Chapter 17: The Banquet

Chapter 17: The Banquet

Madam Wei's banquet was the source of Zhao Wan's greatest displeasure.

A month ago, she had brought her cousin Su Yingxue over, but who would have thought that this pampered cousin of hers was so useless, not even knowing how to please a man. After delivering a tonic soup to Wei Xun, she was dismissed and barred from the outer study thereafter.

"Cousin, Madam Wei is looking for a match for the Heir Apparent. What am I to do?"

Su Yingxue was extremely anxious. Since she had seen Wei Xun, her heart had been completely captivated by him.

Su's father held a minor seventh-rank official position, and Su Yingxue could only marry the son of a minor official of the same rank in the future, which was incomparable to Wei Xun.

Moreover, what she didn't say was that Zhao Wan's family background and looks paled in comparison to hers, yet she could marry into the Marquis of Anning's residence as the main wife. How could Su Yingxue, who was so arrogant, tolerate this?

Zhao Wan lowered her head and flicked her well-maintained nails, rolling her eyes, "I gave you the chance, but you blew it. Now you come to ask me, what can I do?"

Wasn’t she just as anxious?

Wei Xun taking a wife would diminish her influence!

But Su Yingxue was utterly inept. Even if she did marry Wei Xun, she wouldn't be able to hold his heart.

Su Yingxue sensed that Zhao Wan was giving up on her and felt a tightness in her heart, "Cousin, I’m your flesh and blood! If I marry the Heir Apparent, it would be beneficial for you too. You have to help me!"

"Tch!" Zhao Wan pushed away the arm that was holding her and sneered, "If you weren't my cousin, I wouldn't have helped you like this."

She saw through Su Yingxue’s petty schemes better than anyone, always trying to outshine her, without even considering if she was worthy!

"Cousin..."

"Enough. I’ll handle this. The Heir Apparent won't marry you, but he certainly won't marry anyone else either."

Zhao Wan narrowed her eyes, already having a plan in mind.

After sending Su Yingxue away, she called for Nanny Chen, "The banquet is a big affair, and it’s my first time hosting. I'm afraid there might be some oversight. The lady from Yuqing Courtyard is practically a mistress. Nanny, go and deliver a message, asking her to join me in entertaining the guests on the day of the banquet."

The Wei family's banquet was held to consider a match for Wei Xun. A Yuan’s presence would blatantly signal that Wei Xun had a captivating concubine. What lady aspiring to be the main wife would tolerate being upstaged by a concubine?

Either the noble ladies would refuse to marry into the family, or those who did would never accept A Yuan. Either way, Zhao Wan would not lose out.

A Yuan’s lips paled at Nanny Chen’s message. Her face, still gaunt from a recent illness, bore a weary look. She forced a smile, masking her distress, "I understand, I will definitely go that day."

Chun Tao pitied her and didn’t want her to face humiliation in the front courtyard. A Yuan patted her hand to comfort her, "Serving the mistress is a concubine’s duty. How could it be humiliating?"

She smiled, but her once-luminous almond eyes now seemed dull, devoid of their former sparkle.

After her illness, her dreams lay in ruins.

......

On the third day of the third month, the capital sprang back to life after a year of stillness.

The Marquis of Anning’s residence was abuzz, its entrance teeming with carriages bearing noble ladies for the banquet.

Shen Qiuyu followed Wei Jin inside. She had adorned herself meticulously in a red gauze dress, complemented by a gold and ruby headpiece. Though not strikingly beautiful, she stood out in the crowd.

"Mother, look who's here?"

Wei Jin escorted Shen Qiuyu into Ci’an Courtyard, where Madam Wei, having just finished breakfast, was attended by Zhao Wan and A Yuan.

Today, A Yuan was still dressed simply, without even wearing makeup, but her slightly haggard face was still breathtakingly beautiful.

When Shen Qiuyu arrived, she had anticipated A Yuan's appearance and had even inquired about her through Wei Jin, but upon seeing her in person, she was still taken aback.

Wei Xun's concubine was simply too beautiful.

As a woman herself, Shen Qiuyu could naturally see that A Yuan was deliberately downplaying her beauty, which only made her own meticulous preparation seem like a joke.

Shen Qiuyu's eyes turned cold, but since they were in front of Madam Wei, she quickly put on a gentle smile again.

"Madam Wei, A Yu greets you."

"Come, sit here. Second daughter-in-law, bring the tea!"

Madam Wei was in a good mood, pulling Shen Qiuyu's hand to sit beside her.

The Shen family was quite prestigious, comparable to the Marquis of Anning's family. Along with Shen Qiuyu's reputation for gentleness and virtue, Madam Wei was naturally pleased with her.

"Ah, Miss Shen, you must try this. It's our Madam Wei's treasured tea. She wouldn't bring it out for just anyone."

Zhao Wan, as sharp as ever, was displeased with the idea of Wei Xun marrying, but she didn't show it.

Madam Wei found her amusing and, patting Shen Qiuyu's hand, said, "My second daughter-in-law has always been sharp-tongued. Just because I've saved a few cups of tea for her, she's already complaining in front of you all. Don't let her fool you; drink all the tea."

Shen Qiuyu smiled gracefully, "Then A Yu won't refuse. Madam Wei, please don't be upset."

"No, no, I won't. If you can't finish, take it with you. I remember your mother also enjoys tea. Let her taste this pre-rain Longjing and see how she likes it."

"Yes."

Shen Qiuyu lifted the teacup and took a sip, a smile already forming in her gaze.

Madam Wei's mention of her mother showed a desire to get closer, which meant her marriage to Wei Xun was almost certain.

After chatting for a while, Wei Jin was the first to get restless.

She glanced at A Yuan, who was rubbing Madam Wei's back, and a look of disgust crossed her face. "Mother, where is Third Brother?"

"Your Third Brother is usually so busy he barely has time to rest. He's probably still at the government office. If you're bored, why not go to the front and enjoy the opera?"

Madam Wei, being elderly, had limited energy, so she had specially invited an opera troupe.

Wei Jin wasn't there for the opera either, but since Wei Xun wasn't around, sitting there doing nothing was pointless.

"Alright, then I'll take A Yu to the front."

As she stood up, she hesitated when she saw A Yuan, "You, follow and assist."

A Yuan clenched her fists inside her sleeves and replied meekly, "Yes."

Wei Jin was spoiled and always looked down on flirtatious concubines, having bullied A Yuan before when she was in favor.

A Yuan followed them carefully, afraid of doing anything wrong that might anger her.

But she didn't know that masters never needed a reason to mistreat their servants.

The front courtyard's flower hall was already filled with noble ladies. Wei Jin pulled Shen Qiuyu to sit in the main seat, and everyone's eyes fell on A Yuan behind them.

It was no secret in the capital that Wei Xun had a beautiful concubine, but they hadn't expected her to be this stunning.

Some of the more arrogant noble ladies had already lost interest; after all, it was just a man, and they weren't about to compete with a concubine for favor. Others were unwilling to give up, but seeing Wei Jin's admiration for Shen Qiuyu, they knew the position of Wei family's mistress was practically settled.

They were merely here as guests today.