Chapter 22 Flowerviewing Banquet

Chapter 22 The Flower-Viewing Banquet

Hosting a banquet for guests was an exceedingly intricate affair—determining which families to invite, arranging the seating, and selecting wines and dishes each demanded meticulous attention. For years, Yan Xuerui had led a reclusive life. The second branch had no wife, and the third branch, with its numerous children, left the third wife overwhelmed. Consequently, all banquets at the Marquis of Jingyuan's estate were personally managed by the Old Madam.

Now that Ming Lan was seeking a bride, Yan Xuerui felt that after years of comfortable living under her mother-in-law's wing, she could no longer shirk her duties.

Beyond assisting the Old Madam and observing to learn, Yan Xuerui also attended to Gu Yan as he drafted invitations, preparing his ink and brushes. With each invitation he penned, she would inquire about the official it was for.

Most names she had heard from Gu Yan before, though some were unfamiliar. Gu Yan patiently explained each one in a gentle voice. He was an excellent teacher, articulate and clear, never obscure or difficult to grasp. In the time it took to write the invitations, he managed to impart to Yan Xuerui, a woman of the inner chambers, a basic understanding of the current court dynamics.

Yan Xuerui was filled with admiration—truly worthy of being the Crown Prince's Senior Tutor. Gu Yan chuckled softly, drawing his wife into his embrace, whispering intimately by her ear.

"Rui'er is exceptionally clever; that is no credit to me."

He wasn't being modest. These matters were merely mentioned in passing by him; how much she comprehended depended entirely on Yan Xuerui herself. Although he discussed court affairs with her, it was only in general terms. He wasn't training a subordinate; his woman's attention was enough if it was focused on him.

At his core, Gu Yan was a traditional man. Ming Lan and the Crown Prince—one his eldest son, the other the nation's heir—he instructed them without leniency, with sternness and strictness. But with Ming Wei, it was different. Ming Wei wished to study at the Egret Mountain Academy, which rarely admitted female students. He personally took her to visit the headmaster. Others remarked that Senior Tutor Gu was open-minded and unconventional—was he aiming to cultivate a "female Zhuge Liang"? In truth, Gu Yan harbored no such idle intentions.

He didn't concern himself with Ming Wei’s studies, treating it merely as a pastime for her. All these years, he had kept Yan Xuerui tightly by his side—he could never let her go in this lifetime. His leniency toward Ming Wei was, in a way, a form of compensation directed at his daughter. That Ming Wei could diligently apply herself to her studies and rank among the top in an academy teeming with talented students truly exceeded Gu Yan’s expectations.

In hindsight, perhaps the daughter took after the mother. With just a few words, she could discern the intricacies of a situation. Although it relied on his timely corrections, her comprehension was indeed remarkable. Back then, it had taken the Crown Prince several days to grasp the same point, frustrating him to no end.

Gu Yan did not hold back his praise, but Yan Xuerui replied helplessly, "How old was the Crown Prince then, and how old am I now? My Lord, please don’t tease me."

Gu Yan said nothing, only shaking his head with a soft laugh. These days, he did not touch her. When they returned to their room, they behaved properly, sleeping in their sleeping robes. He no longer casually made advances toward her, and unconsciously, Yan Xuerui’s fear of Gu Yan gradually lessened, her demeanor growing more at ease.

As she attended to him with ink and brushes, Gu Yan thoroughly enjoyed the treatment of having his elegant wife attending him. Initially, his requirements for a wife were the same as any scholar-official’s: from a suitable family background, skilled in managing the household, beautiful and gentle, generous and virtuous. Apart from "beautiful," Yan Xuerui did not meet any of Gu Yan’s criteria for an ideal wife. Yet, by some twist of fate, they had been entangled for half a lifetime. Now, all he asked was for her to be a bit more obedient and well-behaved, and he was content.

Both felt that their current life was good. Though busy, their interactions were filled with a warmth unlike any before. Yan Xuerui, suddenly tasked with managing the household affairs, inevitably found herself flustered. With no one to confide in, she could only share her troubles with Gu Yan. Though Gu Yan cared little about these inner household matters, he always listened patiently to what she said and offered a few insights. There were also matters concerning their children—she had just given birth to Zhilu, and in the blink of an eye, she was about to become a mother-in-law.

Yan Xuerui felt a sense of unreality, yet she couldn't help but wonder: What kind of woman would Ming Lan like? What would her future daughter-in-law’s temperament be like? Would she and Ming Lan harmonize as a couple?

Ah, Ming Lan had a preference for beautiful women—how stunning would one have to be to catch his eye?

