"Madam, dressing for a banquet is an art in itself. Would you like me to take a look at your clothes and see if they are appropriate?"

After looking through Madam Gu's wardrobe, Granny Sun looked worried. Meng Zhao understood and suggested, "Godmother, why don't we go out for a stroll and buy some new clothes and accessories? It's been a long time since we've gone out for a shopping trip."

Madam Gu nodded in agreement and picked out several brightly colored and elegantly styled clothes and accessories. When Madam Gu was paying the bill, she suddenly noticed a cloak with a light color and exquisite embroidery. She quickly asked the shop assistant to bring the cloak over and draped it over Meng Zhao's shoulders.

"Zhaozhao, look at the color of this cloak. It complements your skin tone so well. You look absolutely stunning in it."

Meng Zhao didn't stand on ceremony; who doesn't like beautiful clothes? She twirled around twice in her cloak, a satisfied smile on her face. Looking at Meng Zhao's smiling face, Gu Shi suddenly had an idea, "Zhao Zhao, come with me to the Double Ninth Festival banquet."

Meng Zhao was taken aback and quickly waved his hand: "How can this be? I'm just a merchant, how could I possibly go to a place like that?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Gu felt somewhat troubled. Her daughter, Zhao Zhao, was beautiful and capable, and had built such a large business on her own. However, because she married into the Shen family, she had been delayed for three years. Now, in the eyes of others, she was already an "old maid." Madam Gu felt both guilty and anxious, feeling that she had delayed Meng Zhao's marriage.

In the past, she was incompetent and did not know anyone worthy of Meng Zhao. But this time, all those attending the banquet must be people of high status. If she could bring Meng Zhao over, and perhaps find someone suitable, she would be able to put her mind at ease. Thinking of this, Madam Gu looked at Granny Sun beside her.

Granny Sun understood immediately. "Madam Meng is the lady's goddaughter and has a younger brother who became a top scholar in the imperial examination. Her status is naturally not comparable to that of ordinary merchants. It's fine for her to go. She might even be able to make some useful connections."

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao's heart stirred. Although her Treasure Pavilion had gained some fame in the capital, it was not an easy task to establish a foothold there. If she could make one or two useful connections through this, it would be a good thing. So she nodded in agreement.

When Gu Shi saw that she had agreed, she was overjoyed and immediately started picking out clothes for Meng Zhao again.