Soon, Feng Jin Yue was ushered into the viewing pavilion by a young maid.
The noble young ladies in the pavilion still had their attention fixed on Feng Jin Yue. The woman before them wore no makeup, her hair adorned only with a single white jade hairpin, and her cloud-water blue gown appeared exceptionally simple and elegant. Yet, her effortless grace far surpassed their meticulous efforts at adornment.
Some had previously remarked that Feng Jin Yue’s attire was too plain, almost shabby, and now the murmurs grew louder.
“Those with eyes but no vision spout nothing but nonsense.”
The speaker was Han Jing, the legitimate daughter of the current Prime Minister. Those who had just been sneering and gossiping dared not retort.
Han Jing shook her head and sighed, then continued, “Not to mention the immense craftsmanship required to weave this fabric, the color alone—resembling clouds and water—is not something ordinary dyers can achieve. It’s rare in the capital and sold exclusively by the All Heavens Commerce Guild in Jiangnan. A single bolt costs no less than three hundred gold.”
Feng Jin Yue watched this person with interest, finding her quite different from the majority here.
Qian Zhu, noticing her lady’s attention, leaned in and whispered, “Miss, she is Han Jing, the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter and the renowned top talented lady of the capital.”
As soon as Han Jing finished speaking, everyone present fell silent. Three hundred gold for one bolt? So… it was they who were the shabby ones!
At that moment, Jun Yao stepped forward and declared loudly, “Alright, I invited all of you to this Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet for enjoyment and camaraderie. Attire and adornment are matters of personal preference—why fuss over them?”
With the Chang Le Junzhu (Princess of Eternal Joy) speaking, the noble young ladies naturally echoed her sentiments.
Jun Yao then turned to Feng Jin Yue and said, “Previously, you were never in the capital. Coinciding with your return, I specially invited you to this banquet. A few days ago, you were summoned by the Empress Dowager, and many rumors spread from the palace. Truly, hearing of someone is not as good as meeting them. Since you’re here, enjoy yourself.”
Feng Jin Yue’s eyes locked onto the Chang Le Junzhu. Though the words seemed polite, they were merely superficial courtesy. If this person were to truly let loose, it would likely be a completely different scene. She merely responded perfunctorily.
Shortly after, Jun Yao clapped her hands, and three maids approached, each holding an exquisitely painted brocade box.
“These three treasures were selected by me. We’ll follow the usual rules: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs—everyone may showcase their talents freely, but no recycling of previous works. The one who excels will take these three fine items. Rest assured, this time’s prizes are no less impressive than last time.”
Immediately, someone chimed in, “The rewards Junzhu presents always leave us in awe. With such a claim, our curiosity is even more piqued.”
Feng Jin Yue had thought these people might come up with something novel, but it was utterly dull. Suddenly, a voice reached her ears, “Aren’t you worried, Miss Feng?”
She turned to see Han Jing standing beside her. “What should I be worried about, Miss Han?”
Han Jing couldn’t help but smile. “Do you truly not know why the Chang Le Junzhu specifically invited you?”
Feng Jin Yue glanced at Han Jing and said nonchalantly, “To make me uncomfortable, of course. To humiliate me, the future Regent Consort, and make me lose face. But with their limited capabilities, they dream of lifting this stone to throw at me, unaware that they’ll only end up smashing their own heads.”
Han Jing stared at Feng Jin Yue in astonishment, pausing briefly before saying, “While you were recuperating outside the capital, there were many rumors about you in the city. Yet, the Empress Dowager specifically chose you to be the Regent Consort. Aside from you being the legitimate daughter of the Feng family, everyone believed you were utterly unworthy of the Regent Prince.”
She continued without stopping, “Now that you’ve returned to the capital, new rumors have emerged. Your appearance today confirms those rumors—you truly possess peerless beauty, overshadowing everyone else. But clearly, those women don’t see it that way. They assume that after years of recuperation and treatment, you must be utterly unskilled. So… can you really handle this?”
Feng Jin Yue directly asked Han Jing, “You seem quite concerned about my affairs. We only met today, didn’t we?”
Han Jing nodded, “We did just meet today, and we truly have no prior connection. But I think you’re admirable. Besides, I don’t admire or like the Regent Prince, so I don’t share their intentions to target you.”
Feng Jin Yue didn’t dispute the sincerity of these words. As she chatted with Han Jing, the others were thoroughly enjoying their so-called games nearby.
Just as a zither piece concluded, Feng Jin Yue noticed the gaze of the performer. Sure enough, the conversation was deliberately steered toward her.
“Miss Feng, don’t just sit there idly—how dull!”
Han Jing, assuming Feng Jin Yue wouldn’t recognize this person, softly introduced, “She is Lin Xuan, daughter of Imperial Censor Lin Rong from the Censorate. Her zither skills are considered top-tier in the capital.”
Feng Jin Yue scoffed coldly, “So it’s his family.” Although she had spent years at the Hot Spring Villa and didn’t concern herself with household affairs, she was quite familiar with this Imperial Censor Lin Rong. From what she knew, he frequently submitted memorials accusing the Feng family of wielding excessive military power and being prone to rebellion.
Lin Xuan said with a smile, “That piece was a new composition I recently created—it still needs refinement. What did you think of it, Miss Feng?”
Seeing Feng Jin Yue remain silent, someone teased, “Why isn’t Miss Feng speaking? Miss Lin’s piece is quite excellent. Could it be that Miss Feng doesn’t understand it?”
“Hey, don’t say that. Everyone has different levels of understanding when it comes to the zither. If Miss Feng doesn’t wish to comment, it doesn’t mean…”
“A mediocre zither piece hardly warrants commentary,” Feng Jin Yue stated bluntly.
“Mediocre?!”
Her words instantly caused an uproar. How dare she say that? Could she even play herself? Did she even distinguish the five notes?
Lin Xuan was displeased. She had intentionally drawn Feng Jin Yue into discussing the piece, aiming to humiliate her in the area she prided herself on most—zither artistry. If Feng Jin Yue had obediently admitted ignorance, a few mocking remarks would have sufficed before passing the baton to others. Now, she wanted to thoroughly shame Feng Jin Yue.
No one had ever called her compositions or zither skills mediocre. The Feng family, with its military heritage, could never master profound zither artistry overnight. She looked at Feng Jin Yue with utter contempt and said, “Since Miss Feng claims my piece is mediocre, I wonder what refined zither piece you can play to grace our ears.”
Feng Jin Yue swept her gaze over the crowd—everyone was waiting for her to embarrass herself. Lin Xuan’s expression laid bare her intentions.
Seeing Feng Jin Yue hadn’t moved, Lin Xuan sneered, “Miss Feng, don’t hold back now.”
Seated in the host’s position, Jun Yao delicately sipped the chrysanthemum tea in her hand, her gaze fixed on Feng Jin Yue. She was merely enjoying the spectacle, as today’s events had been carefully planned to lure Feng Jin Yue into their trap. Their aim was to make it known to all that despite Feng Jin Yue’s striking appearance, she was nothing but a vulgar and useless waste, all show and no substance.
Feng Jin Yue spoke unhurriedly, “You seem quite eager to hear me play a piece?”
“Since Miss Feng criticized my performance as unrefined, I naturally wish to hear your exquisite melody. Unless… Miss Feng is incapable of playing?”
“Play? Of course I can play, but…” I fear you might not live to hear the end of it!
Before Feng Jin Yue could say more, Lin Xuan immediately instructed, “Someone, prepare the zither for Miss Feng.”
Feng Jin Yue cast a cold glance at Lin Xuan. What a pity—her words had been cut off before she could finish.