The news that the Dingguo Gongfu was going to hold a birthday banquet for the Old Madam had been the subject of whispers among the families in Jingcheng who had dealings with them for several days.
First of all, Mama Lin and Dongmai acted quickly. With the assistance of the eldest young master, Shen Qingjun, the invitations, whose ink was barely dry, were all sent out the next day.
Upon receiving the invitations, everyone was first taken aback, then opened them to look.
It wasn’t a funeral notice for the Duke of Dingguo, but rather an invitation to Old Madam Shen’s birthday celebration.
This left everyone utterly bewildered.
The Duke of Dingguo had been missing for three years, and the Dingguo Gongfu had remained quiet for three years.
Now, they were suddenly making a grand show of holding a birthday banquet for Old Madam Shen—there must be something behind this!
Could it be that the Tianjia had quietly given the Dingguo Gongfu some reassurance?
Or perhaps there was news about the Duke of Dingguo…
One by one, they accepted the invitations and expressed that they would definitely attend to offer their congratulations to Old Madam Shen on that day.
As soon as the messengers delivering the invitations left, the matriarchs who received them immediately went to discuss the matter with the men in their families.
The Zheng Family, the maternal family of the Empress Dowager, who had been enfeoffed as Guogong alongside the Duke of Dingguo—the Duke Anguo—stared at the invitation in deep thought for a long time.
“Your Grace, could it be from His Majesty…” asked the Wudinghou, a distant relative of the Empress Dowager and an ally, in a low voice.
The Duke Anguo shook his head.
“Word has come from the Empress Dowager’s side. His Majesty has shown no unusual behavior recently, so it likely isn’t an action from His Majesty.”
“Then… could it be that the Dingguo Gongfu has received news in their search for the person?
Over the past three years, the Dingguo Gongfu has consistently sent people to search along the border,” the Wudinghou continued.
The Duke Anguo remained silent.
He glanced at the invitation, then looked out the window.
“It’s unclear! The specifics of what’s happening are likely known only to the Shen Family!
Since they are now making such a grand show of holding a birthday banquet and even deliberately moved it forward, they must be planning something.
We’ll respond to changes by staying unchanged. Have your wife be sharp and observant; she might be able to pick up on something.
Wait, that’s not right. Your family has hosted grand banquets at least five times this past year, and it seems you invited the Duchess of Dingguo every time!
What? Didn’t you manage to glean any information from those five occasions?” the Duke Anguo asked.
The Wudinghou smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
That Duchess from the Dingguo Gongfu kept her lips tightly sealed and never said an unnecessary word.
“This time, it’s a good opportunity to visit the Dingguo Gongfu. With such a major event, the servants or maids are bound to reveal some clues.
As for our Anguo Gongfu…
A tall tree catches the wind. I’ll have the family send congratulatory gifts over, but as for people… we’ll hold off for now.
After all, the attitudes of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are still unclear.
Your wife should put more effort into gathering information.
At the very least, your family is still connected by marriage to the Dingguo Gongfu,” the Duke Anguo said calmly.
Upon hearing this, the Wudinghou hurriedly agreed.
That’s right, his second son and the eldest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo were married by the Empress Dowager’s decree, though that was when the Duke of Dingguo was still present.
Now, however…
The Wudinghou quickly returned home to make arrangements.
Meanwhile, in the Gongli, Empress Xu, the wife of Emperor Xiao Jing, met with her younger sister, now the Madam of the Duke of Qi.
“Since the Shen Family has sent an invitation and you have dealings with them, it’s appropriate for you to attend.
After all, this is just a matter of the inner household. It’s only right to liven things up for the old lady’s birthday.
Prepare some decent congratulatory gifts, make an appearance, observe more, and ask less.”
The questions we want to ask will surely be asked by others—don’t be the one to stick your neck out,” Empress Xu whispered in reminder.
Madam of the Duke of Qi also agreed.
As for the other families, after pondering for a long time and failing to understand why Dingguo Gongfu would suddenly host a grand banquet after three years, they all decided to visit the Shen Family that day to find out.