……

Amid Yan Xuerui’s wandering thoughts, the Marquis of Jingyuan's estate opened its gates to welcome guests. With the Old Madam, a formidable presence, overseeing things, Yan Xuerui wasn’t overly burdened. However, having lived in seclusion for so long—since giving birth and undergoing confinement the year before last, she had remained in the estate recuperating without receiving guests—the sudden scrutiny of unfamiliar eyes made her want to flee in that moment.

Flee back into the layers of high walls and deep courtyards. Those walls were so high she had once looked up at them in despair, viewing them as monstrous threats, but now they seemed utterly ordinary.

Her heart suddenly ached with a dull pain. She didn’t understand why. Everything was fine—Ming Lan was about to marry, perhaps by next year she could even hold a grandchild. She… had no reason to feel upset.

Yan Xuerui forced herself to ignore that strange sensation. Her poise was excellent; even if her heart was unsettled, she appeared graceful and composed on the surface. Today, Bi He had spent half an hour meticulously dressing her. Her thick, dark hair was swept up high, adorned with a few hairpins and buyao, a fully bloomed begonia tucked into the back of her bun, adding a touch of spring without being vulgar. Her dress was of the same color throughout, made of kesi fabric embroidered with golden patterns against a red background, glistening brilliantly under the sunlight.

A natural stunner—even though all present were women, they couldn't help but pause and admire her. Some younger girls who had never seen her before inquired and were astonished to learn she was the Madam Yan of the Marquis' estate, known for being frail and ill, often in seclusion for recuperation.

At her age, how… could she be so youthful and beautiful?

Once this Madam Yan entered, who could still notice anyone else? With a future mother-in-law of such appearance, wouldn’t Young Master Ming Lan have exceedingly high standards?

The meticulously dressed young girls couldn't help but feel disheartened. Fortunately, all were well-bred young ladies from esteemed families, and none behaved inappropriately. Ignoring the occasional glances directed at Yan Xuerui, everyone maintained a harmonious facade. No one was tactless enough to ask foolish questions like, "Why haven’t we seen Madam Yan before?" After about three cups of tea, the Crown Princess arrived belatedly.

The Crown Princess had a round face, willow-leaf eyebrows, dignified and generous features, and an aura of grace and approachability. The Old Madam led everyone in a bow, but before they could bend fully, the Crown Princess hurried forward, steadily supporting the Old Madam.

"Old Madam, you honor me too much. Please rise quickly."

Then, turning to Yan Xuerui beside her, a flicker of admiration passed through her eyes.

"Madam Yan, it’s been many days. How is your health?"

In terms of hierarchy, the Crown Princess was a member of the royal family, holding an exalted position. Yet, at the same time, Gu Yan was the Crown Prince’s teacher, and Yan Xuerui, as the "mentor’s wife," could also be considered an elder. Today, following the Crown Prince’s instructions, the Crown Princess did not presume superiority, instead adopting humble words and demeanor.

Madam Yan truly knew how to maintain her appearance. The last time she saw her seemed to be two or three years ago? Back then, she had porcelain skin and delicate features. Now, after another childbirth, she still looked the same—truly enviable.

The Crown Princess sighed inwardly, linking arms with Yan Xuerui as they took their seats, appearing intimate to outsiders. Recalling the recent rumors of discord between Senior Tutor Gu and the Crown Prince, the assembled ladies each had their own calculations, planning to relay this information to their husbands upon returning home.

In marrying a wife, one seeks virtue—never underestimate the social interactions among women. Amid laughter and conversation, topics ranged from which family had recently added a new member to which official was about to be promoted or demoted. Even before the Ministry of Personnel’s official documents were issued, the ladies at the Flower-Viewing Banquet were already tacitly aware. In these times, marriages emphasized matching social status. Daughters from prominent families were brought by their elders to such occasions from a young age, absorbing through exposure, to prepare them for the responsibilities of being the mistress of a household.

Someone like Yan Xuerui, who was rarely seen and made few appearances throughout the year, was an anomaly.

……

Yan Xuerui was unaccustomed to being in such close proximity to others, but you don't hit someone who's smiling—she could only patiently engage with the Crown Princess. Everyone noted Madam Yan’s soft, Wu dialect, gentle like the spring breeze of Jiangnan, and initiated conversations with her one after another. Enduring the probing gazes, Yan Xuerui carried herself with grace and propriety. By the end of the day’s banquet, both hosts and guests were pleased.

However, Yan Xuerui had been entirely occupied with dealing with the various ladies and madams. Those young maidens, she had only glanced over briefly—each had their qualities, but there was no time for a closer look.