goodwill, she brushed him off completely!

This left Wei Shibu mortified, even making him wonder if Yu Xingxing was not right in the head.

Fortunately, not long after, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Xinguo’s household “coincidentally” crossed paths with him. Given the Duke of Xinguo’s influential status among the nobility, Wei Shibu naturally “fell in love” with her and successfully petitioned Emperor Jiazheng for their marriage.

Honestly, during that period, Wei Shibu strutted about, feeling on top of the world.

He had secured an immensely powerful matrimonial alliance.

But Wei Shibu never expected that Yu Mingzhu was actually an impostor—the true eldest daughter of the Duke of Xinguo was none other than Yu Xingxing, who had always kept her distance from him!

At this thought, Wei Shibu’s eyes turned cold, and he said coolly, “Very well. I shall await the Princess’s gracious presence then.”

Wei Shibu left with Yu Mingzhu.

Once outside the Yu residence, they entered the carriage.

Inside the spacious carriage, Wei Shibu looked Yu Mingzhu over carefully, his expression somewhat unreadable.

If given the choice, he would undoubtedly pick the genuine article over this impostor…

But the imperial edict was already set in stone. Back then, the fifth prince had tried to stir up trouble, nearly derailed everything. Both their mothers were demoted in rank, and years of effort almost came to nothing.

Wei Shibu knew then that his betrothed could only be Yu Mingzhu—the one he had personally declared to Emperor Jiazheng as his "true love" when seeking the marriage decree.

As for Yu Xingxing? That wasn't even an option!

Previously, Wei Shibu had even wondered if Yu Xingxing was being saved by his parents for the third prince.

But now, it seemed she might not be meant for the third prince after all...

Wei Shibu's eyes gleamed with calculation.

The carriage wheels rolled over the cobblestones, the cabin quiet.

After a long while, Yu Mingzhu finally spoke softly, "Fourth Prince..."

Her brows furrowed with subtle worry. "I won’t hide it from you, Fourth Prince. That invitation wasn’t my idea—it was Dowager Princess Cheng’s. But as you saw, Princess Fusui is too high and mighty. She wouldn’t even accept my invitation."

Wei Shibu replied gently, "You are my future wife. Of course, I’ll help you. Here’s what you can do: go back and tell Dowager Princess Cheng that when the time comes, you’ll bring Princess Daiyue from the Cheng residence along. That should give Dowager Princess Cheng something to show for it."

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes lit up with delight. She murmured sweetly, "Thank you, Fourth Prince. You’re always so good to Mingzhu."

Wei Shibu visibly soaked up her gratitude and praise, letting out a pleased chuckle.

Yu Mingzhu continued to flatter him with sweet talk, coaxing him into such high spirits that he personally escorted her to the gates of the Cheng residence before returning to the palace.

Of course, the Cheng household noticed everything.

Yu Mingzhu stepped out of the carriage and hurried straight to Dowager Princess Cheng’s courtyard.

Dowager Princess Cheng looked at her fondly and instructed the servants to bring Yu Mingzhu a bowl of nourishing bird’s nest soup. "I knew you’d be back soon, so I had the kitchen keep it warm for you. Come, have some first and rest well."

Yu Mingzhu's eyes glistened with tears. "Your Highness, you’re so kind to me..."

Only after Yu Mingzhu finished the soup did Dowager Princess Cheng inquire about the outcome of her errand.

Yu Mingzhu lowered her head guiltily. "Your Highness, I’ve failed you. The princess refused."

Dowager Princess Cheng's face briefly fell, but she sighed without anger. "It’s not your fault. I’ve heard Princess Fusui is quite good at staying out of the spotlight—she declines almost all invitations."

Yu Mingzhu pressed her lips together, then said gently, "But I thought, since Your Highness specifically asked, there must be a reason... So I went to beg the Fourth Prince. Fortunately, he managed to secure Princess Fusui’s attendance. He told me there will be a banquet in the palace to entertain Prince Cong and Princess Fusui, and that I should go with Princess Daiyue."

