“Where is your young lady?”
Rendong looked at Madam Wen. “The young lady is not here; she has left the estate.”
Madam Wen frowned slightly and said to Nanny Liu, “This child only knows how to run around outside. Just a few days ago, I told her that with the court and the country in turmoil, she should not wander about or make connections carelessly, lest she harm her father and elder brother’s prospects. She truly is a handful.”
Nanny Liu comforted her, “Madam, perhaps the Fifth Young Lady is throwing a tantrum because she dislikes staying in the Fotang, which is why she ran out of the estate. When she returns and learns that you have arranged a new courtyard for her, she will likely become obedient.”
Madam Wen nodded, but Rendong, standing behind them, felt uneasy upon hearing this, feeling indignant on behalf of her young lady.
Xue Ning had only befriended County Mistress Xie An, while the Fourth Young Lady had hosted a grand banquet yesterday, inviting all the official families’ women in the capital. If anyone were to cause trouble, it shouldn’t be her young lady…
Xue Ning went to her aunt’s place and relayed Old Madam Jiang’s words, but her aunt had no intention of appearing at such banquets again.
In her own words, her dealings with the official families in the capital were a matter of her past life.
Thus, Xue Ning accepted the invitation to Old Madam Jiang’s birthday banquet and planned to attend alone.
Early in the morning.
The gate of the Fotang courtyard was knocked on once again. This time, not only had Madam Wen come, but almost everyone from the Xue family had arrived.
Their attire was exquisite, clearly carefully prepared.
Xue Zhaofei was the first to grow impatient. “Mother, why hasn’t Xue Ning come out yet? If we delay any longer and arrive late at the Ningyuan Houfu, wouldn’t that be impolite?”
Xue Mingzhu stepped forward. “I’ll go call Ningning.”
However, what they received was news that Xue Ning had left the estate early in the morning.
In the carriage, Xue Youdao wore a stern expression the entire time and scolded, “She clearly knew today was the birthday banquet. Where has she gone again? I thought she had made progress by embroidering the screen to plan for the Xue family, but look at her now? Truly disappointing.”
Xue Mingzhu did not forget to stir trouble. “Perhaps Ningning couldn’t bear to part with it herself, which is why…”
Xue Yan pursed his thin lips, feeling dissatisfied with Xue Ning as well, but he couldn’t help thinking that she wouldn’t be so heartless toward him, her elder brother.
If that screen wasn’t left for him, then who else could it be for?
“Father, perhaps Xue Ning went ahead first. Don’t worry just yet. After all, she values family the most. I don’t think she would dare to cause any trouble.”
When they arrived at the Ningyuan Houfu, the grand estate was bustling with activity. Distinguished guests from the capital had come in an endless stream, presenting many congratulatory gifts.
As the Xue family took their seats, they finally caught sight of Xue Ning’s figure!
Xue Ning stood alone, not far from Old Madam Jiang. Xue Yan breathed a sigh of relief and gave Xue Youdao a look that said, “I told you so.”
Xue Ning heard someone calling her from behind.
“Ningning, you child, why did you leave the estate alone without coming with us? You made your father wait for so long.”
Madam Wen shook her head helplessly as she looked at her.
Seeing that they intended to sit with her, Xue Ning spoke first. “Mother, on this occasion, my path is not the same as the Xue family’s. Therefore, it is not appropriate for me to share a table with you.”
Madam Wen frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
Even Xue Mingzhu was somewhat puzzled by Xue Ning’s behavior. Could it be that Xue Ning was using the screen to put on airs with her family?
The banquet at the Marquis’ estate grew lively. Many guests stood up and stepped forward to offer birthday congratulations and auspicious words to Old Madam Jiang, presenting their gifts.
Xue Yan stood to the side, watching as others presented their birthday gifts. Although Old Madam Jiang smiled, her expression remained indifferent, suggesting none of the gifts had truly captured her heart.
Everyone knew that Old Madam Jiang had always enjoyed collecting famous embroidery works, particularly favoring Suxiu in recent years.
Xue Yan was confident and assured. Even among his official friends, word had spread that Xue Yan had acquired the renowned Gusu Cixiu Wushuang piece, “Linyuan Xianyu,” intending to cater to her preferences.
After everyone had presented their gifts, Xue Ning stepped forward and had the gift she prepared brought up.
When the crowd saw the intricately carved and vividly embroidered screen, they collectively gasped. Those with keen eyes had already recognized it—it was the renowned embroidery piece that had taken the capital by storm at Shuzhai Lou.
Someone whispered, “I never expected the Xue family to go all out this time! Compared to this screen, the other birthday gifts pale in comparison!”
“Who doesn’t know that the eldest son of the Xue family, Xue Yan, serves as Jingzhaoyin and has long sought a transfer? With Marquis Ningyuan overseeing Libu, he’s clearly trying to curry favor for a more suitable position.”
Someone wondered curiously, “But why are Xue Yan and Xue Youdao not presenting the gift themselves? Instead, they’re letting the fifth daughter of the Xue family step forward. How interesting.”
Just as everyone was puzzled, Xue Ning’s words immediately cleared up the confusion.
“Xue Ning pays her respects to Old Madam Jiang. On this occasion, I am here on behalf of my aunt, Wen Rushuang, to present this gift. This Suxiu screen, ‘Linyuan Xianyu,’ is offered to you, Madam, wishing you happiness, longevity, and prosperity year after year.”
As Xue Ning finished speaking, the hall fell silent, followed by a wave of murmurs. In that moment, the expressions of the other members of the Xue family turned extremely unpleasant—they had become a laughingstock!
Especially Xue Yan, who saw the shocked looks from his friends and the puzzled whispers of others.
“So this screen wasn’t from the Xue family after all? Who is Wen Rushuang? Is she that young lady from the Wen family who cut ties and ventured into the jianghu? How strange…”
Faced with the half-smiling, half-mocking glances of his colleagues, Xue Youdao felt an unprecedented sense of shame and humiliation.
Even Madam Wen, who usually enjoyed good relations with several ladies, found herself wanting to disappear into the ground when they looked her way.
Just moments earlier, as she made her way through the crowd, others had asked what gift she had brought, and she had subtly boasted about this very screen.
Now, everything had been ruined by Xue Ning!
Old Madam Jiang, however, smiled and repeated the word “good” three times to Xue Ning. Then, in front of everyone, she said:
“The Xue family has indeed raised a fine young lady. This old woman finds her quite pleasing. Come, sit beside me for the meal.”
Xue Ning stepped forward. “Thank you for your kindness, Madam.”
At the banquet.
The once-prominent Xue family members in the capital now sat in utter silence.
Xue Zhaofei, young and unable to hide his feelings, had just been mocked by several people he had previously looked down upon. His face flushed red with anger.
“Father, Xue Ning has gone too far this time! Let’s just return to the estate. I can’t bear to stay here and be humiliated any longer!”