When Mother Wu left the South Courtyard, she felt dizzy and lightheaded.
Upon reaching the West Garden, she collapsed headfirst onto the threshold.
Lin Tangtang had someone help Mother Wu into the room.
After a moment of contemplation, she lowered her voice, “Mother Wu, did you eat today’s breakfast?”
Mother Wu looked embarrassed, “Yes, this old servant thought it would be a waste to throw it away…”
Lin Tangtang: “What symptoms are you experiencing now?”
Mother Wu: “This old servant just feels somewhat drowsy, with no other discomfort…”
Lin Tangtang’s eyes darkened.
She had just received word that the breakfast delivery boxes sent to various courtyards in the estate today were light brown in color.
If she had eaten breakfast today, she would be the one lying here now.
In her previous life, this scene had not occurred.
It seemed that Yu Shi’s methods of dealing with her had become much more indirect now.
Looking at the drowsy Mother Wu, she decided to turn the situation to her advantage.
She picked up the Bise Huakou Ping from the window and walked toward the flower beds.
Today was an official rest day, and the Flower Viewing Banquet would begin as scheduled.
The Jingbei Marquis’s Residence was bestowed during the reign of Taizu Huangdi, with several acres of Mudan Huahai within its grounds—a spectacular sight of brilliant purples and reds, renowned as one of Jing City’s great landscapes.
Although the Marquis Estate was no longer as prominent as before, the flowers bloomed even more magnificently.
The main venue for the entire banquet was set on the viewing platform amidst this sea of flowers.
At the banquet, men and women were seated separately, divided into the host’s seats and the guests’ seats.
Yu Shi, dressed in a luxurious sapphire blue gown, sat in the central host position, with Yang Chen on her right and Yang Xiao on her left.
Each person had a small antique wooden table in front of them, set with wine and delicacies.
The qin platform was situated at a higher elevation, decorated with floral arrangements, where the qin player performed with melodious music.
Yang Xiao wore a light yellow dress paired with an apricot-colored kesi jacket, adorned with a diancui and pearl-embedded gold headdress set, and a single Yao Huang peony hairpin—elegant and refined, with graceful charm.
She glanced around the venue; Princess Baozhu had not come today.
Yang Chen was dressed in a moon-white long robe, fastened at the waist with a gold-inlaid jade belt, appearing cultured and refined.
He had once served at the Guozijian, renowned for his excellent poetry and hailed as the “Jingcheng Diyi Gongzi.” Although he later trained in the military, joined the Ministry of War, and held a military position, his dignified demeanor remained undiminished, his presence even more impressive than before.
“Madam of the Hou Estate, you are truly blessed. Your son and daughter are exceptionally handsome and possess remarkable grace—it’s truly enviable!” Madam Xia of the Quan Bo Fu said with a smile.
The siblings’ extraordinary looks evoked admiration and affection among the banquet attendees.
Unfortunately, both siblings were now betrothed.
Yang Xiao was engaged to the second son of Li Guogong—a marriage above her station.
But Yang Chen…
“You flatter me, Madam of the Bo Estate,” Yu Shi said with a beaming face. “Chen’er, Xiao Xiao, offer a toast to Madam of the Quan Bo Fu.”
The siblings raised their cups in respect.
“I heard that the Young Lord’s fiancée has arrived at the Marquis Estate. Why hasn’t she attended the banquet today?” Madam Xia of the Quan Bo Fu asked, taking a sip of wine.
Lin Tangtang had lived in the Northern Territory for many years.
Most of today’s attendees were from Jing City, and only a few had ever seen Lin Tangtang.
It was said that Lin Tangtang had relentlessly pursued Yang Chen back then, chasing him all the way from the Northern Territory, even blocking the city gate to boldly declare that she would “marry no one but him.”
Unexpectedly, this astonishing act by a military general’s daughter from a merchant family had actually won Yang Chen in the end.
It had broken the hearts of many young women at the time.
They were naturally curious to see what the woman betrothed to the “Jingcheng Diyi Gongzi” looked like now.
“Well…” Yu Shi hesitated, at a loss for words.
This only piqued more people’s curiosity.
“Is the Madam of the Hou Estate unwilling to let her future daughter-in-law be seen by others?” The wife of the Count Quan Manor teased.
