Those whom Madam Wei eagerly sought to flatter were all individuals of high status and great power.
While Madam Wei had accumulated considerable connections and wealth through hosting the Hundred Fruits Banquet, class stratification was often extremely rigid. Some circles and social strata would not open their doors to outsiders unless one’s own standing matched theirs.
It was true that Madam Wei’s Hundred Fruits Banquet was a high-end matchmaking event, but the participants were mostly children of officials ranked fourth or fifth grade or lower, or of wealthy merchants.
Those from families of third, second, or first-grade officials with real power would never deign to attend such occasions for matchmaking.
This was solely because Madam Wei’s husband, Censor Wei, held neither a high-ranking position nor significant authority.
In Shangjing City, everyone was shrewd. The top-tier scions of noble families and distinguished young ladies did not care for Madam Wei’s favor.
In fact, after careful observation along the way, Su Wan had also noticed that this matchmaking banquet was far from the most elite. She casually pointed out a few young ladies and inquired about their family backgrounds as if by chance.
Lu Jiayu told her everything she knew.
After some investigation, Su Wan discovered that the most distinguished young lady at the banquet was merely from a fourth-grade official’s family, and even that position was a sinecure.
No wonder these young ladies were so easily overshadowed by her—they were not the top-tier socialites of Daliang.
A faint sense of disappointment washed over Su Wan.
In her previous life, she had been a top-tier celebrity, shining brightly and moving in the most exclusive circles. Her ambitions and tastes had long been cultivated to the highest standards.
Only young talents with real power and immense wealth could catch her eye.
As she pondered this, Lu Jiayu stopped and tugged excitedly at her sleeve, whispering, “Chen Qiansheng is right there in that pavilion ahead.”
Su Wan snapped back to attention and followed the direction of her finger.
Sure enough, a group of noble young ladies clustered beneath a pavilion ahead.
At the center of the group stood a tall, handsome, and elegant man.
He held a folding fan and wore a moon-white brocade robe with a crossed collar, embroidered with emerald-green bamboo.
His demeanor bore some resemblance to Lu Guizhou’s—both were gentle, refined gentlemen.
“He’s really popular.”
“The title of Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud truly shines like gold.”
Su Wan remarked sincerely.
Lu Jiayu, who admired Chen Qiansheng, naturally thought everything about him was perfect and couldn’t help but say proudly, “Of course. The Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud is a position of real power that can rival even first or second-grade high officials. My mother said that if I could marry into the Chen family, our Lu Family would have nothing to worry about.”
Ah, so the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud held such prestige?
Su Wan was taken aback. If this were true, then Chen Qiansheng was undoubtedly a blue-chip prospect.
To be safe, she asked further, “Is he the only unmarried young master in the Chen family?”
Lu Jiayu then replied somewhat awkwardly, “No, there’s also Chen San in the Chen family, who is also unmarried. But Chen San never attends events like the Hundred Fruits Banquet.”
She then looked up at Su Wan and added without hesitation, “Even if I didn’t tell you, you’d find out with a little inquiry. Chen Qiansheng is the Chen family’s eldest son born to a concubine, while Chen San is the legitimate son.”
So that was it—Chen Qiansheng was a son born to a concubine. Su Wan silently breathed a sigh of relief.
She had almost considered competing with Lu Jiayu for this blue-chip prospect just moments ago.Now it was settled—the blue-chip stock had turned into junk, and she no longer had to act out the drama of sisters fighting over the same man with Lu Jiayu.
Patting Lu Jiayu’s hand, she urged her again, “Let’s go say hello to Young Master Qiansheng.”
Lu Jiayu shrank back. “I won’t go. You go if you want to.”
Su Wan was both amused and exasperated. “It’s not me who likes Young Master Qiansheng.”
Lu Jiayu stomped her foot. “I’m not going over there to make a fool of myself.”
Well, she was a complete novice when it came to romance.
For a woman of lower status to have even a sliver of a chance with a high-ranking man, she had to take the initiative and employ some cunning—unless, of course, she possessed stunning beauty that left a lasting impression. Clearly, Lu Jiayu did not have such looks.
Over the past few days, Su Wan and Lu Jiayu had gotten along quite harmoniously.
Su Wan was someone who repaid kindness. She had used Lu Jiayu to sneak into the Hundred Fruits Banquet, so she intended to return the favor—partly out of gratitude and partly to demonstrate her own value.
