After the Wang family banquet, Liu Rou Niang did get to know some noblewomen.
Madam Feng was the first to befriend Liu Rou Niang. Knowing that Liu Rou Niang had risen in status to become a princess, she became even more eager to curry favor with her. After much deliberation, she finally decided to hold a flower-viewing banquet at her villa outside the capital.
Of course, this villa was originally part of her dowry. Although it wasn't very large, she had come into contact with nobles over the years and learned about their hobbies, such as their love of flowers. Literati and scholars even used these as inspiration for poems and paintings. Therefore, she decorated the villa with great elegance, with exquisite pavilions and towers.
The flowers were all of the finest and most prized varieties, meticulously cared for by gardeners at great expense. The intention was to make acquaintances with distinguished guests here.
Therefore, her Hundred Flowers Manor was quite civilized. Madam Feng thought of using this as an excuse to hold a banquet in order to get closer to Liu Rou Niang.
Of course, Liu Rou Niang was very happy to receive Madam Feng's invitation, but thinking of the old lady's advice that day, and the possibility that the Feng family might be beneficial to her marriage alliance, she felt somewhat unhappy. However, after careful consideration, she realized that her daughter was indeed growing up, and that Feng Shi was quite handsome and a good match for her daughter in terms of appearance.
Mingyue was then asked to inquire about Feng Shi's reputation. Because Feng Shi was young and studying at the academy, although he wasn't particularly outstanding, he hadn't done anything outrageous.
Liu Rou Niang thought that if her daughter Yu Rong had such a stable husband, it wouldn't be bad. After all, those who were too outstanding had very high expectations, and she couldn't help them. Those who weren't outstanding enough, she was unwilling to marry her daughter off.
Feng Shi is just right.
Liu Rou Niang accepted the Feng family's invitation. She then carefully dressed up her three daughters before taking them to Hundred Flowers Manor. As they approached the manor, they saw some flowers already blooming along the roadside, a riot of colors, quite a beautiful sight.
The gates of the Hundred Flowers Manor were decorated with extreme elegance. Naturally, the Feng family had not only invited Liu Rou Niang, but also some distinguished guests. Moreover, they had invited some dashing young men, who were naturally Feng Shi's fellow villagers.
There were people older than him and some younger than him who were thinking about it. They might write a poem or something to fit the mood.
People kept arriving, but Liu Rou Niang was, after all, a princess, and Madam Feng personally greeted her as soon as she arrived at the door. After exchanging pleasantries, the two took their seats.
The villa is divided into a front yard and a back yard. The young masters in the front yard are entertained by Feng Shi, while the young ladies in the back yard are helped by Feng Yanran, the illegitimate daughter of Madam Feng. After all, Madam Feng only has one son, Feng Shi, so Aunt Feng has gone to great lengths to ensure that her daughter can gain recognition.
The women gathered together and chatted. Rou Niang and Madam Feng, though each with their own agendas, found themselves getting along very well because they shared the same goal.
As they talked more, Liu Rou Niang became increasingly satisfied. She thought that Madam Feng was a kind and understanding mother-in-law who would surely treat her daughter well in the future, and she was even more optimistic about the marriage. However, neither of them had voiced their opinions yet, remaining in a wait-and-see phase.
Meanwhile, the three Liu sisters were also looking around at the flowers. They had never seen these flowers before, and they were indeed very beautiful.
"Sister, look, there's even a green flower!" Liu Yuyan was very surprised and pointed to the green flower, showing it only to Yu Rong and Yu Jin. The two of them also curiously came closer.
“This is my mother’s favorite, you mustn’t secretly pick it.” Just then, Feng Shi walked over and said.
“Who wants to pick them? We just looked at them because they were novel,” Liu Yujin said.
"I was being presumptuous. Apart from these green ones, feel free to pick any of the others you like, consider them a gift from me," Feng Shi said, feeling somewhat apologetic.
Yu Rong smiled and said, "That's not necessary. These flowers won't survive for more than a few days after being picked. It's better to leave them here for people to enjoy, so they can see them for a few more days."
Feng Shi nodded; he thought so too. The two shared the same view, and so the group chatted for a while longer.
"Why did you come here, brother? Doesn't the front yard need you? But then again, with your literary talent, even if you went to the front yard, you wouldn't understand what they're saying."
At this moment, a girl suddenly appeared. Looking closely, they recognized her as none other than Feng Yanran, the concubine's daughter whom Madam Feng had reluctantly brought along. Concubine Feng was deeply favored by Master Feng; the Feng family was known for its practice of favoring concubines over wives.
Therefore, Feng Yanran was raised with the same lifestyle as the legitimate daughter, and was spoiled and arrogant. She was not obedient to anyone. Because Aunt Feng and Madam Feng did not get along, Feng Yanran disliked Feng Shi from a young age.
"You talk as if you're some kind of literary genius," Liu Yuyan retorted. After all, she found Feng Shi agreeable and consciously tried to bring him into her camp.
"How dare you!" Feng Yanran pouted.
"What, you're not convinced? Then let's have a match!" Feng Shi also wanted to see Feng Yanran make a fool of herself.
"Let's see who's afraid of whom!" Feng Yanran was enraged.
"Okay, sister, you go ahead, I support you." Liu Yuyan, with great self-awareness, pushed Yu Yurong forward.
Yu Rong was quite helpless, but since the conversation had already gone this far, she had no choice but to have a contest.
The two of them each wrote a poem about the green flower, without signing their names, and took it to the front yard to ask people to rate it. In order to prevent others from cheating, the group also quietly went to the front yard to eavesdrop on the scholars' comments.
Liu Yurong's poem received unanimous praise. Although Feng Yanran's poem was also very good, there is no harm without comparison. Feng Yanran was a little angry and left in a huff.
The Yu Rong sisters smiled at each other and quietly left. Feng Shi watched Liu Yu Rong's back and fell into deep thought. This was the first time Feng Yanran had been humiliated, and he felt very pleased!
Feeling bored sitting in the hall with Madam Feng, Liu Rou Niang went out to admire the flowers and relax. Since this provincial flower banquet was Madam Feng's affair, she couldn't stay with Rou Niang all the time and had to leave.
Rou Niang was also happy to be relaxed and carefree, walking alone. She walked further and further away, and found that although this place was quiet, the scenery was particularly beautiful. There was a pond in front of her, with colorful koi fish in it, which was pleasing to the eye. She asked the maid beside her to fetch fish food, thinking of feeding the fish for a while.
Just then, she heard someone shouting for help by the pond. Liu Rou Niang looked over and saw that the woman was dressed like a young lady from a wealthy family.
Judging from her frightened appearance, she probably couldn't swim. However, the people around Liu Rou Niang had been sent away, and the place was quiet with no one passing by. She was a little anxious, so she rolled up her sleeves and jumped into the water to save the woman. It took a lot of effort to pull her up.
"You don't need to thank me, it's my pleasure." Seeing the woman panting, Rou Niang quickly waved her hand and said.
The woman stared at Rou Niang for a long time before finally saying with a complicated expression, "I really thank you."
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