Seven days later, a grand banquet was held at the Fifth Prince’s residence to celebrate the victorious return of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.
Yun Qingyi’s grandmother had spent her entire life moving within the capital’s social circles. There wasn’t a single notable family, scandal, or piece of court gossip she didn’t know.
Grand Tutor Fang possessed an identity even more impressive than his position as Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.
He had once been the tutor of both the current Emperor and the Crown Prince.
From the time the Emperor began his studies at six years old until he assumed full authority at sixteen, Grand Tutor Fang had personally instructed him.
Afterward, he taught the Crown Prince until the latter also turned sixteen before transferring to the Imperial Academy to cultivate talented officials for the Tianqi Empire.
Because of this relationship, invitations were always sent to the Fang family whenever a prince hosted a banquet.
Old Madam Fang herself was famously sociable.
Whether speaking with childhood friends of her own generation or noble ladies two generations younger, she could chat comfortably with anyone.
Today, she already had a plan.
Her daughter always worried excessively about Yun Qingyi and rarely allowed her out of sight.
Old Madam Fang feared that the same thing would happen again today.
If Yun Qingyi spent the entire banquet clinging to her mother, she would undoubtedly become the target of ridicule among the noble young ladies.
In that case, it would be better not to attend at all.
“Today, you’ll stay with me and let Xuanxuan mingle with the other young ladies.”
Old Madam Fang spoke firmly.
“If you truly care about her, you shouldn’t keep her tied to your side forever.”
Having spent so many years managing the inner household, Madam Fang had become overly protective.
Old Madam Fang often worried that her daughter would unintentionally stunt her granddaughter’s growth.
Such a bright child deserved better.
“But I’m still worried…”
Madam Fang began to protest.
Her mother immediately interrupted.
“While we’re still alive, we can help her navigate these situations. If you don’t even dare let her face a simple social gathering now, what will she do in the future?”
Madam Fang looked uneasily toward her daughter.
If Yun Qingyi showed the slightest hesitation, she intended to reject her mother’s suggestion outright.
Instead, Yun Qingyi smiled.
“Mother’s concern comes from love, and I’m grateful for it.”
“It’s only a banquet. There shouldn’t be any danger.”
“If I truly can’t handle something, I’ll simply send Shui Ling to fetch Mother.”
The answer greatly pleased Old Madam Fang.
She rewarded her granddaughter with an approving look.
By the time their conversation ended, they had already arrived at the Fifth Prince’s residence.
After presenting their invitation card, Old Madam Fang escorted Madam Fang to the gathering of noblewomen.
Yun Qingyi was assigned to the section reserved for young ladies.
The Tianqi Empire wasn’t particularly strict about separating men and women.
For convenience during large gatherings, guests were usually seated in separate groups according to age and gender—elders, men, and women.
Those who enjoyed socializing could freely mingle between groups.
Those who preferred not to could remain seated after offering their greetings.
The aristocratic circles of the capital were relatively small.
Most noble young ladies already knew one another well.
Their social lives consisted largely of attending one another’s banquets and gatherings.
The venue changed.
The people rarely did.
Compared to the familiar groups chatting happily together, Yun Qingyi looked like a complete stranger.
She wasn’t shy.
Nor was she socially anxious.
But she wasn’t foolish enough to charge into an established circle without understanding it first.
This was her debut appearance.
Caution was paramount.
She quietly selected a seat in a corner and occupied herself with fruit imported from the Western Regions.
At the same time, she shamelessly eavesdropped.
For quite a while.
“Do you think we’ll get to see the Marquis of Zhenyuan today?”
“The banquet is being held to celebrate his victory. It wouldn’t make sense for the guests to arrive while the guest of honor remains absent.”
“Not necessarily.”
“If this banquet were truly the Marquis’s idea, why isn’t it being held at the Marquis’s residence?”
“When I heard it was being hosted at the Fifth Prince’s estate, I immediately lowered my expectations.”
Another girl nodded.
“The Fifth Prince was born to Consort Xian.”
“Consort Xian entered the palace because of her beauty, but her family background was far too humble.”
“For years, her rank remained low.”
“If her family hadn’t produced a Marquis of Zhenyuan, who knows what position she’d still hold today?”
“I heard the Marquis’s mother was Consort Xian’s elder sister.”