“How could that be? As for her… I haven’t even caught a glimpse of her yet…” Yu Shi sounded somewhat helpless.
At that moment, the maid Hongmei stepped forward. “Madam, according to the attending Mama, Miss Lin has not yet gotten out of bed…”
Upon hearing this, the guests present showed expressions of shock.
“How could there be such a woman who knows no rules?” The wife of the Count Quan Manor’s face turned cold.
Coming from the Xia scholar-official family, she valued propriety above all.
“Never mind, I’ve already grown accustomed to it,” Yu Shi said with a bitter smile.
The implication was that Lin Tangtang had always been unruly in the Marquis Estate.
“Madam of the Hou Estate, everyone knows you have the kindest heart. But back then, this Lin Tangtang insisted on marrying into the Hou Estate shamelessly. Now that she’s being so unreasonable, should the Hou Estate still tolerate her?” The wife of the Count Quan Manor spoke sharply.
Her words, on one hand, highlighted Yu Shi as a good mother-in-law, while on the other, suggested that Lin Tangtang was unworthy of the Hou Estate.
Back then, her own legitimate daughter had admired Yang Chen. Upon learning of his engagement, she lost ten pounds in weight and later had to reluctantly become engaged to someone else.
The crowd began whispering among themselves.
Yang Chen frowned and took a sip of bitter tea.
“Let’s not bring up the past,” Yu Shi said after a moment of silence. This was exactly the effect she wanted.
Ever since Lin Tangtang entered the estate, Yu Shi had often complained about her to the ladies from other households she frequently interacted with.
Today, these gossipy women were seated throughout the banquet, whispering criticisms about Lin Tangtang.
She felt quite pleased inwardly.
Although Lin Tangtang had been in the estate for several days and Yu Shi had repeatedly tried to impose rules on her, she had never gained the upper hand in their confrontations.
Lin Tangtang kept to herself, unwilling to actively share the burdens of the Hou Estate. Even the leads for the pharmacy and the headdress set had been provided by Lin Jiaojiao…
Today, she could use the situation to her advantage and enforce rules upon Lin Tangtang, making her submit and eventually offer money as a sign of respect.
She refused to believe that Lin Tangtang would dare to disregard her reputation and challenge these noblewomen of Jing City…
“May I ask who the wife of the Count Quan Manor does not wish to tolerate?” A clear, melodious voice rang out.
Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a young woman in a light purple dress, her head wrapped in gauze, looking somewhat pale and weary, holding a green bottle as she entered the banquet venue.
Yu Shi was slightly surprised.
Why had she arrived earlier than expected?
But it didn’t matter.
Her tardiness to the banquet was already a grave breach of etiquette.
Lin Tangtang bowed to Yu Shi.
“So you are Lin Tangtang?” The wife of the Count Quan Manor’s eyes flashed with disdain. “Naturally, we are talking about you, since you were late to the banquet.”
Plainly dressed and without a trace of makeup, she appeared to be a vulgar woman with no taste.
What a pity for Yang Chen, with his handsome and talented demeanor.
Lin Tangtang looked astonished. “I had no idea that the household affairs of the Hou Estate were something the Count Quan Manor could decide.”
After saying this, she smiled faintly at Yu Shi.
“I…” The wife of the Count Quan Manor was momentarily speechless.
How had her words been twisted into something else?
“Tangtang, the wife of the Count Quan Manor didn’t mean it that way,” Yu Shi suppressed her anger and said in a low voice. “Today’s banquet—your late arrival is indeed improper…”
“Madam of the Hou Estate, it is precisely because of today’s Flower Viewing Banquet that I was delayed,” Lin Tangtang said with a smile.
“So you’re saying there’s justification for being late to the Flower Viewing Banquet?” The wife of the Count Quan Manor said coldly.
She was eager to hear how Lin Tangtang would try to talk her way out of this.
Yu Shi felt that Lin Tangtang was being unreasonable.
Yang Chen, Yang Xiao, and Lin Jiaojiao all believed Lin Tangtang could not justify her argument.
“The answer lies within this Bise Huakou Ping,” Lin Tangtang said, handing the vase to Yu Shi.
Yu Shi looked at the vase, her face showing astonishment.