So, pulling and dragging, she hauled Lu Jiayu under the covered walkway and, steeling herself, squeezed her way next to Chen Qiansheng.
Chen Qiansheng was very courteous. Seeing Lu Jiayu, he smiled and greeted her, “Sister Jiayu, it’s been a few days. You look much better.”
Lu Jiayu shyly lowered her head. Her complexion wasn’t good at all—it was miles behind Sister Wan’s flawless skin.
When she turned her head, she realized that Su Wan, who had been beside her, had disappeared without her noticing.
Just as she was about to call out for her, Chen Qiansheng spoke to her again.
“I wonder what nourishing foods Sister Jiayu has been eating. Could you tell me? My younger brother at home is ill and looks very pale. I’d like to borrow your wisdom and ask for a recipe to help nourish him.”
Lu Jiayu seized the opportunity to reply, “It’s nothing special, just ordinary food. Oh, except these past few days, I’ve been adding some lily bulbs to my multigrain porridge.”
Those dried lily bulbs were actually brought by Su Wan from Liuzhou and gifted to the women of the Lu Mansion. Lu Jiayu casually added, “I still have some dried lily leaves at home. If you want them, Elder Brother Changsheng, I can give you some.”
The other noble young ladies, seeing Chen Qiansheng speaking with Lu Jiayu, tactfully withdrew.
Under the covered walkway, Lu Jiayu’s smile grew wider, and her words flowed more naturally.
Suddenly, she felt very grateful to Su Wan.
If Su Wan hadn’t insisted on bringing her to the walkway, she would never have had the chance to speak with Chen Qiansheng.
If Su Wan hadn’t applied such beautiful makeup for her, how would she have appeared to have such a good complexion?
If Su Wan hadn’t discreetly slipped away on her own, with Su Wan’s beauty, she would have undoubtedly made Lu Jiayu look like a country bumpkin, and Chen Qiansheng’s eyes would never have fallen on her.
If it weren’t for the lily leaves Su Wan had gifted, how could she have exchanged gifts and conversations with Chen Qiansheng?
All of this was thanks to Su Wan.
Meanwhile, Su Wan, whom Lu Jiayu was thinking of, had hidden alone under a cluster of densely planted willow trees.
The drooping willow branches arched gracefully. She snapped one off and idly twirled it in her palm.
Time was fleeting, and youth waited for no one. She had to find a high branch for herself while she was still in her prime.
In the distance, Madam Wei pointed toward the graceful figure under the willow trees and said with a smile, “Third Young Master Chen, look, Wan Niang is all alone. Why not invite her over to join us in tasting this newly harvested Anji white tea?”Chen Luosheng neither nodded nor shook his head, only speaking ambiguously, “I was merely passing by and came to Aunt Wei’s place to ask for a cup of tea.”
Madam Wei affectionately poured another cup of tea. “Good tea should be savored slowly. Third Young Master Chen, please sit down and enjoy it at your leisure.”
As she spoke, she gave a meaningful glance to her eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Wu, who stood in the corner.
Madam Wu silently left the room and hurried toward the willow tree.
After explaining the purpose of her visit, Madam Wu smiled warmly at Su Wan. “My mother-in-law feels a connection with you, which is why she invited you for tea. Wan Niang, please come.”
Su Wan was astute. From Madam Wu’s subtle smile, slight frown, posture, and words, she detected a hint of a matchmaker’s demeanor.
In the world of fame and fortune, there were many who delighted in playing the role of a go-between. As a former star, her instincts were always sharp.
Looking past Madam Wu’s shoulder toward a distant room, she noticed a man standing by the window. Though his figure was blurry and indistinct, she could feel his intense gaze fixed upon her.
Playing hard to get was her tried-and-true method for maintaining an air of reserve and mystery.
Su Wan gently brushed aside the stray strands of hair stirred by the breeze, tucking them gracefully behind her ear.
“But I have matters to attend to. Next time, Wan Niang will personally apologize to Madam Wei.”
With that, she lifted the hem of her skirt, turned elegantly, and walked away, her slender waist swaying gently, leaving behind a figure that stirred endless imagination.
Madam Wu had never encountered such an uncooperative young lady and called out from behind, “Actually, it was Third Young Master Chen who wished to invite you for tea.”
Su Wan nearly halted her steps. Chen San? Wasn’t he the legitimate son of the Chen family, the Vice Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, whom Lu Jiayu had mentioned?
Her visit today had not been in vain!
Chen San, Chen Luosheng! Instantly promoted to the top of her hunting list!