“Madam Wei is also known as the Lady of Five Blessings. Over the past decade, she has given birth to five sons in a row for Censor Wei. This caused quite a sensation in Shangjing City at the time.
Everyone says Madam Wei is a woman blessed with good fortune, and many like to visit her mansion to share in that luck. So, Madam Wei simply started hosting the Hundred Fruits Banquet, providing a place for men and women to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves, while also facilitating mutual acquaintance.”
Inside the carriage, Lu Jiayu chattered away, explaining the specifics about Madam Wei to Su Wan.
“Attending the Hundred Fruits Banquet is no simple matter. For official families below the fifth rank, it requires considerable effort. As for the children of merchant families, if they wish to attend, they must pay a hefty sum of silver. Over the years, Madam Wei has made a great deal of money from this banquet.”
Lu Jiayu added softly, “This is all what my mother said. Please don’t tell anyone else.”
Su Wan smiled and nodded, reaching out to straighten Lu Jiayu’s skirt and hairpin.
“Jiayu, you look absolutely beautiful today.”
The emerald-green ruqun, paired with her delicate features, perfectly showcased the charming innocence of Lu Jiayu as a young maiden.
For once, she was quite satisfied with her own appearance and laughed shyly. “Not at all. No matter how finely I dress, I could never compare to Sister Wan’s beauty.”
Su Wan had deliberately kept a low profile.
In fact, to highlight Lu Jiayu, she even wore a slightly worn-out skirt.
After seeing her attire today, Madam Zhou was quite pleased and even advised her, “Upper Capital is not like Liuzhou. Here, they place great importance on the propriety of young ladies. Be careful not to make a spectacle of yourself just to stand out.”
Her words carried a warning for Su Wan to behave and not try to rise by stepping over her own daughter.
Madam Zhou was truly worrying for nothing.
Su Wan knew exactly how to handle things. How could she possibly do something as crude as using Lu Jiayu to climb higher? Their friendship would last long into the future, with many opportunities for mutual benefit. She would never do something so self-destructive.
This visit to the Hundred Fruits Banquet was merely a preliminary scouting mission—to gauge the situation and learn about the influential families in Shangjing City.
The Wei family mansion was far more extravagant than the Lu Family’s. The grand garden alone, where the Hundred Fruits Banquet was held, was twice the size of two courtyards in the Lu Mansion.
Madam Wei had fair skin and a plump figure, giving the impression of being fertile and blessed.
Her smiling face was always welcoming guests and seeing them off.
Lu Jiayu brought Su Wan to register their names and greeted Madam Wei.
But Madam Wei’s eyes were fixed on Su Wan.
“And who is this?”
She asked Lu Jiayu with a smile.
Lu Jiayu affectionately linked arms with Su Wan. “Aunt Wei, this is a distant cousin of mine.”
Su Wan also curtsied and introduced herself. “I am visiting the Lu Mansion from Liuzhou. Aunt Wei may call me Wan Niang.”
Hearing the words “Liuzhou,” Madam Wei immediately understood that she was the younger sister of Su Lin, the second wife of the Lu Family.
Her discerning eyes lingered on Su Wan, unable to look away, a smile playing on her lips. “They say the Jiangnan region nurtures beauty, and indeed it is true. Look at this flawless, delicate skin—truly enviable.
Having a beauty like Wan Niang grace my Hundred Fruits Banquet today truly brings honor to my humble home.”
Su Wan smiled shyly. “Aunt Wei flatters me too much.”
Madam Wei laughed. “You young people should go mingle and have fun. No need to stay here and keep an old woman like me company.”
Seizing the opportunity, Lu Jiayu led Su Wan into the garden.The garden was elegantly arranged, with refreshments and fruits placed throughout, along with musical instruments and writing materials for the noble ladies to showcase their talents on the spot.
The noble ladies gathered in small groups, chatting among themselves.
As they were all from Shangjing City or other regions, many were already acquainted, so they felt at ease in each other’s company.
Su Wan carefully observed their demeanor, speech, and appearances.
She noticed that many of them had little understanding of coordination. Some had meticulously applied makeup and possessed delicate features, but a glance at their dresses or the occasional glimpse of their shoes made Su Wan shake her head and sigh.
