The next day, Lu Changqing accompanied Xu Miaoyan into the palace, returning with numerous rewards.
The servants in the mansion were all gossiping that Miss Xu from Jiangning treated wealth like dirt, distributing the Empress’s rewards along the way to the maids and matrons serving the elderly lady.
Lady Chen, Lu’s mother, and her sister-in-law Lu Wanrou also received many gifts. Everyone in the mansion praised Miss Xu for her intelligence, grace, and indifference to fame and fortune, likening her to a living bodhisattva.
As Fang Qianxue entered the Song Sheng Residence, she heard laughter and chatter coming from the flower hall.
“Miaoyan, can you really understand what silkworms are saying?” The elderly Lady Chen held Xu Miaoyan’s delicate white hand, her face beaming with joy.
“Of course it’s true. Her Majesty the Empress tested it today, and Miaoyan can indeed make silkworms obey,” Lu Changqing said proudly, his expression animated. “The Silkworm Ceremony is coming up soon, and Her Majesty has appointed Miaoyan as a sixth-rank female official, inviting her to attend the ceremony!”
“Oh, sixth rank? That’s the same rank as our Changqing,” Lady Chen exclaimed excitedly, unable to close her mouth. “The Silkworm Ceremony is only for the wives of officials of the fifth rank and above.”
“You flatter me, Madam,” the woman in white raised her eyebrows and glanced timidly at Lady Chen. “Such occasions are too noisy, and Miaoyan has no desire to attend.”
“Mother, Her Majesty has graciously allowed all the women of the Lu family to attend this year’s Silkworm Ceremony,” Lu Changqing said quietly, his face flushing slightly as he glanced at Xu Miaoyan. “It’s all thanks to Miaoyan.”
“Really?” Lady Chen and Lu Wanrou beside her were both surprised and delighted.
The Lu family was of humble origins, and Lady Chen had long wanted to introduce her daughter into the circles of noble ladies in the capital but had never found the opportunity.
Previously, Fang Qianxue’s high status had led them to believe she could take them, but ever since Fang Qianxue married into the Lu family, she had stopped associating with those noble ladies. Later, when the Fang family fell from grace, the opportunity vanished entirely.
They couldn’t help but blame Fang Qianxue, who claimed that Grand Tutor Fang had instructed her to stay away from the circles of power and influence. In truth, she simply looked down on the Lu family and refused to introduce them.
If they could attend the Silkworm Ceremony, Lu Wanrou might have a chance to marry into a prestigious family in the future.
“Mother, Second Master,” Fang Qianxue entered the room and bowed to Lady Chen.
“Qianxue, you’re here. Come quickly!” At the family banquet, Lady Chen beckoned Fang Qianxue over, her smile somewhat awkward. “We were just discussing this year’s Silkworm Ceremony. Her Majesty has granted us permission to attend!”
“Aren’t you going to thank Miaoyan? This favor was requested by Miaoyan from Her Majesty,” Lu Changqing said dismissively, glancing at Fang Qianxue.
“But Sister-in-law is the daughter of a disgraced official. I wonder if she can attend,” Lu Wanrou suddenly interjected, her eyes shifting. “What if Her Majesty asks about it? Wouldn’t it implicate us?”
The room fell silent for a moment.
“I’ve attended the Silkworm Ceremony with my mother before. It’s not particularly interesting,” Fang Qianxue said calmly, casting a glance at Xu Miaoyan, who was surrounded by admirers. “Today is a family banquet. How could Mother allow an outsider to sit at the table?”
“Fang Qianxue!” Lu Changqing’s veins bulged on his forehead as he clenched his fists. “You’ve gone too far! Miaoyan is my elder brother’s fiancée. Why shouldn’t she sit at the table?”
“Fiancée?” Fang Qianxue tilted her head, gently touching the cheek he had struck the night before, and sneered coldly. “In our dynasty, an engagement requires exchanging birth charts and divination, informing the clan elders of both families, presenting betrothal gifts, and issuing official documents. May I ask which step the Lu and Xu families have reached?”
“You!” Lu Changqing gritted his teeth but had no retort.
Xu Miaoyan and Lu Changli only had a verbal agreement, with no formal betrothal documents or divination rituals.
“Our Xu family is humble and doesn’t adhere to such formalities,” Xu Miaoyan lowered her head, choking back sobs, “but Brother Lu and I truly cared for each other…”
Fang Qianxue frowned slightly.
At present, Xu Miaoyan seemed unable to forget her old flame and unwilling to accept Lu Changqing. Yet later, under Lu Changqing’s aggressive pursuit, she would fall deeply in love with him, even demanding he dig up the bones of his own children to make soup for her, as proof of his love.
What kind of trashy man and despicable woman plot was this?
Just reading it in her mind had already made her nauseous.
“We’re all family now, we should get along harmoniously,” Lady Chen pulled Fang Qianxue to sit beside her, “Why be so confrontational and give outsiders something to laugh about?”
“Exactly, Second Sister-in-law. Eldest Sister-in-law has gained the Empress’s favor—this is good for our Lu family. In the future, Yuan’er and Yao’er might also receive her support.” Lu Wanrou said, picking up a piece of braised pork for Xu Miaoyan, “Eldest Sister-in-law, eat more!”
“Ugh!” Xu Miaoyan turned pale and retched.
“Wanrou! Don’t you know Miaoyan is vegetarian?” Lu Changqing quickly pushed the bowl away, patting her back with concern, “She has a pure and delicate heart, she can’t be tainted by meat!”
Fang Qianxue rolled her eyes.
Can’t eat meat, but can drink her blood and consume her children’s bones?
“Ah? I didn’t know,” Lu Wanrou wore an expression of having done something wrong, “I saw Eldest Sister-in-law was so thin, so I wanted her to eat more…”
“It’s fine, no blame for the unknowing,” Xu Miaoyan forced a tolerant, faint smile on her pale face, “I usually treat little animals like friends, so… I can’t bring myself to eat my friends’ flesh.”
“So pigs are Miss Xu’s friends,” Fang Qianxue feigned sudden understanding, shaking her head gently, “What a sin, what a sin.”