Luhe explained, “She is the only daughter of Grand Master of Ceremonies Liu.”
Jiang Fei knew nothing about these ancient official positions. She only knew that titles like “Prince” or “Marquis” indicated power and influence, but she had never heard of this “Master” title.
Noticing her confusion, Luhe explained, “Although Grand Master of Ceremonies Liu’s official rank is not high, Miss Liu is a renowned talented lady in the capital and is on very good terms with Anping County Princess. Madam insists that you must attend and has reminded you not to cause any trouble.”
Jiang Fei remembered now.
In the book, because Jiang Rufei had an affair with Zhao Xingbang, the one who married Wei Mingzhen was replaced by the Jiang family’s third young lady, Jiang Rulin.
Due to the Wei family’s connections, many prominent families in the capital had to show some respect, while those of lesser status wanted to build good relations with Jiang Rulin before her marriage.
The main reason was that, up to this point, the Wei family’s intention to break off the engagement had not been made public, so no one else knew about it.
In the book, Jiang Rulin attended the flower-viewing banquet.
However, that banquet did not go smoothly because Anping County Princess accidentally fell into the water, causing a miscarriage, which enraged the Princess Royal.
Now, since the person marrying Wei Mingzhen had not been replaced, it meant Jiang Rufei had to attend this flower-viewing banquet.
Luhe had someone bring over a set of head ornaments. “These were taken by Madam from the storeroom for you to wear to the banquet, so as not to lose face.”
Jiang Rufei looked at the set of head ornaments. They were exquisitely crafted and must have pained Yao Shi’s heart to take them out, yet she had no choice but to give them to her to show off.
What Yao Shi didn’t know was that it was precisely this set of head ornaments that caused a lot of trouble for the Jiang family.
Jiang Fei did not refuse. After accepting the head ornaments, she had Jiu Tao lock them away in a cabinet.
On the day of the flower-viewing banquet, Jiang Fei chose a simple dress—one that would neither overshadow the host nor compromise her status.
The Liu residence was not particularly large, but Liu Zhiwei, as the only daughter of Grand Master of Ceremonies Liu, was deeply cherished at home. She was also an elegant person who had meticulously arranged the garden of the Liu residence.
The original Jiang Rufei rarely attended such occasions in the past. If not for the Wei family’s connections, she likely would not have been invited this time either.
In the garden, there was a wisteria trellis covered in flowers, and a canopy was set up by the small pond to provide shade. White gauze curtains fluttered gently in the breeze.
The young ladies gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing. Jiang Fei didn’t know any of them. She came here partly to silence Yao Shi and partly to see if she could prevent Anping County Princess from falling into the water.
In the book, this Anping County Princess was a good person. Jiang Fei wasn’t a saint, but if she could lend a hand when the opportunity arose, she would.
Jiang Fei had never met Anping County Princess and naturally didn’t recognize her. After looking around, she didn’t see anyone who appeared to be pregnant.
The lady who had received her earlier, standing beside Liu Zhiwei, also didn’t look like the County Princess.
She casually pulled a maid aside and whispered, “May I ask which one is Anping County Princess?”
Before the maid could answer, a light laugh came from behind her. “Oh, you’ve only just arrived and you’re already inquiring about the County Princess. You must be Second Miss Jiang, right?”
Jiang Fei turned around and saw a young lady wearing a goose-yellow ruqun. Beside her stood several other young ladies of similar age, all examining her with scrutinizing gazes.
“Indeed,” Jiang Fei replied with a slight curtsy. “May I ask who you are…?”
“My father is one of the Nine Ministers, the Minister of Ceremonies,” the young lady said with a smile. “I’ve long heard of Second Miss Jiang’s reputation. Seeing you today, you truly are… unique.”
She deliberately enunciated each word with biting sarcasm that anyone could detect.
The young ladies nearby covered their mouths with light laughter. Jiang Fei understood immediately—this was trouble seeking her out.
Though Jiang Fei wasn’t familiar with official positions, she had heard of the Three Ducal Ministers and Nine Chamberlains, knowing these were high-ranking roles.
Unhurriedly smoothing her sleeves, she curved her lips slightly. “So it’s the daughter of the Chamberlain for Ceremonials. I’ve long heard of your esteemed family.”
The girl smirked triumphantly. “Sisters, come meet Second Miss Jiang. Once she ascends the branch and becomes a phoenix, we’ll be seeing her often.”
The hostility in her words was unmistakable. Jiang Fei neither humbled nor aggrandized herself, replying with a calm smile, “Indeed. I’ll invite you all to visit the Marquis Manor someday.”
The girl’s face instantly stiffened.
In her eagerness to vent, she had forgotten that publicly humiliating Jiang Rufei meant disrespecting the Dingyuan Marquis Manor.
No wonder the others only listened without speaking—they were using her as the spearhead.
“Ruolan,” one of the young ladies interjected, “let’s go over to Miss Liu’s side first.”
Now Jiang Fei understood the source of such intense animosity.
So this was Zhou Ruolan—notorious in the original story for double-dealing, maintaining a superficial friendship with Jiang Rulin while stabbing her in the back, a character with considerable later appearances.
Watching the group retreat into the distance, Jiang Fei casually found a stone bench beneath a tree to sit, simultaneously observing the pond’s surroundings.
As the sun climbed higher, the weather grew increasingly warm. The small clusters of people admiring flowers by the lake gradually migrated toward the wisteria trellis.
Wave after wave of guests departed until the pondside stood nearly empty. Just as Jiang Fei prepared to rise, two maids escorted a lavishly dressed young woman past her.
For some reason, a single glance sparked an intuition—this must be Anping County Princess.
Jiang Fei quickly followed, drawing a backward glance from one of the maids.
The wisteria trellis stood diagonally across the pond, requiring a half-circuit along the water’s edge to reach its shade.
Sunlight swept across the flagstones when suddenly fractured glints reflected from the ground, momentarily dazzling Jiang Fei’s eyes.
She instinctively turned her head aside before focusing intently. Several scattered pearls had somehow appeared on the path.
“Watch out!”
Even as Jiang Fei called her warning, the figure ahead slipped, tilting sideways toward the pond.
Of Anping County Princess’s two maids, one was leading ahead while the other walked on the inner side. The latter reached out but failed to grasp her in time.
Jiang Fei lunged forward, seizing the County Princess’s wrist and pulling hard, but her own foot stepped on the pearls. With a splash, she tumbled into the pond.
The noise startled the crowd, drawing everyone to the water’s edge.
Steadying herself with Jiang Fei’s assistance, the County Princess pressed a hand to her chest in relief and called loudly, “Quick! Get her out immediately!”
This season saw lotus leaves beginning to unfurl across the water’s surface.
Jiang Fei touched bottom—the pond wasn’t excessively deep, about 1.6 meters.
Being a strong swimmer, she reached the bank in a few strokes before anyone could jump in, grasping the outstretched hands above.
Soaked through, Jiang Fei climbed ashore with her hair disheveled. Wiping water from her face, she met the County Princess’s concerned gaze.
Jiang Fei smiled at her. “I’m fine.”
Liu Zhiwei approached at that moment. “I have unworn new garments in my chamber. If Second Miss Jiang doesn’t mind, you may cleanse and change there.”
Naturally, Jiang Fei didn’t decline. After expressing thanks, she followed a maid to Liu Zhiwei’s bedroom.
The maid soon brought water. Preferring not to be attended during bathing, Jiang Fei asked her to wait outside.
The door closed for a moment before opening again.
Jiang Fei thought it was the maid bringing in clothes and called out, “Just put them on the rack.”
After she spoke, a while later, the door closed once more.