Clothing, makeup, and hairstyles were all means for women to enhance their appearance. When coordinated well, even an average-looking person could appear more attractive.
But if poorly matched, even a beauty could become unappealing.
With a single sweep of her gaze, Su Wan felt confident—none of these noble ladies were a match for her.
In terms of looks, demeanor, and eloquence, she far surpassed them.
Though her attire today seemed understated, it was part of her carefully crafted “innocent flower” look. Her clothing and hairstyle were meticulously coordinated, appearing simple yet deliberately designed to stand out.
Just as in a garden blooming with flowers, where every noble lady vied to be the most vibrant peony, Su Wan had taken a different path, presenting herself as a pure white magnolia.
A touch of white amidst a sea of colors—it was impossible not to draw attention.
Her makeup was as plain as clear water, her hairstyle simple without any hairpins or ornaments, and her dress was white. Even Madam Zhou, who was always quick to find fault, could not criticize her.
On such an important occasion, she would never allow herself to falter.
Su Wan gently brushed the hem of her pure white dress, picked up a plate, and took a few pastries to satisfy her hunger.
Lu Jiayu tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “It’s strange—I haven’t seen Han Qingqian anywhere. She’s always eager to show off. If she were here today, flaunting her looks in front of me, I’d push you forward, Sister Wan, and let her see what a true beauty looks like.”
Su Wan smiled gracefully. “Sister Jiayu, you look exceptionally charming today as well.”
Lu Jiayu stomped her foot. “Don’t say that about me.”
Su Wan laughed. “It’s true—you really do look beautiful today.”
Then, she decided to probe into Lu Jiayu’s romantic interests. “Do you have a young master you fancy, Sister? Dressed so finely today, you must make sure to catch his eye.”
Lu Jiayu pursed her lips and softly uttered a name. “His name is Chen Qiansheng.”
Su Wan was surprised to learn that Lu Jiayu actually had someone she liked.
Fearing she might miss out on a promising prospect, Su Wan quickly inquired about Chen Qiansheng’s background.
Lu Jiayu explained, “His father is the Assistant Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud.”
Su Wan was slightly taken aback. In Daliang, the Assistant Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud held a fourth-rank official position. While the rank might not be particularly high, it was undeniably a lucrative post.
The Court of the Imperial Stud was responsible for managing horse administration and breeding horses for the imperial court. It was known as Daliang’s “money bag”—wealthy and, more importantly, influential.
Su Wan’s interest was immediately piqued.
But seeing Lu Jiayu’s lovestruck expression, she quickly crossed Chen Qiansheng off her list of potential targets.
For now, she was staying at the Lu Mansion, which was her only refuge in Shangjing City. She could not afford to fall out of favor with the Lu Family just yet.
Moreover, she believed her ambitions should aim higher—toward officials of the third, second, or even first rank, or perhaps even noble families and aristocratic houses. With that in mind, a mere Chen Qiansheng was easily dismissed without a second thought.”I wonder if this Third Young Master Chen is at the Hundred Fruits Banquet. Why don’t you go and make an appearance before him?”
Su Wan encouraged Lu Jiayu to be bolder.
Lu Jiayu shook her head: “He doesn’t come every time. Besides, whenever he does come, he’s always surrounded by many young ladies. Why should I shamelessly push my way close to him, only to make him look down on me?”
Su Wan sighed: “You’re really foolish. If you don’t take the initiative to approach him, how will sparks fly?”
Putting down the bowls and dishes, she pulled Lu Jiayu along to search for this Third Young Master Chen.
The two of them fluttered like butterflies, gracefully weaving through the garden as they looked for him, unaware that from a distance, several gazes had been following them all along.
Especially that pure white butterfly, who was particularly eye-catching.
Madam Wei, the hostess of the Hundred Fruits Banquet, was pouring tea with an ingratiating expression for the young master standing by the window.
“Third Young Master Chen gracing us with your presence truly brings immense honor to my Hundred Fruits Banquet.”
Madam Wei carefully handed the tea to Third Young Master Chen, her gaze following his line of sight to Su Wan. A glint of calculation crept into her cunning eyes.
“That is a Jiangnan beauty from Liuzhou, called Wan Niang. She is the sister-in-law of Second Young Master Lu Guizhou from the Lu Family in West Fourth Alley.”