Lotus Banquet
That day, before Xu Lanxin had even left the courtyard, she was stopped by the old nanny who served Feng Wanqing and taken to Feng Wanqing's Yilan Garden.
During the day, Yilan Garden and Yilan Courtyard under the sunset filter lose some of their secluded tranquility and gain more of a lively atmosphere.
Perhaps it was the servants sweeping and cleaning among them, or perhaps she simply disliked this place deep down, influenced by the original owner of the body.
If Feng Wanqing is wise enough not to provoke her, then they can each go their own way and live in peace. But if she does provoke her, then don't blame her for retaliating; she's not some Hello Kitty.
Once inside, Feng Wanqing only showed her her back, while Xu Zhilan stood to the side, combing her hair.
To be honest, this woman in her thirties has a beautiful appearance. Compared to Qingyu's cold beauty, Feng Wanqing is probably every man's dream.
Xu Zhilan, standing to the side, had completely inherited her genes, but lacked the mature charm and gained a touch of naivety.
But that doesn't stop a man's desire to pluck it.
If she doesn't say anything more, Xu Lanxin isn't going to tolerate her. She'll just leave, after all, her sister has powerful connections.
"Oh, Lanxin is here."
She put down the hairpin she was gesturing with, turned around, and gave a fake smile.
"Look at you, you didn't even say a word. I've been waiting for you to call me 'big sister' for so long."
After saying that, he gave a reproachful sound, as if blaming Xu Zhilan.
Xu Lanxin rolled her eyes inwardly. You two, stop pretending. We're not that close. Let's get down to business. She's not a man.
"Madam, you sent someone to summon me so early in the morning. Is there something you need?"
Feng Wanqing gave a wink to the old nanny beside her, who then took out a red, gold-embossed invitation card.
"This is an invitation sent by Princess Qingya, inviting you to the Lotus Banquet,"
As she spoke, she walked towards her from the dressing table and warmly took her hand.
"Look at your second sister, she's about to choose a husband too. You can take her with you, right?"
I knew it.
Lanxin is a sensible person.
“Madam, you have such good taste, don’t you? Look at the house you chose for me last time, tsk tsk, it’s the Earl’s mansion, I think it’s excellent.”
Lan Xin grasped her hand in return and put on a fake smile.
"Look at you, child, why are you still holding a grudge against me? Why didn't you tell me sooner that Lord Cen and you are in love!"
Feng Wanqing smiled wryly, holding the handkerchief, and took her hand again, patting it gently.
"Alas, it's all my fault. I meant well but did something wrong. Fortunately, things between you and Lord Cen turned out well, otherwise I would have let down my deceased sister!"
This person's tears fell without warning, and they even pretended to wipe them away with a handkerchief.
"Can you forgive him?"
"OK!"
Lan Xin pulled her hand away again, wondering why it was so sticky.
"The lady gave me the dowry list that my mother left behind, so I took my second sister with me."
Feng Wanqing was momentarily speechless, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
She probably never imagined that one day she would negotiate with her.
"What, is the lady unwilling?"
Xu Lanxin pretended to leave, her smile fading.
"Then I shall take my leave."
“Wait a minute,” she said, turning around and walking to a box, where she pulled out a red slip of paper.
"Here you go, here you go. This was originally left to you by your mother. I'm keeping it for you temporarily. Look, I'm keeping it for you so that I can give it to you when you get married!"
"Thank you very much, Madam!"
Lan Xin took the list and looked at Xu Zhilan: "Second sister, please dress up nicely. I hope your wish will come true tomorrow!"
Xu Lanxin bowed and took her leave, just as she reached the door.
“Madam, why don’t you also call my third and fourth sisters? As their elder sister, I can’t show favoritism to them.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Wanqing's smile vanished, but Xu Lanxin paid no attention to her.
“Mother, look at her, she’s so smug,” Xu Zhilan said, tugging at Feng Wanqing’s arm in a petulant tone.
"Why did Mother give her a dowry list? Didn't Mother promise to give it to me?"
Unable to bear her nagging any longer, Feng Wanqing sneered, "You think that's real? Even if it were, would I give her the real thing?"
She gently pinched Xu Zhilan's forehead, looking at her with concern: "When will you ever grow up!"
"You're almost ready to find a husband, yet you're still acting like a child!"
"Mother, I can't bear to part with you. Besides, you're so smart, I'm not stupid."
Xu Lanxin wasn't very interested in the conversation between the mother and daughter after she left.
As soon as she returned to the courtyard, Qingyu told her some good news.
We've found Li, the old nanny who used to serve my mother. We'll be able to see her this afternoon.
It turned out that she had returned to her mother's hometown, Qingyang County.
After having lunch and waiting for a long time, we finally met Granny Li.
Her hair was half gray, and she wore a faded, narrow-sleeved jacket.
The cry of "Miss" was filled with longing, instantly bringing tears to her eyes, and she wiped them away with her sleeve.
He choked back tears and said, "This old servant has finally seen you."
"Granny, get up quickly,"
Lan Xin quickly helped her up, perhaps moved by her actions, her heart still touched:
"Granny, you must be tired from your long journey. Would you like to rest first?"
She excitedly grasped Xu Lanxin's hands.
"This old servant is not tired. It is wonderful to be able to see the young lady."
"Your daughter is all grown up now, she's about to get married," he said, letting go of her hand and bowing with his hands clasped together towards the door.
"Thank you for your blessing, Madam, that the young lady has been able to marry a good man."
"Granny, can you tell me about my mother? I was too young at the time, and my memories are a bit blurry."
