When they returned to the small garden, the banquet had already begun. Madam Fan and her second daughter left early, while Madam Liu took Xu Lingwan back to the Xu family home ahead of time.

The banquet was divided into men's and women's seats. Li Shiyue sat between Yang Shi and Xu Lingzi, while the Xu family's seat was on the left, first seat.

Sitting beside Madam Xiao was Xu Lingyu, who was, after all, the future Empress Dowager, and the Feng family also had their own selfish motives today. Madam Xiao glanced at her granddaughter, and her smile widened.

"Your Majesty, this is my granddaughter, the third in her family, her maiden name is Lanyin."

Feng Lanyin, who hadn't been able to accompany them earlier, was filled with curiosity, her eyes darting back and forth, trying to discern something. Unexpectedly, Old Madam Xiao suddenly called her, and upon seeing the Crown Princess, her face instantly lit up with a happy smile, and she hurriedly stepped forward to pay her respects.

Xu Lingyu observed Feng Lanyin discreetly, noticing the commotion and wondering what Old Madam Xiao meant.

Others might not know, but Xu Lingyu did. When the Emperor was choosing two concubines for the Crown Prince, Feng San Niang was among them. However, when Minister Feng heard about it and met the Emperor, Feng San Niang was not among the two concubines.

Logically speaking, Minister Feng is a high-ranking official of the second rank, and Feng San Niang would be qualified to be the Crown Princess. It would be a real injustice for her to be a concubine.

What does Madam Xiao's sudden action mean? Could it be that she intends to recommend her daughter to the Crown Princess, hoping to get her daughter into the Eastern Palace through the Crown Princess? She doesn't even think much of the Consorts, so does she think she can get a higher position than a Consort if the Crown Princess makes the decision?

Xu Lingyu put down her chopsticks and wiped her lips with a handkerchief. She took in Feng Lanyin's shy, ladylike demeanor, then looked away, glancing questioningly at Old Madam Xiao with a slight raised eyebrow.

Madam Xiao beckoned to Feng Lanyin and said affectionately, "The Feng family is extremely honored that Her Majesty has graced us with her presence today. My granddaughter has come of age this year and it's time for her to be engaged."

"I must shamelessly ask Your Majesty to act as my granddaughter and arrange a suitable marriage for me."

Xu Lingyu looked at Madam Yang, their eyes met, and in the blink of an eye, Xu Lingyu looked away and smiled, "I wonder if the old lady has someone in mind, or what kind of person the third young lady likes? I have a general idea in mind, and I can't just make a decision casually."

Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao couldn't stop smiling. Wasn't this a gesture of goodwill from the Feng family, an attempt to curry favor with Chonghua Palace?

"As long as they are of similar social standing and can genuinely treat Third Sister well, that's enough."

Madam Xiao suddenly turned her head and looked at Madam Yang on her left: "I remember the young men of the Duke's mansion, they're all over twenty now, aren't they?"

At this point, even if Yang didn't understand, she shouldn't be allowed to remain the matriarch of the Xu family.

She didn't spell it out, but smiled and replied, "Second and Third Brothers are already of age, and Fourth Brother is currently training under General Cheng in the western suburbs military camp. As for Fifth and Seventh Brothers, my fourth sister-in-law and I both suggest that they find someone they like."

“Sister-in-law, you are kind-hearted and have treated my fifth son as your own since he was a child. If you have a good candidate for my fifth son’s future wife, why don’t you help me choose one? My sister-in-law trusts you the most.” Zhou said with a smile, her gaze falling on Feng Lanyin, who was standing next to Old Madam Xiao.

She lowered her head, displaying the shy demeanor of an unmarried woman. She was also quite beautiful, possessing a unique charm.

She hadn't considered such a marriage. One reason was that she genuinely wanted her son to find someone he liked, since they were living their own lives and no one knew each other better than themselves.

Another reason is that Wulang has three older brothers, Xu Yunci, Xu Yunyang, and Xu Yunbo. None of the older brothers have married yet, so why would the younger brother be in such a hurry?

The smile on Zhou's lips gradually faded, and she looked at Old Madam Xiao. She said, "I see. It seems that the Feng family wants to marry Feng San Niang to the Xu family. The best candidate for the young master is the heir, Xu Yun Ci."

Madam Xiao smiled deeply: "The Duchess and the Fourth Madam are truly sisters-in-law with a deep affection. I imagine that the future brides of their husbands will take these two ladies as role models."

Yang didn't reply, but looked at Zhou with a helpless smile: "My sister-in-law is good with words, and she's also the top official in the government. She's helped me a lot. But all she can do is talk. How could I really go over her mother's head and arrange a marriage for Wulang?"

"Don't laugh at me, Madam, but the Duke and I have already prepared the betrothal gifts for our sons when they marry. These things can't be rushed; it all depends on the children's own wishes."

Madam Xiao's lips moved slightly, and Madam Yang seemed to sense something, her smile fading somewhat. Madam Xiao sighed, glanced at Feng Lanyin beside her, then at the other women who were watching intently, and ultimately did not bring up the matter again.

Madam Yang was displeased. Even if she wanted to propose marriage to her family, she should have done so in private. It was during a banquet, with many people and gossip; if rumors spread, would it lead to marriage or enmity?

Feng Lanyin looked somewhat disappointed as she got up from beside Madam Xiao, sat back in her seat, and absentmindedly ate a few bites of food.

Looking up, Feng Lanyin saw Li Shiyue, but Xu Lingzi, who had been beside her, was nowhere to be seen, leaving the seat empty. She pursed her lips, raised her cup, and walked over.

The small garden is interconnected, and a gentle breeze blows through the corridors, making the air inside very cool.

Suddenly, a figure landed beside her, and an unfamiliar scent reached her nose. Li Shiyue looked up and was surprised to see Feng Lanyin.

Having met her today, she didn't feel particularly compatible with this Miss Feng, and she never expected that it would be Feng Lanyin who would take the initiative to talk to her.

"This wine was brewed by me personally, using green plums picked from under the tree last year, and I only took it out today. My grandmother said that this wine is not strong enough, so it is very suitable for entertaining young ladies. Please, Your Highness, have a taste."

Feng Lanyin raised the cup in her hand, clearly indicating that she could not refuse.

Li Shiyue had just tasted this wine. The aroma alone told her it was fragrant, slightly sour, and as it entered her mouth, the subtle sweet and sour taste of the green plum concealed a barely perceptible spicy kick. Before she could even savor it, that hint of spiciness had already disappeared down her throat.

Li Shiyue did not refuse, raised her cup, covered her mouth with her hand, and drank it all.

"What do you think of our relationship, Your Highness?"

Feng Lanyin's gaze held a hint of provocation, and her voice was so soft that only the two of them could hear it clearly. She wore a smile, making it difficult for others to discern what she was saying.

"Just now, my grandmother wanted to arrange a marriage between me and the Xu family. I heard that when the county princess's grandmother was alive, she and Madam Xu arranged a marriage between you and a young man from the Xu family. I wonder which young man it was."

"Will the county princess and I become like the duchess and the fourth wife, with a deep bond between sisters-in-law? Or will the husband the county princess favors actually be the same one that my grandmother has chosen for me?"

She has never been a coward; even in front of Princess Chunhui, she would still compete.