“Apparently she married a butcher.”
“Our dynasty has always valued noble birth.”
“People from backgrounds like theirs could never have been compared to families like ours.”
“Still, Consort Xian is lucky.”
“Her nephew joined the army and rose through the ranks.”
“In only ten years he went from a minor officer to the empire’s highest military commander and was granted the title Marquis of Zhenyuan.”
“One person’s success elevates the entire family.”
“Consort Xian benefited from her nephew’s achievements. She climbed steadily from Beauty to Noble Consort and is now Imperial Noble Consort—second only to the Empress.”
Another girl sighed dramatically.
“Good fortune like that simply can’t be envied.”
By this point, Yun Qingyi could barely listen any longer.
She felt nothing but disdain.
The Marquis of Zhenyuan had started with no backing whatsoever.
He had earned his military achievements through countless battles.
How many wounds had he suffered?
How many hardships had he endured?
None of these pampered noble ladies seemed capable of seeing that.
To dismiss years of bloodshed and military accomplishment as mere luck was ridiculous.
If this was the sort of social circle her grandmother hoped she would integrate into, perhaps integration wasn’t necessary at all.
Living comfortably like her mother—as a wealthy lady free from unnecessary scheming—didn’t sound bad either.
Without realizing it, she’d spent quite a while listening.
Eventually, she grew hungry.
Opening the snack box she had thoughtfully brought with her, she took out a pastry.
“Apparently eavesdropping burns a surprising amount of energy.”
While Yun Qingyi quietly filled her stomach, the young ladies continued their spirited discussion.
“There’s no need to envy anyone.”
One girl in green laughed while covering her mouth.
“The Marquis of Zhenyuan is the most desirable husband in the capital right now.”
“He may be a little older, but he’s handsome, powerful, and influential.”
“If I managed to catch his attention, I’d be ascending to heaven myself.”
The way she spoke, it was almost as though she had already become the Marchioness of Zhenyuan.
“Hush.”
A plainly dressed girl in simple linen advised gently.
“Be careful someone might hear you.”
The girl in green immediately looked displeased.
“We’re only joking among sisters. Why take everything so seriously?”
“You don’t have to act like an elder sister all the time and suppress me.”
A girl in pink quickly joined in.
“Exactly, Zhiyao.”
“It’s just a joke. Why are you making such a fuss?”
The green-clad girl sneered.
“Could it be that Elder Sister actually thinks the Marquis of Zhenyuan will come today?”
“You should be praying he doesn’t.”
Her gaze swept contemptuously over the linen-clad girl’s plain clothing.
“If the Marquis really appeared and saw you dressed like that, he might think the Lu family doesn’t understand proper etiquette.”
“That would certainly damage Father’s reputation as Minister of Rites.”
The girl in plain clothing flushed crimson.
She opened her mouth as though to argue.
Then glanced down at her own simple attire.
No words came out.
The pink-clad girl continued mercilessly.
“When Consort Xian was still only a palace beauty, who cared about the Fifth Prince?”
“He didn’t even own a residence of his own back then.”
“This banquet is probably nothing more than the Fifth Prince trying to borrow the Marquis’s reputation to expand his connections.”
“For all we know, the Marquis may not even be aware this event exists.”
The girl in green went even further.
Picking up a bowl of soup, she deliberately spilled it across the linen-clad girl’s dress.
Then she gasped theatrically.
“Oh my!”
“Elder Sister, how could you be so careless?”
“The Marquis hasn’t even arrived yet, and the banquet hasn’t begun.”
“You’ve already spilled soup all over yourself.”
“You’d better hurry and change clothes.”
She raised her voice intentionally.
“If people see you like this, they might think our Lu family lacks proper manners.”
“You—!”
The plain-clothed girl was both furious and humiliated.
Yet she could say nothing.
In the end, she could only stand and leave.
The moment she rose from her seat, the green-clad girl smoothly took her place at the head of the table.
As soon as the other girl disappeared from sight, she turned back to the group with obvious satisfaction.
“The mood-killer is finally gone.”
“Let’s continue drinking and enjoying ourselves.”
“Don’t let bad luck ruin everyone’s fun.”
Watching the lonely figure of the plain-dressed girl disappear into the distance, Yun Qingyi slowly stood up.
Then she followed after her.