Dowager Princess Cheng hadn’t expected such a turn of events and lit up with happiness. "Good, very good! Mingzhu, you’re truly my dear granddaughter."

She affectionately smoothed Yu Mingzhu’s stray hairs. "The Fourth Prince treats you so well. I’ll prepare a gift from my personal collection for you to give him."

Yu Mingzhu agreed softly and then personally massaged Dowager Princess Cheng’s legs for a long while, only leaving after the elderly woman dozed off.

Back in her own room, Yu Mingzhu sat on her bed, her ever-present gentle smile disappeared. Her eyes went cold, sharp with malice.

Yu Xingxing... Yu Xingxing!

...

Bai Xiaofeng made time to visit Yu Xingxing.

Yu Xingxing had been relaxing in a rocking chair, but she quickly stood when Bai Xiaofeng arrived. "Auntie, what's the occasion? If you needed anything, you could’ve just had a maid summon me to your courtyard."

Bai Xiaofeng held up a dress. "You were away for some time, and I was at loose ends, so I made this for you. But when you returned, I noticed you’d grown taller, so I took it in. Come on, Xingxing, try it on."

With the Yu family now larger, seasonal clothing had become a big job. Yu Yongbai set up an in-house sewing team within the estate, with all needlework handled by the embroiderers in the team.

But Bai Xiaofeng still enjoyed making clothes for Xingxing from time to time.

In the entire household, only Wei Pozi, Xingxing, and the family’s precious little Miao Miao received this special treatment.

Oh, and recently, Yu Yongliu had married Qing An. It was Bai Xiaofeng’s first time being a mother-in-law, and she had considered making a dress for Qing An. But she worried that the noblewoman might have seen all kinds of fine things and might turn up her nose at it. The thought made her uneasy.

After wrestling with it, Bai Xiaofeng ultimately didn’t make the dress.

Xingxing took the exquisitely embroidered skirt, moved but also worried. She traced the delicate embroidery with her fingers. "Auntie, this embroidery is stunning. This must have been hard on your eyes."

Bai Xiaofeng chuckled and urged Xingxing to try it on.

Xingxing carried the dress into the inner chamber and soon emerged, twirling like a flower in bloom.

"Auntie, how does it look?"

Bai Xiaofeng watched the flower-like young girl wearing the dress she had made, and her heart swelled with pride.

"Beautiful! Our Xingxing is like a flower—everything looks good on you!"

"Oh, stop! It’s all thanks to Auntie’s skillful hands. The dress itself is gorgeous!"

They kept gushing over each other, making the attending maids bite back giggles.

Bai Xiaofeng circled Xingxing once more. "Hmm, the waist is a little loose. I’ll take it in by half an inch."

Xingxing ducked back inside to change.

Bai Xiaofeng folded the garment and handed it to her accompanying maid. Then it hit her, and she leaned closer to Xingxing, lowering her voice.

"...Oh, there’s one more thing. Xingxing, have you noticed how weird your fourth brother’s been acting lately?"

Xingxing blinked. "Huh?"

Bai Xiaofeng whispered, "He’s been acting downright odd—sitting alone, scowling one second, grinning the next. I can’t figure him out. Maybe you could check on him later and see if there’s something wrong with his..." She rapped her knuckles against her head. "...brain."

"..."

Xingxing had a hunch. Her fourth brother’s brain was probably fine—he was probably lovesick.

But... this wasn’t her place to explain to her aunt.

Xingxing said tactfully, "Auntie, I might know what’s up. It’s probably not a bad thing. Maybe you should ask him yourself?"

Seeing Xingxing’s cautious expression and hearing that it wasn’t anything bad, Bai Xiaofeng’s face lit up as if she had realized something. She smacked her thigh. "Then I’ll go ask him!"

With that, Bai Xiaofeng hurried off again.

Xingxing giggled to herself.

Soon enough, they’d probably have a new sister-in-law.

Time really flew.

It felt like just yesterday that Wei Pozi had found her and brought her to the Yu family, where she played behind her brothers.

Now, in the blink of an eye, she and her brothers had all grown up. And her brothers had all taken wives.

