The bottle contained plain, unremarkable water.
“It’s just some water,” Yu Shi looked up.
“This isn’t ordinary water—it’s Flower Dew,” Lin Tangtang explained. “I’ve heard Flower Dew has beautifying properties. Since the flowers are at their peak today, I specially collected the dew from the petals in the estate and stored it in this bottle as a gift for the Madam of the Hou Estate.”
She gently shook the vase. “Madam, can you catch the fragrance?”
Yu Shi had no choice but to lean closer—there was indeed a faint floral scent.
“So Miss Lin has such thoughtful intentions,” remarked a lady seated below. “Even before entering the Marquis Estate, she’s already so filial. No wonder she looks a bit weary.”
She was Zhou Furen, wife of Zhou Zhuo, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
As soon as she spoke, several other upright officials nodded in agreement.
Collecting Flower Dew required rising before dawn. Despite the injury on her head, Lin Tangtang had still gathered dew for the Madam of the Hou Estate—truly commendable.
Yu Shi’s fingers tightened. Mother Wu had clearly reported that Lin Tangtang had eaten her breakfast, which contained sedative powder. She must have just woken up.
So when did she collect the Flower Dew? Why hadn’t there been any noise?
Yu Shi suspected Lin Tangtang was lying, but she had no proof.
Besides, even if it were genuine Flower Dew, she wouldn’t value it.
What she wanted was gold and silver treasures, not these worthless floral waters.
“Tangtang, you’ve worked hard. Please take your seat,” Yu Shi said with a forced smile.
Yang Chen’s expression held a hint of smugness and disdain. So, after all these days, Lin Tangtang’s aloofness had been an act. She was still the same brainless woman who would stop at nothing to curry favor with the Marquis Estate.
Lin Tangtang set down the floral-mouthed vase and walked to her seat.
The water inside was ordinary well water. She had tossed in some unwashed flower petals to add a floral scent.
So, it was essentially Flower Washing Water—she had merely filtered out the foam and sediment through gauze.
Since Yu Shi had drugged her, it was only natural for her to return the favor.
Later, she had an even greater gift and surprise in store for the Marquis Estate.
After sitting down, Lin Tangtang cast a grateful glance toward Zhou Furen.
Zhou Furen gave a slight nod, her eyes glistening with tears.
Once the delayed interlude passed, the highlight of the Flower Viewing Banquet—the Flower Presentation Ceremony—began.
Whenever Qingyuan Emperor traveled, he rode on horseback with flowers adorning his hair and decreed that officials must wear flowers each spring to enter the imperial palace.
Thus, whether among noble families or commoners, wearing flowers had become a trend.
Maidservants carried baskets filled with freshly picked peonies.
During the banquet, the Marquis Estate would present these flowers, one by one, to the distinguished guests in attendance.
“Tangtang, how about you oversee this year’s Flower Presentation Ceremony?” Yu Shi suggested before Lin Tangtang could respond. “But in previous years, you were in the Northern Territory and seldom attended major banquets in Jing City…”
This proposal was a trap set by Yu Shi.
The Flower Presentation Ceremony followed a strict protocol and required familiarity with each guest’s titles and forms of address.
If Lin Tangtang refused, it would show she was stage-frightened, inexperienced, and unfit for formal occasions.
If she accepted but made errors in etiquette or misaddressed the guests during the presentation, she would become a laughingstock.
Yu Shi sneered inwardly—either way, Lin Tangtang was destined to embarrass herself today.
“Thank you for your confidence, Madam. I’ll do my best,” Lin Tangtang calmly accepted the flower basket.
Yang Chen’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
He thought to himself, Lin Tangtang was truly a reckless woman. In unfamiliar situations, one should conceal their edge and appropriately swallow their pride to attract the least criticism.
Yet she insisted on showing off, agreeing to things she couldn’t accomplish.
The thought that she was still nominally his fiancée added to Yang Chen’s irritation and disgust.
If she wanted to embarrass herself, so be it.
Once the time was right, he wouldn’t have to marry Lin Tangtang as his principal wife anyway—after all, there were plenty of women who admired him.
Lin Tangtang met Yang Chen’s cold gaze and seemed to read his thoughts.
She said nothing more, only raising her eyebrows with a faint smile.
Yu Shi and Lin Jiaojiao exchanged a glance, their lips curling upward—everything was going exactly as planned.
Lin Jiaojiao was also eagerly awaiting Lin Tangtang’s humiliation.
“Madam of the Ye State Duke,” Lin Tangtang performed a Wanfu Salute, “this Wei Zi, hailed as the ‘Queen of Flowers,’ is exceedingly precious. It matches your noble and elegant demeanor, accentuating your snow-white complexion. I present it to you.”
Her etiquette was impeccable, her words appropriate, and her demeanor graceful, leaving Madam Ye utterly delighted.
“Excellent, very well done,” Madam Ye smiled as she accepted the flower, instructing her maid to pin it into her hair.
…
The entire flower presentation flowed smoothly, without a single misstep.
Under the astonished, doubtful, and envious gazes of the Hou Estate members, Lin Tangtang flawlessly completed the flower presentation, earning praise from most of the guests present.
Zhou Furen’s joy was especially evident.
“Madam of the Hou Estate, you are truly fortunate to have such a poised and graceful future daughter-in-law.”
“Miss Lin, your etiquette could serve as a model for others.”
“To remember everyone present in one go shows you’ve truly put thought into this banquet.”
…
Yang Chen was momentarily speechless. So Lin Tangtang’s etiquette and social skills were this impressive? He had underestimated her before.
Upon hearing this, Yu Shi, Yang Xiao, and Lin Jiaojiao nearly dug their fingernails into their palms.
This stage had clearly been set for Yang Xiao, yet Lin Tangtang had stolen the spotlight.
How utterly infuriating!
In her anger, Yu Shi felt her headache returning and quickly placed a ginseng slice in her mouth.
Remembering the plans yet to come, she swallowed her rage and forced a smile. “Tangtang, you’ve truly been thoughtful, memorizing everyone on the list. It wasn’t in vain that I prepared it for you.”
She was shamelessly taking credit for herself.
Lin Tangtang did not respond.
In her past life, she had been deliberately tripped up by Yu Shi at the banquet and made mistakes.
Yu Shi then had Yang Xiao teach Lin Tangtang etiquette, ultimately allowing Yang Xiao to shine by stepping over her.
Not long after the Flower Viewing Banquet, through the Hou Estate’s maneuvering, Yang Xiao’s reputation spread throughout Jing City, earning her the title of “Jing City’s Top Beauty.”
Yang Xiao also gained the Empress’s summons and favor, further solidifying the marital alliance between the Hou Estate and the Li State Duke Manor.
Now, although Yang Xiao was already engaged to the second legitimate son of Li Guogong, the relationship remained unstable due to the upward marriage.
This time, Lin Tangtang had prepared early. Drawing on memories from her past life and some portraits, she memorized all the banquet attendees, thwarting Yu Shi and Yang Xiao’s schemes.
As for whether Yang Xiao would receive another summons from the Empress after the banquet, it remained uncertain.
Under Yang Xiao’s resentful gaze, Lin Tangtang returned to her seat with an unperturbed expression.
Xiangxue approached her and whispered, “Miss, both of them have arrived.”
“Let them wait first, until I give the order to proceed…” Lin Tangtang murmured.
Xiangxue departed, and shortly after, returned to Lin Tangtang’s side.
Sitting nearby, the Second Madam of the Marquis Estate thoughtfully glanced at the mistress and her maid.
Not simple!