My mother's family was originally the wealthiest in Qingyang County. She took a fancy to Xu Yingshan, a poor scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. So she insisted on marrying him down. Xu Yingshan treated my mother well. He then passed the imperial examinations and was appointed as an official. My mother then left Qingyang County with my father.
Then, of course, comes the melodramatic plot: the man gains power and a concubine, and forgets his wife.
After giving birth to her, her mother's health deteriorated, and she passed away within two years. She then married Feng Wanqing, the daughter of Prefect Feng.
“This old servant originally intended to take care of the girl as she grew up, but unexpectedly, that Madam Feng found fault with me and dismissed me. The old people in the madam's courtyard were also sent away or sold off.”
"Fortunately, with the protection of the lady, the girl grew up safely, though she looks a little thin."
"Miss, are you suffering at home?"
The old woman's eyes were filled with tears, and she looked on with hope, probably because she didn't want to hear bad news.
"Don't worry, Granny. No one in the manor can bully me. Madam Feng doesn't have time to deal with me either. She sent me to the family temple, which is quieter and more comfortable than the manor."
I don't know what got into Xu Yingshan, that he thought of her and brought her back to his mansion.
"Perhaps my father thought it was time for me to get married, so he brought me back to the manor."
Lanxin gently squeezed her hand back; her hand had some thin calluses.
“You can stay here with me, and I will take care of you in your old age. You go and rest first; we have plenty of time.”
Granny Li nodded repeatedly, seemingly pleased.
Not long after Granny Li left, the courtyard welcomed two more rare guests.
The third sister is Xu You, and the fourth sister is Xu Qiao.
What wind has blown in her direction? These two sisters, apart from meeting her when she received the imperial decree, have never come to get close to her.
The two called out in unison, "Big sister!"
"My two younger sisters have time to come see me today."
The two of them took out gifts: a handkerchief and a silk flower.
"Big sister, thank you for taking us to the princess's banquet tomorrow."
“My mother has never brought either of us to such a banquet before. We are so grateful to my sister for this.”
Xu Lanxin graciously accepted the gift and invited the two of them to sit down.
"You're too kind, sisters. It's nothing."
Xu You is quite true to her name; she doesn't talk much, while Xu Qiao is talkative and very lively, like a cute and playful girl next door.
Throughout the entire conversation, she and Xu Lanxin chatted happily about various things.
Early the next morning, Xu Lanxin took Qingyu out, while Xiaoxi stayed in the courtyard.
The little girl smacked her lips, not very happy, but there was nothing she could do. These royal relatives were not to be trifled with. Xu Lanxin was also quite curious as to why some princess, whom she had no connection with at all, had invited her.
At the main gate, Feng Wanqing and the others were already waiting. Xu Zhilan was dressed up today and looked even more radiant than usual.
The two half-sisters were dressed more formally than yesterday, seemingly eagerly anticipating the banquet and hoping to catch the eye of one of the ladies.
She and Xu Zhilan drove ahead in the same car. She didn't want to exchange pleasantries with her, so she kept her eyes closed the whole time after getting in the car.
Until the driver announced that we had arrived.
I ran into the Prince of Yan'an as soon as I got off the bus. What a coincidence!
The two greeted each other.
"Young Master, what brings you to the Princess's banquet today? Do you perhaps also wish to get married?"
Xu Lanxin walked into the princess's residence alongside him and whispered something.
"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? It's all for your sake. Zijin was afraid you would be bullied, so he asked me to come."
The Crown Prince of Yan'an, with a smug look on his face, raised an eyebrow and said:
"This is the first time Zijin has ever asked someone for help! Sister-in-law, you're amazing!"
Lan Xin gave an awkward laugh, inwardly wondering if this was just another one of that person's unwanted romantic advances.
They followed the servants from the princess's residence to the banquet venue.
A waterside pavilion, surrounded by a lotus pond, where the summer lotus flowers are in full bloom, is indeed a good time to appreciate them.
A gentle breeze blows, and the pink lotus flowers sway gracefully, carrying with them a delicate fragrance.
The one sitting at the very top must be the princess. Indeed, she is of the highest rank and is adorned with precious gold and jade, and her hairpins and ornaments are of extraordinary quality.
She has a perfect grasp of poise and elegance; you can tell at a glance she's someone of importance.
Upon seeing Lan Xin, her eyes first showed disdain, then a hint of displeasure from a rival, but more so, a feeling that Lan Xin was unworthy of Cen Yan.
Xu Lanxin bowed to her, but she just looked at her and didn't tell her to get up.
Yan'an, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore and pulled Xu Lanxin toward her seat.
After sitting down, he looked at Princess Qingya and said, "Qingya, don't embarrass yourself, or I'll tell the Empress Dowager."
Wow, I didn't expect this kid to have such powerful backing, daring to challenge the princess.
handsome.
Princess Qingya gave a light hum and turned to chat with the other noble ladies.
Yan'an scoffed, looked at Lan Xin, and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Isn't my sister-in-law amazing!"
Well, this kid's coolness only lasted a second; he's just plain silly.
Some people were into poetry and painting, displaying a refined and elegant literary style, but she couldn't keep up with that trend. She could only watch from the sidelines and chat with people in Yan'an.
As she was talking, she felt her hands were damp; a maid had accidentally spilled wine on her.
She knelt down repeatedly to apologize, but was then reprimanded by the maid beside Princess Qingya. She then stepped forward to apologize.
"Miss Xu, why don't you go and change your clothes? It's windy in this pavilion. If you get wet, you might catch a cold, and that would be the fault of the Princess's residence!"
"Someone come here."
This plot seems so familiar. Well, there must be a sequel. Isn't this something that's often shown on TV?
"Then thank you very much, Princess."
Alright, I'll play along. How can the game begin if she, the main character, doesn't step in?
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