At that thought, Xingxing's face suddenly flushed red.

She gently patted her cheeks.

Enough of that!

Marriage? That's ages away!

...

Wei Shibu hadn't yet been granted his princely title and resided in the imperial princes' quarters, with his own small palace residence.

On this day, he hosted a small banquet in his personal palace residence.

Wei Shibu hadn't expected that his second elder brother, who always seemed so aloof, would be the first to arrive—he had assumed he would be the last.

Wei Shibu eagerly ushered Wei Shiyan to his seat in the hall: "Second Brother, this way. I've prepared this year's freshly harvested Misty White Tea. Please taste it and see if it suits your palate."

Wei Shiyan took a sip from the teacup and said simply, "Not bad."

Wei Shibu smiled. "I'm glad it suits your taste, Second Brother. I worried it might not suit you since you've been cultivating in the mountains for so long."

Wei Shiyan replied indifferently, "No need."

Just then, a voice rang out from outside the hall: "Fourth Brother, you'd actually serve Misty White Tea to guests? You're awfully generous to Second Brother! Pour me a cup too!"

The speaker was the third prince, Wei Shiyu.

Wei Shiyu entered the hall laughing boisterously.

As soon as he stepped in, he shot Wei Shiyan a wink. "Second Brother, you might not know this, but Misty White Tea is only a pound produced each year. The Emperor doles it out as favors, and it runs out quickly. Last time I asked for some, he refused, saying I'd be like a bull chewing peonies if I drank it... Today, thanks to you, I get to enjoy it at Fourth Brother's place."

With that, Wei Shiyu poured himself a cup without hesitation and knocked it back.

After drinking, he smacked his lips and commented, "...A bit bitter. Meh. Not as good as fruit wine."

Wei Shibu thought with disdain.

No wonder His Majesty said he was like a bull chewing peonies.

But outwardly, Wei Shibu kept up his cheerful act and instructed the servants to bring some fruit wine.

Wei Shiyu made himself comfortable, plopping himself down next to Wei Shiyan without ceremony.

He glanced around and asked, "Huh? Where's Fifth Brother?"

Wei Shibu stiffened slightly.

His third brother was clearly feigning ignorance!

Ever since their father reprimanded them—along with their mothers—over the imperial marriage decree, Wei Shiqi had gradually distanced himself from Wei Shibu.

The two had once been inseparable, so even the slightest estrangement was glaringly obvious.

Yet Wei Shiyu had to go and ask so bluntly, making Wei Shibu feel his third brother was deliberately embarrassing him.

Wei Shibu was mainly throwing this banquet for his second brother, Wei Shiyan. But as imperial siblings, he couldn't very well play favorites, so he had sent invitations to all his elder brothers, including the Crown Prince's residence—though Wei Shiqing, as the busy Crown Prince, couldn't attend, he had sent a gift instead.

Fortunately, Wei Shiyu just muttered to himself, and Wei Shibu, with a stiff face, didn't respond. He didn't mind either. Between bites of pastry, he started chatting with Wei Shiyan about the new Western novelty he had recently acquired: "...It's quite fascinating! It's called, uh, a music box. The little dancer spins by itself inside the tin box, and there's this very peculiar melody! I heard it's the hottest new thing in the capital, and all the girls are crazy about it!"

Wei Shiyan's interest was slightly piqued, and he asked, "...Where did you get it?"

Hearing that his usually aloof Second Brother was curious about something that appealed to young ladies, Wei Shiyu got excited: "Second Brother, you want one too? I’ll take you out of the palace to buy one later!"

Wei Shiyan nodded: "Alright."

Wei Shiyu grew even more enthusiastic: "Then after we finish eating at Fourth Brother’s place, I’ll take you out? Second Brother, I’m not bragging, but I know almost all the fun spots in the capital! I'll show you an awesome time!"

Wei Shiyan agreed to everything: "Alright."

Wei Shibu clenched his jaw.

He was the host of this gathering, yet these two brothers were chatting away so animatedly, acting like he wasn't even there!