Even the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Jin’s maternal family, was completely bewildered when they received the invitation delivered by a servant.
“Father, Jin’er has always known her limits in handling matters—she shouldn’t be making foolish moves,” Madam Shangguan explained softly.
Old Master Shangguan had once served as a study companion to the late emperor, and the younger generations of the Shangguan Family were either historians or censors.
In terms of shrewdness, Old Master Shangguan’s mind was as intricate as a carved ivory ball—impossible to see through.
He stroked his beard thoughtfully before nodding and saying:
“Jin’er has made a brilliant move!
The relationship between Tianjia and the Shen Family has been deadlocked, maintaining a delicate balance for three years.
Now that the three years are up, Jin’er takes the first step, stirring things up and bringing Dingguo Gongfu back into the sight of Jingcheng.
This way, Tianjia can no longer pretend to be unaware.
Yet this move is something any ordinary family might do—it falls within the realm of household affairs, making it impossible for others to find fault.
Advance to attack, retreat to defend—it seems Jin’er learned a lot from Dingguogong over the years.
As for what comes next, it depends on how Tianjia responds.
Breaking the deadlock, no breakthrough without disruption—Jin’er is truly clever,” Old Master Shangguan praised.
Madam Shangguan’s eyes stung with tears.
When her two daughters married, everyone said she was blessed.
The eldest daughter became a Duchess, and the younger daughter became Xianfei of Tianjia, deeply favored by the emperor.
Who could have known that three years ago, her younger daughter suddenly passed away, and her eldest daughter’s husband vanished without a trace.
“Father, then I’ll arrange the congratulatory gifts,” Madam Shangguan said softly.
Old Master Shangguan nodded but added a few words:
“You should go that day, but don’t bring your mother—her seniority is a bit high. If she goes, it might be inconvenient for you to speak with Old Madam Shen.”
With reddened eyes, Madam Shangguan went to discuss with Old Madam Shangguan what kind of birthday gifts to prepare.
“For a birthday celebration, Shouxing Gong is a must.
I have a jade Shouxing Gong in my storeroom, originally bestowed by the late Empress Dowager to our family’s old madam, who later passed it to me.
Take it with you. The Shen Family has faced hardships these past few years—with Shouxing Gong watching over them, it might ease Jin’er’s burdens.
Doesn’t the family have silk sent from Suzhou and Hangzhou?
Bring a few bolts—aside from Yaqingse, include Qiuxiang, Songlü, and Yinhongse.
The children are growing up and will need them.
As for other birthday gifts, you can decide as you see fit.
Take what you can from the family funds. If something isn’t available, purchase it now—with enough silver, everything can be arranged,” Old Madam Shangguan said with a smile.
Madam Shangguan nodded and agreed.
Noticing the lingering redness in Madam Shangguan’s eyes, Old Madam Shangguan sighed.
After dismissing everyone else in the room, she quietly slipped two silver notes to Madam Shangguan.
“Take these two thousand taels in silver notes and exchange them for smaller denominations—fifty taels or a hundred taels will do—and bring them to Jin’er.
Last time when Sister Yao and Brother Jun came to pay their respects, I noticed their clothes and accessories were from last year!”
Miss Jin has a hard life. The Guogongfu may appear grand, but its expenses are even greater. In recent years, they have also had to send people to search for the Dingguogong while maintaining daily expenditures.
We should help as much as we can!”
Madam Shangguan’s eyes grew warm with emotion.
“Mother, there’s no need. I’ve already prepared some silver for Jin’er. You don’t have to give anything,” Madam Shangguan said, her eyes reddening.
“What you give is from you as a mother.
What I give is from me as a grandmother.
Miss Jin is a thoughtful girl. If she suddenly decides to celebrate Old Madam Shen’s birthday at this time, she must have her own plans.
I suspect there will be quite a few people with ulterior motives that day. When you go, you’ll inevitably need to lend her a hand.
In terms of status and position, yours is not lacking. Aside from those few Duchesses, there’s hardly anyone you can’t afford to offend.
Help Miss Jin hold her ground.” Old Madam Shangguan agreed without hesitation.